Shadow wolves: A burning desire (Book 5) - Complete

Chapter 2 - Fiona came home!

Fiona

I waited for the perfect moment when they slid the plate underneath the cage door. I had been loosening the screws on the door for the last month. The guard’s attention was always on the girl giving me the plate of food and not on me. That was how I got past them. The moment she bent down, I whispered sorry and barged through the gate, running past them while they tried to help her and ran after me in the chaos. I charged right into his house, causing bigger chaos when his staff went running and screaming in all directions, zigzagging my way through barricades of guards and their electric sticks, until I found my way out the back, where he was having lunch with his family in the back garden.

I started prowling around them when he jumped up, and ran to hide behind his guards, leaving his wife and child to fend for themselves. Coward! Not wanting to be caught again and having the advantage of his family between us, I made a run for it. Straight ahead, hoping they would follow me this way. I had no idea where I was going, but thanks to Ant.’s survival training, I knew I could make it. Changing course and clearing my tracks, I changed into human form. I made sure they couldn’t follow me. I covered my scent with a foul-smelling plant I found nearby so if they used their tracking dogs, they wouldn’t be able to track my scent.

Covering myself in mud to make sure they couldn’t see me either, I started moving back the way I came, but staying as far away from his settlement as possible. Smashing my way through the thick brush, I wished I could shift, but the chances of them finding my scent that way were too great. I just had to keep going. Leaves cut paper-thin cuts into my arms, as I made my way through the forest, to where the dry heat touched the edges. I made it. Over that mountain, I was sure I would find my pack … I think. Shifting, I felt my fur pulling because of the mud and I started sprinting up the mountain as fast as possible without pulling all my fur off my skin. Finding a small stream on my way up, I could finally get a drink of water, but it was too small to get some of the mud off me.

I heard the crack of sticks being stepped on and my ears twitched. Could they have followed me this far? Would they? Sniffing the air, I picked up the scent of one of their dogs. They did! How did they find me?! I was so careful! Quickly trying my best to hide my scent again, I tried to widen the gap between us. I might not be able to hide from them entirely anymore, but I could at least try and get home before they caught me.

Matt

I ran into the open back door, kicking it closed on my way to the bathroom. Erik might not warm up to me on day one, but I had a good day with the rest of the bunch. They were good kids. It felt good to be out exercising again. What I would never admit was how sore my muscles were. I was out of practice on the fitness side of things. Training racehorses didn’t require this level of fitness. I thought back on the day watching Erik move. He was a carbon copy of his mother. She used to move just as softly as he did.

His eyes took in every detail, and he was pretty agile in human form. He would make an amazing beta. Anthony told me he was best friends with their oldest son, Christian. Erik spent all his free time with the human boy playing chess, or designing some new type of robot or computer game.

He clearly got his mother’s brains as well. I climbed in the shower and let the warm water run over my body. Feeling her hands slide around my waist and her soft kisses on my back, turning around her bright smile lights up every room she walks into. Capturing me from that very first moment, she never let me go. Even after all these years, I could still feel her touch as if it was only yesterday. Shutting off the water after my shower, I pulled the towel tight around my waist, looking at myself in the bathroom mirror.

“Keep it together, for Erik’s sake.” I reminded myself. A noise at the backdoor pulled me from my thoughts and I was alert and in the present immediately. Walking down the passage silently to find out what was happening, I saw someone fiddling with the door handle. I was on edge after yesterday and because of this thing between me and Erik. Now someone was trying to break in! I softly unlocked the door and swung it open, ready to attack!

Fiona

Using the last bit of what I had left inside me, I pictured my baby Erik and ran with every fibre of my being. When I saw a town come into view I wanted to stop, but when I smelled the familiar scents, I ran for our house. If I stopped, I might not make it there. They might catch me or I might just fall down and not make it. The town looked different. The streets confused me and I had to follow my sense of smell to find our house. Finally shifting into my human form, when I turned the last corner I ran to the back of the house, hoping Matt had left the back door open as usual. My legs were so tired. My body wasn’t able to take another step, as I fell at the doorstep, but the back door was locked. Each breath I took burned my chest like hellfire. Each muscle felt as if it had been torn from the bones. Not that I had much muscle tone left to speak of.

Matt

Lying on the floor covered in dirt and blood was a woman! She must have been leaning against the door trying to open it. The only recognizable part of her was a strand of curly red hair. It couldn’t be …

“Fiona?!” I picked her up and carried her over to the living room couch, softly putting her down, my heart told me it was her. How could I not have known she was still alive? How was she still alive? Where had she been all this time? I looked down at her muddy face. She was thinned out to the bone, the rest of her so fragile. Jumping up, I called Megan and Dr. M. I was too scared to move her for fear of causing further injuries. They arrived within ten minutes, while I stood next to the couch in shock. Anthony pulled me aside when they arrived.

“Matt, border patrol just reported human mercenaries crossing our borders with hunting dogs.” He looked worried.

“What?!” This entire situation was frying my brain.

“Let’s go. Megan and Dr. M will take care of her.” Not wanting to leave her side ever again, but wanting to punish whoever did this to her, I felt torn in two.

“Erik. I need to tell him.” My eyes shot at Ant.

“I don’t think that is a good idea. He should not see his mother in this state.” Anthony shook his head.

“That is where you are wrong. He had to see her like that. He has to come with us to get justice for her. We will do it together.” Anthony called for Erik and when he walked in, he didn’t recognize the woman on the couch, until he saw my face.

“Mom?” He asked me and I nodded with tears in my eyes. “Who did this?”

“They just crossed our borders. I’ve been waiting for you.” I started to explain.

“Alpha, please let me go with you.” Erik looked furious.

“Like I said earlier today. Family sticks together. You go with your father. We will be right beside you.” Anthony nodded in my direction. Our patrols had captured the intruders already and were holding them in one of the prison rooms Anthony had built for the borders. We arrived and before I could even come to a standstill, Erik was off like a rocket and inside the entrance hall pacing like a panther ready to pounce. The guard waited for Anthony’s instructions and then let all of us through.

After hours of torture, these men still didn’t talk and Anthony had them sent to the hospital in town. Erik furiously fought as to why they should have the right to live after what they had done to his mother.

“Son, they are worth more to us alive than dead right now. Their boss will send more men to come looking for them to make sure they are either dead or have captured your mother and are on their way back. Believe me. Your father and I have dealt with his kind many times.” Sadness filled Anthony’s voice. I didn’t even want to think about it, knowing what he is probably thinking right now. Fiona had been a prisoner in one of those camps! They beat you so badly both physically and emotionally that they broke you and most people hardly ever found their way back to themselves again.

Seeing Fiona, I knew what she must have gone through, but I just couldn’t afford to think about it right now. We returned to the packhouse and were shown to her room at the hospital. Megan and Dr. M had bathed her and we could see her face again. My beautiful wife, my Fiona.

“You two boys can go in and see her if you like. She is a bit groggy, but I’m sure she will be happy to see you. Especially you Erik. She has been asking for you.” Dr. M smiled. Unknowingly, I put my hand on his shoulder while we were standing by the window and he looked up at me with fear in his eyes.

“Don’t worry son. Dr. M is the best doctor in the world. Mom will be okay in no time. Go, go see her.” I gave him a little shove, watching him walk in slowly, taking her hand. She turned her head to look at him. Taking his hand, she brought it to her lips, and while crying she kissed his hand, holding it tight.

“My little Erik.” She looked so happy.

“Mommy?” I turned around and walked out of the hospital.

Fiona

I woke up in a hospital room with bright lights and heard a familiar voice. Who was that? Blinking my eyes, a couple of times I looked to my right and saw … Megan. My voice was hoarse as I tried to get the words out.

“Meg?” It hurt all over.

“Yes sweetie, you are safe now.” Looking over to my left, I saw Dr. M checking a bunch of machines and tubes pumping all sorts of fluids back into my body. I tried clearing my throat again and Dr. M looked my way.

“Only ice chips for now, girly. Your body has been badly damaged by those monsters. But don’t worry, we will have you back to your healthy self in no time.” Dr. M smiled at me with her loving smile that I remembered from that day when she told me I was pregnant with Erik.

“Erik?” His name came out really squeaky and the two of them shared a look of concern I didn’t like.

“He has gone with Anthony and Matt. They captured the men that were chasing you. They will be here soon, okay? You just need to rest now.” Taking a deep breath, or as deep as I could, thinking I had finally made it. I was safe. I was home. I closed my eyes for a bit and fell asleep.

I might be tired, but after all those years in captivity, my hearing grew as sharp as nails and I heard small footsteps approaching my bed. I felt a little hand taking mine and I turned my head, waking up. It was him! You couldn’t miss his wild red hair and his daddy’s beautiful blue eyes. It was Erik. My Erik.