Three Against One

Chapter 5

Chapter Five

The room explodes in chaos. Females begin to make their way to the center of the dance floor as high-ranking males in the pack start to direct them into rows. I needed to slip out. Hid in the bathroom, run back to Charlotte's and hole up until morning. Anything to avoid being forced into the assortment of girls and waiting to be discovered. I am hoping and praying to whoever may be listening that our scent trick will still work, and they won't notice. But I can't be too careful, I can practically taste freedom. To be out of this pack and free to my own choices would be a dream, and it is one day away. I cannot be caught.

In the rush of people, I slip into the crowd of males that are moving out of the room to allow space for the lineup. While moving towards the kitchen, a hand clasps against my wrist. My heart stops for a brief second but then I notice the dainty hand. A female hand, and my eyes trail to her face. I let out a sigh of relief at the sight Ava.

"We need to get you out of here." The panic is written on her features.

"Okay." I breathe out. "What's the plan?"

"I...I don't know."

Well, it's official. I'm fucked. If Ava can't see a way out of this, there isn't one. "Okay..." I hoarse out. People are still rushing back and forth around us.

Suddenly, a hand clamps on my shoulder. A pack guard glares down at the both of us, a hand on each of us. "Ladies, this way please." Definitely no escape. I couldn't even get to another scent blocker. I am hoping the swipe from earlier is enough.

We begin to walk in front of the guard as he follows us. I'm sure he is trying to make sure we don't run. Ava reaches over and briefly squeezes my hand then leans over to me. Fall backwards, NOW. In his arms. Her voice screams into my head. It was a risk to use a link with this many wolves around us. I don't hesitate to follow her directions. I still a little until I feel the guard close my steps faltering, then flutter backwards. Sure enough, he wraps his arms around me.

"Miss" The guard's panicked voice fills my mind. Scent. Ava barks in my head again. And it clicks. Use his scent to mask my own. I put my arm on his chest and lean my head in, making it seem like my head is heavy, rolling it back.

"I'm sorry. I don't feel very good all of a sudden." I whisper. I don't even need to fully lie. I don't feel good, and I am a bit lightheaded. I turn a little in his arms, briefly making contact around his body with my own.

"It's okay, miss. This will only be a few minutes. If you still feel unwell, we will get the pack doctor." He says, unbudging. I didn't think playing ill would get me out of it anyways. "You can lean on your friend when we line you up. I can guide you there." He removed me from his hold but lends his arm to me. That will have to do. I could only hope I smelled more of him than myself.

"Here you are, ladies." He leads us to the next spot to be filled near the back of the dance floor, more females filling in the spots around us. The area is packed with servants, maids, cooks, party goers and any other female unfortunate enough to be in the pack house tonight. Multiple packs are represented. I hope they are assuming it is a girl from another pack and completely outlook me.

Ava takes my hand again and squeezes. It is going to be okay. If they discover the truth, I will deal with it. They will reject me and I can leave. A public rejection may be better anyways. Other packs may pity me. I'm hoping Alpha Cade will still accept me to Rock Falls, he seems like the type who wouldn't care as long as it won't start a war or too many issues. If not, others hopefully will.

"Thank you, ladies. We will be coming around. Please do not move until you are dismissed. It shouldn't be long" A voice booms that sounds like Alpha Dominic.

Then the room goes silent and I stand in anticipation. We are six rows back, however it feels like I blink and they are walking through the row in front of us. They stop at each girl, take one look and a breath then walk away. They make their way down the line quickly then loop to my row. I will my heart to slow its pace. They will sense my nerves. I think of Charlotte and Ava. My calm, my peace. And I settle. Their scent comes closer and suddenly they are at Ava. The wolf part of my aches to run to them, but I ignore it, remaining as still as I can. The three wolves move to me. They step right in front of me and they are motionless.

"Roach." Xavier growls. "Why do you smell like a male?" Fear shoots through me. He didn't say anything close to mate, but my scent is clearly setting off some alarms in their heads.

"I fell and someone helped me." I shrugged, sounding as casually as I could muster and keeping my eyes down in submission.

"But you don't smell like yourself." Cole states, leaning in closer. I flinch back automatically, years of their abuse coming to mind whenever they get too close to my space.

"I changed for the first time recently. That's probably why." I say, my voice hoarse. I realized too late that was probably the wrong information to give. If I changed recently it gives me reason to be a suspect.

"Oh, did you?" Dominic asks, suspiciously. I just nod in response. They didn't spend this much time with anyone else, which is clearly a bad sign. "I don't smell the scent of a wolf."

"Weird" I shrug. Meanwhile every red light in my brain flashes in warning to run. But I can't. Even if they know, which I have a feeling this is leading to a discovery, running won't help. I need to face the inevitable.

"Look at us." Cole gently orders. Too gently for my liking. I look up quickly and make eye contact with him. He stills. Then Xavier roughly grabs my chin, forcing my gaze to his own.

"What is this?" He growls. "What did you do?" I just shake my head in response. Tears coming to my eyes.

"Answer him," Dominic barked. My eyes snapped to his, unable to move my head more than an inch with the bruising grip on my chin. His eyes were dark, and he was standing incredibly still.

"I don't know what you mean." I whisper out. Looking between all three of the males, their eyes narrowing on her, not believing a word I said.

"You did something, your eyes, your presence. It's wrong." Xavier sneers at me, tugging at my face for emphasis.

"You have to explain, now. Or you won't let what happens next." Colton spoke seriously, his eyes looked pained. I'm sure he has some intuition that he doesn't want to hurt me, though he clearly doesn't know why. I wasn't stupid enough to believe that they wouldn't hurt me because of their wolf's nagging, especially when they don't understand why they felt that way.

I can't decide if I care or not.

"Get it out girl. NOW." Dominic yells. They are going to be pissed, and while I know they will let me go after they find out, I also wouldn't put it past them to take out that frustration first. I am prepared for whatever cruelties. It was time to rip the band aid off, well mostly.

"Scent blocker." I mutter.

"Are you in heat?" Cole asked, startlingly calm.

"She can't be. She said she just turned." Dominic spoke.

"Why?" Xavier brought her face closer to his own.

I just stared at him. Trying my best to show nothing on my face. They can figure it out themselves, I couldn't bring myself to say it aloud.

Suddenly, Xavier smirks. It's mischievous, dark. A pit forms in my stomach, knowing that look. I was screwed. Whatever he has planned couldn't be good.

"Bring her to the basement and put her in a cell." He orders and pushes me back. Abruptly, arms grab each of mine, and begin to drag me forward. They were guards. Dragging me towards the basement door.