The Monster Within - Book 1

Chapter 32

That evening I walk into the kitchen, stopping a conversation between Apollo and Archer. Apollo doesn't look at me. He just focuses on his brother, waiting for him to carry on speaking.

'What?' I say to Archer as he just looks at me.

'This is a private conversation.'

'Speak.' Apollo orders. 'She's part of this family now.'

'I tracked them to a town about 50 miles away.'

'Who?' I ask, curious as to what they're talking about.

'Archer has found another pack of wolves. I have to go and speak with them.'

'What? Why can't he.' I say, gesturing to Archer.

'I'm alpha. It's my responsibility.'

'So you're going then? You're going to leave me here?'

'I have to. I'll only be gone a day or two and then I'll come right back.'

'Why do you have to go at all?'

'We're a very small pack. I might not be able to protect you against a hunter if one comes our way. We need as many wolves as we can gather to keep you and the baby safe. We're stronger as a group. Harder for any hunter to kill.'

'I don't understand why there's someone out there trying to kill us. We don't hurt anyone?'

'Our pack doesn't, but there are some out there who do. Hunters don't stop to ask questions. They just kill.'

I let out a huff, resigning to the fact he's going to leave me whether I like it or not.

'When do you leave?'

'Now.'

'Why so soon?'

'The pack that Archer has found is nomadic. It's probably how they've managed to stay alive so long. I have to get to them before they move again.'

'But you and Archer don't move around?'

'We draw less attention as there's only two of us. This pack is a lot bigger.'

'There's more then two now?'

'Which is why I have to go. I have to protect you.'

'Then stay. Stay here with me.' I plead.

'I can't, Cassandra. We need numbers. It's the only way.' He tells me as he kisses my forehead before he turns and walks out the door, without another word.

I stand and watch the door in silence, hoping he'll come back. But he doesn't. I hear his car pull away from the house, the sound of the engine fading away into the distance.

Then I feel Archers hand on my arm.

'Don't touch me.' I say, shrugging his cold hold off me.

My thoughts instantly return to the night I attacked him. The night he tried to force me in to something I didn't want.

'Relax. We're all family now. And family share...'

'You don't come near me. You're nothing to me.' I raise my voice to him.

'What's wrong? Does the little mouse not want to play while the cat's away?' He says with a smirk.

'I wouldn't touch you if you were the last person on this planet. It's amazes me how you and Apollo are brothers. He's so much better than you.'

'Better than me?' He asks offended.

'You heard me.'

'You think he's so special? Gods gift to you? You know why he's gone to that other pack? He's gone to find other naïve women to fuck so he can raise an army of wolves all loyal to him. You didn't think you were special did you? You were just the first and now he's got what he wants he doesn't need you anymore.'

'That's a lie!'

'Is it? So you're not carrying his child? Something you told him you didn't want? He didn't take you and lock you in that room?' He asks, pointing upstairs.

'I... I don't believe you.'

'Wake up. I'm the only one telling you the truth around here. If he wanted to actually keep you safe he could have taken you with him.'

'No, it's safer for me to stay here.'

'With me? All alone? Just face it. He doesn't care about you. He just wants that baby to fight his war with the hunters. He doesn't want anything to do with you other than what's between your legs.'

A tear runs down my face at the cruelty Archer inflicts.

'You're lying.' I accuse again.

'Well stick around and find out. He'll bring them back with him. He'll fuck them in that bed and push you to the curb. It's what wolves do. The pack comes first.'

'No, he cares about me.' I almost whisper.

'Keep telling yourself that. You've served your purpose, but I'm sure if you stick around he'll give you another go.'

I don't reply to him as I stand there, feeling myself shrink.

'Look at you. You're pathetic.' He snarls at me as he walks past me, knocking my shoulder.

I lift my hand to my face to try and muffle the sobs demanding to escape, not wanting to give Archer the satisfaction of hearing me cry. He shattered my world in the few minutes Apollo had left. He told me things I didn't want to hear. Things I didn't want to believe, but now he'd said them, I couldn't help but play them over and over in my mind. 

I feel like such a fool for believing everything Apollo ever told me. I let myself believe he actually cared for me, but what Archer is saying makes sense on some level. Apollo has been very open about wanting to grow our pack and now I know how he plans on doing it.

As Archer stamps up the stairs to his own room I let myself give in to the emotions, but no tears come. I feel... numb. No tears, no upset. There's just nothing. I feel like a zombie, not sure what to do. Do I stay? Wait for him to come back? What if he does bring some else back? How would I cope with that? I can't stay here and act like this is normal. None of this is normal. I need to leave. I need to get out of here before he comes back. I need to go somewhere he won't be able to find me.

I pick up the phone on the kitchen wall and ring a number.

'Hey, when is your next flight to Forhagen city?' I ask the person on the other end of the line.