I slowly open my eyes. I'm staring at four men playing cards on a fold up table. Some were smoking. More than one beer sat empty and discarded around their feet.
My mouth is bound with a gag. My wrists are chained behind my back and my legs are chained to the chair I sit in. The chair itself is bolted to the floor.
I look around trying to make out where I am. It's dark outside but I can see trees. If I concentrate hard enough I hear water flowing softly in the distance. This log cabin seems a tight fit. All one living space connected together like a loft.
"Princess is up." One man nudged the other. A long ash fell from his cigarette and onto the table before them.
"So?" He shrugged indifferent.
"So?" The first man said shoving him hard. "Watch your fucking mouth!"
They growled at each other but nothing happened.
I tried to say something but it came out as a mumble. Damn gag.
"Ignore her. Boss said they'll be here soon."
I started to struggle but the men just chuckled.
One got up to get another beer from the fridge. He turned and said, "I'd quit squirming if I were you. Otherwise we'll have to get out the silver chains."
The others laughed as if he said the funniest thing in the world.
Rogues. The word floated through my mind and my wolf Arctos agreed. She seemed small and weak.
*What's wrong?* I ask her.
*They injected us with something.*
*With what?*
*Feels to me an awful lot like wolfsbane.*
I caught a glimpse of myself in a puddle of spilled beer. My red hair was disheveled and caked with blood. Stella?
Sitting straight up, I bolted out of my room. I looked around confused. I forgot I was at the tournament and in an unfamiliar mansion. What was I going to do anyway?
"Alpha are you alright?" His familiar voice makes me want to smile and cry at the same time.
I turn to Ignis keeping my eyes on the ground. "No."
He hugs me and smooths my hair. "It's alright Gina, I'm here."
Immediately I'm comforted by his embrace. I hiccup a laugh sob at the "uh" he added to my usual nickname. He hadn't called me that since childhood. My skin vibrates where my flesh meets his.
"Wait," I pull back looking into his purple eyes.
*MATE!*
*You can't keep saying that for everyone man I encounter!!!*
This time my eyes turn yellow orange and she reaches for his face. I take control back with maximum effort. Then I pretend I to pick a fuzzy out of his hair. I smile awkwardly.
"Who is taking care of the pack?" I ask.
His head tilted to the side and I could tell he'd seen my eyes change color. Even in the dim light of the hallway I could see his eye brows pull together in confusion.
"Caelum is in charge. We switched places so I could be here to protect and support you. Besides, who better to find Stella than her mate?"
"But he's just - and I can't believe -"
"Okay, well, honestly I left Aqua in charge. Chain of command and all. But Caelum is working with her and they're both sharing the 'in charge' duties." His air quotes with his fingers made me forget my fury.
"Can I ask you a favor?" I say, already knowing his answer.
"Anything."
"Can you just hold me so I can sleep tonight?"
"Absolutely."
We cuddle on the sofa. Once his breathing is calm, I relax. One arm rests under my head while the other holds my waist tight. My back is against his front so I can't watch him as he sleeps.
*TALK* I yell at Praesul.
She laughs at me, rolling around and crying tears of amusement.
*YOU HAVE A THIRD MATE! YOU HAVE A THIRD MATE!* She taunts and I fume.
*You are LYING! I would have know when I turned 18 AND I would've felt sparks when we danced on my 21st birthday.*
*Technically we should have...* She pauses to think. *You never asked Niveus what the loophole was did you?*
A string of profanities rang loud and clear through my mind at Praesul. She giggles and prances around.
*Niveus, respond.*
I could tell she was sleeping...do I use an Alpha order or...?
*NIVEUS!* I scream through our mind link.
*Yes Alpha?* She yawned. Clearly used to being yelled at to wake up.
*You sleep like the living dead...*
*Get to the point. I was actually have a good dream for once...*
*I know magic has a loophole.*
*Mhm* I could hear her starting to doze of.
*NIVEUS WHAT IS THE LOOPHOLE WITH MY NECKLACE.*
*Ah, I'm awake! Okay, well I don't know. It's different for different items. If I looked at it or inspected it I could tell you more about it.*
*Your mother gave it to me as a child. It's a moon rock in amethyst. It allows me to negate the Moon Goddess' magic or whatever.*
She exhaled loudly. *Not good.*
*Do you know what I'm talking about?*
*Yep.*
*And?!*
*You're really not going to like it.*
*TELL ME.*
*Okay, chill. The magic wears off at your 21st birthday and happens thrice fold.*
*You mean...*
*Not everything is thrice but I mean the important stuff is... I'm pretty sure. I was like 2 when my mom explained this, I've learned a lot since then. Frivolous information was lost in my formative years.*
*You are literally 8 years old...*
*Exactly!*
*What's the important stuff that happens three times?*
*I don't know. Probably mates. Definitely going into heat.*
*I'm going to go into heat 3X?!*
*Probably 3X a month until you have a pup.*
*Do I have a pup?!*
*Goddess, no! Didn't you learn about going into Heat in Health class? You're still a virgin. Wait, what day is it?* She giggles.
*That's not funny!!! I am the Alpha of this pack, treat me with some respect!*
*Hey, respect goes both ways. You woke me up at 3:52 AM to have this little conversation.*
*What about silver and wolfsbane?*
*Eh, you've got an immunity built up by this point.*
*Good to know.* I think for a moment. *Wait, where is my sister?*
*How should I know? I can't just call my sight into action. It comes to me over time and in many pictures I have to piece it all together to understand.*
*What do you know?*
*That you're going to be an aunt.*
*Damn it...now I'm going to be up all night thinking of questions to ask you. When?*
*Stella didn't tell you? I didn't even have to use my sight for that one. She found out today she's pregnant.*
*Can you help Caelum find her?*
*I'm trying but my Alpha won't let me get proper sleep so I use my ability of sight better...*
*Hint taken. Good night Niveus.*
*Good night Alpha.*