Runaway Mate

Chapter 10

Fidelia

The pack house was silent. Most of the wolves were still out, either on normal patrols or in search of any clues to Nessa’s whereabouts.

Fidelia found herself aimlessly wandering the halls, something she had started doing with the absence of her only friend. It had been two weeks since Nessa had escaped and ran away from Orion Valley and her absence was affecting her badly.

She had lost weight, couldn’t find joy in even training and most of all, she did her best to completely avoid her asshole of an older brother. Wandering the halls was the only thing that kept her body occupied, but unfortunately it left her mind free to worry about her missing friend.

She constantly found herself wondering if she was okay, where she was, how she had managed to escape, how the trackers were unable to find any trace of her and what she was going to do next? There were just too many worries and concerns and it made her head ache, along with her heart.

She sighed deeply, holding her aching head before deciding to take something to make the headache fade. It only worked for a small amount of time and it didn’t stop her worries, but it was some relief.

As she walked towards the kitchen to get some painkillers, she passed Axel’s office. She noticed the door open and glanced inside as she passed. He was sitting at the desk with hundreds of paperwork. If she looked bad, then, in comparison, Axel looked horrendously worse. He had heavy bags under his eyes, his hair was growing longer and was no longer being kept under control, his eyes were bloodshot from either lack of sleep or possibly crying and he was not taking very good care of his body. She had heard Oscar telling him he had to eat more and heard her father chide him for not showering and washing enough. But she had not spoken to him since he forced her to answer his questions and she didn’t intend to either. She was still furious with him and thought he deserved to suffer for a bit.

She couldn’t believe he was still looking and having the trackers search for Nessa. The poor girl had escaped his tyranny and it was like he was doing everything within his power to drag her back and make her suffer even more. She had even overheard him speaking with other packs over the phone, asking if someone of Nessa’s description had been seen in their territories. He was becoming obsessed and it just made Fidelia’s blood boil at how cruel her big brother truly was.

She made it to the kitchen and went straight for the medicine cabinet. It was a mess as the pack members weren’t the most organised people in the world and tended to just chuck everything back inside once they were done. But she quickly found some migraine relievers, popped two out of the packet and swallowed them easily. She chucked the packet back into the cabinet and then got herself a bottle of water from the fridge and took a big gulp to help wash down the tablets.

She was about to leave to resume her aimless wandering when another wolf entered the kitchen and started speaking to her.

“Oh Fidelia, I was just about to call you.” She said. “A package was just delivered for you along with the mail.” The she-wolf handed her a small box.

Fidelia recognised her. Her name was Charlotte and she had once tried to become friends with Fidelia so she could boss others around and act like she had some sort of authority within the pack. Fidelia saw right through her and called her out on it. They didn’t speak to each other much after that and their interactions were mostly simple greetings.

“Thanks.” She mumbled, taking the box from her and then immediately leaving the kitchen, not wanting to linger and risk an actual conversation.

She wandered with the box all the way back to her bedroom and made sure to close and lock the door behind her. She found herself a lot less trusting after what her brother had done and never left her room unlocked anymore.

She sat on the edge of her bed and stared at nothing in particular before she looked down at the box in her hands. It was printed with the brand of make-up she usually bought and it felt light.

‘Probably something I ordered before Nessa left.’ She thought sadly.

Nessa always told her she shouldn’t waste her money on silly things like make-up because, in her opinion, Fidelia was pretty enough without any make-up and she was hiding it by putting it on. The thought of how her friend would react to more make-up arriving made her smile sadly.

She sighed and let the smile fall. She concentrated on the box, easily tearing it open, but then frowned as she stared down at the contents. It wasn’t make-up, despite the box clearly hinting that that’s what the contents should be.

She raised an eyebrow, reaching her hand in gingerly to take out what was inside. It was a phone. Not a particularly up-to-date phone either, it had physical buttons and a small, non-touch screen. She put the box aside and stared down at the strange little phone. There was no way she had ordered it. She already had a perfectly functioning and modern phone, so why would she order something so basic and unnecessary? And why would it arrive in a make-up branded box? And why did it not have any packaging or anything around it?

Her curiosity was to the brim and she cautiously turned the phone on. Waiting with bated breath as the screen took ages to load up and fully turn on. There was nothing on the phone, no contacts, no music, not even a screen saver. She couldn’t understand why it had been delivered to her. Then, as the bars suddenly came on for a signal, a text message came through.

She instantly opened the message and stared at it, feeling even more confused than before.

It read: It belongs to you, but other people use it more than you do? What is it?

She stared at the strange text for a long time, trying to process its meaning.

‘Is this some kind of joke?’ She thought angrily. ‘Has someone sent this to try and have a laugh?’

She was about to get up and storm around the house demanding to know who thought they were funny and why they were messing with her, when she looked back at the box. There was something else inside.

She picked it out and looked it over, still fuming about the practical joke that was being played on her. The material had obviously been used to keep the phone safe during delivery but it was odd. Normally, people would use paper or something else to pack things in. It seemed an odd choice even for a joke.

She carefully unravelled the material and gasped in shock. It was white and covered in various stains and dirt and she recognised it instantly. The last time she had seen it, her best friend had been wearing it and complaining that it was too short and that she didn’t want to stick out, despite Fidelia telling her it looked fine. It was the dress she had lent to Nessa, which meant that the parcel must have been sent from her.

As the realisation came to her, the message on the phone suddenly made sense. She gripped the phone and stared at it again. It was a riddle! Throughout their friendship, Nessa had asked her hundreds of riddles and laughed as Fidelia would attempt to answer them. She would say that Fidelia should think outside of the box more and it used to annoy the hell out of her, but right now she felt extremely excited to see a riddle.

She focused all of her brain power on the riddle; she had to answer it correctly! She had to get it right! If she got it wrong she might lose the chance to speak to Nessa! She had to get this!

‘Something that belongs to me that everyone else uses? Think!’ She commanded her brain, begging it to give her the answer.

She could feel her wolf thinking as well, rising from the depths of her despair after sensing the smallest light of hope.

‘A car maybe? No, that doesn’t make any sense!’ She scolded herself. ‘My last nerve? My patience? Axel is using a lot of those right now! No, that doesn’t make sense either! Agghh, what is it!?’ She thought frantically, afraid of losing the window of time.

‘You’re name!’ Blake, her wolf, suddenly called out within her mind.

‘My name?’

‘Yes! Nessa is as brilliant as ever! She asked the riddle with the answer being your name, that way she could confirm it got to you safely and not anyone else!’ Blake cheered. 'She even sent it in a box no one would question! Absolutely brilliant!'

‘Of course!’ Fidelia joined in her celebration.

She quickly replied to the message from the mysterious number.

My name: Fidelia.

She waited for what felt like hours. Unlike modern phones, there was nothing to indicate whether Nessa had received or read her reply, and she could only hope she got it right away. She let out the breath she didn’t realise she was holding in when she felt the phone buzz in her hands. Someone had messaged back.

I was worried you wouldn’t get the answer. But I’m so happy you did. I miss you x

Fidelia felt her heart hammer in her chest. It was Nessa! It had to be Nessa!

Is that you, Nessa? x

She sent back. She had to know, just in case. Though she had a strange feeling in her gut that told her that was exactly who she was talking to. She didn’t have to wait long for the reply.

N: Yes, though I have to go by a different name now x

It was true! Her friend had found a way to contact her and she suddenly didn’t feel as exhausted and lost as she had these last two weeks.

F: Where are you? Are you okay? I’ve been so worried x

She made sure to text back as soon as the messages came through, afraid to miss this opportunity with her friend.

N: I can’t tell you where I am, sorry I can’t risk a certain someone finding this. But I am okay and I’m sorry for worrying you :( Also, sorry about the dress, I know you really liked it x

Fidelia glanced over at her ruined dress before replying.

F: Forget the dress! I’m just so glad you’re okay and I can’t believe I’m talking to you! I thought I’d never get to speak to you again :( x

N: Usually I wouldn’t, I cut ties with everyone. But I couldn’t with you, you’re the first real friend I ever had and I just couldn’t bear the thought of us never speaking again. So I found a way :) There are a few rules though, if you’re okay to agree… x

F: Of course! Anything to keep you in my life! What are the rules? x

Fidelia knew that no matter what rules she would have to follow, she would follow them. She would do anything to keep Nessa in her life and she felt so happy that her friend had clearly gone through the trouble to come up with a way for them to keep in contact.

N: Good :) The rules are –

1. You can only ever contact me on this phone; it’s old but untraceable.

2. We can only text. You wolves have too good a hearing to risk phone calls.

3. No one can know we are in contact and make sure no one gets a hold of the phone.

4. If you suspect someone is suspicious and is going to investigate the phone, send me the word ‘RED’ and then destroy the phone; I’ll have a new one sent with another number.

5. And last of all, make sure the Alpha never ever finds out about any of this. I can’t risk him finding me!

Are you okay with these rules? x

None of these rules would be a problem for Fidelia. She had no intention of letting anyone know about this, especially not Axel. She knew he would use his Alpha authority to take it from her and then track down Nessa, and she wasn’t about to let that happen. She wouldn’t risk her friendship ever again!

F: I’m okay with all of the rules :) Anything to keep you in my life :D x

N: I’m so glad, I didn’t want to lose you either x

F: So, is there anything you can tell me? What have you been doing for the last two weeks? x

N: Haha, I can’t tell you everything but let’s see... I met a crazy cat who is travelling with me. Not sure whether she’s any help or just around to get us in loads of trouble :L But it’s nice to have company :) Even if that company nearly got us beaten up by a biker gang :L x

Fidelia spent hours texting her friend and laughing at her replies. It lifted her heart and her spirit and she knew she would do anything to keep up their contact. She no longer felt empty and lost. She would die keeping this phone a secret, to keep her friend in her life. Even if that meant turning her back on her Alpha and brother. She would never let Nessa fall into his hands again!