Chapter 4

Chapter 4 

                Early in the morning, I wake up with sleep-filled eyes, taking in the blurry surroundings. For a moment, I panic, thinking that I am in the wrong house. Before long, the events of the previous day flood into my mind.

Taking deep, calming breaths, I push the covers off of me and stand, taking a big stretch. I head into the bathroom to comb my hair into a messy bun that sits atop my head, wash my face, brush my teeth, and finally relieve my bladder. Today, Abby will arrive with my belongings. 

Sighing yet again, I stumble out of my bedroom and make my way downstairs into the kitchen. I take out some ingredients for my classic comfort food—banana-chocolate chip pancakes. I figure Abby would want to eat with me, and, boy, can that girl pack down food like it’s nothing! So, I triple my usual recipe.

As soon as the pancakes are done and the stovetop is turned off, I hear the doorbell ring with a visitor's arrival; I make my way over to the front of the house, opening the blue wooden door to see Abby standing there accompanied by four Warriors. The giant, burly Warriors are each holding a bag and boxes with “Laina’s stuff” written on them in black Sharpie.

“Morning, girl. Do I smell.. pancakes?” Abby grins as she pulls me in for a long hug. The Warriors head inside, taking my things up the stairs. I tell them to leave everything in the master bedroom before ordering them all to leave.

As soon as they leave, Abby winks and holds a tote bag out to me. I can’t help the grateful smile I send her way as I take the bag and look inside, happy to see my phone charger, wallet, and other essentials that a Breeder isn’t allowed to have. I’m so happy that my friend snuck these in for me.

“Thank you, Abby,” I whisper. The two of us head into the kitchen, where a heaping stack of pancakes awaits us. We gather some plates and utensils and begin to dig into the scrumptious breakfast and catch up. Abby goes on about the gossip around the pack, thankfully steering clear of mentioning any rumours about me. It felt normal to be in the kitchen with my best friend, scarfing down comfort food and chatting like regular teenagers.

Abby offers to clear the table and load the dishwasher while I head upstairs to get changed. Looking through the boxes and bags in my room, I manage to find a pair of leggings and a comfy cropped hoodie to wear with black sneakers and my purse. Fully dressed, I make my way to the foot of the stairs, where Abby waits to head out. Today will be spent shopping for this house, and the first stop is the home gym equipment. I would save the baby stuff for last… For now.    

…

                “That’s all for shopping,” Abby exclaims. We left the cottage around eleven in the morning to make it to the nearest mall. Our first stop had been the sports store,  where I hunted down some equipment to turn the garage into a home gym. Abby thought that I had gone absolutely insane for wanting to create a home workout area, but when I pointed out I would need to stay in shape for my job, she quieted down and agreed with me. Every store we went to offers delivery to the pack house and will deliver my purchases to my cottage tomorrow. Despite the thrill of shopping, it makes me sad thinking that the first house I’ll ever decorate is the prison of the Breeder’s cottage.

“Now, it’s time to get home to all the paint waiting for you to paint each wall.” I can tell Abby is trying to stay cheerful, but her words are really starting to annoy me. She sounds more formal than friendly. I know my job as a Breeder means that Abby would have a say in what I will have to do as the Beta Female of the pack, and smiling around her soon becomes harder. It felt like each sentence she said throughout the day became more and more insensitive. At one point, she told me, “Just choose a damned crib and let's go!” seemingly because it wouldn’t matter what I chose anyway. The baby will be whisked away from me as soon as they’re able to eat baby food. I guess my mood must have shown; Abby rolls her eyes at me while we climb into her car.

“It’s going to be fine. Besides, I hear that Max is your first Warrior, and knowing him, he won’t do anything with you. He’s saving himself for when he finds his mate.” Now, Abby’s words do reassure me to some degree. Everyone knows that Max is an honest wolf. He grew up with the notion of “saving himself” for his mate, and, to this day, he’s still a virgin. Part of me hopes he doesn’t find his mate until I figure out what to do, but maybe, just maybe, I might be his mate. The only hope of getting me out of this situation is if one of the Warriors meant to breed with me is my mate.

“Thank god for that,” I grumble a half-hearted reply, looking out at the scenery flashing by. Abby laughs at my words while she turns up the radio volume, singing along to whatever song is playing. I don’t feel like joining her; her mood is a little too happy while she takes me back to the baby-making prison, I will be stuck in. I hate this.

 Soon, her Land Rover crosses our back borders, and the familiar houses and forest pass by. The road to the breeder section greets us, and my cottage comes into view. Part of me wants to run away at this moment, but the consequences would be dire. As Abby pulls into the driveway, I feel the dread settle in even more. The situation is becoming all the more real and hopeless than ever right now.

“Well, where would you like to paint first?” Abby asks, shutting off the engine and turning off the racket coming from the radio, enveloping us in silence.

                “The nursery. I want to paint it powder blue.” I answer. It will never be the design I want for my babies because it will never be theirs for the rest of their lives, and I will never raise them and watch them grow up. A trail of warmth flows down my face, and I reach up, feeling fresh tears on my skin. I don’t think I could do this at all.

“Laina, are you okay? Seriously, you need to pull yourself together because you’re a fucking Breeder, and it’s your job. Get used to this and stop crying.” Abby gives me a sideways glance, with a look of utter scorn and annoyance on her face. I stare at my so-called best friend in disbelief for a moment, about to challenge her vicious glare. Is this how she really feels about all of this, considering I’m supposed to be her best friend?

“Does it look like I’m okay, Abby? Does it look like I’m used to this fucking situation already? My life got turned upside-fucking-down yesterday, and you’re telling me to get used to it?!”  I shout, my voice shaking. I’ve finally snapped at her. I can’t believe how insensitive she is being right now, this last statement from her being the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back after all her snarky comments from our day-long shopping trip.

I start to rant. “You get to live a happy fucking life with a mate who loves you, and you get to have pups that YOU will raise,” I scream, the volume blocking her from saying anything while I slam my fist into her stupid Land Rover’s dashboard. It dents with my strength from my rage.

My fists feel like they’re burning. “Do you want to know how long my pups will be in my life? Two fucking years. That’s it!” I continue, feeling the tears flow faster.

The fury takes over my thoughts. “I don’t get to be the mother my pups deserve. I don’t get to see their first steps or first words. Their first day of school will be with their adoptive family, who rips my children from my arms to raise them. I get nothing, and all you can do is help me get this place ready for me to be raped in and tell me to get used to my job.” I can feel the anger radiating off my friend, but I allow the power in my blood to radiate off of me in waves to cover her, watching her cower before me. I know Abby envies my bloodline having Alpha and Beta blood. She knows full well that her heritage is that of a Breeder’s pup with an unknown father and hates her bloodline even though the wolves who raised her treated her like a princess. I guess she likes knowing my so-called “perfect life” she always made comments about came to an end now that I am a Breeder. I would be at her beck and call with her position as the Beta Female. I never noticed how much of a snake Abby is until today, and I start questioning her real motives for being my friend. I start questioning everything she has ever said or done while being a part of my life.

“Geez, Laina, tell me how you really feel?” Her sarcastic remark and glaring eyes filled with hatred simmering in waves towards my direction cause a low warning-growl to escape my lips. She may be a Beta Female and I but a lowly Breeder and inferior in comparison, but she knows I could have her head with my strength at any given moment. At the end of the day, my bloodline is superior to hers.

“Stay out of my life from now on,” I reply as I violently push open the car door to get out and slam it shut. I hear the sound of the metal grinding together, knowing that the car door will never open again. I guess this bitch will need a new car. I make my way into the house as the squeal of tires fills my ears, knowing that Abby is running away both in fear and humiliation. She could never handle having someone yell at her the way I just did and was probably on her way to complain to her mate.

“Miss Laina?” One of the guards calls out to me while I try to calm the anger and indignation swirling inside me. I smile meekly at his worry-filled gaze, hoping that he doesn't see through my thoughts.

“Don’t worry about it,” I whisper, and he nods unconvinced before handing me a handkerchief.

“My mother was a Breeder. I knew that the people who raised me weren’t my real parents. It just didn’t feel right. One day, while we were school shopping, a woman came up to me and said my name. Everything about her seemed so familiar, and the next thing I knew, I was hugging her and begging her not to leave me. My adoptive parents finally told me who she was that night, and after that, I met my siblings. My mother and I still talk to this day, not the one who raised me, but the woman who was forced to give me up—though I still talk to my adoptive parents. I know what your children will go through. Just remember that if I can find a way to get you out before it’s too late, I will.” My eyes widen at the guard’s confession, and I hug him without thinking. Part of me instantly feels safe with this guard, and I can’t help but show weakness in front of him, something I hate showing but have been doing lately. His past is similar to Abby, but while she shows her true colours like a royal spoiled bitch, even when her adoptive parents did their best to give her everything she wanted, this guard shows sincerity and friendship. The wolves who raised him did well in raising this wolf who stands before me into a well-mannered man.

“I’m Alex, by the way.” He laughs out loud, reassuringly patting my back.

“Well, Alex, I’m recruiting you to paint the rooms with me.” We laugh together as I release Alex from my hug, motioning for the Warrior to follow me inside, where cans of paint are waiting to be used up. I wipe my tears finally and roll up my sleeves. For the rest of the day, we spent the hours painting each room. Alex is a great help, with him being so tall and able to reach the top of the ceiling. It felt nice doing something mundane and not being looked at like a piece of meat that the other guards want to take a bite out of.

The next day, Alex arrives early, just in time for the breakfast I made for the two of us before we get to work. I let him know that the furniture will arrive today and ask if he knows anyone he trusts who would be willing to help bring it to the cottage and move it around.

Soon, I meet his half-brother Matthew, a dark-skinned wolf with a carefree smile. He, too, is a Warrior, and I learn that the two of them have been secretly helping Breeders escape when the chance is given to them. Hope flashes briefly in my heart when they agree to help me out when the opportunity arises. Matthew brought along his mate, Milly, to help decorate with a woman’s touch. Neither of them brought up the fact that I’m the newest Breeder. They treat me with respect, and it feels nice being treated as an equal and not a slave used to increase the population. Of course, once all the furniture is arranged and built and the walls painted, Alex and Matthew escape into the garage’s home gym for a good workout. Milly and I are left to roll our eyes at them and spend the evening with wine and snacks. The only thing that surprised the two wolf-brothers is me being sixteen, apparently, the youngest she-wolf to be chosen as a Breeder.

“You know, it’s been fun hanging out with you,” Alex says, the two of us sitting on the back porch with hot cocoa in our hands. Matthew and Milly had left about three hours ago, leaving the cottage to feel slightly empty without their presence and laughter.

“It’s been fun hanging with you too.” I laugh, a genuine smile on my face. Part of me envies Alex’s mate, whoever she or he might be, as Alex really is an outstanding wolf. Being mateless, Alex always talks about his hope of finding his mate and spending the rest of their lives together. I know he will make some wolf happy one day, and I hope that day comes soon for him.

“Well, I should let you go rest. The Alpha comes to check on you tomorrow.” He kisses the top of my head gently and heads inside. I can hear the sink running as he cleans his mug and calls out his goodbye. Soon enough, he is gone for the night.

Sighing, I head inside and start getting ready for bed, taking a shower and making sure everything is ready for tomorrow. Whether I like it or not, the Alpha will take my virginity tomorrow, and I will fully become a Breeder. Four days after tomorrow, my job will begin, and the first Warrior to be my partner will show up and do what he has to do to make me pregnant. Dread fills me as I try my best to fall asleep, but if Abby was correct the other day, Max will not touch me.