A/N: Alice above.
Alice's POV
BEEP! BEEP! BE-
Grumbling as I turned the alarm clock off, I got out of bed only to quickly fall back onto it as pain shot up my legs and spread through my whole body. As a killer head ache took over my memories from last night came back, the engagement, Jared, the kiss... Britney. Yes, her, my new female beta.
After Britney got over the shock of Jared kissing me, she decided to get some revenge.
I stayed at the beach just sitting there staring at the stars waiting for the party to die down before I leave but I never got the chance. After a few hours Britney came back to the beach with four of her friends. The beating was bad but not my worst, they broke my arm, dislocated my right ankle, pulled some of my hair out, lots of claw marks and those were what I could remember before passing out. Despite all that, the beatings wasn't the worst part, no, it was when they kept calling me a 'whore', kept reminding me that I have no right to touch my mate.
I still don't understand how I got to my room though and there is no way Britney and her gang brought me back, I'm just lucky she didn't float me into the ocean when I was passed out. I need to take a shower, assess my body and get through today. Thank god I already have a bag packed from the time I actually almost left, which is why Jared had threaten me about it.
Striping my clothes off in front the bathroom mirror I saw that my arm was truly broken but it was almost half healed now.
Someone not only helped me to bed but helped me with my injuries. Closing my eyes I tried to smell the person's scent. It was there clear as day all along, how could I not notice... Jared.
. . .
Emma's POV
Standing near the railing of the boat I kept my gaze on the main land as it slowly disappeared from view then turning around I saw the beginnings of King's island. While I know what needs to be done I was still afraid. Flashes of my days of being tortured by the witches flashed before my eyes. Cringing I turned around heading to the bar.
"What can I get for you pretty lady?" the young bartender asked with a flirtatious smile.
"A Pina Colada" I responded with a blank face. He was cute but human. With my strength it would be easy for me to kill him by accident, I would have to always be alert and cautious something that is impossible in the highs of pleasure. Producing a $50 bill I told him to keep the change and walked off before he could start hitting on me.
There were little kids playing on deck obviously on summer vacation, the young couples who seem to be honeymooning but what really caught my eyes was an old couple. Love is beautiful, I admire it greatly but what I really like is its strength. Which is why I love being surrounded by people, it gives me joy being able to witness that love and also I don't feel as lonely.
Werewolves are the most blessed in my opinion of all the supernatural beings. They have a mate which they can find when they turn 16, someone who is their other half and belong only to them, who will love them no matter what even after death. I both admire and envy them. This is why I am so angry about rejections, this one in particular. Her mate even had the audacity to choose a substitute which is only allowed for werewolves who mates have already died. Why was the alpha even allowing this? Maybe the beta is hiding that he actually has a mate from the pack? That must be it because any alpha will punish his beta for treating their mate in such a manner.
AHHHHHH!!
A high pitched childlike scream broke my thoughts as I set my glass down on a nearby table and turned to see what was wrong. The old couple I saw before where kneeing on the floor with the husband reaching his hand through the railings. A woman then started yelling.
"My baby! Where's my baby!"
Leaning over the rail I saw it. A little girl maybe five years old was desperately clutching onto the edge of the deck while the old man tried to convince her to grab his hand. The mother was now crying while pleading with her child to take the man's hand as the child was too far out of reach for someone to grab her. A crowd was forming now and I needed to act fast, after all I'm a part of the werewolf council who exist to protect mankind and the world we live in, maybe only from the supernatural but I'm not about to watch the child get hurt or worst drown.
I have to be careful to control myself enough to appear human. While I like being in crowds, I never had the cause to use my powers to rescue someone as normally my strength would suffice but this seemed tricky. The child was a great distance from me and even then I would have to move through the crowd to get to her and that is considering she doesn't lose her grip.
As if hearing my thoughts her little fingers slipped and she started falling.
AAHHH!
Running closer to the rail I grabbed it with one hand jumping over and into the ocean. The cold water surrounded me and burned at my eyes when I opened them to search for her. I turned a bit to find her about ten feet away moving frantically with her little hands and feet, this only caused her to sink faster. Closing my eyes I focused on my third and the last of my special powers, the ability to manipulate nature. I grabbed a pocket of air from the surface and forced it around her head then used the water around her to stop her from sinking and to push me towards her. Together I started surfacing us and when we were close enough for the humans to notice me not swimming I stopped the water but kept the air bubble wrapped around our heads until the last few seconds.
Keeping in mind I had to make this look real I whispered to the child a command sleep and she instantly did. She was under the water long enough for any child to lose conscious or need CPR. Passing her to the waiting arms of a crew member on the boat I then climbed out as well with his help. After a few pumps of her chest I whispered awake and she did.
Smiling at the mother who kept thanking me over and over I felt my heart warm. Everyone began clapping and congratulating me on saving the child. It was nice and felt really great but I would have done it either way I loved all beings and would not let any of them suffer while I can do something about it. I gave a wave and walked back over to my drink, while I liked the attention I wasn't accustomed to it and I think I have reached my limit for today.
I peeled off my soaking shirt to reveal my bikini top and an encircling barbwire tattoo around my neck. One would think it was a normal human tattoo but no, it was actually a seal. You see, over the years the witches have found a way to track me by sensing my magic. Therefore the seal blocks half my magic, it affects everything except my physical body so I have my full physical abilities but not my full magical powers. The witches can't sense me unless I'm at full power therefore the seal is essential. The reason why the council is so concern with me asking for extended time is because in order to close the bond I need full power. For that period of time I will need to lift the seal and the witches will be able to find me. Normally I disappear right after but not this time. I have to stay with her. My foresight still needs developing and right now it can only tell me major things that directly concern me, therefore even though it makes no sense risking my life to ensure the she wolf heals, I must as it is density.
. . . .
Alice's POV
As I waited at the docks for the last group of tourists to exit the boat I nervously ensured my collar was properly covering the finger prints Alpha Jake gave me from gripping my neck too hard yesterday. Werewolves normally heal within the day however if the wound was caused by an Alpha and especially if it is your pack Alpha the wound will heal very slowly.
Looking up as the tourist group had finally gathered in front of me. I started gauging the types of humans I will have to deal with, when one in particular stood out to me, a young woman. From the looks of it no more than twenty years old, looking into her pretty onyx eyes I realized she was looking right back at me and in that moment and wave of electricity passed through me. That woman, she is not normal. Even though she appears human, something inside me is saying she is different. Keeping eye contact with me she started making her way towards the front of the group, it took me a few seconds to realize that she was actually walking straight towards me.
"Hello there, I'm Emma Jackson."
She put out her hand and I followed but a little more hesitantly. Although I have every right to be afraid and cautious, I'm not. Despite knowing she is different I feel safe around her almost like instinct.
"Alice Rosemary, tour guide for King's Island's glowing caves"
"I'm so excited to be here. I heard the caves where like the night sky."
"Yes, it is quite breath-taking."
Seeing that the last of the group had arrived I started my tour duties. Of the group of 20, the young woman stayed at the very front, always paying attention never asking questions. After a while I realized that even though she had a camera hanging from around her neck she never once used it. Paying closer attention there were other minor things that were weird about her, the biggest maybe coming all the way over here to the Caribbean alone on an vacation. Then there was the way she carried herself with a demeanor that breathe of power. This continues to baffle my mind. How can she seem so dominant yet be human. In a normal case I would have to bring her to my Alpha but I don't want to. I don't want to see his face when I tell him she's human.
The day was almost over and by now my body was literally killing me with pain, everything hurt. So much so that I stumbled on my bad leg while walking but before I could fall Emma grabbed my arms. I winched when she touched my still healing broken arm and her sharp eyes didn't miss it.
"Careful."
Letting out a light chuckle I brushed it off as clumsiness, yet her eyes remained knowing.
After reaching the end of the cave which had a wide opening I called a 20 minutes break where everyone can relax and take pictures before the tour ended.
Slipping away I sat alone behind a group of particularly large rocks in hopes to ease the pain in my leg when someone sat down beside me. Even though it could have been anyone of the other humans I had a feeling as to which was currently next to me.
"You look tired, long day?"
It was a harmless statement, a simple question, yet it felt like that wasn't what she really wanted to ask. Yet I felt obliged to answer her.
"Long night, rough morning. Bad memories, I'd prefer not to remember."
Her eyes suddenly glint a blood red so quickly I was unsure if I imagined it.
"I guess I know what you mean, perhaps a bad break-up..."
As she trailed off I froze.
What? How does she know? Or maybe she just happened to guess right?
But my instinct was telling me otherwise, she knows more than she lets on. In an instance of panic I bolted up and started gathering the tour group.
"Okay everyone, I'm sorry to cut it short but I'm needed back home. Please be back on the boat by the next ten minutes."
Then turning to Emma I spoke, "That includes you too."
There were a lot of displeasure expressed by the crowd but they abide after all it was a free tour.
Before I can head back to the pack and supposedly sneak onto the boat for my escape plan a warm yet firm hand grabbed onto my good arm.
"I know."
Just two words but the meaning behind it was grave. Exactly who is this human?
"And what is it that you know?"
I turned yet again to her, but tilting my head to the side, just how much does she think she knows.
"The rejection, the substitute mate, I know."
Before I could stutter out a respond she dragged me off to a more secluded area and continued.
"And I'm here to help."
Bowing on one knee she stated,
"I'm Emma Alex Jackson of the Werewolf Council's royal warriors. The council felt your situation was in need of their intervention and hence sent me." Standing up she continued.
"I can help you if you let me, I can make the pain go away, stop the nightmares, heal your heart but only if you let me."
"B-But that's impossible, you a human as a royal warrior? And how can you even begin to help me, you're powerless."
"On contra, I'm not what I appear to be... but you already knew that, didn't you?"
With that said a chill went down my spine, because deep down inside me I knew she was right.
"Then what are y-you?" I stuttered.
"That I can't say. All you need to know is that as a royal warrior of the council I possess the power to help you." With that said Emma raised her right sleeve to show me the markings of the council which is given to every warrior on their inside wrist.
She was a complete stranger yet my instincts were telling me that I could trust her and so following them it looks like I have a legit royal warrior helping me to escape.
It's time to put my plan into action.
. . . .
Emma's POV
So it seems she has chosen to run away. Well it was either that or suicide for a wolf who has suffered as much as her but of course, that's normal circumstances. Now that I'm helping her things change.
"We'll go through the forest to get to the pack but is there any way you can hide your scent? My pack is not too fond of humans and that's putting it lightly." Alice whispered the last part but I heard her clearly.
"Close your eyes"
When she did I summoned a spell to conceal my scent.
"Done"
"Wow, I can't smell you... how'd you do that?"
"If I wanted you to know I would have let you keep your eyes open" I said with a secretive smirk.
Smiling she continued to lead the way.
After about 20 more minutes we have reached the edge of the pack, while the whole island belonged to the pack the front remained vacant just in case of visitors.
While walking she told me all the things she went through and how much she has suffered. Even though I already knew about some of it, it was still pissing me off.
After a few more minutes growls were heard so I climbed a tree liked we planned and stayed hidden also casting a cloaking spell so I can take on an invisible airy form.
Looking down I saw everything, the way Alice shock from fear of what was going to happen, the group of she wolves walking up to her, how one in particular seemed pissed off and then her mate. I could tell by the broken look on her face more so when he came to a stop next to the angry looking she wolf.
"The alpha commanded you last night to stay away from my mate. Why is it that I wake up in the middle of the night to find him not in our bed but with you, in YOUR room?!" With that she slapped Alice, hard.
Seeing that made my blood run cold, I just wanted to come out of hiding and skin that bitch alive but... I promised I'd follow her plan. So instead I sent a healing spell to her to help numb the pain and heal faster. I knew it had reached her from the surprised look on her face.
"Why you little whore! He is mine!"
With that she lunged forward aiming for Alice's throat, she was going in for the kill and with how weak Alice is she didn't stand a chance. However before I could have jump down and stop her someone else did, Jared.
"Why are you stopping me? You want to be happy right? We can't if she is here. She has to be gone, permanently. Besides the Alpha would agree with me, hell he would have done it himself."
Now that explains everything, the Alpha was allowing the abuse, the rejection, the substitute mate. When he was suppose to be protecting the weak members of his pack.
This changes everything and I must inform the council as soon as I can. If what the she wolf says is true we need to take disciplinary action and ensure that he is fit to be an Alpha, if not he will be replaced.
"You don't have to kill her..." Jared barely whispered but I heard him clearly and can see his trembling form. He was losing control, his wolf was taking over from the threat it felt towards its true mate. If he indeed losses control he will kill any and everything that comes near Alice despite their intentions and only let his human take over when he has ensured that his mate is no longer in a life threatening position. That must be why the Alpha hasn't killed her, he knows he'll lose his beta from insanity as his wolf would never be able to survive the lost.
"Britney that's enough!" boomed from behind them as Britney on reflex bowed her head. The alpha was here and it seems he was aware of Jared's lack of control. Either he knew his history about mates or he found out firsthand what happens when you try to kill a mate in front of the other. From everything I have seen so far I would have to go with the second guess.
"Runt! Get back to your room, now!" The Alpha yelled at Alice. She quickly scurried away but not before throwing a worried glance up at me.
"Britney, take your mate back to your room and calm him down. Men help your female beta." The three wolves that came with the Alpha went to help her drag Jared back to the pack house I presume and the rest of the girls followed leaving the Alpha standing in the woods alone.
At first I was confused, why would he stay back? What is he going to do alone in the woods but the answer came just as quickly. Suddenly his head snapped up to me and swear I heard a growl. My thoughts raced.
No way! He's not a witch he shouldn't be able to know I'm here!
He took a deep breath in my direction.
Don't freak out he can't smell me...
Then he eyes turned a liquid gold.
I can't reveal myself. I was supposed to take Alice away quietly. I can't let an Alpha sense me it would risk exposure to my true identity but it's too late he already had noticed me. I lean forward and quietly dropped to the ground using my powers to mute the thud all the while his eyes followed me. He already knows I'm here so I can't leave however I was clever and most certainly had a plan. Walking up to him I stopped at a reasonable distance and bowed my head all the while dropping a bit of my spell so he can see a mere outline of my form. He was following his instincts before, now he can actually see me but I just appear to be a figure of dark smoke with a distorted voice. Yep kind of like a horror movie scene, now to start my lie.
"I'm a member of the Werewolf Council's royal warriors. I was sent by the council to check on your packs activities for today's human bonding exercise."
"Show yourself!"
"I'm sorry but I was sent as a shadow to observe. Revealing myself will go against council orders."
"I don't care show yourself! I need to see your face."
Now he just sounds desperate, I wonder why he needs to see my face so badly. Suddenly he reaches his hands out trying to touch me and his fingers go straight through my airy form. Letting out a loud frustrated growl he continued.
"You're female right? You have to be!"
"Why does my gender concern you so?"
"Haven't you noticed it? Or is it because you're in that form? Show yourself now my wolf is going crazy!"
"I can see that, your eyes are golden, but know that I mean you no harm. Like I said, I'm only here to observe."
A look of utter shock, disbelief and hurt crosses his face.
"You really can't feel it?"
He barely whispers out, if it wasn't for my super hearing I wouldn't have heard him.
"What am I supposed to feel exactly?"
What is he talking about? Is he losing his mind?
My question was the last straw, he fell to his knees with a pained look on his face and let out a loud heart wrenching howl. Okay it is official the Alpha has lost his marbles.
Even in this broken state his eyes are still golden, weird. A wolf's eyes only turn golden for two reasons when it senses danger and... their mate, but that's impossible... right? I'm not a werewolf or is it? I have to know.
It doesn't matter that he is a bad Alpha or hates humans. I always envied werewolves for having mates but if I actually had one for myself I have to know. I stared back into his eyes and started lifting my spell. His eyes widen when he realizes what I'm doing. He inhales deeply letting out a loud purr while standing back up. I knew that I can't show him my face especially if he isn't my mate this would have been a disaster. I have to always stay hidden but for the first time I'm breaking that rule. Well partly, I materialized my official warrior uniform which has a full mask. With my uniform not an inch of skin is revealed but I will still know if I'm his mate. After I fully materialize he seemed shocked into place then slowly lifted his hand to touch my cheek.
Despite the mask I felt it. The sparks, it was there. I'm his mate. Lunging forward he wrapped me up in his arms sending warmth and sparks throughout my whole body. Still inside his arms I pulled his head down and rest my forehead against his and just got lost inside those dark brown eyes. His right hand had crept up to my right cheek and found the edge of my mask. He started to slowly lift it off my face and while I should be stopping him I didn't care. I wanted him to see me. I wanted to belong to him and him to me.
"Ahhh!"
Someone scream just as he started to lift it off my face. His hand froze. Then the same person screamed again and my head started to clear. I remembered why I came here. Alice continued to scream in pain as what sounded like a whip cracked against her skin. Upon seeing the look in my eyes Jake's eyes clouded over and the whips stopped. He had mind linked them to stop.
"That's just a rouge we found this morning..."
All the while his eyes never met mine. At least he knew the council's laws don't allow him to abuse members especially the runt. That was a good lie but I knew better.
The one thing I longed for my whole life was a disappointment. Well it doesn't matter since all guards of the council are not supposed to have a mate, I will be a first. Besides I have an rejected mate to help, speaking of time to go save my charge. I will deal with him another time, he might not be perfect but he is mine.
I casted my cloaking spell a second time that night and as my body starts to disappear I keep my eyes locked with his. The disappointment in my eyes seemed to have shattered his heart. A strangled no escaped his lips as my airy form took over and I literally disappeared from his arms.
....