Claimed

Chapter 35

"Gabriel I can't live with you. I want to live with mother, till me and Xael work out our differences."

Gabriel: " That isn't possible. Things work differently at this kingdom in regards to the human-werewolf relationship. You do not have the freedom to roam this place. The rules are drastically different. I thought the best way to tell you about the slave situation was for me to explain it to you instead of Xael.

"Xael told me long ago that the royal council treated their humans much worse than he did, but I didn't want to believe it."

Gabriel: "It is true. Xael has always prided himself on how he rules his slaves. He has in the past tried to make old royalty change their ways, but they silenced him on the matter."

"Silenced how?"

Gabriel: "Winnie there is a lot about werewolves you still don't understand. Yes, you were partially raised by one, but Xael has kept you in the dark for a reason."

Feeling the urge to venture to where Xael has disappeared to I slowly walk forward to the jagged bush, hiding my new temporary home.

It is like a gate of foliage hiding my new life before my eyes.

Silently I can hear the footsteps of Gabriel's feet snapping branches behind me as I continue to make my way forward. Pushing through the bramble, tiny twigs scratch my bare skin as finally my view becomes unobstructed. I gasp at the scenery in front of me.

"Is that the kingdom up upon the hill?"

Gabriel: "Yes it is. That's our new home."

"It is bigger than I imagined."

Gabriel: "It houses the royal elder wolves and the council. They spared no expensive when creating this place centuries ago."

"Are you sure we can make it to the kingdom before dawn?"

Gabriel: "I'm not entirely sure when we will make it to the kingdom, but rest assured we will make it before the day is over. Come now. Follow my lead. And if we run into any werewolves keep your mouth shut and head down. Understood?"

"Yes."

I say quietly.

Tilting his nose upwards Gabriel continues to walk in direction of the half moon, sniffing briefly with every few steps we take. Glancing down upon the hem of my dress I notice the collection of dirt it has caught, as it sweeps against the forest floor. The chill in the air takes my breath away as I begin to feel light and airy. My clumsiness amplified with every stride. Looking back at me Gabriel immediately stops his movements to rummage through his sack. Taking this as a sign to rest I inhale rapidly, before letting out a deep sigh. Choosing to sit on a decomposing fallen tree I pray it holds up as I flop down upon on it.

Gabriel: "I am sorry Winnie. I forgot your limitations. It takes a lot to tire a werewolf. Take this bota, but do not drink all the water within it. I'm not familiar with where the closest water source could be. I know just enough to get us to the castle, but as of now I am following Xael's scent. I am not the best at seeing at night."

"I'm ready to hear about the inner workings of the castle."

Gabriel: "I'm going to be frank with you. Human slaves have no rights. They make no wages and are treated in the worst sort of ways if they disobey their masters. Unlike how our slaves work together at our kingdom to provide for the pack with daily duties such as cleaning and cooking it is completely different there. Their slaves are assigned to serve only one master. Slave quarters are not located in the castle, but are off grounds in tiny hovels, all packed in a cluster. Sadly, the only slaves living in the castle are the pleasure slaves."

"Is this the reason why I am living with you?"

Gabriel: "Partially. Every slave from our kingdom was separated, per Xael father's order to new work assignments. They were either labeled whore or given to a new master to serve."

"That is preposterous! He can't do that. Those are our people."

Gabriel: "He can't, but he did."

"Wait, does Xael think I will be given away?"

Gabriel: "No, it isn't that. Its just that you reek of his scent and because of that people will question your ties to him and we can't have that."

"Was my mother reassigned to a new master?"

Gabriel: "I claimed her as my personal maid. I snuck her into my home. She is still recuperating from the attack on the castle. Bruised and weak from the journey. She is going mad without your presence."

"You are hiding her in your home? I don't understand. You are a beta, shouldn't your home be inside the castle."

Gabriel: "My rank holds no comparison to the old royal werewolves who reside in the castle. Betas and Omegas live within the castle walls, but in our own family sized homes located behind the castle. We our allowed in the castle by invitation only. If the alpha we serve isn't staying in the castle then we ourselves are not allowed on the land. They made an exception for me, while you were with Xael."

"Who lives in the castle? I know the council lives there and so does Xael's parents, but who else?"

Gabriel: "Well mainly alphas who have renounced their leadership to their successors. Also their mates live in the castle. Occasionally their children with their pups travel to see them and stay for a while."

"What I don't understand is how come Xael has to convene with the council in the first place. He is Alpha King shouldn't his say be the only ruling."

Gabriel: "It's hard to explain the hierarchy of everything. Xael is alpha king. He controls all of the other alphas and their packs in neighboring kingdoms, but the council of elder werewolves control him. The main job of the council is to make sure our laws are followed and our wolf teachings are upheld from our ancestors. For Xael to go against their wishes not only looks bad, but they have the power to strip him of his title if they don't agree with his leadership. Xael's alpha king title isn't as all-powerful as it seems. He still has to answer to the keepers of our history and way of life.

"I never knew how much pressure he is under."

Gabriel: "If the war against our people isn't resolved, I fear for his crown."

Author's Note

31K reads!! This is a big milestone for me and I may sound like a broken record, but I am extremely grateful for all you guys who read this story. Continue to leave comments, and votes. Your feedback is much appreciated. Lastly feel free to follow me as a friend because I'm going to start posting more on my message board.

p.s. shameless plug, but check out my other stories. I plan to start updating them again, but right now Claimed is more important.