Of Runt (Redone)

Chapter Sixteen

    I follow behind the Alpha as we enter the building. Ever since I came down for breakfast this morning he's been visibly more tense and not speaking. Not that Alex throwing a hot bowl of spaghetti at him last night made anything better. He caught the bowl but not the spaghetti.

  I stop myself from walking into his back as he stops walking and motions me to sit on the first row of benches. He sits beside me, his face passive but that deep look is in his eyes. He's planning something. Behind us my aunt and her family followed by Isaac, Shell, and Vic sit down. Shell and Vic both lean forward putting a hand on my shoulder. It's comforting to know that Alpha allowed them to be here for me.

"Why's Archer so pissed?" Vic whispers. I lean back into their touches, Archers vibe making me slightly uncomfortable. Ever since I saw him this morning, my wolf has been pacing. She is uncomfortable and wants to do something to appease him. Though I think we disagree on what to do.

"Alex threw his spaghetti at him last night," I whisper not looking back at them.

  Vic chuckles under his breath while setting his chin on my shoulder. "Bet that was funny as hell."

"Victor," Alpha says. In the moment it wasn't funny, it was terrifying. The sound of the bowl cracking in Archers hand as his eyes narrowed on Alex. I never knew Alex was so protective over me, he had always kept his distance for the most part until he got me alone. When it was just us he would tell me about how great his pack is.

"Yes?"

"Shut up."

"Okay," he mumbles before sinking back in his seat. Shell gives my shoulder a squeeze before following after Vic, chuckling as well.

  I close my eyes taking a few deep breaths. I can smell my father, er, Irwin, along with all of my siblings. Why would my siblings be here? I take another breath catching the familiar scent of Father Alpha. Then another breath catches a vaguely familiar scent. Oranges, lemon, and freshly cut grass. It had always been an odd combination to me but it became comforting very quickly.

  My eyes dart open as I stand up too look around. "Reagan?" My Aunt calls out.

  I take another deep breath inhaling it again. It's moving around. "You need to sit down," Alpha says grabbing my arm. I look back towards the door, my feet aching to move.

"But-"

"Now please," he says tugging me down. I sit back down, the scent taunting me. I look back to the door wanting to bolt out of it and follow the scent.

  Only a minute or two passes before the council makes their way in. They all take their seats followed by David who leans against the empty chair in the middle of the room.  Shortly after the doors open again, the sound of chains rattle through the room along with some struggling. Eventually several guards set my mother in the chair. She shrinks away from David.

"Tell your story."

  My mother clears her throat before sitting up tall. "I haven't seen my daughter in ages with her job to the alpha. They came for dinner but left in a hurry, I became concerned for her. You know how influential unmated alphas can be and my daughter only a Runt, I was very concerned," she says. I squeeze my hands together watching as she looks to all the members almost pleadingly. "Once I arrived I asked her if the alpha was forcing her to do things, anything against her will. My daughter, just a Runt you see, I'm concerned."

  I shift my gaze to the alpha. Why is she speaking like that?

She's scared of David. Scared of me.

Why would she be scared of you?

  He doesn't reply but subtly motions me to pay attention. "At the dinner, I was uncomfortable as to how the alpha was handling my daughter. Forbidding her from returning home, dressing her up like some sort of doll of his. His handle on her strong, bruise leaving even. She's just a Runt she doesn't heal as quickly as the rest of us. She would sometime stay at my family mating cottage to get away. The poor girl, her chosen mate left her before it was approved. The poor girl," she rambles. I clench my jaw while sliding forward, my hands on my knees. My wolf very unsettled. "I went to check on her. The alpha had this other man there, I'm not sure what they were doing but she was hardly dressed, she looked rough and stressed. I tried to get her to leave with me but the alpha commanded her to stay. She attacked me. She viciously attacked me as a way to comply to the alphas command. The alpha made my Runt do it! He is using his influence over her to use her. He's hurting my Runt!"