Chp 1 Pt. 2 The Slave

Rachel

I unlock the front door to our home as I arrive for my lunch break. I am glad work is close by so I can come home for lunch and relax rather than listen to the gossip and backstabbing by other she-wolves. Being a pack accountant keeps me busy, especially with the switch in power. I worry about this pack’s future under the leadership of Alpha Jake. His father is the only one that would take us in, but it was better than staying rogue.

I hear a knock at the front door and laugh to myself. Ken must’ve forgotten his keys again and is locked out.

“Ken one of these days I won’t be home to let you in,” I chuckle as I open the door. I immediately bow my head in submission and wipe the shocked look off my face.

“Alpha, I apologize. I thought you were my mate.”

“Hello Rachel. Does Ken often lock himself out of the house?”

“Yes sir. Uh…please come in.”

I reluctantly open the door wider and play the perfect hostess. I am not sure why the Alpha wants to see me, but I know it can’t be good. I have a feeling we are going to have to flee.

“Rachel, I met your very interesting daughter today. Or should I say niece.”

“I’ve raised her since infancy. She is my daughter.”

“Tell me, how did your sister die?”

“I don’t know Alpha. I was away on my honeymoon with Ken when she died. We returned immediately when we heard and adopted Haley.”

I do my best to stick to the truth as much as possible without giving any secrets away. He must know what Haley is or he wouldn’t be questioning me about my sister. I know my sister kidnapped because of being the blood red wolf, but by the time I found her she had already died. I really don’t know what killed her, all I know is she was a blood red wolf and that it is a horrible curse for her and her mate. I wish I knew more about it.

“Your daughter showed some promise at being a high ranking warrior. I have never seen a pup fight like she does. I am quite impressed.”

“Thank you Alpha. Ken trained her since she was five.”

“Who did I train,” I hear Ken ask as he opens the front door. He freezes when he sees Alpha Jake in our home and bows his head in submission.

“Forgive me Alpha, I wasn’t aware we had company.”

“It’s alright Ken. We were discussing your daughter’s potential as a skilled warrior.”

“Oh yes, I began her training when she turned five.

“A bit early to be training a pup to fight, don’t you think?”

“We wanted her to be able to protect herself. My sister-in-law was not a warrior,” Ken informs him.

“I want Haley to begin training with my warriors. When she comes of age she will be my head trainer and come live at the pack house.”

“Forgive me Alpha, but she is just a pup. We can’t give her permission to train will fully grown wolves,” I state firmly.

“I wasn’t asking permission Rachel.”

He is pushing his aura towards me and Ken, making us submit to his order. He has an evil glint in his eyes and I am sure he knows what she is, but I am not sure why he wants her so badly. What does he know about the curse that I do not?

“Yes Alpha,” I stutter as I bow my head in submission to him.

“May I accompany her to the training field,” asks Ken.

“No. She doesn’t need her parents to chaperone her. She will be safe under my protection.”

“But Alpha…..”

“I expect to see her every day after school and on weekends.” He raises his voice, letting us know this is not up for discussion.

“Yes Alpha,” says Ken in defeat.

“Good. Her training starts tomorrow.”

Alpha Jake and his beta leave our house. Tears spill down my cheeks as Ken wraps his arms around me to comfort me. We can no longer stay in this pack, but that means we have to go rogue again. No other pack would take us in last time and I'm sure it'll be the same way this time around.

“We must hurry and gather the essentials only Rachel. We must flee tonight.”

“Haley will be heartbroken we have to leave before her birthday.”

“I know, but we don’t have much of a choice now do we. He knows what she is, I'm sure of it.”

“I know Ken.”

“Mom! Dad! I’m home! You’ll never guess what happened today.”

Haley walks into the living room with a big smile on her face. She has come to love going to school and making friends. I hate to have to take that away from her. As Haley walks towards us she takes in the scene before her. I am trying to wipe my tears away.

“What’s wrong mom?”

“We had a visit from the Alpha today Haley,” says Ken.

“Really? He was at my school today and was watching me fight. He said I’d be a great warrior.”

“We have to leave Haley,” says Ken.

Haley’s eyes widen and tears begin to form in her eyes. I walk over to Haley and embrace her as the tears spill down her cheek.

“He knows doesn’t he?” The way she asks her question breaks my heart. I just want a normal life for this sweet girl.

“Yes, Haley. He knows.”

“When do we need to leave?”

“Tonight little wolf. Pack only what you need and can carry,” says Ken.

Haley nods her head and goes straight to her room to pack, Ken and I do the same. I pack very little clothes but make sure to grab all the books I have on the blood red wolf. It’s not much and they never revealed why they are sought after. We put everything we can in small backpacks that our wolves can carry and Ken has Haley ride on his back.

“We will protect Haley, try not to worry Rachel. Max and I will defend her until our last breath,” says my wolf Rain.

“I wish you knew something about the blood red wolf. How is it you wolves don’t know?”

“Neither Max nor I have run into a blood red wolf before. We are young wolves, we haven’t been connected to many humans to know.”

The sun has set and I am glad we live by the border. Ken and I shift, our wolves rubbing against Haley. She has her own backpack on as she climbs onto Max.

“You ready,” Rain asks Haley through the mind link.

“No, but we don’t have a choice. I’m sorry.”

“Do not apologize young one. It is not your fault,” says Rain, trying comfort her.

“Alright, let’s go,” says Max.

We race into the darkness and feel the snap of the pack bond break as we cross the border and break ties with the pack. We hear howling in the distance as we race away from Red Moon pack.