Written in the stars

15.

Ayla

I didn't scream. No one would hear me. 

My heart gripped with terror, I dug my heels into the ground and tugged against the men dragging me by my chains. The leader looked back at me and an expression crossed his face; a mix of amusement and the ghost of a smile. The expression instantly made me think he rarely smiled; an odd thought to have as I was being kidnapped. Instead, he effortlessly picked me up and threw me over his shoulder.

He carried me like this for some time, until the adrenaline wore off and the rigours of the day put me into an exhausted sleep. I woke up sometime later, laying beneath a tree. 

There was a campfire roaring. The men were talking in low, even voices. 

I lifted my arms as I listened to their conversations. As they spoke of the borders to the south and the west, I inspected the handcuffs around my wrists. They were a fine, but strong silver, with intricate patterns and shapes that twined delicately around the circumference, making it difficult to spot where the two ends joined. They were beautiful, these bracelet-handcuffs I wore, although Asa found them terrifying. As I listened, I learnt the leaders name was Jacob. I learnt their Alpha's name was Aryan. I learnt they were taking me to him. I also learnt there was no way to break the bracelets seal on my wrists.

Jacob turned to me, checking on me and caught me tugging at the bracelets. He picked up a bowl and brought it to me, pushing it into my hands. 

"Eat," he said simply as he crouched beside me.

"Where are we going?" I asked, inspecting the food in the bowl. It smelt delicious.

"North," he answered shortly.

"Why?"

His gaze searched my face, looking for an answer he didn't have, as though he wanted to ask the same questions. "It's an order."

"You're taking me to your Alpha." I stated flatly.

He didn't respond. 

"It's not the first time," I said, matter-of-factly. I had been used this way before.

Again, his eyes searched my face, and an understanding passed between us. He was quiet for sometime, and I almost didn't expect him to speak again. 

"Our Alpha is not like others," he finally said. His voice low and softer than before. "He is not a brute, he is a fair and just leader."

I didn't know how to respond. Before I could answer him, he continued to speak.

"We are moving on shortly. It is a long way to go. You should eat. And perhaps you can use the time to decide if you will walk with us, or if I will carry you all the way. But for what it's worth, only the Alpha can remove them now," he gestured towards my handcuff-bracelets before turning away.

About twenty minutes later, after I had eaten and had a drink of water, I stood. With a glance at Jacob, I turned and, holding my head high, followed the other men quietly walking down the trail beside the creek. Every step was a step further away from the cabin. Further from my family. Closer to the unknown. 

With a small smile, Jacob followed.