The Alpha's Claim

5

When I showed up for work the next morning, Jody immediately socked me in the face. My face began to swell at her attack. "Out, wretch! Go away! I don't want you back!"

That hurt far more than I was anticipating. Jody was my walking nightmare, but at least she was familiar. I returned to my cabin and decided to do laundry. The machines were in the main housing units, so I packed everything into a bag and walked over. The air was crisp with darkness and the infrequent streetlights made the day more ominous than normal.

The lobby doors were unlocked, but the lights were still dark. I started a load and sat down in one of the white plastic chairs. The loads took 34 minutes. At around 3 a.m., I had little concern that someone would see me; only the guards would be awake, and they wouldn't be doing laundry. I pulled out my small medical kit and long bandage strips. I examined the day-old burns and smeared clear gel across them. Then, careful with my sore shoulder, I wrapped the bandage around my forearm, starting at the wrist and working my way up to my elbow and back down.

By the time I was done, I switched laundry and began my second load. The milk-soiled black shirt made the memory resurface. I quickly started the load and sat back down. I took a deep breath, trying to stave off a panic attack—again. Soon, I found that my exhaustion compounded with pain and fear and I was gasping for air that never seemed sufficient. I put my head between my knees, using a trick that one of my auntie's taught me. Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.

After a few minutes, I was able to tune in to the hum of the washing machine and slow down enough to get a hold of myself. Today was the Hunt. There was nothing I could do to stop it.

I cursed my weakness.

When both loads were finished, I loaded them together into a dryer and pulled out the book I was reading. Once my clothes were dried, I put them back in the bag and headed back up to my house. It was still hours before the pack woke up. Two hours did little the warm the air. Thankfully, the bandages around my arms provided an additionally layer of warmth and the bag at my back was radiating heat from the dryer.

Once I was home, I unpacked the laundry, folded it, and put it away. Then, I began the tedious task of washing and braiding my hair. With my shoulder, it took considerably longer than normal, but I was grateful for the time. At six, I decided that I would go to breakfast. I hadn't eaten the day before; breakfast escaped me, lunch was spent serving the alpha and I missed dinner. I needed food in my system, especially because of the Hunt. Surely Jody wouldn't deny me my last meal?

Last meal? Last meal before I shifted, I corrected.

As I exited my cabin, I found several men standing outside, posted at various points around the small building. When they saw me, they rapidly surrounded me, and I nearly retreated back into the house.

"Come with us," they said sharply. I nodded as we walked up to the alpha's house. As my footsteps echoed on the marble steps, I realized that it was too late. I didn't shift.

Ever since I was twelve, I was convinced that I was going to shift. But, for some reason, I didn't. I knew that I should have been panicked, but something inside me had broken. I was exhausted. I wanted nothing more than to sleep and sleep for a long time. For the past seven years, so matter how long I slept, I never felt more rested.

They led me to the alpha's house. Instead of going to the main room, the fighters brought me to a side room. Irritation flooded me. I didn't want to go here; I wanted to get this over with. I wanted breakfast first, actually. I pushed it down. Maybe my irritation meant that I was going to shift.

Before I could adjust, I found myself in a dressing room, women swirling around me with clothes and makeup. I recognized their scents.

"Hi," I croaked for the first time in a year.