On the Run

Chapter Three

The corridor walls were adorned with photos of past Leaders and their families, going back only three generations. Presumably when the hunger for power infected Leader’s family line. This was once one of the most prosperous territories, but that changed with the great grandfather of the current Leader. It started as a sanctuary territory for shifters of all types, seeking refuge after being rejected or being outcast from their own territory. There were a myriad of shifters here: bobcats, falcons, coyotes, and even bears. I come from a long line of fox shifters and my husband Colby is…or was a coyote, Amelia is too young to shift. Children gain the ability to shift around five years old. Most shifters find their mates around the ages eighteen to twenty-two years old.

Once the Leader’s great grandfather took his role as Alpha, he began to change things. Their borders closed to any outsiders unless one of the pack member happened to meet their mate while visiting other territories on pack business. That was how I met Colby. He was a personal guard to the former Leader, our current Leader’s father. That should have been my hint at what kind of person he was and the type of life we would have.

I knocked lightly on the Leader’s door. “Get your ass in here and sit the f**k down,” his voice called from the other side of the door.

I managed to open the door and get inside the room quickly but the door handle caught my belt loop. “Why Colby married some pathetic, rejected fox is beyond me,” he commented.

The heat rose in my cheeks again as I detached myself from the door. These people were really testing the amount of self-control I have. At least the insults were hurled at me instead of my child this time. I to be able to withstand anything they had to say about us. If I lose control, who would be there to protect Amelia?

His office had a heavy, damp, and musty scent. The smell was nauseating to me, it was apparent by the way Amelia was breathing in through her mouth and out through her nose buried in my shirt that she found the reptilian scent off putting as well.

Realizing I wasn’t going to react to his insult, he continued, “I’ve decided to let you remain here, on one condition, you are to be added to our new breeding program.”

“A b-breeding program?” I struggled to get out.

Was this what Colby is being killed for? Did Colby oppose this and get jailed for treason? Is this truly the state of this territory now, not allowed to disagree with the Leader’s decision or be executed for being a traitor? “Don’t worry, you will still be allowed to live in your home and care for your child. Each night you will be given a maid to tend to your child while you are bred with each of our males,” he informed me.

I could feel the bile in the back of my throat. I was going to be sick. There was no way this could be happening. He continued speaking but I couldn’t hear anything. My surroundings began to get hazy. The only thing I could see were the two little pigtails I had put in Amelia’s hair earlier that day.

My senses returned to me when I heard “If you resist or try to escape, you will be executed on the spot and your daughter will take your place when she can be bred.”

“Yes, Leader, I understand,” I agreed numbly.

“There will be extra security assigned to your home to ensure your safety from any jealous mates,” he continued.

We were never going to get out of here. I couldn’t risk her innocence being stolen from her like that, but I couldn’t let her end up with the same fate when she was older. There was no other choice, I would have to endure for the time being and help her escape as soon as she was old enough. My arms tightened around Amelia sitting in my lap. In order to save her, I would have to give her up. I had to get her to my parents. . “You may leave now,” the Leader said waving me off.

“Thank you, Leader,” I said bowing my head.

My feet couldn’t carry us out of that room fast enough. All I wanted was to get as far away from that man as fast as possible. In all my life, I never believed that any Alpha could become to crazy with their power they would make such a decree. A breeding program, like we are f*****g cattle. I wondered what other members of the pack were being put into the same position as me and how many other husbands would be dying.

A different guard followed me as I carried Amelia home. I could hear the crickets chirping in the grass and the rhythmic ticks of the cicadas in the trees. It was dark enough to where you could see the fireflies lighting up here and there. “Mommy, can I walk now please?” Amelia asked.

I smiled at her gently and replied, “Of course sweetie.”

I stopped momentarily to set her on her feet. “How old is she?” the guard walking behind us asked.

I was apprehensive to answer him at first, but he could tell the Leader I was being hostile. Who knows what kind of punishment I would receive? It seemed the Leader was falling further and further into madness. “Um, three, why do you ask?” I questioned him.

He chuckled, “No harm meant, ma’am. I’ve got a little one myself about her age. He’ll be four in a few months.”

I was watching Amelia skip ahead while she was trying to catch one of the fireflies illuminating itself against the dark tree line in the distance. Then out of the corner of my eye something appeared but as quickly as I turned my attention to it, it disappeared. I tried to brush it off but if whoever or whatever was out there is someone spying they might be able to get us out of here. They could also, be dangerous and hurt Amelia or myself.