Fight or Flight.

*Renna's POV*

I ran like a mad woman. I didn't dare think, I moved on instinct once more. I decided against trying the road, knowing whatever beast the big man was would no doubt outrun me. I back tracked past the warehouse and towards the diner I had found the alpha. I didn't look back to see if the big guy had followed me. I went back to where the fox had left me and I sat down at the edge of the grass.

"Stay put you little bitch. Whst were you doing? Where is your master, your mate? Did you escape from Asa?" I look up to see the big guy has caught me. I decide to play confused and I cower from him.

"I can't find him. He abandoned me on our way here. I couldn't find him, so I went to search for my friend's captor, and he isn't around. I don't know anything about this place. I thought he might be where he had gotten me from. Is it an important place?" I don't have to fake the nervousness in my voice. A crowd grows around us. Nosey people trying to see what the commotion is.

"You are lying through those little teeth, human." He sneers and now hovers over me with a claw extended. He slashes me over my eye and I squeal out loud and try to get away from him. He traps me under his body, my back on the grass as he prepares to slash me again. I bring my hands up to cover my face and my knee up into his balls. He is male, after all. No species hopefully is immune to a good knee in the nuts. He growls out and I pull the knife from my bun and slash his face in retaliation. I take advantage of his shock to escape the cage of his arms. He is up and after me as I square up with my knife. He shivers with malice as his darkened eyes observe me. "I will fucking kill you. You do not touch us."

"That's why I touched you. You were going to kill me. I have done no wrong!" I defend.

"Clint, leave her be." My head snaps up to see Nixon with a bag in his hand.

"No. This bitch attacked me after being confronted for her lies and her attempted escape!"

"Attempted escape?" Nixon scoffs. "She was left behind in the woods earlier. She could've been killed. She cane right up to me asking for help to get here. For whatever reason, Asa left her during the voyage here. She was scared half to death. Smell her. She will have my scent from earlier." He adds. Clint is pissed, but approaches me and shoves me down to smell. He then snatches my shirt satchel.

"There's food in here. Explain this?" He counters. I immediately start to think of Asa earlier, looking down with his plate of cookies. I force a feeling of guilt into myself. If he can read my mind he will be able to see if he chooses that I 'feel guilty'. I'm hoping to work this to my advantage.

"He was mad at me earlier. He mentioned that he likes sugar cookies so I brought him those and some apples. I thought if I followed him to town like he asked, but surprised him with the cookies maybe he won't want to kill me anymore. He tore my back earlier..." I trail off doing my best to be even more pathetic than I am. Nixon winks at me when the others aren't watching him and I return it. This man is everything. I owe him my left boob and my first born child. My face and eye stings and it's watering so hard I can't hold it open. I know the ground will double soon, the scent of my blood will carry.

"What's the problem?" The crowd parts and lowers their gaze, and the alpha steps forward. "Up. Off of her." Clint stands. "Now then, explain." He gestures to each of us and we tell our part. He takes all of this in and finally speaks. "I believe she is being honest. Her story matches with Nixon's, and she stopped by the diner earlier and spoke with me personally about finding her friend. I believe when she ran from you, it caused miscommunication. She no doubt was afraid. However, she has struck two of us since having come here. Her master is not here to defend or to deliver her punishment, and so I will." My heart goes ice cold and I hang my head, dejectedly.

"I struck Aaron to defend Asa. I struck this guy to defend myself. He was cutting my face! He cut my eye. I can't open it. It was fight or flight for me. Aaron was trying to hurt Asa, to get to me. I thought I was supposed to intervene on his behalf."

"You dare to question me?"

"I have to. I have nobody else to speak for me. Asa obviously has no intention of coming to my aid. Being a man of your stature, I thought you would appreciate an assertive type. I have not insulted you in any way, or challenged you. I'm only trying to be understood. I've been pulled from everything I've ever known, separated from my only friend upon coming here, I've been cut, bitten, nearly drowned and killed, insulted. I was up all night last night with a terrifying man licking me and taking away my free will of mind. My only retreat is in my mind! I know nothing about this place or how things work here. The one person who I was supposed to depend on dumped me off and you are all mad at me for simply trying to survive and resist harm?" I sob.

Alpha comes forward to seize me and dismisses the others. Everyone scatters and sneaks looks at us as he drags me away with a fistful of my hair. I'm lead to the warehouse again and secured to the bar, just like yesterday. He strips me with little effort and I can't cover myself. I turn away with my forehead to the wall and try to contain my sobs. I'm horrified. I seen him kill a girl for speaking out yesterday. I can only imagine the consequences of my actions. He leaves for a little while and I can't handle the suspense any longer. I can hardly breathe and I'm trembling. I'm sorry Brie. I won't be able to help you, or even see you. I fucked up. I'm going to die. That monster rejected me and left me to die. I hope he never gets to have a mate or servant, or whatever he considers me.

Alpha returns with a whip. I know I'm hyperventilating, but I force myself to face the wall again. I don't want to see him. I know what's going to happen, and I can't watch. I cry and wail as he lashes out at me without mercy. I stand and curl against the wall as much as I can, trying to protect as many important parts as I can. My back was already sore. It is no doubt ruined now. I can hardly stand anymore, my knees buckling. He continues to lash, and I fight so hard to stand. I'm afraid if I sit or fall that he'll make it worse or take it as defiance. I hold out several minutes, until it's too much. I just collapse on the floor without caring what will come of it. I physically can't hold myself any longer. I lay in my own blood and probably piss, with my arms twisted and held upwards by the rope. Naked and humiliated. I hope I die here. Asa will be stuck another year in wait for his next victim. Alpha turns to leave and I raise my head and spit at him.

"Do you have something to say?"

"T-tell A-Asa that...that...Aaron can-can kill us b-both next time. N-never again...will I aid or r-respect him. Or...you. F-fragile ego..." He snarls at me and shakes himself off and leaves. Leaving me there as I am. I have hit his nerve, his knows I am right. I was right all along. I feel my eyes drooping as the heavy day I've had weighs on them. I retreat back into my mind, no longer giving a shit about Asa's mind reading jumbo. I'm in my home, my bedroom, under my purple sherpa blanket. Band posters on my wall. I had a long bath. My belly is full. My body is unblemished and relaxed. My mom brings me a cup of hot chocolate abd it feels so soothing on my hoarse throat. Brie is down the street in her room asleep likely. That nice boy from school have me a hug this morning and packed my books to class. All is good. All is well. I'm not here. I'm not here.