Caged By The Alpha

11. Someone

Hazel POV

" Hazel, calm your nerves, we are only going for a run in the woods besides it's been months since I have last had a run and my wolf is getting antsy these past few days and I am sure you also need a run," she pleaded with puppy eyes, I wanted to tell her that I had no wolf, that I was wolfless but I am afraid of what she would think about me.

"Fine, fine, we are going for a run, but how are we going to get past the guards," I said knowing very well that there was no way we could get past the tight security.

"Well trust me on this, I know a very perfect way out of the castle, all you need to do is to follow my lead." She assured grabbing my hands before walking sneakily down the hallway and leading me to the darkest part of the castle.

"What happens if we get caught," I asked as she grabbed a candle and lit it up from the one standing on each side of the wall.

"Then the moon goddess will gladly accept our souls," she replied with a smirk and I shrugged slightly with fear. " Just kidding, of course, we won't be caught." She finally added as we walked into a dark tunnel.

"How do you know all of these paths," I asked curiously.

" That's top secret," she whispered.

"You are not going to tell me…" I was interrupted by a loud piercing growl which sent shivers down my spine.

"What was that?" I asked curious to find out about the person screaming.

"Run!" was the reply I got before she grabbed my hands and started running towards the end of the tunnel. We continued running until I could see the tree branches and the earth under my feet.

"What was that for?" I asked as I panted with exhaustion, glaring at her.

"That part of the castle is strictly forbidden for everybody which means that something dangerous could happen in there or perhaps you want us to be in shackles," she replied before slowly walking deeper into the forest and I immediately followed her afraid that I might easily get lost in the woods.

I inhaled the fresh breeze and listened to the chirping of the birds and snapping of the trees. Ashley stopped abruptly behind a tree and I raised my brows in question.

" This is a perfect spot to shift," she explained shrugging her shoulders and swiftly pulling off her dress and waiting for me to do the same.

"Perhaps you are shy about your nakedness, don't worry we are both girls," she winks as she made to pull off her underwear.

" Well that's not the problem Ashley," I finally confess.

" Then what is the problem?" she asked curiously.

I hesitated before speaking, "I… I can't shift," I finally dropped the bombshell and I can see the shocked look on her face. Yes now that she knows my secret, she would know

"You can't shift, that's very strange, or maybe you can't shift because you never tried or have time to shift?" she suggested.

"Of course, I tried shifting, the fact is that I don't have a wolf," I admitted as I pulled my fist into a tight hold, I didn't want to look weak and vulnerable like this but the truth is I am a weak and pathetic wolf-like they always say.

"Okay perhaps you can try that tonight, besides full moon always triggers the transformation of wolves, you know makes them feel connected to the moon goddess hence triggering their wolves," she stated with a hopeful look in her eyes.

"You seem to know most of the things, where do you learn this, or perhaps it's also a top-secret," I said jokingly trying to ease the tense atmosphere, I didn't want her to look at me with pitiful eyes.

" Of course not, I learned all of that from the pack library, I am going to take you there next time we sneak out," she promised.

" Trust me, Ashley, there will be no next time," I stated, I am not ready to be killed brutally by the Alpha.

" There will be Hazel, don't be too sure on that, Ashley knows how to get things she wants," she winked.

"By using a Voodoo spell or perhaps the voice of a siren," I said picking up another twig and snapping it with my fingers.

"I am using none of that, absolutely none of that," she smiled before immediately masking it with a serious gaze. " Now Hazel, strip off your dress, or perhaps you want to lose them during the transformation." She ordered sternly.

"Are you Madam Yvonne or something?" I joked but Ashley wasn't buying any of it.

" Fine, we will do it your way," I heaved before finally stripping off my dress and carefully placing it by the tree side.

"Happy now?" I gritted my teeth and tilted my head.

"Exhilarated," Hazel replied with a smirk and I sent her a glare which she returned. I need not be told before squatting, bending on one knee, and letting my arms fall to the ground.

"Now take a deep breath," I heard Ashley instructs and I take a deep breath and closed my eyes and felt the forest breeze, and then waited for the next instruction.

"Now concentrate on your surroundings and imagine yourself shifting into a wolf, imagine yourself having something inside of you, and imagine yourself having furs, snorts, and paws," I hear Ashley's voice echoing down the forest and I did as she instructed. Soon I imagined myself howling at the moon, running on the earth and feeling the earth beneath me, and then rolling on soft green luscious grass.

I snapped my eyes open when I couldn't do it anymore and I could see Ashley staring at me with a disapproving look.

"Try harder, Try harder Hazel," she urged and I closed my eyes and did as she instructed earlier, with all the courage and strength left in me, and waited for a while.

"Yes you are doing it, that's it, Hazel," I hear Ashley's cheerful voice urging me and I concentrated harder, first I felt my claws grow sharper and longer and my eyes snapped open and I stared at the void space in front of the face, I felt so weak and my body felt so weak and I could see Ashley move back with fear and a shocked look on her face. That was the last thing I felt before passing out from exhaustion.

~~~~~~

"What's wrong?" I asked as I saw Ashley hovering over me and staring at me with a shocked look on her face. I noticed that I was now lying on the ground and I grabbed my head as pain shoot through me and I tried to recollect the memories of what had happened before I fainted.

"Your hands changed into long, sharp talons and your eyes were dangerously glowing golden, and then you passed out, I have never seen a wolf with such a powerful aura as yours well except for the alpha, not a single wolf, not even Cole or beta Toran…"

"Enough!" I yelled interrupting her fisting my hands tightly. "I know you are saying all of this to make me feel happy but you don't need to do that because we both now know the fact that I can't shift, and if I can anybody wants a wolf who can't last five minutes in a fight!" I clarified fighting the urge to cry.

"Bu… but it was true, I saw and witnessed everything…" I interrupted her in again before she could finish her sentence.

"We are here because you wanted to run right, I suggest you shift now or we waste half of the time talking about insignificant things," I stated reminding her of the fact that we do not have much time left on our side.

"Fine, make sure to stay here and call for me if you sense any trouble," she said reluctantly before finally stripping off her underwear and easily shifting into an average brown wolf with white patches on the head, her wolf was beautiful that I immediately started to envy it, she rubbed me with her snout before running around excitedly as I smiled soon she was out of sight and I could only hear her howl in the distance. Now everything was normal and calm and only the rustling of the leaves could be heard, my mind flashed back to the scene back in the dark tunnel where I heard the scream and the uneasiness and fear I felt as Ashley seized my hands and started running. I felt a strange and strong urge to trace the source of the scream and soothe whoever was in pain but I then remembered Ashley's words and bit my lips.

Just as I was lost in my thoughts and world, I sensed a fast and quick movement amongst the tree and I immediately stood up with attention.

"Ashley," I called, as I could feel my body shaking with fear as I looked front, back, left, and right to search for the person.

"Ashley?" I called again louder this time, she better stop playing these pranks on me because I am becoming scared at my wits.

"Ashley stops all this nonsense or I am going to kill…" those words died in my throat as soon I saw a huge shadow of the monster lurking around the shadows. Of course, it wasn't Ashley, Ashley wasn't that tall and huge, then the monster swiftly disappeared again and I caught sight of red bloodshot eyes staring at me.

"Could that possibly be rogues," I thought to myself, " well if so, that's interesting, at least I was going to be someone's meal?"

My thoughts dissipated at once when I felt strong rough hands wrapped harshly around my throat making my heart go io a frenzy and a muffled scream escaped my throat, praying for at least someone to hear me and come to my aid.

Someone