I Am the Alpha and the Omega

A Game of Hide and Seek

Kiona kept deathly still even after the three men had wandered off. She wanted to be sure they had completely disappeared before she made her move. When what must have been close to a full hour had passed, Kiona slowly made her way down the tree taking it one branch at a time. Soon it would be daybreak and so everything she did now had to be soundless. As she clambered down the trunk onto the ground she looked around to see if she could see anyone.

*Complete silence*

She crept slowly away from the house towards the woods which were a hundred yards or so away. Under the cover of the woods, she made her way across the length of the lawn towards the flower garden. Keeping a close eye on the house as she did this, she moved from tree to tree and listened.

*Complete silence*

She shuffled again across a few more trees, hid behind one and listened.

*Complete silence*

As she started to step out again she turned to the house and saw a company of guards in the distance walking towards the pack house. She gasped and slipped back behind the tree. The sound of their approach became louder and louder; Kiona peered out past the tree and saw them going into the massive house she had just escaped from. She continued traversing the lawn which seemed to take forever. Kiona eventually made it to the flower garden and saw there were trees that were actually part of an orchard. There were apple trees, pear trees, plum trees, fig trees to name a few and it looked like it stretched for a while. Completely ravenous, she grabbed a few of each fruit and stuffed them into the pockets of her dress. She took a bite out of an apple and sighed in relief when she heard a bloodcurdling roar. Peering out from behind a tree, Kiona's eyes darted back to the house but she couldn't see anything obvious. Keeping her gaze fixed on the house and she saw a light come on from the balcony room she had escaped from. She stepped backwards, further into the orchard feeling a little exposed as she wasn't as well covered. She noticed some figures come out onto the balcony; her wolf vision hadn't fully developed yet so she couldn't quite make them out. There was one thing she did make out.

"FIND HER! FIND HER NOW!"

Kiona ran for her life through the orchard, trees after trees it seemed never ending to her little mind. How long could she keep running like this for? She certainly couldn't outrun pack warriors. In the distance, she saw a couple of greenhouses and a well. As she approached them, she peered into the well and saw a black void staring back at her. Kiona tried the greenhouses, one of them was locked, and she couldn't get in. the second one thankfully, was open, and she slipped in closing the door quietly behind her. She curled up and hid in the far corner under one of the benches between some bags of fertiliser. She was completely hidden and could see outside only if she peered over the bags. The plants in the greenhouse were so fragrant she noticed as she looked around the greenhouse; she hoped they masked her scent.

Kiona sat quietly and listened for a sound, any sound. All she could hear was rustling of the trees around the greenhouse swaying slightly in gentle breeze. Kiona continued to eat her apple and one of the pears she had managed to collect. 'At least I won't starve just yet' she thought savouring every bite. As she ate, Kiona for the first time reflected on the situation and everything that had come to pass. She still couldn't register that her parents died; she felt they were just somewhere else like her trying to get home. She tried her mind-link a few times, to speak to her parents or her brothers but it didn't seem to work. She didn't feel a connection with anyone. As the reality of the situation hit her, and the flashbacks consumed her, Kiona's heart sank to her stomach at the realisation she was completely alone here; she was an orphan. Tears streamed down her face as she remembered her mother and father looking at her lovingly for the last time. She remembered the messages of encouragement they mind-linked her in their final moments together. Even then, her parents were strong for her, realising their fate was bleak, but she had a chance.

"You have to be strong little one, you are the daughter of an Alpha from the great Wynchwood-Alverii pack, first of the wolves. You know we are the oldest pack in the world, connected to both the Sun and the Moon and the elements that control them. We are seers, visionaries, elementalists and so much more. You carry this ancient bloodline little one, within you. You are precious. The Moon Goddess and deities will watch over you."

"Remember all the training you've learnt. Keep practising."

"We are always in your heart little one, we love you more than anything in this world."

Kiona's heart ached at these words ringing in her head, tears flooding down her cheeks. The suddenly another spate of messages rang through her head.

"Benjy and Bryan are alive little one."

"If you escape, go to Ari and Arron, tell them what happened. They will protect you."

These last two messages which she barely registered initially, amidst the struggle, filled her with hope. By daybreak, Kiona felt like she had no tears left in her to cry, her eyes were red, her nose was blocked, and her sniffling made it worse. She had a slight headache and she really needed to drink some water; if only she could get to that well. As she peered out over the fertiliser bag she could see there were people working in the orchards; some were harvesting fruit while others were pruning the trees. They all looked like normal people, just like people in her pack back home. It didn't seem like people here could be so vicious and violent like that Alpha. She could hear the sound of some equipment whirring in the distance. This continued for a while until she heard the door of the glass house open. Two women came inside Kiona listened to their conversation as they watered the plants.

"I hadn't heard what happened this morning during breakfast Mel. Why do you ask?"

"The Alpha was in a really sour mood. He's rarely in a good mood if you know what I mean Bry, but today was the worst he has been in a while."

"Did Jackson say why?"

"All I know is he was really mad, and he summoned Jackson along with some of the other guards in the middle of the night on their day off."

"What for?"

"The Alpha has lost something precious to him I don't know what. Jackson and Miles still haven't returned home yet."

"Shall we put a some of those fertiliser bags out for the new saplings that we are planning to plant," Bryony asked.

"Great idea!"

Kiona heard footsteps approaching her corner and a pair of hands took a one of the fertiliser bags that was shielding her, away. She curled up just as another pair of hands took a second bag the woman shrieked and dropped the bag. Kiona started to lean forward to make a run for it, adrenaline pumping through her body.

"What happened Bry?"

"There's a massive spider on the bag!" the lady called Bryony whimpered.

The woman called Mel burst out laughing and swapping bags with Bryony, the two of them walked out of the greenhouse. Kiona took a few deep breaths to calm her heart down after that close shave. Before she could fully calm down, the sound of footsteps entering the greenhouse put her on edge again as she curled up. Again, kneeling down a pair of hands grabbed another bag of fertiliser which was followed by another scream.

"Bryony Matthews! What is wrong with you? It is just a little spider!" shouted Mel, charging back into the greenhouse.

"It isn't a spider Mel, it's a little girl," whispered Bryony.

Mel knelt down beside Bryony and peered under the bench. Both ladies locked eyes with Kiona who was curled up into the corner. The two ladies were clearly mind-linking each other as Kiona could see the glazed looks on their faces. She took this opportunity to slide out under the bench and run but Mel grabbed her by the collar and pulled her back.

"What are you doing here little girl?" Mel asked her gently. "Where are your parents?"

Kiona didn't say anything but continued struggling to free herself from Mel's grasp. Mel pulled her back and scooping her up in her arms she sat Kiona on the workbench and trapped her between herself and Bryony.

"We aren't going to hurt you Hun. We just want to keep you safe. What's your name?" Mel cooed sweetly.

Kiona remained silent.

"Let's take her to the pack house maybe someone will recognise her, otherwise we can drop her to the orphanage," suggested Bryony.

"I've just realised Bry, she doesn't smell like one of us. She doesn't smell like a rogue either though. In fact, I think I'm getting a slight whiff of the Al-" Mel was cut short by heavy footsteps entering the greenhouse.

"A-A-Alpha!" Bryony exclaimed bowing; Mel followed doing the same. Kiona who had sensed him approaching ducked behind them.

"T-To what do we o-owe this honour A-A-Alpha?" Mel stuttered, keeping her head bowed.

"I believe you have something of mine Melanie," the Alpha said haughtily. "I would like it back."

"C-Certainly Alpha. What would that be?" she asked, confused.

"Wasn't there a little girl in here with you?" he growled; what little patience he had was wearing thin.

"Yes Alpha."

"Well then hand her over!" he commanded.

Both ladies stepped apart and turned to retrieve her but Kiona had disappeared. They got down on their knees and checked under the bench and much to their dismay they spotted a loose backing behind the bench which it looked like the little girl had crawled through. The Alpha looked like his head was about to explode, his face like thunder. He stomped out of the greenhouse and could smell her; he began to undress himself.

"One thing you will learn very quickly little girl; never run from an Alpha," he smirked.

The Alpha shifted into his jet-black wolf and quickly gave chase. Kiona was running as fast as her little legs would carry her. She ran through the orchard weaving through the little trees until they were slowly beginning to thin out and there was a forest looming ahead. Kiona kept running thinking how her early morning runs, and training were beginning to pay off when she saw something black pass her and collide with her. She cried out in pain; she felt like she had run into a brick wall. As she regained her senses and looked up she saw a very large black wolf standing over her and she gasped. As she crawled backwards away from the wolf, the wolf followed her, its big green eyes staring at her intensely. Eventually Kiona was backed up against a tree and there was nowhere for her to move; she was trapped. The wolf stared her down and Kiona refused to break eye contact.

Before long Jackson, the Alpha's Beta joined them with a few warriors and surrounded them.

"Alpha," called Jackson, signalling that the Alpha could shift and threw him some clothes. He went behind the tree Kiona was against and returned moments later dressed in a pair jogging bottoms.

Without giving her any warning, the Alpha grabbed Kiona and slung her over his shoulders like before and carried her off. Kiona screamed, squirming and struggling against his hold which the Alpha tightened making her scream louder. He had an expressionless visage.

"LET ME GO! LET ME GO YOU MURDERER! YOU ARE THE WORSE ALPHA I HAVE EVER SEEN! YOU NASTY, HORRIBLE PIECE OF s**t!" yelled Kiona swearing for the first time in her life. "YOU CALL YOURSELF AN ALPHA? YOU'RE A COWARD! A TRAITOR! YOU'RE A DISGRACE! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOOOUUUUU! I HATE YOUUUUUUUUUUU!"

Kiona continued to scream like this all the way back to the house, all the pack members stopped their work and looked on in shock at what was happening as their young Alpha manhandled a defenceless little girl who was screaming insults all the way back through the orchard. By the time they reached the flower garden, Kiona had screamed herself hoarse so while regaining her breath, she began to use her energy to kick, punch and bite the Alpha which had little or no effect. He carried her all the way back to his room with her kicking, struggling and starting to scream again; locking the door with his fingerprint, he threw her onto the bed and went to his closet to retrieve a belt.

'It is time to teach her a lesson,' he thought.