Chapter 16

CeCe and I walked to the cabin talking about everything that had happened since I left. At least what I could tell her. I told her about Willow helping me get ready and loaning me clothes and how much fun she was. Trying to keep the whole conversation lighthearted.

A feeling hit me like a boom, my knees went weak. Laila whimpered in my head before Alpha Colton’s voice rang in my ears.

“Why the fuck isn’t Beta Lucas with you?” He demanded.

“I’m with CeCe at the cabin gathering my things. I thought they would feel better if I could talk to them without him.” I replied.

“You are never to be alone! Never!” His voice echoed before disappearing.

CeCe looked at me with a worried expression.

“Got dizzy for a second.” I told her. Quickly shaking it off.

Then there was a knock at the door. I knew instantly it was Beta Lucas. He gave me a look through the small window.

I let him in, and he went and sat on the small couch.

We finished packing my things and putting them in the car without incident. Once Beta Lucas and I were in the car and leaving I asked, “What was that all about?”

“I told you I’m a glorified babysitter now.” He said with a laugh.

“Seriously, if I’m not with you than I’m alone?” I said crossing my arms.

“Without me or one of the guards yes.” He replied.

“What kind of bullshit is that?” I asked rhetorically.

“After what happened with Gwen, Alpha Colton wants you protected at all times.” He told me.

I unfolded my arms. “What did happen to Gwen?” I finally asked.

“Well as I was saying before Gwen and Colten went on a date, then to the dance. Becoming more and more in love every day. The future Alpha Blaine had his heart set on her as his mate. Blaine was borderline obsessed with Gwen since we were little. He wanted to use his father's title to claim her as his mate.”

He pulled the car over. “Alpha Colton got his wolf first. Silas was absolutely certain that Gwen was his mate. When Blaine found out he was furious, swearing that when he became Alpha, he would make her his mate.”

“Blaine was supposed to be an Alpha of a pack?” I asked.

“Yes, and not just any pack but our pack. He lost his title for what happened that night.” He continued. “When Gwen rejected him, Blaine took her by force. She wasn’t even of age; she didn’t have her wolf yet. Alpha Colton could feel what was happening to her. He felt her fear, her pain and her shame. Silas rushed to her as fast as he could, but it was over before he arrived. He found Gwen in a naked heap crying. Blaine’s father was the Alpha at the time, he disowned Blaine and cast him out.”

“Alpha Colton took Blaine’s place. I bet he’s super pissed about that one.” I said.

“Gwen died giving birth to Emily and Alpha Colton has always blamed Blaine for her death. He swore he would get his revenge. Alpha Colton wanted to kill him, but Blaine’s father was still the Alpha and insisted stripping him of his title was punishment enough. He told me.

“Wait Emily is Blaine’s daughter?” I asked.

“We don’t know and Alpha Colton refuses to find out. He says no matter what Emily is his daughter and his last piece of Gwen.” He told me.

“Why doesn’t Alpha Colton want me around Emily? It’s not like I would ever hurt a child.” I asked. Remembering the hurt I felt knowing he didn’t want me near her.

“He doesn’t want anyone in her life that might not stick around.” Beta Lucas told me.

In the 23surrealism of my situation, I hadn’t once stopped to consider the character of my captor. I had yet to consider him as a person outside of what I had seen. Colton is a father and a leader to all those people back on the territory.

My first instinct is to run but I hadn’t meet anyone who feared him. I am not allowed to leave; of that I have no doubt but not wanting me around Emily in case I didn’t stick around implied I could leave. The contradictory information made my head spin before landing on a single thought.

“Is Alpha Colton going to hurt me? Will he do that to me to get back at Blaine?” I couldn’t hide the panic in my voice.

“No! Never! He would never, that’s one of the reasons he was so upset that I wasn’t with you. Alpha Colton will never let anyone hurt you. You are bound to him and he to you.” Beta Lucas paused for a long time. “I know it’s hard for you to see right now but he’s a good man.”

“Okay.” I said. My voice cracking.

“Alpha Colton wants you to be his, but it will hurt Blaine more if you choose him. Blaine may have rejected you, but you didn’t reject him. The stronger your feelings for Alpha Colton the more Blaine will feel you falling for someone else.” Beta Lucas told me.

“Colton put a blood spell on me to make me fall in love with him? That doesn’t seem like I have much of a choice in the matter.” I said half joking.

“That’s not exactly how it works. It binds you to Alpha Colton but any affections you have for him are your own.”