“Stop! Whatever’s going on, just stop!” Mia cries as she storms across the room and buries her face in my chest. I stand tall and tense, not moving to comfort her.
“What are we going to do?” She cries. I give no response because there’s none to give. “What are we going to do?” She asks again.
Grabbing her arms to steady her fists, I say, “Mia, there isn’t anything I can do. She wouldn’t accept the pack.” Saying these words sends a chill through my body and freezes my heart.
“So that’s it? You’re just going to leave her with him?” Mia asks. The thought of leaving Lucinda with Felix pains my soul. My frozen heart shatters into several little pieces.
Rubbing the bridge of my nose with my thumb and index finger, I steady the black void that is threatening to overtake my shattered heart.
“I can’t endanger the pack—” I mumble as my shoulders slump and my head falls forward, resting my chin on my chest.
“There isn’t anything else we can do?” Mia’s asks.
"Mia, there isn't anything in the world I want more than to go after them. But I the Alpha, and my duty is to protect the pack. And Lucinda is not part of the pack." Why is that so strange to say? The words stick in my mouth as if they were peanut butter.
"That's right, she's just a rogue. And if you were to endanger your pack by running off after her, then—" Sabrina's voice echoes in the silent room.
"Who the hell do you think you are?" Mia rushes toward her in a fit of rage. "Cinda isn't just a rogue, you b—" Gavin grabs Mia's hand before it makes contact with Sabrina's face.
"Mia, stop. Cinda wouldn't want you fighting like this," Gavin says.
"Sabrina, I thought I already told you to leave," I say. "If I have to tell you again, you'll regret it." The nerve of her, reentering this room. She is becoming bolder every day. Does she think I don't notice? I need to watch her more closely.
Sabrina's smirk fades into a pout and her eyes open wide as she attempts to mimic sad puppy dog eyes and fails miserably.
"Out." I send her through the mindlink and flare my nostrils, holding in a snarl.
"Fine, I'm leaving. But mark my words, if this pack becomes the target of a psycho rogue wolf, then—"
"Then what, Sabrina?" Dylan's voice cuts her off mid-sentence.
"Are you threatening the Alpha?" Sammy's voice overlaps Dylan's.
With one last look to me, Sabrina leaves the room, but I'm not satisfied she's left until I hear the front door slam and her car peel out of the driveway.
I watch Mia's eyes wander the room until they land on Dylan.
“You!” Mia walks over to him. “What do you know of Felix?”
“Nothing.” Dylan shrugs. Mia’s hand is quick and she hits Dylan with a loud thundering smack.
“What’s that for?” Dylan asks, rubbing his redden cheek.
“For Cinda,” Mia huffed. “I don’t know what happened between you two that night, but I’ve never seen her look so vulnerable. In the morning when you were gone, she was—”
“What does that have to do with anything?” Dylan snaps.
“When I met her she was running from something, or someone. I don’t know who, or what, but I have a feeling it was Felix.” Mia’s face turns a slight shade of red.
“You don’t know that. It could have been anyone.” Dylan says.
“You left her back then, just like you’re leaving her now!” I watch my little sister begin to tremble with rage.
“Mia, why do you think it's Felix she’s running from?” I ask. Placing my hand on her shoulder, I apply pressure, allowing my Alpha to calm her wolf. "He's an arrogant SOB, and I don't like him. But I don't think Lucinda would've gone with him if—"
Mia turns to face me; her eyes are glazed over. She’s looking at me, but not really seeing me. I brush away a tear that rolls down her cheek.
“Mia?” I ask in a soothing tone.
“You…you…” She sniffles several times before continuing, “you didn’t see her face when he first approached us in the mall.” She falls into my chest. This time, I wrap my arms around her, holding tight, providing the comfort she needs, and taking comfort for myself as well.
“What do you mean?” Dylan asks.
“She paled, white as a ghost.” Mia whispers. “It wasn’t long before she hid it. But I saw the fear in her eyes. I’ve never seen her look so vulnerable.”
The thought of Lucinda stepping forward to leave with Felix, when she’s terrified of him, sets my skin on fire! Why would she risk her life like that? I grunt at the mere idea of him touching her.
“There is one way.” I turn my attention to Dylan.
“No,” he says with a clenched jaw.
“No?” I boom. “You’re willing to leave her with the likes of Felix?”
“She’s strong and clever, she’ll be fine,” Dylan says rubbing the back of his neck.
My grip tightens around Mia’s waist and a slight whelp escapes her lips.
“I’ll go,” Gavin’s voice enters the room, catching us all by surprise. Mia runs to him, flinging herself into his arms. A strong yearning for mint and honey washes over my body.
“You can’t go alone.” I give Dylan my Alpha stare.
Chapter 17
Lucinda
“Hello my child,” a gravelly voice says. The speaker is an older woman with tan, leathery skin sitting on the floor a few feet from me. Her hair and clothing remind me of a nomad, but her purple eyes tell me she is anything but human.
She looks vaguely familiar, though with my blurred vision and diminished visibility, almost anyone would look familiar.
“Who are you?” I ask, my voice rough and scratchy.
“Have we met before, my dear?” She continues talking as if I did not speak.
“No, I don’t think so.” I grab my throat, and it burns as I swallow.
The deep piercing gaze of her eyes makes my palms sweat and I shuffle my feet to calm the eerie sensation that's coursing through my body from her scrutiny.
“I remember all my visitors. But you, I do not remember,” the woman says, once again as if I didn't speak.
“Right,” I mutter under my breath and head over to the bed since I realize she is not a threat.
Kneeling next to the bed, I look under it and pull out an old canvas-covered stateroom trunk. Unlatching the lid, I open it slowly and peer inside. My heart warms when I find my hobo sling bag. I have always been fond of this bag. It was the only birthday present I received when I turned nine years old. I've always wondered why it carried so much importance to me: if it was because this is the last gift I ever received, or because it was from Dylan. But that is something to ponder another time.
Either way, I've come to find this bag the perfect companion for my lifestyle. Its versatility lends it to limitless options. Since it is soft and flexible, in addition to washable, it's easy to use as a human, but also to tote around in wolf form. I can carry it in my mouth, or even with a little struggle I can sling it over my neck.
Emptying the contents of my bag, I find my wallet, smartphone, and favorite lip gloss, in addition to a few other pieces of clothing. Grabbing the phone, I press the on button and nothing happens. Of course. I haven’t missed my phone the past few weeks, but in a time like this, it would be helpful. Since I have no mindlink with Dylan, Mia, or Caiden, not that it would help even if I did, the distance is far too great for the mindlink to carry. My shoulders sag as I let out a deep sigh.
“This is peculiar because you have the aura of my touch upon you. And yet we’ve never met,” the woman muses to herself and begins to giggle.
I turn my head to look at her and my eyes narrow, forming a deep crease in my forehead. The way she is crouched in the corner and strumming her fingertips together gives an appearance of someone that recently escaped from a mental institute. A creepy sensation, one that I can't explain, rushes through the air and goosebumps ripple on my forea
rms.
My eyes dart around the room. I need to get out of here. I can only imagine what Felix will do to me, and this woman gives me the creeps. Shivers prick my skin like shards of ice stabbing me.
Pulling myself to my feet, I stumble around the room looking for a way to escape. Standing up too long takes its toll and causes my head to throb with a dull pain. Licking the dried blood off my lips, I close my eyes and hope the room will stop spinning soon.
"You have an uncanny resemblance to—" the old woman mutters.
Keeping my eyes closed and resting my head against the cold wall, I ask "To who?"
"Raven."
Upon hearing my family name, my eyes shoot open in an instant. But my vision is blurred and takes a moment to focus. The woman is now standing across the room from me. Her posture perfect and her head held high.
"What did you say?" I ask.
"You are the daughter of Raven, are you not?" She speaks with more strength behind each word and takes a step toward me.
"No need to answer, I understand now," she says and sits back down.
"Understand what?" I ask.
"Everything." The woman's eyes are closed as if she were sleeping. Whatever. This woman is a lunatic—
"You're not planning to leave us so soon, are you dear?"
I glare at her through my thick eyelashes.
"Felix won't let you escape so easily." That's what you think. "And I'm sure your brother is excited to know that you're still alive—"
"My brother? I think you have the wrong person."
"I know exactly who I'm speaking to, Daughter of Cornelia."
"Well then I am sorry to share the bad news, but my brother died at birth." I once asked my father why there were pages missing in the Pack Journal, after a long pause he simply said, “You had a twin brother who was stillborn and he killed your mother.” He never mentioned it again, so I never asked more questions.
"Yes, I heard that as well," she says. "But it's—"
"Hold your tongue, witch!" Felix's tone demands my attention as he stands in the open doorway, his Alpha declaring his presence in the room.
"Son of Tiergan, so nice of you to join us. I was just catching up with this dear child." Her gravelly voice carries in the air. "I must say I'm a little surprised to see her still alive—"
"Enough. Out." Felix demands and the witch hobbles across the room. Felix follows, slamming the door behind him.
Watching the shadows cast by the single lit candle, I feel the woman’s words echo in my mind. Still alive. I gulp and wince at the raw, dry pain throbbing in my throat.
If Felix wanted me dead, he would've killed me many times over. He did say someone wanted me dead, though, right? Wincing as I swallow again, I try to remember what he said during his attack. He has a better idea. I'm not going to sit around waiting to find out what that idea is.
My eyes search the empty room. I've been here before in this exact situation. Last time I escaped I went home, to my father for protection.
I will not make the same mistake again. As much as my wolf yearns for the safety in the spicy scent of bergamot, I will not put Caiden and his pack in danger.
My fingers frantically trace the stone wall, searching for the hidden passage. Shaking my head, I give one last push against the wall and a small passageway reveals itself. This is an old historic house that was used in the underground railroad. Thank you, history channel.
Climbing up into the small space, I wince and grab my ribs, falling to the floor. I should remain still while I heal so the bones heal properly, but time is not a luxury I have at the moment. Shifting during the healing process can really mess up your bone structure, so as a common rule, we stay human while we heal. Unless we were injured as a wolf, then depending on the extent of the injury, it may be best to remain a wolf to heal. Groaning again, I pull myself up the wall and climb into the small opening. I know I'll have to re-break my ribs, but that can wait.
I shimmy on my belly through the dark tunnel. The air is warm but damp and stifling. The further I crawl, the narrow space widens, opening into a larger tunnel. Finally, I am able to stand and drag my body along the wall of the corridor, heading to freedom. And the woman said it wouldn't be easy. My lips turn into a smile, but it doesn't last long. I muffle a cough as the foul stale air fills my lungs.
Once out in the open forest, I look around and wait for my eyes to adjust. I came from pure darkness into a dark forest; however, there is light provided by the full moon. Raising my face to the sky, I bask in the warmth and power. The urge to howl is deep within me, but I hesitate, not wanting to give away my location. I am exhausted from the climb out and my body is worn from the beating it took earlier. I need to rest.
I hobble to the nearest tall tree and climb. It takes all my strength to move from tree to tree, concealing myself in the thick branches. Finally settling down on a sturdy branch high above the ground, I drift off to sleep, or rather I pass out from exhaustion and excruciating pain.
My wolf stirs inside me, begging me to wake. I hear a hushed voice calling my name and my heart flutters as I inhale the familiar scent—cumin wraps around me, enveloping me in his embrace.
“Lux, please wake up,” Dylan’s voice cracks and a tear drips onto my cheek.
Chapter 18
Caiden
"Caiden," Mia warns in the mindlink, "she's here."
This morning I received a request from Sabrina to meet with the Alpha on official pack business. I pound my fist on the office desk, and my papers ruffle from the force. At a time like this, she wants a meeting. Swiping at the table with my forearm, all my paper and books crash to the floor.
"Caiden," Mia says, knocking on the office door.
"Don't bother him, I'll let myself in." Sabrina pushes the door open and walks past Mia.
I nod to Mia and she closes the door behind Sabrina.
"What do you want, Sabrina?"
Her lips curl into a brilliant smile. "As the pack liaison—"
"The what?" I ask.
"The pack liaison," Sabrina says as she slinks across the room and slides into the leather chair in front of me.
Under the desk, my fists tense. "We don't have a pack liaison."
She raises her hand to cover her mouth and her eyes widen, "Oh, haven't you heard?" Miss Drama Queen at her best.
My eyes bore a hole into her dark pupils.
"I'll take that as a no. If you would've attended some of the monthly pack meetings, or the weekly council meetings—"
I stand from my seated position behind my desk and lean over the desk toward her. "I have my reasons."
"Yes, yes. Dylan always gives your excuse of the day. And since the Alpha isn't available during these said meetings, they elected a pack liaison. They thought it would be easier for me to meet with you than for everyone to try to get an audience."
My nostrils flare and a growl escapes. Why is this the first I'm hearing of it?
"It's your own fault—" Sabrina stands and lounges on the edge of the desk, causing me to take a step back. I know she will think I stood down from a power struggle, but she can't be further from the truth. I will never give in to the likes of her.
Crossing my arms over my chest, I ask, "What is?"
"The position you're in—"
"And what position is that?" My inner wolf is not happy. It's taking all my concentration to resist the surging power he's emitting.
"Caiden," she says and her eyes soften, "you're losing your pack." She walks around the desk, closing the distance between us, and she places her hand on my forearm.
"Ever since Eliza—"
"Don't ever say her name." I jerk my arm from her touch.
"You haven't exactly lived up to the Alpha we thought you would be," she says.
"I protect the pack, strengthen our borders, train warriors, and patrol the borders." I clench my teeth. "What more would you have me do?"
"You don't
socialize or communicate—"
"I didn't realize that was a requirement—"
"It is," she says. "Never underestimate what socializing and communicating with the pack members can achieve." Her smile is haunting and her tone is low yet stern. Did she just give me a warning?
Folding my arms over my chest, I ask, "Is this the pack business you came to discuss?"
"No. That was just food for thought." She hands me a stack of papers, and says, "Here are the grievances from the pack members."
Taking the papers from her, I flip through the several dozen pages.
"And a suggestion, if I may?" She asks. I nod. "Each member that took the time to write a grievance will expect a timely written response from the Alpha himself."
I hold back a growl that threatens to surface. As much as I don't like Sabrina and dislike her new pack position, she's right. I should make these my number one priority.
"Thank you, Sabrina. I will begin reviewing them immediately. Is there anything else?"
"One last thing," she says. Lifting my eyes from the stack of grievances, I give her my full attention.
"I can't find Dylan. Do you know where he is?" she asks.
"He's running an errand, he'll be back soon."
Her eyes harden and her pupils dilate. "I noticed that rogue is gone too."
"And?" I drop the grievances on my desk and roll my shoulders. She will not portray dominance in my presence.
A snarl slips from between her ruby red glossy lips.
"Sabrina, leave," I say with a rumble billowing in my chest.
She casts her eyes down and turns to leave.
I take a deep breath as I walk across the room to the window and gaze out into the forest. After several minutes, or maybe it was hours—every day it seems I lose track of more and more time—I return to my desk, ready to review the stack of grievances.
The door creaks open and I turn my attention to the intruder. Glaring at the unwanted presence, I drop the letter I was reading and nod for him to enter. I'll never get these damn things done.
I take a deep breath and clench my fists several times. "Elder Charles, to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" The old man slips into the room and stands across the desk from where I sit.
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