Valko-Zeke

Chapter 11

RAVEN

I watched the little girl, Amalia, suspiciously. She appeared fragile, with a small frame, and she frequently slouched down, making herself appear even smaller. I couldn't imagine how she ended up in the Q- maybe she wondered the same about me. I had polished red nails and red lips; my hair was red, sleek, and shiny; I wore expensive heals and expensive clothes. I didn't fit in here either. If only I could have changed my outfit before I got here.

She guided me to the cell nextdoor to her own. My lips pursed in disgust as I looked around. The prison bed was pitiful, and I found myself becoming home sick already. I miss my silk sheets, my fluffy duvet, the polished floors, and attentive servants that I had at home.

"Not too bad, huh?" Amalia said, lifting her brows. I smiled, but it didn't reach my eyes.

"I guess it will have to do." I shrugged and placed my bags down while she gave me a knowing look.

"The doors lock from the inside at least," She replied, "And you can hang up a sheet for privacy. I guess it's just making the best of a bad situation."

I nodded, "You're right... it will just take some time to get used to."

We settled my stuff into the room and Amalia curiously asked me what crime I committed. "Don't worry, I don't judge," She said.

I smirked, "Fraud and embezzlement. I stole from the Alphas tax fund and, honestly, I'd do it again." I explained confidently.

"Well, welcome to the club of people in here who hate Alpha Dext. I guess that is why you have such nice things, huh?"

I paused. "Well, I won't lie. I grew up very comfortably."

"So why steal?"

"Why not? He deserves it."

Amalia nodded, looking a bit confused. I brushed it off. I wasn't exactly sure of my reasoning other than that I saw an opportunity and took it. The alpha wasn't exactly nice and everyone knew he taxed too much and didn't put the money back into the pack. I guess it wasn't worth the risk since I ended up here.

"So have you seen, you know, the big guy upstairs," I said, looking up at the ceiling.

Amalia paused, looking a bit apprehensive. "Actually, he doesn't really make much of an appearance around here. I did see him once though."

I gasped, looking surprised, "What? How?"

"Well, they do this initiation fight... I had mine with this nasty, nasty man. I mean horrible. But anyway, I basically tricked him into climbing up to a high level and then the Alpha killed him. I barely even saw him, but it was a pretty brutal scene."

I gulped. "Geeze. You don't think they'll make me fight, do you?" My stomach twisted and turned at the thought, I would be an absolute embarrassment.

"Umm," Amalia began, "I'm not really sure."

"Oh, Amalia, please. I absolutely can't do it. I am not a fighter, I am a woman of leisure." I explained nervously.

Amalia nodded, looking in deep thought. "Don't worry. Honestly, I think its time to put that tradition to rest." She said reassuringly, but I still didn't know if I believed her.

I began to unpack my belongings while Amalia helped me hang a sheet over the bars for privacy before she left. It wasn't too bad in here now that I had my stuff, but I wished I had thought of bringing a big blanket like Amalia did.

As I sat in my room, nervous to leave, I heard someone approach. He did not pull back the curtain, but I could tell by the voice that it was the same man who was introduced to me when I first arrived.

"Raven," he said, his deep voice echoing off the kitchen walls. "I need you to clean the kitchen today."

"Got it," I replied, trying to keep my tone even. Cleaning the kitchen seems like one of the easier chores.

His shilloete nodded, then turned and left. I can breathe a little easier now that he's gone, but I couldn't help but to feel curious about him.

After I folded my clothes, I made my way over to the kitchen and got to work right away, wanting to get this over with. I was sweeping the dirt from the cell floor when Amalia suddenly appeared in the doorway, holding a bucket and a rag.

"Need some help?" she asked, a small smile on her lips.

I nodded, and we fell into a comfortable silence as we cleaned. The room was small and dingy, with cracks in the walls and a musty smell, but we had made it feel a little more like home with our combined efforts.

"You know, I never would have thought I'd end up here," I said, breaking the silence.

Amalia smiled sympathetically. "Yeah, I know what you mean. But at least we have each other, right?"

I nodded, feeling grateful for her understanding. We continued to work, chatting and laughing as we scrubbed the floors and walls, making the small space feel a little bit brighter.

I was scrubbing the kitchen counter when we heard the dinner bell ring. I dried my hands on my pants and we made our way to the dining hall. The room was filled with the sounds of scraping utensils and conversation. I took my seat at the end of the table, grabbing a bowl of soup. That's when I saw him.

The man from earlier was at the head of the table, dishing out food to the inmates. Our eyes met and I felt a jolt in my chest. It was as if I knew him. It was like we had met before, in a different life maybe. His eyes locked onto mine and I couldn't look away. I felt a connection, like nothing I had ever felt before. He had brownish red curly hair, and freckles splattered across his face.

He was my mate. My heart began to flutter at the sight of him. He smiled at me, and.... then he looked away and continued on with his job. My smile deflated a bit.

"The soup here is pretty good, right?" Amalia asked me, taking her seat next to mine. "It's actually just canned soups mixed together." She chuckled.

I jumped back in surprise and she startled me out of my trance. "Yea it is," I replied and kept glancing back over at my mate. Amalia gazed at me curiously.

"Hey, what do you know about that guy up there?" I asked her.

"Oh, you mean Jack?" She said flatly. "Honestly, he's kind of a prick, but I guess he isn't all bad. What makes you ask?"

"No reason," I responded. "He just assigned me my chores."

Amalia nodded at me, and then another guy with dark curly hair sat beside her. Amalia's face lit up at the sight of him.

"Oh, Raven!" She squealed. "This is my friend Bellamy."

I smiled and reached my hand out to shake his. "It's nice to meet you."

"Likewise," Bellamy said, giving me a small smile.

They both made some small chit-chat together, but my mind was too distracted to participate. My gaze followed Jack as he grabbed his food and made his way to sit next to a few other men. I wondered longingly why he didn't sit by me. After taking his seat, Jack looked at me again, it was almost in a reassuring way. He probably didn't get along with my new friends, so I tacked it off to pure politics.

After we all finished eating, I told Amalia that I was going to go get some rest and made my way back to my cell. I was hoping Jack would understand and come follow me, but he didn't.

I felt so confused and conflicted. Did he not care that we were mates? Or was there something else...