Hell and Back

Chapter Five

"Wake up!" I jolt awake by the sound of our cell opening. I realize today is execution today, and I turn over to Jacob. He's wide awake, by what it seems. I can hardly make out his features from the dim light. A bright light is shined down on me and I cover my eyes. "You're being released," the guard says. He adds, "Alpha's orders."

My chest warms at the thought of Damien. So he knows I'm here all along. "What about my friend?" I ask pointing to Jacob. The guard doesn't give him so much as a sideways glance at robotically replies, "Alpha's orders for you, Luna."

I feel deja vu by as he uses the title, and I scoot back. "I'm not leaving here without him," I press more demanding to the man.

Behind him is 2 more guards to accompany him and his light switches to Jacob momentarily then back to me. He turns off the flashlight, then tucks it on his belt. "Take her in," he motions the 2 men, and one of them walks over to me.

"Wh-What are you doing? What's happening?" He lifts me up and over his shoulder and I start to kick. "Jacob? Is he coming?" He turns around and begins to carry me off, and from behind, I can see the guard locking the cell back, leaving Jacob behind with a shocked expression plastered on face. "No! Stop! Don't leave him!" I beg him and I pound on his back with all my might. The man tightens his arms around me. "Jacob! Jacob, I'm sorry!" I scream, but his silhouette dims off the farther he walks. I continue to resist against the guard and I hear a door creak open. There are stomps and tears flee my eyes.

"Please," I feel weak as I fall limp and stop pounding because the hunger strikes me hard and my body feels drained. "Please," I whisper on repeat like a broken record. The guards remain silent and I see him stepping onto fresh grass. The light is blinding and I adjust my vision to the brightness.

It feels like an eternity when the man stops as he walks inside the Pack House. I hear the click of a button, followed by shuffling feet into what sounds like an elevator by the music. Another button is pressed, and we both sit in silence. I can only hope I'll be able to see Damien.

When the elevator dings, he steps out and finally places me down. "Damien!" I shout.

"Alpha is in his room," the guard informs.

"Then where the hell am I?"

"Pack rooms, ma'am. Alpha has strict orders for you to keep your identity a secret for your own safety," his voice is a low rumble.

"I need to speak to him," I order.

"You'll have to set an appointment."

"An appointment? I'm his mate for the love of-" I cry frustratedly and finally sigh. "You can mindlink him, can't you? Tell him to let my friend free," I try to remain calm but I've lost my temper already.

"I don't give orders to Alpha, Miss. Your room is the door right there," he points to the door across from us, "if you have any concerns, speak to the maid, and I'll let you know when Alpha has room for you on his schedule."

"What's your name?" I ask. I can't really be mad at the guy for doing his job, but I would just like for Jacob to be set free.

"My name is Commander Lane. Lane Santiago."

I nod, "thank you, Lane." He dismisses himself and steps onto the elevator. I decided to shower to get my thoughts together on my next move. I can't comprehend any of what's happening right now. Why aren't I in Damien's room? He didn't even have the audacity to put me in a separate room from the Pack Members. He's treating me as if I'm a Pack Member myself.

"Great. Just freakin' great, Damien," I kick the nearest wall and squeak in pain as the impact shoots up a pain in my foot. I hop on one foot for a moment, then gather myself. I don't have time for all of this mess. I walk into the room the guard directed as mine and I lock the door behind me. It's freezing cold in my room and it's simple like a hotel room. A single bed with a desk and closet, and bathroom. There's also a television mounted on the wall playing whatever cartoon that were on. I open the closet door only to find it's filled with various sizes of maid dresses. I groan and pick out one that seems to be my size. I need to get clothes of my own.

___

My hair falls in my face and seeing it return to its beautiful bright red makes me feel so good, especially since I'm not in a cell surrounded by human feces and other bodily fluids. I scrunch my nose and braid my hair off to one side. I actually look like a maid in the dress, but I couldn't care less.

The dresses were also accompanied by thin flats in many sizes as well, so I picked out one that suited me best. When I step out the room, I see someone standing just outside my door and I jump in shock.

"Oh, Miss, I'm very sorry!" She looks down and puts her hand up against her face. I see something in her hand, but I ignore it.

"Who are you?" I ask cautiously.

"No one of importance, Miss. I'm here to clean up a bit," she whispers with her head still tucked down.

"I haven't... my room isn't dirty yet, don't worry."

She nods, "yes, of course. My apologies," she turns and runs off with her head still low. Weird.

I continue into the elevator and I look at all of my options. There are so many buttons I don't know which to press. The 2 top floors have a button, accompanied by a key hole which means you need a key to access those rooms. I know Damien must be on one of the top 2 floors. I instead go down to the first floor, and I also take note that my room is on the 3rd floor.

"Maids aren't allowed to use the elevator," someone says as it stops on the 2nd floor and steps in a stranger eyeing me curiously.

"Oh no, it's not what it-" I look down at my attire. "I'm not a maid," I explain. The man raises his eyebrows at me and it's pretty clear he doesn't believe me.

"Yeah, you're a pack member dressed in that. Get out or I'll have you cited," he holds the elevator open, and I groan frustratedly.

"Fine," I hurry out and run down the hall to the stairs. I hurry down one flight and when I open the door to the first floor, I get more curious stares. I ignore them all and run down the hall to the back door that leads to the back.

I can smell the crisp scent of something burning off in the distance and my heart sinks in my chest. I welcome myself to the outside area to see smoke off in the distant trees and the door to the prison is wide open. I hear strangled cries of people and run toward the sound.

"Hey, you!" I hear someone yell after me but I continue to run. My feet are starting to burn but I continue to push myself. I storm through the trees as fast as I possibly can, and I reach the clearing. There's a line of people waiting in chains. I spot Jacob among the crowd and I shout, "Jacob!" He looks around at first but doesn't see me so I yell out his name again. That time he sees me just as someone grabs me from behind and I start to thrash around in their grip.

"Alora!" Jacob begins to fight against the chains in an attempt to reach me, but the both of us are apprehended and the man holding me is strong.

"No!" Let me go!" I cry and Jacob is pushed up next to the stand to the fire. He's stopped resisting completely and the flames are a mirror in his eyes. He turns to me one more time and through the blurriness of my vision, I can see his mouth moving to send me a message.

I forgive you.