A/N: hey guys! Hope you enjoy! Isabelle Quinn to the top!!!
Where am I?
Familiar cottages and woods surround me and I realize that I'm homeâ with my old pack. I grin, calling out the oh-so-familiar name, "Jon!"
When he doesn't come, I jog slightly forward, eagerly searching for him, "Jon! Where are you?"
"Looking for your boyfriend?" A voice comes from behind me. I whirl around to meet Jaxon, his clothes and skin soaked completely through with redâ with blood.
"W-Where's Jon?" I stutter, my bottom lip beginning to tremble.
"Heads up," He smiles, tossing something at me. It hits my chest with a thud and I throw out my arms to catch it.
I look down to see what he's thrown me, and I recognize the face of my best friend.
It's his head.
I scream, dropping the body part and stepping backwards, my now-bloody hands flying up to cover my mouth. "Jon!" Sobs wrack my whole body. "No!"
"I warned you," Jaxon says, his words dying off as he begins to laugh, "but you didn't listen."
"Y-You're a monster!" I shout, grief terrorizing my whole being.
Suddenly, he's six inches away from me.
"Yes, sweetheart, I am," Then, his hand is inside my chest, clutching at my heart.
"Goodbye," He chimes, before pulling it out completely.
I fallâ dead.
I scream as I come to, sweat soaking through my clothes and the stone floor freezing my body. I let out a shiver, trying to regulate body heat since this place doesn't seem to have a heater.
Moonlight streams in from the large windows and I sit up, eyes scanning the room for Jaxon. I pat at my chest, finding that my heart is, indeed, still there.
The grandfather clock hoisted on the wall reads 1:00 AM, and I lift myself from the ground. I brush off the dust from the stone floor and take a couple steps forwards, checking, again, to see if Jaxon is anywhere near.
When I don't sense the presence of anyone but myself, I turn back, searching for the light switch. When I don't find one, I merely pad back towards the couch and pick up the wool throw laid across the surface.
I wrap it around myself, hoping to ease the chills wracking my body, and make my way towards the stairs in the far corner of the room. I gingerly step up them, trying to keep from tripping and injuring myself.
When I finally make it up to the top, I peek my head into the rooms lining the hallway: bathroom, sitting room, gym, another bathroom, bedroom.
Without any further investigation, I push open the door to the bedroom, inching my way inside to the large, luxurious bed.
It appears as if it's two King-sized beds placed side-by-side with a large silk duvet over the top. I lightly run my fingers over the top of it before yanking it back to reveal silk sheets as well.
Well, someone has money to blow on bedding.
Deciding against ruining the bedding with my soiled clothes, I approach the chest of drawers and yank open the top one. Neatly folded t-shirts of darker shades line the whole compartment.
It only takes a moment for me to realize that they're Jaxon's. Do I really want to wear his clothes?
It's just a shirt, it's not like you're marrying the guy.
No. I'm not.
I strip out of the sweat-soaked garments and pull on one of his black t-shirts. I crawl into the large bed and curl up under the covers, the cloud-like mattress cradling me like a baby.
I could get used to this.
Jaxon isn't here. We can't sleep without Jaxon. My wolf suddenly voices her opinion and I roll my eyes.
We most definitely can sleep without Jaxon.
I close my eyes and block her whining out of my mind, prepared to sleep away all of my problems. That's when I smell itâ his cologne.
After my wolf has reminded me of him, I become acutely aware that this entire rooms smells like him. The shirt, the sheets, the pillow, even the air is littered with his cologne.
I grab another pillow, hoping to stifle it, but it also smells like him. I repeat the process with four other pillows and eventually give up, "Do you sleep on every pillow?" I murmur under my breath.
There's nothing wrong with liking more than one pillow, His voice resonates through my head and I jump, terrified. After realizing that he'd used our mind link to hear me, I remind myself to not think of him in any way, knowing that if I do, he'll hear me.
I can't sleep in here... but it's so comfortable.
Deciding to ignore the smell, I settle back in, allowing sleep to take over and my mind to drift to thoughts of my old pack.
â¾
" Isabelle!" A booming voice causes me to shoot up out of bed, my eyes scanning the brightly-lit room for intruders.
Wait... Where am I?
Jaxon's cottage house, my wolf speaks, you made him angry, so he put us in here. She says the last comment a little too indignantly.
"Well sorry if he was abusing me and I wasn't going to take it," I murmur under my breath.
"Isabelle?" Comes again, right outside the door this time.
"Come in," I yawn and stretch my arms right as Grant enters into the room. He instantly slaps a hand over his eyes and turns around, "Uhâhey."
"Morning," I chirp, cracking my neck. Man, I slept like a baby.
"I-uh-I have food for you downstairs if you want it," He says sheepishly, still turned around.
"What time is it?" I ignore his comment for the moment.
"Ten, but you've been asleep for a couple days," He says the last part more to himself.
"A couple of days? Huh," I raise my eyebrows in response. So this is what it feels like to sleep for days. He doesn't say anything and I sigh and roll my eyes.
"So, did Jaxon ever send over any of my clothes, or..." I fade off, waiting impatiently for his answer.
"Uh-yeah. They're in the dresser. I put them in there yesterday..." He trails off, not really taking the hint to leave.
"Do you expect me to change in front of you? I didn't think Jaxon had me on twenty-four hour surveillance," I retort sarcastically.
"Right," He exits back from whence he came and I sigh.
Another day, another disaster ahead.
I swing myself from the bed and approach the dresser again, opening random drawers until I find my clothes crisply folded by color. I throw off Jaxon's t-shirt and hurriedly put on a large sweater, a pair of black leggings, and gray knit socks.
Happy to stay warm, I begin to exit, when I smell his cologne again. It stops me in my tracks and momentarily blinds me as I'm overwhelmed by it.
Slowly raising my sleeve to my nose, I sniff the material, finding no trace of it. So, once I'm out of this room, it should be gone.
I start to leave again, but I back track and take off the sweater before digging through his drawer for one. I settle on a simple gray sweatshirt that smells like him.
That's better.
It may sound like I'm crazy. I don't miss him. I miss his presence. With mates, once that connection is made with the mark, it's hard to be away from each other for too long.
It takes a toll on both sides of the bond, and I can feel Jaxon's anger waning through the fishing-line thin connection we have left.
Trying to clear him from my mind, I shake my head and leave the room. I stumble down the stairs to the open living room-kitchen area to see Grant standing behind the bar, scrubbing dishes.
"A man who does housework is the best type of man," I say loudly as I approach, wondering if he can hear me over the stream of the sink.
"Really? Who said that?"
"Me," I shrug, plopping down on a bar stool in front of my breakfast. I pick up a fork and begin to cut into my pancakes, just now realizing how hungry I actually am. When he doesn't answer, I look up to see that he's obviously communicating via pack bond with Jaxon. I smile at him, downing a large glass of orange juice. "So, wolfie, what do we have planned for today?"
He scoffs, "I have rounds." He wipes his hands off on a dish rag. "You have nothing."
"So I'm just supposed to sit here... all day?"
"There's a home theater. And a gym. And a library. You should have plenty to do," He walks around the bar, picking up his cell phone and heading towards the front door.
"So I can't go outside?" I stand, following closely behind him.
"Within reason. Go too far, you'll hit the Mistletoe Pack and lose your head," He says, turning the knob to the door, "or one of our men will find you and bring you back here... and they'll alert Jaxon that you've tried to run away."
"How will I know how far is too far?" I stand in the doorway as he begins to walk down the brick path.
"Believe me, you'll know," He calls back before he blends in with the multitude of trees and I'm left alone.
Well.
I close the door and exhale loudly, unsure of what to do. I can... read! I make my way through the large home, attempting to find the library without getting lost. After searching for a while, I finally find the room with books floor-to-ceiling all the way around the circular shaped space. "Whoa," I mutter, in awe at all of the words to be read.
I run my fingers over the assortment of spines, dust unveiling itself from the surfaces. I stop at one, large book, however. One three times the size of a normal dictionary. The spine reads Bylaws of American Packs and I eagerly yank it off the shelf. I almost crumple to the ground under the weight of it, but somehow remain upright as I heave it onto the nearby mahogany desk.
I plop down into the plush chair and throw open the cover, dust as thick as smoke lifting into the air at the disturbance. I swipe the particles away before glancing at the Table of Contents. I quickly decide to look through the section about Mates. Once I'm there, I begin to skim through, looking for anything about punishment for maltreatment. After skimming for ten minutes, I find something and read it aloud,
"Article two-hundred sixty, section seven: If any werewolf shall mistreat his/her claimed mate he/she shall receive punishment based off the offense delivered. Physical, mental, and spiritual abuse will lead to counseling and one-month in the Pack prison..."
I scan through more until I find exactly what I'm looking for: "Section eight: If any male werewolf shall claim his mate by force, he shall be presented to the American Council of Werewolves, where his case shall be reviewed.
"Upon being found guilty, he shall have to relinquish all rights to his mate and suffer two years in federal werewolf prison.
"If abuser is in a position of power he may be removed from that position and be excommunicated from his Pack.
"If claiming is done by force on a new wolf, eighteen years or younger, the punishment will be death by beheading." Obviously this book was written a long time ago.
"If anyone has knowledge of a force-claiming or is victim of one, please submit a letter to the following address: 587 Lycanthrope Drive, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The Council will review the case as soon as possible."
So, if I report Jaxon, not only will he be dethroned as Alpha, but he'll also be put to death. I don't want him to die, but if it's the only way I'll gain my freedom...
Without thinking about it anymore, I search for a piece of paper in the desk drawers. I soon find one, along with a quill and a bottle of ink. Way to live in the 21st Century, Jaxon.
I pop off the cork and dip the tip of the quill inside before retreating it and beginning my letter:
To Whom it May Concern:
My name is Isabelle Quinn. I'm eighteen years old and I am now the mate of Jaxon Thames, Alpha of the Moonlight Pack. According to Article 260, Section 8, it is unlawful for anyone to claim his mate by force. I have been subjected to this mistreatment, causing much emotional trauma. I'm being kept as a prisoner here, and I hope you'll consider my case. Jaxon is very cruel to me, and I only hope that you'll see that.
Sincerely,
Isabelle Quinn
After rereading it seven times, I find an envelope and neatly stuff the letter into it. I address it and slap a stamp on it, sliding myself out from under the desk and jogging towards the door.
Once I'm out, I hurriedly make my way to my room, slipping on a pair of brown ankle boots and hurrying back downstairs. I slip out the front door of the house before walking down the brick path and into the brown, crunchy leaves.
Maybe I'll run into someone from the Mistletoe Pack. Surely, they'll help me.
I continue on to behind the house, going straight from there and hoping I'll hit the border. Who knows how long it will be until you reach it! Jaxon has so much land, you could be walking for days!
Grant made it seem as if I'm very close to the lines between the packs. All I have to do is walk until I see an unfamiliar guardâsimple.
I trudge through the dead leaves and sticks, wrapping my arms around myself to maintain warmth in the forty-degree weather. I let out a shiver, hoping to find the border before I freeze.
The sun is almost at its highest point, signaling that it's close to noon. I begin to walk faster, eager to catch someone.
I've only been walking for ten minutes when I see a man standing about ten feet away from me. He doesn't look as if he belongs to the Moonlight Pack, for he's covered in symbols and markings.
I instantly realize he's from Mistletoe, since they highly believe in mysticism and reliance on the moon goddess. "Hey!" I say, a little too loudly. He whips around, knife in hand and I jump back, hands in the air.
"I-I'm unarmed," I call out, but he's already put his weapon away.
"Yes, child?" He question, his green eyes taking me in.
"A-Are you from Mistletoe?"
"Yes," He quickly answers. "I'm guessing you're from Moonlight."
I nod, stepping closer. "I-I need your help," My voice is a soft plea and he raises his brow.
"Why would I help someone from Moonlight? Your people have killed half of my pack."
"I'm new to the Pack," I hurriedly say, hoping he doesn't think I did him any wrong. He stares at me skeptically for a moment, but then it seems as if something has clicked.
"You're Alpha Thames's mate," He says. "I didn't realize you were so... young." He observes me with his eyes.
"That's what I'm here about," I say in a lower tone, "I need you to send this letter for me."
I extend it, taking a few more steps forward before he stops me. "Don't cross the salt," He suddenly says, pointing to the ground. I glance down to see a thick line of salt across my path.
It extends down throughout the woods on both sides, seemingly never-ending. "It's the only thing that keeps our magic in. You break it, and we are powerless against your pack."
"I-I'm sorry, I didn't know," I step back, but keep my arm extended over the line. "The letter, please, send it."
He snatches it from my fingers and scans the front with his eyes. "What business do you have with the American Council of Werewolves?"
"Please, just send it," I beg.
He stares at me apprehensively for a moment before stuffing it into his pocket. "I'm Hayes. Alpha Hayes," He introduces and I take a couple more steps back.
"Y-You're the Alpha?"
I become filled with fear. If Jaxon senses I'm talking to another Alphaâ "Isabelle!" Resounds from behind me and I flinch at the anger in his voice.
It's only a moment before I'm spun around by my shoulders to where I'm facing him. His beautiful face is etched with rage, as usual, and his body is shaking.
"What do you think you're doing?" He exclaims, his eyes beginning to turn black.
"I-I was just going for a walk and I accidentally ended up hereâ"
"Oh, yes, and you accidentally started a conversation with a rival Alpha?"
"Iâ" I open my mouth to speak, but Alpha Hayes breaks in.
"I was simply telling her not to cross the border."
"How about you simply keep your eyes off my mate or I'll tear your head off?"
Alpha Hayes merely laughs, "The moon goddess is on my side."
"Was she on your side when we killed four of your men?" Jason questions with a smile of his own.
All the while, Jaxon is checking me with his eyes, making sure that I'm unharmed. "Did he touch you?" He murmurs, his hands locked around my upper arms.
"N-No, Jaxon, I swear. I-I just didn't know how to get back to the house, is all. I thought he was one of your men," I lie smoothly, trying my best to sound innocent and apologetic.
He's going to know you're lying. His wolf can sense it, My own wolf says to me. However, Jaxon seems to ignore his counterpart, for he simply nods and releases one of my arms, still holding solidly to the other.
"Speak to her again and I'll annihilate your whole pack," He speaks without sympathy to the man on the other side of the salt line.
"Understood," Alpha Hayes says, stepping away from the line and blending back in with the trees.
"Stupid hippies," Jason murmurs before leading the rest of Jaxon's guard back towards the pack house. He forces me to hold his hand and pulls me back to the cottage, "Don't leave the house again."
"I'm sorry, Jaxon, I just wanted some airâ" I hurriedly say, but I can tell he isn't listening anymore. Before I know it, we're back to the cottage. "Goodbye, Isabelle," Jaxon says, about to leave.
"Jaxonâ" I stop him, unknowing of my own reasoning. He halts and stares me down, questioning in his eyes. Why did I stop him?
Because you want him to stay! My wolf howls with joy and I shake my head.
"Never mind," I change my mind, and it's only a moment before he's disappeared into the scenery again.
I sigh and close the door before plopping onto the couch. I release a breath I didn't know I'd been holding. I did it. Jaxon's going to be dethroned and possibly killed, and I'll be free.
However, I can't help but feel that I've just betrayed my own self.