Chapter 8: Helena POV

Leaving the party upon the arm of Bella, surrounded by all these rugged, cloaked men I felt like an Alpha Queen and tried to enjoy the surprise I could feel rippling across the room as we strode out. I gave a cursory nod at Luna Maeve but Alpha Jones was nowhere to be seen.

Perhaps news had now broken about Caleb and Jack, Fyre remained on edge, half expecting someone to grab me back for questioning.

Calmly we emerged from the foliage tunnel into a cool forest night, guided by fire-lit beacons in an eerie procession. Both the men and women had their cloaks over their heads walking in a line of two guided by fire. I had hold of Bellas arm and heard a gentle whisper "hey...you did good tonight, really held your nerve considering everything."

"Thank you," I whispered back, not daring to ask if she meant leaving Five Lakes or not running and screaming onto the dancefloor covered in my ex-Alphas blood.

"We're just walking a couple of miles back to the Manor for the night. It's safer on foot than split into vehicles given the recent attacks in your area."

Again did she mean the recent rogue attacks or was she vaguely referring to Caleb and Jack again? Honestly my head was spinning. I was dying to ask about the identity of my mystery man from the forest but I knew better.

"I guess that makes sense," I ventured back, wishing I hadn't worn heels, although not stilleto they were still enough to make me worry for a twisted ankle.

Bella sensed my trepidation "don't worry we have some boots spare, if this gets any more bumpy I'll be putting them on myself," and gave me a grin.

A few more moments passed in gentle silence, the crackling of the fire beacons and crunching sound of marching feet filled my ears. Find out some information Fyre prompted, /ask what's going on!/

"So...I've got to ask...why me?"

"Well I assume you know you're adopted, you're originally a White Forest girl and we felt it necessary to bring you back into the pack. It would have been impossible if you had turned 18 and immediately found your mate so we left it as late as we could before disrupting your life."

"Whats my purpose then, am I a...slave?"

"Goodness no!" Bella exclaimed "you are descended from Alpha and Beta's lines, your parents were killed in a raid as part of helping defend Five Lakes. It was found that you had very closely bonded with the young blonde girl after only a few hours and given you had no other living relatives the agreement was made. I assume you have fighting skills?"

"Of course," I bristled "I enjoy sparring and wargames. Definitely not an indoor girl that's for sure," trying to retain a friendly tone.

"Fabulous. Well you'll have daily training with the rest of your troop, you'll get assigned when we get home and as per White Forest tradition you will be home and integrated in time for the Full Moon Ball which lands the day after yours and a few others girls eighteenth birthday. The whole top tier of the pack tries to attend...it's a really big deal." Bella let out a sigh "not that I've found my mate yet but we do have some good looking ones wouldn't you agree?" adding in a sly wink.

I let out a giggle which was quickly stifled by a stern "quiet,'' growled by one of the cloaked men behind us. Trying to use my peripheral vision I could see him walking behind Bella, like the rest he was tall, strong and broad, I could make out intricate tattoos rolling across his broad chest down where the "v" of his shirt opened.

His cloak was fastened with a bronze and silver brooch of intertwining snakes that was fascinating until he caught he me staring. I couldn't see his eyes from his hood being up but I knew he wasn't my rescuer.

/New pack, same guys/ Fyre mustered and we walked in silence the rest of the way, finally collapsing into a dormitory room bunk and falling asleep whilst still in my red gown.

Dawn hit me like a sack of concrete. I woke with a start, almost rolling out of the bottom bunk, my brown hair all over the place, obscuring my vision to the point I hit my head on the bar supporting the upper bunk. That got me an angry growl from whoever was above me. Smooth start Fyre mocked gently.

I saw a black duffel bag with my name on in the centre of the room. Surrounded by the other bunks and sleeping people I realised a handful of my possessions and clothes were in there. I inwardly gave thanks to Runa for the many hair ties and articles of running gear I saw.

My green hoodie was missing but I guess she was right, fresh start required. I found my way to the bathroom, freshened up, peeled my ruby red dress off and put on my little black running shorts, sports bra, a candy pink vest top and trainers. I snuck up to Bella's bunk and gently prodded her awake.

"Hey…" she blinked at me sleepily

"Hey I know its a bit random but can I go for a run in the grounds to freshen up? I won't do anything stupid?" throwing in a big smile to convince her.

"Hm...yeah I guess so...there will be some betas on guard just ask them how far out you can head...eurgh you are an outdoors one," and she pulled her covers back over her head.

As I headed down the stairs into a large stone foyer the Manor reminded me of an abandoned school house. It had various male and female dorms set up with betas watching the doors like teachers on a school trip. I couldn't recognise the angry one from last night with their faces uncovered, but at this early hour they all looked quite surly. /They've probably been on watch all night,/ Fyre prompted, /be nice./

I strode confidently across the stone-flagged open hallway towards them with a polite "good morning", they turned and I felt their eyes look me up and down. I knew I had a good build, long slender legs, slim waist and a real chest that had bounced down the stairs with me.

Couldn't help the crazy big hair apart from tying it back but they weren’t looking there anyway.

"Hey," a smiling brown haired hulk answered me. He had brown eyes and reminded me of a bear with those broad shoulders "you're the new girl from last night - Helena?"

"That's me!"

/Chirpiness overload/ Fyre warned "Look I just want to go for a run to freshen my head...I'm not going to anything stupid and Bella said one of you would be nice enough to let me know the safe zone I can run within?"

This time the other Beta spoke, he had red hair like a fox and sparkling green eyes, "bit early for all that but you can follow the fencing round the estate be about a five k lap I reckon. That do you? There's Betas posted at the perimeter anyway so whatever," shrugging and looking towards the horizon again.

The brunette bear-man glared at me with a stern face whilst the redhead continued "Give me a shout if you need, head back quick when you hear the bell else you'll be travelling back on no breakfast. I'm Ivan by the way, this ray of sunshine is Jackson," and he gave me a kind smile which I managed to return before heading on out.

/Well now/, Fyre sparked up, /maybe not everyone is as bad as before...but Ivans not the man from last night. The one who made you shudder from top to bottom by just moving a wisp of hair./

I pounded down the track as fast as I could feeling the wind rush against my body as I warmed up. The manor was set around a small lake and regency style enclosed gardens with gravel paths everywhere. I did three randomly winding laps and was really starting to loosen up and relax when I felt Fyre nudge me towards the oversized pond. Its centerpiece was an enormous willow tree with looming long branches that trailed to the ground.

Slowing down to a walk I pushed through the dangling tendrils into the clearing. It was like being inside a huge natural umbrella, sheltered from the rising sun, cooling my skin. I let out a large sigh from the running, put my hands on my hips and then a muffled shriek as a gloved hand clasped over my mouth.