Do you still want me?

Chapter 3

*****Caroline's POV*****

I woke up to excruciating pain. My wrists and ankles were burning like someone was pouring acid on them. Opening my eyes, I saw something that was, in fact, worse than acid. Silver chains. 

Silver and wolfsbane were the only two things that could really cause harm to a wolf. They slowed down their healing process and in extreme cases, killed the wolf. 

I didn't remember what happened. But that didn't matter. I just needed to get out of here. Looking around, I saw that I was in a dark room that had no windows. The only light source was coming from a single light bulb hanging in the center of the room. The walls, floor, and ceiling were all solid concrete. Breaking through would be impossible. Then my eyes fell upon the only way in or out: a metal-looking door. 

Even if I could get out of these chains, I had no idea what might lay on the other side of the door. Or even where I was for that matter. I sighed. I had no idea what I was going to do. Before I had the chance to really think things through, I heard foot steps coming towards the door. 

The sound of jingling keys meant that there was a lock on the outside of the door. Hearing it unlock, it was pushed open with a squeak. A man stood there, I really couldn't see his face. He was still in the shadows. While he stood there, I tried to look behind him to see what lay outside this room. To my distaste, there was nothing but a hallway that looked much like this room. Escaping was going to be harder than I thought.

"Well well. Look who finally woke up," the man said, taking a few steps inside the door and shutting it behind him. 

I didn't say anything, and just stared up at him. 

"It's about time you got up. You've been out for hours now. I didn't think Blake hit you that hard. But never mind all  that. Now that you are awake, we can start the fun." he said with an evil smirk. 

I had no idea what he meant by "fun" but I knew that it was going to be something terrible. He walked over to me and crouched down beside me. He still towered over me with great height. There was no way that I would be able to escape him, even if I was a normal size, strong wolf. I was completely at his mercy. Like he could read my mind, his lips curled up into a grim that twisted my insides. 

"You can't escape me, my dear. The sooner you realize that, the better for your sake. My name is Alpha Caine. I am looking for a worthy girl to make my mate. You just happen to be the next contestant. None of the other girls had what it takes to rule a rouge pack. If you are deemed worthy, then all your greatest desires will come true. Fail, and I will leave you here to rot."

Oh Goddess. Was this really happening? Is this what I get for leaving my pack? For trying to be happy? 

"Shall we begin?" 

I just stared up at him, nothing but fear in my eyes. 

*****Exander's POV*****

I still couldn't put my finger on what was so special about this girl that I was willing to risk not only my life, but hundreds of others to save. 

She must have some importance to us, Storm said. 

I nodded, agreeing, but what could it be? 

I spent most of the next day sitting in my office, reading the journal of the girl. The things she wrote about were absolutely horrible. It made me want to wrap her in my arms and never let another soul touch her ever again. No one had ever made me feel this way, especially someone I had never met. 

Could it be? Could this girl be my mate? I lifted the journal and sniffed it again. I smelt nothing but my own scent. There was no way to know until I got to her. 

What if it's her? I excitedly asked Storm. What if we finally have found her?

If this girl is really our mate, then you are right. I am not letting her out of my grasp. She will never be mistreated again. Storm growled at the thought of someone hurting his mate. 

Just the thought had him fighting me for control. He wanted to go get her now. 

Storm. We need to be rational about this. If we rush into it, she could get hurt worse. 

He whimpered at the thought and calmed back down. But he was right. I couldn't just sit here for another day while she was with him. Goddess only knows what he was doing to her. 

Greyson, meet me in my office as soon as you can. 

I needed to talk this out and I knew that Grey would help me keep my thoughts straight. 

A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door. Greyson walked in without waiting for an answer and sat in one of the chairs that was across from my desk. 

"What's up, Exander?" He asked calmly. 

Sighing, I ran my hand through my already messed up hair. 

"I think the rouge girl that Caine took is my mate..." I let the sentence trail off at the end, not really sure what else to say. 

Greyson's eyebrows shot up and then furrowed with confusion.

"What? How? I mean... What?" He couldn't even finish a sentence. 

I shook my head, not knowing the answers myself. 

"I don't know, man. I just have this over powering need to save her and keep her safe. I've never felt like this before."

He nodded in understanding before asking, "Have you tried to get a scent off any of her stuff?" 

I nodded back at him. "Yes, I can't smell her on any of it. Her scent is gone. I don't think Storm and I can wait other day to go find her." 

"Then what are you waiting for? This could be our future Luna, and we are just sitting here talking about her. Let's go get her!" he said, standing up. 

That was just what I needed, and Storm agreed. 

Shadows, things have changed. Be ready as fast as you can and be on the battle field. Caine dies tonight! I said to my fighters. 

Yes Alpha! 

I knew they wanted this opportunity, just as much as I did. Once they found out that there was a possibility that their Luna was involved, they would fight even harder. This pack had waited for me to find my mate for years now. 

After everyone had arrived, I stood in front of them. Taking a deep breath, I addressed them.

"It has come to light that the rouge girl taken by Caine may, in fact, be my mate." I started. 

Several growls ripped through the crowd. No one was happy by this statement. We all knew that Caine was capable of. They wanted her out just as bad as I did. 

"While there is no proof of this yet, from here on, we will fight like she is one of our own. I want her out alive by all costs. Is that understood?" 

"Yes Alpha," everyone said. 

With a nod, I let Storm take over. The popping of bones and tearing of flesh was the only thing heard through the field as all the others followed my lead. 

Let's go get our girl, Storm said as he began running through the forest, with the Shadows close on his heels.