Chapter Three

Conri…

As Conri and Marcus walked back home, they were both very deep in thought. Conri could not get out of his mind what just happened. How could they do that to her, she was an innocent child. There was something different about her, Conri could not put his finger on it, but she was not just another she-wolf, she was special, there was something unique about her. The walk back went very quickly, and Marcus broke the silence.

“I can’t believe what they are doing to that poor child. She is still so young and innocent.”

“I know, and there is something different about her, I just don’t know what yet. And it was her, I immediately recognized her scent. I wonder why she was so far from her own camp, why she was so close to our borders last night.” Conri was almost talking to himself.

“I am not sure, but what ever the reason, I can’t think that it can be good. There must be more going on than meets the eye.” Marcus started undressing as they were getting ready to shift again.

“I think we need to arrange a meeting with the Alpha of the Shadow Moon pack.”

"Wait, what?” Marcus stopped in mid-air.

“We need to go and see him; I think we need to have a chat about his daughter.”

“And tell him what? What are you planning Conri, you know what that pack is like? And I really do not think that is such a good idea.”

“So, what, we just leave her there, let them beat her up whenever they feel like it? She is MINE Marcus; she will be mine.”

“Ok, ok, I hear you. If you say she is the one for you, then fine. But I think we need to go about this very carefully.”

“I will think of something… Now come on, let’s get back home. We need to start getting ready for our trip tomorrow.”

Conri and Marcus shifted and run back home, all the way Marcus could hear what was going around in Conri’s head. He knew that there would be no stopping him to get that she-wolf. He was determined that she would be his…

When they got closer to the tree line, they shifted back and got dressed. The run did Conri good, and he could see things a bit cleared now. He was going to have to handle this with much care, not to let her get hurt more, yet in the same breath, he needed to see her again, very soon.

“Thank you, my friend, for coming with me today, I know it was very risky.”

“I am just glad we found her. Now you know where she is.”

“Yes, and it does not make anything much easier…” Conri was very deep in thought again and his voice trailed of, and he frowned.

“Well, let me get back. I will see you tomorrow morning, ready for the trip.”

“Yes, yes, the trip. See you” Conri was not thinking about the trip at all. As he walked back to his house, he was wondering what he could do get her alone, out of harm’s way. How was he going to do this…?

As he walked into the house, he smelled Jones’s food and his stomach growled. He just realized he was starving, and he went directly to the kitchen.

Sheila was sitting at the counter, making small talk with a few other pack members.

“And where have you been?” She asked suspiciously as she looked at him.

“Me and Marcus went for a run.”

“A four-hour run?” She asked as she got up and walk over to him.

“I believe that has got nothing to do with you.” Sheila tried to reach up and kiss him, but he pushed her away.

“Not now.” He said in his Alpha tone and Sheila jumped back and obeyed him without another word.

He took a plate full of food and went to his office. He needed some peace and quiet. He needed to think… And he still had some paperwork to do before they leave in the morning. They rest of the day he did not leave his office and his head was spinning. He had no idea how he was going to get her alone, how he was going to handle this.

The only thing he was certain of, was that he WILL have her, one way or the other…

Tala…

As Tala got back to the camp, she was out of breath and flustered. She could not go home looking like this, her father would get suspicious, and she really could not cope with him now. She decided to go for a run, and as her father ordered, she may never go alone…

Tala decided to ask her only friend she could trust, Dolph. And she knew she had to be very careful whom she run with, especially after meeting that very handsome strange wolf.

“Hi Dolph, you feel like a run” Tala almost pleaded as she saw her best friend hesitating.

“Ok, sure.”

They walked together in silence, not wanting to take the chance that anyone could hear them. They came to an open field, with a few trees not far from camp and that was their running spot. They were demanded by their Alpha to not go very far. And there was never really much freedom when they run. They could not go very far, and it was mostly just around the camp. Maybe that was the reason why some of their pack members did not ever shift anymore, or not often. It was sad, because the only time Tala really felt in total control was when she let her wolf out.

She and Dolph each went to a tree and undressed behind it, leaving their clothes nicely folded. Tala started shifting and she gave full control to her wolf. As soon as she was in her full wolf form, she shook her beautiful pure white coat. She loved her wolf! She could never understand why she was the only white wolf under the pack. All the other she-wolves where either grey, or light brown. She stretched her paws out and started running. It always felt like they were running in circles, but this was the only time Tala felt truly free.

She started to let her mind wonder, to the two wolves she met earlier. She could not stop thinking about the dominant one. She realized she did not ever know their names. She thought about how her body reacted to him. She looked around to where Dolph was, and he came to an abrupt hold.

She knew he heard everything she was thinking, and she could almost see the frown on his face.

She shook her head, and she told him all about what happened that morning after he left. This was the only time she could have a conversation that she knew her father would not find out about.

They run a bit more after Tala told him everything, they and decided to go back to camp. When they came closer to the trees where they left their clothes, Hemming was waiting for them.

Tala’s wolf gave a growl and showed him her teeth. He paused as if he was deciding what to do, but then he took a few steps back. Even if she was not very strong in her human form, her wolf was tough and dangerous. She did not have a fighting spirit, but for the right reasons, she will fight! She growled at him again and took another few steps closer. He then turned around and walked back to the camp, leaving her and Dolph alone again.

Tala walked over to the tree where her clothes where and started to shift back.

“What was that all about?” Dolph asked.

“I have no idea, but I don’t think it could have been good. He really creeps me out Dolph. I fear him, what he could do to me. And I really thought growing up, I will have a chance at love, when a wolf marks me, it will be because I want him to. I still don’t understand why my father would ever promise me to him!” Tala felt emotional and she sank back against the tree, looking up at the clear blue sky.

“I am so sorry Tala! I really wish there was something I could do.”

“There is, teach me to fight. Please Dolph! I don’t see any other way.”

“And what then Tala? He marks you; you try to fight him off every time he comes close to you. You don’t stand a chance against him, and you know that.”

“Then what? What else is there for me to do?” She felt the tears of frustration running down her cheeks.

“What about the two men from this morning?” Dolph almost whispered, looking around to make sure there was no one close by.

“Softly! My father can never find out about them. I don’t ever know who they are.”

“Well, I’ll tell you what. I will try and find out who they were, by the way you described them. And then we take it from there. I know it’s long shot, but what else?”

“Ok, but what good is that going to do me? You know my father never lets me leave to camp.”

“I know, I am just trying to think of something!”

“In the meanwhile, please can we continue our training? I really need it.”

“Ok, but I don’t think we can do it during the day anymore. You already saw Hemming came looking for you after a while. I don’t think he is going to leave you alone for long periods of time during the day.”

“Then we train after dark, during the morning hours! Anything Dolph, please!”

“Ok, ok. I will think of something.”

“Thank you. You are the only wolf I can trust.”

“We will make a plan, I promise.”

Tala and Dolph walked back to the camp in silence, Tala did not want to go home, but she had no other choice.

As she walked up the steps, she saw her mother and sister sitting on the porch, talking.

“And where have you been?” Her sister asked.

“That has nothing to do with you.” Tala replied, walking inside.

Her sister followed, wanting to talk to her.

“Can I help you, Shanna?” Tala could feel herself get irritated with her sister as she walked into the kitchen to make herself something to eat.

“I hear father promised you to Hemming. I wish I could have him.” Shanna said with dreaming eyes and Tala rolled her eyes.

“Really Shanna, are you that blind? Can’t you see what kind of man he is?”

“He is manly, rough, and I am sure he knows what he is doing in the bedroom.”

“STOP, stop! Shanna, wake up! They are mean and rough, and they hurt people! Look at what they are doing to me!” Tala felt desperation, trying to get her sister to see them for what they truly are.

“You are just saying that because father does not like you. We both know I am his favourite. Why does he never hit me?”

“That is a very good question.” Tala signed and finished up her sandwich.

“But anyway, I just wanted to tell you I am jealous of you getting Hemming.”

“Please Shanna! This is not my choice; father is forcing me. And you need to open your eyes.”

“Whatever, you just wish you were as beautiful as me. I am sure I can convince father of rather giving me to Hemming. I will make him much happier than you ever could!” Shanna played around with her long nails, deep in thought.

“You know what, I am sure you were the one who told father I left last night. How could you do that to me?”

“I had to; father came looking for you. And you know I can’t lie to him; besides, did you really think he was going to let you go?”

“I don’t want to be here Shanna, and if you were in my shoes, you would not want to be here either…” Tala closed her eyes and wonder for the millionth time what her sister had that she didn’t. Or why her father was the way he was towards her.

“Well, seems that you don’t have a choice.” And with that, Shanna turned around and left the kitchen.

Tala sat by the kitchen counter and eating her sandwich. Her mind wondered back to the wolf she met this morning. She felt a strange feeling inside her when she thought about his muscular body, his hands. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She would never have a man like that, for one she was sure he was way out of her league, and secondly, her father would never allow it…

Tala went upstairs and fetched a clean pair of clothes. She wanted to take a long shower and try and forget how grey her future is looking. She was not ready for a man, let alone a man like Hemming. She got undressed and opened the taps, the running water was almost soothing.

She stepped inside and closed her eyes. She let the steaming water run over face and body.

She did not know where she fitted into this world. She never felt like a part of her father’s pack. She was always the odd one out and she didn’t know why.

She had to wonder if her wolf were another colour, would her father be different towards her. She did not even understand why! It was not like she could choose her wolf colour; this was what she was born with…

Tala washed and closed the water. As she stepped out of the shower, she caught a glimpse of her body and saw all the scars. Some scars were just to deep to heal properly. She had faint marks all over her back the way her father has treated her since she was full grown, and she became one with her wolf.

Tala felt the tears coming back again and swallowed hard not to cry all over again.

She dried herself and got dressed.

As she looked at herself in the mirror, she made a promise to herself that she will become stronger and she will get out of this pack, even if it is the last thing, she does…

Conri…

Conri finished up a few files on his desk and started packing his laptop and papers for the trip tomorrow. It was already after 11 O’clock and he needed some sleep.

He stood up and stretched his arms over his head and gave a big yawn. He walked to the door and closed it behind him, rubbing his eyes as he so often did. 

His mind was still going around how he was going to get close to her again, he had absolutely no idea how to handle this one… Usually he knew exactly what to do, he was fully in charge, but when it came to her, it felt like everything was out of his control. He did not like that feeling!

As he opened his bedroom door, Sheila was waiting for him on his bed in a sexy little red number.

“I have been waiting for you.” She said in a low sexy voice.

“Sheila, get dressed please.”

“Excuse me? I don’t understand. If this is still about what happened yesterday. I am sorry, and I know you find me irresistible. Especially in this underwear.” She played with a little string that was attached to her bra. 

“I am sorry Sheila, but not tonight. I have had a long day and need some rest.”

“That’s a new one for the formidable Alpha Conri.”

“Please Sheila, get dressed and leave.”

“Ok, ok, I heard you.” Sheila climbed of the bed and walked over to her clothes, she got dressed and walked out of the room without another word.

Conri signed and started to undress as he walked to the bathroom. He opened the shower taps and climbed in. The warm water felt good over his tense muscles, and he stood there for quite a while. He did not feel in control and that was a feeling he did not like at all, he had to do something!

He closed the water and climbed out, he put a towel around his waist and walked back into the room.

He did not even feel like putting on some shorts, he climbed into bed, naked and felt drained. He will think of something soon, he had to… He will have her… And then he realized he did not even know her name. But that is something he can find out by making a few phone calls tomorrow. He felt very tired and closed his eyes.

He fell into a restless sleep.