The Luna Behind The Chains

Chapter 2 - Found

Isabelle POV

I sat in the corner of the concrete cell. The cold, heavy, set in my bones. I have no energy and my wolf, Amber, has been sedated with wolfsbane. I don’t understand why my father hates me so much. My mother has long since passed. I know how she died in a rogue attack, father wouldn’t tell me details and just says it was my fault she is dead. I think I have a brother. I am not fully sure as father has kept me in this cell away from the pack for as long as I remember. Memories from when I was a young girl are vague, so I can't trust them. But I think my brother's name is Preston. My mother, from what I've been told and overheard from the guards, was a wonderful Luna and the pack has suffered a lot from her death. As a member of the Alpha family I can feel the pack as a collective, and this feeling intensified since I got my wolf on my 13th birthday. I turn 18 in 2 days and I am hoping I will be able to escape this nightmare and possibly find my mate, but I will have to wait until Amber comes back round, as right now I am not strong enough to go out on my own.

I hear the door open at the top of the stairs and I really hope it is someone bringing down some food and water, I can't remember the last time I ate and I will do anything for a morsel of anything right now. I try to stand up but it is immensely difficult with my stiff bones and muscles but father see’s it as disrespect if I am not standing when he arrives, and I don't think I will survive a beating right now. So, I pull myself up and stand on my weak legs hoping I don't fall. After standing there for like 10 seconds I wonder if I actually heard the door because no one had come round the corner yet. I start listening intently then I hear them, the whispers. Two people seem to be arguing on the stairs. “Get her …” “...needs to …” “...she will …” “not make it” I didn’t know what to make of what I was hearing, to be fair my brain didn't function at 100% due to lack of food and water anyway but still. I stayed where I was standing neck bared trying to brace myself for whatever was coming. Much to my surprise a young man came into view, he looked very much like father but had much softer eyes. “Izzy?” I think he was questioning my name, I don't know why. I don’t even know who he is. I stayed quiet and kept my head down he might've been sent by father and I can't risk another beating. “Izzy I won’t hurt you, I will never hurt you. I am so sorry for not knowing about this sooner, as soon as I heard from Mrs beltram I wanted to come and get you out right away but doing so would’ve risked father finding out and I did not want to make things worse for you, Izzy I am so so sorry.” The man was sobbing now and I wondered why. I slowly raised my head and saw that the door was open. I must’ve been so focussed on what he was saying I didn’t realise. I stared at the sobbing man and properly looked at him. I saw a softer version of fathers eyes but he also had mothers platinum hair like me and he also had the same round face but his was a little more defined. He was tall, must be at least 6’3” and had a warrior's body. Strong muscles and broad shoulders. Then something in my brain remembered, I tugged at the memory. Preston, Presty, My older brother, my protector. Or was I should say, I waited for a response, then remembered Amber was still out. I hope she comes back soon, I miss her. “Who are you?” I hesitated to ask. I needed confirmation. Father liked to play tricks and I didn’t want to be on the bad end of one again.

“Don’t you know little sister. I am your brother. Preston. Then again you have been locked and hidden away for 13 years. Father said you died with Mother all them years ago, but I was 7, I still would have felt our familial bond snap, but I didn’t, I only felt mothers snap that night. Father held a service for you both but then that was it. He hid everything related to the both of you away and forbid everyone from asking any questions. He turned violent and is to be blunt a tyrant. I have wanted to challenge him for the alpha-ship but if I lose that would be it for this pack and I couldn’t put the pack at risk, so for the past two years I have been collecting evidence to send to the king, I was actually on my way to talk to the Beta to see if she would back me up when I saw Mrs Beltram on her way down here, I have to say my curiosity did get the better of me so I asked her what she was up to coming down to the old dungeon. At first I could tell she didn’t want to tell me but she just came out with it. She said she had been coming down here at least twice a week and more if father was not in the pack house. She said she had to come down to try to help the young girl, I believe she was under command to not tell me your identity to me. I know it’s not her fault so, I don’t blame her, but I did ask why there was a young girl down here. She said she doesn’t know the reason, just that father stated that the girl was to live in the dungeon and no one was to know who she was. I said we have to get you out but she cannot due to the alpha command. But I am not under command and as such I am going to get you out of here and the pack as a whole. We will go straight to Crimson Falls, they are the closest emissaries to the royal pack and as such I am sure they can give you sanctuary and I can report father directly to them.” Preston said and stared at me with a determined glint in his eyes. I didn’t know how to respond, I had the urge to go to him but survival instincts kept me rooted to the spot I stood in (also I didn't trust my legs to keep me upright).

“You will let me leave? I get out of here? Truly?” I stammered.

“Yes munchkin, you can leave” he responded with that nickname he and mum used to call me. I just broke at that and my legs finally gave in.

Preston caught me and I just hugged closer to him balling my eyes out. After about 10 minutes he stood with me and walked me out of the dingy dungeon that had been my whole existence for 13 years. He walked me out of the pack house and placed me in the back of a vehicle. I don’t know what type, just that it was big and black and the back windows were darker than the others. As I got situated he pulled a black strap across me and I heard a click. I panicked at this, feeling like I was being restrained.

“Shh shh, it's okay munchkin, it's just for safety nothing's going to happen. Take a breath in with me.” I took a breath in “and now out” I blew out slowly. “ again. In and out. Good good. Now Mrs Beltram has brought some food and drink for our travels and some clothes for you. But I want to get on the road sooner rather than later so we will stop somewhere on the road for you to change but while we travel I want you to try and eat something and drink something okay.” he soothed me but with a little sense of urgency.

“Will Mrs Beltram be okay? Can she come with us? Once he notices I am gone he will turn on her. I know it. Please let her come with us. I cant let her get hurt because of me, Please Preston please let her come with us.” I was begging and crying at him and he thought for a second, his eyes glazed and then he nodded once and said she will be out in a minute. I settled down and wiped my eyes. “Thank you” I whispered.

“Anything for you munchkin.” he pecked me on the temple, I stiffened a little but tried to relax. He placed a cooler bag on the seat next to me, closed the door and put some other bags in the back of the vehicle. He walked around and sat in the driver's seat. A second later Mrs Beltram opened the door and sat in the passenger seat.

“Hi sweetie, how are you doing?” she asked me pivoting in her chair to look at me.

“I’m good. Just tired” I smiled at her realising how comfy the seat was and it was warm. Preston passed me a jacket which I used to cover myself and we set off. It wasn’t long before I leaned back and closed my eyes knowing I was finally out of that place. Wondering how father would react when he notices I am gone. But that worry is for later I said to myself and drifted off peacefully for the first time in 13 years.