2 - The Alpha of Alphas

"Use the back door," Theresa encouraged Godiva before mobilizing the girls as the doorbell continued to ring relentlessly.

"I'll get the door," Anita said to Theresa who nodded, trusting Anita's bravery. Being overly pampered, it was good Anita was courageous but it was a distinction to being the youngest. The older sisters shivered with fright when Theresa tried to put them together to explain the situation to them. It was well understood that they were grieved but they had to be strong for Godiva's sake. If they were not able to escape well and early enough, their capture could be used to lure Godiva to present herself to the Alphas.

At the back of the house, it was too late for Godiva to realize that the house had been surrounded by strange men dressed in black. Did they all come from the same pack? She assured herself it was impossible but if one Alpha could send so many men to come for her, then she expected the worse and wasn't sure if escape was the best option but since she was already at it, she couldn't bear to disappoint Theresa after all she put in for her. She ensured her phone was safe in her pocket since it was the only way to get in touch with her sisters, being certain that they weren't going to continue staying in the house. She caught the eyes of one of the men in black, just when she jumped the fence.

Godiva wasn't a sprinter but for her life, she put in her best, delving dangerous routes that were also the shortest to the main road. In her normal sense on a casual day, she would have never used those routes. Her smart move made it impossible for the men to use their car till they got to the asphalt road, forcing them to chase her on foot. As is said, in the city of the blind, the one-eyed man was king. In a situation where they didn't know where Godiva's labyrinth led, they were at a great disadvantage.

This was nothing like Godiva. She was her father's favourite, sitting beside him at the fireplace, reading her favourite stories. She also enjoyed playing games on her phone and making lemonade. This was the first time she had been subjected to such a wild goose chase.

She stumbled and fell a few times but staggered to her feet before they reached her. Anytime they got close, she threw something at them, being a tree branch or unripped fruit, making them stumble, increasing the distance between them. She hoped to reach the highway in time to get a cab. The fools were on their feet leaving their cars behind so how would they catch up to her.

The sound of the speed of cars ahead, gave her a fleeting hope, knowing she was close to the main road. People who knew her in the neighbourhood tried to stop her to ask why she was running, she only yelled, "stop them!"

Well, they feared the people after her. They were just too huge. She reached the highway, just as a black SUV crossed her, tire screeching and turning one eighty degrees. The door opened to the passenger side, "get in!" A deep raw husky voice bellowed. She halted at the sound, almost falling to gravity. She had never heard a voice so husky, mellow and cold, all moulded together. She looked at the driver, his eyes were on the road so she couldn't see his full face, only increasing her anxiety. What if he was one of those Alphas? Why would he just order her to get in? Did he know her? His demeanour sent fearful chills through her mien and she couldn't accept his offer, even if it was still available.

She looked to her side, huge men running towards her. To her back, tired looking men after her. She was already panting with no strength to outrun those men but the fearful crisps wouldn't allow her to step into the opened car. To her right was a taxi coming at top speed. A fledge of adrenaline swang through her, as she beckoned the taxi. Luckily, the driver had seen her and was slowing down to a stop. Before her little hand reached the door, she felt herself in a strong arm, her feet off the ground. The taxi driver and onlookers were helpless. The man carrying her had a countenance so deadly, even the people chasing her began to retreat. They couldn't contend with him without backup.

Godiva fought with the little strength she had in her. She hadn't eaten the whole day and had been dehydrated from her excessive tears, not having drunk water too. With her little hands balled into fists, she hit his back as hard as she could but the man showed no sign of pain. "Let me go," she yelled but her plea only seemed to fall on dead ears. The man was so unmoved, throwing her onto the passenger seat and buckling her up.

The car screeched at top speed as soon as he pressed the accelerator. Godiva shivered from so much fear, she couldn't stop the trembling of her hands. When she opened her mouth to speak, fear swallowed her voice. Her palms were wet from anxiety, her heartbeat skyrocketing. Who was he and where was he taking her? She had no idea but at least she knew it wouldn't be safe to call Theresa at this moment. What if he took the phone from her. He had never cast her a glance and he was as unreadable as a block of ice. No matter how she looked at it, she found no hope in the person she was with and his company sniffed out gross discomfort.

*******

Bravery was never the absence of fear, but the ability to overcome it. Anita matched to the door and opened it, the stature of the two men in front of the door clouding over her. Her only intent was to waste their time for Godiva to escape successfully.  "Who are you and what do you want?" She didn't hide the sorrow in her voice.

The men wore sunglasses, the one who responded hadn't taken it off, seeming rather calm. "Who we are isn't important but we seek the owner of this house."

"You came too late, he died this morning and his body was deposited at the morgue," she uttered in a sorrow laced voice and was about to close the door when one of the men blocked her way. The other one seemed to be calling someone.

"Where is Godiva?" He asked after ending the call. 

"That's me," she trembled slightly at the lie. 

The man stared at the picture in his hand and shook his head. "You are not the one in the picture."

Anita forced a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Check the next house then. Maybe you have the wrong address."

"Do you mind if we come in to check?" The first man asked. Knowing that Godiva had left, she moved from the doorway, allowing them access but following closely behind. Why did their father have to take his life? Her eyes welled up just as one of the men who were tired of searching faced her and said,

"Then we are taking you with us if.."

"No way," Theresa yelled, cutting in. She held out her father's colt revolver, appearing at the entrance of the kitchen. Anita took the opportunity, running to her side before the men could take out their guns, concealed in their waistband. Anita, with the help of her sisters, poured a gallon of oil on the floor of the living room, making the men stumble and fall when they took a step. At that juncture, the girls run into their father's pickup truck. They had loaded a few needed items when Anita was at it.

The men wanted to fight back when one's phone rang. "We've seen her. She's trying to escape. We have to leave now!" An urgent order was communicated. The two men staggered out of the house in a wild goose chase that nearly apprehended Godiva but unfortunately, she was in the hands of the Alpha of Alphas and they had to think twice before pursuing him.

Godiva's hands were clutching the hem of her dress tightly, her head lowered. She began to recall Theresa's words to never go down without a fight when an idea popped into her mind. They had driven for quite a distance till they got to a familiar environment. She could get a place to hide for a while.

"Stop the car," she yelled, trying on a new form of bravery but the man didn't flinch, still driving at top speed. Worry apprehended her. She was afraid of what and where this man was taking her. She didn't escape to be captured like a chicken. At this juncture, she hated the man on the steering wheel. He ruined everything and she could tell that he was either one of the Alphas or working for them. Perhaps even an assassin. Therefore she needed to get far away from him.

"I said stop the car, I want to pee." This time, she got a subtle response. "No!" Uneasiness was like a rope, tying her firmer than her seat belt. She had to think fast. They passed a boutique and she screamed. "I will pee in your car if you don't let me use their restroom," she was pointing at the boutique

The car slowed down at the car park, suddenly halting. The screeching sound startled onlookers. "Ten minutes," was all he said. Godiva sighed, her adrenaline for her escape in motion. She quickly unbuckled her seatbelt, her hands shivering from apprehension and stepped out. 

She would go in there, disguise herself and escape but she was dumbfounded when the man unbuckled his seat belt and began following her. Her legs trembled and her dress felt too loose. She slipped her hand around the back only to realize the slit was torn. 

Gross embarrassment. She wasn't even wearing underwear. With her face red with chagrin, she held the slit together as she wobbled. Suddenly, she heard footsteps behind her, abruptly turning to face the man again.

She could feel her fears building up, her adrenaline level reducing. She stared into his raw eyes with loathing and seethed,

"Ten minutes, you don't have to come with me." The man vaguely disregarded her words and kept following her. There were onlookers, which gave her a safety assurance.

"I said leave me alone!" She yelled high enough to attract attention. She conserved a good distance, staring into his cold eyes with her loathful ones. His features were strong and masculine, his muscled body seduced the shirt he wore. At a glance, he looked like he was sculpted from a different planet. The attractiveness he carried was none like she has ever beholden except he operated like the assassins she had seen in movies. His response was swift. "No."

His voice carried a conviction that made her feel that he knew what he was doing and it sent frightful shivers through her. "What do you want with me? You don't even know me." Her voice shook with every word she uttered but she managed to get everyone's attention, including the security men around at the boutique. 

They began closing up on them to Godiva's benefit. To her surprise, the man turned around and left. She breathed relieved for the first time, not waiting to see where he was headed. She thought through her escape plan when she picked a few casual clothes and undies, after changing what she wore before. A pair of Jean trousers and a loose top with trainers was a fine match for someone trying to escape. It was comfortable too. She didn't forget to pick a face cap to give her a good disguise.

Only after reaching the counter, did her foolishness begin to play on her mind. She didn't have money or a credit card on her. All she had was her phone. It was her turn at the counter, embarrassment reddening her features as she thought of either trading her phone or returning the items. But her old clothes were torn and she couldn't afford to put them back on. She decided on the former. The cashier took stock of all her purchased items but didn't ask for payment.

Godiva, no doubt, was about to explain she was trading her phone when she looked up and the creepy man was standing by the door. Her heart sank, her throat felt dry.

The cashier still hadn't asked for money but rather handed a black card to her. She stared at her confused. "That sexy philanthropist paid for everything. I wish he was mine," she said day dreamily while admiring the creepy man. Godiva took the card, her hands trembling slightly, as she let out a sigh when she realized he had gone ahead.

She stepped out of the boutique searching for a way of avoiding him when a hand pressed on her mouth with a gun pointed to her head. It was a feminine scent and at that moment, she thought the creepy man was better.