04

« How much longer till we are there ? » I asked to no one in particular because I didn’t expect them to answer me.

« Maybe another 30 minutes till we clear the trees to the main property, » Everett said while motioning for some of the guys to go ahead of us.

I thought it would be funny to mess with them because I was getting bored.

« Well I am too tired to walk any further, » I announced while sitting down on the ground. This caused the guards to stop and huff. I guess they were tired too and wanted to get back to sleep.

« Come on. We all are tired and want to get back. We don’t have time to deal with you, » Sam called out looking annoyed. Everett on the other hand had a smirk on his face as he thought this was funny.

« No, I am not moving another foot, » I crossed my arms while staring Sam down.

« I don’t have time for this, » this was Everett now. He walked over to me and reached down to pick me up. Before I could object, he was throwing me over his shoulder and continued walking.

« Now you don’t have to walk, » he said while laughing with the other guys.

I tried to act mad that he was carrying me. However, it did feel nice to not have to walk anymore. My legs felt like they were on fire from all the running I had done on top of all the walking.

I must have fallen asleep because I found myself waking up in a cell. I started to panic thinking I was back with the rogues that had captured me all those years ago.

« No, we are in the cells of the pack that caught us. It’s okay they aren’t going to hurt us, » Willow reassured me that we would be okay.

« How can you be so sure they won’t ? We don’t really know them and they have no reason to be nice to us, » I questioned her while looking around to see if we could escape.

« I just have a feeling that they won’t. Now get some more rest. It is very late, » she replied to me before retreating into my mind.

I found it hard to fall back asleep. I was so worried I would wake up back in that place.

I was thrown into a cell that was dark and cold. It had no windows and smelled awful. I watched as more of my pack members were thrown into cells. I was so scared of what would happen to us. One person was brave enough to ask what they would do to us. That caused them to get a beating.

« Don’t ask questions ! You were lucky to be alive and brought here so be thankful, » one of the guards called out for all of us to hear.

I wasn’t sure what the future held. I just knew I lost everything ; my friends, my family, and my pack.

I sat there until I cried myself to sleep hoping it was all just a nightmare…

I brought myself out of the memory to find myself crying. I haven’t thought about my family in a long time. I barely remember what my family looked like. I wish I could see them just one more time even for a minute. That would be enough.

I eventually fell asleep. Only to be woken up shortly after. I guess I had cried longer than I realized and it was now daylight. At least I had a window in this cell. A guard was bringing me something to eat which wasn’t much.

« How much longer will I be here ? » I asked the guard before he was even at my cell. I wanted to try and escape but knew it was hopeless.

« When the Alpha decides what he wants to do with you, » the guard replied while setting my food down. It’s nothing more than a little oatmeal and an apple with some water. I quickly started eating realizing I couldn’t remember the last time I had eaten.

« Well, could you tell him to get a move on ? I am bored of sitting down here, » I called to the guard as he was leaving. He only laughed and continued up the stairs. I was ready to leave, and if talking to the Alpha was all I had to do that should be easy enough.

Lunch had come and gone, and I was still waiting in this cell. I could tell that it was getting closer to dinner because the sun had fallen behind the trees. At this rate, I would be here for a while. I was standing in my cell pacing when I heard the door open from up above. I heard the footsteps of people coming down. Hoping it was the Alpha finally I quit pacing and just say down.

To my surprise, it was Everett along with two guards. I knew Everett wasn’t the alpha so I just got up and started to pace again.

« How are you doing ? » Everett questioned me as if I was in a resort or something.

« Oh, I am just fine. You know the food and service are great, » I replied sarcastically, « when will the alpha be here ? I am bored of sitting here. »

« How do you know I am not the alpha, » he asked taking a step closer to the cell.

« You radiate power, but not like an alpha does. You are maybe a beta, but definitely not the alpha, » I said not even glancing his way.

« You are right there. The Alpha will be down in a few, » Everett said while getting a chair, « Why don’t you start by telling me how you got to be on our land. »

« Well, that is easy to answer. I didn’t mean to, » I reply while taking a seat. « I only meant to stay along the border and never enter the territory. I guess I didn’t realize how far I had traveled inward till I heard the guards looking for me yesterday. »

« So you aren’t here on some secret agenda or anything, » Everett questioned looking a little shocked.

« Nope. I am all alone. I don’t have anyone, » I said solemnly looking away from him not wanting to show weakness.

« Well, what happened to you ? How did you become a rogue ? » he continued to question me.

« I didn’t choose this okay ? I had no choice, » I answered then quickly realized that was very rude. He wouldn’t know about my past and I shouldn’t be so snappy. After all, they have treated me nicely so far.

« I apologize. I shouldn’t be so rude. You have been nothing but nice to me, » I looked away embarrassed not used to a lot of human interaction.

« Hey, it’s alright. I am just trying to prepare you for when the Alpha gets here. He will probably ask the same questions and won’t be as nice or patient, » Everett said with a soft look on his face. Taking a moment to really notice Everett, I realize he is actually a nice person who has to always act tough in front of people. It is nice to see that he is willing to be so nice to me.

Everett’s eyes glazed over as he talked with someone through the mind link. I hope it was the Alpha on his way down. I was ready to leave this place.

« I apologize. The Alpha is on his way down but please continue, » Everett informed me. I only nodded and started to tell him the story.

« My pack was attacked by a bunch of rogues about five years ago. It all happened so quickly. In the blink of an eye, I lost everything. A few of us that were left alive were taken as prisoners. The rogues that captured us told us that they had killed everyone and that we were lucky enough to be alive. We didn’t understand why we were chosen as it was only the younger pack members they took, » I started on the story not realizing just how hard it would be. « The people that captured us torture us in the worst ways. They would beat you more if tried to fight back. The things they did still cause me nightmares, and I would never wish it on anyone. »

I hadn’t realized I was crying till I felt the tear that had fallen onto my hand. I quickly tried to wipe my tears away. Everett was looking at me with pity and sorrow in his eyes. I didn’t want people to feel sorry for me. It wouldn’t change anything that happened. I was about to tell him that it was okay and to not feel sorry for me when Willow started perking up and acting crazy in my head.