Runaway

twenty one

twenty one

I focus on my breathing, Xavier, his kind eyes and gentle smile. His very presence brought back the hope that life outside of my old pack is better, maybe he is good for me. My mind wrestles with the idea, how can a man, an Alpha be good for me?

I tug lightly on my hair, letting the dark elastic fall to the floor.

What did you expect Isabelle? Without these Alpha's you'd be dead by now.

Letting out a cry of frustration I finally look up, coming to face to face with, an oddly bright pair of blue eyes, well groomed blonde hair and the slightest of smiles. That's where the light stops, for darkness still consumes the rest of my body. My eyes trail down my naked figure, every bruise, every cut, every scratch, I remember all of it. Yet here I am with my lips turned upwards for once.

I barely recognize myself.

While I had been with Theo there was definitely a change, but I was always on edge, somehow Xavier is different. I still haven't worked up the courage to ask him how I can have two mates, or how I'm supposed to choose either of them.

Blinking twice I continue to study my face, I've always had a pale complexion back in my old pack I never had the chance to see the sun and now is no different. Despite having a healthier looking reflection I'm still a prisoner.

I ran from my old pack as the only way to escape, grasping to the hope that life on the outside would prove to be much kinder, and yet here I am jumping through the same hoops only it's a different game. I'm still trapped by an Alpha and have yet to make one decision for myself that I don't need saving from.

That's when it clicks, I need to leave. Find somewhere secluded and just be, no mates, no Alphas, I just need to think.

"Isabelle, are you okay in there?" I jump at the sound of another voice, Xavier.

"Yes I'm fine, s-sorry I'll be out in a m-minute." I reply meekly praying that will be enough.

"Are you sure?" His voice is much softer this time, I grip onto the edge of the marble sink to stop the room from spinning, are you sure?

How can I be sure of anything? I still have so many unanswered questions, I still don't know where I am, I just, I just don't know.

I scramble for a towel, for anything to cover myself as the door to the bathroom falls in, revealing a concerned Xavier, at least I think he looks concerned.

His eyes meet mine, barely acknowledging my lack of clothing, "you've been in here for over an hour." Xavier says breathlessly moving towards me.

"I was just t-thinking." I reply scrambling for a believable answer. Before I have time to think Xavier is beside me, his green eyes racking up and down my body. "I can e-explain," I say in a whisper, eyes trained on the marble as I beg myself to hold back the tears, just this once.

"Isabelle," his voice is so soft I can barely make out his words and yet it still sends shivers up my spine. My name rolls off his tongue in the most beautiful way, yet somehow I still can't look up.

That night Xavier had taken me to the lake, he had seen some of the bruises over my body, the visible ones. There are so many, too many a never fading reminder of the past that haunts me.

His hand reaches for my cheek causing my immediate recoil, "please," he murmurs. I take a breath, allowing Xavier's hand to reach my skin warming my face. With the gentlest hand he tilts my chin up forcing me to meet his eyes. Those green eyes, pooling with mixed emotions it takes all my strength not to look away.