Crimson Luna

Chapter Five

I sat in the corner of my cell, it could have been minutes, maybe hours. There was no way for me to know. The dungeon was silent, eerily silent. Austin stayed true to his promise; no one came down, and there was no food or water. But I had expected that. And even though my throat was dry, I still wouldn’t want them to bring me any. I didn’t want them there at all. So I just sat, listening for Bekah. She was still breathing, but she hadn’t woken, and she wouldn’t for a while. I inched my way to the front of the cell to get a glimpse of her; she lay so still on the slab. I sighed at the sight of her black veins, letting me know that the transformation was working. I should have been relieved, but I wasn't. Bekah didn’t deserve this; she would forever be afflicted by this curse. It was different being born a wolf, but to be turned into one? That was hell in and of itself. And yet, regardless of how I felt, Bekah’s transformation would soon be complete. I edged backwards to the wall, leaning my head against the cold stone.

I brought my hands to my face and attempted to change on command, but it didn't work, which meant I still had some time before the herbs wore off. I closed my eyes to rest, to save my energy for when they released me from the cage. I would have to fight my way out and then come back for Bekah later when she recovered. Bekah would be violent at first and wouldn’t remember who she was. All she would know was who her sire was, which in this case would be whoever the Alpha was, since they’d all bitten her. If only one of them had bitten Bekah, then she would be connected to them alone. I closed my eyes and let sleep find me again.

**********

I awoke to loud groans echoing throughout the dungeon. My head jerked towards where Bekah lay on the slab. She was definitely awake now. I slunk back against the wall, keeping my breaths even and quiet. Newborn wolves were extremely strong. Bekah proved that a minute later when she snapped her arm restraints. As she reached for her leg restraints, she seemed to pause. I instinctively held my breath, but I knew it would be pointless. Bekah would be able to smell me. Her head snapped towards my cell, and I watched as Bekah’s urgency to snap her restraints returned. Within seconds, Bekah was at my cell, her hands gripped tightly around the iron bars. I prayed to the moon goddess for them to hold, and luckily, they did. Bekah growled her frustration and continued her assault on the bars.

Bekah let out a gasp as her body jerked, her eyes widening as she turned her body just enough that I could see the dart protruding from her back. My eyes flicked up to find Austin just a few feet behind Bekah, a dart gun in his hands with a grin on his face. Bekah’s body crumpled to the ground, allowing Nolan and Connell to rush in and drag her body out of sight. My heart broke, knowing that I could no longer see her. Once Bekah was gone, Austin slowly walked to my cell.

“Looks like you’re out of time.” He smirked as he raised the gun. Panic flared when I realized he wouldn't be opening the cage and taking my shackles off. Of course, he wouldn’t. How could I be so stupid? There was nothing I could do as he pulled the trigger, the dart embedding itself in my left shoulder, ripping my romper even more than it already was. I lowered myself back to the ground and let the sedative pull me under.

**

The next time I awoke, I found myself alone. I glanced down to find scars along my body already healing. There were no bite marks, which just meant I had already healed them in my slumber. I breathed a sigh of relief that I was alone, that they wouldn’t see my body healing. I tested the restraints on my hands and smiled when they snapped easily. The herbs had worn off, which meant that I had my ability back. Making quick work of unbuckling the restraints around my waist and then my legs, I jumped down from the slab. I listened intently, waiting for the sound of footsteps to rush around the corner, but it was thankfully silent. I walked further into the dungeon and found a small window at the very top of the ceiling. Pushing a black chair in front of the window, I climbed and slowly pushed the window out. I held back a whimper when the window opened silently. I needed to be quick; it wouldn't take long for them to smell me, and I wasn't at my full strength. I pushed myself through the window and recognized the side of the house. If I turned to the right, I would be in the backyard, probably not a good idea with the bar back there. Someone may be up late. I sniffed and found that only three wolves were on watch. I took a deep breath. I could do this.

I started running as fast as I could, straight into the woods. Making sure to watch my steps for roots and branches. I couldn't afford to trip and fall. Within seconds, I not only smelled someone behind me but heard them crashing through the woods behind me. Two of the wolves had heard me and gave chase, the other was likely racing to the house to alert the rest. The two wolves were gaining on me, but I let them move in a little closer, a brown wolf with amber eyes running to my right, and a large grey wolf with black eyes to my left. As they both lunged for me, I jumped as high as I could, shifting mid-air. I had been saving my energy for this moment. I hit the ground hard, my speed picking up, the wolves growled viciously, seeing my form. It didn’t matter that the herbs wore off, that I had my shifting abilities back. I was still weak from days of captivity, and I could feel my energy waning. The grey wolf was catching up, and I swerved, jumping at the last moment. I was glad I did because the wolf, so intent on capturing me, didn’t notice the trap hole in the ground until it was too late. I heard it yelp as it crashed into the hole. The brown wolf howled in response and picked up its pace, and within a second, more howls pierced the silence.

The scent of a neighboring wolf pack hit my nostrils, about a hundred feet away, and I pushed my body as hard as I could. My paws slamming into the forest floor below me. My panting fast and hard as my body wore itself down. I didn’t even know the other pack, didn’t know if they were safe, but I didn’t have a choice. If I were caught now, I would be killed or returned back home, and that couldn’t happen. The brown wolf was on my heels as I reached the last twenty feet, but when I was close to the border, it skidded and tumbled over itself trying to stop. I used the last of my power as I flung myself across the territory line. The brown wolf stalked closer and howled in frustration. Several pack members rushed from the trees and stopped at the invisible boundary line. Their snouts were in the air sniffing, and they growled in anger. They could smell me, but they couldn’t see me. I was grateful for my invisibility for once; if I’d had just a little more energy, they wouldn't even be able to smell me.

My body tensed when I smelled the incoming wolves from the new territory. I raised my hands up in surrender and let my power go, rendering myself visible again. A large black wolf slowly stalked from the trees and stepped towards me, its gold eyes flicking between me and the angry pack on the other side. I sensed more wolves lining up behind me, hidden in the trees, ready to attack should I prove to be a threat. It didn’t take me long to see that the black wolf must be the Alpha. I slowly lowered myself down until my head was touching the ground. I lifted my head slowly, just in time to see the chocolate-colored wolf shift; standing in its place was Austin.

“She is ours, give her back and there won’t be any trouble,” Austin explained, his irritation visible in the way he stood. His hands clenched into fists at his side, and his lips stretched thin. I raised my brows at his tone. I knew he was elevated somewhere in the pack, but I also knew that he wasn’t the Alpha and was risking his neck for what? For me? The black wolf whipped its head towards Austin and snarled. One second I was staring at the wolf, my body tensed to run should a fight break out, the next I reared back in shock at how fast the wolf shifted into a man. I instinctively kept my eyes above waist level, and they widened when I noticed how handsome he was. I mentally smacked myself. That's what got me into trouble in the first place. But I couldn’t help but stare at him. His thick black hair shone in the glare of the moonlight, and he was buff, his muscles a stark contrast from Austin’s smaller ones. My eyes trailed down his bare chest to the V of his waist, not daring to roam any lower. But it was his eyes that caused my breath to catch; they were still glowing even in his human form, and they were golden. His skin was kissed by the sun, even in the dark of the night. Yes, he was very handsome indeed.

“She doesn’t smell like yours.” The Alpha observed, his deep voice spoke in an even tone, as if he were unbothered by the small pack gathered along his border. He crossed his arms in front of his chest, standing with his feet shoulder-width apart. A fighting stance that even I noticed did nothing to ease my nerves. Austin’s face contorted, furious with the Alpha’s disinterest.

“She was in the process of being changed, and we weren’t aware that she was already a wolf. She injured one of ours, so if you want to avoid bloodshed, then hand her over.” Austin growled. My heart stopped for just a beat. I didn’t know the pack laws in the area, could they claim me? I turned my gaze to the Alpha. I wouldn’t beg that wasn’t who I was, but I wouldn’t go back either. He never turned his gaze to mine; instead, he held out a hand and waited as someone brought him some clothes. He slowly dressed before he walked towards me. My mind reeled, and my body tensed. Was he going to toss me back over the line? He stuck his hand out, and I flinched. But he wasn’t grabbing me; he was waiting patiently. Relief flooded me as I took his hand and let him pull me up. His eyes bore into mine for a long moment before he spoke.

“How did you end up here?” He asked softly, his voice a gentle caress.

“They were having a party, kidnapped my human friend, changed her, then attempted to change me, but I escaped.” The corner of his lip tipped up as if to say, obviously, and I held back a smile of my own.

“Why couldn’t they sense you?” His brows lowered in confusion and hesitation. I sighed.

“I’ve been taking herbs to hide it.” I forced. I hated that I was forced to give up my secret, but I didn’t have a choice. Either I could be honest and see where that leads, or I could be tossed back over the line to a pack of wolves that wanted nothing more than to tear me apart. I just needed safe passage long enough to heal and regain my strength so that I could get Bekah out of there. I was NOT going to leave her there, with them. The Alpha's eyes bore into my own, calculating. He turned towards Austin.

“She was a wolf before you attempted to claim her, meaning she already belongs to a pack and it's not yours. Better to cut your losses now than for her pack to learn what you’ve done.” The Alpha dismissed Austin and turned to leave, gently wrapping his fingers around my upper arm to guide me along.

“Like hell I will!” Austin roared and took a step towards the line. It was clear in his expression that he intended to take me back, no matter the cost. The Alpha next to me surged towards the edge, blocking my view of Austin. The other wolves finally ventured from the trees and formed a line just behind the Alpha. By my count, this Alpha greatly outnumbered Austin’s side of the line.

“Go ahead and cross the line, pup. And you’ll soon find your head on a pike.” The threat in the Alpha’s tone was unmistakable. For a split second, I wondered just how powerful this pack was, but I shook the thought from my head. It didn’t matter, because I would be leaving soon.

Austin stared at the Alpha before finally deciding not to take his chances tonight.

“I’ll be back.” He spat at the ground before shifting back into his wolf and fleeing the way he came.

“Thank you, Alpha,” I murmured and bowed my head in respect. I was just grateful that he didn’t toss my ass back over the line, but he didn’t looka t me. He just gestured to another man who sidled up next to me.

“Get her to the house for some food and rest.” He ordered the man beside me. My shoulders dropped; it looked like I wasn’t going to be welcome for long.

“Yes, Alpha.” The man agreed as he gestured for me to follow him.