Filed to story: Wolf Crying Mate of the Alpha by Jazz Ford
The elevator dings, and my jaw drops. Two men in suits drag a third into the room. The man’s hands are bound behind his back with rope, and he has a calico bag over his head. New and old blood, stain the man’s shirt. I contain a gasp. They drag the man past me nonchalantly and into Zenith’s office. I hear the odd thump and agonized moans, it’s quite confronting.
The phone rings, and I answer it, it’s Zenith.
‘Make lattes please,’ he says before hanging up. I gulp at the thought of going into the room. I don’t want to see what’s going on in there.
I place five lattes on a tray and carry them to his office, using my hip to push the door open. I set the five lattes on the desk.
All five men stare at me. Zenith wipes his hands clean on a wet rag. The man is unconscious on the ground. I stare wide in horror and bite my tongue. I can only see his back, but it’s enough to know they’ve beaten him.
‘Oh, don’t worry about him, Astrid. He will be fine, Zenith smiles.
Beta Glen and Gamma Dan, Astrid, he says, introducing the men to me. My voice shakes as I stare at the man on the floor.
‘It’s, um, nice to meet you both, I say nervously, avoiding eye contact.
‘This isn’t the Astrid, is it Zenith? The Astrid from Moon-‘ Glen coughs after Zenith strikes him across the head.
‘Not another word, Glen, Zenith snaps. His tone is deep and creepy. I jump back in fright. Zenith watches me back away slowly.
‘Please don’t mind Glen here. He forgets his manners sometimes, and I need to remind him, he says, trying to calm me.
‘Take him back to the basement! He snaps. Glen and Dan put the calico bag back over the man’s head and drag him out of the office toward the elevator. I watch in horror and jump when a hand gently squeezes my shoulder. It’s James.
‘Sorry, you had to see that, Astrid. I told Dad it wasn’t a good idea, but he says it will toughen you up when you’re my mate, James says. I step back and glare at Zenith.
‘I never agreed to that, I say.
I told you it would toughen her up, Zenith says, grinning. James is crestfallen.
Angry, I run out of the office and into the bathroom, locking myself in a cubicle. I’m hyperventilating. The bathroom door creaks open. I place my hands over my mouth so whoever is here cannot hear me.
‘Astrid, let’s go home, James says. I don’t want to go anywhere with James. I only want Ryker.
Closing my eyes, I imagine myself in Ryker’s arms with my head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat. James taps the cubicle door, disrupting my daydream. I unlock the door, swing it open, and storm out toward the elevator.
At the last second, Zenith hops into the elevator with us. The elevator dings, and we descend. No one says anything. Outside in the car park, John waits in his car. Zenith opens his car door, gesturing for me to hop in. I stare at the open door, hesitating, and look at James.
‘You can always come with me,’ he says. But, of course, I don’t want to be near any of them. Zenith is impatient now. He grabs my arm and pulls me into the back seat.
‘Get in! I’m not waiting around, he snaps.
Falling onto the seat, I let out a cry. I sit as far away from Zenith as possible and look out the window, avoiding conversation. His phone rings on the way.
‘What kind of problem? … ! see … do you think his mate will return? … Good … Vanessa, now listen to me… yes, you will! I’m your father! I don’t care what you have to do. Bear his pups! Drug him if you must. Alice will put it in his food. I’ve waited long enough! I’m shocked by what I’m hearing. So, Vanessa is his daughter, and Alice is the Luna of Shady Crest?
Zenith never enslaved them!
‘I don’t care if he doesn’t want you. This isn’t about love. It’s about power. If we want to expand and become the greatest pack, you need to bear his pups, kill him and combine packs.’ Zenith sees my horrified expression. Colour drains from my face.
He squints and studies me for a moment.
‘Vanessa, what’s his mate’s name?’ He asks.
My stomach churns, I’m going to be sick. No one can help me. Jim’s diner is up the road. I pull the handle on the car door, but it won’t open because it’s locked. Vanessa has told him my name. Zenith laughs at my struggles. I’m just a pawn in his game. I punch the windows, to no avail.
‘Vanessa, she won’t be a problem and won’t be returning to Shadow Crest. I have her with me right now, he says, laughing.
‘Oh, Astrid, the windows are bulletproof. Give it up already, honey, he says, placing his hand on my leg.
‘Don’t touch met’ I yell.
‘Vanessa, I need to go. Your brother’s betrothed needs to be put in her place. Yes, that’s right. Why? Because I said so! You’ll find out in a few days,’ he says, ending the call.
Slumped in the seat, defeated, Zenith leaps forward, grabs me aggressively by the hair, and yanks me toward him.
‘You never told me Alpha Ryker was your mate! You’ll let James mark you after your first shift. Vanessa is to be Alpha Ryker’s mate,’ he shouts.
He releases me and shoves me back into the seat. Tears run down my face. The car stops outside the packhouse. Zenith gets out of the car and waits for me to get out. He even holds out his hand to me, which I do not want to take.
‘Don’t make this difficult, Astrid! He yelled, ‘I will drag you out if I have to! I ignore him. I kick and scream when he leans in and tries to grab me.
‘Don’t touch me! Get away from me!’ James and John are standing behind him.
‘Dad! What is going on?’ James asks.
‘This little whore of yours is being difficult.’ he says, successfully grabbing my leg and yanking me out of the car by my ankle.
I hit the ground with force, cried out, and rolled a few metres across the gravel. My arms and legs have scrapes, and my tights are laddered and torn. Zenith, John, and James stare at me with black eyes.
I discard my heels and run in my tights as fast as possible.
“Get her boys!” Zenith yells. John and James shift and chase me in their wolf forms. I run through the trees and slip, rolling down a rocky hill.
My hair is messy, with leaves and twigs sticking out at many angles. I continue to run.
“Ryker! I scream at the top of my lungs. Someone hazardously throws me down. I kick and punch them as hard as I can. A hand covers my mouth. The weight of a body holds me down. He is completely naked now, in his human form.
‘Shh… shh, James whispers, stroking my face. I can’t free myself. My movements are futile.
‘Stop trying to fight me, he whispers. Tears roll down my cheeks.
‘Consummating the pairing already?’ John laughs.
‘F**k off, John, he says to his brother.
‘Why did you scream out for Ryker?’ James asks. He slowly removes his hand, and I spit in his face. John laughs.
‘You better put her in her place before Dad does, James! You know he won’t tolerate her treating you like that, John warns. James looks at me and wipes the spit from his face with his free hand.
‘Look, if you’re going to be soft about it, I’ll put her in her place for you, James says.
‘Tell me, Astrid. Why did you call out for Ryker?’ He asks. I. want to spit in his face again, but he covers my mouth with his hand before I can.
‘Astrid, I don’t want to hurt you, but you will leave me no choice if you don’t answer me,’ he snaps.
He removes his hand from my mouth. I look away. He holds my jaw in one hand, forcing me to look at him.