Chapter 4
1095 Words
I ran downstairs immediately after the siren blared.
Everyone is rushing about the place frantically, and women are screaming for their kids' safety while
warriors are already exiting the packhouse in a rush.
" Hey, there," I tell a couple of kids. They look very sleepy. I have been with the evacuation for a while when strong arms have grabbed me. Derek has been my bodyguard since I was seven years old. My nickname for him is a shadow because that's what he is; even when I am not seeing him, he's always there. Derek is very handsome, with jet-black hair and chiseled features. He is tall, really tall and muscular.
" Let's go,"
I shake my head, wanting to make sure that everyone is safe, but Derek picks me up and throws me over
his shoulder. My legs are dangling as I hit him on the back to be set free, but it's like I'm doing nothing.
" Derek put me down," he doesn't listen; his strides are faster with each step he takes.
" No, I'm taking you to safety," he declares sternly.
I give up and put a hand on my cheek as I look at the empty hallways.
The packhouse is the safest place because secret passages and safe rooms accommodate more than five hundred wolves.
Derek opens a few rooms and drops me like a sack of potatoes on the bed.
" Ouch," I wince, straightening my back. I get off the bed and start to pace the safe room.
" Derek, what about the others," I ask my huge bodyguard.
" People are being evacuated in different safe rooms," he doesn't seem too panicked.
I sighed and sat on the bed; this room was bulletproof and enormous. It has emergency food and water, and everyone needs to stay here for months.
The hours go by slowly. I'm trying to distract myself from everything and dare not to think about my
father or Josh, who I'm sure are on the front lines.
Derek's eyes keep changing color, so he must be mind-linking someone; wolves in the same pack can talk telepathically, but I can't because I have no wolf.
Derek breaks my thoughts,
" Lucy, they'll be fine," I nod. Our pack is one of the strongest and has been fending off rogues for decades.
The last attack was terrible; rogues came in many numbers. I was all but a child, and when they managed to
kill them, I was told my mother died, protecting a few pack kids from the invaders who managed to get
into the house.
I clutch my chest tight as I feel pain there.
I hate to think about it because I feel pain, and the tears won't seem to stop.
I feel a heavy hand on my shoulder and gratefully look at Derek with a kind smile.
He motions me to lay my head on his arm, and I do.
I don't know how long I've been crying, but I stop when Derek whispers,
" It's over," I nod and wipe my tears from my cheeks.
" Dad? Josh, Crystal?" I ask for a list of the people closest to me. Crystal was fighting; she lives for the rush
of it.
" They are fine," I squint my eyes, then why does he look sullen?
" The Gamma and six warriors lost their lives,"
Oh god, the Gamma is Crystal's stepdad. My heart softens at the news and pushes back a lump that is
forming in my throat.
The Gamma was a good man. He got me cotton candy and stayed with me when Dad was busy with work.
Derek and I walk out of the room. I'm sitting on the long stairs, waiting for my father, and as soon as the doors open, I run into Dad's arms.
I pull away and take him in. He looks tired and has dry blood on his chest.
" I'm alright," he says gently; I hug him again, tears streaming down.
A few pack members start to surround us, and they look lost.
My heart feels for them.
" Let's talk to our people," my old man sighs. I nod.
We are standing outside the packhouse on a little stage.
Members are crying and wailing at the loss; howls can be heard throughout the pack as my father says a few words of comfort.
My eyes try to search for Crystal, but I don't see her or Josh anywhere.
I feel hands wrap around me, and I lean into Naomi.
" Hey," she whispers against my shoulder.
" Let's check on Crystal," I say as we approach her house.
Naomi complains because she doesn't know how to face her after their argument, which I still don't know the cause of!
" What happened between you two?" I question. Naomi grabs my hand.
" It's not important, I think," she says, sounding unsure, but this means it's essential if the two are still not talking.
" I want to fix this; please tell me," I plead, but she shakes her head.
" I'll do the fixing this time," She says. I give up.
Minutes later, we reach Gamma's place, which is a modern three-story house.
Crystal's parents are divorced, and her mom moved to another pack. I last heard that she had found her mate and was happy.
I frown my eyebrows when I see Josh's sports car; I thought he was at work, fixing the mess that
happened.
I take my phone out of the back pocket and text him, but there is no response.
' Maybe Bradley borrowed his car,' A little voice in me says. Bradley is the Gamma's son and Josh's best
friend.
" Let's go back," I hear Naomi whine in a child's voice. I turn and cup her face.
" Our best friend lost her Dad. Crystal needs us and..." She puts a hand over my mouth.
" First, it's stepdad," Naomi looks very serious. I roll my eyes and retort.
" It doesn't matter! He raised her," I drag her inside by her high ponytail.
" You're going to break my heel, savage," I laugh, who wears heels and makes up this late at night.
I sigh when I reach the veranda. I almost ring the doorbell, but it is slightly ajar, so I push it open.
" When we see Crystal, I think you should let me..." I freeze and gulp, my eyes wide as saucers when I
see Josh and Crystal in what looks like a tight embrace.
- Writer
