“I told Lilith that I was staying with you. I told her your name.” Alec went on to explain more at my prompting.
“And when I had been in the van coming here, someone had mentioned Corozal. So I figured that this place is Corozal and told her, but I wasn’t able to see outside of the van, so I couldn’t give any directions to her so she could come and get me.”
"Lilith said I'll be seeing her soon," Alec went on quietly. "And she said that I'll be living in Alpha Hannes' pack. They already have a house for my pa and me, and in my room there's a train set and a fish tank."
Enthusiasm shone briefly in his eyes, but they dimmed when he looked around us slowly. Alec paused, and his eyes widened in horror as he saw something on the floor.
“What is that?” He demanded, a finger pointing towards what was a bone. Sighing, I quickly kicked it away and we both watched as it skidded across the floor and eventually went out of sight.
My arms wrapped around myself as I once again looked back to Alec; the tears in his eyes glistened in the almost dark room.
Immediately, I knew this emotion was not just based upon him seeing the skeleton bone; he was more than likely overwhelmed by what happened tonight.
“We should rest.” I suggested, dragging my knees to my chest and resting my arms upon them. Alec nodded and his head pressed further against my shoulder.
It took him an hour to fall asleep, and throughout that time, my eyes would occasionally dart to the door of the prison, which I could see because of the angle in which I sat.
I couldn’t help but think that either Eric or Bryant would walk through it soon enough.
My thoughts soon drifted to Hannes, and I wondered how he felt regarding the death of his aunt. I was sure anger would be shown to me if I did meet him again.
In his mind, Anabelle had done the right thing by killing my parents, and my words had not managed to sway his belief.
I bit hard on my tongue and my tired, stinging eyes watched the flames of the torch on a wall opposite the barred cell door.
Memories of the flames which had eaten away at the limbs of my parents surfaced.
I ran a hand over my face, dragging in a ragged breath and then choked on the musty scents in the cell.
Alec whimpered softly when I did so, and I rubbed at my face once more, lifting my eyes to the ceiling as I waited for morning to come. I wouldn’t be sleeping tonight.
********
“Change.”
Bryant tossed a handful of clothes towards me, and I barely managed to catch them before they fell to the ground.
Behind him, Eric looked on silently, leaning against a wall, arms folded across his chest. He looked tired, and there was a light dusting of a beard on his face; it looked like he too hadn't slept much last night, and I felt a small bit of contentment at this.
I could hear Alec moving back and forth, clearly anxious by the presence of the two men. He'd awoken because of their loud voices demanding that we come to the door.
I couldn't help but think at that moment of Kanes.
“Change.” The command was bit out by Eric this time, and I slowly averted my eyes to his.
A muscle ticked in his jaw, and his lips pressed tightly together as seconds stretched between us, neither of us speaking until I finally broke,
“We need privacy.”
Bryant’s eyebrow lifted. “Three minutes.” He said and I didn't move until they both went out of sight. I sorted through the clothes and gave Alec the ones which were obviously meant for him.
We both went into different corners of the cell and stripped off the clothes which had become dirty since we had both rested on the ground.
The shirt which I changed into hung off of my body, and the dark pants almost dragged upon the floor. Alec's clothes also looked too big for him.
Both Bryant and Eric returned three minutes later, and we were led outside. I stumbled at the sight of those who stood nearby, fury and disgust evident on their expressions.
I easily saw Ryker amongst those, and my chest stung at his clear anger.
Obviously, word had spread of me knowing what Alec was, and my intentions of keeping this information to myself, since lycans being in this community was not allowed.
I'd heard of this from Elizabeth whilst I had been recovering from the injuries Anabelle had given me; for a Corozal member to bring an enemy into the community warranted punishment or death.
At least twenty people surrounded us when Eric placed a heavy hand on my back, pushing me forward. No words were exchanged, but the silence did little to ease the tension.
Alec's shoulder brushed my hip as he kept close to me, and my hand went to rest on his shoulder, offering comfort.
This action infuriated those around me, and I jerked as spit hit the sleeve of my shirt.
Immediately I stiffened, and my eyes zeroed in on the person who'd done this; it was one of Helda's cousins, and as I sharply watched him, the lack of guilt he showed both infuriated and startled me. People were beginning to speak, and disgusting, cruel words were stated.
"Move faster." I managed to hear Eric's voice over the many others, and swallowing thickly, I took Alec's hand, shoving past those in our way, the pressure on my back unmoving as I endured the spitting words delivered to me.
Quinn was on the other side of the crowd when we emerged, and my eyes flickered to the opened door of a car.
"Good morning, Olivia." There was almost a sing-song tone in her voice as she only addressed me. Her eyes went behind me momentarily. "I saw that you got the greeting you deserved."
I loosened my hold on Alec's hand when I realized I had been gripping it. My thumb stroked up and down the back of his hand as I waited for any further words.
Quinn adorned a uniform similar to what she'd worn at Woodsworth, and a clipboard was tucked under her arm, blue ink adorning the paper attached to it.
"Get in the car." She finally spoke again. Alec immediately moved towards the vehicle, whilst I hesitated.
The fast pounding of my heart had returned and I stared blankly at the interior of the car, suddenly experiencing the overwhelming urge to run. Grab Alec, run and get away from these people.
But I would not get far, and Eric's jarring voice in my ear as he repeated Quinn's command reminded me of this. I reluctantly lowered my body into the car and I flinched when Eric also entered it.
Quinn however, rounded the car to the passenger seat, and an unfamiliar man sat in the driver's seat.
Several minutes passed, and I wondered why the vehicle didn't move, but after a quick look around, I found the reason why.
Seven vans were blocking us, and I could see the soldiers of Corozal entering them. The sight of guns caused Alec to become fearful, and I saw from the corner of my eye as he lowered his gaze to his hands which rested on his legs.
Eventually, the car began to move slowly. No one spoke throughout the long drive after we exited Corozal, and I realized that Alec had lifted his head, and was taking in the environment around us, and more than likely, relaying what he could see to Lilith.
Soft, beautiful music played from the car's radio, which contrasted heavily with the thick tension in the air.
The car rocked back and forth over the road, and my throat tickled as I became nauseated. I rested my clenched fist against my mouth, closing my eyes.
I could feel Eric watching me, and then heard the shifting of his body.
Warily, I once again opened my eyes, and noticed that he'd leaned forward to look through his window as the vehicle slowed.
A quick glance around me revealed that the vans which had once been in front of us no longer could be seen. A slow smile had crept upon Eric's face when he realized that I noticed this.
However, I refused to say or ask him anything.
Twenty minutes later, the car slowed to a halt.
"Do not speak, Olivia. At all," Eric faced both Alec and I, and his low, dangerous tone suggested that we not argue with his words. He looked to the boy beside me. "When we leave this car, you are to stay with Quinn. Understood?"
Alec said nothing, and I remained silent.
"Understood?"
His roar rang in my ears and I felt Alec tremble beside me. Slowly, I nodded, and Alec did as well. Inhaling deeply, Eric took one last look at the both of us, and then opened the door.
At his urging, we climbed out quickly as well, and Quinn was quick to hold Alec's upper arm. I only dragged my eyes away from him when I heard voices.
A look around me showed several tents, and I could see at least four lycans, Alphas, standing outside of them. Although Eric was tall, his height was nothing compared to their own, and their muscled bodies only enhanced my nerves.
Confidence, calmness and power exuded from them all, especially from the one standing nearest to the tent, his honey-colored eyes remaining solely on me.
***********
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Chapters 21 and 22 are available on Inkitt for free. The link is in my bio.