The Lost Goddess, A War On Mates

Chapter 15

Once me and Tyler made it to school, we realized we had a bunch of classes together. Smiling I grabbed his hand and we walked to class together. I could hear the loud gasps and whispers of the pack members, but I just continued to smile. They could not take my new friend away, especially since they did not care for Tyler how they should have. 

He seemed embarrassed and was looking down at our feet. He was blushing but never let go of my hand. Standing in front of our first class I hugged him and went inside to my seat. Tyler was beaming and sat across the room from me. ‘Good, he deserves to be happy at school.’ I smiled and started to sketch through the rest of first period. Finishing my sketch, the bell rang. I drew me and Tyler walking together holding hands. I folded it and put it in my notebook as everyone stood to leave.

Looking around I did not see Tyler and walked out of the class confused. A wave of relief went over my body as I saw him standing by some lockers. He was fidgeting until he looked up and we made eye contact. I smiled at him and ran towards him, then punched his arm.

“Ow, what was that for?” He laughed rubbing his left arm.

“I thought you left me behind, we do not need to be connected at the hip, but I like to be.“ I fake pouted and then winked.

“Okay!” His voice cracked and I burst out laughing as he became red and flustered. I do not think anyone has flirted with him before. Neither have I but it was fun teasing him. I quickly grabbed his hand and we headed to our next class. We chatted about our day and kept a happy vibe between us. We entered our next class and we continued enjoying our day. It kept up like this until lunch.

“Hey Tyler, I normally just go to the art room during lunch so you could stay here if you want?” I smiled at him knowing it can be a bit boring in the art studio.

“Oh, that’s fine, it would be best if I left you alone while drawing. I would probably be a distraction.” He smiled and gave me a quick hug.

“Or you could be my muse…” pulling back I pulled out the sketch I made of us and gave it to him smiling. His mouth opened in a small gasp and stared in disbelief. I giggled and walked off towards the art studio.

Walking into the studio Mr. Steele was nowhere to be seen. It was odd of him to be out during lunch, but things can change. Sitting in a desk station I started to draw and loose myself in the movements. I felt dazed and almost closed my eyes while drawing.

“Who is that?” Drew whispered into my ear, and I jumped up startled.

“Mr. Steele, when did you come in?” I gave him a weary smile. He had been nice to me, and I appreciate that, but something has changed about him. He stares at me during class, he is overly nice and gets much to close when I am not paying attention. It has created an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. His smiles had changed as well, no longer were they of concern and awe, but now they were more domineering and provocative.

“I came in just ten minutes ago. I was checking on your work today and might I say that it almost looks like a self-portrait. Are you wanting a tattoo, Aeris?” He held a small smirk on his face and kept leaning forward over my shoulder. He bit his lip while staring at my sketch. I looked at it and went red. It was not finished but it was obvious it was me. It was a thin woman with her hands at her sides staring into a mirror with her back facing the wall. It clearly showed my new tattoo and how frail my body was with scars in all. The only things not done were my facial features and any surroundings.  With the angle you could only see my back and face, but it made me feel insecure the way he was staring at my drawing. I went to grab it away when Drew snatched it and smirked. I sucked in a breath as he continued to trace his finger over the tattoo portion of my back.

“You never did tell me if you wanted this tattoo Aeris, or maybe you already have this tattoo…” He looked at me with a glint of mischief and I immediately stood and ran out of the room.

Drew smiled to himself and put the sketch in his desk. Humming in satisfaction he thought to himself ‘I will be able to get to her better during the peace treaty festival ‘He decided he would mark Aeris next year when she turned eighteen since she was always locked up during the festivities. He went back to his painting which was of Aeris sitting at her desk looking focused. 

Something in me felt in danger. I had never felt inclined to run from Drew but now something was off about him. As I ran to gym, I saw coach working in his office. I ran inside and slammed the door behind me panting. I slid down the door and curled into a ball.

“Oh my goddess Aeris, are you okay?”  Coach was concerned as I broke down crying and shook my head. He kneeled in front of me and hugged me tight. I was afraid and I had never been afraid before. I do not even know what I am afraid of, but Drew needed to go back to being nice Mr. Steele. Coach let me cry my eyes out and then I pulled away feeling dizzy. I grabbed my head as it started to pound. I tried to stand but fell to the floor.

“Okay, I am taking you home!” Coach picked me up bridal style and I curled into his chest. He was warm and cozy. I felt comfortable and began to drift into sleep. The last thing I remember was the trees whipping past me and entering a wooden cabin near the pack house.

I sat Aeris down onto my couch to let her rest. I hollered out, “Honey, we have a guest!” 

A gasp was heard and then a woman ran into the room eyes sparkling, “Really, where?” She whipped her head around everywhere looking for our guest. No one came to our house because of the fact I used to be an Alpha and in turn they all saw me as a threat to the Alpha position. My wife, Christina, also was treated poorly because of me. This pack was not ideal, but they were gracious enough to accept us and let me teach gym class at the school.

“Well, Chrissy, she is knocked out on the couch. You should give her a once over and help her heal. She ran into my office and had a panic attack.”

Chrissy smiled and walked over to the couch surprised. Her smile faded as she crossed her arms over her chest, “Um Jason, this is not a wolf?”

As he sat down on the couch opposite Aeris he shrugged, “I am aware.”

“So, what is she doing here…” His wife trailed off expectantly.

“She is the pack slave and is my best student even though she is human. I like her Chrissy. I think you will too.”  He smiled and Chrissy sighed.

With narrowed eyes she points a finger at Jason, “Alright Jason, but so help me Goddess this girl hurts us, she gets the boot.” Walking over she sits next to Aeris and moves a few strands of hair out of her face. It was pale and sunken in. Chrissy frowned seeing scars littered all over this poor girl’s chest. Gently placing her hand on Aeris’ head, she chants a small incantation. Aeris jolted awake.

“Why hello there, did you get a good rest?” Jason smiled at her from across the room. Nodding Aeris stood and started to leave. Chrissy pulled her back to the couch.

“Now, why were you in my husband’s office having a panic attack?” Chrissy looked at her with a motherly concern and smiled.

“Um, I felt scared and confused. Everything felt like it was closing in, coach has always done his best to keep me safe…” Aeris mumbled and trailed off looking at the ground. Jason and Chrissy gave each other a look and Chrissy took Aeris hand, guiding her to the kitchen table.

“Alright, then you will have dinner with me since you feel safe here.” Her smile put Aeris at ease and made her excited for food.

“Can I help cook, ma’am?” Aeris smiled standing up.

Chrissy smiled and raised a brow. “You can help if you call me either Chrissy or mom, never ever call me ma’am again.”

Aeris hitched a breath while tears welled up. Chrissy startled and looked to Jason for help.

“I can call you mom?” Her voice waivered and Chrissy realized she messed up.

“Only if you want to you can always call me Chrissy.” Aeris shook her head and smiled as tears started falling from her cheeks.

“No, mom suits you better.” Aeris walked over and started cutting vegetables as Chrissy looked over to Jason her own tears welling in her eyes. She mind-linked Jason, ‘Can we keep her! She is so sweet and helpful.’

He shook his head with a sad smile and linked back, ‘No, technically she is pack property, but we can care for her and have her over as much as she wants.’ Chrissy silently beamed at her husband and spoke to Aeris, “Aeris, do you normally eat with the pack at dinner?”

She stiffened and shook her head with a meek, “No… I am not supposed to eat much as the slave does not deserve resources.”

Chrissy held back her anger and instead smiled, “Would you mind joining me and Jason for dinner then every night. I always cook too much and even with a former Alpha I hate wasting food.”

“I would not be a bother?” Aeris looked up at her, eyes glowing red and hair beaming white, with awe and excitement radiating off of her. Chrissy looked to her husband wondering if this was normal. He shrugged making her give him a glare. It only made her more attentive with Aeris though, she seemed to need parental figures. The glow almost hypnotized Chrissy but she felt as if Aeris was meant to be her child and she emanated an urgent need for love and comfort.

Chrissy nodded,” Aeris you would be doing me a favor by coming to eat dinner with me and Jason.”  Smiling brightly Aeris stopped glowing and pulled Chrissy into a tight hug.

“Thank you so much mom.” A small tear fell from Aeris while Chrissy hugged her just a bit tighter. It felt great to have a little child around like this, even if they were not technically a child at sixteen. Pulling away both Aeris and Chrissy went back to making dinner and spent the evening talking about their lives.

After dinner was over Jason, Chrissy, and Aeris all sat around the living room drinking tea. Aeris fidgeted and could not look at Jason.

“Is something wrong Aeris.” Jason asked breaking the silence filling the room.

“I was wondering, why you are not leading a pack if you are an Alpha?” Aeris glanced up from her cup of tea.

Jason sighed and ruffled his hair while Chrissy put a comforting hand on his shoulder, “Well, I was going to be the Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack. I gave it up to my Beta at the time. I was never supposed to be the reigning Alpha you see. My brother Mathew was supposed to take the position once our dad retired. Sadly, Mathew went out before he was named Alpha to handle a situation with some rogues at our border. He never came back, we found him dead along with a handful of rogues a few days later.” He looked away sad and reminiscent of his brother.

“Then why did you give it to the Beta?” I was curious why he would give up that power.

“I am an illegitimate child and in turn our father hated the idea of giving me the position to begin with. My mother was his mate but she was an omega and so he took her as a mistress and took a different woman as Luna. He had me but I was never trained to reign as Alpha. I would not have the knowledge to run the pack safely. I would rather give up my birthright then lead them all into a rocky demise of failed leadership.” He smiled at me, I jumped up giving him a tight hug. He seemed shocked but gave me a hug in return.

“You are great to me coach!” I could feel the rumble from him chuckling. I looked up at him smiling and he gave me a kiss on my forehead.

“Do you need me to walk you home Aeris?” He helped me stand up and headed for the door since it was getting late.

“No, I can make it home coach. Bye mom!” I gave them both a quick hug before heading off to the pack-house.

As the peace treaty approached once again Lucas went to his father. Knocking on his office door he found himself sitting and waiting once again. 

It became tiresome to wait for his father’s acknowledgment. After ten minutes the Alpha finally spoke, “What do you need Lucas I am very busy with the peace treaty paperwork.” He never looked up from the work on his desk.

Lucas frowned,” Well father, I wanted to know about two things.”

Finally, the Alpha looked up raising a brow, “Alright and those would be?”

Lucas paused, “Where is the purchase paperwork for Aeris and when do you want her in the dungeon for the festival?”

His father stiffened and cleared his throat,” That paperwork is of no concern to you and the festival is in a week. You could put her in there tonight and just acclimate her to being in the dungeon.”

Lucas clenched his fists, “I understand father, should I assign someone to take care of her?”

The Alpha looked to be in thought and then plastered a devious smirk on his face, “No, I will have someone look after her.” Lucas nodded and left unsure what to do about his father’s secrecy. He walked away looking for Aeris to throw her in the dungeon.

The Alpha picked up the phone dialing Drew’s number. “Hey Alpha, I was just thinking about you.” The Alpha cringed at his old warrior.

“Drew, you need to be in the cells to deal with Aeris and get her to stay in the pack.” A silence went through the line.

“I will be right over!” He immediately hung up eliciting a growl from the Alpha. Drew seemed excited to say the least.

Aeris entered the pack house through the back kitchen door and found Lucas walking in at the same time. She smiled at him and waved, “Hey Lucas, how are you?” He stayed quiet and bit his lip. He walked over to me and grabbed my arm roughly, “Lucas that hurts!” he started pulling me towards the dungeon and I tried pulling my arm away, “Lucas please stop! I thought we were friends now, please! I hate it down here!” He refused to look at me or respond. It was breaking my heart and finally we made it down the hall and to the last cell. He loosened his grip and pulled me into a tight hug. Hot tears burned my eyes as I closed them tight.

He pulled away gently and cupped my face, “I am so sorry…” He kissed me while I tried to pull away. He bit my lip making me gasp and he forced his tongue into my mouth. I pushed him away falling into the cell. He huffed out in frustration and locked the door. I felt so wrong and scared. He walked away and the lights were out. All I could do was sit in the dark. Sighing and finding the cot I climbed in thinking to myself, ‘They did not even tell me how long I would be in here this time...” I started to drift off when I heard the creaking of the Dungeon entry door. I sleepily sat up trying to see who was here.

Suddenly the silence was broken with the last person I wanted to see, “We are going to have some fun you exquisite little thing.” I shuddered as I heard the cell door unlock and then relock. I held my breath in anticipation of the worst. I did not want to fear Drew but for some reason he did not feel safe, the dungeon amplified that feeling.

“Mr. Steele are you here to let me out?” I whimpered as he suddenly cupped my cheeks reminding me Lucas just did the same thing not too long ago.

“Oh no sweet cheeks, I am here to take very good care of you.” His words made me shudder in disgust realizing he was here to be my dungeon master. I nodded slightly feeling defeated.

He gently grabbed my wrist and lead me to the opposite wall. He chained me to the wall by my ankles and wrists. He even put a collar around my neck. Caressing my face and pushing my hair back he smiles gently at me, “I will be back tomorrow to check on you. Okay my sweet?” He smiled and pecked my lips. I felt sick and my stomach twisted. I wanted to leave and could only be abused in the worst way possible, ‘He was going to ruin me so no one would love me.’ A tear slipped down my cheek as I bit my lip holding in a quivering breath. He walked out of the cell after locking it behind him. I heard his footsteps echo further away and once they disappeared, I broke down crying.