A/N: Alpha Jake Ashton above.
Emma POV
I woke up feeling well rested and at ease, I can't remember the last time I slept so well that is if there ever was a time. Hugging the big fluffy pillow tighter against my chest I realized that for the first time, I felt completely safe. No one can hurt me, not even the witches. My eyes fluttered open then and it took me a few seconds for my vision to adjust. I found myself staring at black french doors that seem to lead to a balcony. Wait What?!
Bolting up I took in my surroundings... Right the Alpha's room. That feeling I woke up with had me confused. I was in his bed, in his clothes and seem to be hugging his pillow to my chest. His scent was everywhere and now all over me. I guess what he said last night was true. I would sleep better with his scent. My sleep would sometimes be plagued with nightmares, or I simply don't fall asleep for long periods because I just don't feel safe enough to drop my guard. So to sleep from night to morning is almost impossible for me but I like it, having a full nights rest.
Stretching I stood and went to the washroom. I really didn't want to leave the bed not because it was comfortable but because it smelled like him. I have to remember I was here on a mission, I am a royal guard before being his mate. I used his toothbrush because I didn't care to look for a new one all the while thinking about the council. Should I let them know about him or not. If they do I would lose my rank and status altogether since as a warrior I'm not suppose to have a mate. What to do?
By this time I was in his shower using his body gel and shampoo, I tried thinking of a logical excuse. 'I don't have my luggage, I had no choice.' When in truth I just wanted to smell like him and of course tease him some more. I was curious what would he do when he realized I used his shower gel, his shampoo, his toothbrush?
Stepping out of the shower I realized something, I have no clothes. Do I wear his? No that felt sacred, I soon realized I wanted no one but him see me wearing his clothes. Weird all these feelings and thoughts were new to me but I liked it, I have never felt more alive.
Materializing my warrior uniform I decided I would ask Alice for some of her clothes, though it would be a bit tight. The girl was starved after all but that wouldn't remain so for long. With that thought I walked out the door in search of the rejected she wolf.
. . . .
Alice POV
Waking up I was surprised to realize I was still safe and sound where Emma had left me. I for sure thought they would come get me when she turned her back. The beating would be my most brutal one yet. After all they must think I told the council about my abuse. Which brings me back to my royal warrior, who seems determined not to let anything happen to me, to tell you the truth it feels nice. For the first time in a long time someone is protecting me. I wonder what she is doing, well there is only one way to find out.
Walking over to the door I opened it and poke my head out checking to see if the coast was clear. I would rather not meet any of my pack until I'm within Emma's line of vision. It might sound weird but I already trust her with my life. It's just a gut feeling I have about her, like we were met to meet. Deeming it safe I sprinted out my room and towards the kitchen after all it was nine in the morning she should be there or maybe around somewhere.
However I barely got three steps out the room before being slammed into the wall in a choke hold. Big rough hands squeezed tightly causing my vision to blur. Slowly he started lifting me higher and higher until my feet were just barely on the ground as I desperately clawed at his arms praying for Emma to come save me. Before yesterday I would have stayed quietly and take the beating but that was before her. Before I knew there was still someone in this world willing to protect me.
"Enough Ryan"
Of course, the Alpha and Ryan the Gamma, the third in command. Why can't I catch a break?
"Take her to the dark room. Quickly!"
Ryan roughly threw me over his shoulder as they both walked briskly. The dark room is where rogues and traitors are taken for torture or execution, it's only used for criminals. I tried screaming but Alpha ripped part of my shirt off and gagged me with it. What am I going to do? I will never survive their torture or for that fact anything they had planned for me. That's if they weren't already planning to kill me.
While the Alpha had allowed others to abuse me he himself never did. Of course there was the now and again hits but he never beat me like the others. Maybe he knew I would never survive it, so the fact that he is doing this now means that I'm going to either die or be very close to it unless... Emma.
I need to catch her attention but how? I don't even know if she is a wolf, or what race she belongs to. Arghh think time is running out! Just then something caught my eye, an portray of the past Alpha and Luna. Angling my leg waiting for the right moment I kicked sending it down but right before it could shatter on the floor Alpha had responded and caught it, the act causing Ryan to stop.
"Get her there I'll be there soon."
Alpha responded fixing the painting back on the wall eyes pitch black. That must have been my last opportunity and he looks even more pissed now, I'm just making this worst.
Suddenly I was tossed onto the floor. I was so wrapped up in my thoughts I failed to realized that it was too late we had already reached the room. Scared eyes were trained on the hulking man just as a blow to my right cheek followed.
"Stop! I told you we can't bruise her in obvious places."
The Alpha had arrived locking the door behind him. As I stared at him his eyes glinted black and his face twisted into an angry scold. There was no escape.
"Now runt, why is there a royal warrior here threatening my pack and my Alpha rank? Did you contact the council?"
I gave no answer and continued to stare at the floor because he had become too scary to look at. He responded by slamming me into the floor with his right fist right above my heart knocking the wind out of me. The blow was unexpected and brutal, he must be really pissed off. Still seeing stars and trying to catch my breath I was yanked to my feet again.
"I will ask one more time. Did you or did you not betray this pack?"
Quickly shaking my head my voice seemed to stop working. His face became blank and he took a few steps away from me.
"I can't believe you, the only way for the council to find out is for someone to tell them. You are the only one who had a reason. Ryan you know what to do but remember not the obvious."
"Yes Alpha."
"No please don't"
They both froze at my voice, eyes turned to me in surprise and shock.
"Are you begging runt?" Alpha questioned.
"I don't think she has ever begged before. She must really be scared. I'm going to enjoy this even more now." Ryan spoke with an evil grin stepping towards me.
I backed up all that I could before hitting the wall, this was the end, I am going to die, screwing my eyes shut I waited for the blow.
Five seconds then ten and nothing was happening, peeking through one eye I saw Ryan had his back to me and both him and Alpha were now facing the door. It was only then I realized the air in the room felt really heavy, so much so that it was suffocating. There was an ominous vibe coming from behind the door. However all this is normally the effects of an extremely high ranking supernatural being but I still couldn't feel a presence. Maybe that's why they both hadn't fled yet. They weren't sure if there actually was a threat.
Just then with a loud boom the door flew across to the other side of the room. Looking closely I could see the outline of a small fist on what was supposed to be a mental door lined with silver. Someone had literally punched a mental door off its hinges and sent it flying. Just who is this person? As if answering my thoughts they stepped into the room.
Emma stood there in all her glory, her full mask and uniform, but what really shocked me was her eyes. They were a blood red and while I should be scared I wasn't. In fact I was relieved.
"It has not been even 24 hours yet! Are you that anxious Alpha to give up your rank?! What pray tell are you doing? You have five minutes to explain, do not waste it!"
Then her blood eyes turned to me and I could feel my body warm up and start healing a lot quicker than I know I could. Giving her a small grateful smile for I knew it was her doing, seemed to ease some of her anger as her eyes became a rusty red rather than the bright blood red. It didn't last long though as soon as her eyes turned to Ryan and Alpha it came back full swing. I was curious, of all the supernaturals I don't remember any having the ability for their eyes to turn red.
"Tick-Tock four minutes twenty three seconds."
She said all too calmly, while her face seemed to be taking on a darker expression by the minute. She wasn't just angry, she was livid but looking closely I could see there was more to it. Especially when she looked at Alpha, a small hint of disappointment? Maybe I'm seeing things because that makes no sense.
Ryan took a step forward and kneeled to her.
"This was my idea, I suspected the ru- Alice of betraying the pack and brought it to Alpha Jake. It was his duty to investigate being I'm the Gamma he can't take my words lightly."
Her eyes flicked from him to the Alpha but rather than following through with the lie, Alpha Jake remained silent with downcast eyes. What is really going on? The Alpha I know would jump at this cover up, but instead he just looks guilty.
"I see, Gamma you do remember my words from last night right?"
"Uhm of course." He seemed a bit unsure but decided it best to agree with her.
"Good, because the consequence for lying to me... death!"
Lunging forward she literally dashed across the room in the blink of an eye, I have never seen anyone move so fast. Ryan looked petrified, even Alpha froze before getting his bearings but even then he looked hesitant to cross her path. I don't blame him, she looked blood thirsty but I still wasn't afraid of her.
Standing in front of his still kneeling form she grabbed his face in the palm of her right hand. I didn't quite catch on to what she was doing until I heard the first crack of his bones breaking and his piercing scream filled the air. She was going to crush his skull with her bare hand.
This man was literally twice her size even bigger than the Alpha, her little hand only covered half his face yet he was completely at her mercy. A few more cracks were heard and his face started to become grotesque. Even with his healing ability she was too strong. It dawned on me that she was going to kill him. My saviour was a murderer.
Suddenly she freezes and her eyes snapped to me. I didn't think I said it out loud but it looks like I did and she heard me. I need to stop her, I can't let her do this.
"Please stop. Don't kill him."
"Why are you protecting him? I am sure he has never showed you mercy. Why save him?" She spoke conflicted, it was as clear as day. She wanted to kill him but she didn't want to upset me.
"No matter what, he is still part of my pack but above all I don't want my savior to become a murderer right in front my eyes. Please stop!"
She stared at me for a few seconds with that same conflicted expression before suddenly releasing him. Then with a resigned look she spoke.
"Fine, his broken bones will serve as his consequence for lying to me but..."
She then bent down whispering something into his ear and suddenly he screams and then blacks out.
"As punishment for hurting you he will spend the next three days as a human."
"Wh-What did you do and how?!" The Alpha finally found his voice looking a little frantic at his Gamma. He must be at a lost for understanding because no matter how powerful a werewolf becomes, Emma's abilities goes above and beyond, almost unreal.
"Like I said before I'm not the typical royal warrior. My powers are something you cannot comprehend. As for what I did, I locked away his wolf deep inside his being. As we speak his wolf has already started breaking the chains I placed but being a Gamma it would take him about three days to do so. I suggest you take him to the infirmary and start pumping your blood into him to heal those bones because if left alone his human self will not last long." Quickly lifting his Gamma the Alpha hurried away.
I have never heard of any warrior having such power before. Sure they can suppress their supernatural presence, they can make an Alpha bow but this kind of power is unreal. It's almost like she wasn't even a werewolf to begin with but something much more powerful.
"Alice, come here."
Holding her gaze I walked towards her, what is she planning now?
"Yes"
Whispering some foreign words under her breath she reached under her uniform collar as she pulled out a long necklace with the pendant of a single black feather.
"Don't worry no one can hear us. I want you to keep this, wear it at all times. It will protect you even in your sleep okay?"
"I don't really understand... it's just a chain..." I responded with a confused expression.
"That's because looks can be deceiving. It's not just a chain. It is a part of me, a small fraction of my power. You see because of certain circumstances I can never be at full power so I transferred a part of my power into that chain and turned it into a powerful protection charm that can protect me in my sleep but from what I saw here you need it more. So just hold on to it until I can make the pack understand that hurting you is wrong okay."
"Okay but I don't really understand how it will protect me."
"Oh you'll see." She responded in a sly tone.
"You want to go get breakfast?"
"No, not yet. I have an Alpha mate to confront after all he was behind all this wasn't he?"
The only thing I got from that was that the Alpha was her mate? But she is a warrior meaning her mate is already dead! Exactly what is going on?
"Yes he is my mate. I didn't even know I could have a mate but I am happy that I could. However taming him will be quite a task. Just yesterday I taught we were getting somewhere and then this happens but I wouldn't give up."
Getting over my shock I gave her a little simile of encouragement. She has her secrets but at least she was willing to tell me some.
"Your secret is safe with me and don't worry I'm sure if it's you then everything will be fine." At this her eyes seemed brighter and a bit wrinkled at the corners, I think she's smiling.
"It's nice that you believe in me. There is something we need to discuss though." She took on a solemn tone.
"What?"
"Remember what I told you when we first officially met?"
"That you're going to protect me? Or that you're not human?"
"Neither, about when I said I will help you heal but you have to let me. Alice there is something I need to properly explain to you. I was going to give you till the end of my stay but I think after this stunt it needs to be as soon as possible."
"You're going to help me leave?"
"No something more, I am going to help you break your mate bond."
At her words the room started spinning, everything started to become dark then just as I was about to lose consciousness a warm feeling filled me and my eyes fluttered open to see an worried royal helping me stand.
"How? Is it possible?"
"For me yes, it is a reality. I have special powers one of which is to manipulate the mate bond. I can break it but only for this lifetime. You will be free."
"I-I am not sure what to say. I want to leave but knowing that he is fine, the fact that I can feel his heartbeat if I focus hard enough it comforts me. It gives me the strength to go on but this... I don't know."
"Think about it, all your pain your suffering it will end. You will feel nothing for him. You can be happy."
"Maybe... but I'm not sure I want that happiness at the cost of losing him."
"Fine, much as I want to break it you have to want it to or I'm powerless. Just think about it and at the end of my stay if you change your mind I will help you."
"Okay but I don't think I will change my mind."
"Maybe, maybe not. Go get your breakfast and don't be scared the necklace will protect you."
"Okay then see you later."
"Yeah later I have a mate to deal with now."
. . . .
Third person POV
Beep Beep Beep
"He's stable now." The doctor responded with a haggard expression.
"What about his wolf?" An emotionless alpha questioned.
"I have never seen anything like this before, he is 100% human. If he had gotten your blood any later he would be dead right now." The doctor continued with a baffled expression.
"Alpha, what are we going to do? The royal is too powerful." A slightly frantic and scared Beta questioned.
"She seems untouchable." The doctor sounded worried.
"Her morals are too strong, I don't think she can be swayed." The beta continued.
The Alpha heaved a sigh thinking to himself.
My little mate you are amazing but difficult, what to do with you?
"We need to find a weakness" The beta came to a conclusion.
All three became silent expect for the beeping heartbeat sounds of the fourth unconscious member of the room.
While the Alpha gave off a calm exterior, he was conflicted inside. His mate was a direct threat to his pack, how can one deal with that? There also was the fact that he couldn't tell anyone she was his mate. He knew that being a warrior meant her mate is dead already making their mating impossible. He didn't want to risk losing her when their relationship was still unsteady.
Just then the doctor announced, "It's the runt!"
"Think about it, if the royal herself is untouchable, what is? The runt, she is weak." The doctor continued with a smug grin.
"Idiot, what do you think happened here today? We went down that road already and Ryan paid the price. We have to think of a non violent way." The Alpha stated when in truth, he just didn't want to hurt his mate.
"Alpha's right, plus she turned him into a human, so disgusting. That's a price I will not pay even if it's for three days." The beta agreed.
"I know what we'll do." The Alpha stated looking pleased with himself.
With a sly grin he continued, "We give her what she wants or more importantly what the runt wants. Doc's got a point. While Alice is her weakness, our approach was wrong. We give Alice want she wants and the royal will have no choice but to back off."
At this the beta's eyes glinted black and his body started shaking. His wolf was close to the surface as he growled out.
"My mate will not leave!"
Turning the Alpha looked at his beta, "No there is something she wants more than leaving this place..."
Confused eyes were on him now.
"You"
Once again a silence enveloped the room and all was unaware of the invisible airy figure standing at a dark corner in the room.
....