Unwavering devotion [Complete, 18+]

CHAPTER 5: SETTLING IN

"I'LL LEAVE YOU HERE TO GET SETTLED; YOU'LL BE CALLED FOR DINNER     shortly so makes sure you go as otherwise you'll go hungry. If your ribs worsen than tell Lawson, the daytime guard for this block and you can go back to the clinic."

"Thank you." I muttered still investigating the slightly cold-looking room which I would spend the rest of the year in prison. I barely recognised his farewell as he left, his footsteps growing quieter as he disappeared down the corridor. 

The three walls had no decoration, with only a small rectangular window near the ceiling and the furniture was basic to say the least yet better than what I was used to. The springy metal bed sank as I sat down, and I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the mattress wasn't too lumpy. Metal bars, now open, divided it from the shared space of the small block of around twenty or thirty inmates arranged in tiers around a central control station. This block was one of many, which I assumed to be almost identical, arranged near the exercise yard and daytime recreational areas which Simon had pointed out to me along with strict regulations on their use. It wasn't new to me, though it still irked my wolf being ordered around when it wasn't in my blood to follow them but to give them. 

Having discovered my mate I would have ascended to be Alpha now, taking over from my father, but how could I be when I no longer had a pack to call my own. It was just me and my sister. No-one else got out. No-one else survived. I shall never forget the screams of men, women and children as my father had ordered me to take Nikki and run. I couldn't refuse no matter how much I wanted to help, but he saved my life in doing so as no matter how much I thought my year of training had made me invincible I was far from it, back then. I had held Nikki in my arms as I ran, trying to hold back the tears as I had fled from my pack whose members were dying with every step I had taken. I had felt their pain despite trying to block it out but their pain was excruciating until it was no longer there at all. My head had been filled with silence, Nikki having fainted in my arms and I had been unable to sense her in her unconscious state. I had run for days, hardly taking a break. I hadn't been able to stop Nikki crying until she had cried herself dry, too exhausted to continue. We had both been forced to grow up too quickly, though I had done my best to take care of her so she didn't have to. I was so grateful that I wasn't too late to stop them from harming her when they caught up to us, never more so than now when being here had led me to my mate. The most amazing mate who I might never have found otherwise. 

I couldn't wait to introduce the two most important and only women in my life, I knew Nikki would be pleased as she had always wanted a sister. I was less sure of my mate's response; after all she could run for the hills when I told her I just didn't know here well enough to judge. I knew I had to tell her even if I thought it would end badly, as I wouldn't be able to hide anything for much longer despite the fact that her hating me would rip me apart. Anxious at the thought of her leaving, I tried reaching out towards her but she was too far away when we weren't linked fully. I headed towards the sink, and splashed cool water at my face. My hands gripped the sink as I looked up at the shiny material, replacement mirror, which reflected my shifted eyes. Shaking my head I thought of the way she had felt against me, imagining it as if it were happening right at this moment. I sunk to the floor; head in hands and eyes closed daydreaming of being with her. 

The clamour of many men faded from the background and I was alone with a smiling Belle. I reached out and freed her hair before feeling it flow through my fingers, the colour so vibrant like fire. She reached out towards me, gripping my shirt firmly before pulling me towards her. Our mouths were inching closer and closer until I could feel her sweet breath on my face. Our lips barely brushed when a firm grip on my shoulder broke me out of the sweet moment. I knew it wasn't real, but my body acted as if it were and it was seconds later that my vision cleared and I realised I was holding up a skinny kid against the wall by his neck. Two seconds from snapping the poor guy's neck, I released him, glancing down at my hand as if it were something foreign.