The Runaway and her Twin Alphas

The Unbound

Esme could feel her anxiety rising. Every moment that she and Derrick got closer to the unbinding the more anxious she became.

"Only a few more minutes. As soon as they start the harvest ritual we should be safe to start." Derrick muttered. Barely a whisper. The candles surrounding the circle gave him an ominous look as he sat equally anxious waiting for the moment to begin.

The harvest had been one of the only days Esme had ever enjoyed in the pack. For the past five years it was the only time that Esme could feel magic again. Though it was bittersweet, it always filled her with joy. The feeling in the air was electric during the ceremony. She remembered last year as she stood at the fringe of the crowd how her whole body broke out in goosebumps.

"Soon." Asha had whispered to her.

"It's starting." Derrick whispered. That's when Esme felt it. Even as deep into the woods as they were the air suddenly came alive around them. Esme drew in a deep shaking breath whiping her hands on the blue jeans Derrick had stolen from his sister.

"We can't send you out there looking like that." Derrick had said a few days prior looking down at her servers smock. She had been given one when she was sent to the kitchens, in the past three years the pitiful grey cloth had been burnt, torn, and stained. Not only that Esme had, had a growth spurnt just after turning fourteen. The dress now barely reached her knees and was tighter around the chest than she liked. A shiver went through her as she remembered the way the Alpha's men would stare at her chest, practically licking their chops. Luckily Esme and Derrick's sister Lucy were the same size so he had stolen her street clothes and even packed her a bag filled with other clothes and things she might need on her trek through the woods. It felt strange to her for the first time she could remember wearing regular clothes, part of her would miss the dingy cloth as it reminded her of her time spent in the kitchens with Alice.

"During the spell you have to remain focused on the stone." Derrick reminded her gently pushing a blonde strand of hair nervously behind his ear. "'Feel your magic in the stone and welcome it back to you' is what the spell book says."

Esme focused on the stone. Just as before it was as if the entire world fell away. Distantly she could hear Derrick chanting as he began the spell but she couldn't make out the words. All she could think about was how beautiful the stone was. In the candlelight, surrounded by darkness the stone danced as the light flickered across it. Esme could feel part of herself trapped within the stone. Her heart hammered in her chest as she watched a bright purple light slowly emerge from the stone. As the light rose above the stone Esme noticed the stone itself had now become a very light purple on the edges surrounded by white.

"I welcome back my magic with an open mind and heart." She repeated the words she had memorized from the spell book. Unconsciously Esme had opened her long slender arms as if waiting for the embrace of a friend. The bright purple orb began to move forward through the circle to where Esme waiting. She watched silently as it approached. Suddenly, her hammering heartbeat slowed. As the light neared her she felt her anxiety wash away. She was filled with incredible warmth and for the first time in a very long time a sense of safety.

Then in a split second the light zoomed across the remaining distance and slammed into Esme with enough force to knock her backward in the circle. She felt her magic return to her. For the first few seconds it hurt, like someone had poured molten metal all over her skin. Then a split second later the pain was gone replaced by a sense of absolute euphoria.

"We are whole again." Asha told her. She could feel the joy that they shared through the connection. Though she never understood how Asha came to be or why she was with Esme she was eternally grateful she had someone to share this moment with.

"Esme! Esme!" Derrick had enter the circle and begun shaking Esme from her trace. "They heard you scream! They paused the harvest! You have to run!"

Esme stood quickly. Had she screamed? She couldn't remember. Her mind was overloaded and she couldn't think clearly. As if carried by an unseen force she picked up her bag and began to head for the treeline.

"The cloaking will only last for two days." Derick said helping her put on the bag as she fumbled with it, her arms numb. "Get as far away as you can. I don't know why the Alpha is so obsessed with you but after feeling your power I think I know why. You have to run Esme."

"Allow me to take over. You will need all your strength." Asha told her. Esme had no idea what that meant or how she could possibly give control to the voice in her head.

"Take over." She said aloud. Her voice seemed to reviberate through the trees and as a sudden gust of air picked up Esme felt herself drift into the background.

Now her body really was moving of its own accord. Esme was shocked as she suddenly began bounding through the woods at a speed she had never known she processed. The trees breezed past her in a flash. Though her body felt distant she could feel everything. She felt the fresh air rushing past her and could hear the air current as it whizzed past her head.

Esme didn't know how long she had run for. To her it only felt like a few minutes but, she knew that wasn't right. She felt herself come back into control of her body as she entered a small beautiful clearing. Even though it was still pitch black outside the moonlight cascading over the small heaven lit it enough for Esme to see a small bubbling stream on the other side.

She rushed forward almost falling over her own feet which now felt like rubber. She moved stiffly as she bent down beside the small rushing body of water. Crouching she cupped her hands and scooped the water up to her mouth. Esme was filled with incredible joy. The water tasted clean and crisp and fresh. She couldn't help the laugh that bubbled to the surface. She was free. She laid back in the grass and let out a heavy sigh.

She gazed up at the beautiful starry sky. The moon hanging just above the mountains seemed to shine brighter than she had ever seen. Though it was only a sliver moon it lit the whole meadow as if it was midday. Before Esme could process if what she was seeing was even real she felt herself drifting off to sleep.

Esme woke several hours later with a jolt. Instanltly panic filled her. How long had she slept? How much time had she lost? She knew that Alpha would be furious when he found that she was gone. How close were his trackers?

Esme stood quickly straightening herself. The meadow around her had come to life while she slept. Silently she stood taking in the scene. From where she had fallen asleep she stood on a grassy hilltop over looking the meadow. Less than three feet away from her a small family of deer drank from the river. The doe lay near by as as her two baby fawn lapped up the precious cool liquid. Other than the dogs she occasionally had to feed in the kennels of the pack house she had never been so close to an animal. The fawn looked at Esme and as if dismissing her and continued to watch as her children nourished themselves.

Esme would have loved to stay there forever to watch the magnificent creatures but, she had wasted enough time already. She turned from the scene and began to move down the hillside.

Suddenly she froze. Her nose lifting into the air. She smelt something absolutely mouth watering. It was like the pine tree they brought into the packhouse every Christmas. It was like fresh carmels made by Alice every Sunday. It smelt like honey and fresh brewed coffee. Asha was jumping for joy in her head and she had no idea why.

Esme moved like she was in a dream. She was carried forward by her legs as if her mind had no control. She followed her nose until the sent was so strong she was sure she had found the source. Esme swiveled her head sniffing the air and she searched the area.

"Do you smell that?" a voice asked making Esme jump. Instinctively she lept behind a nearby tree heart hammering in her chest.

"Yes." Another voice growled out. The two voices were incredibly sexy. Like velvet pulled over steel. Deep and dark and it woke something in Esme she couldn't explain.

"Come out little wolf, we know you are there." The first voice called out to her. She stood frozen as if made of stone. Little wolf? Her heart sank in her chest. Why was she so disappointed they weren't talking to her?