Through the Emerald Forest

Chapter 9 His Plan

            ***A few hours earlier***

    Collin is pissed. He storms out of the pack-house, slamming the door behind him. He huffed down to his car and started driving.

    *How dare she? How dare she question what I want to do?* He was snarling. He sped down the road towards the town. The only thing on his mind now is drinking. It made Khol roll his eyes. Collin and Ashley had been arguing again. This time it had been about Amethyst and why she was locked in the cellar. Ashley thinks, with that tiny brain of hers, that Amethyst should just be gotten rid of and everything would be fine. Khol has hated Ashley from the moment he joined Collin's existence. Khol has stopped trying to talk Collin out of associating himself with her. Collin does what he wants and there is little anyone else can do or say that will change his mind.

    After driving for about 20 minutes, Collin parks the car in front of a club in town. Music could be heard pouring out of the building even before Collin opened the front door. Khol whined slightly causing Collin to roll his eyes before heading inside the building. He sits at the bar and starts drinking and hitting on the female bartender.

    **After about an hour and a half**

    Collin was drunk. He had been drinking double whiskies nonstop since he sat down at the bar. Khol was getting impatient. Something felt off to him, like they needed to get back to the house. Collin ignored Khol's growls and ordered another drink. Collin's goal was to just keep drinking. The itch in the back of Khol's thoughts grew stronger, more urgent. It was a scratching and it bothered Khol.

    -We really should go back to the pack-house. I feel like something is wrong.- Khol tried to reason with Collin again.

    --NO! I don't want to go back yet. I'm perfectly fine right here with my drink.-- Collin snapped at Khol. Collin has been very hostile with his wolf for a while now. Ever since he found his mate and rejected the thought of it. Khol growls in his head. Collin ignores him and orders another drink. Khol just blocks him out.

    The pressure Khol feels increases just before he hears a faint, panicked call in his mind. The musical sound of the voice instantly put Khol on edge. It was faint and broken up ~You must help...two...wolfsbane....~ The voice faded almost as soon as it appeared. The urgency in the few words that Khol could make out made his hair stand on end. He unblocks Collin in small hope that he'll listen. Khol finds that Collin is extremely drunk so he pushes for control. Collin hardly fights at all and just seems to black out.

    Khol stands quickly dropping a large amount of cash on the bar to cover the tab that Collin had undoubtedly racked up. Khol headed out the door quickly and walked to the car that was parked nearby he put the key on the seat and added Collins phone and shirt. He locked the door and closed it. He jogged away from the car to the edge of the wood behind the club.

    He moved deeper into the woods making sure he was out of sight of the buildings. He stripped out of his pants and underwear then bundled them up into an easy to grab parcel. He then shifted, the breaking of his bones echoing slightly in the quiet woods. After a moment a large black as night wolf stood where a man had been. He shook out his fur and put his nose to the air to gain his bearings then quickly grabbed the parcel he created and sprinted off in the direction of the pack-house.

    He was running full out for about 10 minutes when he finally showed up to the pack house he quickly sniffed the air and growled slightly. He could smell 3 different scents near the cellar door that shouldn't be down there. He shifted back quickly and pulled on the pants he had been carrying. He let his aura loose; it seeped ahead of him past the cellar door and down the stairs. He swung open the door, not caring that it smashed against the wall. He could sense the figures down in the cells stop what ever they were doing as    he descended down the stairs.

    He was halfway down when he just stopped in his tracks. The sight he in front of him just made his blood boil. He now knew who the voice that was faintly pleading for help. He saw two of the guards holding a limp Amethyst. A deep angry growl echoed throughout the cellar causing all eyes to snap to him. He saw Amethysts eyes flutter slightly at the sight of him before closing entirely. Her face and neck were red and her clothes were torn from her body. Both of the guards had their d***s out. When they saw who was standing at the stairs, their faces paled. A shuffling in the cell next to where the guards were caught Khol's full attention. Ashley was trying to disappear into the corner.

    "Get out" Khol snarled in her direction. Ashley straightened up and sauntered towards him. She tried to slide her hands around him but he growled harshly. She whined slightly

    "Collin, we were just having fun. She's just a stupid runt. I don't understand..." She started to say smugly until his growl cut her off. She shrank away from him.

    "Collin isn't here right now. You may have him wrapped around your nasty finger but not me. I see through your crap. GET OUT NOW!" Khol snapped at her. She slunk away upstairs.  Khol turned to the guards who were frozen in place. His eyes fell on Amethyst, laying unconscious on the ground; it made his blood boil. He walks over to the cell, his hands shifting into claws: sharp and wicked looking. He grabbed both guards by the neck and tore out their throats. The hot blood dripping down his arms and pooling on to the floor.

    He took a deep breath then checked over Amethyst. A small sense in relief flooded his system when he saw she was alright and the now dead guards hadn't the chance in completing the task they were keen on when he arrived. He grabbed the terribly thin blanket and covered her naked body up then very gingerly picked her up off the ground. His mind was racing as he looked around the dark cellar. He headed up the stairs to the outside and walked the short distance to the small building that used to be her home before Collin made her move into the small closet of a room then the cellar.

    The small house was still vacant nothing had been moved out of it and no one needed the space. Khol quickly and carefully entered the house and laid Amethyst down on the couch. He sighed and stepped into the small bathroom to take a very quick shower to wash the blood from his arms. when he was done he drew a warm bath and went back and carefully brought Amethyst. He washed her carefully, delicately. He dried her off then after digging through the drawers and the closet carefully dressed her in a nightgown that seemed too small for her small frame. He laid her down in the bed before walking out into the living room. The wolfsbane she was injected with would keep her out for the night. He left his pants in the living room and took the key for the house. Locking the door behind him he jogged to the garage to grab the spare for the car he had left in town. After grabbing the keys and tying them to a string together he shifted and ran back into town to retrieve the car.

    He arrived at the edge of the woods near where he left the car. He checked to make sure that no one was near and shifted quickly. He slipped into the pair of boxer he had brought with him and dashed to the car. He slid into the vehicle and checked the phone that he had left. He had an idea on the run over and needed to make a car. He sighed heavily when he realized that the phone was dead. He turned on the car and plugged the phone in. He pulled the gym bag out of the back seat and was relieved to find a clean pair of gym shorts, a shirt and a pair of shoes. He slipped them on and started driving down the road. After a few miles he saw a gas station. He decided to stop and check on the charge of the phone. It had some charge; enough for what Khol needed at least. He quickly dialed a number and hoped, hoped the person he was calling would answer. After several rings, Khol briefly wondered if it was too late. it was well after dark already. Suddenly the phone picked up.

    "Alpha Collin. Why are you calling me?" The voice on the other side of the call sounded annoyed.

    "Conrad. It's not Collin but Khol." Khol started nervously. It had been years since last they spoke. Khol memorized Conrad's number from his file before Collin had burned it. "I need your help"

    "Khol? Collins wolf? What happened and how can i help you?" Conrad's voice went from annoyed to concerned. Khol took a deep breath and then told Conrad everything that had happened since they last interacted and how much he was in pain every day. His voice cracked and faltered when he got to what happened that night. He had to move the phone away from his ear as Conrad or Pitch, he couldn't quite tell, roared loudly.

    "Now that you are caught up, I need to get her away from here. I need to make sure she stays safe. If she remains any longer, I fear that Collin will do something truly terrible once she turns 18." Khol finished the tale with his concern. "If i remember correctly her birthday is soon. If you are truly willing to help, can you take her away? Keep her safe from him." Khol finally said the one thing that he really didn't want to have happen. He didn't want Amethyst to leave. She was his mate but it is duty to protect her, even from himself. Conrad was silent for several minutes.

    "Her birthday is tomorrow." Conrad said quietly. Khol felt himself go pale. That was too soon, he had hoped for a little longer. "I would be honored to keep her safe. We would need to act quickly. You can't keep Collin suppressed for too much longer. Collin has forbidden me from entering his territory, while I know you and him technically are one and the same, I am afraid that if I come and get Amethyst directly he will retaliate. We need a place she can go and I will meet her there."

    "I think...I think there is a meadow about five miles west of the territory's western boarder. I can direct her there in the morning. On foot it would take several hours to reach. I'm not sure if she is in condition to shift." Khol said thinking back to when he was ranging late one night a few years ago. He had come across a very pleasant meadow that put him at ease when he entered it.

    "I believe I know of where you speak." Conrad said quickly, catching Khol by surprise. "It is a long story that maybe someday I will be able to share but right now I will need to go. It is quite a distance even for me to  travel." Khol found himself nodding.

    "I need to get back to Amethyst. She is safe for the moment. Thank you Conrad." Khol spoke quickly before hanging up the call. He then went into the store and bought some food and drinks. While he was there he saw a backpack. He bought that as well. When he was satisfied with his choices he hopped back in the car and rushed back to the pack house.

    He arrived back at the pack-house and parked the car in its spot near the garage. He quickly grabbed the bags and headed to the small house he left Amethyst in.  He checked the time as he was unlocking the door. It was already 1am. Khol opened the door and had to stop in his tracks. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath in. The previously faint scent of wildflowers had exploded like a field in full bloom. It was amazing and heartbreaking. Khol heard a faint sob come from the bedroom. He realized it was Amethyst and quickly shut and locked the front door. He set the items he brought in with him down on the kitchen counter then headed to the bedroom door.

    He knocked gently. He heard her shift around in the room. Khol knew that his presence in the room may upset her; after all Collin has not been kind to her at all. And though HE would never harm her or wish for anything bad to happen to her, they share the same face and body. He realized she stopped crying and he could feel her presence near the door.

    "Amethyst." Khol spoke softly, "I don't want you to worry or freak out. My name is Khol."

    "I know who you are." Amethyst responded quietly. Khol strained to hear her. "W-what..what happened? The last thing i remember is...A-ashley and T-t-two.." Her voice was shaky and she took a deep breath. "two guards in my cell. Then a pain in my neck and then...then" She stops suddenly and starts sobbing. Khol couldn't help himself, he let out a small whine. Amethyst started opening the door but Khol quickly grabbed the handle.

    "I'm sorry but i have to warn you first. You may not like what I look like but i swear to you I will never harm you." Khol was worried the fact that he looked like one of her tormentors that she wouldn't trust him. "I-i am..." Khol took a deep breath before starting again. "My name is Khol. I am Collin's wolf."

    Amethyst stopped pulling on the door.  Khol closed his eyes and waited. While he waited he noticed her scent change. It was very subtle but it flickered between Amethyst's scent and two others. It confused him greatly. After a few moments he hear her voice softly through the door.

    "It's ok. I think I can handle it." At her words Khol let the handle of the door go. Amethyst pulled the door open and stood in front of him. Her scent washed over him; there was no longer any doubt that she was his mate and that made what had to happen that much harder. She blinked in surprise. "Y-you're my m-mate" Her voice was soft. All Khol could do was nod. Her voice became angry. "How long? How long did he know? How could he know and he still.." She trailed off as tears fell down her face. Khol sighed heavily.

    "Yes, We are mates. The day we turned 18, I knew. Collin...he was always in denial. He would always tell me he didn't want a mate. We fought constantly. It killed me every time he would do something to hurt you, or be with that slut." Khol told Amethyst honestly. He motioned out to the living room and grabbed one of the sandwiches he purchased. He held the sandwich out to Amethyst. "Please eat this we have a lot to discuss and I'm sure you are still very tired." Amethyst nodded, taking the sandwich and sat on the couch next to Khol. She took a big bite of the sandwich and closed her eyes, chewing slowly. She waved at Khol as if to say 'continue'. It made him smile.

    "Just before the sun comes up, I want to help you leave." Amethyst choked slightly on the bite of food. Khol reached over and patted her on the back. "I know it seems sudden but I have been thinking about it non-stop for a long time. As much as I want you to be my mate, to have you here with me, I can not keep you safe, not from Collin." Khol spoke quickly, hating ever word he had to say. She sat there quietly thinking over ever word he said. She closed her eyes and sighed. After a few minutes she opened them back up and spoke.

    "I understand. You are thoughtful. You saved me. My only question.." Amethyst starts nervously. Khol knows the question she's going to ask and puts his hand on hers.

    "In the morning, before we part ways.... I'm going to ask... you.." Khol swallows hard the words catching in his throat. "I'm going to ask you to reject me." He says it quietly, tears falling from his eyes. It is in his heart the last thing that he wants to have happen but he also knows that if they don't reject each other then no matter how far she would run Collin could find her and potentially hurt her. He glanced up at her to see her eyes were full of tears. "It is the only way I can make sure you stay safe. I need you to be safe."

    Amethyst nods through the tears. She yawns and rubs at her eyes. It was late and she was still exhausted from this past evening. She crumpled up the paper from the sandwich. Khol reaches his hand out and takes the paper. "Go lay down. I need to stay up." Amethyst raised an eyebrow in confusion. It made Khol chuckle. "Collin is currently blocked out. He has no idea what's going on. Since he's suppressed if I fall asleep I can't be certain when I wake up I'll be in control." Amethyst nods in understanding. She stands carefully before heading towards the bedroom. She looks back.

    "Good night, Khol." She murmurs softly. Khol nods to her. He then leans back on the couch and starts to think. After a few hours he got up and made sure the bag he had bought earlier that evening was packed. He checked the time, it was 5:30am. He didn't want to wake Amethyst but he had to. They needed to leave soon; that way they could miss the western patrol. Even though he was Alpha, he didn't want anyone to ask unnecessary questions to Collin.

    He walked to the bedroom door and knocked gently. After only a few moments a drowsy looking Amethyst opens the door. She takes one look at Khol nods and moves back into the room. After about ten minutes she returns wearing a thin long sleeved shirt and a pair of jeans. Khol nods at her and hands her the pack that still had some room in it. Amethyst took it and moved into the room again and grabbed just a couple of clothing items and stuffed them in the bag before walking out into the living room. She didn't see Khol, she did see the door open. She walked outside to see a large black wolf sitting near the door.

    When he saw her approach he couldn't help but wag his tail. It made her giggle slightly. He stood and walked toward her. When he was in front of her he laid down on the ground and gestured with his fluffy head to his back. She hesitated slightly then slipped the backpack on and climbed onto his back. She gasped in shock when she felt a tingling sensation when her hands ran through his fur. He shook his head slightly as if to say 'hang on'. She tangled her fingers through his fur and tightened her knees.

    Confidant that she had a good grip, he started running.