WINTER'S BROKEN MATE

EPISODE 9

In the time Casey had been with Damien, she hadn’t been allowed outside; it was his punishment for her trying to reject him. Casey mused that his ego was bruised; if she could only find a way to hurt him, rather than just bruise his ego.

“Hurry, we’re going out.” Maia said the instant she swung the door open. Maia was the only person she’d seen or talked to in her dreadful time there, she’d caught a glimpse of a man with chocolate brown hair a few times, but she’d never spoken to him, he’d had kind eyes.

“What?”

“The alpha decided to allow you out on the grounds today, I am to show you around.”

“Are you sure you spoke to the ‘Alpha’” Casey joked.

“Well, if he’s a clone, we’d better hurry before the real one shows up!” Casey just adored Maia, and her wicked wit was one of her favorite things about her friend.

“Never kick a gift in its face and all that?” Casey said a glint in her eye that Maia had never seen.

With a sly smile, “something like that, now do you want to go?”

“Hell yeah!” Casey grabbed Maia’s arm and they were out of the door.

“Maybe I should be the one leading the way?” Maia chuckled, “I mean, you not knowing where you are going and all.” Casey huffed, but let Maia show her where they were going.

They went out the door, and Maia showed her the training grounds. Were these even wolves? The ones training in their wolves were big, very big even by wolf standards. The ones in human form moved more like vampires than werewolves. Are they on steroids or something? Casey wondered, like she’d read her mind, Maia said, “Super soldier training, werewolf edition.” She stated.

“Oh,” Casey slurred, “they are huge, like really huge!”

“The Alpha started a regimen for his warriors to follow a couple of years ago, a gruesome borderline psychopathic training process that they must undergo if they are to be in his pack. All the Winter Alphas use it.”

“Why psychopathic?”

“What?” Maia said quizzically.

“You said the regimen was ‘borderline psychopathic’, why psychopathic?”

“Uhm, I just mean it's brutal. More than a few wolves have died training on that regimen, some just from exhaustion. I, for one, believe it's cruel.”

“Well, leave it to Damien to find the worst way possible to train his wolves,” Casey said unsurprised. It was right up his alley, the cruelty screaming Damien Winter like a banshee. They continued to walk for a long while; a few people said hi to them. While most of the girls sneered when she passed, the men regarded her with curiosity. After what seemed like forever, Maia took her to a greenhouse. Casey felt the ground beneath her root, her soul to her body. For the first time in a long time, she felt like she was living. She felt at home here.

“Are you happy here?”

“More than you would know, thank you Maia.” Casey said as she hugged her friend. Maia smiled; she’d brought her friend happiness in this place; friend. Maia had never had a friend before, but now that she did, she would make sure that at least she got to be happy.

As they pulled apart, Casey said, “You know I wanted to study landscaping? Aha,” Casey nodded, “I wanted to make the most beautiful of gardens, all over the world.” She continued as she walked into the garden, “I love flowers.” Casey whispered to herself rather than to Maia, who had a huge grin planted on her face.

“Back home, did you have a garden?” Maia inquired.

“A small one,” Casey said with a smile as wonderful memories wrapped her in warmth.

“But my pride and joy were Thurston’s Garden. I worked on it with him and his gardener for as long as I can remember.”

“Who’s Thurston?”

Casey smiled fondly, “A friend,” she stated simply, “A good friend.” She whispered. Casey picked up a marigold flower and silent grief washed over her.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes, yes I am.” Casey said, “For the first time in a long time, I am alright.” The two girls smiled at each other.

“So, I guess if I leave you here for a while, you’ll be quite alright? I’d like to finish up on some chores I have back at the house.”

“Yes, go. I’ll be just fine.” Casey smiled as a huge grin adorned her features.

“Ok, don’t leave. I’ll be back in a while.” Casey just nodded; her whole being lost in the garden. Maia walked away silently, not wanting to break the spell cast on her friend by this place. It seemed Casey had forgotten where she was, for as long as she could Maia would let her forget, she’d allow her friend that peace. Before she left, Maia took one last look at Casey, and she beamed. Casey was so immersed in the garden; happy and free. Maia knew it was worth the terrifying morning she’d had when she went to beg Damien to allow Casey outside. It was well worth it; Maia took one last look at Casey and went about her day.