Alpha Brothers - The Cold Hearted Sister (book 5)

Chapter 8

Chapter 8
Nicholas
I paced outside Hector's tent, trying to work up the courage to talk to him. If I was going to keep her from running off again, Allie couldn't stay chained up. With her being out in the forest, she was prey. She was undefended and I couldn't stand the idea of any vengeful wolf taking his anger out on her. So that only left one option, she moved into my tent.
Problem was, Hector. I needed his permission and if he said no it meant that she would have to stay out there. But if he suspected my real intension for taking her in, I feared the consequences.
Groaning, I slapped myself and talked myself up. Who was I kiddin'? I was entering a monster's cage.
I found Hector at his desk, clutching a bottle of whiskey. It was a familiar sight. He loomed over paper work, trying to work a way around them.
I opened my mouth and found starting to say.
"Hey, Hector," I started.
"Just say what you want to say," Hector said, not taking his eyes off the paperwork.
Sensing his growing frustration, I decided to just come out with it, "it's about Allie Patterson."
"What's wrong with her?" He asked, not really listening.
"Nothin' it's just..." Damn it, just say it, "I want to move her."
"Where?" He asked.
"My tent."
His head turned and I felt my heart stop. Crap, he had guessed. It was all over.
Just as I feared the worse, I found a way to save myself.
"See, I had an idea. The whole purpose of havin' Patterson here, is to break her, right?"
"Aye," he said, crossing his arms and paying attention.
"Well, how am I breakin' her if she's chained to a tree out of my reach when if she's with me twenty-four-seven I can -," I couldn't even say the words, "I can force her into thin's she, doesn't, want to do."
His mouth slightly dropped, surprised. I didn't blame him. I didn't go out of my way to hurt people like some wolves around here did. And I never once, intentionally hurt a woman or forced her into things like I knew for a fact that he once did. I swallowed, trying to bury any unwelcomed memories.
"I have to say, Nick. I'm impressed," He started making me sign in relief, "maybe there's hope for you after all."
"So, I can do it?" I asked.
He nodded, "aye, I'll allow it."
I hid my relieved emotion, praying that he didn't sense how happy I was. Maybe I could do this. Mislead and lie to my brother for the safety of my mate. Maybe.

Allie
When I saw Nicholas coming towards me, I shot to my feet, my heart leaping in my chest.
Was he taking me home? Oh my God, was he?
When he walked over to the tree and untied the chain, my eyes widen in excitement.
It wasn't long till I just had to ask, "Really? Are you takin' me home?"
He stopped what he was doing and looked at me dumbly.
"I don't know about in your world, but in mine, it doesn't take a day to resolve thin's."
I groaned, annoyed that I had allowed myself to believe. I knew it was impossible but yet I wanted to have the hope that I would be reunited with my family sooner rather than later. 
Once he had undone the chains off the second tree, I frowned.
"So if you're not takin' me home, what are you doin'?" I asked.
"I'm not goin' to lie to you Allie, it might take some time before I can take you home," I crossed my arms and raised my eyebrow, knowing that he was stalling, "so, it will be safer for you to be closer to me."
I frowned, narrowing my eyes at him, "how close?"
"Well, you'll be stayin' in my tent."
I couldn't help but burst into laughter. He couldn't be serious. Live with him? I didn't know what was worse. Being chained up like a feral dog or living with him.
"Okay, I get it," he said trying to calm me down, "it's not the best idea but it's better than havin' you out here."
"You or for me?" I asked, trying to contain my smile.
He narrowed his eyes at me, "are you comin' or not?"
"Do I have a choice?" I asked, trying to catch him in a trap.
He just shook his head and tugged on the chains.
"Come on."
I gave a little groan, walking closer to him so that the chains didn't tug.
"Besides, with you bein' in my guard you can get real food, more clothes, maybe even take those damn chains off."
I couldn't pretend that wasn't a plus. I was wasting away by the minute. I was struggling to keep the sludge that I had been forced to eat down and I hadn't had a good night's sleep in days. And I couldn't pretend having some clothes on my back would be unwanted.
"I see that's gotten your attention," he said with a smug look.
I narrowed my eyes at him, annoyed at myself for letting my guard down.
"If you think that you know me, you're wrong. And you can wipe that look off your face," I told him.
His grin only grew, "what look?"
"That look," I said pointing at his grin, making him snicker, "that big cocky grin that's coverin' half your face."
He chuckled under his breath, his grin growing. I narrowed my eyes at him, not appreciating the fact that he was mocking me.
"Why are you laughin'?" I asked, annoyed.
"Because, you think that I'm against you," he chuckled.
I frowned, "you find that funny?"
He nodded, "aye, don't you think it's funny when someone's wrong and they don't realise it?"
My frown deepened, "are you sure I'm wrong. This might be a scheme to get into my pants."
"If I wanted sex from you, don't you think I would have tried it while you were chained up?"
That was true though I refused to believe it.
"Well, I've still got the chains on, you can still try it," I said.
He frowned, stopping and looked at me, "how many times must I say it? I'm not Hector."
I bowed my head, feeling surprisingly ashamed. I guess I had been harsh to him when he hadn't given me a reason to believe that he was like his brother or his father for that matter.
I sighed, "Okay, okay, I'll watch my words from now on."
He scoffed, "you can't even say sorry can you?"
I shrugged, "I think I've been known to. I can't think when."
He scoffed again, "do you want help? Sorry, Nick, I think you're a great lad."
I narrowed my eyes at him, "great lad? Really?"
He shrugged, "really."
Now it was my turn to scoff.
"How about you just take me to this tent so I can get some food, clothin' and maybe some sleep."
He chuckled again, starting to walk.
A smile spread across my lips for some reason as I watched him lead me through the forest.
He challenged me? No lad ever challenged me before. Not even Justin who was a fricken vampire for Christ sake. It even made my heart - no. No. I felt nothing. Nothing.
As we reached the boundary of the campsite, I started to notice the difference between it and Foal Coillie.
They lived in white, circus-like tents. At least the lucky ones did. I couldn't begin to imagine what the poor devils at the bottom of the pack hierarchy lived in. All of them, skin and bone. To the young infants to the elderly. Some would be lucky to live past ten.
When I felt the chains tug at my wrists, I realized how behind I had gotten. I had to jog a little to catch up, trying to avoid their stares.
I tried not to take it personally. No matter what reason I was here for, I was still new to them. But I believed there was a secret meaning to their stares.
"Why are they starin'?" I whispered to Nicholas.
"Because you're the enemy."
I frowned and stopped, causing him to stop as well.
"I don't understand."
"We tell a different story than what you believe," he stated.
I narrowed my eyes, not liking what he was getting at, "they're told that Nathair Macangus was a hero tryin' to get our title back."
My eyes widen as rage grew inside of me. Over my dead body will Nathair Macangus be remembered as a saint.
"That is bloody -!"
"I know," Nicholas hushed me before I got too loud.
I forced myself to calm down, taking in a deep breath. It didn't work. Nicholas didn't say anything. He just stood there, with truthful puppy dog eyes which made my insides warm and made me confused at the same time. Why was he so understanding? Why did he believe that my family was in the right when everyone apparently believed the opposite?
Just as I went to ask, he titled his head to a group of tents, a lot larger than the ones around here and gestured to walk.
My legs figured out what to do and started to follow him.
Nicholas led the way to the furthest away tent. I couldn't help but smile as I realized another thing that made him different. Apparently he didn't like joining in on the pack society.
Like the other tents, it was white and kind of looked like a smaller version of one you would find at a circus. Inside, I was even more impressed. Nicholas apparently wasn't a slob like Graham and Archie. Instead, his desk was neatly organised and his circled bed was even made. I could say that he had just cleaned up because he knew that I would be 'living' here for the time being. But I doubted It.
I was surprised to find carpet under my feet but didn't question it. Small luxuries like carpet were just many of the things I had missed over the past week.
As my eyes searched the whole space, I started to wonder where I would sleep.
When I realized, I started to panic.
"Wait, you're not suggestin' that we sleep in the same bed, are you?" I asked, not believing that even the most stupidest of human beings would think this.
He opened his mouth to tell me something before shaking it away and going with, "it's rather this or the forest."
I'd prefer neither. It wasn't the comfort or even sleeping with someone that I didn't know that was the problem. It's just, with a man next to me at night, it's was going to be harder to resist my womanly urges. Not to mention the whole mate thing. How the hell was I supposed to stay true to my family name and parents if a Macangus was sleeping next to me at night?
"I'm sorry, Allie, but it's the best I can do," he said, though I didn't believe him, "but look, it's a comfy bed and plenty of room."
I scoffed and rolled my eyes, pretending that I was more annoyed than I actually was. Not that I would admit that.
"Now, do you want those chains off or what?" he asked, taking the key out of his pocket.
I rolled my eyes at him. Was he recently hit over the head or what? The fact that he would even ask that question shows how idiotic and how unsuitable we really were.
But still. I held out my hands and allow him to unlock them. He fiddled with the key, struggling to make them fit. They were old, rusting metal after all.
When the chains dropped, I realized the full damage to my wrists. Each wrist had half an inch gash around the full perimeter. They ached from being trapped for so long but stung when I tried to stretch them out.
I jumped when Nicholas touched them. His very touch caused goosebumps to raise on my arms and tears to fill my eyes from the stinging pain.
"How did you get these?" he asked.
"The bastard with the arm tattoo was pullin' me along too roughly," I told him, biting back the pain as Nicholas continued to assess the damage.
He frown, "Irving. Irving did this?"
I shrugged, "Sure. I don't know anyone here, remember? Well, besides from Hector and Acheson."
He nodded, understanding before he looked up with something in his eyes that made me on edge.
"So you trust me?" he asked.
My suspicion grew.
"I don't trust any person that says, trust me," I admitted, making a small smile spread on his lips.
I didn't have time to ask any more questions. Nicholas gripped onto my two wrists and squeezed them tight. My eyes widened, stunned by the burning pain that ran up and down my arms. I screamed, trying to pull out of his grip but he held on. Everything inside of me ignited on fire. Both from the pain and the fury I felt towards him. Why was he doing this? Just when I was starting to think he was different.
"Sorry! Sorry!" Nicholas yelled over my screams, cupping my shoulders to still me.
The pain slowly died, however my anger only grew.
"What the hell!" I roared, pushing him hard away from me, "It's like your askin' to be killed."
"I'm sorry, but look, your wrists," he said, just out of breath as I was as he pointed to my wrists.
I frowned and looked down at the healed skin. He was right. And just as I felt a smile on my face, I turned it around. The bastard had just seriously hurt me.
"I'm guessin' you're lookin' for a thank you now, right?" I asked, shooting daggers with my eyes.
"No, but I –."
"But you what?" I growled, "Thought you would heal me by hurtin' me at the same time."
He opened his mouth to speak but just ended with a groan before moving over to his desk.
"Has anyone ever told you that you are one stubborn lass?" he asked.
I shrugged, knowing it was true.
"We all have our bad sides, even Callum," I muttered, not understanding why I felt kind of ashamed.
"Really?" he questioned, "I thought Callum was the level-headed brother."
I couldn't help but snort. Somehow, along the way, we each had picked up names for ourselves. The Level-headed Brother, The Lonely Brother, The Trickster, The Cold-hearted Sister. Sometimes I found it funny how both true and untrue they were.
"He normally is until Liv is in trouble," I admitted.
"Liv," he frowned, "His mate, right?"
I nodded.
Just as I opened my mouth to tell him more, I was painfully reminded of who he was. A Macangus.
God Allie, how could you be so stupid? I groaned at myself, He's a Macangus. It doesn't matter if he gives you his bed or gives you some clothes. It doesn't change anythin'.
When I finally looked up, Nicholas' gaze was on the ground. He had guessed what I was thinking and was wearing that usually ashamed face. I didn't want to see him as a Macangus. But that's who he was.
And like my siblings were apart of me, Hector was apart of him as well.
"I'll just go and see about some food for you," Nicholas said, bringing me back to the present.
"Nick, I –."
He didn't let me finish. He just turned and left the tent.
"Great," I muttered to myself, "What the hell am I goin' to do now?"