THE STOLEN PIECE

CHAPTER 60 - AMONG ENEMIES

GABRIEL

I opened my eyes and my body was numb. I could feel the dry blood covering my eye, so my vision was blurry and the darkness of the night wasn’t helping. I found myself tied up to a tree. I could hear water…

-You woke up, we thought you were dead.

One young boy said… I was about to complain but a girl appeared.

-Why is he still tied up?

-He could be…

-Are you afraid of a human? Come on, Racco told us to be gentle when we interact with humans.

-But that is when we interact in the city, here we can’t…

The girl started to untie me as the guy spoke.

-Or do whatever you want.

-Hi, are you hungry?

She looked at me with a big smile… Human? Why would they think I was a human… Then I sense it… I couldn’t smell anything… Catnip. They are using Catnip to camouflage their scent… but why? We are just a few affected by that herb.

-Come on, follow me…

I tried to stand but the punch I received on my stomach still hurt.

-You are still sore? Let me help you.

She grabbed my arm, passed it through her shoulders, and helped me stand, she then started walking slowly to help me walk by her side.

-You are really tall, was your mom a werewolf?

-You can’t talk about werewolves with humans!

The boy shouted at her.

-Please, he saw us shifting and in wolf form. I think we can.

-You are just doing whatever you want.

I hadn't said a word and I was confused by their relationship, they weren't apart from each other but didn’t look anything alike so they were not siblings… Then I saw his shoulder and hers… Could they be mates? I had never seen mates fight and argue so much but…

-I can talk to him about us and you are also doing it! He is right here and he is listening to you so just let me ask!

As she said that the boy just glared at her.

-So your Mom was human? I know one wolf that had a mom that was human and he was treated awful by his pack… I can't imagine how you were treated when you were born without a wolf.

-You're Not even letting him answer…

-It’s obvious that he is still sensitive about that topic, I’m speaking from his heart.

She kept rambling about how I was marginalized in my pack and that I didn’t have any friends, and my Mom apparently died of sickness and the doctors refused to treat a human. My Dad was weak and ashamed of me and Mom, he loved us but when Mom died he went rogue and killed in front of my eyes. Now I was a servant to the wolves.

-I’m so sorry, you must have suffered a lot there!

She said with tears in her eyes, I couldn’t believe she was crying. She just made up a complete story of my life herself until she made herself cry… And I thought Eva was crazy. Then I saw a bunch of wolves eating a deer.

-Hey give some meat to the human!

She shouted. The boy walked and took a big piece and put it in front of my face.

-Here eat.

-Are you crazy John?

So he called John.

-He is a human you must cook for him…

-But…

-No but go and look for some wood, we need a fire to cook.

He then walked away with a worried look. She walked until she found a rock and helped me sit on the ground with the rock supporting my back.

-I’m sorry, I would love to take you to see a doctor but right now we can’t go to the city. But tomorrow we will go to the main camp and there you can see one of our doctors… Well, they are not real doctors but they can help you… I think…

She kept rambling about random things. I listened carefully just in case I could find something about Sam or Mom. Then the boy came back and she still was talking about other members that were treated awful at their packs. The boy just like me didn’t say a word. He just lit the fire on and started cooking the meat. Then he passed me the meat, it was a bit burned but it was okay. As I gave the first bit the girl smiled even more.

-I’m glad you are hungry, that means you are not dying. }

She said as she laid down with her head on the boy’s lap. He started petting her and she fell asleep. Then I saw the boy's sight and smile.

-You are mates, right?

I finally said, my voice was a bit scratchy.

-Yes, but to tell you the truth I can’t keep up with her, she is just too much for me. I think the time I feel happier is when she falls asleep.

I couldn’t blame him, I wonder if that’s how Eva’s mate would feel…

-Don’t get me wrong I feel something for her it’s just… The bond keeps us together but her voice gives me a headache. But we were near our age and we needed to find our mates so they could let us fight so here we are.

I was confused, why would they need their mates to fight?

-I know it’s hard to understand. Humans… well maybe not you but if you were born in the city with two human parents your life would have been easier. You wouldn't be attached to someone like me and you could actually choose the one you love.

For a moment he sounded just like Maria.

-I don’t get it.

-It’s normal, don’t think too much about it… Oh and by the way my name is John, and she is Mia.

-My name is Gab… Gabe.

-Gabe, don’t be afraid. Here we will not pick on you because you are human… but it’s better if you stay away from Mom. It’s really rare for her to come and see us, she usually just stays with the kids but if you hear she is here just lay a low profile. I hope we can go back to the city and then you can stay there and we will teach you how to adapt to human life.

Mia started moving and John started petting her head softer.

-Please don’t wake up, please don’t wake up.

He said really low, then she stopped moving and he sights.

-That was close, but I think it’s better if we stop talking, I don’t want to wake her up. My head is finally at peace.

At first, when he said that he didn’t want to wake her up I thought it was cute but with the last part, I understood he just wanted silence. I have never seen mates treat each other like this… not treat them, because they were respectful to each other but more like to react so much to each other, and not in a good way. They got annoyed by their actions so easily. Then some other boys came and sat near the fire.

-Did Parrot finally shut up?

One of them said to John.

-Keep your voice down, you don’t want to wake her up.

“That’s odd why he didn't defend her… Parrot? I get it, but still, her mate shouldn’t allow that… Right?” Nothing… I forgot Zeus wasn’t here right now.

-At least you get peace when she sleeps, Lilith keeps biting her hair and braiding it, to then brush it and then bite it more to braid it and then brush it again… It’s driving me nuts. I’m not sure I can handle it any longer.

-Well at least she is not singing like Diana all day long, I swear she sleeps and hums.

They both talked of their mates like that? It felt more like Sam complaining about Eva… Lucas never talked about Maria that way… I mostly complained about her and he would agree with me, but he never complained about her… Unless she ate the last cookie or bag of chips. But never talked about her with the tone the boys were talking about the girls I assumed were their mates…

-What about you? What type of mate do you have?

The one with the biting hair mate asked... I couldn't take my eyes off him, he looked familiar... but why? Time passed and no one answered until I noticed he was talking to me.

-Me?

-Yeah.

-I…

-He doesn't have a mate, he is human.

-What really?

He said as he got closer to me and sniffed.

-He smells funny.

-Sorry I haven’t showered.

I said pointing at the dry blood on my face, then he laughed and punched me on my arm. I grabbed my arm and rubbed it as if it hurt. Just as every time I touched a human.

-You are a funny man, I like you.

-Be careful you can injure him!

John told him.

-More? Please he is covered in blood.

-He has a point.

I said and the guy laughed even more.

-Man you are hilarious!

-Shut up Dean!

-Someone is in a bad mood.

-You too Will!

-Mia you can’t talk to my friends like that.

-Come on John as if you like my friends.

She said as she stood up and then I saw her walking toward two girls near a tree.

-Don’t you think that it’s hilarious that the 3 of them are best friends and we are best friends but we can’t deal with them and they also kind of hate us?

-Mates.

Both John and Will said at the same time. Dean just laughed even more.

-Keep your voice down William!

A girl shouted.

-Yes!

-Lili sounded mad, I hope that anger stays with her and doesn't pass to Diana.

-Oh I forgot, these are Will and Dean. They are my litter brothers. He is Gabe, he was a human from the pack.

-What? Wasn’t that pack supposed to be one of the strongest ones?

-They were strong, John was almost killed by a wolf but Mia saved him, Lily was so happy to see Mia finally fighting.

-Damn, the pack we attacked wasn’t that strong, they were actually all asleep so it was easier, Diana didn’t even shift.

-What?

I said and they all looked at me.

-I mean, you weren’t with us on the attack?

-No I arrived yesterday.

Will said.

-Yesterday?

I said confused.

-Oh yes I forgot to tell you, you were asleep for 2 days… well now 3 days?

John looked at me and then at Dean.

-Yes 3 days.

Dean answered Jhon’s question. 3 Whole days!

-Mia thought you were dead and the scent was indeed awful.

-Yes I really need a bath.

-We are close to a river, we can take you there.

-That would be great…

I was answering automatically. I couldn't believe I was out for 3 days… What happened to the River Meadow Pack… The twins, Chris… Eva… Kevin is going to kill me if something happens to Eva. I closed my eyes and tried to feel the link but nothing came to me. At night the fire went off and I could feel the cold. Then I felt someone getting closer to me and saw Dean. But the heat his body was emitting was comforting. I fall back to sleep. Then I heard squeaky voices and saw the girls.

-We heard you wanted to go to the river, do you want to come with us?

A girl braiding her hair said to me… She must be Lillith, Dean’s mate.

-Come on!

Mia said to us. Lilith helped me stand up and then I followed them. I could hear Diana humming and Mia didn’t stop talking all the way. Lilith just braided her hair. I could see the things that annoyed the guys but I wasn’t annoyed by them, they even seemed kind of cute. I saw the river and entered it. I cleaned my face and knees. I floated a bit then I felt something. “I felt so numb.” “ZEUS YOU ARE BACK” Then it hit me, Zeus is back… What I’m going to do!