The door slamming into the wall is the first thing I hear. I lay still hoping once whomever sees I'm still asleep will leave. Unfortunately, Ryder's obnoxiously loud-ass voice diminishes any hope I had of sleeping in.
"Time to get up, Rogue." A second set of rushing footsteps follows Ryder's into the room. I groan and stretch as best as I can without further injuring myself.
"You really couldn't have let her wake up on her own?" Violet's irritated attitude has me rolling over to face the scene in front of me. Ryder is standing right next to the open door with his arms crossed.
"She's healed enough to wait for Aidan in a cell." He's not wrong, my broken leg is fully healed, and my other previously torn-up leg just has large, tender scars littering it. Violet gives Ryder an exasperated look at his response.
"Jesus Ryder, it has only been a little more than 24 hours since she arrived. I mean she is just barely healed." He looks as if he is about to turn this conversation into a full-blown argument. I interrupt before I lose my train of thought.
"Who's Aidan?" Ryder snaps his head in my direction growling slightly.
"He's our Alpha and you will be meeting with him later tonight. I suggest you show some respect and not call him by his name." I roll my eyes. Alphas and their dignity! I'll have to see for myself if this Aidan has earned his title, or hides behind and misuses it as a way to hold power over others.
"Alright your highness, may I now have my prisoner clothing?" He sneers while handing me the pile of clothes in his hand. I attempt a curtsy as much as my injuries allow, before closing the bathroom door. Behind the wood of the door I can hear Violet giggle and Ryder stomping out of the room.
When I look in the mirror I almost audibly gasp. All exposed skin on my body looks the same bruised, swollen, or scratched up. The right side of my face is a lot worse than the left from when the rogue, whose name I never learned, smashed my face on the forest floor repeatedly.
I step into the shower careful not to injure myself further. The faster I heal the quicker I can get out of here. Staying in pack for the first time in years is unsettling. It's not something I'm used to, having to obey orders and follow a certain set of rules. I'm just hoping that the Alpha isn't a jackass and allows me to leave without any difficulties.
Rinsing the last of the shampoo out of my hair, I shut off the shower. I throw on the plain black t-shirt and blue sweats that are a bit too big, but they work. Violet and Alex are talking by the door when I step out of the bathroom.
"I'm sorry but my hands are tied on the matter." Alex tells Violet in a hushed tone. It's clear neither of them have noticed my presence. Violet look frustrated by whatever Alex has been telling her.
"She was attacked on our land, and hasn't fully healed and you want to throw her in a cell until Aidan graces us with his presence." She spits back stepping away from her mate.
"Like I said, my hands are tied. If it was up to me she would just stay here, but the pack has gotten word about her and if we don't follow procedure it will cause panic and chaos. Opening old wounds is not something that's going to help our pack." He steps forward wrapping his arms around Violet. She rests her head on his chest, sighing before speaking.
"How did they even hear about her?" She asks tiredly.
"You know Emeric's big mouth." I decide now is a good time to make myself known. I don't want them to know I heard their conversation, so I act as though I just walked out. I walk over to the bed to sit down, gaining their attention.
"Thanks for the clean clothes." I smile at Violet knowing it was her idea. "So, what happens next?" I ask even though I already know the answer. I want to always be a step ahead of them just in case the situation goes south.
"Well, you will stay in one of our cells for the rest of the day, possibly until tomorrow. Then you will meet with our Alpha to discuss the incident and assess the situation." Alex steps forward with a set of cuffs. I stand up, raising my eyebrow to show I'm not scared of what a stunt this is.
"Really?!?" Violet shrieks throwing her hands in the air when she sees what he has in his hands. I can see Alex flinch at his mate's reaction. Weakness. That's what mates are: a weakness. They are a vulnerability that you can't hide from others, leaving both parties at risk.
I raise my bruised wrists without breaking eye contact with Alex to show him I'm not scared of what is to come. It's true, I'm not scared. I've already analyzed a few different ways to escape unscathed, but at the moment complying seems like the safest option.
Alex clasps the metal cuffs around my wrists. He turns towards a fuming Violet.
"I'll see you tonight when Aidan gets back." She just glares at him making him sigh. I cringe at the affect they have on each other. The power that mates have over each other is indescribable. Alex grabs my upper arm lightly, leading me out of the room and out of the building.
The sun is blinding outside, and by its position in the blue sky it's about mid day. We walk down a clearly well-traveled path. Curious to get information out of Alex, I finally speak up.
"I'm surprised you guys don't use silver cuffs." I comment since I can't feel the familiar burn of silver against my wrist.
"We have procedures but I also sympathize for you." I clench my jaw trying not to growl. The Alpha in me wants to lash out and put him in his place for belittling me. However, if he gets any idea of my natural rank it will only bring more problems.
"Well don't. I don't need special treatment because you feel bad." I stop myself from continuing and digging myself a deeper grave. I need to stay a step ahead and letting my anger get the best of me will only hurt me. Alex is about to respond when a group of wolves up ahead gets closer. They are five young men who are warriors. I can tell by the scars old and new littering their skin. I keep a straight face as we walk by, but they have different plans.
"The rogue." One spits out, having must of smelled that I'm not part of the pack. They all halt, stopping whatever conversation they were having.
"Why are you letting it walk around?" One glares at me before turning to Alex. I go to keep walking deciding to ignore the comment, but Alex has a different idea and stops walking, yanking me back in the process. I catch myself glaring back at Alex for not giving me a warning. Alex turns to the younger wolf.
"She has been requested by the Alpha to be moved. Now are you going to question the authority of your Alpha again?" Still no change in his emotionless expression.
"No, Beta Alexander." The young wolf says with his head down. Before him and his group walk away they all give me one last glare. I just roll my eyes continue to follow Alex.
After a few more minutes of walking we start to approach a one floor building made of brick and metal. The front and only door is heavily guarded by a couple of warriors. When we walk up they nod to Alex before moving out of the way. Before we enter I see the guards giving me a once-over as if looking to see what to look out for later.
The sunlight is the only source of light allowing me to see the long hallway with cells littering each side of the building. Once the door is shut, darkness blinds me for a second until my eyes adjust. Alex leads me to the second cell on the left. Pulling out a key from the back pocket of his jeans he unlocks the cell door.
I step into the cell walking over to the small rusted bench. Once seated, I turn to Alex giving him a sarcastic smile.
"So I'm just going to sit in here until your Alpha decides to grace me with his royal presence?" I ask while Alex locks the cell, double-checking the handle just to be safe.
"Someone will bring you dinner if Alpha Aidan isn't back by then. Other than that, yes, you will sit here and wait until our Alpha is back to deal with your trespassing charge." He gives me a look waiting for me to respond. My silent nod is enough for him, he turns heading back out of the building.
I turn and lay down on the small bench, and pull my knees up to my chest as best as I can. My legs are healed enough to continue on but that doesn't mean they don't hurt like hell. Luckily, I have built up a pretty good pain tolerance over the years. If all goes well I will deal with the Alpha and be back on my way.
My eyelids start dropping after a few minutes of sitting alone in the dark. I'll take a quick nap and then figure out a game plan with plenty of time to spare. I need to get out soon if I want to try and get in contact with my brother any time soon. With that last thought darkness lulls me to a peaceful dreamless sleep.
*******
Song: Monsters by Ruelle
I hope everyone liked this chapter. I know it's a slow one, but I promise the story will pick up speed in the next chapter. Please vote if you enjoyed it! Until next time.
~Stella Gordon