The Alpha and the Kitten

2

Denys

Saera watched him. He had never shown any interest in any prisoner brought to the medical centre before. He stepped closer to the young girl, now sleeping peacefully on the bed. Her wrists were red and raw from her efforts to attempt to get away.

“What do you think Saera?” Denys asked her softly as he looked down on the girl.

“I think that she needs to be washed, that she has been up to somethings today.” Saera answered. Denys shot her an un-amused look. “Sorry, alpha.

“The girl is obviously traumatised. She woke up not long ago but started to panic, she seemed more terrified than anything else. She did not like having the constraints on, as you can see.” Saera moved over and gently undid one of the constraints. “But this seems to be just one thing. She has marks all over, including more on her wrists. It seems to be that she has been constrained before, and not as gently.”

Denys looked to where Saera’s fingers were and he saw the thin silvery scars on the girls pale skin. “The Cat King said that she was his sister. They share a mother.” He said. “He also said that she was deranged and feeble of the mind.”

“That I doubt. She seemed for afraid, no, afraid doesn’t cover it. She was petrified. It was like she needed to flee.”

“Well, we have no answers until she starts to communicate.”

Saera nodded. “If she does.”

“Tell me when she wakes, and for the sake of mercy take them off.” He indicated the constraints and left.

This girl puzzled him. Her king said that she had got lost, but no cat ever wandered this far from their lands. Not without good reason. She didn’t look strong enough to be a spy, and those marks on her wrist that Saera had pointed out bothered him. If her brother was their king then she would be their princess, and no princess ever was treated harshly enough to be given these scars.

Melody

Saera was still there when she woke. The woman was humming a little song to herself as she worked. Melody tried to sit up. Saera noticed and wandered over to sit the bed up for her.

“Here little cat.” She said, “How are you feeling?”

Melody looked down at her wrists. The constraints were off and she was now bandaged. She frowned.

“I guess you are hungry?” Saera said. “I sent someone to get you some food. And the Alpha wants to talk to you.”

Melody’s interest was now piqued. She had managed to get to the wolf settlement. She was safe. For now. She watched as Saera flitted around the room. She seemed to be some kind of doctor. It was quiet in here. And still so bright.

“So. You are awake then.” A male voice said from the doorway. Melody flinched, and looked over.

Denys

She looked over. Denys saw her eyes for the first time. Suddenly nothing else mattered. He was unable to look away from her. Saera had been right, there was something in her gaze that was deeper then fear. She was terrified of something, and he felt himself mentally promising her that he would do anything to stop that fear. He would stop anything from hurting her ever again.

“What is your name?” He asked. She bit her bottom lip, then used her hands to sign. He forced himself to look away from her face. “Do we have anyone that can understand that?” He asked Saera, she shrugged and left, no doubt to find out.

“How old are you, little cat.”

Melody held up her fingers, flashing a ten and then putting another eight up after. Her little finger on her right hand was shorter. Denys frowned and took those few steps to be near her, grabbing her hand in both of his. Melody flinched away and tried to pull her hand out of his grasp. Denys studied her finger. It was obviously cut, the skin folded back and cleanly sewn. It had happened a while ago and he let her hand go. Melody shrunk back away from him.

“I apologise.” Denys found himself saying. “I am finding myself more and more intrigued about you. Your brother spoke to me.”

He watched as the girl flinched back, her terror made him frown.

“He wants you back, do you wish to go?”

She shook her head. A more definite answer could not have been given.

“You are in the lands of the Damson Woods Pack. Are you willing to stay?” He found himself hoping beyond hope that she would answer with nothing but a yes. He couldn’t bear the idea that she would want to be anywhere else.

Too slowly for him, she nodded.