The Alpha's Warrior Mate

VIP Prisoner

The bright lights assaulted my eyes the moment I came to. A giant soft bed was under me and white sheets surrounded me in alien comfort. Across the room a floor to ceiling window showed green grass and a shimmering lake. The sight was breathtaking. The door opened slightly and I jumped off the bed to the other side, hidden from view. I frantically looked for something to use as a weapon against the threat. Spotting a bedside lamp, I grabbed it from the end table. Righting myself I stood ready for anything. 

“What are you doing?” The Alpha asked. His eyes scanned me and then the lamp in my hand.

“Where am I?” I countered in what I thought was my roughest voice, but it came out wavering.

He put his hands out, palms to the ground as if it tell me to stand down. “You’re at the blue moon pack house.” He took a hesitant step towards me and I mirrored it backwards.

“Why?” I said instantly.

“We rescued you.”

“I told you to kill me,” I snarled. 

His eyes softened, “You’re my mate.”

I stood staring at him for a minute trying to decide if he was crazy or not. Certifiable, I decided. 

“You can’t tell? Your wolf...”

“My wolf hasn’t talked to me in months.” I cut him off with an aggressive raise of the lamp over my head. 

“Oh..” was his short reply. Man of few words, I decided. 

He took a step towards me and I matched his with my own away from him. He repeated his step and so did I. He let out a sigh and rubbed his temples with a broad hand, closing his eyes. 

“So what am I like a VIP prisoner here now?” I asked numbly not wanting to hear the response. 

“What? A prisoner?” He looked at me like I had three heads. His gaze was wild as he scanned my face.  

“So... no?” I surmised. 

“No. You’re not a prisoner.” His voice was hard. I could tell he was frustrated but I didn't care. I had to make quick work of this experience. 

“Cool.” I moved toward the door, dropping the lamp on the bed with a soft thud. 

“Where are you going?” He inquired trying to move in my direction. I shoved my fear down deep and tried my best not to flinch away from his sudden movement. 

“Out the door.”  I said simply. 

“You can’t go out wearing that!” He exclaimed. I cursed my sudden flinch at his outburst and waited for the pain to follow. When it didn't, I looked down. I no longer had on the rags from my time with Red Aspen. Instead, a baby blue nightgown covered me, stopping mid thigh. I inspected the material, or lack thereof. Then it hit me. I jerked my head in his direction. 

“I had a maid redress you while you were asleep.” He said reading my mind. His hands were in their air in defense. 

“Oh.” 

“You’ve got clothes in the closet through the bathroom. You’re welcome to anything in there.” He pointed to a door to the right as a knock on the door interrupted us. I jumped.

“Alpha?” The man I recognized from my cell appeared at the door, Jacob. Asshole should have killed me. 

“What?” The Alpha moved to stand between me and the man shielding his eyes from my body. I rolled my eyes at his act of dominance but it was seemingly unharmful.

“Uhh.. we need you in your office.” His eyes averted as he raised his hand to scratch at the back of his neck awkwardly looking anywhere but at me.

“I’ll be there in a minute.”

He turned back to me. “Go.. take a shower or do whatever you need. You can meet us downstairs.” 

With that, he strode out the door. I sighed and sat back on the bed trying to regain my thoughts. I couldn’t tell what was happening or why. Curious, I went to the door he had pointed out earlier. I didn’t even know his name and he hadn't offered it. I walked into a huge bathroom. A claw foot tub sat in one end while a large glass shower was on the other end. On the opposite wall were two sinks. I grabbed a towel from the rack of folded linens and went to turn the shower on. When steam filled the room I hopped in. On the wall were an assortment of products. I picked the peppermint body wash and started to scrub.. and I continued to scrub trying to get the last few months off of me. I kept scrubbing until I saw my skin was red and raw. I finished by washing my hair and stepped out. 

Attached to the bathroom was a large walk in closet. I searched through a drawer and found men’s t shirts. Confused I opened the next one; men’s pants. Maybe this is where they kept extra clothes for guests? I managed to find a pair of leggings a few drawers over. In another were women’s T-shirts. I pulled one on. It was tight. Not uncomfortably right, but I wasn’t comfortable showing off that much of my body the way it hugged my ribcage. Instead I opted for one of the men’s long sleeve shirts, satisfied as it fell almost to my knees. I didn’t see any shoes around so I padded barefoot through the door back into the room. Taking a deep breath I walked out the door. I was met long hallway lined with doors on either side. I wandered towards the middle where a large staircase led down in a small half circle. I heard voices and decided to follow them because I was sure they would find me if I didn't. I could tell whatever was happening wasn’t good from the tone they took at each other. 

“What do you mean you can’t find him?” The familiar voice came through a cracked door. It was low this time as if he was trying to control his rage within. 

“He got away. We’re not sure how but we will find him, Ethan.” another voice followed. The male, Jacob, from earlier.

My heart sunk and I knew what they were talking about, The Red Aspen Alpha. I figured I’d enjoy my limited amount of freedom before I was discovered and kept on walking down the carpeted hallway. Most of the doors were shut but the hallway funneled into a big kitchen and living area. It was pristine with white walls and beige accents. Two women were standing in the kitchen with coffee cups in their hand. Coffee. I hadn’t had it in what felt like forever and didn't even remember if I liked it. They seemed to read my mind because they both turned to me. 

“Hi! I’m Jane. Do you want some coffee?” The first girl asked 

“Yeah, that would be great.”

“Are you hungry? I can fix you a sandwich or something?” The second said as the first girl, Jane, handed me a warm cup. The clock on the wall read three thirty. 

“Uhm.. yeah. I think I could eat.” I replied. In truth, I was starving but I didn't know these women and I wasn't about to let them know any of my weaknesses. 

“You think? It looks like you could use about ten sandwiches!” The second girl commented walking off towards the fridge as I sat myself at the bar with my cup. I smirked realizing how awful I must look to everyone else and took pride in the fact that I had survived. I couldn't care less what they thought, there was only me and my coffee mug for the time being.

“Don’t worry about Emily, she doesn’t filter a single thing she says.” Jane said rolling her eyes and taking a stool next to me. 

“That’s not true!” Emily countered, sitting a huge sub sandwich in front of me. I hadn’t seen so much food in a long time. So long, it made me nauseous to see it. I sipped my coffee for a minute to settle the sickening feeling.

“So where are you from?” Emily continued, oblivious to my discomfort. 

“Here and there.” I said taking a bite of the sub to busy my mouth in hopes the questions would cease. At that moment shouting started upstairs. Loud footsteps echoed down the hallway while pine and peppermint filled my nose infiltrating my senses. 

“WHERE IS SHE?” The Alpha, Ethan, shouted. Coming to a sliding stop in the kitchen right in front of me. 

“Here” I said, slowly finishing my bite looking around for the girls to confirm the reaction as ridiculous as I found it to be. “You don’t need to shout.” 

“I thought...” he stammered at me before looking over my shoulder to one of the girls. 

“You thought what, brother? That we let her wander out of the house and into the woods?” Jane interrupted, her eyeroll was almost audible with her words. 

I took another bit and looked between the siblings. Ethan’s eyes glass over and I could tell he was linking other pack members. A pang of sadness filled my chest at the emptiness I felt from my missing pack members. He relaxed and came to sit next to me and I shifted towards the opposite side of my seat uncomfortably. I could tell my reaction bothered him from the slight change in his facial expression but he masked it well. 

“Hey! Did you find her?” Jacob came running in out of breath. I looked over my shoulder to see he was naked from the waist up. I felt myself flinch at his nakedness which warranted a low growl from Ethan. Emily tossed him a sweatshirt and he grinned at her. After pulling it over her head he kissed her forehead and sat on the other side of Ethan. 

“Sorry, Luna. I only had extra shorts on me out there. When Alpha sent us out to look for you there wasn’t much time to stop.” He explained as his breathing settled and the rise and fall of his chest quieted.

I paused mid bite again. I probably looked like an i***t with the sandwich half hanging out of my mouth. He called me Luna. It was a title I didn’t want and a title I didn’t deserve. The sickness in my gut resurfaced and I fought the wave of nausea.

“Uhh.. just Anna is fine.” I mumbled over the bite in my mouth.

Ethan’s eyes shot to mine. I raised both my eyebrows and looked back to my sandwich haphazardly.           “ Anna," he repeated back to me. "I didn’t know that was your name.”

“You never asked, Ethan.” I shot back with an eyeroll of my own. To hell with the Alpha title, he was not going to get the one up on me. The muscle in his jaw ticked and I could tell the conversation was over because he got up and left the room. 

“Thanks for the sandwich, Emily.” I said hopping off my stool to put the plate away feeling awkward at my mate's sudden absence. I couldn't help but feel drawn to him when he was in the room. However, when he left it felt like all of the oxygen was sucked out of the air and there was nothing left to fill my lungs.

“Oh I’ve got it! No worries!” She replied in her overly energetic tone.

“Thanks. I’ll see you around.” I turned to wave and saw Jane and Emily sharing a look. Instead of waiting for them to stop me,  I headed out the big sliding glass doors.