Claimed by a Stranger

Chapter Eighteen

I opened my eyes to see the light creeping in my room. I wasn’t sure what time it was and I didn’t feel like checking. My mind was preoccupied by what I had done yesterday to Samuel. It was my fault he was with those rogues. I missed him. I know he hadn’t been gone that long, but I knew where he was and I did enjoy his company. Am I falling for him? I couldn’t help but feel like I was.

“What happened?” Dad asked. I could hear him talking from down the stairs.

“A rogue attack last night. They sent scouts,” someone replied. Who was that? I didn’t recognize the voice.

“They’re getting closer. Prepare everyone at the valley and make sure the kids are safe,” dad said.

“Sir,” they didn’t say anything else.

Rogue scouts. Hannah being taken must have been a trap that failed, sort of, they still had Samuel. I got up, ignoring the tightening in my chest, and walked downstairs to see my dad and one of his guards. That must have been the guy voice I didn’t recognize.

“Good, Savannah, you’re awake we have things to discuss,” dad said.

The guard bowed. “Miss Savannah,” he said. He must be newly trained.

“This is Sam, he’s new.” That was obvious.

I managed to smile at him.

“Get back to work,” dad ordered.

Sam nodded and left.

“I don’t want you fighting.”

“What? No, I am fighting. This will be my pack and I need to show them I can fight for them,” I said. Was he going crazy?

“They know you are able to fight. I just want you to be safe.”

“Dad,” I said. “I am fighting whether you like it or not. Why don’t you want me to fight and don’t give me I want you safe.”

“Because,” he said looking away from me.

“Dad-“ I was about to say something else when Damon and Jason came in.

“Hey,” Jason said as he walked over to me.

“Sir, we are all set up and everyone is ready for battle.”

“Good we move out-“ He looked at me. “Later, we will discuss this later.”

“What is going on?” I demanded.

“You mean she doesn’t know?” Damon asked.

“Damon,” dad growled.

“We will go get the rest of the guards and meet you there.” Damon and Jason looked at each other before they left.

“Dad what is going on?”

He sighed. “We were attacked last night. David was killed.”

“No,” I gasped. “David.”

“Yes and we have been scrambling to get everyone safe and ready for battle.”

I had known David forever.

“Savannah, focus.”

I shook my head “Yes. Ready.”

“We are going to them. We are going to wait on the edge of our border for them where the scent is strongest. I want you with your mother, she is with Hannah and the rest of the kids, they are in the basement in the extra room,” he said. The “extra room” was a protected room with huge metal doors, very safe. “You can’t fight not in your condition.”

“My condition?”

“Depressed, easily distracted,” he said. In other words, easy target for a rogue.

“Let me fight. I will be fine,” I said.

“No, your mother and I have already discussed it. You are going nowhere near that battle.” His expression said something else. “Go get your clothes and go to the extra room.”

I nodded, there was no changing his mind. I ran back upstairs and grabbed some clothes before heading to the safe room. The room was the basement. Once the doors were closed it was like a safe room. Inside was fully furnished and, as a kid, it used to be the place Aaron and I hung out.

“I’m sorry sweetie, it’s for your own good,” mum said.

“I don’t understand, why can’t I know? It’s not my “condition,” I said. “I am capable of fighting.”

“We know, sweetie.”

The safe room had a everything we would need. I went into the bathroom and set my clothes down. I hopped in the shower and let the hot water pour over me. How am I going to get out of this? As I changed into my clothes I growled. I want to fight with my pack.

A few hours had passed and I was sitting on the chair with a few of the young werewolves. Currently, I was with Avery, an annoying young werewolf. Avery was thirteen and talking my ear off. I tuned her out a long time ago. I looked over at the door, mum said she needed to go get something, at least I think she said. However, it wasn’t my mother that walked through the door. It was Amanda and she brought two of her friends. “Great,” I mumbled.

“Great? How can you say great?” Avery asked.

“I wasn’t talking-forget it.” Why can’t Avery be like her brother Zack? I mean, he hasn’t spoken a word since he arrived here.

“Savannah. Are you there?” Avery asked “Anyway, when I first saw you, I thought, why is she here? But then I realized how cool it that you are the Alpha’s daughter. Strange you’re not fighting, but cool that you’re here. I have heard a lot about you, my brother talks about you a lot, he says you’re is so ho-“

“That’s enough,” Zack growled, he had his hand whipped out and covered her mouth.

“Thank you,” I said. Zack was tall, muscular. He had long black hair that just covered his green eyes.

“Sorry about her. No one can get her shut it.”

“How old are you?” I asked.

“Sixteen,” he said. “I’m here to “protect.” That’s what your dad said anyway.” He made air quotes at protect.

“So you stuck here too.”

“Yeah.” He nodded. “Why are you here? I would have thought the Alpha’s daughter would be in battle with her father.”

“That’s what I thought,” I said sighing.

“Let me guess, for your safety?” He raised his eyebrow.

“Nailed it,” I chuckled.

“My dad said the same thing when he requested I be here to protect,” he said. His voice was surprisingly deep, deeper than most of the guys I know.

We both laughed. Maybe this won’t be too bad. No, I will be in that battle, even if it means I have to go against my dad’s order.

“Left meh goul,” Avery mumbled through her brothers hand.

“No more talking,” Zack said.

She nodded before he released her.

“Hot,” she yelled as she ran away with Zack hot on her heals. I was laughing.

“You little snot,” he yelled as Avery dashed behind Amanda.

“Get him,” she whispered to Amanda.

“Who are you?” Amanda asked as she looked down at Avery.

“I’m Avery, now that you know, get him.” Avery pointed to her brother while Amanda laughed.

“How old are you? Like nine?”

“Thirteen recently,” Avery corrected her. She certainly doesn’t act like a thirteen year old.

“And you’re her brother?” She pointed to Zack. She looked up at him and froze.

“Yeah, now hand her over,” Zack said, his voice light before he looked up and met Amanda’s gaze.

Was she checking him out? No way, she definitely was.

“You can stop at any time now,” Zack said while he continued to stare at her.

“Stop what?” Amanda asked as her cheeks reddened.

“Checking me out,” he said with a smile.

I stifled a laugh, which earned myself a glare from Amanda.

“I was only looking at how ridiculous. Never mind.” She turned and walked away. Did Amanda just back down from a possible fight? Was she sick? It surprised she didn’t keep it going, she loved bickering.

Zack walked back over to me with Avery firmly in his grip. We talked for hours, or so it seemed and I noticed he kept glancing over at Amanda and she was doing the same. Love at first sight. No way. Was he her mate? It couldn’t be possible, he was so nice and normal; I feel bad for him if he was mated with her.

“Okay, spill,” I said. I was tired with the looks they were giving each other.

“What?” Zack asked looking over at me.

“Amanda, you’re staring at her,” I said.

“You noticed?” His cheeks matched Rudolph’s nose.

“Who couldn’t, it’s so obvious, you both are doing it.”

“She’s looking at me?” He smiled. They were definitely mates, no one decides they liked Amanda.

“You’re mated with her, aren’t you?” I asked for his benefit.

“I don’t know.” He shrugged his broad shoulders.

“I know you know. You’re old enough to know all of the signs.”

“Okay, okay. I think so.” He glanced at her again.

“Go talk to her,” I said.

“Alright. I will.” He slowly got up and walked toward Amanda, who watched him approach.

Now what am I going to do? I just lost the only person I was friends with.

“Hey, Savannah.” Not Avery.

“Hi,” I said.

“Well I thought,” she began, which was all I heard after I tuned her out. watching Zack and Amanda laughing and acting couple-like was more entertaining than listening to whatever Avery was saying. I wonder if Samuel was okay. What if they killed him? They wouldn’t. I hope. I felt the tears roll down my cheeks. The very thought of Samuel getting injured, hurt. My heart ached for him to be near, I wanted him so badly, I wanted to know he was safe, and it was killing me knowing he could be hurt or dead. Savannah, stop thinking like that, it’s only going to make matters worse. I tried to think of something else. I was so desperate, I actually listened to Avery, but eventually I stopped. I’m not sure there was a person alive who could keep up with her.

I needed to find him, I have to be in that battle. I can’t stay here. I have to get out and fight with my pack.