Seeing the four medium sized boxes pulled everything forward, fear is the only emotion I could feel now.
Running my hand over the thick cardboard I couldn't help but think, could it get any worse.
"Yes it could" groaned a groggy Nissa, she had retreated to the recesses in the dark blackness of my brain, I figured it was her way of coping.
The postal mark had both of our names stamped on it with the note : for your journey : what the hell did that mean?
Slowly I tore open the first box, it held hiking gear, a backpack a thick winter coat gloves face masks some woolen socks Long John's a sleeping bag flint and steel a compass and a hunting knife.
Dryden looked overwhelmed as he opened his boxed it held the same, the second box had very expensive looking boots a rope with a few heavy duty carabineers and a harness and nested in the very bottom was an envelope, it had only one word on it ( prepare ).
Dryden looked over to me we didn't speak we just looked at each other lost and confused, what the hell was all this.
Alpha Pascal looked like he was going to be sick, " it's a hunt" he whispered, I turned to him wide eyed "A hunt!?" I repeat more then slightly panicked.
"Yes every thousand years or so the king holds the games, the first task is the hunt" Dryden explained "it's a rite of passage for the next generation, I've read about it in passing" he added, the color has drained from his face.
"It helped keeps packs pure, the winners will swear loyalty to the new king and the losers lose everything, there packs will be disbanded and taken over by the victors."
Pascal explained.
"isn't that illegal" I mumbled, "it isn't" Dryden said sadly.
"I don't believe this" shaking my head.
"You'll have to" Dryden stated "now pack everything you need in your bags, we leave in the morning" he ordered leaving the room.
his mother began crying quietly into Alpha shoulder.
"Can we say no" my voice no more then a whisper.
"No" Alpha answered his voice devoid of emotion.
How did this happen?, I don't want this, maybe I can still get out.
Dryden said we're leaving in the morning, but what if I leave tonight, it could work, I can wait until everyone is asleep, there's a pipe on the outside of my window.
If I scale down it, I can shift and make it home to my money, grab a few other things and make my way away from this horrible nightmare of a situation.
Pride coursed through my blood, it could work, it was fool proof, "yeah till the Alpha King himself hunts you down, we have a magically binding contract" Nissa hissed "plus what would happen to the pack, what would happen to dad?" she added in a cool tone.
"I don't care anymore, this isn't my path" I groaned.
"What about Dryden" she shouted, my heart pinched at the thought, he had practically given me his heart, could I really just run and crush it.
"He's not my mate, he'll get over me and find his fated mate one day" I snapped at my wolf.
"Liar" she argued, with a low growl.
Then a thought of dad ran through my mind could I leave him behind, would he have to face the rite of passage in these Goddess forsaken Alpha King games, he wouldn't survive, he was still healing from the boulder.
My stomach churned, the idea of dad being alone and suffering at the hands of those monster king warriors was almost unbearable.
"i'll go pack" i announced standing.
"No not yet there's something you still need to figure out" Alpha stopped me, I turned back to him , he was staring at me with a small black book in his hands. "What's that" I questioned.
"it's the pack roster, you need to pick a gamma and an omega to accompany you" his hand outstretched, handing me the small book, it was inscribed with out pack crest, a blue flame, covering the moon, (blue ridge) stamped neatly on the front and on the binding, I turned it over in my hands it was smooth and weighted nothing, it even seemed to glow, it was imbued with magic.
"The book picks for you, me and your father and the many before us have done it" he explained, pushing a small silver knife into my hand, I tilted my head to The side narrowing my eyes, I didn't understand.
"You have to use your blood the magic will pick them for you, Dryden's blood is already in it so that just leaves you" sucking in a deep breath I steeled myself, Once I feed this thing my blood there was no going back, I wanted to put the thing down and walk away but it called to me, I feel like I have no other choice.
Finding a small clasp on the side I clicked it the book flew open to a blank page, Dryden's bloody thumb print looked fresh, gulping down my now thick saliva, I knew I had to do it.
Holding the little knife I ran it's wickedly sharp edge over my thumb, I bit my lip waiting for the pain , it never came.
"Do it" alpha urged.
In one more second I would forever be bond to the people whose names appear on this page, I would fight for them and I would even give my life for them.
My thumb pressed into the page right next to Drydens, I couldn't shake this feeling as if it was feeding from me.
"Now set it down" I nodded running my thumb over my tongue healing it.
We waited for three minutes before the word omega appeared just as Dryden came to stand in the door way behind us, " what does it say?" he whispered, he was just as scared for the fate of these unknown wolves as we were.
The page was glowing and next to omega, gamma appeared.
Under omega the name was : Milo rook.
I let out my held breath, thank Goddess it wasn't melody, I knew Milo he was a great warrior, what I didn't know is that he was an omega, it honestly made sense though, our pack is made up of mostly omegas and former rouge wolves.
I didn't get to enjoy my relief long when the page lit almost blinding me and the men.
Gamma : Melody Seawright.
My heart fell, this wasn't possible, Melly was omega she couldn't be part of this, Nissa whined in my head at the thought of her being subjected to this bloodbath.
"No that's not right" i murmured, slowly coming to my feet, "no!! I won't let this happen!!" I turned screaming at the men staying eerily still, like a switch had turned them off, the only way I knew they were real was the slow rise and fall of there chests, realizing that they had every intention of letting Melly take on this burden, I boiled with rage I want to burn the world.
But I had time I can save us both , and for once Nissa agreed, I needed to sneak away and I need to do it now I can get to Melody's house in under 20 minutes if I get Nissa under control.
Growling in rage I storm out trying to get away, but Dryden who still stood in the door way grabbed my shoulder stopping me mid stride.
Whirling on him I roared "WHAT!!?".
"Its gonna be okay" he sounded defeated, swatting his hand away I continued walking away.
"Where are you going" he call after me,
"I need fresh air!" I yelled back, storming out the front door, that now had cardboard in place of the beautiful stained glass window, so I slammed that one afraid to break the other one.
I couldn't hold it in anymore I screamed into the early morning sun, I really hoped no one followed me outside, this was my chance, I just need to get Melody and my money and we can get away, get away from all of this bullshit.
The tree line was close and thank Goddess I wasn't followed, I shimmied out of my pants folding then and pulling off my big white tee, it was lucky I hadn't worn a bra.
"Nissa you ready?" she grunted and snap I was darting through the forest my clothes held firmly in our jaws.
I reached Melody's house pretty quickly, I had just let myself go and the run was numb and fast, I jumped swiftly over the garden wall outside Melody's forest cottage, unfortunately Melly's dad was in the backyard working in his veggie patch.
His eyes grew and then he was screaming, me and Nissa just rolled our eyes, he was always so dramatic.
Melody ran out at the sound a baseball bat held up samurai style, Goddess I loved her.
"Essie?" she was breathing heavily as she dropped the bat, placing her hands on her knees catching her breath, I wanted to giggle, but this wasn't the time.
"Dad calm down it's Essie" she told him calmly.
"Essie? What the hell" he asked still shocked.
"It's cool dad" she dismissed him with a wave, then gestured for me to follow her.
"I would say you can just shift back in the bathroom but your wayyyyy to big" a chuckle escaped her lips.
I have no problem being naked in front of melody so I shifted back right in front of her , she didn't even batt an eyelash, quickly throwing my clothes back on I went to warn her, but to my surprise she came at me with speed and vengeance wapping me over the head with a rolled magazine,
"Where the fuck have you been I've been worried sick" I took the beating with grace.
"I'm sorry Mel, I promise everything will make sense just sit we don't have much time" I took a cautious look around "Dryden will be looking for me soon" I added with a whisper.
"Okay spit it out. What the hell did you do? and why were you with Dryden?!" she snapped.
So naturally I told her everything, The games her being a Gamma how my dad is out of commission, luckily I left out Dryden tasting my pussy, and moon Goddess help us for the first time in Melody's life she was speechless.
Taking my besties momentary lapse of speech, I run into her puke pink room taring into her closet grabbing an old beat up backpack and a few pairs of clothes.
Melody crept in slowly her expression unreadable.
I couldn't tell if she was going to be sick or scream at me.
"Is it true?" Mel managed to say not much louder then a whisper.
she wasn't moving fast enough, we needed to go.
"Yes! it's true. now come help me we need to go!" I was frantic.
"I'm not going with you" she announced, a small smile creeping onto her face.
"What!?"I didn't try to hide my shock.
was she serious? Nissa whimpered softly.
"Melody we need to go. we've always dreamed of getting away!" I exclaimed, raising my voice slightly.
" No Essie, YOU have always dreamed of getting away. this is my chance, a chance to be useful to my pack, a chance to be someone, maybe my mate will even keep me now" I didn't understand, she's happy? no.
My heart had broken so many times in the past few days but this, this broke me and my tears finally fell, I couldn't even be mad at Melody she was right, as much as I talked about getting away being free, I never asked her how she felt I just thought we would follow each other forever, but this is the cliff and as I fell off the edge she stood on solid ground.
"Oh Essie, I'm sorry, please don't cry" she reached for me and I lost it, her pity was too much, I shifted ripping my clothes to shreds.
Crashing and slamming through Melodies home, I could hear her call out to me but once I made it outside I was numb once again.
I just have to make it over the boarder then I'll be free.
I was fast and silent the boarder was 12 minutes out I had waisted time and there's no way Dryden wasn't hot on my tail.
Once I passed the last marker tree , I could hear two no three wolves behind me.
The mind link snap on, "Essie stop!" ordered Dryden, his command washing over me but only stalling me for a moment, in that moment though he had gained on me his red and brown wolf right next to me.
"No , please Dryden just let me go" I begged.
The two other wolves surprised me, Melody was behind Dryden and Milo next to her, that's what stalled my Alpha he went to assemble his pack.
The boarder was right in front of me the invisible line that separates us from everything else.
Dryden started nipping at my back legs but I was faster, " Essie you need to stop" but I kept going, and then I was on fire, the air had been stolen from my lungs, I was confused I was fine but now it feels like my dying, I was forced to shift back as I screamed but no sound came out as I rolled on the forest floor.
Nissa was shrieking in my head, "GET BACK TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BOARDER NOW!!" but I couldn't, blood started flowing from my nose and ears, oh god I am dying.
As soon as the pain started it was gone and I was cradled in Dryden arms.
"You stupid bitch" he cried.
"The magic contract won't allow you to go, the second you crossed you were going against the Alpha King himself" he didn't mock me or scold me this time but I could hear the pity.
"I know but-". "No Essie" he cut in, "No more excuses you are going back with us." he growled, looking at his pack circle "Now" He barked at Milo, Milo obeyed without hesitation, pulling his own t shirt off and tossing it to Dryden, I was very suddenly struck by the realization I was completely naked, as my face heated turning red.
Melody had been quiet, nervously chewing her thumb nail.
Trying to pull on the large tee shirt proved to be quite difficult my whole body ached.
"So you're saying I have no choice" I questioned.
Dryden gave me a stiff nod.
We all faced each-other when the sound of snapping twigs caused us to turn, standing there was Hans hands held out with caution.
"Hello friends" he called over,
"I'm here to collect you" he crept closer.
"Your bags are all prepped and ready my car is waiting at the edge of the forest just over there" I was confused.
Hans was here to collect us? then I remembered this non threatening looking man was an immortal killing machine and the kings second in command.
I couldn't speak yet again I was being forced.
Dryden gently took my hand and pulled me with him , melody falling in next to me and Milo at our rear.
We hadn't even walked all the way over to him when I breeze passed over the red haired man and Melody gasped eyes wide "Mate" it came out as a growl, Hans walked right past us making a bee line straight for my best friend, he looked shocked then a smile pulled at his full lips his words echoed hers "Mate" his words like a sweet caress.
Hans pulls her to him in a tight embrace, her face hidden in his chest his scent surrounding her."It's okay my girl it will be okay, you will be alright, I promise" He whispered to her, His voice softens.
When he looks to the rest of our pack, everyone is stunned.
Suddenly he pulls away from her sadness flicker in his eyes.
"This isn't fair" his words like a slap.
"We have to go" and he turned from melody his hand falling from hers quickly walking back the way he came.
Looking to Melody she looked sad, Hans all all but rejected her, and tears threatened to fall from her eyes.
"Beta" called out Dryden, he was still rooted in the same spot holding my hand tighter then before.
"Do we at least get to say goodbye to our families"
Hans paused, heaved a sigh then turned to face us one more.
"No" he gave us a sweet smile his eyes full of cruelty.
"You can thank Essie dear for that. the moment she stepped foot outside your boarder she sealed all your fates. You will be taken before the King for your crime and plead and beg for your lives" Hans ran his hand through his hair "Hopefully your punishment will be light. now come"
That's when Dryden let go of my hand, as though I was cursed, this isn't my fault I didn't mean to do any of this, I just fucked up horribly and I think it may have cost my friend her mate and maybe all our lives.
Hans drove a handsome looking deep forest green hummer.
He opened the trunk and in the back were strange looking metal rings.
"Essie come here" Hans called to me holding out the rings, but upon further inspection it looked like a choker or a collar.
"What's that?"
Hans answer made my blood cold. "insurance"
"Oh hell no your not putting that on me" I cried pushing him away only to back in to Dryden.
He grabbed my wrist pinning them behind my back painfully.
"Let me go!" I screamed
"STOP!" Dryden used his aura forcing me to submit with a whimper.
Tears pouring down my face as the shackle locks in place.
"Be a good girl" Dryden growled in my ear, I hated how it made he shiver.
"Is this really necessary" Melody gasped reaching towards me.
My eyes closed tight when I felt Dryden clasps similar shackles on my wrists.
Hans stood over me emotionless, my heart was racing this isn't what I wanted I just wanted to leave.
"Everyone in the truck please" Hans ordered, his tone flat.
Dryden shoved me into the tall vehicle but I couldn't get in with my hands behind my back.
"Your gonna have to help me" I huffed
He gripped the back of my exposed thighs causing me to gasp realizing that I was still completely naked under the white t shirt.
I know I had to be blood red.
Dryden sat me right next to Milo who he had ordered to keep a close eye on me.
It's not like I could get away I had already tried to shift with no luck, I also couldn't hear Nissa which made me nervous.
Melody was sitting just in front of me practically bouncing around in her seat rambling on about some movie to Dryden, who was not paying attention staring out the window a sour expression plastered on his face.
He wouldn't look at me and the few time I did try to speak with him his low rumbling growls cut me off.
I had started to nod off after the first two hours on the road.
Attempting not to lean on Milo, but failing.
I dreamed.
An open field and a beautiful man in a gold mask.
He tried to speak to me but it was just noise not actual words, it sounded like a warning.
He approached me with caution his flat gold mask shining in the sunlight, with just two vertical slits for his eyes.
gently he ran his hand over my cheek caressing me with his thumb.
It all felt so real, I awoke slowly blinking the caressing feeling following me from the odd dream.
I was laying on something or someone, turning my head to look up expecting to see Milo holding me but Dryden had taken his place and now a blanket had been draped over my body.
Opening my mouth to speak I found my mouth dry.
I sat up out of his lap looking for something, anything to drink. "Water?"
"I'll help you" Dryden cracked a bottle of smart water holding it to my lips as I took large mouthfuls of the cool liquid.
"Slow down, we aren't taking bathroom breaks" Hans called from the front, I couldn't keep the growl as it crawled it way up my throat, I didn't understand how I ever enjoyed this man's company. But I would pay for my disrespectful growl as he slammed on the breaks taking a sharp turn, my whole body flew into the side window my face hitting it with a great force, I cried out blood running down my nose that was most definitely broken.
"HEY!!! that wasn't necessary!" Dryden was pressing the blanket to my gushing nose, Hans chuckled " should be buckled"
Now Melody was growling at him. "Pull over" she screamed.
"No can do my girl " Hans chirped pulling off the paved road onto a dirt one.
"We're almost there"
The dirt road was long and overgrown, It felt like we were going through a tunnel, I felt when we passed the boarder, it was like spider webs all over my skin.
We pulled from the woods to a large castle straight out of a fairytale, it's beauty like nothing I've ever seen.
"Welcome to shadows kids" Hans announced happily.
I was in awe and sick at the same time, it felt like I was ment to be here I felt home, and home wanted to eat me alive for my crimes against the King.