Loved By Danger

Chapter 19

     Jo was in that ride for what seemed like forever, not knowing where she was going or where she was at because all of the rooms were heavily tinted.  Aden still hasn't stirred throughout this entire journey. Everyone's spirits were still low, if it was her home that was lost Jo wouldn't have anything to smile about either.  The large truck came to a stop finally and Ricky hoped out of the truck. When the large metal doors were opened in the back Jo was blinded by the morning sunlight.  When her eyes adjusted to the light she was able to see a vast forest with trees all around them. She marveled at the beauty. There were animals and flowers. All of her years of traveling with her family she had never seen any of this. Forests were scarce and the only way to find them was to be lucky.

    "Beautiful isn't it," said Amy standing beside her, "I have been here a few times and every time I'm amazed at how beautiful it is."

    "Where is this place?"

    "If I told you...I would have to kill you," she half-joked, "This is the one place the world hasn't devoured. A small piece of heaven that just keeps growing and growing."

    "And the werewolf clan owns it?"

    "Yeah...the politics of it all...I tend to ignore that part but this was their last stronghold. The hunters have tried to take it for years but they could never penetrate its forces and so, there was a truce.  This place was untouchable as long as it abides by the rules."

    "Then why wouldn't every pack live here then? I mean it looks like a safe haven."

    "Don't believe in everything you see," said Ricky as both he and Baxter carried Aden up the road, "We have to be on our way people." Jo followed closely to Amy who was looking to be in high spirits.  Jo remembered she told her the story about her being in love with a werewolf, she wondered if the story was about her or if it was about someone else. But the more she walked up the dirt road the more she could see. It wasn't what she would call a city because she didn't really see tall skyscrapers but what she did see was a large steel wall that looked like it surrounded the vicinity. On the outside there were small houses, this must be where she would be because they didn't know her, she would have to earn her way into the compound.

    "If I were you," said Amy in a whisper, "I wouldn't tell anyone your last name here.  You have many enemies both inside and outside this wall. And try not to get into your feelings. There are humans here, but mainly those who have helped the cause. They don't know about Baxter and I and I wouldn't be too extra about Aden...though we are not within the human world, the werewolf world is not any better.  Politics and tradition are everywhere.  You would think people would put aside prejudices but that's the one thing that made it through the wars." Amy lead Jo to a house that she pulled out a key for, and she watched as they took Aden beyond the checkpoint gates.

    "Home sweet home," the small house wasn't really decorated, probably because she hasn't been there but it was nice to see that she could call something her own. Amy flopped down on one of the couches and Jo swore she could see the dust fly up, "Yeah it's been a long time since I have been here.  Sometimes when your parents bless me with a vacation every now and again I would come here. It's been a long time and I can breath here."

    "Do you miss being here?  I'm sorry you have to be around my family...taking care of me all of these years."

    "Oh come on Jo Jo...it's not like that.  Taking care of you was the reason why I didn't leave sooner.  Now if I was tasked to take care of your brother, I would've been quiet. It's a shame what he did to all of his caretakers.  He is a monster."

    "I wonder what he's thinking about right now...I wonder what happened to Aden's home."

    Amy's face turned really sour, "From what I was told...it's glad that Aden wasn't there to see it.  The hunters came in and started blasting everything and those who survived took them. Probably going to take them to that underground we were just in. Those people are in a world of pain. And the ones who made it out don't even have an alpha to lead them right now. A species that has been considered instinct for years is starting to come out into the world from hiding and they're angry. I sometimes wonder why Baxter loves me the way he does because, if it wasn't for humans he would have a home now...and he turned right around and was able to love someone like me.  I might've told you a small lie, my lover as you can see didn't die...but if it wasn't for Aden's pack he would've.  He was banished from this very place because of his love for me."

    "Then why is everyone trying so hard to be here? They're just jumping from the pan into the fire at this point."

    "Because where are they going to go? Where can they go that would feel somewhat safe but this place? You might think people are trying to come here but that's not the case at all...most of them are trying to leave but the strict laws forbid it. If you think your family is ruthless, you should see the council, in my opinion, they're just like the Terell's...just not as ruthless...but ruthless nonetheless. If I were you I would get some sleep. Nine out of ten Aden will be taken good care of, he is an alpha after all and Baxter will do whatever he could to help him." Amy turned over and after a moment Jo could hear her gentle snores. Jo walked back outside and could see some people setting up tents and getting a fire going because there was a heavy chill coming into the air. This place screamed beauty but according to Amy here, it has its dark moments.  All of those tubes they witnessed in that underground, all of those people and werewolves alike who lost their lives in the thick of the night, and Creed was at the center of it all.  She wondered if he would be able to trust her after that.

    Jo moved her hands along the wood and thought about the painting she left at their secret hiding spot. She wanted to make sure that one day she would have the chance to go back there and get it.  It belonged in a place they could call their own and not have to worry about what the next person or werewolf would have to say.  Now she would have to be the one to lie low because nobody there could know who she was or she would surely be in the crossfire of everyone's wrath.  It seems her family reputation, she could never get away from it.  But with Aden, he didn't care who or what she was. As long as she was near him she could sense that's what made him happy and feel like he could accomplish anything like breaking into the Terrell mansion with only a few people on his team. But a day would have to come, just like Amy, that day would have to come where they both would have to choose.  But he's an alpha and has to think about the betterment of his pack. Where would she stand and who would she be to him?