Alpha Running Rogue

3. Caught

Arabella's POV

I dreamt of the night my parents lay still and cold. I wanted their warmth to comfort me, but I knew they were gone. I would never hear my mother's lullaby again or the encouraging words of my father. I would never become the alpha that they wanted, or be accepted into any pack. I would be alone. All alone, living as a rogue because no one wanted me. I see the , smiling faces of my parents, wishing that they would reach out to embrace me. They didn't, they only ever told me to stay strong, to keep going, to never give up, that I would no longer be alone. I wanted to believe them, but I knew they were wrong. 

Jerking awake, I quickly freshen up and shift, wanting to free Leila, my wolf, and feel the soil against my paws. The sunshine fell in streaks through the canopy leaves, playing with my fur as I ran faster and harder. Leila liked this, to run with freedom, I liked this too. In the forest, we belonged, we were never alone because the birds chirped their morning melody and the running streams flowed with fresh water. The pounding of my paws cleared my mind as I ran and ran, brushing through bushes and springing over fallen logs in delight.

Suddenly a growl came from all sides of me. I hadn't been careful enough.

'Shift.'  A low voice entered my mind as a ruby red wolf stalked towards me, threateningly.

I remained in my wolf form. There was something about him that made me want to jump on him and nuzzle the soft red fur well, Leila sure is playful today but that's never going to happen.

'I said shift!' His voice blasted through my mind, shattering my thoughts of a play day.

I wasn't the least bit fazed. My father had commanded me like that many times, it was nothing new to me. I didn't shift.

'My clothes are at home, let me retrieve them before I do you the honour.' 

'Do not get sarcastic with me rogue. You have trespassed on my territory.'  His pack of wolves came closer, but didn't attack. I could take them out the moment they did though, but with the alpha, I'm not so sure. Power rolled off him in thick scents of sweet citrus that made me want to jump on him again. If he wasn't being so demanding, I probably would. I looks so soft! I just want to play! Leila was taking over my rational thoughts again. I was out against the numbers as more peaked through the forest.

'I didn't mean to trespass, let me go and I won't bring you harm.' I try to negotiate while suppressing Leila and her strange thoughts on the alpha. I wonder what he looks like in human form.

'Sure you didn't, here's some clothes. Now shift!' He demanded once again, throwing a paper bag towards me.

I hide behind a tree before my bones began aligning into human form. Slipping on the underwear and sundress, I walk out to face the pack. They had all shifted, but the red wolf had left. My wolf yearned to find him, she had never done that before, I wasn't sure what this was about, I want to see him though. I wonder what he looks like. The men had come closer, I growled at them in warning when a solid came in contact with the back of my head and I felt silver encircle my wrists together. My wolf howled in pain before it all went black.

My vision is hazy as my eyes flutter open. I blink again, but there is only darkness. Finally, I can make out objects, a toilet block in the far corner, the mattress I was lying on, and metal bars across the room. It wasn't a room. It was a prison cell. The events of this morning came back to me, my morning run, the alpha, the wolves, the silver. Alpha. The alpha. I had to talk to him.

A fragrance of sweet citrus hit me to signal his arrival, I was so drawn towards the smell that I didn't realise the bars were made of silver. I hissed in pain when I touched it. A chuckle came from across me that made my insides flip as I took in his human form. Black hair, brown eyes, slightly tanned. He was well built, I could see that through the casual shirt he had on and the jeans that stretched around his legs. My wolf jumps with joy as he came closer, and I wanted to reach out and touch him. I entwined my fingers behind my back so that I wouldn't come in contact with the silver again.

"I see your awake, rogue." He comments sardonically.