The Human's Gargoyle

Knowing you

The next day I went through the motions. I slept in and missed breakfast but it didn't matter. I sat in my room until lunch and only left my room because my stomach protested having not eaten much. I got dressed, just putting shorts on, and left my room. The dining room was mostly silent. I didn't think anyone was in there until I walked into it. Dad sat in his usual spot, the seat beside him, mom's seat, was empty. Aiden was in his seat with Alex across from him. Christine wasn't here. Also at the table was the other Alpha. He was a young Alpha with brown hair cut short and a scar running from his hairline through his right eye and stopping at his chin. His right eye was greyed with the injury while his left eye was black. He was sitting next to my seat. I shivered. Something about him made me uncomfortable. I took my seat anyway.

"Moonbeam! You're here! How's your head?" Dad asked me as I pulled out my seat.

"It's okay. I'm just sore still."

"Have you had a chance to meet Rick? He's from Black River. He just took over for his father last year. He's here for a week to help with some things." I turned and gave Rick a small smile. He didn't smille back.

"It's nice to meet you Alpha Rick. I'm Ari." Rick just nodded his head to me before turning back to his plate. My plate and a glass of lemonade was placed in front of me. I started picking at my sandwich. "Hey Alex, where's Christine?"

"She wasn't feeling too great today. She's taking a nap." I nodded. Lunch was silent. I kept feeling Rick's eyes on me. I ate quickly and excused myself, walking outside and into the woods, not bothering with shoes. I walked for a few minutes until I made it to my favorite willow tree and climbed up to my branch. I sat there and looked down to the pond below, watching the fish swim around. My butt was starting to go numb when I decided to get down but I regretted it the moment my feet hit the ground. I turned to head home and ran into a chest.

"Oof! Sorry!"

"Watch where nyou're walking human." Came the snarl. I looked up into an angry face.

"Alpha Rick. I'm so sorry. I didn't see you there."

"I don't understand how you're given free reign of the lands."

"What?"

"You never should have been allowed to stay here. A weak human among wolves? How do you expect to protect the pack? They're all to busy protecting you! You got your Luna killed." I took a step back.

"Excuse me? I did no such thing! My parents wanted me! They chose me! I don't need you blaming me for my mother's death. I already blame myself." Suddenly his hand was around my throat.

"You shouldn't be allowed to call her your mother."

"Let. Me. Go." If I could, I'd be growling. How dare he come here to my home and say these things to me!

"I should kill you where you stand! Rid the Alpha of this burden!" I smacked him. Hard. His hand let go of my throat only to wrap around my upper arm. His claws pierced my skin.

"I said let me go!" I screamed. When he didn't a second later I thrust my knee up, dropping him to his knees, and ran! I ran all the way home and straight to my dad's office. "Daddy!" I cried when I ran in through the open door. It was only ever closed for important meetings.

"Moonbeam? What happened?"

"Alpha Rick. He attacked me." I showed him my arm. It was still bleeding. Dad's growl was low and dangerous. His eyes clouded over for a second. He was mind-linking someone. Then he led me to the couch and started cleaning up my arm.

"Why would he do that?"

"I don't know! He started saying it was my fault mom's gone and that he's going to kill me!" I could see my dad's eyes flicker from light blue to pure black. He was angry!

"Go to your room Ari. I'll take care of this." And I did. I ran right to my room and shut and lock the door. I slid to the floor and cried. I was so tired of crying! It's all I did! When I finally lited my head, I decided I needed out of here. I needed to leave! I needed to go see my gargoyle. I felt safe there! I rushed to my motorcycle. I needed to see him again. I barely paused long enough to put on my boots. I didn't even grab my phone or tell anyone where I was going. I hadn't even been cleared to drive yet. I didn't care. Riding my bike with the cast on was difficult but not impossible. I came to a stop in the parking lot , kicked down the kick stand, and ran to him. It was a while still until sunset but I could wait! No one would be lookin for me right now. And even if they did, they'd search the woods before coming here. I crawled up onto the dais, sitting between his legs. I couldn't stop thinking.

Why was Alpha Rick here? Why was he sio cruel to me? I hadn't done anything to him! The Gathering is tomorrow. I'm still expected to show up. My dress is hanging in my closet right now but my mom isn't here to help me get ready! I haven't actually needed her help to get ready in a long time but she would always help me put on the finished touches or adjust something so I was perfect. I didn't want to go tomorrow! I put my hand to my chest to try to ease the ache in my heart when a pair of lare hands and arms scooped me up and suddenly I was flying! I gasped and looked into Garg's face. He seemed so serious as he flew us away from the cemetary.

"Where are we going?" I asked him. I was surprised to feel safe in his arms even way up here!

"Away from everything for a little while." His voice was low and gravely. We weren't airborn very long when he landed outside a lare castle. He started walking with me still in his arms. He adjusted his hold on me only slightly so he could push open the heavy door. It shut quietly behind us as he continued on, up a set of stairs, down a hall, and into a bedroom.

"Where are we Gargs?" Finally he set me on my feet.

"We're at my home. I'm goin to take care of you. But first I must wash off the scent of other males."

"Huh?" I glanced down at the shirt I was wearing. I'm still not sure which brother I stole it from but I stole it just last week. I guess it would still smell like him. "Oh! This was one of my brother's shirt. Maybe the only who picked me up yesterday? I was also with my dad earlier."

"Your brother picked you up yesterday? He didn't smell like your brother. I smell two other males on you."

"One male would be my dad and the other is a stupid Alpha that I hope is no longer at my home. He was a little... rough with me earlier. But my dad and brothers wouldn't smell like me. I'm adopted. I'm the human daughter of the Alpha and Luna of the New Moon Pack. But everyone calls me Ariana. Or Ari." I held out my hand to him. He gently took it but instead od shaking my hand, he kissed the back of my knuckles.

"Matthias. Pleasure to meet you Ari." I blushed. Who wouldn't? With him standing at his full height, the top of my head was at the bottom of his chest! He's making some of the tallest warriors in my pack look small. His skin was stone grey but his claws and forearms were black. His hair was dark and long and pulled slightly into a ponytail behind him. His wings looked like bat wings and I know from yesterday that they are soft.

"You're very tall." I whispered looking up at him. He just smirked down at me then rested a claed hand on the top of my head.

"You're very tiny." I just shrugged one shoulder. "Come." He held his hand out to me again. I took it and he walked off into the bathroom. I stopped just inside the door, confused.

"Why are we in your bathroom?"

"I told you. I need to wash the scent of other males off of you." He never turned to look at me. Just continued what he was doing. It was only now I realized he as filling the tub! "Get undressed." I then realized that he also had his tail wrapped around my waist. I was trapped!