White Phoenix

Chapter 3

I sat for a moment, pressing my back into the cold wall allowing it to centre me. Offering me a moment of calm. I looked around the room for any objects that could aid my escape. There was a large metal frame hanging on the wall. Perhaps I could hit him with it? Who was I kidding? I'd never be able to lift it off the wall, let alone disable an Alpha. No, evasion would have to be my method.

Moving cautiously towards the door, I leant in and pressed my ear against the wooden frame. Straining my senses, I could hear a number of noises in the pack house. Friends chatting, couples arguing and someone rattling pans in a kitchen. Quietly, I pressed the handle of the door down, inching it lower and lower till finally, click! The door gently swung away from the frame.

I listened.

Nothing.

I stepped out. My bare feet silent on the cool floor. I padded swiftly down the corridor. The pack house was large and open. The room I had just left had felt modern whereas the rest of the house appeared in the style of a log cabin. Wooden panels lined the walls and ceilings. At the end of the corridor a spacious seating area sat before three large windows. They spanned from floor to ceiling and flooded the space with light. The ever-green forest in the distance was calling my name.

"Have you seen her yet?"

At the sound of voices, I swiftly crouched behind a large sofa.

"No, I think Alex has made a mistake. He's too old now."

"True, 24 is soooo late"

The girls soon walked past. Breathing a sigh of relief, I stepped out an continued on my journey. I found a great oak staircase. The bannister finished with a great ornate sculpture of a deer.

My adrenaline had begun to dip, and my body's fatigue was catching up with me. I clung tightly to the wooden bannister. Once I got to the bottom, I started looking around for another way down to the ground floor. I could hear noises all around. Every sound making me flinch.

Suddenly, I spotted the tall, intimidating man who had been in my room. He was holding a tray with something on it. I froze, not daring to move. He was focused entirely on the tray, trying determinedly not to spill the very full glass of orange juice on it.

A sudden rumble broke the silence. Curse my damn stomach! His head snapped up. I felt my back press against the wall. He quickly put the tray on the floor. The juice dribbled slightly down the side of the glass. He cautiously, with his hands raised in a sort of surrender began to step towards me. My legs turned to jelly beneath me, and I began to slide to the floor.

"Heyyy" his warm voice resonated through the space "don't worry. I'm not going to come any closer"

I look cautiously at him.

"Are you okay?"

I nodded tentatively.

"You're not in trouble" he reassured "but the doctor has said that you should rest. Will you go back upstairs with me?"

I paused, considering my options. I wouldn't be able to get past him and as much as he was trying to seem sincere, I doubted that he would spend much time trying to reason with me. Reluctantly, I clambered ungracefully to my feet. He still towered above me.

"This way"

He held his arms slightly towards me, as if prepared to catch me if I fell...or to stop me if I ran. A small group had gathered and were watching me intently. It made my stomach twist with nerves. Would they all set on me? The Alpha, seeming to notice my distress turned to them. Next moment, they all were pushing past each other to escape out of the door

We began to retrace my steps and were soon outside the door from which I escaped earlier. The Alpha stepped in front to open the door for me. Not allowing for there to be any escape. I hurried into the room keen to be away from his intimidating frame. He followed closely behind me, shutting the door with a quiet click.

"Sit" he gestured vaguely to the two large navy sofas placed before a large TV screen. Keen to avoid his anger, I promptly sat on the sofa furthest from him, right at the edge ready to move quickly in case he became angry.

"Can I get you anything? Are you hungry?"

I quickly shook my head, but my treacherous stomach took that moment to let out a deep rolling rumble of agreement. The man smiled and I look down quickly to avoid catching his eye.

"I thought so. Please, just trust me. I will only be a second."

Once again, he slipped out of the door. But, only a moment later retuned. This time with the tray from before. There was toast smothered with chocolate spread and a tall glass of juice. I eyed the food cautiously, but in truth I was starving and even if it was poisoned, I thought it would be worth the risk of tasting something so delicious. The man placed the tray slowly before me and quickly moved back to sit on the other sofa.

I looked at the food hungrily.

"Go on, it's yours. Sorry I couldn't get something better. Our usual cook is on his honeymoon."

I gently reach out to pick up the large slice of toast. The thought of it was making my mouth water. I sunk my teeth into the crisp surface and let out an involuntary moan as my taste buds reacted to the blissful sensation. The animalistic side of me took over and I began devouring the bread, no longer aware of the Alpha's presence. It tasked so good to finally eat some proper food. Yet, after only one slice I began to feel full so slowed down my eating.

My eyes snapped up to check on the Alpha. His piercingly blue eyes stared inquisitively into mine. I looked back at the toast.

"Can I ask you some questions?"

I did not reply, instead I focused on chewing at the corner of a new slice of toast.

"Is your real name Phoenix or is that the name they gave you at the..."

"It's real" I whispered, the words barely escaping past my lips.

I could feel the excitement radiating off him. I looked at him again to see a broad grin on his face.