Breaking the chains that bind

Elise tugged experimentally to ensure the bedsheets were firm. They were, good, now time to climb. She gracefully arched her legs out the window, taking care to hook one foot in a loop so if she slipped she had bought herself a moment's grace.  She hesitated, listening to her brothers downstairs, drinking and squabbling. Good, an argument had started between Max the youngest, and John, her second to eldest brother. That should keep them distracted. She needed to be quiet to ensure they didn't stop her. For once she needed a conversation with someone other than her brothers, in public she barely got to say two words before Max would appear to almost accidentally start a fight causing Alex the eldest to usher her out, or sometimes John or Ryan the middle pair would stare out anyone who tried to talk to their precious sister until they made their excuses and left her once again back in just her brothers company.  Even the numerous girls fawning over Ryan, if Elise tried to arrange a shopping trip or have a conversation longer than a few sentences, then somehow that girl wasn't back at the house as Ryan was 'bored of her' or she was 'too clingy'. Some of the girls she could believe were too clingy, seeing the way they scrapped with each other, but still tolerated his wayward affections with no self-respect for themselves. But Sarah she had liked, Sarah was fun and rebellious much like Elise herself and for the one night she was there she had made an impression, particularly when talking about the Dive, a dingy club in town Sarah liked to drink and dance at. Elise loved to sing and dance so that had peaked her attention and she had gathered live bands were on nightly before Ryan had whisked Sarah off to the bedroom and surprise, surprise, Sarah had gone in the morning and hadn't returned. However, the idea had remained, going to the club, singing and dancing for one night free of her ever oppressive guardians. Elise couldn't remember a time when they weren't like this. She remembered nothing of the time before when, apparently, they were a normal family. Max got sentimental when he drank and it was just them, the two of them had a strong bond despite him stopping Elise from having any fun. Max had told tales of their mother dancing and singing. Supposedly she looked similar to Elise and had a fire in her that lit up a room.  You could hear her singing from the rooftops, Max had said forlornly, and had commented that even her father - who was always serious - would have a glimmer of joy across his face watching her. It was like a wave cresting Max described, a brief flash before it was gone with no sign it was there before. He described their father as kind and patient, but quiet and serious. A complete opposite to their mother who was always loud and laughing. Elise pondered if she got her love of dancing from her mother. It seemed likely, but she rarely heard much about it as Alex shut down any mention of them. The house had no signs her parents were ever there and even singing was too painful for Alex to hear. The grief that would show on his face would flood Elise with guilt and she would stop as soon as she started, but not tonight. Tonight was going to be her night, her night to sing, dance and make friends.  She swung one hand below the other, taking care to ensure each hand was properly placed for maximum hold, her left foot resting on the loop on top of her right until it was time to slide it down further.  Wolves heal quickly, but she could still remember when she had broken her arm. Alex and John had built the younger ones a tree house, and they had spent a joyous summer climbing and racing each other up and down it. Until she was too bold. Showing off, she could admit it to herself now, showing off to Max and being overly confident. The branch had snapped, there was an instant drop and she had heard the sickening crunch of bones splintering before the pain had caused her to pass out. When she awoke in her bed she saw Alex's white worried face and it had been a good day or so before her arm had healed enough to go outside only to see a shed of firewood and no trace of the tree house save the odd nail they missed when taking it down. An ominous creak stopped her train of thought and she froze, mind racing frantically to assess if her chest of drawers was strong enough to support her knotted bedsheet make shift rope and ears straining to see if her brothers had heard. Luckily, from the smash downstairs it seemed like Max and John were still in full force. John was irritated by Max who embodied both laziness and fierceness in one curious package. He had no desire to succeed or motivation for activities, yet somehow could find a fight or drink in even the most deserted locations. John was uptight and organised, so just seeing Max sprawled out across the settee would be enough for a barbed comment then pretty soon fur would be flying. It was funny, mused Elise, they would fight and pin each other regularly, even Elise would pin Max, John and Ryan as her wolf was devilishly strong. Maybe even stronger than Alex's, but she would never dare try with him. Alex's grief scared even Elise as it could cause him a cold, violent anger that came out of no where. Thankfully, it would never be turned on her, that much she knew, but it was terrifying to see none the less. A man had tried to approach them when they were in town. Specifically he had tried to approach Elise and Alex's arm had shot in front out of nowhere and nearly pulled the man's arm clean off with no emotion on his face at all. The man had said something quietly and Alex had growled back something equally hard to hear and the man had fled like a whole pack was after him. Pack. There was another word that brought questions. Elise couldn't remember a pack either, and on that even Max was stubbornly silent. They didn't smell of that burnt crisp smell that rogues had when they were rejected from their pack, all lost and forlorn. But they didn't have that distinct clan scent either, that marking of an Alpha's scent right down to the lowlight omega declaring them all as his. Elise couldn't work out what that meant, either for her or her brothers. Most of the packs they came across didnt even realise they were wolves, much to Max's delight and their obvious regret. Max was the kindest, most loyal person Elise knew (although thinking about it she didn't really know that many now did she?) But he took pleasure in asserting himself, even challenging Alphas but then releasing their clans back to them when he defeated them. Her foot crunched into the gravel and she froze. Nope, still good, she heard Max howl in frustration at John so at this rate they could be there hours. She took a moment to brush herself off and inspect her outfit. Dark jeans with cute black pumps (chosen only as they were perfect for both dancing and climbing) with a loose fitting white blouse over the top. Her auburn locks sprung out from any hairband Elise tried taming it with them, so tonight she had let it roam free, a mass of loose curls overspilling in every direction. A small black satchel loaded with change she had squirrels away from change at grocery shops, taking care her brothers didn't notice. Enough for several drinks and entry to the club at least. If she was lucky she might even see Sarah, she was good company and Elise was desperate for a real friend rather than the conflicting arguments she would have with her wolf. Elise was determined and confident, but her wolf was wild. She often felt that her wolf wanted to pick fights as much as Max did, and did not agree with Elise refusing to confront her brothers physically to demand her freedom. She set off down the path, taking care to hone her senses in case her brothers were following her. Finally with pure joy she leant full weight confidently on the gate only to crash into solid unexpected resistance. A silver padlock blocked her. That would have been as much of a pain to get on as it would be for her to get it off, thought Elise, why was Alex so determined to trap her here? Well there was nothing for it, she had no gloves and the silver would burn her badly if she used bare hands. With that thought she whipped off her blouse and used it to protect her hands, snapping the padlock off easily but a sliver of silver flew up grazing her cheek. Instantly she instinctively reached up to tough the stinging burn, the moonlight dappling on her bare shoulders and black bra straps. 'Well this is an unusual sight' drawled a self assured voice from the shadows. 'What are you up to princess?'. Elise froze for a second in embarrassment, acutely aware her breasts were only mildly covered by a few scraps of black lace, but they drew herself upright, anger fuelling her stance. All this planning, all this work, for nothing? So some i***t could disturb her brothers as she was so close to getting out?! Really?! 'Show yourself' she said haunting, her emerald eyes transformed into the dark grey hue of her wolf who was itching to get out and rip this stranger to shreds for his insolence. 'Were you about to free the cage little bird?' The voice asked, almost taunting, arrogance beaming from whatever unknown place he was hiding. Elise wondered why her wolf hadn't sensed him, like her and her brothers there was no discernable scent though to pick up. Even her honed night vision couldn't work out where he was and she knew he was there now. 'Got bored of your brothers have you?' He continued. Elise couldn't help herself, a growl from her tawny wolf emerged that would have woken the dead, let alone 4 brothers who make it their life's work to stop her from having any fun. She cursed as soon as she did it, but it was too late. Max mind linked with her instantly 'Elise, what the hell? Alex is going to...' She blocked him but it was too late as Alex's sleek black shadow of a wolf was upon them, morphing seamlessly into the naked towering hulk of a man whose anger was radiating from him more than the glow of sweat on his tanned, almost oiled skin. 'Inside' he growled and Elise obeyed, hating herself for submitting, but unable to argue with him in this state.