Divided

Alpha Meets Zoe

The Alpha’s SUV drove into the main center of the Northern Pike Animal Sanctuary. The two Beta’s who accompanied the Alpha got out of the car first. It was Oliver who opened the door for the Luna and Alpha to get out.

“You two, stay here,” Steven ordered the two men, as he took the Luna’s hand and entered the main visitor building.

“This is so weird,” Oliver said. “Why are we chasing Jake, and not Ella and Victor? Victor has disappeared too.”

“Take it easy, Olly,” The other Beta said. He had grown up with Steven and Jake, and considered them both friends. “Beta Jake is like a brother to the Alpha, a little different than a young she-wolf and Beta-in-training.”

Oliver grunted and leaned against the car. “Whatever you say, Chris. You’re the senior Beta here.”

“Yep, and remember that.” Chris said as he walked around the car, listening and sniffing. He had a bad feeling about this.

**********

Steven and Jessica walked into the office, the walls were full of pictures of the different animals they had rescued. Two old chairs sat to the right in front of a small coffee table, filled with old magazines.

Steven walked up to the desk, and rang the little silver bell. He heard barking and yapping from the back, then a short man with glasses appeared.

“Hi, can I help you?”

“Yes, we are looking for Zoe Johnson.” Steven said.

“I’m sorry, Zoe is on a sabbatical. Is there anything I can help you with? I’m Bob Pike, Manager.”

“Yes, Mr. Pike,” Steven smiled. “My name is Steven Rycroft. I’m an investor. I have been in communication with Miss Johnson, and would like to touch base with her before I’m willing to invest any money.”

“An investor?” Bob looked at his custom suit, and figured he did have money. He didn’t understand why Zoe would be looking for investors, his father was the main benefactor of the Sanctuary, and all investors went through him. “I’m sorry for the confusion, but all investors usually deal with my father, Robert Pike, he runs the foundation for the sanctuary.”

Steven sighed, then took out a cheque book. “This room needs updating, I’m sure your animals could use some new beds and such. All I want to is talk to Zoe. How much to talk to her?” He picked up a pen and stared at Bob.

Jessica had basically been ignoring the two men. She was browsing through the magazines. When she realized Steven was about to bribe the young man, she turned to say something, but one magazine caught her eye. It was an issue of People from months ago, but the address sticker was still on it. She picked up the magazine, then turned to her husband.

“Steven, if the man does not wish our money, let’s leave. There are plenty of other nature reserves that would be happy to take our money.”

Steven looked at his wife, shocked. “Indeed,” he said as he put away the cheque book. He took out a card and handed it to Bob. “Feel free to call if you change your mind, and if we have any money left.”

“Yes, thank you,” Bob said as he looked and read the card: Steven Rycroft, CEO, Northern Lumber Mills. He put the card in his pocket. He would give it to his father to deal with. He watched as the man took the lady’s arm and led her outside. He wondered for a moment why she was carrying a magazine. He shrugged and went back to the cages to continue feeding the injured wolves.

Steven grunted as the door closed behind him. “Why did you pull us out of there? He was about to take the bait.”

“Stevie, you could have given him a million dollars for her address, or you could just look at this magazine I found.” Jessica pointed to the address label, which clearly listed Zoe’s name.

“You are my prize,” Steven said as he kissed her lips. He then turned to his Beta’s who were waiting. “We have our address. Let’s Go.”

**********

Zoe had just gotten out of the shower, she was wandering around her apartment wearing a robe, and a towel on her hair. She sat down on the couch and turned on the television. She was lost. She didn’t have to go to bed early, since she didn’t have to feed the animals in the morning, or do anything. She did have the appointment with her shrink in the afternoon. She picked up her discharge papers, and frowned. Dr. Siino locked her in for 48 hours, and a Dr. Samantha Williams, discharged her. It was Dr. Williams who was assigned as her doctor.

Zoe threw the papers on the table, then stood up when there was a knock at the door. The pizza must be here, she thought. She grabbed her wallet and opened the door, then froze.

He was gorgeous. She was gorgeous. The two men behind them were gorgeous. Tall and perfect. She felt like a dumpy little fat girl compared to them. She took a step back, when the tallest man stepped forward.

He must have been almost seven feet tall, dressed in black, with a maroon shirt. He had dark brown hair, and beautiful blue eyes. She just stared with her mouth open.

“Steven, don’t crowd her,” the goddess said. Zoe looked over at the woman, she had to have been a model. She was shorter than the man, but about a foot taller than Zoe. She wore a plain navy blue dress, which matched her dark blue eyes, which were framed perfectly by a short blonde bob cut.

“Who….” Was all Zoe could manage to say.

“Are you Zoe Johnson?” The woman asked. Zoe nodded. “My name is Jessica Rycroft, my husband Steven, and these two men are our Beta’s, Chris and Oliver.”

“Beta’s…” Zoe repeated. She looked at Steven. “You’re the Alpha?”

Steven nodded.

“And you….” Zoe looked at Jessica. “Alphaess?”

“Luna,” Jessica said with a smile. “Sit down honey, you look like you are about to faint.” She led Zoe over to the couch.

“Pizza…” Zoe said looking at the two men still in the door way. They had turned around when the delivery man came up. Chris paid for the pizza, then brought it into the apartment followed by Oliver, who closed the door.

The four werewolves filled her small apartment. Werewolves, they were werewolves. She giggled to herself.

Steven shook his head at her, then started to look around. He picked up the picture of her and Wolfy. “Where is Jake?” He asked pointing to the picture. “Did that Bob Pike fellow have him locked up? I didn’t sense him there.”

“Bob? You weren’t to the Sanctuary?” Zoe asked. “Did you kill him?”

“Seriously?” Steven slammed down the picture.

“Steven,” Jessica said sharply.  He just grunted. Zoe moved deeper in the couch.

“Ignore him dear, he’s just a little grumpy. Jake is like a brother to him. He’s worried, we all are. Can you tell us about him?”

“Uh, Yah,” Zoe said. “I found him about a year ago, injured and starving in the woods. I took him back, nursed him to health, and he sort of became my Pet….”

“A Wolf is no one’s pet!” Steven yelled. Jessica turned sharply. Do Not Yell At Her! She filled his head loudly. Steven shook his head to try to get her out of it. Their mind link was very strong.

“Go on, honey,” Jessica said with a smile.

“He was more like a friend. He’d greet me in the morning, we’d go for walks, he’d disappear in the afternoon, but always came back to say goodbye to me. Until….” Zoe looked around. Jessica patted her hand. “Until one day, a injured bob cat had gotten out of the pen, I was looking for him, when I came across a naked man coming out of the pond. Its private property, I was scared…” she started to cry. “My gun went off… then he… he….”

“What honey?” Jessica asked.

“He turned into Wolfy…. I panicked… Took him back to our clinic... Then told Bob what I had seen…” She took a deep breath. “Then a special doctor came and took Wolfy away, and I was taken away in an ambulance. I was too confused and scared that I had I just shot my best friend, who was a man, but a wolf…. I just went with them.”

“It’s okay, honey,” Jessica said. “I’m sure Jake understands.”

“So why do you think he’s in trouble?” Steven asked.

“The doctor’s name…” Zoe reached for her discharge papers and handed them to the Alpha man. “It’s the same as the vet who took Wolfy.

“Jesus…” Steven said, his face drained of all colour. “It’s Dr. Siino…”