Chapter 16
*Lily's POV*
The days ran together. I could see light through the opening I assumed was at the top of the door, but I could never see the opening only the light that it sometimes casted through the hallway.
I knew they were intentionally leaving me sleep deprived. My energy was always at a low. Every few hours there would be banging on the door, or a guard would come in and bang on the cell doors forcing me awake. At least twice a day Henry would visit. Sometimes he would sit on a chair outside the door and talk about plans. Everything he wanted for 'his pack.' Most of the time I was too tired to even lift my head.
When he walked in, I could smell his clean laundry. It seemed like something weird to focus on, but it was strong and almost feminine. It was distinct to him. I didn't have to look up to know that pain was most likely coming. I missed being clean more than almost anything else.
I wore the same clothes from the night I was taken despite how many times I had been forced to soil myself in them. Blisters formed between my legs in addition to the open wounds on my back. Most of the pajama t-shirt had broken away along with the bra underneath. The pieces hung onto my shoulders leaving the scraps covering the front of my torso. If I was here much longer, I would soon be topless. Every time I was removed from the table then chained back in, I would have to tighten the drawstring on my pajama pants just a little more. It could have been the weight of my own filth, but I could see my body slowly shrinking.
It wasn't easy to count positives given the situation, but at least my hair had knotted up to the point of no longer falling onto my face or tickling my neck and shoulders. The downside of that though was the lice. My head constantly itched, and I was unable to scratch it. That might have been the worst torture of all.
The door creaked open, and I was able to lift my head. Henry had left earlier than normal last night and arrived later than normal this morning. I was able to sleep for more than an hour and I could feel some semblance of strength in my energy. I tried searching out to feel Adam, but as usual I felt nothing. My energy was too low, or we just weren't together long enough for it to form in the first place.
The keys jingled and the cell door screeched open. I fought the urge to groan. If he heard me complain then the beatings were worse.
"You know little pet I am in an exceptionally good mood today. You see I have a son coming." I didn't need to say anything for him to continue talking. He never needed encouragement to talk about himself. "I considered putting off our little meeting until my own heir was born. So many opportunities that would bring with just a little patience." His fingers trailed down my bare back.
I tried to turn away, but he dug his nails into a wound that felt like it had been starting to heal over. "I really thought we had grown out of that dear. Oh well." His footsteps faintly echoed as he paced the cell. "There were so many opportunities you see. First, I could teach my little boy how to take care of his future hostages. Boy has to learn how to be the Alpha some time.
'Second it would have given you and your little mate time to seal your bond. I could have stolen you away at the perfect moment so we could have a truly great heir. Obviously, she would be useless in standing, but oh what a weapon. If it was a boy though then we couldn't have that. They would have never come to term you understand." I felt bile rise in my throat. The thought of his body on mine was horrible, but the children I had always imagined being nothing more than pawns for his sick game.
I forced my head up and found his eyes in the dark room. "You're sick. I pity the mate that has to share a bed with someone like you." His eyes flashed and a smile formed on his lips.
"Finally! Some of the spark I have heard so much about. Our new pack could use that. But I digress. Ultimately it was your own fault. You knew I was out there and still wandered off on your own. You were a sitting duck and really if you think about it, I couldn't let you two seal your bond. He would have been able to find you as soon as you gained even the slightest awareness. This way we can just kill off the useless mate and find you someone a little more...malleable."
"He will find me. You won't live long enough to see your son live. Thank god your son will never have to be exposed to a deluded monster."
He reached onto the wall, and I heard something remove. I should have kept my mouth shut.
*Adam's POV*
Running...always running. Running was easy. I wasn't ever sure where I was going, but anything was better than staying still. She was out there. Somewhere.
I felt Noah before I saw him. He stepped out from a crowd of trees and gave a low grumble. I slid sideways trying to keep myself from running straight into him.
He threw his head towards the house, and I followed behind him in a slower trot. As soon as we reached the edge of the woods, I saw Jameson waiting for us at the back door of my house. He stood up from the chair on the patio and gave me a weary wave. I shifted into my human form and adjusted my shirt. Noah did the same and slapped an arm around my shoulders.
Jameson's father was a second beta to the pack. In the original pack Jameson's grandfather was the beta, but in the borderline rogue pack Noah's father was a beta. We decided having a second beta couldn't hurt. Like three musketeers.
I saw a quick flash of red inside alerting me of Riley's presence. Noah turned his head slightly so that Jameson couldn't see his mouth and barely whispered, "Be happy. He needs a leader." I nodded and gave Jameson the most genuine smile I could. He reached out his hand and pulled me in for a hug putting a heavy hand on my back before pulling away.
"Adam...we have some personal news we want to share. Good news." He called Riley and she pushed the sliding door open and bounced out. Her red hair moved up and down as she shifted weight between her feet. Jameson grabbed her hand steadying her, but the excitement was too much, and she took her hand out of his.
I was getting impatient when she stepped forward and took my hand in both of hers. She was so close I could smell her floral perfume. "We would like to ask you to be our baby's godparent." My eyes widened and Noah laughed loudly as I remained frozen. She stood still with her smile slowly fading until Noah slapped my back almost too hard.
I forced a smile and pulled Riley into a hug. I forced out a congratulations and turned to shake Jameson's hand, but she grabbed my hand even tighter for a second time.
"Jameson asked me not to say this part, but I feel like I have to." He tried to step up and pull her away, but Noah put his hand on Jameson's chest.
"Riley...now isn't the time."
His face was covered in concern as his eyes glanced between his mate and me. "It's okay. You'll quickly learn that the last thing you'll want is something on the mind of a pregnant woman in the middle of the night. You'll never sleep again."
"We are asking you to be one godparent, but we want Lily to be the other godparent. It only felt right." Noah glanced back at me having clearly not expected that to be what she needed to say. I froze and felt something in my stomach turn. Her eyes locked on mine even though I could see her tears already forming. When she blinked, they started falling down her cheeks but she refused to release my hand to wipe them away. "I know she will be back. I can't tell you how I know, but I feel it. She will be back before our baby is here and she will be here to help welcome them into our world." I nodded and stepped away. I did my best to pull my hand from hers without hurting her feelings.
"She will be beyond excited when she comes home. If you'll excuse me, I have been running for most of the day, and need a glass of water. I hope you will stay for dinner with us to celebrate your news." I nodded at each of them and made my way inside. As I was closing the door, I could hear Noah and Jameson gently chastising Riley for mentioning Lily.
I felt like a knife was twisting in my gut, but at the same time I trusted Riley. Some shifters were born with extra abilities. Full powers like Lily were almost unheard of, but smaller abilities were somewhat common. In our pack we have Riley who somehow always has a feeling of something that is going to happen. Noah had a way with people. It was odd when we tried to pinpoint what exactly was happening, but he had a way of making everyone calm around him. There was a girl named Sammy that was in second grade, but she was already faster than any other wolf her age.
I flipped on the faucet and filled the glass of water. Mom sat in the barstool across from the sink holding a coffee mug in between her hands. She looked up at me but didn't bother putting on a fake smile I am sure she wore for Riley's news.
Here we didn't have to hide that we weren't happy. We didn't have to pretend we weren't being torn apart inside. Something was missing and we both knew it. For her it was Charlotte. For me it was Lily.