Broken Enigma (on hold)

Chapter ~ 23

Dillion Scott ||  Beggar's Grudge

I felt the air get knocked out of my lungs, even though no one physically touched me. I don't really know why as Alice and Geoffrey's existence was only made known to me a few days ago. I've never met them or had any connection with them other then through Elias and Jack, yet as I rounded the corner as saw them, my heart pounded against my rib cage and my stomach twisted seeing the deplorable living condition that they were in and how small they looked. Much like Jack, they had bruises and unhealed wounds littering their bodies. The tattered, dirty  clothing hung off their overly thin frames, looking old and frail beyond their years.

Geoffroy stood in front of Alice in a protective manner though I could already see the defeat in his familiar green coloured eyes, knowing that he wouldn't be able to anything if we were a threat, which broke my heart slightly. For any wolf it would really be a mental kick to the gut knowing you cant protect the ones you love and to have it happen everyday for the past decade, I couldn't even think of the guilt he must feel, even if everything that happened was out of his control.

I had a small smile on my lips, raising my hands to show I mean no harm, not that they had any reason to believe me. "It's okay. We aren't here to hurt you." I said softly, Geoffrey's eyes narrowed in disbelief, pushing Alice further behind him. "I'm Dillion Scott" I introduced as Ben handed me a ring of keys, one of which I hoped was for the lock. "A few days ago, I met a very bright, young boy. Nothing more then skin and bone, he was battered and bruised much like your selves." I stated softly my attention turning to the entrance where a few rouges entered but were quickly taken care of. "Made a promise to him that I would bring his parents home" I stated, a breath of relief escaping from my lips at the lock clicked open.

"Jack's alive?" Alice croaked out quietly, stepping out from behind her mate. I smiled softly nodding as I opened the door, Geoffrey was still hesitant keeping his arm out so Alice couldn't leave from his side,  eyes narrowed in a judging stare, though I could see a bit of relief that his youngest son as still alive.

"These lovely gentleman will escort you to the Flanders pack, who is aiding us in your rescue." I said glancing at the entrance as voice filled my head that we needed to hurry up.  "If we had more time I would give you the same pep talk that I gave your son when I first met him, but unfortunately right now we do not have the luxury and you are going to have to believe my word, and trust me later." I stated, holding out my hand for them to grab, which I hope that I can get them out of here before Ryker catch on to what we are doing.

"I promise you in day or two you will be home and reunited, no harm will come to you." I said, not really knowing what are plan 'B' would be, if they refused to come. Forcing them would be counter productive as then they wouldn't trust us anymore then Ryker. Geoffrey sighed though I couldn't tell if it was of defeat or relief, lowering his arm and allowing Alice to step forward shakily, grabbing my hand gently. I smiled warmly "Lets get you both home" I said softly leading her out as Ben helped Geoffrey who shook off the help.

We made sure they were secure on the backs of the two wolves before I sent them off along with a few guards for protection. "Can't believe they are alive" Ben muttered beside me, shaking his head softly. "how are you going to tell them?" Ben asked as he looked in the cage that they were being held for any thing that they may be of personal value to them.

I don't really know how I'm going to bring up the fact that their eldest is alive, that their pack which they thought they lost so many years ago is still there and thriving. I'm hoping over the course of the long drive home I can talk to them and break the news slowly as it would be a big shock. "Not sure yet, but since I'm meeting Elias's family. Might as well introduce myself to the brother I've heard so much about. " I answered with a smirk, the one family member I have no problem making a bad first impression on, actually its a personal goal to make sure he doesn't like me by the end of this. Ben chuckled patting my back before our attention turned on the sound of foot falls coming down the hall.

Ben shifted into his wolf while I remained in my human form, though my wolf was ready to shift at any second. The man I wanted to see walked around the corner cautiously, his eyes narrowed as he glanced into the empty cage. Cursing lowly with an added growl he glared up at me. "I know of people who did a lot worse get a lot less of a punishment." I stated simply, crossing my arms over my chest. Ryker raised an eyebrow, wiping the blood from his lip with his arm before running a hand through his mop of black hair. "I just want to know what your end goal was? I mean this all seems like a lot of work for what?" I asked raising an eyebrow at him.

"And you are?" Ryker asked, leaning causally against the wall, blocking the hall.  "Invading territory with little reason is usually my job. It can't be just for my prisoners, they are worthless to most and to those who they are of worth to would kill them with out second thought." Ryker stated looking down at his dirtied hands, trying to get the dirt from under his nails.

"Like Jack?" I asked, Ryker's head shot up, a quick flurry of emotion past through his eyes before a familiar emotionless mask covered his features. "Smart kid, had a lot of interesting things to say. Basically led me straight to you" I stated, watching Ryker's nonchalant demeanour crack slightly.

"Little Jack-y boy survived eh?" Ryker said failing to keep the surprise from his voice, his eyes glancing back at the cage that his parents were held captive in. "So brother dearest is behind this." Ryker said clicking his tongue, straightening his posture as he connected the dots. "Where is he? Don't tell me he got other people to do this dirty work?" Ryker said with a scoff.

"Don't worry, he sends his regards. He would of been here but his mate has him on a tight leach." I stated with a shrug. Ryker raised an eyebrow at the mention of a mate, once again a look of surprise flashing through his expression. Ryker looked very much like Elias, same facial structure and features. The glare was the same but I'm going to guess that was a family trait that was passed down on the father's side. "Over fifteen years. That's a long time to hold a grudge and keep them hostage, along with the lies. What was the payoff going to be? Something had to motivate you to continue" I asked, questioning his motives once again.

"Just keeping a promise. I wanted to be alpha, out of the two of us I was the better choice. I did everything better then Elias, yet they still chose him. I promised that I would make their lives a living hell, granted the plan went askew as they survived so I had to act fast and think later. Divide and conquer as they say." Ryker stated with a cold chuckle, a smirk rising on his lips.

"All those years they denied me of the only I thing I wanted, no mater how much I begged and pleaded. So I took away their pride and joy, and denied them of what they wanted. No mater how much they begged and pleaded." Ryker said with venom in his voice. "As for my brother, I expected him to crumble a long time ago, he was always the weaker one. I underestimated him, if I'm being honest."  Ryker said nonchalantly.

"Must suck that all that work over the years, has been wiped away and you'll be reduced to a beggar once more.  You'll be like you said, worthless to most and to those you are worth something too will kill you in an instant" I stated with a shrug. I doubt Elias will kill his brother, at least not straight away, he'll defiantly make Ryker pay for what he has done with a dosage of his own medicine.

Ryker wasn't to happy with my choice of words, which I saw coming as he growled lowly shifting into his wolf, which I mirrored. Ryker was outnumbered and any chance of making a run for it was ruined when four more of our wolves walked in blocking the hall. The fight outside was more or less over, Rouges don't really hold much loyalty, most of them would of made little effort to defend the place with out Ryker barking out orders.

The fight between us was pretty quick, though I think Ryker knew already that there was little to no chance of him walking away from this a winner. He did managed to get my  hand pretty good, crushing a few bones which hopefully will be healed by the time we get home.