Only Broken

Unwanted Answers

"We are werewolves Claire...and you're one of us." Peter's words replay in my head over and over again until I can't take it anymore.

I think back to that time someone shoved me at school and my cut closed up before I could even blink. Or the time I slammed my door so hard I nearly broke it.

No. Stop. This is insane. Werewolves aren’t real. These people are crazy.

The door opens and two maids walk in; one carries a covered tray, the other a neat bundle of clothes. They set everything down on the only table in the room and without a word they leave.

I walk over to the table curiously and uncovered the contents of the tray first. My stomach instantly grumbles at the smell of food entering my nostrils and I sigh.

"Sorry buddy...you can't eat this... it's probably poisoned or something." I sigh still looking at the delicious food before picking the apple at the side.

This one seems safe.

I take a bit out of the apple and nod in satisfaction at the taste of food on my tongue.

I also inspect the clothes they brought which includes a beautiful sundress and a pair of jeans with a top and matching hoodie.

Shouldn't I feel like I'm being held captive or something. What are these people up to?

I pick my preferred style of clothing then head to the bathroom in the room to freshen up before I plan my escape.

After showering and changing I finish my apple then put on the hoodie before turning to the door.

Surprisingly I find the door unlocked but a part of me believes it's probably because he has guards outside watching over me.

I open it wide either way to have a look and surprisingly again I see no one outside.

What kind of kidnappers bring you spare clothes and don’t lock the door or guard it?

I guess the crazy ones that tell you werewolves and goblins are real.

I start moving in search of an exit when-

"You're running away again?" Someone speaks from behind and I immediately halt.

"You really are something else." I narrow my eyes and turn to the person to see a tall teenager with dark hair and grey eyes standing before me.

We stare at each other for a while before he suddenly stretches his hand towards me.

"Sorry I didn't introduce myself. I'm Christopher but everyone calls me Chris." I move back the moment he stretches his hand but he smiles.

"My dad asked me to take over for the warriors looking after you, I guess it's a good thing I came early." He smiles again but I stare at him confused.

"Your dad?"

"Yeah the Alpha, and I'm supposed to pair up with my other friends but I guess I'm the early bird." He says looking back but I continue to crease my forehead.

"Alpha? What in the world is wrong with you people?" I question politely keeping my anger in check but the guy just smiles at me.

"Wow! You really do know nothing of the supernatural world." I instantly glare at him.

Again with the supernatural world.

"Hey Chris, I've been looking for you everywhere." An even taller boy with brown hair appears out of nowhere and joins us.

He sees me and glances at me surprised before he suddenly gazes at me intensely. His eyes narrow in on me and I take a step back under his gaze until his face suddenly breaks into a smile.

"You must be the city girl with rich folks. Hi I'm James." The boy extends his hand towards me with a cute smile on his face and I stare at him perplexed

"Really James. City girl with rich folks?" Chris facepalms and shakes his head at his friend who can't stop smiling.

He's not wrong, and to be honest I knew someone would label me eventually.

"So what's going on? Is she the one we're supposed to watch?" He asks Chris who nods.

"Yes, and apparently she was trying to run away, again." Christopher gives me that 'I'm stupid look for trying to run away' and I glare even harder.

"So what's your name?" James asks drawing my attention.

"Everyone around here calls you human wolf but I like to be civilized-" Christopher smacks him on the chest giving him a warning look.

"What?" He exclaims confused before the both enter into a staring contest. I watch them for one full minute staring at each other as if they're talking with their minds before I decide to break the nonsense.

"Um..what the hell are you two doing?" They both turn to me James even looking surprised.

"Well we were mind linking. You probably couldn't hear because we didn't include you." I stare at James like he has grown a third head.

"Wow. You really do know nothing about the supernatural world." He chuckles as Chris slightly nods beside him.

"Is everyone here crazy or what?" I whisper to myself and the James guy opens his mouth.

"Don't, don't answer that." I shake my head and he nods.

"Okay, if you two are done spewing nonsense, I'm going to leave now." I stare at the two awkwardly as I slowly back away and to my surprise they don't stop me.

I turn around to leave when I suddenly bump into a wall, again.

Seriously what is with this place and invisible walls?

"We really have to stop bumping into each other like this." I hear a familiar voice and I quickly look up into a pair of ocean blues eyes.

“You.” I say, trying for angry but landing somewhere between irritated and distracted.

"Oh so you speak." He chuckles causing butterflies to dance around in my belly.

Someone get me an insecticide because there's no way I'm crushing on this guy after what he did.

"Liam, you came alone?" Christopher asks and he quickly glances at him with a nod before staring back at me with those eyes.

"So umm...how are you feeling? How's your head?" He clears his throat repeatedly looking a bit nervous and I try very hard not to blush.

This is his fault. He’s the reason I was captured in the first place.

"I'm getting the feeling that you don't like me very much," he says, catching on.

I almost fold my arms just to drive the point home.

“Have you two met before?” James slips between us, eyes darting between our faces.

"Yeah..." Liam replies, his voice lower now. "I caught her the night she was being chased."

Not rescued, not helped. Caught.

He glances at James, then his eyes return to mine. I hate that my chest tightens just a little when they do.

James’s face lights up, excitement taking over. "Dude—don’t tell me she's the mystery girl you—"

"Okay!" Liam slaps a hand over James mouth, cutting him off with a tight-lipped smile in my direction.

"He has no idea what he's talking about." He says, laughing nervously as he drags James back a step.

Christopher steps forward, steering the attention from whatever that was.

"Look I know you want out of here....but you can't leave just yet." He says with determination in his eyes.

"My dad wants to help you. Please stay so that-"

"What did he tell you about me?" I cut in and he looks at me surprised.

Chris opens his mouth to speak but no words come out.

"Well the Alpha didn't tell us much except to guard your door, and keep you company." James reply.

I slowly nod at him.

“Look, I don't know what's wrong with you guys but my parents must be near death worried about me. And you want me to stay so you can spin fairy tales about werewolves and vampires?”

"Well-" James starts but Christopher cuts him off with a tap on his chest.

"We won't force you to stay Claire." A grown man's voice speaks from behind and I turn to see Peter.

I knit my brows as he approaches.

"If you want to leave, then that’s fine.”

“But Dad—” Chris steps forward, ready to argue, but Peter silences him instantly with a single look.

What’s he up to?

"You have to promise me that you'll let us help you though." He squats to my level and I move back.

There's the catch. I knew he wouldn't just let me go.

"I'll have some warriors drop you off, but bear in mind that our doors are always open, always." He emphasizes with some deep emotions in his eyes but I just nod.

Whatever it takes to get home to my parents and forget this place and the crazy people within.