CHAPTER 002
1277 Words
Trapped in Ember Falls
Two Years Earlier…
At first, everything seemed fine.
The soft mattress embraced my body which rested under multiple layers of warm blankets. The reduced throbbing in my wounds indicated they had mostly healed. I had cleaned up and put on unfamiliar yet comfortable clothing. For just two seconds I experienced relief until reality crashed down on me.
Someone had changed my clothes.
An immediate unease gripped my stomach when I sat up while my fingers gripped the delicate cloth covering me. The nightgown I wore was made from extremely thin fabric which allowed too much visibility through its lace design. My jaw tightened.
Who had dressed me? And why this?
I tried to see the room around me yet found myself enveloped by complete darkness that obscured my vision as if a dense fog had taken hold. My wolf's acute senses failed to penetrate the darkness. Something wasn’t right.
A sound. A door creaking open.
An imposing figure occupied the doorway while light created a silhouette behind him. The shape was unmistakably male. My breath caught in my throat and I automatically pulled back while I wrapped the blanket more tightly around my chest.
A soft click sounded before light completely flooded the room. After allowing my eyes time to adapt to the light I saw a face I only partially remembered.
Alpha Callum.
I exhaled slowly. I ought to have felt protected because the Alpha of Ember Falls was supposed to watch over refugees like myself. I felt an unsettling sensation crawl all over my skin whenever I looked at him.
He lifted his hands while maintaining a cautious distance from the bed. "Hey, it's okay. Your movement alerted me to your presence and led me to believe you might need answers. I’m here to help."
I didn’t respond immediately. Instead, I studied him. His golden blonde hair contrasted with his piercing blue eyes which seemed to analyze everything around him. Tall. Muscular. His appearance was the type that typically made women fall head over heels. I did not share the same reactions as most women because my instincts demanded that I remain alert.
His eyes sparkled with amusement which caused my hand to grip the blanket more tightly.
"Wh… Where am I?" I managed to stammer. "Where are my clothes? What happened with the bears?"
I couldn't stop the flood of questions that erupted from me.
Callum raised a hand. "Whoa, slow down." He paused to give me a moment to recover my breath before responding. Initially my warriors eliminated the bear threat following your trail. The threat that endangered you has disappeared although I wish my warriors had reached you before it happened. You’re safe here. You’ve found refuge inside Ember Falls' pack house. As for your clothes…" He hesitated. The girl who looked after you reported that you arrived without any clothing. She couldn't find appropriate clothing for you so she gave you one of her slips while searching for something better.
I swallowed hard. While I don't recall how I lost my clothes I know I had been running to save my life. Still, none of this felt right.
Callum said that we would need to address any remaining questions at a later time. "You need food. And more rest."
He pointed at a corner table loaded with steaming food dishes. My stomach contracted from the realization of its emptiness. It had been so long since I last ate a full meal.
Still, I didn’t move.
Callum started toward the bed. My muscles became rigid while every nerve in my body entered an intense state of alertness. He held out his hand, expectantly.
I didn’t take it.
I pushed my body against the headboard while my fingers clutched the blanket as if it was a lifeline.
His face showed no emotion while he caught my wrist to lift me to my feet with ease. "You need to eat. I won’t harm you."
My breath hitched. I attempted to pull my arm free but his hold was solid and unrelenting although not causing pain. A quick pull made me trip forward but I managed to regain my balance. The blanket slipped. I felt panic surge through my body as I reached for the pillow but Callum swiftly removed it from my hand and threw it onto the bed as if it held no value.
"Sit down," he commanded while leading me to the chair.
I hesitated. My stomach churned as his gaze moved across my body in a way that seemed to measure and evaluate me.
Callum guided me to sit down gently then occupied the seat opposite me while he leisurely twirled his pasta around his fork. The aroma of oregano mixed with garlic caused my stomach to rumble.
But something was off.
My plate was missing.
I started to speak but Callum stretched his arm over the table to hold my chin while he lifted my face to establish eye contact.
"You need to eat," he repeated.
The pasta fork approached my mouth.
I jerked my head back. "I can feed myself."
His eyes held mine. "I know you can."
Yet he still brought the fork forward. I ceased my resistance when he utilized the space between my lips to push the food past them.
I sputtered, but swallowed.
"See?" Callum smirked. "That wasn’t so hard."
I glared at him. "Stop it."
"Eat first. Then we’ll talk."
He paid no attention to my steaming expression while he continued to deliver bite after bite to me. I gripped my knees tightly while feeling deeply embarrassed. His gaze darted across my body while he maintained control over the situation which made me feel insignificant and powerless.
I hated it.
After finishing his meal he reclined contentedly. "Good. Now let’s get you to bed."
I shot up from the chair. "I can walk by myself."
My knees buckled after I had taken only one step. My legs flared with sharp pain which revealed that my wounds beneath my skin were still in the healing process. I wobbled, cursing under my breath.
Before I could regain my footing Callum appeared beside me.
One of his arms reached under my knees while the other wrapped around my back. My body pressed against his chest when he lifted me effortlessly causing me to gasp. The scent of cedarwood mixed with a predatory aroma surrounded him.
I tensed. "Put me down."
"You're trembling," Callum said as he transported me to the bed. "Stop fighting me."
He covered me with the blankets and pulled them around me as if I needed protection like a fragile object.
My jaw clenched. "I’m not weak."
Callum smirked while he brushed my hair from my face. "I never said you were."
His steady gaze caused my muscles to freeze. A brief flicker crossed his face that defied my ability to identify but nonetheless triggered my distrust. He stepped back from me as quickly as he had appeared and started walking toward the exit.
"Get some rest," he murmured. You should wake up completely rejuvenated and ready to perform at your best.
Lights turned off and the door snapped shut after him.
Darkness swallowed the room once more.
Staring up at the ceiling I lay as my mind raced with thoughts. Every aspect of his behavior including his food choices and clothing seemed intentionally planned. Like I was being tested. Or worse, prepared.
Was I safe here?
The covers felt too heavy. The air too thick. My eyes struggled to remain open against exhaustion yet my body refused to cooperate. Sleep gradually enveloped me before I could formulate any answer
- Writer
