CHAPTER 5

My eyes slowly opened on their own. I was in an unfamiliar surrounding and my head was threatening to split into two from the pounding.

I forced myself into a sitting position ignoring the throbbing in my head and I looked around. Silver bars surrounded me, locking me in a cell.

I didn’t dare go close to the bars from the fear of pain. The smell of wet fur and decayed blood filled my senses and my stomach quivered. Memories from earlier filled my head.

I had stumbled into the territory of the black heart pack before I was knocked out. The pack Sienna had warned me about.

Shit Sienna. She asked me to get help for her.

“Hey” I called out in a small voice but it was loud enough for any wolf within a three mile radius to hear me clearly.

My call was responded to by snarls. Scary snarls that sounded close by and threatening.

“We have to help Sienna” I called out again with a more steady voice. The snarls increased but I paid them no mind. Just as I opened my mouth to shout again, I heard a loud noise. Then footsteps approaching in my direction.

A very tall, scary looking man opened the cell doors holding me and I moved back in fright. He touched the silver without any fear of getting hurt and the malice in his eyes as he headed straight for me almost made me piss myself.

He yanked me roughly by my arms and forced me to my feet.

“I’m taking you to the alpha”

It wasn’t a request. He dragged me roughly out of the cell and through the dark halls. My bare feet scraped the rough ground.

We finally came out from the dungeon and I shut my eyes tightly from the bright light.

But then I forced them open because I needed to see the path I was being dragged through in order to make my escape.

After being dragged for what felt like an hour, the brute guard finally knocked on a tall oak door.

A bone chilling voice called from inside and he pushed the door open. We stood in one of the biggest rooms I’ve ever seen in my entire life.

Books stacked neatly in tall rows of shelves made with the finest wood under the craft of the best carpenter.

I was amazed by the sight. I’ve never been a keen reader but something about the organization of the books made me interested in them.

My eyes travelled to the beautiful curtains of gold and purple. Embroiled with the finest silk. This room was certainly designed by the best and was fit for a king.

“Who is this?” the powerful voice snapped me from my thoughts and my eyes landed on the beautiful man seated behind the desk.

From my position, I could see his huge frame. Was everyone in this pack this huge?

He had a mop of black curls and a chiseled jaw. His dark green eyes filled with intensity and studied me just as I studied him.

“Rogue” the Brute man answered roughly and pushed me forward so I was standing closer to the alpha.

“You know what we do with rogues” the man said offhandedly and looked away from me. My heart tightened and I tried to speak but no words came out.

“The guard who found her said she asked for help to save someone”

The alpha looked at me again. This time, his eyes demanded for explanation and I spoke for the first time.

“Sienna. She was in danger. We were attacked by rogue wolves”

“You’re accent is lighter. You are not from around here”

“I..” words failed me. Could I possibly tell him that I escaped from my pack? What if he called my alpha and returned me. No. I could never go back to that pack.

“Have you suddenly gone mute?” He asked impatiently.

“Yes” I said instantly not sure what I was answering to anymore.

“Take her away and kill her”

“No please” I cried desperately.

“Don’t kill me please. Send me away. I didn’t mean to come into your lands. If you let me go this time, I promise you’ll never see me again” I cried hoping he would have some sympathy and send me away.

“That’s what all of you say and still you end up crossing into these lands”

“I swear. I didn’t…. I was trying to get help for my friend. I didn’t plan to stumble into your lands”

His eyes studied me for a minute and then he sighed deeply.

“Just this once. Let her go”

I sighed in relief. I wasn’t going to be killed by the alpha of the most dreaded pack.

“He’s not on pack grounds now. Get rid of her before he shows up” the alpha said to the brute behind me.

“Yes Beta” I paused for a second.

Beta? He wasn’t the alpha? My heart started beating wildly again.

The man he just referred to now. The man who wasn’t supposed to see me…. Was the alpha?

I suddenly felt the need to disappear from here instantly. The beta didn’t have the final say in the pack and if I didn’t leave before the alpha showed up, I possibly won’t be leaving with my life.

“Let’s go” the man said gruffly from behind me. He didn’t drag me or push me roughly. I followed behind him, keeping up with his fast steps as he led me out of the office.

I was so eager to leave that I didn’t turn back to thank the man who just save my life.

We walked down numerous hallways and a flight of stairs until we were standing outside a massive building. Only a few people loitered outside and none of them paid us any mind. They went about their normal activities and I followed the huge man.

We crossed a small field and a larger one.

“Are we almost there?” I asked in a cautious voice. His response was a low grunt. I didn’t bother asking again and followed him wordlessly.

We walked for what felt like forever. The mansion now a good distance away. My legs ached and my stomach rumbled in hunger.

When I looked up again, I spotted two men patrolling. Must be the border patrols. I walked faster and eagerly and a smile made its way to my face.

Oblivious to my surrounding or anything happening around me, I continued walking towards the border until the air was knocked out of me and I was sent flying and crashing into the rough ground.

A painful whimper escaped me. The headache that disappeared hit me again. My eyes looked up to see what had knocked me off my feet and I was met with the raging black eyes of a huge wolf.

The wolf would easily tower over me in my human form. I had never seen a wolf this big in my entire life. Why did it hit me though.

My eyes moved to the man who was supposed to lead me out of the pack. He stood a good distance away from me and the frightened wolf not bothering to offer me any help.

The wolf in front of me snarled again and my eyes met with its own again. He growled, bating his sharp canines at me and I shifted my eyes away.

He came closer and I fought the urge to jump and run. He would only chase after me. His snout pushed at my head.

What the fuck does he want? I cried in my head.

Submit.

The command filled my head and my body moved instantly. I crouched on the floor, facing him and I tilted my head showing him my neck. The ultimate form of submission.

I felt the wolf move away from me and I relaxed.

“Look at me” a harsh voice commanded and my eyes snapped up.

Gone was the frightening wolf. In front of me was a huge man. Bigger than the others I had seen in this pack.

His menacing eyes stared back at me.

“Alpha……” the brute behind him started but the alpha held up his hand, silencing him.

A gasp escaped me. How did I not realize that it was the alpha. Shit. Shit. I was in danger.

The beta already said I had to leave before he returned.

“Why is there a rogue on my land?”.