Rejected by the Alpha

Chapter 19 - Trust me

I was trapped.

Flames surrounded me and a thick grey smoke billowed through the room and clawed at my throat.

Moonlight whimpered in my mind. Like most wolves, she hated fire. It was up to me to get us out of this.

Hot air rises, I thought, remembering what I had been told in science class many moons ago.

I pulled my cotton t-shirt up over my nose and crouched down low. I grabbed a blanket that was as yet untouched by the flames and pulled it over my head and shoulders. I could hear a panting noise, and it took me a moment to realise that the sound was coming from me. I needed to calm down. I worked to try and control my breathing, slowing my breath. I tried to think about my options.

I could try and burst down the bedroom door, but I had no idea what waited for me on the other side and I doubt that Natalia would have made the path easy for me.

The next option was the window.

I turned to look at it. There was still a clear path to it.

The heat in the room was reaching an unbearable temperature. It felt like I was in a sauna and I began to sweat. Each breath felt like it burned my nose and throat.

I made my way to the window and peered out of it. Natalia stood at the bottom staring up at me, likely trying to make sure I didn't get out. Ignoring her, I turned my attention to the lock on the window and pulled at it. f**k. It had been so long since it had been opened that the damn thing was stiff. I tried again, pulling at it, but I was weakening from the smoke.

I looked around, trying to think if there were any other options. Flames were licking at the blanket I wore, and I was running out of time. Flames began to climb up the curtains and as I frantically pulled at the lock, I could feel my wrists being singed. At a loss for other options, I began throwing myself against the window, taking the brunt of the force on my shoulder and trying to break through. It felt like I had done this for hours, but I knew it could only have been a couple of minutes. I felt exhausted and sleepy. My breathing and movements were slowing. I tried one more time.

Crack

The window split and, with it, a renewed energy filled my bones. I tried again and the window shattered. I got up and stood on the ledge. The cold air met me, soothing my scorched skin. I noticed the blanket I had been holding was now on fire and I let it go. It flew away on the wind like a phoenix. The smoke continued to billow out from the room, burning me if I got too close to it. I coughed and spluttered trying to see down to the ground. My view had been clouded for a while and I didn't know if Natalia was still there.

"Lena!" a voice called. It took me a moment to recognise it, but it was Archer.

"Archer?!" I called back, but my voice was hoarse, and it felt like the wind was stealing my words.

There was a break in the smoke and I could see him. There were a number of guards with him who were attempting to throw buckets of water at the house, but I knew it wouldn't help much. Natalia thankfully had disappeared. The house groaned and shuddered underneath me. I tried touching a pipe with the thought of climbing down it, but it was roasting hot and burned my hands. f**k.

"You need to jump, Lena!" Archer shouted at me.

I shook my head, "I can't," I told him. My legs were shaking underneath me.

I could hear that Archer had shouted something again, but his words were distorted into just sounds by the wind. I was feeling dizzy and faint. Then I felt Archer's consciousness push against my mind, and unlike the last time, I let him in. I'll catch you Lena, I promise. Trust me. His words were laced with his emotion and sincerity. I could feel how much he cared about my safety and how worried he was for me at this given moment.

I still felt unsure, but with limited options, I trusted what Archer had said.

I jumped.

As I fell, Archer used his Alpha strength to jump upwards towards me. I slammed against him midair, causing him to grunt. His arms wrapped around me in a vice-like grip, and he held me as we fell back towards the ground together. The force of catching me had thrown him off balance and so when we landed it was with a thud. I landed on top of him.

The next moments were a blur of activity.

I could hear Archer ask me if I was okay but my head felt clouded. Then I was being lifted, carried in Archer's arms. I must have been losing track of time drifting in and out of consciousness because it felt like no time at all before I was being settled on a bed and the face of the pack doctor came into view. It was at this moment that I passed out.

When I regained consciousness, I knew it was the next day from the stream of sunlight coming in through the window. The elderly pack doctor sat a few feet away, looking through papers.

"Hello" I shouted out to him.

He got onto his feet and shuffled over to me. He peered at me, pointing a light into both of my eyes one at a time. His squinted his brown eyes as he stared at me and sniffed, pushing his wire frame glasses back up his nose. He nodded seeming satisfied.

"Do you know who and where you are?"

"I'm Lena Furrows but I'm not 100% sure on where I am. Is this the pack house?"

"Yes, it is. Good. You suffered from smoke inhalation and minor burns. Due to your healthy wolf, you should feel minimal effects this morning. You recovered well overnight. You should rest as much as possible however. I was asked to notify the Alpha when you're awake and so I'll do that now. You have a visitor outside the door. He's waited here since the morning. I'll let him in as I leave."

"Who is it?"

He shrugged, "I don't remember his name sorry but he seems harmless"

"Okay um ... Thanks.."

I sat up in bed feeling uneasy. The doctor had said he so thankfully, it couldn't be Natalia but I wouldn't put it past her to recruit someone to finish what she had started. As the doctor disappeared, I was glad to see Sebastian enter. He grinned when he saw me awake and rushed to be beside me.

"Lena, I'm so glad you're okay. I was so worried when I heard what had happened," he said. "Rayn had wanted to wait here too but she was needed at the nursery." He stroked my hair away from my face. His gaze was affectionate.

"Is Natalia here?" I asked him, shattering the sweet and peaceful moment

He frowned, confused by the question. "I don't know. I haven't seen her. Why? What is it?"

"It was her Sebastian. She set the fire."

"What? How do you know?"

"Because I saw her! She said she wanted to get rid of me and she was going to blame the Rogues."

"s**t. Lena I'm so glad you're safe. I wish I had been there to help you."

"Don't be silly Sebastian. You need to be there for Jessica. I understand that.. Besides, no one could have anticipated that."

"Do you think the alpha will believe you?"

"He bloody well better," I replied and I could feel my energy returning to me as my body returned to fight or flight mode.

A new voice cut across the room interrupting our conversation. "I bloody well better believe what?" Archer said looking amused. My eyes darted to his figure leaning against the doorway. Well, s**t.