Invisible

The challenger

     Dad steps forward out of the small line filling the feast hall with his echoing voice “I Michael the previous alpha of the Eclipse Pack revoke as well as strip you of the title alpha.” I jumped to my feet shocked he stripped Nick from Alpha. The air slams me back into my chair as a deafening boom echoes throughout shattering any glass surrounding the blast. I bounced back to my feet regretting it as soon as I am standing I double over screaming as the unbearable pain envelopes me I was oblivious to my dad and Jase’s presence until Jase places a hand on my back feeling the electricity coursing from our contact. My eyes blur from the immense amount of unshed tears threatening to brake free. The corners of my vision darken with speaks of dots take overview of my sight until the darkness consumes my entire vision passing out. The all familiar chirping stirs me from the darkness fluttering my eyes forcing myself into  consciousness.

      I frantically observe my surroundings triggering the nightmarish memories. I shot out of the medical bed trembling as the horrors swamped me I hurriedly stumble to the opposite of the room where the door was. My chest begins burning as I struggle to breathe. I couldn’t stop my body from shaking violently. I urgently place a shaky hand on the door knob losing control of all rational thoughts. The door knob turns in my lose grip opening to reveal my father. I fall backwards frantically crawling away from him til my back hits against something stopping me in my place. 

     My father cautiously eased forward kneeling close to me with out stretched arms speaking gently “Leigh babydoll everything is ok it’s your dad.” “You passed out at the feast sweetie your alpha blood reacted to me stripping Nick of his title but you still must fight him before sunset.” His statement was foreign to me as I start freaking out hysterically pulling my knees to my chest lowering my head to my knees wrapping my arms around my legs resting my hands on my head grasping it as I rocked forward then backwards repetitively saying no over and over again while tears stained my cheeks falling from my face landing on my gown leaving a small wet speck. As I was rocking back and forth crying repetitively saying no memories flooded my mind seeing them as though I’m physically there reliving the whole ordeal. Being chained by my wrists and ankles hanging from my waist hovering above my head as my legs failed to support my malnourished body bare as a new born baby with my feet lay gently on the ground anchoring my lower body from excessive swaying. The cuffs burning my skin leaving the air drenched with the smell of baking flesh. I felt the silver tips of the nine tailed whip as it dugout chunks of flesh from my back causing the floor below me to be covered by my blood screaming from the mix assault.

     Salt and lemon juice would be tossed on my wounds just to inflict that much more damage. My throat becomes raw from screaming so much leaving me mute withering in misery from the devastating pain next my skin is peeled off section by section once the guard believes I’ve grown accustomed to the pain. Three hours into this inhuman treatment I’m being uncuffed dragged to a large tin tub filled with water. I silently prayed before I’m positioned to be dunked. “Oh Moon Goddess please take this suffering from me I don’t care if I die in the process but I beg of you spare me from this for the rest of my life.” I gulp in water by the load unable to hold my breath any longer bond by my wrist to prevent flailing my arms in protest for air just as I seem to lessen in my wiggling my head is jerked out of the ice cold water. I spit up water fighting for air to occupy my lungs instead of its invader water.

     I hysterically swung my arms feeling my body being abruptly jerked from its place. My father is hugging my tightly preventing me from hitting him with my wild swinging arms screaming as I cried barely understanding my father’s voice as he urgently booms his voice load enough for anyone outside the room to hear. Doctor I need a doctor in here now. Alex, and Rebecca stormed into the room with shock and worry crossing their features. Rebecca beat her brother to the punch speaking first “What’s wrong with her?” I don’t know just hurry up and help me restrain her before she hurts someone or herself. This shook the two from their previous states rushing to aid Michael.

    After several minutes of struggling the three finally had me properly restrained. My mind flashes to another memory causing more tears to flood from my eyes repeating what I said to my father many years ago as the memory plays in my head. I scream as he’s dragging me by my hair “No daddy please stop your hurting me!” “I’m sorry daddy I never meant for mommy to go!” Leading the way to a new room. I’m only ten years old now wearing dingy rags for clothes to cover my body. My hands are gripping his hand that holds my hair clawing at it frantically pleading for mercy as I fight to escape his ruthless wrath.

    I’m jerked into the air dangling from my hair screaming from the pain. He lifts me high enough so that we are eye level. I’ve got a special treat for you today don’t you worry. Tears fall like a water fall from my face as I futility attempt pleading with him once again “Daddy please stop hurting me I’m your little girl.” This only causes his eyes to glint with murderous intent. A whisper escapes between my slightly parted lips. He reaches to open a large wooden door with metal tracing the border of the door grabbing a small circle attached to a small bar that slides to the side exiting from the stone that has a small hole to occupy the bar.

    A tall man is standing between a small table with tools laying on it and a wooden slab with leather and metal laced cuffs. I am a busy man so How long will this take doctor? Or twenty minutes maybe thirty depends on the subjects reaction. The color on my face drained til I looked ghost pale frozen as pure unfiltered fear coursed through my veins chilling my blood. The doctor as my father called him was notoriously known by the pups in the pack as the boogie man was nicknamed so for supposedly giving his victims nightmares haunting them til they’re dying breath. My voice came out barely above a whisper as I stuttered “th....th....the.......b.......b......boogie....m....man” ah so you’ve heard of me little pup such an innocent nickname yet so appropriate at the same time wouldn’t you say Alpha? 

    His voice was just as terrifying as his appearance. The Boogie Man wore a white stained lab coat with a leather apron over the coat with blood splattering it. Father pins me to the wooden slab as the Boogie Man restrains me with the cuffs my voice comes out with desperation and fear as I scream pleading further more for mercy “NNNNOOOOOO PLEASE NO NO NO NO PLEASE STOP DON’T DO THIS!” I squirmed under they’re restraint to free myself but it was futile I’m merely ten years old struggling against two grown me. “I’m here Leigh I’m not going anywhere I promise I’ll be with you through the whole process.” “You promise?” “Yes, I’ll always be with you” 

    “thank you Rose” my screams turn to soft sobs as the last cuff is situated. Father’s voice takes a much deeper octave speaking “Don’t hold back Doc.” This has the Boogie Man taken by surprise but hides it with a blank expression stepping closer to dad the Boogie Man speaks lower to the point it’s almost impossible to hear even for a supernatural being and if I wasn’t holding my breath I’m pretty sure I would of missed what was said. Are you sure Alpha she is but a pup and even I have a heart sir? Father snaps with fist fulls grabbing the Boogie Man’s coat lifting him into the air slamming his back into the stone wall making the boogie Man grunt with pain. If I wasn’t sure then I sure as hell wouldn’t of contacted you and don’t you ever question me again now do it or I’ll have you in the dungeons next to her.

    Father released his grip storming out the room leaving us left in the room. My voice cracks “it’s ok I know you don’t have a choice.” “Wait where did that come from?.....ROSE!!!?” “I only spoke the truth you can obviously see he’s disturbed with what he must do” I sigh looking down to the stone floor. “your right but a heads up next time would be nice” “I’ll keep that in mind Leigh”

    I slightly nod my head in acceptance of what’s to happen. I lift my face back up to the Boogie Man. I’m ready. For the first time in forever someone else displays a caring heart. He walked to me placing a hand gently on my head rubbing his thumb across my forehead pausing for a moment. I have kids but my daughter she’s about your age you’d two would be two peas in a pod if you ever get the chance to meet her I’ll be sure to leave something behind for you to give her, ok little princess warrior? I smiled at his kindness nodding in agreement. 

     I’ll hide somewhere only you’ll know where it is somewhere I know you’ll still feel at peace. That was the last thing he said before he masked his emotions then began with his duties. My body froze at his touch feeling electricity coursing through my skin due to his skin contact. I inhaled deeply squeezing my eye shut tight untensing as his heavenly scent fills my flared nostrils soothing me even further. I release a sigh of content fluttering my eyelids regaining myself I could feel Rose in shock alert from the ordeal. My eyes open to Jase cradling me in his arms rocking me back and forth smothering my hair flat whispering sweet nothings into my ear. Rose purrs from his compassion for us.

    I groggily ask my question “W..what happened?” Jase’s embrace tightens around me barring his face in my hair deeply inhaling my scent before responding “Michael took it upon his self to act outside of your decision. Jase’s chest rumbles growling at the incoming visitor. I place my hand on his chest scooting to the edge of the bed getting Jase to growl again in displeasure from the growing distance between us. I look at him smiling calming him in the process. I turn facing the visitor wearing a white lab coat. My body shakes involuntarily.

    My chest starts burning once again too. Jase quickly stands embracing me to calm me down which amazingly works. Jase speaks for me “Yes doctor?” The doctor takes his white coat off placing it at the furthest corner away from us. He proceeds to cautiously advance towards me while talking “Well, we discovered that she is suffering from her past there is clearly signs all over her body hints the scars.” Jase’s hold tightens. I look at the doctor.

    I’m ok really I must also get going too. Yes well Leigh I’d like to have a follow up after the fight. Of course doctor and I’ll be sure to be here as well. I glare at Jase pushing him away irritated with his answer “look I’m fine so stop acting like there’s something wrong with me.” I left the room without another word as my mind replayed what the Boogie Man said sighing knowing exactly where to go next but my problem was not knowing where that was. As always the struggle is really annoying. I start searching for dad but for some reason couldn’t find him so I expanded my search outside of the medical wing of the pack mansion.

    Determination set a flame within me exciting Rose in the process. Stepping out of the mansion I stop walking and close my eyes lifting my nose to the air inhaling focusing solely on dad’s scent. It took a while to finally catch a whiff I follow the trail on the hunt. Rounding the mansion leading to the back sniffing again I walk further following its trail passing a massive fountain flowing like a stream below with a rock and a wolf statue. The scents trail leads me past the mesmerizing structure on a path into the woods. I lead on passing healthy majestic trees towering over me. I glance up admiring the beauty above me. 

    A single tear escapes its watery dam sliding down my cheek wishing mom was here to talk with. I walk another fifteen more minutes stopping near a large closed gate as realization dawned on me where I’m standing as the word softly sounded in the eerie silence “Cemetery”. I hesitated stalking forward placing a unsteady hand on the gate pulling it open just enough to enter then closing it behind me. My breaths exit heavily as I try to maintain calm journeying further into the melancholy demeanor. Each head stone portrayed their loved ones care with flowers even small trinkets placed gently at the base of every head stone. Only a few head stones seemed neglected from the weather over the years. I passed status of angels the further I walked. I sniffed the air once more noticing his scent is stronger leading her to a large structure at the back of the cemetery.

    I walked along the path stepping up to a thick massive door with a carving of my family’s last name “Jones” I push the heavy door open stepping in. I see plaques with names and dates neatly in rows along the walls. At the back in the corner of the mausoleum is a staircase leading down. I take the staircase down stopping at the fourth level. Standing there was dad his eyes puffy and red from crying. I ease closer with caution “Dad?”

    He wipes his face with his hands then looks at me “Hey Babydoll I didn’t know you were already up and about.” I walked closer to him not responding all the while my heart is hammering against my chest. I am afraid to know who’s plaque he’s in front of but I’m almost certain I already know. Dad steps back lowering his head as if knowing what I am wanting to know. A knot forms in my throat making it nearly impossible to swallow. I froze in place facing the plaque with tears threatening to break free speechless starring at my mom’s name. I placed my right hand on the plaque tracing the engravings silently crying.

    My surroundings vanished as my sole focus was mom’s grave. I kept tracing the plaque until I felt the metal slide a little. I narrowed my eyes maneuvering it enough to reveal a envelope behind it. My eyes widened as I recalled what the Boogie Man said to me as a little girl. I quickly wiggles the envelope free correcting the plaque rushing back to the pack mansion into an empty room. I locked the door behind me head to the window for light sitting in a chair seated near by. Glaring at the envelope it had my name neatly written on it.

     I open the envelope taking three pieces of paper out. Each folded page had a single letter on it A, R, and L. I opened the page with a L on it reading it silently.

Dear Leigh,

      If you are reading this then it means three things. 1) You have managed surviving hell 2) You returned back to your home finding this 3) I am dead or missing. As you may have noticed there is two other letters one with the letter A and the other the letter R I ask you to deliver these to my son and daughter. I personally wanted to apologize to you for what I put you through I also hope that no grudge nor malice is past to my children. I know this is a lot to ask of you but I can only hope you can find it within your heart to forgive not only me but the pack as a whole as well because someday they will need.

     I wish for you to keep an eye on my children keeping them safe, to even be their friend. I want you to know your mother’s passing was not your fault either. She sacrificed herself fighting tooth and nail protecting her cub. I would have done the same for my children. Don’t give up so easily on hope child.. there is hope all around us you just have to know where to search for it. Now for me to finally reveal my children’s names to you but before I do I need you to tell them I love them and that I never abandoned them because I am always with them may it be physically or spiritually I am there. Their names is Alex and Rebecca.

Sincerely Tod

      I leaned back into the chair taken aback from the letter. I jump from the seat hurrying to the door determined to deliver the letters before the fight. I ran to Rebecca’s home grateful when both hers and Alex’s scent hit my nostrils bursting through the door frightening them. Rebecca clutched at her chest as all color drained from her face. Alex jumped to his feet prepared to fight laughing once he realized it was me as he saw his sisters state. I bend over bracing myself leaning on my knees panting speaking through each breath “I........have..........a...letter.......from.......your......Dad.” I took a couple more breaths to compose myself.

     Both spoke in unison obviously confused “What?!” They rushed up to me edger for more information. I sigh motioning for them to sit so I can explain and thankfully they complied. I take a seat across from the two inhaling a deep breath then proceed “Your father was commissioned to torture me on my birthday once I turned ten.” I sigh once again displeased with drudging up such horrible memories. He wasn’t happy with the command once he saw me I guess my dad failed to inform him that he’d be torturing a kid but I don’t know. Well the first time we met he showed me kindness and compassion he also asked me if I ever managed to escape to some how deliver letters to his kids and at the time I didn’t know who y’all were. Honestly I forgot about the whole ordeal until recently.

     The memory didn’t reappear til I found my dad at my mom’s grave that’s how I found these. I gestured to the letters “now as promised here you go” I watched silently as they reached for their letters from Tod. Alex had mixed emotions playing across his face wile Rebecca struggled with unshed tears. I kept silent as they reviewed their the letters. Rebecca’s tears fell silently as she read the paper and Alex teared up. Rebecca lunged at me with her arms opened wide enveloping me in a tight bare hug. 

      Oh thank you Leigh and I am so sorry you had to go through such horrors as a child. Alex eases over gently hugging both me and Rebecca “Thank you Leigh you truly have no clue what this means to us and am honored to call you friend.” Alex releases us smiling “We have a deadline ladies” I nod my head and Rebecca pulls away bracing my shoulders looking at my face locking eye contact. Please fight to win, Leigh it would be an honor to call you my Alpha. I smiled responding with pride “Then I guess I’d better win” Alex placed his hand on my shoulder giving it a gently squeeze in support.

      We walk admiring the forests beauty as we head to the arena. One could say I’m walking to my death. About twenty minutes later we near the entrance gate I slowed my pace at the sight of pack members lining a path. I glance over to my friends who share a reassuring smile. I inhale a deep breath to steady my nerves as Rose says something to me “I’m here Leigh now let’s rip this fuckers throat out” I shake my head slightly side to side snickering from Rose’s comment. “Let’s do this”

       my thought comes across confident which I seriously don’t know where that came from Goddess knows I’ve never expressed a shred of confidence til now. Each pack member bowed their head as I passed by them. I walked further as the sounds of drums beating had me gulp audibly nearing the arena. My nerves began getting the best of me as we got closer my hands became sweaty and my breathing came out in rigid short breaths. The sun was at its apex beating its blistering rays upon my skin causing me to sweat even further. I can see the arena stepping into the front lawn. Sand was evenly placed in a massive circle in front of the cement slab.

      There is pols with flags attached to them. When I am feet away I noticed the flags have two different emblems on them one I recognized as my family’s crest so I’d take it the other is Nick’s family crest. Alex and Rebecca hug me then walk to the slab. I notice Dad as he sprints to me hugging me kissing my forehead then inhaling my scent. I wish we had more time babydoll and for that I am sorry, sorry for all the pain I’ve caused you if I would have kept myself in control you would have never suffered you would have lived a fair life already being with your mate probably having pups by now and most of all I would shown you how much of a rare jewel you truly are in my eyes. I break down knowing this is his goodbye to me. I lift my face to his “Weather it be here or the after life you’ll have your chance Daddy” He wipes the stray tears from his face then mine cupped my face rubbing his thumb across my right cheek “Now go make our family proud Babydoll”

      We exchanged smiles that spread from ear to ear. Dad walked to the slab joining the others standing side by side. Alex cleared his throat to get everyone’s attention as the res of the pack members that formed the line from the gates entrance gathered around the arena. Pack members may decide which clan to follow during the match this process may begin as both challengers steps into the arena and now at the suns apex indicating noontime this battle shall take place to ubtain the honor with the title of Alpha over the Eclipse Pack may the worthy prevail. Dad takes a step forward to speak “I Michael Jones previous and temporary standing Alpha shall forfeit my position to the winner as my blood to the next shall it pass may the Goddess bless us all....Challengers step forth.” I search for Nick as I step up standing just before the arena when I spot him walking up stoping before the arena. Dad speaks once again “This challenge is in history stating it is a ruthless battle to the death.”

Alex speaks this time “Do you Nick as a challenger understand the sacred rules?” “I do” “Do you also except the challenge brought forth?” “I do” “then are you willing to accept the possibility of death as well?” Nick pauses for a moment then stutters “I....I do”