The Secret One

4

Chapter 4

It has been about a week since I entered the white room. Izzie has been monitoring everything I have done. Including how many times I go to the bathroom. The door opens to my room, and I pick through the lifeless salad. Jake's tall, slender figure emerges from the door frame. He throws a smile at me. I blink at him, and he walks to the chair at the end of my bed, which he brought in. "How are your feet?" I nod my head in reply, and he hums in response. I finish my salad, and Jake takes the plate from my grasp.

"I haven't got the chance to talk to you about the phone call the other week," My eyes darted to his face in shock. A phone call? "It was Alpha, Waylen. He spoke about a wolf that escaped. Very dangerous wolf." I shiver when Jake tells me. "Waylen described you perfectly. I broke the alpha code and lied to him to keep you safe. Do you know if you ran into anyone else before you ran into my pack land?" He speaks with concern laced in his voice. I didn't give him an answer at first, as I went back through last week.

I remember the trees and animals around me. I couldn't even tell how long I was running or walking. The only people I knew I ran into were Jake's pack members. I shake my head, no, and I watch as Jakes's shoulders fall easy. "That makes things a little easier," he huffs out. I grabbed my pen and paper, wrote, "What else did he say?" and handed it to Jake. "Waylen spoke about how you killed people- that is why he captured you. He never said your name. He only told me what you looked like, but he left out how they treated you and how frail you are." I look down and play with my nails. I never hurt anyone while I was there. I've been in the Dark Shadow pack since I was ten.

"I am going to tell the pack what is happening. I must be prepared if Alpha Waylen finds out I lied to him about your whereabouts. Ruth, you are safe, even if you don't believe it. Jason, my beta, wants to meet you, but I keep pushing it off for you to rest. You are my mate and my future Luna," Jake reaches out to me. I shake my head, okay. Am I safe, though? How don't I know he isn't planning to hurt me after he gets me comfortable? That's how it all started. I need to find a way out of here. Jake will tell the pack, and they will turn against me. Jake is the alpha. He will side with his pack, not some weak girl who wanders into his lands by chance. Jake leaves the room, and I let out a breath. Izzie walks in, takes my temperature and stats, and leaves the room without saying anything.

I stand up shaky and tie my gown tighter around my thin frame. I slowly open the room door to see an oak hallway. I stepped out and make my way around the corner of the house till I found the main door to the outside. I peek through the window on the side to see if anyone is in the front. I smiled to myself as no one was out there. I take my chance and open the door. I dodge to the left and make my way to the edge of the woods. I start a slow jog, being careful not to hurt my healing feet. My body aches as I try to go faster. I hear a crunch in front of me, and I stop dead in my tracks; in front of me stands a female way taller than me with a short pixie cut and a curvy figure. "And where do you think you are going?" She clicks her tongue at me. I look back and still see the large house in my sight. I looked over my shoulder and knew I couldn't outrun her. I point behind her, making her laugh, "You see, going that way will get you nowhere other than death. You need to head back to the pack house and go straight even to get close to getting out of the pack lands," She tells me, stepping closer. I shake my head and point again. "You must be Ruth. I am Anya- Jakes's sister," Anya informs me while sticking out her hand. I shake my head and pull my arms closer to me.

"Hum, he did tell you are shy. I didn't take in how skinny you would be, though. Let me lead you back to the pack house. I won't make you go back to the lonely room, though. I'll show you around," Anya said, walking before me. I sigh in defeat and turn on my heels to follow her, but she stops and gets right next to me. "Just to make sure you will not run from me," she said kindly. Our short walk back to the land, but we don't turn towards the house. "My clothes might be too big for you, but anything is better than a hospital gown," Anya laughs, making me insecure. We only walked briefly, but we came to a smaller house with two cars in front of it. "Jake and I live in this one. It's our family house, but it's just Jake and me now." She says slowly.

We walk up the steps, and the scent of apple spice hits my nose, making me smile. It smells like a home. Anya hasn't said anything yet. She led me to a light purple room with white furniture, including the doors. She helps me on the bed, but then she leaves the room. Anya comes back with a shirt in her hand. "I will help you take a bath if you would like?" I nod yes and reach the door she is standing at. She opens the door and a bathroom with a separate bath and shower. Clean marble that looks like salt and pepper. I run my finger over the smooth sink and sit on the toilet. Anya starts the bath and puts soap in the running water, making a bubble. I am stuck here. I am not strong enough to run. If I can survive Waylen, I can survive this pack.

"Are you ready?" Anya breaks me out of my thoughts. I stand up, untie the gown, and let it fall. Anya doesn't trail after the gown, but keeps her eyes on mine. "You are thin and ghostly, Ruth." She informs me, making me nod my head. Anya lifts her hand, and I place my hand in her. Why am I trusting her so quickly? She led me to the bathtub and helped me step in the warm, soapy water. "You know the scars are not going to fade?" Anya pipes up. I didn't make a move but only ran my hands over my soapy body, feeling the scars. I don't need to be reminded of my body or my past. I grab the sponge from her grasp and wash my body. "I didn't mean to overstep, Ruth," Anya is taken back from my rudeness. I didn't do anything but only wash myself. So she takes the chance to leave the room but returns instantly with clothes in her hands. Anya places the bundle on the sink. "Ruth, I know how it feels to always be on guard all the time, but you are in a family that will protect you,"

I look at her guilty, "I'm not mad at you. Jake and I don't have an easy past. Jake wasn't meant to be an alpha. He made a name for himself, and everyone followed- I followed." Tears fell from my eyes. I am sick of running. I am so tired of being afraid. Is Jake and Anya telling the truth? Did Jake build a name for himself? "Please don't try to run. We are one pack that will help you if Alpha Waylen is behind this. The Blood Moon pack will back you up." Anya promises me as she helps me dry my tears and gets me out of the bathtub. I tremble and end up falling in her arms. She catches my body, and we get placed on the floor.

Anya holds me as I cry out of exhaustion. She doesn't say anything. All she does is smooth over my wet hair. Five minutes passed, and I gathered myself. "Don't feel bad; I know what it is like," She says as tears glaze her eyes. I place my hand on her shoulder, making her place her hand over mine. I may be safe. "I'll help you get dressed. Jake linked me when you were washing yourself to bring you to the training lands, but after, I will show you around so you can feel safer about where you are." She informs me. I dry myself with a towel since I air-dried most of the way. I put the underwear and the sweatpants on my body. I roll them up so the pants can fit my hips. I lift the shirt over my head, and it falls to my lower thigh. I look directly at Anya and give her a face that says really? Jake's shirt. " I had to; my brother found his mate," she giggled. I roll my eyes and wipe my face from my tears. Anya, again, gives me her hand, and I take it as she leads the way.