Eight.

Willow

Keep it together, just keep it together.

I keep my gaze on the window, feeling Zanes' dark eyes burn into the back of my head. I remember my dads words from when I was a kid. “If a wolf wants to claim you as a mate. Don’t fight it. It will be the better option.”

Don’t fight it? Did he really think I was going to lay down and a let a wolf fuck me through life?

Zane hadn’t spoken since he had told me that he wouldn’t let me go. I feel him move around behind me. Each movement echoing in my head, waiting for him to put his hands on me again.

This time he doesn’t and when I catch a glimpse of his reflection in the window, he is sitting on the bed pulling on his black Timberlands. Not even bothering to watch me.

“I have a meeting.” He mutters, standing up to full height. The black jeans and shirt fit him perfectly. They also made him look as though he could disappear in the dark. But they didn't exactly scream 'meeting'.

I turn in the chair to look at him. “You are making me go with you?”

“Usually, yes I would, but not this time.”

He smirks at my unexpected frown.

“You stay here, little wolf. One of the omegas will bring you up some food. Do you have any allergies?”

My head involuntarily shakes.

“Good.” He places a glass of water next to me, telling me to drink before he strides from the room, pulling the door closed with a soft click. I was expecting him to lock it, but nothing. Just silence.

It was a test, it had to be. He wanted me to stay here. He knew I would run. 

Taking a sip of the water, I stare at the door, toying with my options. He had to be waiting on the other side. He had to be expecting me to run.

My hand hovers on the handle, listening to any sounds on the other side of the door. It was quiet, but that didn’t mean he had left. He could be there, waiting for me.

“Screw it!” I rip the door open to be met with an empty hallway. A quick glance up and down showed that I was completely alone.

Left or right? Which way had I come? The hallway looked identical either way. The same amount of doors on both sides.

“Left.” I mutter and run. Letting my bare feet carry me over the plush carpets and towards the lavish staircase.

Still, there was no one. Stopping at the front doors. My lungs already feel as though they are on fire. The combination of adrenaline and the need to get out courses through me. Normally I could run for hours before I even started to feel it.

I charge out into the darkness. Wolves were still stationed all around the house and yet they are like statues. Never moving even as I step past them.

My bare feet hit the grass and every piece of energy I could find went into my legs, driving me forward. My eyes darted around, fully expecting the wolves to give chase and yet, they still haven’t moved. What is going on?

I run through the streets, passing more wolves and others in their human form. Not once did they try to stop me. In fact it seemed like they were ignoring me. Carrying on with their night as though I wasn’t even here.

Then I see her. The girl from my drawing-Layla.

Stopping dead in the middle of the street. I stare at her. She is dead, how is she here?

Her light brown eyes catch mine. A sad small smile flitters across her face. She was the first one to have really noticed me.

One by one, blood stains appear on her white dress, the blood seeps out as her mouth hangs open. Her body collapses to the ground and still no one moves.

“Layla.” I hurry forward though it feels as though someone’s arms are locked around me, dragging me away.

Everything fades to darkness

“Sleep, little wolf.” The arms that embrace me are warm and comforting, sucking me back into a slumber.

Waking with a jolt, my heart pounds against my chest as I throw myself upright. My lungs burn as my eyes focus. I’m in the bed, alone. The clothes I was wearing yesterday still covered my body. I had got out. I had seen my friends body. My friends dead body. It didn’t make any sense.

“Morning.” His voice makes me jump. He was sitting at my desk, a foot propped up on his knee as he watched me.

My eyes move to the glass of water he had given me last night. Barely a couple of sips missing. “Did you---did you drug me?”