The Reedemed Alpha

Compromise

Johnathan

He watched his woman silently weep for her friend. The pain on her face as she told the take of her life made him feel a tidal wave of emotions. Anger for the pain she had suffered. Sympathy for the losses she had to endure. Vengeful for the tourture and terror she had to witness and be at the hands of. His arms ached to hold her. His wolf wanted to comfort and protect.

'Vena…I am a monster to you humans. But I won't hurt you like those monsters did. I've done some terrible things for what I thought was the right reasons. But I think now…I'm seeing something different. But I don't understand. If you were…gifted… to this man, why wait until you're nineteen? It sounds to me that these people have no morals or honor. At eighteen they could have even had you legally. Why the wait?'

She breathed deep and hiccuped.

'It was set for when I was eighteen. The bastards are a lot of things but not dumb. They do have law enforcement in their back pockets. But to the rest of the world and simple gossip that he had married a girl at seventeen would have been more disastrous for all their images. Next to power, status and appearances are everything. Frank had a heart attack that put him in intensive physical therapy around when the wedding was originally planned. So I was safe for a little while longer. I knew once Frank had me he'd keep a bodyguard on me at all times when he wasn't around. Diminishing all chances of escape. At least at Victor's when I played nice after a while I soon earned the privilege to go out. With a group from his social circle that is. Trophy wives of his friends. All spies. All who would report back to their husbands who then would report back to him if I showed the slightest bit of suspicion.'

His mind was blown by everything she just told him. He knew corruption riddled the human world just as much as the fae world. But to actually hear about it from someone who suffered from it was another thing entirely.

'He also waited because Frank wanted a mature yet "pure" body. A virgin wife.'

'You're…?'

A genuine laugh broke from her.

'Oh God no!' Another peal of laughter came from her. 'I was watched constantly except…in the bathrooms. One night Frank and Victor were throwing a lavish party hosted at Frank's for my seventeenth birthday. All their friends and their friends' children were there. There was catering staff, valet, and other hired help. I spotted a cute boy who was catering. He was maybe a few years older. I think his name was Josh…or Jacob. Anyway, I managed to flirt a little. He seemed to have had no idea who the hosts were or their reputations. He liked me. So I waited. Dropping a napkin with a literal written invitation on it for him to meet me in the bathroom. It didn't take a lot of convincing for him to pop my cherry in the ladies room.' Her laugh now was hysterical.

'I took one of the things Frank and Victor wanted to stay intact, right under their noses! At their own orchestrated party. Now I've taken the other!'

Her laughter soon broke in sobs.

'Vena…please don't cry, little kitten. I'll take care of you. I'll keep you safe. I swear it.'

'Don't you get it?!' Her voice echoed off the cabin walls. 'I don't want to be taken care of! I want to be free! Free to choose what I do, where I go, who I see, and who I stay with! If I wanted to be "taken care of'' I would have stayed there.'

Sighing he stood and paced away. 'I wish I could let you go. But you are…the key to my freedom.' He looked away and went into the kitchen for some more tylenol for her. Then a thought struck him.

Walking quickly back to her with the pills he tried handing them to her.

She turned her head away and stared out the window.

Breathing deep he began to voice his idea. 'Your friends…the ones you want to save? What would you give to save them?'

'What are you talking about now?'

She sighed irritably.

'Would you want them to be saved? To have Victor and his men killed? Wiped completely out.'

She eyed him suspiciously.

'How?'

'I…sort of have access to an army. But this army, there does not need to be many. Only a few can do so much damage.'

She stared. 'A werewolf army?'

'Yes. With other help too.'

'What other help?'

'Magical help.'

'Like…?'

'Like witches. Vampires, and a few others that owe me a favor?'

She was shock silent.

'Just like that?'

'Just like that?'

'What's would be the catch?'

'You. You stay with me. Forever.'

She sank back still holding her cup.

Looking down she remained silent. He could tell she was thinking.

After a long silent time passed he felt he'd go crazy.

'Come. Let's get you something to eat.'

Without waiting for her protest he quickly took the now cold cup from her hand and set it in the end stand before picking her up in his arms.

'What would you like to eat?'

'I'm not hungry.'

'Liar. I can hear your stomach.'

'I'm nauseous.' The smirk she sent him was sarcastic as her words were acidic.

'Vena I know this is not what you want. But there are worse things as you well know. I will be good to you. I'm a dominant species, yes, but I can be gentle. As I've tried to show you.'

'More like an overbearing psycho.'

He ignored her and took steak out of the fridge before he threw it into a skillet on the stove.

'Have I hurt you? Physically?'

'Didn't you trip me when you first saw me which resulted in my head wound?'

Turning to her he met her eyes briefly. 'That was an accident. My wolf acted on instinct when you were about to flee.'

'Ah. "It wasn't me it was my beast" excuse. Yes I can see now how the rest of my life will be shackled to you.'

Turning again he fixed her with surprised eyes.

'You've decided to stay?'

'No. I was making a point.'

'Vena it's not always like that. Since you came here I've changed. I can feel it.'

'Can you ignore your instincts?'

'Yes.'

'Do you feel you should?'

'When it comes to you it's difficult.'

'So think what I, a simple human's instincts, is saying about the big bad wolf.'

They didn't speak again. The meal was silent and tense.

When she was finished she pushed her half eaten plate away.

'I'm tired.' She announced.

Rising he went to help her stand.

'No. I can do it.' Rising she braced her weight on the table before turning and limping away toward the bed.

'Good night Vena.'

'Rot in hell.'