The Hidden

The Long Trip To Nothing

Meagan did not expect her travel to be so brutal. They did not stop unless they needed fuel. She was expected to relieve herself, eat, stretch, and then politely climb back in the car. She knew they were heading east but she had no idea what the destination was or when they would arrive. She was becoming  restless, uncomfortable, and concerned for her safety. When she finally spoke up it did not go as expected.  

“I need to stop and have a bath, a proper meal, and a few hours sleep in a bed.”

Calvin responded coldly and harshly, “how about if I show you the same kindness your family showed Cora and just slap you if you open your mouth again?  We are not stopping.”

She opened and closed her mouth a few times, but finally just turned towards the window in tears. 

She knew they drove for at least 38 hours. When they arrived she was positively relieved. Finally, a bath and food and a bed!  Calvin escorted her inside and gave her no time to take in the impressive surroundings. She had never been to a packs land  and had never seen a pack house but if this is what they all looked like she could not understand why her family gave this up especially not to save Dyann. What she saw was beautiful and luxurious. When Calvin ushered her into a magnificent set of rooms she couldn’t keep her jaw closed. She stared with her mouth open. Was this all for her?  A kitchenette, luxurious living room, king sized bedroom and huge bathroom. She couldn’t wait to be left alone. She knew they would have fancy clothes for her too!  When Calvin noticed her looking around, he chuckled. “Don’t get excited Meagan this is not your room. These rooms belong to the leaders of this pack.”

Meagan was shocked, “You can’t expect me to meet them now, like this!  Look at me?  What kind of impression will I make?”

“Trust me child, they don’t care what you look like. Their impression of you was set the moment you pretended to be their daughter.”

“But....I’m her protector,” she was stuttering in fear. 

Calvin laughed again, “Yes and you did a great job. I can’t wait to see how appreciative they are, can you?”

With that, a stunning man and woman walked into the room. They hugged Calvin and kissed his cheek warmly but their faces were stone when they turned to Meagan.  They did not bother introducing themselves properly and rather, the man demanded, “Were is our daughter?”

Meagan was furious. She had been taken from home when the 3 men knew she was lying about her identity. They kidnapped her, dragged her across the world, offered her no kindness or comfort, and now she was being yelled at by these two!

“I don’t know you, so how can I know your daughter?” She meant to be sarcastic but it probably came out worse than she intended, after all she was tired.

The woman advanced and grabbed her arms roughly, “You know who we are. We are the parents of your family’s servant and captive. She was hidden when we sent our sons for her. You will tell us everything about her that we want to know. You will not have that smug attitude when you speak again. I hope you understand me.”

The woman spoke in a calm voice but it was strong and frightening. She would hurt someone, Meagan was sure of it. 

“Yes ma’am. My apologies. My family has protected a woman named Dyann since she was a baby. I have been raised to believe she is my cousin and that her family was deceased. My grandfather said I may have to pretend to be her one day to protect her. A few months ago we told Dyann I was going to college. Instead I went and lived with another pack less family to train.”

“Why didn’t you train at home.”

“I can’t shift at home.”

“Why?”

“Dyann may see. She doesn’t know about us.”

The man spoke, startled, “How is that possible? Her wolf would have spoken to her.”

“She doesn’t have a wolf.” Again she spoke with a haughty attitude and this time the woman, true to her threat, slapped her hard across the face. 

“What did I say about your tone? Of course she has a wolf.”

“I’m sorry,” Meagan was trying not to sob, “maybe the girl we are caring for is not the same girl you lost.”

At this the man exploded, “Lost! lost! She was stolen. She was stolen by your grandfather and your father. Taken out of this house. My own servants  kidnapped my child.”

Meagan was trying to hold it together, “All I know is what I have been told. My family were not servants. They rescued a baby after her family was slaughtered. She is sick. She does not have a wolf. We were protecting her.”

Calvin spoke for the first time since his parents arrived, “Meagan, use what little brain you have. If her family was slaughtered and she has no wolf, what are you protecting her from exactly?  Who would come for the wolfless orphan of servants?”

Meagan was speechless. She had never asked. She had never questioned anything her family told her. Now that would haunt her. 

“Calvin can you still contact Daniel?”

“Yes sir”

“Good. Let him know we will kill his daughter in 7 days and Put  out bounties out for him, Sam and their wives if they do not deliver Cora unarmed in a week or less.”

Meagan burst into tears and collapsed in the floor.  The woman looked at her once but there was no feeling in her eyes, “Put her in one of the small servant rooms. She that she gets enough food to stay alive.”

Meagan could not think.  What was happening?  Why was this happening?  She had to do something. 

“Please let me contact my father. Let me talk to him and I will get her back for you.”

Calvins father glared at her, “To little to late. They will come to save you or you will die and we will never stop hunting them.”