Chapter 44: Biding My Time*Delilah*I knew I was awake but I didn’t want to open my eyes. I could feel the thin mattress beneath me, the chain around my foot. I tugged on it slightly, it still held me tightly. “Hello, hello,” a familiar voice said. I groaned and cracked my eyes open, looking around the dimly lit room. My make-shift jail cell. Jamie sat on a small stool, smiling like we were a couple waking up together. I sat up and moved to the edge of the mattress, pulling my knees up to my chest and hugging them.“We’re moving today, soon we’ll be out of this territory and we can keep you out in the light more. You know what it’s like to be a rogue, you’ll adapt again.” He walked to the wall my chain was attached to and unhooked me, holding the chain tightly. I didn’t even think about it, I got up and tried to run. He easily yanked the chain around my ankle and I was sent sprawling to the ground. The air whooshed out of my lungs and I cried out as my forea
*Andrew*After I dropped Cody, Kyle, and Flora off at school to give them some semblance of normality, I was finally able to get time alone to think about everything that had been going on. The drive to the packhouse was filled with my wild thoughts. I missed Delilah so much, my heart and soul ached for her. Her absence brought up many emotions. My respect for everything Delilah had done for the children had only grown and I knew when we found her and brought her back to safety, I would make sure she knew how much she was appreciated here. I couldn’t believe Delilah had done this alone for five years, I couldn’t even imagine handling everything the three needed without the help of my whole pack. Since Delilah was taken, Flora and Cody had begun opening up to me but Kyle seemed to have regressed. His bond with his mother was stronger than anything and I knew he felt the pain of her absence but Kyle had yet to speak to me about it. He kept a strong front to protect his siblings and
*Andrew*Kendra stepped into the room, her presence taking up the doorway and almost blocking me from my three children. Before I could question her further, she started to speak quickly and rambled on. She took up a tone that made her sound a bit frazzled like she just wanted to help. After all the stories I had heard from Delilah about Kendra, I knew she was a great actress and would put on a show. There was no way I could believe her actions were without reasoning.The image of Kendra with all three of my children standing behind her had shaken me. My children looked unharmed which was reassuring but they also seemed on edge. I knew they weren’t entirely informed of the events surrounding their mother’s kidnapping but they were bright children. Eventually, Kendra had moved out of the doorway and Kyle, Cody, and Flora filtered into the room like they were being released from a hidden gate. Kendra placed her hand on her hip and smiled a tight smile at the children then she turn
*Delilah* The guards in this pack aren’t stupid, but I’d picked up their pattern easily. They tried to make it confusing or thought they created a sophisticated routine but it was still a routine and the pattern returned. With my daily outings and involvement in the group, I was able to get a generic headcount of the rogue pack’s numbers and who was the most skilled. There were certain people that I needed to stay away from but others I could sense would be more sympathetic to my situation. “So, your dad liked to brag about how good of a hunter he taught you to be, is that true?” Nathan appeared in front of my cell with a shit-eating grin. His teeth were stained with yellow discoloration and a darker color that made me wonder if he had shifted recently, for a hunt. But if he had already hunted, why was he asking me about it now?“Stop talking to me about my father. At this point, nothing you say will surprise me.”“Oh? And what if I said some things about your little children
*Delilah*When I woke up from the prophetic dream, sweat covered my body. My heart was pounding and I thought the end was near. It might be if anything in my dream comes true. I sat up, wiped the sweat from my forehead, and tried calming my fast-beating heart. I noticed a jug of water on the floor and reached for it before trying to chug it all but I only succeeded in getting a few drops of water before it ran out. I tossed the jug back onto the floor and swung my legs over the side of the thin mattress, my chain rattling on the floor. I sat with my head in my hands and took a deep breath.The dream rattled my confidence but it was early in the morning so I decided to try out different plans to see if anything else might work. I ran through a few scenarios, acting them out like different simulations, but everything kept coming up badly.Many of the scenarios I thought about, ended with my injury or death. Although, in some of those, I sacrificed myself and brought down the
*Andrew*I sat on the end of the couch, away from Kendra with the kids playing between us. I didn’t want to be too close to her for any reason. I still didn’t trust her and I didn’t think I ever would.My phone buzzed and I looked to see a text from Conrad, he was on his way here. I furrowed my brow at that. He must have something important to share if he was coming here, he never did that. Kyle noticed my shift in emotion immediately. “What’s wrong, Dad?”I shook my head and tried to smile at him. “Nothing, buddy. I just got a text from Grandpa Conrad. He’s on his way here.”I knew I couldn’t lie to Kyle, he could read my emotions so I had no reason to try to keep them from him. But we hadn’t been showing any of that to Kendra. His powers, and his siblings' powers were kind of a family secret. I knew he wouldn’t say anything to call me out in front of her, but he’d still ask me later. Plus, I didn’t like lying to him, or any of them. Yes, they were children but they stil
*Delilah*I let out a whoosh of breath as Jamie tossed me roughly to the ground. My clothes were disgusting at this point and my hair hung in clumps around my face.I breathed in and out quickly as I tried to get control of myself again. I heard the door close behind us to the house and felt Jamie knelt beside me. He ran his hand softly over my cheek before he gripped my chin roughly and turned my face to look at him. “I don’t want any more trouble out of you. You’re going to do as I say, or I’m going to beat you until you do.” I tried to pull my face out of his grip but it was like iron and I was stuck. I grunted and pushed against him but the wolfbane around my wrist drained all the energy from my limbs and left me too weak to do much more than lift my hands to his chest. He chuckled darkly. “You like what you feel? Happy to finally have a real man?”He ran his free hands down my body and I whimpered. Then I moved my face quickly, biting his hand. He groaned a
*Delilah*“Delilah.”I shook my head lightly and looked up at Andrew. His eyes were full of concern as he held me in his arms still. I tried to smile up at him but he just set his jaw and picked me up, walking toward the building the rogues had been using. “No,” I said, laying my head against his chest. “Please, don’t take me back in there.”He nodded and turned immediately, walking to a makeshift tent some of his security forces put up. “I need to take over this tent if you guys don’t mind.” Andrew didn’t even wait for a reply as he laid me out on the sleeping bag that was on the ground. “Of course, Alpha. Can we help in any other way?” one of the men said. “Yes, Steven. I actually need a few things. She needs some water and something to eat. She also needs a healer. Please send one over as soon as you find one.”Steven nodded and walked away to follow through on the orders he’d been given immediately. It was nice to see the respect that Andrew had for his men.
Months Later*Andrew*The gardens looked perfect. The gazebo was decorated with fairy lights and had flowers scattered around the edge of it. I paced the gardens, double-checking everything to make sure everything was in order. Flora had corralled the boys and sent them to work on finalizing touches. Kyle and Cody argued a bit, but Flora kept them in line. I watched them work with a smile on my face. I was so grateful that they had been able to participate, and I know that all three of them were thrilled by today’s event.“Okay, everything looks perfect,” my dad said with a slap to my back. He had a grin on his face as he looked around at the work we had put in. Dad’s grin grew as he watched my mom work with Flora, Kyle, and Cody. “Do you think she’ll like it?” I asked, worried as my nerves started setting in.“I think she will love it,” Mom said, coming to join us. “Now, come on. We are going to go have dinner at our house and we will be back before you propose. I will t
*Delilah*“Mom, Zach told me today that we are basically heroes now,” Flora said as we walked inside together. I smiled, making sure not to laugh and discourage her. “Did he really? I mean, you guys kind of are.” Andrew shut the door after he and the boys walked in behind me and Flora. “Yeah, I mean how many kids can say they could get away from a full-grown wolf?” Andrew asked. I looked over my shoulder at him adoringly and he winked at me as he quirked the corner of his mouth up in a smile. We had been spending as much time together as a family as we could lately and tonight was no different. We had plans to have a movie night and watch the kids' favorite animated movie. I took them outside to run off some energy before dinner. They managed to pull me and Andrew into a game of hide-and-seek. I was able to find him every time but nobody could manage to find me anytime I hid. Kids were never great at hiding or seeking and I could only help so much. I stepped away
*Delilah*“Mom, we’re fine. You and Daddy beat all the bad guys.” Flora looked at me with irritation in her gaze. “I just want to make sure you guys are ready for this. You have all been through a lot and–”“Mom, we want to go back to school,” Kyle said in a serious tone. I glanced at him through the rearview mirror and saw that they all looked eager, excited even. I sighed and nodded, smiling to myself. “Okay, okay.” We pulled up to the front of the school and they all unbuckled and grabbed their bags in seconds. They all told me bye as they flew out of the car, happy to be back with their friends. I watched them go into the school before I drove off. It was so hard to watch them walking away, even if I knew they would be safe. “Mom … moooooom?”Cody’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts and back to the moment. “Sorry, babe. What’d you say?”“I asked if we could have a feast for dinner?”I chuckled. His version of a feast was just having multiple pl
*Delilah*I fixed the back of my earring and sighed as I looked in the mirror. My injuries from the various fights I’d been in were finally healed but I couldn’t say the same for my mind. Today was the day we all said goodbye to Kendra. Despite what she’d done, I still mourned for her. She was like my blood and at one time, I’d loved her dearly. I remember being a child and being so excited to have a younger sister. I thought we’d be best friends and that I’d always have someone there for me. And someone I could be there for. Our lives hadn’t ended up that way, but for a while there I thought we were finally getting close to that. I still had a hard time believing that she had been so nice to me and to the kids all while planning to have them kidnapped. Andrew said that the only reason they attacked was to be a decoy for Kendra to get the kids, and then eventually me. One of the prisoners had easily given up the information after the battle was over. The Carter pack wasn’t e
*Delilah*After the fight ended, I stayed huddled with my children, fingers linked together. I vowed never to let go of them, at least for the rest of the week. I knew I would have to let them be away from me for school and pack activities but I wasn’t ready to let go of them any time soon.“Delilah,” Andrew whispered, “Delilah, it’s over. It is all over. Everything is alright.”I didn’t respond, knowing it wasn’t alright but scared to face the reality of what happened. So instead, I buried my head into the bundle of children. They smelled so delicious; like shampoo, sweat, dirt, and soap. I couldn't imagine if I had lost them. They still smelled like babies to me, so I inhaled deeply. Andrew approached us and wrapped his large arms around all four of us. I felt a sense of calm fall over me. The safety of his arms was powerful and I knew our children could feel it too. They had all stopped shaking and crying and we all silently held each other. “What about Kendra?” I asked
*Delilah*I quickly whirled around, scooping the kids with my back leg and tail and flinging them as gently as I could behind me. My attacker pulled up quickly, snapping her jaws shut short of my neck as I bit down. Shock coursed through my veins like ice as I took in the sight of the snarling wolf that was my sister. I crouched low and growled, gnashing my teeth at her. She backed up and shifted into her human form. “Why did you have to come back?” she all but screeched at me, desperation filling her eyes.I shifted as well and looked at her with wide eyes as I threw my hands in the air. “Why are you doing this, Kendra? Was tormenting me in high school not enough for you, you had to try to hurt my children?” I roared at her. I was done being nice to her, done trying to reason with her. She’d gone too far and I would make sure that after this day, she never thought about even looking at my children again. I chanced a glance at them and she took that opportunity to sh
*Delilah*I fled away from the fighting as fast as I could. I smelled the children in the forest that bordered our lands. What on earth were they doing there? I picked up another familiar scent as I ran but I ignored it. The only thing that mattered to me at that moment was my kids.I sprinted, leaping into the air as a wolf tried to attack me and landing on his back, sprinting away as another member of the Blackwell pack came up and finished off the wolf.My nightmare had prepared me for this happening and it at least had managed to help me remain calm. This was the second or third kidnapping attempt on my children in less than a year. I couldn’t imagine what they must be feeling at that moment. The thought spurred me on and I increased my speed as I cleared the battlefield and darted down a trail. As I ran the kids’ scents got stronger and stronger and I knew I was on the right path. Whoever was trying to take my children better have an army because I was ready to run like a
*Andrew*I focused on the wolves around me. The Carter pack wasn’t small, and it seemed like they’d brought a large force with them. I had to admit I was impressed by their determination to defeat us. But it wouldn’t grant any of them mercy. I didn’t care why they were here, only that they learned that they would pay for daring to invade my territory. I didn’t know how many wolves I’d downed at that point, but it wasn’t a small number. I whipped around as a wolf tried to attack my hind leg. I jumped, pinning his back with my front paws as I leaned down and snapped his neck in my jaws. I dropped the wolf to the ground and looked around, snarling. My wolves were doing well, and it looked like we had very few casualties. Some wolves were dragged away from the battle by others and healers were quick to attend to their injuries. It seemed like the Carter pack might have been retreating. I was slowly but surely moving toward the leader, making sure to take out whoever came into my
*Flora*Walking through the woods, following Aunt Kendra, had grown tiring. I wanted to go home to sleep. She had woken us “Flora.” Kyle nudged me. He had been the quietest during our journey through the woods but I don’t think he was playing the same game Cody way. “Flora.” Kyle nudged me again and I shot him a look before glancing back at Aunt Kendra.“Shh, Kyle,” I said to him. I wanted Aunt Kendra to like me and if she was trying to help keep us safe then I needed to listen to her and keep quiet. “Flora, listen to me,” Kyle insisted with a harsh whisper. I grumbled but let him pull me back, slowing our pace to distance us from Cody and Aunt Kendra. When we were far enough away from them, Kyle leaned toward me and I leaned into him. “I don’t know how to explain it,” Kyle started.“Just try, Kyle,” I encouraged, smiling at my brother. “Aunt Kendra,” Kyle paused again, thinking about how to phrase it for me. “Aunt Kendra, well, her colors are off.”“What do y