The Reedemed Alpha

Long story

Johnathan

He didnt expect it.

The rock she threw bounced off his temple, stunning him.

Growling he shook his head and looked back where she was now running full speed into the darkened woods.

Feeling frustrated and angry he hurtled after her.

She was fast he'd give her that. He could appreciate the simple adrenaline in his prey and the fight or flight in humans.

He easily was behind her after about forty yards. He reached out to grab her shoulder when she ducked and ran to her left. She darted to a tree and started climbing the branches amazingly fast.

'You know I can climb too, right?'

He asked sardonically.

She didn't answer but continued to climb. He could hear her gasps and her heartbeat beating like a drum.

Leaning back against the trunk of the tree while folding his arms he breathed deep trying to calm his wolf. After a few moments he stood back and peered up where he could see she was almost to the very top of the twenty foot tree.

"You'll just end up hurting yourself.' He called up.

He saw her now clinging to a branch and breathing heavy before hoisting herself to sit between the vee of two thick branches.

'Are you done now?'

She spit down at him and folded her arms.

'Very mature Vena. Now stop being silly and come down. Or do I have to bring you down?'

'f**k off, asshole!'

Sighing he tried again to reason with her.

'Come down and I'll leave you alone…for the rest of the night. I swear. I won't talk or even look at you.'

'No!'

'Come down!'

'No!'

'Fine!'

Stepping back a few feet he ran and jumped a foot up the tree and attached to a branch then began to climb. Looking up he saw her eyes widen before she scrambled further up.

'This is ridiculous!' He hollered before jumping again and pulling himself up.

She was now on a branch that wobbled under her weight as she inched toward the edge.

He sat and watched her dangle. Gripping the branch she was now on to hold it steady.

'Vena.' He was amazed at how calm his voice was. 'Come back. I won't tie you up. You don't have any reason to fear me, I swear.'

'Said the wolf to his prey!' She huffed while white knuckling her grip.

He heard the slow crack of the splintering limb. He lunged forward to catch her wrist but he wasn't quick enough. Her scream pierced the air as she fell toward the earth with a thud. Pieces of the branch raining down around her.

'Vena!'

Jumping down he flashed to her.

She wasn't moving. Turning her over slowly she gasped.

'Ahh! f**k!'

'What is it? What hurts?'

'Don't touch me!'

She sat up and ghosted her hands over her ankle while sliding away.

'Is it broken?'

He moved to check when she slapped his face.

'Enough!' His voice boomed through the air. For once she was still and quiet.

'Now, I'm going to check your ankle. You will not hit me again. Understand?'

He moved again to check and she flinched back.

Lifting up her pant leg of her right leg he already saw the swelling start.

'I didn't hear a crack. Do you feel pain or numbness and tingling?'

Her lips were firmly clamped shut.

'Vena…your ankle could be broken. If it is, it needs to be reset. If this goes untreated the consequences can be very bad.'

He felt around her foot then her ankle gently.

'Ahh.' Vena gasped while going into the fetal position.

'Tell me. Please Vena. I don't want to see you in pain.'

Meeting her eyes he saw the surrender in them. Whether it was the pain or fatigue he didn't know.

'Pain.' She mumbled.

'Okay. Pain probably means you just sprained it. I'll have to take a better look at the house.'

He went to lift her but she scooted away.

'Don't touch me.'

'You want to try and walk then?'

'Yes.'

'Alright. Hang on.' Turning away he snapped a branch off and tore the smaller branches attached off.

'Use this to support your weight.'

To his surprise she took it and climbed to her feet.

He watched her almost lose her balance then hobbled forwards while leaning on the stick.

'We're not far. Come on.'

He led her back so she wouldn't stumble in the dark.

After about a half an hour they made it back to the lit lanterns dangling on the porch.

Dropping the stick she sat quickly on the steps with a sharp breath.

'I need to look at you inside. Come.'

'Give me a minute!'

Throwing up his hands he paced away. This woman was pushing all of his buttons. Why did she have to be so damned stubborn? Even at the expense of her own health she wouldn't give an inch.

He watched her lay back on the deck and breath slowly.

'I warned you that you'd just end up hurting yourself.'

He knew that rubbing her nose in it would just make her more angry but damn it, couldn't she see that he knew better?

'Yes. But I believe I told you to f**k off. Did you listen?'

Despite his frustration he laughed.

'Come.' Going forward he bent and scooped her up, ignoring her protests.

Settling her down on the raggedy but soft sofa he then retrieved the first aid kit.

Kneeling before he inspected her ankle gently.

She groaned and clawed at the arm rest.

'It's just a sprain. A nasty one. I'll wrap it in a bandage and get some ice. You'll need to keep it elevated.'

'How do you know it's just a sprain?' She spat.

'I told you. I like to read. When your stuck somewhere for years you learn to pick up on hobbies. Mine was reading. Medical books seemed fascinating. I also knew one day it would be of use.'

She sighed with agitation and sank back in the couch cushions.

'Great. Not only am I being held captive by a freak of nature but one that also thinks he's a self taught doctor. Well at least I got to live for a little while after my escape.'

'Why did you escape? You said your uncle wasn't a good man but, how bad could he be for you to run?' He asked, ignoring her angry mumbling.

She met his gaze and was quiet. He saw the loathing and fear in her eyes.

'He wasn't even a man. He was a monster. One that bullied, preyed on, and sold women.'

He flinched. After that brief explanation he could understand why she was so difficult.

Freezing with the ace bandage a thought occurred to him.

'Did he…did he hurt you?'

A bitter laugh escaped her.

'In so many ways. The worst part, he took everything from me. Then he sold me.'

'Was he a pimp?'

Now she flinched. Whether it was in pain or that term he didn't know.

'Essentially.'

'Rage bubbles inside him. 'Starr from the beginning.'

'Why? What do you care?'

'I care a great deal, Vena. Please.'

She sighed and sat back.

'It's a long story.'

'Good. I believe we have time.'