Chapter 6

MIA

It’s been at least five nights since I’ve seen Grey. I’m starting to feel every one of them.

Sometimes, if I really concentrate, I feel like I’m right there with him. Feeling what he’s feeling. Today is no exception. I don’t know what’s happening, but he feels happy. I try to figure out what he’s so happy about. It’s almost like a game for me. Guessing what makes Grey happy.

I can’t see him. Not in the present sense. I see him smiling on that log.

I can sometimes hear him in my mind. Like when Tay talks without moving his mouth. These are my favorite times because I sit and listen to his deep voice. I don’t know if he’s talking to other people, but it’s fun just to listen to his thoughts.

From his thoughts, I determined he’s an Alpha. He has a brother named Wes. I can pretty much conclude that Wes is the man that looks like Grey.

Grey likes his music. Though he thinks he can sing, I giggle because he can’t. He tries. I think it’s sweet.

He’s also some sort of trainer. I hear his strategies and his instruction to his lower wolves. He likes it. He feels happy training. I don’t. I don’t like fighting. I’m made to as part of the conditions to the Alpha.

Every once in a while, I feel sadness. Like he’s lost something. He feels lonely. I’m feeling it too. When he gets like this, I try to think of the song he played in my ear with that thing.

I try to think of the way it made me feel. I try to cover his sadness with my happiness for him. I don’t know if he knows I’m there, but I like to imagine he does.

Sometimes it’s not so good. I feel his anger and frustration. I block these feelings. I have enough of my own. I push them back to him. I don’t want them. I only want happy Grey. I like happy Grey. Though, it feels like he’s slipping away a little bit each time I listen to his thoughts.

I look out the window while listening to Grey when I hear the muffled sound of someone approaching my cage. Whenever, I hear someone come, I feel like they can see Grey in my mind, so I tuck him away just far enough that they can’t see him. He’s my happy secret that no one will ever know about ever.

I throw on my oversized pink sweater and stand nicely in the center of my cage, watching the large wooden door open.

The Alpha grins when I come into his view. I don’t.

He pulls out the key to my cage. “You look so beautiful, my love. Our guest will just love you.”

“Guest?” I whisper.

He opens the door and waves me out. He pulls me out and stands behind me. He moves my hair to expose my ear. He leans down and places his lips close. “Someone is very excited to meet you.” He whispers.

A feeling of dread washes over me. I wish I could reach in my mind to Grey, but I know he’s just a thought and he can’t save me.

We turn down the stairs. The Alpha has my shoulder.

Walking into the fancy room, I see men standing in the room. All the men have orange and yellow hair.

I wrap my arms around myself and lower my head. The one man is bigger than the rest. His hair is very red and he looks angry. His black suit struggles against his muscles. I feel fear in his presence.

He looks at me and smirks. He turns to the Alpha. “This is the Phoenix?” He drawls.

The Alpha nods. “This is. She may not look like much, but she’s strong. A good fighter. A good mate. Aren’t you, Mia?” The Alpha tucks my hair behind my ear which I hate. I don’t like my face exposed.

I nod. I don’t make eye contact.

The man crosses his arms. “How much water has she had?”

“I give her a cup a day. It keeps her healthy. But I’m afraid it wasn’t enough to improve her small stature.” The Alpha mirrors the man’s image.

“When we take her home, I’m sure we can revive the Phoenix in her. She’ll be strong to lead the pack. Mia. Would you like to come home? You’ve been gone for so long. We’ve searched for you for a long time.” He smiles.

I press my lips together.

“Answer, Alpha Sage, Mia.” The Alpha side eyes me, expecting compliance.

“Yes.” I say quietly.

Alpha Sage sits on the couch. “Join me, Mia.”

I look at my Alpha and he nods. I slowly walk to the couch and sit down. I sit straight and proper, but my head is lowered. My hair making a nice wall between my face and his.

He reaches over and tucks my hair. Making me flinch a bit. “No need to be scared. We don’t want to hurt you. You’re very special to us.” Alpha Sage says softly. “Do you know why we call you Phoenix, Mia?”

I shake my head no.

“The phoenix is a mysterious bird. It’s special. Like you. It has a strong love for its people. It gives the people its power. She rises above them. She brings death to life. You do that, Mia. You will bring life to us. Our Phoenix queen will protect us with your love and healing. You will allow us to once again, rise from the ashes and be reborn. Would you like that?” He studies my face.

I nod yes and give him a quick glance.

He smiles. “Good.” He stands and turns to the Alpha. “Now, you return the Phoenix to us and we will help you with your Nomad problem.”

The Alpha nods. “Those are the terms. Once I have the Alpha Female, Mia is yours.”

He nods and does up his suit jacket. “Thank you.” He turns to me. “Until we meet again, Mia.” He nods to me and I return it.

I know I’ve just been traded, but I feel a strange connection to Alpha Sage. Like I know him, but there’s no way I could know him.

I’m still terrified of not knowing what awaits me, but I’m almost glad that soon I’ll be out of the clutches of the Alpha.

This other female I can’t help but feel pain for her as I know exactly what kind of hell on earth the Alpha will deliver.

Through all of this, I think of Grey and his sweet smile. His strong body. His soft face as he talked to me. He seems to really care about how I feel in my interactions with him. Something I’m not used to, but I know for a fact I like it.

I want to get back to my room and hear his thoughts again. They can rid me of all this fear and pain I feel right now.

****

GREY

I had a bit of a reprieve from the pain and anguish when foxy lady and I had our encounter in the woods. For a couple of days it was great. Then it started again. Fear, terror, sadness and about a thousand other emotions I didn’t have a name for.

My head again wanting to explode being bombarded by thoughts and expressions. I can’t make sense if any of it. It’s just noise. Pounding on my skull like a bongo. No amount of painkillers helps.

My body is a cool 115F today. Yeah, I’m walking around shirtless and I’m dripping in sweat.

Do you know what happens when a wolf is constantly in pain and uncomfortable? He gets aggravated. My wolf is hypersensitive to everything. I’ve had to shove him down so many times.

In the dining hall, I was eating and my friend Tony came up behind me. He clapped a hand on my shoulder. “Hey, buddy. You’re all sweaty. Good workout?”

I lift my head. My eyes flash blue and I grab his hand. Twisting it back, forcing him down to the floor. I squeeze it until I start to hear his joints pop.

“Ahhh! Grey! What the fuck?!” He’s grinding his teeth as I stand and face him. My lip in a snarl.

“Don’t touch me.” I growl.

“Okay!” He yells.

Wes ran from the good area. “Grey! Let him go!”

Tony’s whining and his forehead has beads of sweat as he’s twisting in my grip.

I rip my hand off, looking around the dining hall.

Tony is on his knees, holding his hand. Wes is staring at me like I have two heads. Honestly two heads would be easier to explain right now.

I feel like I don’t want to stop at his hand. With the amount of anger I feel right now, I can easily shift.

I feel the eyes on me. I hear the whispers clear as day. I need to leave.

I step over Tony on the floor and head to the locker room. I get to a sink and splash my face with cold water. My body is shaking. I’m having a full on internal battle with my wolf.

I stare at myself in the mirror. My eyes glow blue. My arms shake. My knuckles go white. I grit my teeth and crush the edge of the ceramic sink in my fingers.

I step back, looking at my shaking palms. Backing away. I run my hands through my hair and run out the front door of the dorm building. Shifting through my clothes and running into the woods.

I’m out of control. Can I just stay out here before I die. Will he let me? Probably not.

My wolf is laying in the brush. The dark cover of the trees, hiding me from the damage I’ve already caused.

“Grey?” Wes comes through on the mind link.

“What, Wes.” I mumble back.

“Hey. We’re being deployed. You might want to get back here asap." He informs.

A week ago, Bastian set up a special minute man unit for some guy he met in the woods. I guess he’s like the King of the Forest or some shit. I just know it’s a way to get in. We’re providing extra reinforcements for the forest guys Dragon threat.

I’ve been waiting for this. If my foxy lady is a Nomad fighter, she’ll be at this fight. I’ll corner her and take her somewhere to talk. I just need to talk to her. I need to try to convince her to accept me and make the bond. Then everything will be ok again.

Boy. Did I have it all wrong.