Misery

Chapter Three

Go throw your sticks and your stones

Right here at my iron bones

'Cause I've take more than you know

and you can not break me or shake me down

Go on take a stab at my heart

Sharpen all the knives you got

'Cause I'm bulletproof from a shot

and you won't escape me or fake me out

I'm ready ready I'm ready for ya I'm ready

- Fearless, Kat Leon

Her mind was foggy and disoriented. Confusion filling her through the cloudy state of her mind. Thoughts reeling attempting to grasp onto what happened. Blurry vision trying to clear as she fought to open her heavy eyes. Her mouth felt like it had been packed with cotton. Her skull felt like it was overfilled. The pressure drew a hiss from her lips.

 Squinting and scrunching her nose as a confusing mix of scents assaulted her nose. It f*****g reeks in here Valkyrie growled. Xena and Seph  agreeing.

 But where exactly was 'here' - that was the question of the moment as she pushed herself from the cool, damp ground. Slowly her spinning world came into focus. Grey stone under her - silver bars near by as well. Confusion. To her left was a simple bed. She must have fallen off...

 That was when what happened came rushing back. She had been holding her own in the fight. But the dirty f*****g assholes had clearly had no honor and cheated. Okay maybe there was no rules about using tranquilizers. But there should be.  As if the odds hadn't been stacked up against rogues as it was.

 Groaning Seph pushed herself up, growling as she look at her aching wrists. Seeing the silver chains that so graciously left burns along her pale flesh. A door opened, "ah, look at that. Sleeping beauty is awake already. Good. I was hoping we'd get to play soon."

 Persephone didn't recognize this wolf. He was probably a pack warrior on guard duty. And no doubt by play he meant torture, or hurt. Wasn't that what all these 'civilized' pack wolves lived for? To hurt and kill rogues? "Why don't you come in here and I can punt your balls to the back of your throat? That game sounds fun" Cold, vicious and taunting. That was her voice.

 No way would she allow this wolf to make her feel afraid. The wolf snarled at the much smaller female. He looked to be about six one. Considering she barely hit five foot, Persephone had to look up to see the man. But the regality and confidence she exuded seemed to give the impression that she was looking down on him. Even if she was still trying to pull herself up off the floor unsteadily.

 The nameless wolf stepped towards the cage and she readied to attack. In hopes of escape. Even though her head still hadn't come into focus. Even her vision wasn't fully recovered. Feeling dehydrated and drained. A mix of the tranquilizers and the silver.  Problem was instead of opening the door, he grabbed the silver chain and yanked it, causing her head to slam against the silver bars, drawing a vicious snarl from her lips.

 But it also sent her further away from focus. She could feel the trickle of blood down from her split forehead. It was then Seph realized the man had on gloves. So he'd gotten to hurt her without hurting himself. Dickhead. "You're just a regular ol' charmer, aren't you?" Seph taunted, spitting out a mouthful of blood having also bitten her tongue during the unexpected impact.

"Of course I am," the man boasted, a dark look playing over his features, "lucky for you. Or I would have ripped your throat out you filthy b***h rogue." This guy acted as if he wanted her to believe he had power, position. But there was no fooling an Alpha. She could sense power - and he didn't have a high ranking role. She would not give him respect, nor would her beasts. In their eyes - he was beneath them. And it angered both that he'd consider himself superior. 

 I'm going to rip this mutt limb from limb the tiger growled in her mind. You and me both Valkyrie agreed. Persephone had a lack of focus due to the lovely head impact, allowing Valkyrie to take further control. Her rust brown eyes became lighter, golden in hue as another snarl left her, "waiting for your master to sick you on me, dog?"

 He jerked on the chain once again, but Persephone managed to protect her face with her hands. She expected the move. After all. Wolves didn't tend to like being called dogs. "I don't need to wait for any permission you worthless b***h," anger radiated from the larger form. He was seeing red. That was when she gripped the chains and hauled back. Giving him a taste of his own medicine. 

 A cocky grin spread over her lips at the sound of his nose crunching, "you've no power in this pack, b***h-" throwing his term back at him. Looking pleased for a moment before his hand lunged through the silver bars and grabbed her throat. Persephone moved quickly - but apparently not quick enough to get his arm as he was torn away from the cage.

 "Richard. You're dismissed." Apparently someone else had arrived. It was the guy who had a sense of humor alive in him. At least he'd found her amusing before. Her eyes narrowed. "You really are wonderful at making friends," the guy finally mused once the angry (and slightly fearful - of this guy not Persephone it would seem) left. His irritation had left the moment the asshole had left the room. Clearly he at least had the decency to not enjoy the idea of hurting a caged rogue. So it would seem.

  Seph had a feeling that was the guy that had stuck her with the tranq. The teen cursing her height and wondering why everyone had to tower over her so easily. This guy was probably six foot four or five. A snarl left her lips, "Naturally. Everyone loves me-" her voice had a hoarseness to it from the force of the other males hand clasping her throat. But she clearly still had spirit. Having a chastising tone as she continued - "I almost liked you, you know. But I'm pretty sure you decided to be a big ol' cheater and jabbed a tranquilizer in my neck. That was pretty rude."

 He didn't get angry like the former guy had. He laughed, raising a brow, "cheated you say?" It was still amusement that seemed to be heavy in his voice. Unlike 'Richard' - this guy seemed to have power. She'd recognized it before. He had to be one of the higher ranked. Along with the asshole she'd kicked in the balls when she'd tried making her great escape. She would have thought he was an alpha but he'd not been the one leading the group that had confronted her. But at the same time the other guy hadn't seemed like an Alpha - his power was strong but... It hadn't felt alpha strong... At most she'd thought the other guy was a beta.

 "Yeah. Just cause you guys have a fragile ego and didn't want to be beaten by a girl in our little hurdle race - doesn't give you a right to go poking needles in girls necks," maybe she should be more careful about what she said. But Persephone often did this. Poked at people with her words and flippant attitude to find c****s. Unfortunately if she expected anything more than amusement from the guy - she was mistaken.

 He flashed a grin instead of reacting negatively, "and here I thought we had been playing cops and robbers..."

 Persephone scoffed, "what gives you meat heads the role of cops."

 He had the nerve to laugh, "maybe cause you had stolen items... money..."

Oh yeah... Seph didn't back down, "wow, so closed minded. You know corrupt cops exist right?"

 "Well. You aren't wrong. But unfortunately, the pack doesn't really take kindly to thieves, or corrupt cops," the guy said, walking closer. But out of reach. Studying Persephone closely. Taking in the slight form that had managed to pack a rather impressive hit (and kick) to his pack mate. The red head was a fire cracker.

 "But mostly rogues?" she asked. Looking unimpressed. Sure she would get the same unoriginal answer, even if he was Mr Chuckles.

 "Well. Strangers in general. Sometimes rogues join, others they get released, others..." well. Everyone knew about that last option. Death. "The alpha judges to see what the best action is to take. You're hardly on the scale of worst rogues."

 She snorted, "I feel insulted. I really was trying."

"Sorry little one," he teased, "didn't drop enough bodies."

 "The future children of the meathead don't count? What about Richards pride? Does that count as a body?" she fired back teasingly. Clearly bringing up her beautiful kick to his friends balls as well.

 He laughed again, "if anything the pack should thank you for that - well. For both. Will is a pain in the ass. I hate to think of what his offspring would be like."

She took better stock of the man before her. Clearly muscled, towering over her. ebony hair cut short, faded along the sides, closer to the top of his head they turned into what looked like short dreads spilling forwards, a few of them falling over  and dark brown eyes, so dark they appeared black. But she wasn't sure of it was just the light. Seph would have been lying if she said she didn't think he was attractive. His features sculpted like a god, and skin a delicious chocolate. "You could just let me out, you know, as a thank you."

 "Sorry. Not that thankful," he chuckled. Causing Seph to sigh. "At the diner, you said your name was Seph. Is that short for something?" He was studying her. While he bantered with ease she sensed he was also looking for some answers. Trying to ease her into it.

 Her posture stiffened again. No she would not trust him. Just cause he can laugh, and she'd not loathed him upon meeting... She recovered, flashing teeth in a grin. "Or is it even my name!" she teased, "and what about you? What do I call you Chuckles?"

 For the first time a slight tick of irritation seemed to play a moment. But it was gone as soon as it seemed to arrive on his handsome face. It's your talent came Valkyries taunting - amusement in her wolfish voice.

 "Atticus Graves. I'm beta of the Black Orchid Pack," that made her head snap back towards him. Confusion clearly played over her features. She knew of the Black Orchid Pack - but she was so sure they had been further into the interior of British Columbia. Sure she wasn't as well versed as some in the packs and territories... But that seemed - well. It clearly confused her. He saw that and chuckled, "technically I am on lone here right now. You're not in Black Orchid territory. It's Centurion territory. I'm here helping train their warriors. So they're entertaining my request to question you."

  The pack name drew a vicious snarl from her lips, earning her a questioning look. Then she tensed. He watched as she pulled back up her aloof mask. But it had slipped. Even if it was only for a moment.

"Not a fan of this pack? Why's that?" she had seemed surprised at what lands she was on. And she was. She hadn't been sure exactly what pack. But she hadn't thought she was on Centurion pack land. But she shouldn't have been surprised. They hadn't gotten land out of the war... But she knew they played a role in the ruthless annihilation of her pack - of her family...

 But Persephone wasn't about to give it up, "I just don't like people in general, you know?" Trying to give off being nonchalant. Undue the moment of her clearly emotional reaction.

 "Snarl like that seemed a little more. What was your rank in your last pack? I sense a lot of power in you." His voice was calm, curious, dark eyes regarding her. Her snarl hadn't just lashed out in sound, but had pushed out power. It was clear the moment his question left his lips her body straightened further stiffly.

 The rogue wolf giving a more pointed look, "what if I never had a pack?" That wasn't true. But the fact of the matter was - her pack had been erased in a way. Leveled to nothing. Highest to lowest as 'legend' spoke. Aside from her at least.

 He flashed an ivory grin, "I doubt it. You had to have a rank to push that power. Had some rank passed to you."

 Seph rolled her eyes, "I haven't been in a 'pack' since I was nine. Do you still think I had a title passed off to me?" Her brother had saved her by passing the title to her. Giving her wolf strength to heal her from her grievous wounds. But that was far to young for most wolves to entertain the idea of a title being passed. It just wasn't heard of. After all. Most titles passed to the next after eighteen. Early was considered sixteen.

 It only seemed to stoke further interest from Atticus. "True it's highly unlikely... But still plausible. Nine is rather young to be made rogue, and impressive you managed to survive. How long have you been rogue?" Most would have agreed and let the topic drop. Seph seemed less at ease with how he'd seemed at least open to the idea. He continued to easily.

 "Sure. Keep tellin' yourself that," she'd started, still feeling uneasy with the questions, "and nine years."

 "So eighteen. Not seventeen. Clearly you know about wolves. Much unlike the amusing act you'd put on in the diner the other day,"  he clearly had not forgotten her little show at the diner before she had dashed for freedom. Well. Attempted to.

 Fuck... I forgot about that - she thought. We noticed came Xena's unamused voice speaking for her and Valkyrie. Then she caught the last of his words, frowning, "how f*****g long was I out?"

 He shrugged, "been out a day and change. So not yesterday, but the night before. It's about noon."

 Persephone mumbled some curses under her breath, "fantastic. So, Atticus - when are yall going to let me go on my merry way?"

 Laughing, Atticus shook his head as if he found that funny, "you stole from the pack. And even if the ones you drew blood from are d***s, assaulted pack members. The Alpha here does like to give unmated wolves to get a chance to see if captured rogues are their mate or not though. It's not my call - well. It could be. But... Not my pack. Not my problem."

"f*****g pigs will fly before I am mated to any dipshit in this pack," she growled. Clearly disgusted at the mere idea. Careful Seph. Don't give away to many emotions. We should get this conversation over with, no matter how scrumptious this guy is - and figure an escape plan. We all know these wolves aren't going to willingly let us free. Pack wolves are more likely to kill us then let us free - Xena warned.

Though the comment only made her get a slightly surprised look on her face as she fired back - did you just call this guy scrumptious Xena? The tiger laughed in her mind, I did. Would again. I have eyes girl!

Valkyrie was usually the one who made comments about mens looks. Xena rarely did. She was pickier it would seem. But she had never ever heard her tiger use a world like 'scrumptious' in regards to a man. A moose? Certainly. A human man? Sure as hell never before. I agree with Xena. To bad he isn't our mate. I wouldn't mind getting a piece of that ass...

 Oh gods, my wolf and tiger have lost their f*****g minds and become horny teenagers... Valkyrie and Xena both scoffed Don't pretend you didn't take a look at that nice, grabbable booty... She caught her eyes drifting from the guys face as she cut her communication with the wolves. But snapped them back up. Nope. She would not give Xena nor Valkyrie the goddamn satisfaction. "Thought you liked me, Chuckles..." her sarcastic tone hard to miss.

 "I do. You amuse me. You'll probably see the Alpha tomorrow. My brother is arriving soon and I know Alpha Rowan wishes to get right into alliance talks," for some reason it struck a nerve with Persephone. The idea of anyone wanting an alliance with any of the traitorous packs that had torn hers to shreds irked her. It was clear to see.

 Persephone snorted, "doesn't your brother know alliances with the Centurions mean f**k all. Once a backstabbing pack, always a backstabbing pack."

 A dark brow lifted, one corner of his lips pulled in a smirk, "so whatever you've got against this pack is personal?"

  Opening her mouth to reply but snapping it shut, eyes shifting color as she seemed to have a moment struggling against her inner beast. Before finally she shook her head, rolling her eyes, "everyone knows what they did. I just think it would be stupid to trust such a pack."

 Atticus continued to look entertained by the conversation, "perhaps I'll see about taking such an amusing creature with me when I head home... Get some rest, sleeping beauty. You need some beauty sleep to meet your mate." He was clearly teasing. Pressing her buttons as he turned to leave, "I'll put one of my men as the guard. You shouldn't be bothered by Matthew again."

 Persephone couldn't help another growl at the idea of being mated to one of the Centurion pack members. Glaring after Atticus as he started to leave. "Don't miss me to much," Atticus taunted on his way out.

"As if I ever would," Seph growled. Her eyes slid down.

Well. Okay. Maybe he did have a scrumptious ass... She could easily bounce a quarter off it.

 Realizing where her eyes had gone she blushed and turned around. Valkyrie whined, oh come on that was a masterpiece, how come you looked away. Aggressively rolling her eyes before simply huffing pervert back to her wolf.