Before I Rise

Chapter 2: Fresh Brewed Coffee

Em's POV

Darkness. It was everywhere. Above me, below me, all around me. I tried to remember how I got here, but there was no memory of it. In fact, I had no memory of anything. Not who I was or what the hell I was doing here. Did I die? Oh s**t, maybe I did die. But of course, that would require me to remember something prior to this moment. Damn, I hope I’m not dead.

Suddenly, I felt as though I was falling. And fast. There was a pounding in my head that got worse and worse the more I fell. God, I hope the fact that I feel pain means I’m not dead.

The pain stopped and light began to appear in the darkness. It was getting brighter and brighter, and weirdly warmer. That’s when I noticed my eyes were open and staring directly into the sun. I turned my head to check out my surroundings, and realized I was smack dab in the middle of a clearing in the woods.

I sat up and willed myself to remember anything. And of course, nothing came to me. How in the world am I supposed to get out of the woods, if I can not remember a single thing? Panic started to set in. This was not good. I could definitely die if I can’t get out of here. What would my family think if they never saw me again? Oh crap, do I even have a family?

A sound of a branch snapping, followed by a growl, made me whip my head to the right. Great, now I’m going to be eaten by something. A huge brown wolf walked into the clearing, followed by another equally huge brown wolf. This was definitely not good.

The wolf that was walking in front of the other one growled at me again. He came closer to the point that I could reach out my hand and run my fingers through its fur. The wolf walked even closer to me and started to sniff me. I really hoped I smelled bad so it decided not to eat me.

The two wolves turned around suddenly and sprinted back into the woods. A couple of minutes later two males that looked very similar walked out of the woods with only basketball shorts on. Wait a minute, where the hell did these guys come from? And how did they not cross paths with the wolves?

The two males walked up to me and the one on the right offered his hand to me to help me stand. He pulled me up and gave me a small smile that weirdly calmed me down.

“Hi.” I hesitantly whispered to him.

“State your name and the reason you are here.” The one on the left said.

“My name is Em, and I’m not sure exactly how I got here.” The name flew out of my mouth without even thinking about it. Well, at least I know my name. But still wish I knew how I ended up here.

“What do you mean you don’t know how you ended up here?” He asked.

“I literally can't remember anything. I don’t know who I am. Or how I even got here. Trust me, if I knew I would tell you guys.” The two guys just stood there staring at me, making me feel like I was on trial.

“Luke, Alpha Marcus wants us to bring her to him.” The guy on the right told the other guy, who must be named Luke.

“Ok then let’s go.” Luke said, as he turned around and started to walk back into the woods.

“Wait!” I screamed, making Luke stop and face me. “What about the wolves that ran into there? They were huge and honestly, I don't think all three of us could survive if they decide they want to eat us.” The guy on the right started to laugh so hard, that tears were rolling down his face.

“What’s so funny?” I asked them.

The guy took a deep breath and said “ Sweetcheeks, I don’t think you have to worry about that.”

“And why is that?” I asked him, while I crossed my arms across my chest.

“Jake, don’t even think about it.” Luke warned him.

Jake shrugged his shoulders and said “Why not? We both know that Alpha Marcus doesn't let anybody freely go, human or not.” As he said that, Jake decided to take his shorts off. Ok, now I’m more scared of him than the wolves.

“Jake, I am not kidding. Do not do…” Before Luke could finish what he was going to say, Jake had transformed into one of the brown wolves I saw before.

This day was getting weirder and weirder.

***********************************

We were approaching a huge mansion that had white chipped paint with a navy blue border around it. There were so many windows that it probably would take me a few hours to count all of them. Jake and Luke were on each side of me, most likely to make sure I didn’t try to run from them. But after what I saw, I don’t think I could possibly out run them.

Listen, maybe this is completely normal. Maybe everyone turns into a wolf whenever they want to. I mean, I have no memories so this could totally be normal. I decided I needed answers before I got into the house.

“Hey Jake, can I ask you a question?” I asked him. He seems to be a lot more friendly than Luke, and I sort of already felt comfortable with him. I also hoped that if I strike up a friendship with him fast, he might save me from his so-called Alpha.

“Yeah what’s up Em?”

“Does everyone turn into a wolf? Or is it like a special thing?” I asked him.

Jake let out a small chuckle. “No, not everyone can. There are humans, which you are, and then there’s people that are werewolves. We have a human side and a wolf side. We can also…”

“Goddess Jake! Shut up! She isn’t supposed to know any of this unless Alpha Marcus decides that she can. You are really f*****g up today man. And honestly, I’m not backing you up if Alpha comes at you. He has been super moody these past few months.” Luke said ending the conversation between us.

We walked in silence until we got to the front door. I began to feel nervous and slightly nauseous. I just really hoped this Marcus guy wasn’t moody and would take pity on me since I have no memories.

Luke took the lead and turned right where the stairs were. All three of us walked up the first flight up stairs to the second level, which I was pretty pleased with since the stairs seemed to never end. Luke led us to the end of the hallway right in front of the last door. He flung open the door and the most amazing smell hit my nose right away. It smelled like fresh brewed coffee early in the morning.

Jake slightly pushed me through the door into what appeared to be an office where two guys were conversing. The first guy was standing in front of the dark wooden desk located in the middle of the room. He ran his hand through his black curly hair and gave me a smile that reached his light blue eyes.

I looked past him and my eyes connected with chocolate brown ones that were glaring in my direction. They softened as soon as they connected with mine. The second they did, I felt as if I was on fire. Not the painful fire, but like the enjoyable fire. I suddenly felt grounded too. I haven’t felt that way at all since I came too in the clearing. A huge wave of peace washed over me and for the first time since I woke up, I finally felt like everything was going to be ok.

“Alpha, what do you want to do with her?” Jake asked him. So, this must be the leader.

“Take her to one of the guestrooms and have Alicia run her a bath. Get her some clean clothes too.” He said. Everybody in the room seemed shocked that he said that. Hell, even I was shocked that he was being somewhat decent to me.

“Stop standing there and do what I say.” He demanded. Good god, his voice was like music to my ears.

“But she’s a trespasser sir.” Luke said.

“No, she’s my mate, therefore she’s your Luna.” Jake smiled when the man in charge said that, making me assume that being a Luna was a good thing.

“So go get her cleaned up. I’ll be there in a few minutes.” And with that, the twins turned me around and led me out of the room.

What had I gotten myself into?