The Alpha's Feisty Mate

Sue (11)

Sue (11)

My heart hammered hard as I looked at the boot of the car. I knew the plan in my head and even had practised it a couple of times both out in the dark and inside the garage but still, my stomach churned.

When we all woke up this morning, I almost cried. Terrified of what was to come. I wish I could stay here and just hide in this house

but I know we need to go. It was already eight am and we had a thirty minute drive to the pier.

“That’s it” Pete said as he shut the back of the car with a loud bang “Are you ready?”

I looked at him, my body trembling and my lips moving yet no sound coming out. I didn't even realise I was crying until Lorna hugged me and tried to calm me down.

“Ssshhh Sue” Lorna said gently “It’s ok to be scared”

“I don’t want to go” I whispered

“If it was only about you, I’d keep you here” Lorna said “But so many others need help. Especially those in the facility”

“I know” I whispered and blinked my eyes, whipping my tears away “I’m going to get help..for all of us”

“I believe in you” Lorna said with a sniff “Finding packs are not easy. There so apt in hiding, but when the word got to the right people….they were very eager to help”

“And we know they will help. This pack has connections with the supreme” Saliha said as she hugged Pete “We just need to be careful and smart for a few hours and tomorrow, we will be in Glasgow and meet them there”

I take a deep breath and nod

“We better get moving if we want to make it to breakfast” Pete said as he opened the car door “We need to do everything as we normally have done in the past. Remember, we will have eyes watching us”

I turned to Lorna who smiled when Tracy and Pete’s daughter were speaking and came out to the car. Tracy hugged her friend and let her sit before she came over to me and hugged me harder. I tightened my arms around her and begged whoever was out there; to look out for her

“I’m going to bring back help, ok?” I said as I kissed her head “And then we are all going to go live somewhere else that is safe and

free and where we can be us”

“I believe you” Tracy said quietly “But first take care of you”

“We all matter” I said “not just me”

“Lets go” Pete said

Everyone hugged each other. Josh went to work as usual and had to act like it was’t a big deal that these guys were checking out. When Lorna hugged me again, I felt tears slip from my eyes but I took a deep breath, nodded and squeezed her hand to let her know I was coming back.

I WILL be back! I will save this family who bravely fought for me and to save the others.

I took a seat in the back and moved my body around so Saliha could cover me with the blanket. I heard the sound of rain starting and lay still as she placed the pillow on top of the blanket and two different lightweight bags. It had to look as before where the back seat often had blankets, pillows and a couple of bags of sweets or things from Mull. I had to stay still and once I was comfortable as I could be and Saliha had made air pockets in the blanket, I sighed.

“Are you ok?” Saliha asked

“Yes. I’m ready” I replied

While I had darkness surrounding me, I felt comfortable and secure. I kept my breathing even as I tried to keep myself calm. While I

didn’t go into a deep sleep, I did doze because I felt Pete place his hand on the blanket that covered my head and then spoke to me, no doubt looking at his daughter and pretending he was speaking to her

“Like we discussed, we are parked at the car park near the main street shops. It’s only another six minutes drive from where the boat is at the pier. We are going to grab a Scottish breakfast which will take us almost fifteen minutes , maybe half hour to eat. By your arm, there is a water bottle and sandwiches. Grab it while I am bent over so if anyone is watching, they can’t see you move” Pete said

I shifted under the blanket and slowly reached out and felt around for the bottle. When I felt the cold plastic, I slowly grabbed it and pulled it towards me. I kept my movement slow and steady, doing what I had practised and trying not to disturb the material too much. I did the same with the bag of sandwiches and held it close to my chest. I herd the door close and the car lock and I took a slow breath, trying to steady my running heart.

We had practised this a few times and each time, I had gotten better at keeping myself still. I had to remember to act like someone was watching me so I wouldn't move. I could hear people talking, laughing as they complained about the weather but how they looked forward to their cups of tea and food. I could hear children screaming or calling out in happiness and I wished I could do the same. Tears escaped as I dreamed of a life of freedom...of peace. To be able to walk alone outside without fear.

Suddenly, I heard the car unlocking and I almost jerked in shock. Had it been half hour already? Surely not. What if....oh no! What if it was them? Had they managed to get the key some how and unlock the car? My mind raced and my throat almost closed up and I tensed up, ready to try claw myself out. The car door opened on my side and I smelt Pete and my body relaxed, air whooshing out of lungs in relief even as I stayed still

“I think we are being watched Sue” Pete whispered “Jen just complained of having a sore tummy and Saliha said she isn’t feeling well”

I stiffened. They were code words to say we were being followed or looked at. Closely!

“Just breathe little pup” Pete said gently to me before I heard more movement “Jen, you might feel better if you have something to eat?”

“No dad, I don’t want food. I feel sick” I heard Jen say from a distance “Can I just have ice-cream?”

“You feel sick but think you can still have ice-cream? if you can have ice-cream, you can have breakfast" Pete said

To other's on the street or around the car, it must sounds like a normal conversation but to all of us, it is code for we were being watching and should we catch a quicker ferry or catch it at the normal time and make these spies think nothing was different. I felt Pete move away from my side but the light rain and cool air come through the blanket let me know he was still by my side with the car door open

"No dad" Jan moaned "I really don't think I can. Did you not smell how....yuk it smelled. I think yesterday I may have had too much junk" Jen said

My heart nearly exploded. Smell...she meant more than two people were here and too much junk meaning she saw weapons of some kind. The situation just got worse and more dangerous. Pete's family couldn't be hurt. Oh god...what am I going to do? What if...Lorna and Tra- no...I can't think like that. Even though everything in me wants to leave and run, I can't. I felt Pete move and heard him speak again

"Should we still have breakfast?” Pete asked “I don’t want her being sick on the boat”

“Hmm, maybe not the usual. Maybe something light instead” I heard Saliha answer

Oh god! Another code - We were being closely watched. Someone was near enough for Jen and Saliha to not just spot but also smell.

They were closing us in.

“Hmm” Pete replied “Maybe we can just have a crisp roll and juice. Maybe an ice-cream after and just get on the boat. The junk food the girls had last night and staying up late watching the horror movies has no doubt played a part in it. Next time Jen, when we say bed early; there's a reason for it”

“I think so too” Saliha said

"Daaadd! But it was such a cool movie!" Jen acted out " And you can't watch movies without junk food"

"Yea well now your not feeling that great and we have a boat to get onto" Pete acted like an annoyed dad "And judging by the weather,

the boat may not be smooth. We better grab some sick bags in case"

I knew he spoke to his mate, acting as if nothing different was going on.

I heard the door of the car close and listened to them as they walked away, trying to keep their voices normal. I knew their voices were tense because I was a shifter. Anyone else listening would think it was normal conversation but inside I was shaking. I don’t know how long I sat there, hidden under the blankets and bags, freaking out and trying to stay calm. I almost jumped when I felt the presence of someone come close to the car and I just knew someone was looking in. I froze. Even my breathing stopped and my heart started pounding in my chest. Something told me it was Chris and others from the facility and I kept counting in my head; remembering how Lorna told me to calm myself.

They weren’t there for too long but long enough for me to almost pass out from not breathing and from the unbearable heat that was suddenly trapped under the covers with me! I was convinced they would then find me. For a long moment, I kept using the technique Lorna gave me and I don’t know how many times I repeated it, but before I knew it, when the car door opened; my heart almost ripped out of my chest and I almost moved in panic

“ - with it Chris” I heard Pete say

SHIT! Chris was with them! Why was he with them? Did he follow them into the shops? Staying still, I felt movement beside me and realised Jen was sitting in the car

“Dad, can you open the window. I feel really sick” Jen said

Thank you! I dontt know how she new, but I needed air

“Sure love. One sec” Pete said

I heard the motor and the electric buzz of the car window opening. I felt Jen move about and almost shouted out to her not to move much and that I was here

“Jen, I’m just going to put your sweet bag beside your blanket in case you want it later” I heard Saliha say.

Then I felt her move the blankets about as she started to rearrange things around and over me as she created air pockets again. I almost cried as I felt cool air hit my face and remembered my water bottle. As she made adjustment to the blankets, I took slow sips of water as I strained to listen to the conversation

“Surprised that you guys didn’t have the breakfast. Don’t you guys usually do that?” Chris asked

“I know. But the girls stayed up eating too much junk last night” Pete said casually “I think that’s what’s making her sick. We bought crisp rolls and some juice as well as hot drinks. I rather she not eat now and then be sick on the boat”

“I did say they had too much sugar” I heard Gordon say

I almost wet myself when I heard his voice but had to keep myself grounded. I knew I jerked because I felt Saliha gently touch the blanket

“I swear they must have eaten their body weight in junk. I only discovered the aftermath when we went inside to give them desserts” Pete huffed out, acting tired “I just hope next time they have more than just sugar”

“Already planning the next time eh?” another voice I didn’t know say

“Yeah, we barely leave here before we start to make plans for coming back” Pete chuckled

“You ever thought about moving here?” Gordon asked

“If we didn’t have such a big extended family and joint businesses, we would” Salhia said as she closed the car door

I heard Jen move and pick up her ipad as she turned on something. From the sounds of it, I heard her move about and realised she was doing something Lorna said was tik tok. I heard Saliha move around the front of the car and shuffle somethings in the front

“You bringing Aiden next time?” I heard Gordon ask, “He hasn’t come over for a couple of years”

“Eh you know teens” Pete said tensely “After hitting ten, that kid thinks walking and camping is boring. Anything without internet and gaming is boring”

“Well, maybe we will introduce him to some excitement here” Chris said is a quiet voice

“Pete, it’s almost time” Saliha said “Chris, you really should come out to Krakow and see how amazing it is. You and Josh and Lorna would love it”

“So no invite for me?” Gordon asked snarky

“Oh you know what I mean” Saliha laughed it off “But hopefully we will see you guys next year. I can’t believe how fast these holidays have gone”

“Neither can I” Chris said “And to think…this time, you guys didn’t even have many bbq’s”

“I know” Pete said without missing a beat “We got so lazy this time. Age man, i tell you”

All the time, I was trying not to throw up on the paltry water I was sipping on and trying not jerk or move in any way. When Jen started sings a song about not worrying and that everything would be alright; I closed my eyes and started counting again. I dreamt of being free and running wild. Without worrying about being trapped and hurt or being punished and hungry. Jen’s voice made me think of sunshine and a family. Of having a normal pack again and about having a mate.

Pete explained to me what a mate was and how one feels when they found their other half. It sounded scary but wonderful. I wonder if I have a mate and if he ever looked for me? If he ever wondered what happened to me? My eyes popped open when I heard the car start and as I heard Pete say goodbye to Chris and whoever else was with them; I almost carried in relief

“It’s ok” Pete said

“It’s not” Salhia said in a tense voice “Didn’t you see the way Chris kept looking into the car. Pete, they're going to go to the boat and will search the car”

“There not. Stop panicking” Pete said in a harsh voice “Don’t move yet Sue; I’m not out of the main street yet and there's lights that can stop us”

“Pete, we need to go to plan B” Saliha said

“Ok” Pete said after a few seconds of silence

“It’s ok dad” Jen said “We know what to do”

I felt the car shift left and right a couple of times before Pete told me I could move. Under the blanket, I lifted it up a little as I took in more cool air from the open window and quickly stuffed two sandwiches in my mouth. When Jen handed me a bottle of cold Irn Bru, I took a deep drink then closed the cap as I finished off the last sandwich.

“Ok Sue, you need to hid again. We are about to join the queue for the boat” Pete said after a while

Once again, I tucked the blanket around me and waited patiently, listening to the sounds of people talking and the vibration of the car as it moved from the ground to a metal plank. I heard a man ask Pete questions and asking about their tickets and what bay to park his car in. I felt the shudder of the car as it moved slowly over terrain that wasn’t as smooth as the ground. Another new voice told Pete where to go and I heard lots of clicks and stamping just as Pete told me would happen.

I could feel the light change in the car as it became darker and I smelt the sea and salt in the air. When the engine closed, I heard them open the door as more noise of people talking became loud. I could hear kids screaming in laughter as thudding feet sounded as they ran. I could hear people talking about the weather and going for tea’s and coffee to the cafe.

“Ok, remember the plan” Pete said before he got out of the car. When he opened the back of the car, I knew he took out the small bag as part of the plan. He opened my side of the door "Ready Sue?”

I shook for a moment, knowing what was to come. I remembered Lorna and Tracy and how I made my promise to Josh to help and protect those that needed me…including coming back for Raine and Tracy….and I wasn’t scared anymore. I had to do this! It was the only way

"Dad!"Jen said in a panicked voice "I think i'm going to be sick!"

Oh no!! Jen's spotted someone who's followed us onto the boat! I felt and smelt the fear coming off from Jen and Saliha and I almost wanted to tell them to go...run. It was me they were after and I wouldn't let them be be hurt because of me.

"Ok love" Pete said with authority and calmness that I didn't feel "You need to get to the bathroom before you throw up here. Are you sure you want to wear something this warm Jen” Pete said as he played his part “Why don’t you take just the jumper”

“I just wanted to change clothes dad and now I feel like puking..... Hurry” Jen said in a panicked on voice

“I told you not to have that ice-cream” Pete huffed “That’s why you are sick”

“I can take her” Saliha said

“Ok, I still need to give the porter our tickets for the bag check” Pete said

When I felt Saliha put a hand on my head over the blanket, I knew it was time. This was it. I had to move. But how were we going to do this? With whoever was there watching?

"It's ok" Saliha said as she took the two light bags off the blanket "Just like we rehearsed and planned"

"Bu..But if there watching" I stuttered

"We knew there was a possibility they would" Slaiha said as she picked up the items from the floor of the car and told Jen to use the bag to breathe in until they got to the bathroom to help with the sickness. I heard Jen act out the breathing part. I almost asked Saliha to leave it when I heard the biggest sign that my rescue was here......A car horn sounded out long and really loudly before I heard a loud thump and people shouting with worry.

I couldn't believe it was happening! This was it!. God, how was this going to work with all the spies and people after us. No doubt they were looking at us and waiting to grab me! And yet, Pete and Saliha were confident.

"Come on Sue" Saliha said "We need to go...now"

I took a deep breath and slowly lifted the blanket, looking at Saliha who was calm yet worried. I saw Jen pretending to breath into the bag, her eyes darting about as she told me where the spies from the facility ware standing. I took a deep breath and hardened my resolve. It was time to come out of the blanket and walk away- to freedom