Valko-Zeke

Chapter 10

"Amalia? You slept here?" Jack asked incredulously. I could tell he was in a bad way. Hard lines creased his eyebrows and I could see sweat drops forming along his hairline.

"I didn't really feel comfortable sleeping downstairs with all of the ruckus you caused." I said, somewhat irritated. I wanted to be upstairs with my mate, and Jack's weird obsession with me was getting in my way of that.

"The ruckus I caused?" He said, seemingly bewildered that I would place any blame on him.

"Well, it started with you, and seemed to have a domino effect."

Jack stood there looking offended until, suddenly, Bellamy speedily entered the room looking relieved when he saw me sitting on the bed.

"You are out of control, Jack," Bellamy said seriously. "You need to leave the poor girl alone."

"You were the one butting your nose into other people's business!"

"I was protecting Amalia from your disturbing advances."

"What does she mean to you? I suppose you and her are together now?"Jack spat out, desperate to find any answer other than the fact that I am just not interested in him. Apparently his pea brain couldn't handle it.

"She is my friend, and you were making her uncomfortable," Bellamy responded calmly. I could tell he was just as irritated by this conversation as I was.

You weren't uncomfortable, were you?" Jack said, raising his brows at me.

I didn't even bother saying anything, I just gave him a knowing look, and his jaw dropped.

"I cannot believe you are taking his side after everything I've done for you," he exclaimed.

"I am not 'taking his side.' But I am letting you know that I was uncomfortable. And I do appreciate the party and your friendship, but not if it comes with a price."

Jack scoffed, "So much for that. Just don't expect any more favors from me."

I nodded and raised my eyebrows after he left the room. "Wow," I said, turning to Bellamy. "I cannot believe that he is serious."

Bellamy nodded and furrowed his brows. "Last night were you....?"

I nodded. Feeling a little embarrassed remembering my moment of weakness.

"Amalia, what if someone had seen you?" He scolded me. I nodded, knowing that I had messed up. It felt like Valko and I were magnets, always having to resist each other's pull. In my moment of weakness, I couldn't resist him any longer.

"I know, Bellamy. It's just so hard sometimes. It was like I couldn't control myself any longer." I admitted.

"No more drinking for you." He decided sternly.

"I guess that's fair," I sighed. "It just feels like this distance will never end. Like we'll always have to be apart as long as we're here."

He rubbed his forehead as if he had a headache, and my heart softened as I recalled what he did for me last night. He fought Jack, one of the strongest males in The Q, to keep me from feeling uncomfortable. I thanked him, as genuinely as I could, but he shrugged it off as if it was nothing.

"Bellamy?" I said curiously, "How did you end up here, in prison, I mean?"

"Why the sudden curiosity?" He asked.

"You just seem... different... than everyone else here. I couldn't imagine you committing a horrible crime." I explained.

He shifted uncomfortably, and I began to regret asking my question. "I was an assassin," he explained. "I killed several members of Alpha Dext's council and comrades. That's why your Alpha and I are such good friends. We share common interests."

My eyes widened. I wasn't expecting that. "I didn't take you for a big political activist."

He nodded, "I had my reasons."

I did not question him further. It seemed to be a sensitive subject for him, and I felt bad for asking in the first place.

"Let' go get some breakfast," Bellamy suggested, changing the subject. I agreed, and quickly checked my appearance in the mirror. I looked hungover and smelled a bit, but I needed some food to help me feel better before I showered.

As we walked into the dining hall for breakfast, I couldn't help but notice the commotion at the entrance. My curiosity piqued, I made my way through the crowd of inmates, trying to catch a glimpse of what was causing the ruckus.

"We have a new inmate! Everyone to their places." Jack's voice boomed. I saw him and the other two boys, Dusty and Shawn, enter into the entrance lobby like they had done when I arrived. Being on the other side of the wall felt strange.

All of us other prisoners waited in anticipation as we waited to see who came out. Part of my mind wondered if it would be another girl. Someone who might share in my plight. I decided it was unlikely the Alpha would hate anyone as much as me.

But there she was, a woman dressed in designer clothes and high heels, her red hair styled in a sleek bob. She was standing there alone, looking out of place and confused. The noise level rose as some inmates shouted out "Fresh meat", others laughed and jeered.

I was taken aback by the sight of her, I had never seen someone like her in this prison before. She looked like she belonged in a fancy office or a fancy house, not here in this damp, dirty and overcrowded facility. Her clothes were immaculate, but her face was etched with fear. The inmates' expressions were a mix of curiosity, disbelief, and skepticism, as they tried to figure out why she was there and what her crime could be.

I felt a pang of sympathy for her, it's not easy to be thrown into this place without any warning or explanation, especially if you're not used to the harsh conditions of a prison.

I rushed to her with purpose, weaving through the throngs of inmates, my heart racing. I could see the fear and confusion etched on her face as she was being jeered and stared at by the other inmates. I reached her side, and without hesitation, I grabbed her hand and pulled her through the crowd, shielding her from the jeers and catcalls.

We pushed through the throngs of inmates, the noise and chaos of the crowd fading behind us as we made our way to a more secluded area. I could feel her hand shaking in mine, and I gave it a reassuring squeeze as we reached a quieter corner of the prison. "Come with me," I said, my voice calm and steady, "let's get you out of this crowd."

I led her to a quiet corner where we could talk, away from the chaos of the inmates. She was shaking and her eyes were wide and filled with fear. I could tell she was overwhelmed and I wanted to make her feel safe, to give her some sense of normalcy in this crazy place. I gently guided her to sit down and I sat across from her.

She let out a sigh of relief and thanked me. "I'm just so confused, I don't know how I ended up here. I've never been in trouble with the law before," she said, her voice filled with frustration.

"It's not uncommon for people to end up here simply because the alpha took a disliking to them," I reassured her. "But we'll figure it out together. For now, let's focus on getting you settled in. How about you take the cell next to mine, that way we can look out for each other."

Raven nodded, her expression determined. "Thank you, Amalina. I appreciate your help."