‘Til We Meet Again

Chapter 18: Paige Turner

Paige got out of bed earlier than usual. Just a few hours ago, her dad had awaken her to let her know he was leaving for some pack in the North. She thought to herself how dumb that pack must be. There was no way they knew her father or else they wouldn't have pulled a stunt so bold. Her dad was obviously not going to be driving her to school and her mom was depressed. She scoffed to herself and threw her comforter aside. Entering her huge walk-in closet, she scanned the space for the perfect school outfit. Her eyes settled on a pale pink maxi dress with red flowers. Might as well look good while everything else is falling apart. She didn't doubt her dad and his men. But they were stepping into a whole different territory. The outcome may not be one to celebrate. After getting ready, she grabbed a pair of red flats and pinned her hair up into an elegant bun.

On her way out, she spotted the Beta family. Before she could ask, she realized their car was smoking. She frowned and walked on. The walk to school was nothing special. Paige was hoping no one bothered her. She just wanted to be left with her thoughts. So much was going on and it felt suffocating to the bratty Alpha's daughter. She wondered if Christian was ok. He waa her only sibling and the thought of being stuck with their parents was unbearable. She shuddered at the thought.

Paige was close to the school when something caught her eye. Just ahead, in the parking lot of the small motel at the edge of the territory, was a candy apple red jeep. It was so pretty, her jaw dropped. She slowed her pace and stared at the beauty.

"You like?" She hadn't even noticed the tall, blonde-haired hunk standing at the back of the jeep. He flashed a perfect, white smile and waited for her to answer.

Paige smiled in return, suddenly nervous and feeling a bit timid.

"I'm Guy. Your name?"

"Guy?" He chuckled and nodded his head.

"Paige."

"I like that name. Headed somewhere?"

"School. Just a few minutes away and I don't want to be late." She started to continue her walk to school.

"I can give you a ride." Guy smiled. He was so charming. His plain white t-shirt and khaki cargo shorts were crisp. He looked well-groomed. She couldn't help but blush.

"Uh, actually--"

Guy cut her off. "I don't mind. I don't have anything to do anyway." He smiled again.

Paige thought he looked pretty trustworthy; not like the old creeps she'd encountered before. He didn't seem like a psycho. She shrugged and walked back around to the passenger side of the jeep. Guy opened the door for her and helped her in.

"Thank you." She blushed again. Most guys were only nice to her because she was the Alpha's daughter. But Guy seemed nice. He didn't know her, her family, or anything. Yet, he treated her kindly. He could be doing anything else and he offered her a ride to school. He must've read her mind, she thought to herself. He slid behind the steering wheel and started the jeep, backing out of the parking space.

"So, you live around here?"

"Yeah. I'm a member of the White Crescent Pack."

"Cool. Who's your Alpha?"

"Alpha Christopher."

"Not really familiar with him. Is he decent?"

"He's fair. Not really one to mess with though."

Guy chuckled and nodded.

"Where are you from?"

"I'm from the East. A mountain wolf."

"Are you rogue?"

"Ha! No, but I travel a lot. I'm not mated yet, so I have the free time."

"That's cool. How old are you?"

"I'm 17. You?"

"I'm 15." Paige blushed again. Guy smiled to himself. For an Alpha's daughter, she seemed shy. But she was cute. He had to shake his head to clear his thoughts. He was on a mission playing a character. He couldn't get distracted.

"Make this next turn." Paige sat up. Guy turned the jeep down a road that led to a massive building. The signage read Seleneville High School. Guy thought how corny it was for the town to be called Seleneville. The more he thought about it, the more annoyed he became. The wolves in this region were savages. Bottom of the barrel. Literal scum. He cleared his throat and pulled around to the front of the building.

"Thanks." Paige hopped out.

"Wait, Paige!" She closed the door and hurried up the stairs and into the school. He shook his head slowly. He would be back before the final bell rang.

***

Christian

It felt weird being in my body. Something was very wrong. For one, I couldn't takk to my wolf. Maceo was just gone. Second, my hands and feet were tingling. I groaned as I attempted to roll onto my back. My efforts were pointless. I could barely move.

"You're awake." A woman's voice made me freeze. I opened my eyes to see a woman with dark hair, just past her shoulders, leaning over me. She had hazel eyes and fair skin. Her cold fingers lightly brushed my forehead as she swept my hair out of my face. I cringed.

"You're going to be my mate." She sounded confident and determined, which made my skin crawl. My mind filled with images of Trinity. And then came the images of Carmen lying on the ground with blood flowing from her wound. My heart ached at the thought of not being able to comfort my mate. I'm supposed to protect her. I failed. I don't even know if she's ok or where she is.

"I'm Anna; the Alpha's daughter." The voice jarred me away from my thoughts. This was all a plot to make me the Alpha? A kidnapping? But why?

"Everything will make sense soon." She stood and turned toward a door that I had just realized was wide open.

"Where am I?" I managed to choke out the few words I could think of.

"I can't reveal that. But we're not far from home. We will go back to Sapphire Rock after the mating ceremony."

"Mating ceremony?"

"Yes, silly. Your family promised you to our pack. My dad is ready to retire and it's about time you took over, since you're of age now."

She said it in such a matter-of-fact way that I had to suck in my breath to keep from scoffing. My family promised me to Sapphire Rock? I had so many questions to ask and did not know where to begin. Then it hit me. Mom's note. I became nauseated. How could they do something like this?

"Anyways, I have to get back home before Dad knows I snuck out. I just had to see you."

"Anna--" I tried to continue the conversation, but she left rather quickly. I needed to get out of here. As soon as possible.

***

There was no way to know the time. It felt like I had been here forever. My body was weak and I was lonely. Maceo was still nowhere to be found. I was sure they used some kind of serum or something to suppress him. I missed Trinity.

A loud thud gave me pause as I waited anxiously for what would come next. The silver cuffs around my wrists and ankles started to burn my skin. My hands and feet felt numb. The door swung open and some large man stood on the doorway.

"Young Alpha, it's good to see you're awake. I'm Alpha Braden. We haven't formally met yet, but you will be the acting Alpha of Sapphire Rock upon my retirement."

"Why me?"

He grunted and folded his arms.

"You were promised to us. Marjorie made a deal after my only son was murdered by a wolf from Seleneville."

"A wolf from our pack?"

"The wolf was never caught, but they left a note behind that we were able to link to Seleneville. To avoid a war, Marjorie made a promise."

"Can't your daughter be Alpha?"

"I'm no fool. Leaving a woman in charge of my pack would be a mistake."

I frowned because that sounded ridiculous.

"For centuries, my family has ruled this territory. In all of our time in power, a woman has never been Alpha and we have never been challenged. A woman could not do what we have managed to do during our reign."

"I'm sorry about your son, Alpha, but I have a mate and I want her. She's smart, beautiful, sweet, caring--"

"None of that matters now. You will be Alpha of Sapphire Rock."

"Please--"

"The mating ceremony is tomorrow." He left, slamming the door behind him. I let out a loud scream, frustrated by everything and everyone. My own family basically sold me out. I began yanking and pulling, but all that did was cut up my wrists and ankles. The sores were bleeding as I continued to thrash about. I gave up and silently sobbed. If the Moon Goddess got me out of this, I'd do anything.