The tall, muscular frame of the Alpha loomed over the wolf, demanding an answer. The wolf lowered its head and cowered behind Serena. The dividing wall between two powerful beings.
"A trespasser, Alpha." The wolf replied meekly.
"You brought her here?" The Alpha boomed, and the wolf slunk further behind Serena. "You should not have brought her here! What if she were a part of the association or if she were a spy from the rival pack. Think about the pups. Your pup is one of them. She should have been taken to the prison house first, not here, Eli." The man sighed and ran his fingers through his long, loose curls.
Serena gulped and stared wide-eyed at the towering figure of the man before her. His face was chiseled and bearded. But his eyes shone brighter than any she had ever seen. Not even her mother's eyes compared to the deep, yet bright red before her. She gazed at his frame, mesmerized by every inch.
"Do you smell vanilla and cedar?" She muttered under her breath.
The man and wolf turned toward her with furrowed brows. Serena's eyes widened as she instinctively covered her mouth and hid her face.
The man moved toward her. Each step thudding more loudly than the next. He took her face in his hand and pulled it toward him until they were mere inches apart. The two were close enough for Serena to examine his eyes more carefully. The garnet red was pure, but there were gold flecks close to the pupil, a beautiful display that Serena stared intently into.
The smell of vanilla and cedar flooded Serena's senses, she closed her eyes and breathed in deeply. She began to relax into the tight grip of the Alpha.
"No. That's just you." He said coldly, pushing her. She stumbled backward, tripped on the cowering brown wolf, and fell, crashing to the hardwood floor. A chuckle came from his throat as he said, "Eli, take our guest to the prison house. Make sure she gets the best treatment."
"Yes, Alpha." The wolf nodded, bowed, and pulled Serena toward the door, leading her to the prison house.
A woman awaited Serena at the edge of an empty cell. With a quick shove, Serena filled that void. She fell into the straw and gravel with a thud. The smell was rank, and the light was dim.
"I'm... sorry." The brown wolf named Eli whispered, leaving Serena in the dark, alone for the rest of the cool night.
Warm, soft light illuminated the small section where Serena lay. With a groan, she rolled over and propped herself up. Early mornings and late nights were not her favorite, but when imprisoned, beggers cannot be choosers.
"Breakfast." A loud clank sounded on the bars as a metal tray slipped under the slot. The hot oatmeal was no sooner gone than a jangling of keys was heard at the edge of the hall. Serena straightened her back, fixed her hair, and wiped her eyes.
Footsteps approached the cells, and the clanking became louder. Serena's breathing quickened as she scrambled toward the back wall, away from the door. The footsteps stopped, and the sound of a key being inserted into a lock came from her door.
The door swung open with a thud. Serena jumped and squinted into the bright opening of the door. There stood the figure of the man from last night, the Alpha of the Riverwood Clan. He moved toward her and stooped to her eye level. She turned her head away from him, avoiding his intense gaze and bright eyes.
"Who are you." He demanded as he took her face in his hand once more and forced her to look at him.
"S-Serena." She stuttered back as she gazed into his eyes. "My name is Serena, and I have no problem with you and your people. Let me leave."
He tossed her head aside and rose. He took a step back and placed his hands in his pockets.
"What are you doing on our land, Serena?" He questioned as he looked her up and down.
"I didn't know that the beach by our cabin was a part of your land. If that is true, then it was unintentional. I just was down by the lake to get some fresh air, and Eli was it, brought me here."
"So, you're one of the imposters"
"What?"
"One from the clan that are known pretenders. They pretend to be one of those blessed by the moon goddess and can take the form of one of us."
"Yeah, apparently I am." She shrugged and looked away from the Alpha toward the crumbling cement wall. "But I just learned you people existed a few hours ago, so don't go blaming your problems with my family on me. I don't want any part of this." Serena turned back and glared up at the Alpha.
He scoffed and turned toward the door.
"Now that you know where we are, you can't go back."
"Excuse me?" Serena rose from her position on the floor and strode toward the man. She grabbed his arm and yanked him back into the cell. "What do you mean I can't go back? I do not want to be a part of this, what more do you want from me."
The smell of vanilla and cedar rose again from him. At the scent, Serena recoiled her hand and leaned back against the wall. The Alpha moved forward, pinning his leg against her, and raising his arm above her head. His frame dominated hers, but she stuck her hand flat against his chest, pushing him back, and gulped.
"You heard me. You can't leave." He smirked down at her.
"Why?" She whispered as she gazed up at him. The fragrance was intoxicating and destroyed her resolve.
"Why?" He repeated, lowering his head toward hers. "Because you are mine, Serena."