Chapter 4
Early in the morning I wake up with sleep filled eyes taking in the blurry surrounding. For a moment I panic, thinking that I am in the wrong house before the events of yesterday flood into my mind. Taking deep calming breaths I push the covers off of me and stand, stretching my body and heading into the bathroom to comb my hair into a messy bun that sits atop of my head, washing my face and brushing my teeth before relieving my bladder. Today Abby will be here with my things.
With yet another sigh I make my way down the stairs into the kitchen and take things out to cook some comfort food – banana chocolate chip pancakes. I figure Abby will want to eat with me and boy can that girl pack down food like it’s nothing, so I triple the recipe. By the time the pancakes are done and the stove top is turned off the doorbell chimes with the arrival of a new visitor and I make my way over to the front, opening the blue wooden door to see Abby standing there with four Warriors, each holding a bag and boxes with “Laina’s stuff” written on them in black sharpie.
“Morning girl. Is that pancakes I smell?” Abby greets me as she pulls me in for a long hug. The Warriors head inside .taking my things up stairs and I tell them to leave everything in the master bedroom before telling them all to leave. Abby holds a tote bag in her hand out to me with a wink and I couldn’t help the grateful smile I send her way as I take the bag and search inside, happy to see my phone charger, wallet and other essentials that a Breeder isn’t allowed to have; happy that my friend snuck these in for me.
“Thank you Abby.” I whisper. The two of us head into the kitchen where the stack of pancakes await us and begin to dig in. Abby goes on about the gossip around the pack, thankful that she steers clear away from any about me. It felt normal to be in the kitchen with my friend scarfing down comfort food and acting like regular teenagers. Abby offers to take the dishes off of the table and in the dishwasher while I head upstairs to get change. Looking through the boxes and bags in my room I manage to procure a pair of leggings and a comfy cropped hoodie to wear as well as a pair of black sneakers and my purse before I make my way down the steps to where Abby waits. Today will be spent shopping for this house and the first stop is the home gym equipment. I would save the baby stuff for last for now.
…
“That’s all for shopping.” Abby exclaims. We left the cottage around eleven in the morning to make it to the nearest mall. Our first stop had been the sports store as I hunted down equipment to turn the garage into a home gym. Abby thinks that I am insane for creating a home workout area but when I pointed out I would need to stay in shape for my job, she quieted down and agreed with me. Each store we went to offers delivery to the pack house and will be delivering the items I purchase to my cottage tomorrow. It makes me sad thinking that the first house I decorate will be the prison called the breeder’s cottage.
“Now it’s time to get home with all the paint waiting for you to paint each wall.” I can tell Abby is trying to stay cheerful but her words are starting to annoy me. She sounds more formal then friendly. I know my job as a Breeder meant that Abby would have a say on what I will have to do as the Beta Female of the pack and smiling around her soon becomes harder as each sentence she has said throughout the day became more and more insensitive. At one point she told me to just chose a damn crib and lets go because it wouldn’t matter what I chose anyways, the baby would be whisked away from me as soon as its able to eat baby food. I guess my mood must have shown as she rolls her eyes at me while we climb into her car.
“It’s going to be fine. Besides, I hear that Max is your first warrior and knowing him he won’t do anything with you, he is saving himself for when he finds his mate.” Abby’s words do reassure me to some degree. Everyone knew Max is an honest wolf. He grew up with the notion of saving himself for his mate and to this day is still a virgin. Part of me hopes he doesn’t find his mate until I figure out what to do but maybe – just maybe I might be his mate. The only hope of getting me out of this situation is if one of the Warriors meant to breed with me is my mate.
“Thank god for that.” I state with a grumble looking out at the scenery flashing by. Abby laughs at my words as she turns up the volume to the radio, singing along to whatever song is on. I do not feel like joining her, her mood a little too happy while she takes me back to the baby making prison I will be stuck in. I hate this. Soon her land rover crosses our back boarders and the familiar houses and forest pass by until the road to the breeder section greets us and my cottage comes into view. Part of me wants to run away right now but the consequences will be dire. As Abby pulls into the driveway I feel even more dread settle in. The situation is becoming all the more real than ever right now.
“Well where do you want to paint first?” Abby asks, cutting off the engine and turning off the racket coming from the radio to allow silence to settle.
“The nursery, I want to paint it the powder blue.” I answer. It will never be the design I had wanted for my babies because it will never be theirs for the rest of their life, and I will never raise them and watch them grow up. A trail of warmth flows down my face and I reach up, feeling fresh tears on my skin. I don’t think I could do this at all.
“Laina are you okay? Seriously you need to pull you self together because you’re a fucking Breeder and it’s your job. Get used to this and stop crying.” Abby glances at me from the side, a look of annoyance on her face as her eyes glare at me. I stare at my so called friend in disbelief for a moment. Is this how she really felt about the situation considering I am supposed to be her best friend.
“Does it look like I am okay Abby? Does it look like I am used to this fucking situation? My life got turned upside fucking down yesterday and you’re telling me to get used to it!” I shout, finally snapping. I can’t believe how insensitive she is right now. This last statement from her being the proverbial straw the broke the camel’s back after all her snarky comments from shopping.
“You get to live a happy fucking life with a mate that loves you and have pups that YOU get to raise.” I scream, continuing my rant and blocking her from saying anything while slamming my fist into her land rover dashboard feeling it dent with my strength.
“Do you want to know how long my pups are in my life? Two fucking years. That’s it!” I continue, feeling my tears flow faster.
“I don’t get to be a mother my pups deserve. I don’t get to see their first steps or first words. Their first day of school will be with their adoptive family that rip them from my arms to raise them. I get nothing and all you can do is help me get this place ready for me to be raped in and tell me to get used to my job.” I can feel anger radiating off my friend but I allow the power in my blood to radiate off of me in waves to cover her, watching her cower before me. I know Abby envies my bloodline having Alpha and Beta blood. She knew full well her heritage was that of a pup from a Breeder with an unknown father and hated her blood line even if the wolves who raised her treated her like a princess. I guess she likes knowing my so called "perfect life" she always made comments about came to an end now that I am a Breeder and would be at her beck and call with her position being the Beta Female. I never noticed how much of a snake Abby is until today and I start questioning her real motives of being my friend; questioning everything she has ever said or done while being a part of my life.
“Geez Laina, tell me how you really feel?” Is her sarcastic remark her eyes glaring at me with hatred simmering in waves towards my direction causing a low warning growl to exit my lips. She may be a Beta Female and I a Breeder but she knows at any given moment I could have her head with my strength and blood line being superior to her.
“Stay out of my life from now on.” Is my reply as I slam open the car door, get out, and slam it shut, hearing the metal grind together and knowing that the door will never open again. I guess this bitch will need a new car. I make my way into the house as the squeal of tires fill the yard knowing that Abby is running away both from fear and humiliation. She could never handle having someone yell at her the way I just did and was probably on her way to complain to her mate.
“Miss Laina?” It is one of the guards who call out to me while I try to calm the anger and indignation swelling inside me. I just smile meekly at his worry filled gaze hoping that he doesn't see through my thoughts.
“Don’t worry about it.” I whisper and he nods unconvinced before handing me a handkerchief.
“My mother was a breeder. I knew that the people who raised me weren’t my real parents, it just didn’t feel right. One day while we were school shopping a woman came up to me and said my name. Everything about her seemed so familiar and the next thing I knew I was hugging her and begging her not to leave me. My adoptive parents finally told me who she was that night and after that I met my siblings. My mother and I still talk to this day, not the people that raised me – even though I still talk to them – but the woman who was force to give me up. I know what your children will go through. Just remember that if I can find a way to get you out before it’s too late, I will.” My eyes widen at his confession and I hug the man. Part of me instantly feels safe with this guard and I can’t help but show weakness in front of him, something I hate showing but have been doing . His past is similar to Abby but where she is showing her true colours as a royal spoiled bitch now even when her adoptive parents did their best to give her everything she wanted, this guard shows sincerity and friendship. The wolves who raised him did good in raising this wolf before me into a well mannered man.
“I’m Alex by the way.” He laughs out, patting my back in a reassuring way.
“Well Alex, I am recruiting you for painting the rooms with me.” We laugh as I release Alex from my hug, motioning for the warrior to follow me inside where cans of paint waited to be used up. For the rest of the day we spent the hours painting each room. Alex is a great help with him being so tall and able to reach the top part of the ceiling. It felt nice doing something mundane and not being looked at like a piece of meat that the other guards want to take a bite out of.
The next day Alex arrives early just in time for breakfast that the two of us enjoy together. I inform him that the furniture will arrive today and ask if he knows any one he trusts that will be willing to help bring it into the cottage and move it around. I soon meet his half-brother Matthew that is a dark skinned wolf with a carefree smile. He too is a Warrior and I learn that the two of them have been secretly helping Breeders escape when the chance is giving to them making hope flash briefly in my heart when they agree to help me out when a chance is given. Mathew brought along his mate Milly with him to help with a woman’s touch and neither of them brought up the fact I am the newest Breeder. They treat me with respect and it feels nice being treated as an equal and not like a slave used to increase the population. Of course once all the furniture is moved into place and built and walls painted, Alex and Mathew escape into the home gym in my garage for a good workout leaving me and Milly to roll out eyes at them and spend the evening with wine and snacks. The only thing that surprised the two wolves is the admission of me being six-teen, apparently the youngest she-wolf to be chose as a Breeder.
“You know, it’s been fun hanging out with you.” Alex says, us sitting on the back porch with hot cocoa in our hands. Mathew and Milly had left about three hours ago leaving the cottage to feel slightly empty without their presence and laughter.
“It’s been fun hanging with you too.” I laugh out, a genuine smile on my face. Part of me envied Alex’s mate who ever she or he may be as Alex is an outstanding wolf. Being mateless, Alex always talks about his hope of finding his mate and spending the rest of their lives together. He will make some wolf happy one day and I hope that day comes soon for him.
“Well I should let you go rest. The Alpha comes to check on you tomorrow.” He kisses the top of my head gently and heads inside. I can hear the sink running as he cleans his mug and calls out his good bye; then he is gone for the night. Sighing, I head inside and start getting ready for bed, taking a shower and making sure everything is ready for tomorrow. Whether I like it or not the Alpha is going to take my virginity tomorrow and I will fully become a Breeder. Four days after tomorrow my job will begin and the first Warrior that will be my partner will show up and do his job in getting me pregnant. Dread fills me as I try my best to fall asleep, but if Abby was correct the other day, Max will not touch me.
