Moon Child

Captive

- Selena Rhys -

We stayed silent for the rest of the drive. We stopped at gas stations for a couple of times and took short breaks but before I knew it, it was already dark out. We then entered a city that has so many night lights. I looked in awe at what I saw. There were tall buildings made of glass. There are a lot of people walking at the side of the streets. And it was also noisy with all the cars honking in the busy freeway.

We took a left turn going into the hill beside the city. The way was surrounded by trees and there was no other vehicles on the road aside from us. Adam rode ahead of us while the pick-up truck where Alex got on was behind us. There was a huge gate at the end of the road which says. Private Property

I thought we finally arrived at the place we’re staying but we rode for at least about 30 more minutes before we reached a mansion made of marble and stones. Huge was an understatement. The whole lawn was landscaped beautifully and two pine crest trees guarded the entrance to the mansion. There was a lap pool in the front and there’s a gazebo on its side. We stopped right in front of the entrance of the mansion and Calum went inside without another word, leaving me alone in the car. A man in his 50s wearing a white long-sleeved polo and black vest opened the door for me. I smiled a thank you to him as I went out of the car.

“Selena, come with me” Alex said without looking at me. He went straight inside the mansion and I stumbled to keep up with him. I think something’s wrong with him. We walked silently through the long hallways. The floor was made of wood with intricate patterns and the walls were painted elegantly white. The ceiling was adorned by chandeliers, too many to count. There was a door at the end of the hallway. He opened it and it led to a small staircase down. As soon as we entered, the atmosphere quickly changed from bright to eerie.

“Alex” I called out to him because I felt scared. But he didn’t respond.

Two men were waiting for us at the bottom of the staircase. Alex stopped walking and I stopped as well. I saw him nod at them and the men began to approach me. I panicked. I felt so scared. What's happening?

“Alex, what are you… what are you doing?” I asked him but he didn’t turn around to look at me. The two men held each of my arms and opened a rusty metal door at Alex’ side. They threw me in and locked the door behind me.

“Alex!” I screamed at him. I know he’s there. Why isn’t he talking to me.

“Why are you doing this to me, Alex! I thought –“ I sobbed. I thought I could trust you. I wanted to tell him. But I couldn’t. I felt naïve and stupid. I shouldn’t have been so trusting. It’s my fault, this is my fault. I looked at the room behind me. The whole prison was made of hard, cold stone. There was a small bed on the left side with worn out beddings and a thin blanket. There was no bathroom here. That was one of my main concern. Honestly, I don’t mind being locked up. I’ve been locked up in a way my whole life. Though this is different. Entirely different. I looked up and was somewhat relieved that I could at least get a glimpse of the moon from here. There was a small window that is barely the size of a book at the highest part of the wall.

The bed creaked as I sat on it. I’ll be turning 16 tomorrow. Dolores and I planned a lot for that day. She promised that she’d bake the cake she used to bake for me on my birthdays. We also planned to visit the town on the evening since there will be a festival on that day as well. It would have been my first visit to the town with Dolores. My tears started falling. I hugged Dolores’ scarf, feeling homesick. I miss my quiet life in the forest.

- Calum Beckett –

“Calum, can’t you please reconsider this” Alex pleaded for the nth time. This is the first time Alex ever barged into my bedroom. He stood near the balcony as I lit a cigar near the fireplace.

“Why can’t you let this go? We’ve talked about this already” I told him, exasperated at his persistence. There was another knock on my door and I found the rest of my pack. They were surprised to see Alex was already inside but they waited until I let them in. I sighed and left the door open as I went back to my couch near the fireplace.

“I can’t believe we’re having a meeting inside my bedroom. AT THIS HOUR. But say your piece and go.” I ordered them.

“Alpha, we’re sorry to bother you but first, let me clarify that we didn’t plan this, James, Adam, and I…Uhh, just happened to meet each other on the way here. I guess, we were all thinking the same thing” Gunner said as he looked at each of them for approval.

“Alpha, I know that we’ve spent almost five years hunting the silver child. And you… probably more. But. She’s just a child and she doesn’t seem to be that bad. I can’t explain it but, Alex, help me out here.” Adam stopped and looked at Alex.

Alex sighed.

“Look, Calum. Dolores is one of your family’s most trusted aid. And somehow, she’s the one left caring for Selena. Don’t you think there’s some kind of connection here? Don’t you think there’s more to the story than what we know of? So, all we’re saying is, why don’t we try finding out the truth first before we do anything we can’t undo later” Alex tried to convince me and he certainly know who to mention. I know he had a point. It’s also been bugging me the whole time. There were a lot of questions in my head but I can’t be indecisive about this.  

“What do you propose?” I asked them.

“Let us dig into this. Find out more about the connection between Dolores and your family. Why she hid and took care of the silver child” James said.

“Alright” I said and all of them looked hopeful.

“You can search all you want. Do what you must, I won’t stop you. But. If you don’t find anything until the next full moon. We go ahead as planned.” I said before I dismissed them. Adam tried to appeal but that’s it. I can’t be swayed now. My wolf has been angry at me since I decided to lock her up in the dungeon. Why is everyone trying to get in my way?

I took a glass of whiskey and went out the balcony. Something felt off. I admit it. I never imagined that my old nanny would be connected to the silver child. And I never felt my wolf react so violently before. Like it wanted to tear me to pieces for treating her like this. He’s shouting something at me but I just can’t hear it.