Hidden Dangers of Love

Chapter Seven

*** READER BEWARE MATURE CONTENT***

"Jack!" Caleb howled, blocking Astrid from Jonathan's view. "Its too late. Everyone is being held back from helping you." He growled mockingly, walking toward them. Astrid clenched her jaw when Caleb moved toward Jonathan. "Caleb don't fight... " Astrid begged quietly. It hasn't even been a month and everyone is fighting over me! Why do I feel like I'm so selfish? She thought to herself. "Well you see Caleb. Damien and I have already marked her, and you haven't. That makes everyone wonder if she is second guessing you?" Jonathan sneered. His eyes were dark red and his black hair was messy. "That is none of your business!" Caleb growled lowly, his eyes sparking either unease. "Well, let's just see then. The deal is, we take Astrid to our place for a while. And then she can make a decision." Jonathan spoke, his tone dangerous. Caleb, listen to him. I don't want you to get hurt. Astrid pleased in her head. "Okay fine. But Damien is not allowed to mark her again or mate with her." Caleb nodded. If only Astrid could see his gaze. Jonathan narrowed his eyes and didn't speak, he only grabbed Astrid when Caleb moved. She looked back at Caleb, his eyes full of hatred. As soon as Jonathan turned to take her away, Caleb changed and attacked him. Astrid was frozen in fear as the two of them wrestled around on the floor. Teeth and claws were going as they tumbled around. "Caleb!" She cried out and changed, jumping on Jonathan. He howled out as she grabbed his dusty black pelt with her teeth. She let out a shriek of dismay when she was pulled off, changing instantly. She felt herself get tossed out of the way as a shaggy red wolf pinned her down. She felt tears roll down her cheeks as two more of them came it and yanked Caleb off, pinning him to the floor and taking shots at him. He was strong but he couldn't hold off two of them. Jonathan changed into his human form, a cut on his forehead dripped continually down his face but he wasn't phased as he grabbed her and yanked her out the door. "Injure him, kill him, say it was an accident. I don't care." He growled to the red wolf. The wolf nodded and ran into the room. "Don't kill him!" Astrid screamed out as she was dragged out of the house. She felt all eyes on her as the pack was held back from helping. "Let them go. Everyone follow me!" Jonathan called out. Astrid blinked back more tears as the three wolves came out of the room, Caleb being dragged behind them. She let out a wail and struggled in his grasp, trying to get to Caleb. He can't be dead! She thought with panic, but she didn't have a chance as the group left the house quickly.

Astrid had given up fighting when they walked up a long hidden driveway. She pulled away once they got to the door and they didn't refuse. They all knew if she tried to run they could catch her, plus since she changed to her wolf form any male could scent her no problem. "Well well, look who it is. Did you come on your own baby?" Astrid let out a low growl as Damien walked out to door and up close to her. His hands exploring her waist. "I agreed no marking and mating." Jonathan said with a smirk, winking at Damien. "Ah, but you didn't agree to it if it was... Separately." He grinned dangerously as he moved toward the house. Astrid shut her eyes. This couldn't get much worse, but what she didn't know is she was way wrong. Why bother fighting it if Caleb is dead. I'm supposed to be with one or the other, and if he is dead... She cut off the thought, tears clouding her gaze. She quickly blinked them away, not wanting to look weak. She stopped before walking in, observing the area. They definitely had a hidden place, a large wood house in the middle of a forest. "Walk girlie." Astrid jumped as a woman shoved her a little toward the door. Doing as she was told, Astrid walked in. She was not expecting it to look so neat and tidy but it was. Blue silk curtains on all the windows, there was a staircase to the left going up to a main hall. This looks very similar to Jonathan and Dawn's house. She thought to herself as she stood in the middle of the open room. She only difference was so many wolves and people mixed together in the house.

"Make yourself feel at home. Because this is where it is now." Astrid looked down as a strange boy talked to her. "I can show you around if you want." He added, making her look up at him. He looked younger than her but she gave him the smallest smile. "I'm not like him." The boy glanced at Damien as he walked into a room, talking quietly to Jonathan. Astrid took a deep breath. Maybe this was her chance out. Okay but Damien will probably hurt you if he sees you showing me around." She said flatly. She didn't feel like joking around, she just felt like going to sleep for eternity. Without another word, the kid walked toward the staircase. "Come on." He called back. Astrid walked quickly after him.

"So that's about it." Mark, the young boy said. Astrid turned to him when they were away from others. "I need you to help me." She whispered pleadingly, glancing around. The boy just watched her with soft eyes. "I was forced to come here. I don't want to be here." She spoke again, more desperate. "I don't think I can help you even if I wanted to... Its hard to sneak someone out of this place." He said quietly, his eyes sparkled with sadness. "Look I know Damien hasn't been very nice... But its because of who you are and he is afraid of his competition. Plus your scent is irresistible." Mark joked a little. "I have never seen the nice side of him." She retorted, glaring at him. Mark help both his hands up in front of him, like he was stopping something. "I know, I'm just saying... Try giving him a chance. You might as well see what its like while you are here." He said with a shrug. Astrid was about to speak but she stopped when Damien walked in.

"Okay Mark, go away now." He said, but his tone wasn't hostile it was more teasing, happiness sparked in his gaze. Mark gave Astrid an "I told you so" look before laughing and leaving the room. "Hey there." He said, walking close to her, running his hands down her rib cage, resting them on her waist. Astrid was frozen in place as he spoke. "Don't be scared, you want the stronger of the two of us and as you saw, he wasn't." Damien spoke softly, lifting her chin so she met his gaze. "Maybe it was because he was trying to fight three of you." Astrid blinked her hostile gaze at him, not budging. "Come on Astrid, don't be like this." He said in a low voice, frustration edged his tone. She tensed up when he kissed her neck, leaving a trail of marks. She clenched her teeth as he pushed back to a wall. "Cut it out." She growled as hard as she could. She yelped when she felt teeth sink in quickly under her shirt below her shoulder. "Don't talk to your mate like that." He said in a deep voice. You aren't my mate! She screamed in her head. The bite still stung but not as much as the last ones. She froze in place as he ran his hands over the bites from the previous weeks, pulling her shirt down a little, she was lucky enough they gave her one when they got here but she knew it was useless now. "Come on little lady." He said in a tempting voice. She didn't move until he nipped her hard again on her waist. She realised he was doing it where no one would notice. Her body throbbed as she obeyed him and took off the shirt. Her expression was stone cold as he unclipped her bra. Caleb if you can see me or hear me. I'm so sorry... She cried out inside.

Astrid waited as he ran his hands down to her pants, unbuttoning them slowly. "Mmm" he murmured as he kissed her lips strongly, pressing his tongue to her lips, wanting in. She felt herself part her lips slightly. "See, I knew you wanted me." He said teasingly as he moved her to the bed. "Don't do this... He told Caleb this wouldn't happen..." She said as tears ran down her face. If he does this we are a step closer to mates. He would just have to mark me after and that would be it. Damien laughed and stripped off his shirt, "Making you my mate yes. But I can do as much as I want without making you my mate." He said with a smirk. He kissed down her stomach and to her panty line, nipping her roughly on her hip bone. Causing it to throb in pain. She let out a grunt of pain, which made him lower her jeans down her legs. He moved her legs out, his hands warm against her thighs. She tensed up as he nipped roughly at her thigh, causing pain to course through her. He was biting hard enough to leave a visible mark that didn't disappear yet. And it hurt. She watched as he took his shorts off, he was visibly excited about this as he crawled onto her.

"Your sweet scent is breathtaking." He hissed as his hands explored her underwear, causing her to try to flinch away. She squeezed her eyes shut when their underwear came off.

Astrid wished someone would walk in. She wished someone would stop this. But instead she stayed strong, his scent was filling her nose. A scent he had making him almost irristible. She hated that the scent make her want him. She kissed him back as he pushed into her, softer than the first time he tried this. She was grateful for that at the least. He kissed her deeply and inhaled sharply as he moved faster. Her body tingling as he thrusted harder. She gripped his arms tightly with her fingers as he pressed close again. His breath tickled her ear, causing her to shiver.

It felt like hours went by the time he stopped. Her body throbbed as he got up and went for a shower. That night her body ached as she fell asleep. But only until he came back, when he crawled into the bed. Astrid was pretending she was sleeping as she felt him wrap his arms around her.

Astrid woke up with aching eyes. She cried for so long last night she only got a few hours of sleep. But when she woke up, there were clothes for her on the and she was alone. She got up and looked around. It was bright and sunny outside, it looked warm. She unfolded the clothes to see a pale yellow dress. Maybe today will be better. She thought in her head, letting out a little smile. After all, she got to go to the school to socialise today. She quickly slipped the dress on, feeling less vulnerable now. Astrid walked quickly over to a mirror, noticing the dress covered most of the bruises from the bites. She frowned as she ran her hand down her shoulder, flinching as pain shot through it.

"Are you coming?" Astrid turned around to see Damien standing at the door in jeans and a white tee shirt. Astrid looked away and nodded, following him out. She ignored all of the glances she got when they walked as a group to the vehicles outside.

Once they were at the school, Astrid jumped out and ran into it. She relaxed as she saw people she knew. Noticing Memphis, she ran over quickly. "Astrid!" Memphis gasped and hugged her, but Astrid flinched away in pain as she touched the bruises on her waist. Sorrow shot through Memphis's gaze. She quickly grabbed Astrid's hand and walked her to the girls washroom quickly. "What did he do to you?" She asked with a growl. "Nothing." Astrid said way to quickly. She had no idea why she was defending him. Memphis moved the dress off of her shoulder, revealing two bite marks. Astrid backed up and lifted the sleeve back up. Worry clouded her gaze as she looked at her feet. "Did he do that to you? He was told not to do that. Jonathan promised it!" Memphis said angrily. "Keep your voice down!" Astrid snapped, glancing at the door. "Where is Caleb? Is he okay?" Astrid asked in a rush, her heart was racing. Damien would be sending others to find her soon. Memphis's eyes clouded with sadness, but before she could talk a female walked in. "Damien is looking for you." The girl said harshly, glaring at Memphis before leaving. "You need to get out of there. As fast as you can." Astrid left in a hurry, standing in the middle of the filled room. She felt tears forming in her eyes, but they went away when she saw Caleb, his back to her across the room. She ran to him, excited to be with someone else she could trust. She yanked on his shirt for him to turn around. "Caleb..." She whispered under her breath. As soon as he turned around, Astrid backed away. The boy stared at her, his bright green eyes sparkled with confusion. "Can I help you?" He asked politely. Astrid just shook her head and ran off. She found a quiet corner and hid from everyone. She cried into her hands as she sat on a bucket. "There you are, I have been looking for you." Astrid froze when she heard Damien talk to her. She stood up quickly. "I was in the washroom." She said quietly. She flinched when he gripped her arms tightly. "I knew exactly where you were." He said coldly, leaning down to kiss her dominantly. She tried to push away be he was to strong. "Astrid! There you are. I was hoping you could talk for a moment." Damien backed away instantly when Memphis walked up. Her gaze was worried but she sounded cheerful. "We were just leaving." Damien spoke strongly and walked away. "Come on." He called back to Astrid. Astrid put her head down and began to follow but Memphis stopped her. She grabbed her wrists and looked at, still red fingerprints he left. "He can't do this. It isn't right." She said quietly. Astrid looked over to see Damien watching with a icy gaze. She took a deep breath and yanked her arms away. "I'm fine." She said more strongly than she meant to, she just wanted to tell Memphis everything that happened but she cant when he is watching. She gave Memphis a soft, sorrowful gaze before quickly walking after Damien. "You are not talking to her ever again!" He growled, not looking back at her. Astrid stopped, "You are not my mate!" She hissed, fury in her gaze. Damian spun around and walked close to her. "Caleb is dead. He can't save you anymore so you have no choice. It was one alpha or the other!" He growled, his eyes full of hatred. Astrid backed away. She backed toward the doors, her eyes full of pain and hatred. She almost tripped on the carpet but she caught herself. Caleb is dead. The words rang out in her ears.

She watched as two other walked past Damien toward her. "Leave her. Let her go we can find her later. She will realise that she doesn't have a choice anymore." He said, not taking his cold gaze off of hers. "But what about-" Jacob was cut off by a glare from Damien.

Astrid took that as an advantage and turned around, running out of the doors.

She shifted when she got to the field and ran toward the cave. The only place other than Caleb's arms that she was comfortable. She whined as she ran into the forest for at least a mile. Running right into the cave, and changing back. She sat on the bed and leaned against the wall, tears flooding down her cheeks. "I would have caused alot less pain, and a life that I cared most about if I would have stayed in that house. Dawn was right." She sobbed to herself, hugging her knees.

Astrid cried for hours as the sun went down and moonlight filtered in. She kept expecting Caleb to come in. To come save her again. She fell asleep quickly.

Astrid stayed in the cave for two days, hunger struck her harder than before but she kept dozing off. Eventually she got up, the sadness overwhelming her. She shifted to her wolf form and slowly walked out of the cave. She glanced around one last time before whining and running back toward the school.

When Astrid got the the edge of the field she went right to the school, hoping she could eat something. Her stomach growled as she walked inside in her human form. She ignored anyone who tried to talk as she went to the kitchen and ate as much as she could before she was full.

Astrid took a deep breath, no more tears were being shed as she walked into the house. Everyone went silent when she closed the door. "There she is!" Damien raised his glass, spilling some liquid as he almost fell off the arm of the chair. He looked drunk. Well this won't be fun. She thought with a sigh. She stiffened when he stumbled over and wrapped an arm around her, leading her upstairs. He put his drink down and cursed everyone for staring until they started to converse again. By the time they got upstairs he was already taking his shirt off. When they got to his room he roughly put her on the wall and kissed her, taking her shirt off in one pull. She tried to flinch away but he was suffocating her by pressing close. She yelped in pain when he nipped and bite down the side of her body, taking her pants down too. She cried out, as it all happened again.

Astrid woke up and looked in the mirror. It had been almost three weeks since she ran away and Damien was drunk. That was the worst night of her life.

She woke up alone again that morning. When she got out of bed she looked at her face. The black eye he gave her was finally faded away a little, she opened up her shirt, bruises lined the side of her body fresh and old. She did her shirt up and closed her eyes. This was it. He planned on marking her in front of the whole crowd at the school, so he could show the dominance. It was supposed to happen tomorrow afternoon to surprise everyone. She no longer cried about it, she didn't have a choice now that Caleb was gone. Maybe he will get nicer. She hoped. After he marked her surely he would be satisfied enough not to hurt her so much anymore. Almost everywhere you touch on her body hurt.

She yawned and walked down stairs, covering most of the marks, except on her neck but they just looked like hickeys. No one would notice the difference.

"Hey baby." She gritted her teeth as Damien grabbed her shoulder. She was smart enough to not flinch away this time it would just lead to more bruising. "Hi" she replied blankly, moving to the kitchen as a few others cleared out the room. She made herself a sandwich and ate it quickly. Astrid was surprised that he didn't follow her in. She looked at her feet as she thought of what could happen tomorrow. Is this really my future? I think I could get used to it... She thought with confidence as she tried to push away the denial. She was sure he would stop with the biting when he marked her. "One more day of it." She whispered softly. She took a drink of water before walking into the large room.

Astrid was lucky enough that they trusted her now to leave by herself, so she walked out the door. She changed when she got out and walked down the steps before taking off into the forest. When she got to a hidden spot she found she laid down in the dirt and rolled around. The sweet scent still traced on her since she hadn't been marked yet. And she found a good was to calm it down a little.

After her dirt bath she ran to the fields behind the school, right to the border. She sat right in the middle and gazed across to the other territory. She let out a small whine and looked up at the sky, it was a nice day, only partly cloudy. She wished she could go to the river but she wasn't allowed on that territory anymore. It would just cause trouble, she thought about the last few weeks. It had been calm since she starting living with this pack. The only thing was, she couldn't go back to the school. They had told her they didn't want her to socialise with the other pack until they were mates, so that drama wouldn't arise.

Astrid didn't move until the sun was above her head. she finally decided to get up, knowing they would be wondering where she went, when she saw a glimpse of a ginger pelt on the tree line on the other side. Followed by three others. She couldn't recognise the darker pelts but she knew the first one was Memphis. "Maybe Cole and Seth." She murmured. But she couldn't guess the other one. Probably Lisa. She thought with a shrug. She perked her ears when two of them barked at her and started running at her. She let out a yelp and tucked her tail before taking off into the forest on her territory. When she glanced back she saw Memphis at the border where she was standing with what looked like Lisa. She squinted harder, it almost looked like Memphis was carry pups. She saw an odd glare in her eyes, like she was being protective. Astrid itched to go see them. She missed her friends, she hasn't socialised much. As she walked toward home she dragged her tail on the ground.

Maybe its time to start socialising with others. She told herself as she got toward home. She jumped in surprise when she saw Damien run out in his wolf form and skid to a stop in front of her. He roughly started sniffing her, growling. "What happened?" He barked. Astrid shook her head. "Nothing really happened. I saw some wolves at their trees and they barked at me." She replied with a shrug, switching to her human form. She shivered as he walked behind her into the house. She yawned and watched Damien sat in a chair around his friends. "Come here." He called to her, patting his leg. Astrid gritted her teeth and went over to sit with him. "Ready for tomorrow?" He said with a grin, she smiled the fake smile she has used on him for weeks and nodded. "Yes I am." She tried not to flinch when he pinched her waist. "I can't wait!" He growled with excitement. Jacob looked at him. "And everything will be ready." He added with a grin, but Damien just glared at him.

After talking for a while, Astrid walked into the game room. She noticed a bunch of girls over there so she walked toward them. "Hey." She said with a smile. "Hi! Its about time you chatted with someone! It must be lonely when you don't have any friends!" One of the girls said with a smile. Astrid thought she was being rude at first but she wasn't. The girl had long flaxen hair and a pale grey gaze. "I'm Amber." She said politely.

Astrid flicked her gaze to a tall blonde girl who walked up. "Don't bother with her Amber. She was with one of the males from the Pack of the River. She's useless as Alpha female." The girl sneered and walked away. Astrid got up to leave but Amber pulled her back. "Sit down, she is useless and is mad that Damien didn't pick her." Amber said with a laugh. Astrid smiled, she didn't even notice the other girls leave. It didn't take long for the two of them to start chattering the afternoon away.

Before she knew it, it was dark outside. Astrid looked at the clock and it was late. "I have to get to bed. It was nice to make a friend!" She said with a smile. "I will see you later." Amber said before Astrid walked out of the room, heading upstairs.

When she got into the room she changed and flopped down on the bed. Shutting her eyes and smiling. This will work out just fine. She though with a sigh. She let out a squeak and a small laugh when Damien jumped on the bed, growling playfully. She flinched only once when he bit down the side of her body. Tracing his teeth where he is supposed to mark. "You are finally mine." He said with a grin before shutting off the light and taking off their clothes.

Astrid let out one cry of pain when Damien took it too far this time as her inner thighs burned. She kept telling herself that he was just excited and this was the last time, but she barely got sleep that night.

Astrid woke up that morning with her body so sore she cried a little when she looked at the mirror for the hundredth time. Her face showed nothing. But as soon as she opened her shirt her sides were covered in bruises. She had a deep bite mark on her waist that actually bled. "He was just excited." She told herself quietly. So instead, she groaned as she put on longer clothes and walked downstairs, trying not to flinch.

"Ready to go?" Damien asked, lucking his lips. Astrid nodded and smiled the best she could. Her inner lip was bleeding. "Let's go." Jacob said as they headed to the vehicles.

As soon as they pulled in and walked through the doors, something was wrong. everyone who came were all on edge. "This isn't happening here. I will mark you as home we need to go. Now." Astrid looked at Damien with a questioning look. "Don't look at me like that!" He snapped. "I need to go check something in the car. Then we are leaving." He said, rushing. Astrid turned around and went to walk away, her body ached. She didn't want to be around them right now. "What do you mean? No he's not!" Astrid sighed as she ignored Damien distant growl and went into the locker room. She sat on the bench in the corner and cried silently. Only a few hours and she will be free of bruises. He will surely stop when she is marked right? Astrid flinched as she hugged her knees to her chest, sobbing on her legs. She didn't even move when the door opened and closed silently.

Astrid didn't even look up she took a deep breath. "Damien please give me a break..." She spoke with a shaky voice, she tensed ready to be bit again as he came closer. She could almost sense his anger. She got ready for a hit, or bite, or him to rip her clothes off. She shook in fear as he came closer.

Then suddenly something washed over her...

It was a sweet scent...

Something she recognised...

She tensed up and let out a shaky breath.

She looked up slowly.

Astrid felt tears fall down her cheeks uncontrollably.

"Caleb..."