The Right Girl

FOUR

AUDREY

The tables of food are knocked flying, two giant wolves, yes you heard me f*****g WOLVES barrel over top of each other, thrashing their bodies around. Snarling and snapping at each other. What surprises me more is the lack of concern from anyone else in the room. I watch as they move out of the way, taking their plates along with them, seemingly unconcerned for their safety. 

Dillon hasn't moved. He is standing in front of me, taking in the scene. He is tensed, that much I can see. I am unsure of the expression he is wearing, but if it mimics mine, it would show pure horror. I slowly begin to step backwards; every hair on my body is standing tall. I have never felt so in danger as I do right now. And I have put myself in some sticky situations. Who knew it would be the situation my parents landed me in that would be the stickiest! 

Once I am far enough back, I turn and run towards the solid wooden doors, I burst through them, not taking even a second to look back. I am sure no one saw me flee the scene. My heart is beating in my throat and hot tears begin to prick at the side of my eyes. I push my legs to the limits, pushing harder, willing them to take me far, far away from this s**t fest. Stick and branches slap past me, whipping my skin. I assume it would hurt more if I wasn't running on fear and adrenalin. I feel the burn in my throat, signaling I have pushed to my limit and I can't possibly go any further. This possibly wasn't my brightest idea. Now I am terrified of my grandparent’s cult property and I am lost in the woods. Thank god it's early in the morning and I have the whole day to find my way back, or not, maybe I am best to try find nearby town. Going back doesn’t necessarily feel like the best decision right now. 

My body is aching; I slide down a tree and pull my knees to my chest, letting the emotions of the past 2 days wash over me. Loud sobs shake violently through my body. Lucky no one is here to witness the horrid ugly crying that is happening here. I have always perceived it as a weakness, and prefer to keep it private or not give in to the salty water devil at all. However, here we are. I am lost on, cuddled into a tree, ugly crying like a baby.

The sharp sound of a twig snapping and leaves rustling jolt me back to reality. 

“Who’s there?" My voice shakes. The crying has made my nose blocked and my voice hoarse. 

No answer, the fear begins to rise up into my chest again. I gently pull myself up to a standing position. I have to be ready to run. 

“Who’s there?" My voice has more strength in it this time. I am demanding an answer. I won't let fear overcome me. Again, I am welcomed with silence. Maybe I was imagining things, I mean we are in the woods, and there are probably many reasonable explanations for a snapped twig. 

I pick up a stick and drag it along the ground behind me, as I walk further and further into the unknown. If I wasn't so upset, I would probably take the time to enjoy my surroundings, the peace and quiet of the woods ahs always done it for me. I grew up in the city, lucky to find any nature what so ever it was always so loud and busy, congested and Smokey, cold and clinical. I hate the caged up feeling of walking the confined streets. Maybe I can find a nice little town nearby here. Where they won't ever find me. 

I can hear the trickling of a stream and I know exactly what I need, I need to taste the cold water from it, to ease the harsh burn of over exertion from my throat. As the tree covers slowly begins to thin, I see the water rippling over small rocks, I almost break into a run before a furry figure locks eyes with me.

DILLON

I watch on in horror as 2 young male wolfs fight over a she wolf standing just to the right of them looking guilty with her back pushed tightly up against a wall. It is absolute c*****e in here; food is flying all over the place, tables being smashed as they throw their bodies at one and other. This is not an uncommon occurrence, it just doesn't usually happen inside the dining hall. I tense, watching the situation unfold in front of me. Thoughts barreling through my brain, I am trying to be the Alpha's choice for next in line, do I stop this? No one sees me as a dominate force though, I am not a warrior, I am a strategic thinker, my wolf isn't as large as the others. Will they actually listen if I try? I take a step forward and breathe in deep, letting the air full my lungs before I bellow out “STOP THIS IMMEDIATLY!" The power behind it shocked even me. The two wolfs turn, stunned at the sudden intrusion. 

“SHIFT." I command. 

Two male wolfs, no older than 17 stands naked before me, looking at the ground, displaying their embarrassment. The taller of the two begins to speak “We are..." He begins, I cut him off.

" What is this behavior? Look at the mess you have made! Alpha's office. NOW." I watch as they slink out of the hall and head towards the stairs. A path forms, everyone wanting to see what action they missed. 

I turn to tell Audrey I will take her into town, but she isn't there. I can't see her. I can't catch her scent either. I know it isn't her fault, but I can't help but wonder what I did to get stuck with such a burden. It has been stressful moments ever since I was labeled her babysitter. I suppose I should let the Alpha know what is happening. He is partly to blame here. He should have forewarned her of our kind. f**k me this s**t is tiring!

" Alpha, we have a situation in the dining hall. I have sent 2 boys to your office. They shouldn't be far off."   I start off towards the front of the house. Hopefully I could catch a scent from there. I am sure I won’t be entirely popular when they found out I have already lost Audrey. 

“Thank you Dillon. I will see to it they are dealt with. What is the damage, how bad is the mess?" 

"Put it this way, no one else will be getting breakfast this morning. We also need new tables."

" Ahhh, young pups in battle. They won't even remember this girl once they meet their mate" He chuckles. I roll my eyes and take a deep breath. Maybe he wouldn't be so carefree about this if he was the one who had to interject all the time.

”I should be finished up in a few minutes with these two, please bring Audrey up, we want to talk to her about our society." My blood turns cold and I swallow down my fear. This is the part I was dreading. 

”Ahhh, about Audrey, she took off as soon as she saw the fight. I was busy breaking it up, I didn't notice." I hold my breath, waiting on the scolding that is sure to come. 10 Seconds, 20, 30... 60 seconds. 

"Alpha?"

" My office, NOW"  That is even worse than a mental scolding. f*****g hell this girl is not worth the Alpha title I am quite sure of it. 

I breathe deeply as I make my way towards my certain demise, how could I be so careless, I scold myself. I gently knock on the door and poke my head through. The two culprits sit on a lounge smiling and laughing with the Alpha, figures! He isn't one for hard punishment, I guess this is why the pack has gone the way it has. 

“Ahhh Dillon my boy, come, sit." He gestures to a chair in front of him. 

“These two will be cleaning the dining hall, after they put some clothes on." He jokes. I can’t help but feel the rage building up inside. They get off with minimal punishment. Great!

He looks to the boys and points out the door. They shuffle off; I can feel the relief coming off them in waves.

His eyes turn to me and remain happy, with a small sparkle in them. I am confused. I thought he would be so much angrier at this situation. 

“It would appear this has done us a favor." He starts. Now I am really confused. How the hell is a teenage human lost in the woods a favor?

I raise my eyebrow “I don't understand." Confusion laces my voice. 

“We weren’t too sure how to clue Audrey in on our situation, without her thinking we are crazy. You may not have realized, but out Audrey is quiet the handful at times." He looks between me and his wife.

No f*****g s**t this girl is a hand full... she is a while shopping trolley full of inconveniences! 

“Anyway, we will give her a little bit to calm down, try to make sense of it all and then we will be sending a team of trackers out to find her. She can't have gone far." His carefree approach is concerning. He probably knows her better than I do though. 

“Just take the rest of the day Dillon, relax, rest. It has been a rough ask looking after Audrey." His acknowledgment kind of makes this whole s**t fight worth it... Almost.