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Chapter 4 – Unexpected

I opened my eyes and saw the sun rising through the little window. I was feeling groggy from the pain pill I had taken last night to help with my ribs. I groaned and tried to stretch in my dog bed.

The cement walls and floor made everything feel cold down here. I walked over to the dryers and started them up to help warm up the laundry room. I stood next to them when I changed my clothes to keep warm.

I didn’t have any pajamas, so I had to sleep in my clothes from the day before. My clothes consisted of random hand me downs from the pack. My shoes were pretty worn down, they didn’t look like they would make it through the winter.

I was still standing by the dryers when I looked up and noticed a brown paper bag in front of the tiny window. The bag wasn’t there last night when I crawled back through the window. Someone placed it there early this morning. I climbed on top of the dryer and slid the window open. I wasn’t sure if I should take the bag. What if it was a trap or cruel trick?

I looked out the window and didn’t see anyone. I wish I had my wolf already so that I could sniff the bag or maybe catch a scent. I reached my trembling hand out carefully and slowly picked up the bag. I sat down on top of the dryer, still holding the bag. A few moments passed and I was still staring at it, unsure of what to do. I took a deep breath and decided to look inside. Muffins, blueberry muffins and they looked delicious.

I was debating eating them when I heard the lock tumble to the basement door. I jumped off the dryer and quickly stashed the bag behind the washer machines. I moved to the pile of clean towels on the folding table and started folding them, trying to look normal. Ursa appeared in the doorway of the laundry room with her arms crossed. “You need to restock the spare shift clothes at the tree line this morning, then get back here and finish the laundry.”

“I’ll do it now.” I reached for the basket full of spare shifter shorts and shirts. She followed me out of the basement, and I went out the back door. I walked towards the forest with the basket in hand. It was nice being out of the laundry room and feeling the morning breeze.

In the distance, I could see warriors and pack members training at the training field. Alpha Ranger’s big black wolf also stood out to me; he was training with a group of warriors. Beta Max was still in human form and turned to look in my direction.

I continued for the tree line and stepped in the forest. Everything was beautiful and green; I inhaled the fresh smell of pine and earth. I walked from each designated tree and placed spare clothes in small wooden boxes. When wolves shift back to human form, they’re naked, spare clothes are placed just passed the tree line for them.

As I bent down to fill the last wooden box with clothes, I noticed an eerie silence in the forest. It was as if time stood still and even the wind was holding its breath. I heard a loud howl from behind me and many paws running fast through the woods in my direction. I was sure they would be at the tree line in a moment and I couldn’t outrun them, so I climbed up into the pine tree.

I heard Ranger let out a loud howl from the training grounds. Fear bubbled in my chest. I looked down and saw red eyed wolves. Rogues! They were rogues and we were being attacked.

I gripped my arms around the tree and tried not to move or panic. I could hear clothes ripping and wolves shifting. I counted about fifty rogues. A large gray wolf stopped near the bottom of my tree; he was sniffing the laundry basket I had left. I stopped breathing and hugged the tree tightly, praying he didn’t look up.

He shifted back to human form and was standing fully naked. “Come out, come out, wherever you are.” He sang as he walked around the tree.

I wish I had the ability to mind-link with the pack so I could scream for help, but I couldn’t because I didn’t have my wolf yet.

“I spy a little dove in the tree.” He called out.

I gasped and he laughed. He jumped up and grabbed the bottom branch and pulled himself up. He was moving pretty quickly up the tree. There was nothing I could do except climb down the back of the tree before he could reach me and make a run for it. I took off running and before I could gain speed, I was knocked down to the ground with the rogue laying on top of me. My broken ribs were aching.

“Leaving so soon?” He said flipping me over to face him.

I was pinned beneath him and he leaned into my neck to take a deep breath. “You smell delicious little dove.” He growled as he tore open my shirt and bra exposing me to him.

“Please, please don’t do this, I’m a pack slave.” I cried.

“Then no one will care little slave.” He coldly said and clawed away at my pants.

I tried to fight back but it didn’t faze him at all. I brought my hands up to his face in an attempt to scratch at his eyes, but he slapped me across my face, and I screamed out. I was no match for him.

“Feisty little thing, I like that.” He grabbed a fist full of my hair and his other hand slid down between my legs ripping off my panties.

“Stop! Please don’t.” I sobbed. My lip was bleeding again, and the tears were clouding my vision. This can’t be happening. He was going to rape me.

He positioned himself between my legs and I felt his hard member rubbing at my opening. He was getting ready to thrust inside and I closed my eyes tight, whimpering. Just then, I heard an angry growl and a large dark brown wolf appeared. The wolf emanated a strong aura and snarled at the rogue on top of me. It was Beta Max. The rogue shifted into his gray wolf and leaped at Max.

Max threw the rogue into a tree and jumped on top of him. In one swift move, he ripped out the rogue’s throat and dropped his lifeless body to the ground. Max shifted back and was standing naked a few feet away from me. I curled up on my side trying to cover up my naked body.

Ranger’s big black wolf walked towards us and he growled. Max and Ranger stood still; their eyes glazed over as they spoke through the mind link. Max stepped over to the little wooden box that held clothes and put on some shorts. He handed me a shirt and turned his back so I could slip it on. The Alpha’s big black wolf come over to me and smelled me. I assumed he was checking to make sure I was okay. He took a few deep breaths before he turned and ran back towards the pack house letting out another howl. I slipped the shirt on and stood up. I was wasn’t sure what to do, so I walked over to the basket I had left to pick it up, but Max grabbed it first.

“Lucy, are you okay? Would you like me to take you to the pack doctor?” Max’s voice was laced with worry.

I shook my head, “no, I’m okay.” I looked down at the ground and felt a bit embarrassed that Max had to save me again. I felt like such a weakling.

“Thank you for saving me again.” My cheeks flushed red.

“Lucy, you don’t have to thank me.” He replied and rubbed the back of his neck. “Come on, I’ll walk you back to the pack house.”

When we came out of the tree line, we could see rogue bodies everywhere. We were one of the strongest packs in the country. I couldn’t seem understand why fifty rogues would attack and feel like they stood a chance against Dark Moon. It was suicide.

As we reached the pack house, Max asked a question that surprised me. “Did you like the blueberry muffins I left you this morning?”

“That was you?” I whispered.

He nodded his head yes, with a sheepish grin on his face. “Lucy, I’m sorry, I know my Aunt Ursa could be really hard, but I had no idea it was so bad until I saw you last night.” He saw me eating from the trash, oh no, my heart sank. I thought I sensed someone watching me last night. I’m sure my face was bright red with embarrassment.

“Please d-don’t tell Ranger, I-I’m on punishment and am not allowed f-f- food until after tomorrow.” I choked on my words as tears filled my eyes.

“I’m so sorry. That's a cruel punishment Lucy, I won’t say anything. You can trust me.” He pulled me into a hug. A hug that felt warm and safe. A hug that was truly meant to comfort. It was completely unexpected, and It felt so good to finally have a friend