The Alpha's Feisty Mate

Sue (8)

Sue (8)

Hours! It had now been hours since I had been moved down into the caves. I had walked to the bunker and locked myself in, sitting on the bed and rocking back and forth like a crazy person. The rooms were down so deep that even if I had a party with loud music, I doubt the noise would go above. I know that was the purpose of it, but it still felt scary; so alone.

As we had grown older, we were allowed books to occupy us in the facility. I remember there was this one book talking about how humanity had to go into these underground cities that had been built due to destructive nature outside and humans had to live for a hundred years under the earth so not be affected by what was happening on earth above ground. I remember thinking, how could they have built homes and lived that way? Wouldn’t they have felt ….trapped?

Now I was doing the same thing

I looked down at the watch that Lorna had given to me again and saw it was now almost one am. So late! I was scared to move….to leave….What if I got the time wrong? I only started learning to tell the time recently by Lorna and Tracy who had explained how to

work out the time.

The facility had barely educated us. Instead, choosing to keep us as basic as possible. I know how time looked…but I didn’t know how to tell it. When the clock’s hand had pointed to certain numbers, I knew it was time for food…for medication…or for pain when they experimented on us. But now, with her help - I could tell time. She also told me how to use a mobile and certain technology. It’s a scary world out there with all these machines like scary toasters and ovens and things that tell you information like TV and computers and watches. But then, there were wonderful things like mobile phones, online help and being able to have all kinds of food delivered at the touch of a button.

While I had a mobile phone in my bag, I only had three numbers programmed in it. While I had money in my two different places; I really struggled to understand the use and concept in it. I thought food and a home was free. So much I didn’t know

“Sue” I heard Lorna’s soft voice

I jumped down and ran towards the solid door before stopping before it. I hesitated, remembering what she had told me to do if she ever came down here. I stayed quiet, holding my breath - my heart thumping so, so fast. Please let it be her!

“It’s ok, it’s me. I’m going to open the door with the code and we can see” Lorna said

I smiled, rushing to open the door from my side. I grunted as the weight of the door caused me to open it slowly. When I saw Lorna there in front, I walked over and hugged her - the breath wooshing out of me

“I was so scared” I admitted, before moving back

“They left over an hour ago” Lorna said as she motioned for me to follow her

“They?” I asked in confusion

“Chris and another two of the facilities people. One is our friend and part of the group who is trying to help. But the other” Lorna sighed and started climbing up the ladder “Is a sick, mean-”

“Gordon?” I asked, the air leaving my body

“How….yes. Gordon” Lorna said when she looked down at me “Come on, you can move. You have to”

I put one hand in front of the other as I slowly went up the ladder, my arms and legs now feeling like jelly as I thought about who had visited. Finally after a few minutes Lorna went through the opening as Pete helped her out. I felt his arm grab my hand and pull me up - my eyes squinting as the bright light hit my eyes.

As Lorna closed the hatchet and put things into place, I stood frozen in Pete’s arms as shivers worked up and down my body.

“Hey…Hey, Sue? Sue…look at me” Pete said

I heard his voice but I didn’t see him. Instead, images of Gordon came to my mind. Of his face…evil…twisted…angry and lustful. My screams….the blood…the whipping and pain and how he would laugh. Calling me all these names and finding pleasure in my misery until….

I felt myself being shaken before I felt weightless and suddenly I was wet. I blinked rapidly as my nightmare seemed to end from my memories and I felt water running down my hair. I wailed, my old pain and fear rising up as a sob broke from me. I knew Pete held me but the fuzzy sound of voices were in the background and I felt Pete’s rough, manly arms leave before thin womanly arms came around my body. The air left my body as I collapsed against Lorna who was talking to me in a soft and patient voice.

I don’t know how long we stood there, fully clothes and under hot water but I remember eventually feeling the heat and feeling uncomfortable with my wet clothes. I looked towards Lorna and opened my mouth

“I’m sorry” I whisper

Before fainting away.

When I opened my eyes again, I was in bed. I held my breath, scared that everything that had happened - my escape, Lorna and the plan - had been a dream until I felt the long night shirt shift as I moved my legs and I sighed in relief.

“Hey” Lorna said

I moved my eyes to where she was sitting on the single chair with a shawl over her. She got up and came closer to me as I slowly sat up and leaned against the pillows

“How you feeling?” Lorna asked

“I’m sorry” I repeated, feeling embarrassed

“Don’t be” Lorna said, shaking her head

“I….” I couldn't speak and looked down at the bed

“Josh told me” Lorna said quietly as she took my trembling hands in hers

I whipped my head up, my heart in my throat. I couldn’t swallow. I couldn’t breathe. Lorna passed me a glass of water and I realised there was a small tray with medication and sandwiches sitting on the bed side table

“He said that Gordon abused you. Took pride in…harassing you before the doctor came and put an end to it” Lorna said

“I….yes” I said with pain “He..the whips and….blood. I tried to listen but i cried because I missed my mu…mum and d…dad. The…then he…” I sobbed, using one hand to cover my mouth so the sound wouldn’t escape

I heard a growl of anger and looked up to see Pete leaning against the door frame with his arms crossed; pain and pity in his eyes. I couldn’t look at him

“I’m so sorry love” Lorna said with tears in her eyes “Josh didn’t tell me everything…but I can only guess at what you went through”

“W..What happened…when they came?” I asked

“Well I sent you down because I wasn’t sure you wouldn’t have another breakdown and howl or scream. The last couple of times, with neighbours; we were able to say the girls were watching horror movies and had the volume up too loud. That wouldn’t have worked with those guy’s” Lorna said “I made the girls put on an old werewolf movie and the livingroom was made to look like they were having a sleepover. When they arrived, Gordon came stomping in. I think he honestly thought you were just in the cabin out in the open”

“Oh” I said weakly

“When they came in, the girls screamed real loud, acting like they got scared but then giggling. I apologies and said they were obsessed with anything supernatural and into things like twilight, dog soldiers and underworld. Chris acted like it was no big deal but I could tell even he had thought you being here was possible. The girls kept watching the movies until after dinner and at one point it was so loud that another couple who rented out the cabin near our house - were walking, they actually spoke about the noise” Lorna explained

“Oh no” I whispered

“No no” Lorna smiled “that’s a good thing. They just laughed at how obsessed the girls were with horror and scary sounding movies. Chris tried to act smart by asking them if they heard these sounds before and the couple said yes and that these types of movies weren’t their thing. They only spoke for a few minutes then left. I’m just glad Saliha had the foresight to put on one of these movies every time you had an episode so to other’s it sounded the same”

“Why did they stay so long?” I asked Lorna, sipping at the water

“Because they were trying to see how we acted. To see if we would get tense or make a mistake. But we didn’t” Pete said as he slowly walked into the room

“Even when they left, we acted normal. Cleaning up and putting things away. Waiting an extra almost two hours before coming down to get you” Lorna said

I looked at the clock and gasped

“It’s almost four am” I said

“It’s ok. We were worried about you” Pete said “Saliha and the girls are asleep but we are ready for leaving tomorrow” Pete said

“I’ve just gotten off the phone to Tim” Josh said, walking into the room “Gordon kept saying to Chris he thinks you are here and Tim voiced his concern about it too before saying he thinks Gordon is still too obsessed with you”

“Josh” I said, smiling

“Hey little bean” Josh said. He walked towards the bed “Can I hug you?”

I nodded, smiling as I felt his arms go around me. When he squeezed a little too tight and I gasped, I heard Pete growl at him and I looked at Pete with surprise

“What the hell man?” Josh said

“That was too tight” Pete growled “And-”

“It’s ok Pete” I said quickly, trying to diffuse the tension

“It’s not ok!” Pete growled “It’s not ok for humans to keep hurting you and you accepting it!”

“Are you fuckin kidding me?” Josh hissed in anger “She’s like a daughter to me!”

“Yea clearly not to all of them!” Pete hissed back

“Ok that’s enough!” Lorna said, standing up

“Please” I whisper “Please…don't fight”

“I never meant to hurt you” Josh said quietly

“I know” I replied

“Ever” Josh responded back “I…tried to stop it. I tried to be there”

“I know” I whispered

Shaking my head I looked at Pete. Whatever he saw in my eyes, he nodded but looked away. Pain clear in his eyes

“I…didn't mean to imply that Josh” Pete said gruffly

“I know mate” Josh said quietly

“To think…I can’t even…” Pete cut off and I tried to smile, feeling both scared and brave

“So everything is set?” I said

“Yea” Pete said, clearing his throat

“Tim covered it well” Josh said, moving the tray of food in front of me “He made Chris consider sending Gordon to site one where the

offices are.”

“He’s not going to like that” I chuckle weakly

“No, he’s not” Josh said with a tight jaw

“We leave at nine am on the dot. I want to get the nine forty five ferry and get off this god-damned island as soon as we can” Pete growled out

“At least it won’t look weird” Josh said “Because in the past, apart from a couple of times when you have gotten the afternoon ferry, it has always been the ones before lunch”

“Well, everything is set” Lorna said “Let’s just pray it all goes to plan”

“It will” Pete said “I’ll make sure of it”

“So will I” Josh said, nodding at Pete

I polished off the food and sighed in contentment. I wish I could stay here with Josh and Lorna. I wish I wasn’t being hunted down and could just have a family again. I watched Josh and Pete talk and found myself feeling sleepy.

“Get some rest” Lorna said as she hugged me “It’s going to be a long few days”

I nodded, making my way to the bathroom to do my business and brush my teeth. Once out, I saw that Pete and Josh had left and Lorna was picking up the tray to leave

“I wish I could stay…or that you could come” I said

“I know. Me too” Lorna said with a sad smile “but right now, you are more important”

“We all are” I said with a sigh “None of us are safe”

Nodding, Lorna watched me as I got into bed. She walked to the door and pulled it behind her

“Thank you” I said “I know it can never be enough but still…thank you”

“You’re welcome” Lorna said

She closed the light before closing the door behind her. I heard her walk away, her footsteps echoing behind her as I snuggled down in bed. I don’t know how tomorrow will go or how any of my days will pan out….I just know that I am sad leaving my new family. I always only had Raine and the rest of our mixed shifter pack. I never thought I would consider a human family as my own but now…. Leaving here….leaving them was breaking my heart.

I closed my eyes and felt the telling signs of tears gathering and spilling from my eyes as I sniffed in the dark….about to lose another family again