Hell and Back

Chapter Six

I fall limp, and I begin to sob hysterically. The man has let me go and I can't help but break down and cry. I can hear Jacob's final cries for the pain to stop and I bite my lip. I want to kill these guards. I want to strangle Damien and curse him and hope that he goes to hell, but this... This system he has built is hell, and he's Lucifer. The king of the entire project — of this Hell Show.

I finally stand up on weakened knees. There's nothing I can do now. Jacob is gone. "You must go back to the Pack House," the guard orders sternly from behind. I pick myself up after stumbling a couple times and I wish I can drown out the terrified screams of all of these people. This is something that will haunt me forever.

___

I watch the clock on the wall click for each second passing by. I can't bring myself to gather my thoughts or anything. I was so distraught making it back to my room that I immediately collapsed on the bed and blacked out. I sigh and close my eyes, feeling completely weary. I don't understand why Damien would kidnap me, just to not even bother seeing me, and not only that but leave me down with his Pack Members as if I mean nothing. As much as I despise him, the bond is deciphering his actions into my own pain and it hurts that he's treating me like this and letting this happen to me.

I kick my feet out of the fetal position, and my feet rush up against something rough. I frown and feel around at the item with my foot, and I hear crinkles. It's paper. I look down at it and my eyebrows furrow. I don't remember it being there before I left. I reach down to grab the paper, and I look at the worn paper. It's folded in half and when I open it, I notice the small black handwriting that doesn't look familiar at all. Hope sparks inside of me that it's from Damien. I read it:

Dear Lena,
I don't know if this is real... if it's really you. Being trapped here there's no telling what's real and what's not, you know? But it's better than not finding out for myself. If this isn't you then Damien will probably be informed and I'll be visited by him, but I don't care. If this really is you, Lena, give me a sign. Anything that'll put my worries to rest. Please.
Signed, Lily

I stare at the paper in complete shock. If she's trapped how could she manage to get this note here? I look up and it strikes me that the maid I ran into must have been dropping it off. She has a messenger.

I hurry off the bed and scramble around the desk for a writing utensil to respond to her. I search the drawer and find a few pens.

It's me. ~A
p.s. You've never cried watching The Notebook

I put down the pen and fold the note, only to realize I have no way of sending this back to her.

I'll find a way. I always do.

I stuff the note in my pocket and look around the room. I can't get Jacob off my mind, and knowing Lily is alive and well makes me somewhat at ease. I sigh and look at the clock on the wall. It's starting to get late, but I still need someone of a higher rank to talk to about contacting Damien in any way, shape or form. I start out of the room, only to run into the same maid from earlier.

"You?" I question.

The maid is startled and jumps forward to cover my mouth. "Quietly, Miss," she ushers out in a hushed voice.

I slowly nod and she removes her hand from my mouth. "Here," I take the note out of my pocket and drop it off in her hand. She looks around us briefly then turns away without a sound and disappears in the stairwell.

I continue forth in the elevator and make sure the coast is clear before hopping on. "Jacob's mom... she has a name," a lightbulb pops above my head. "Eva, Irene.." I list off names in hopes that the actual one will appear in my head. "Great, Alena," I grumble with no luck on my side whatsoever.

The elevator doors close on their own once I remember I forgot to press any button, and I watch the numbers get bigger and higher.

3... 4... 5... 6...

My heart accelerates witch each passing number m.

7... 8... 9...

The elevator goes up and stops at the number 10. The highest floor. It dings, and the sound proceeds but the elevator door is opening. I look up into familiar eyes.

"Lane?" I gasp.

"What are you doing here? You're not supposed to be here," Lane hurriedly steps into the elevator and closes the door before we're noticed.

"What am I doing here? What are you doing here? Where's Damien?"

He hushes me, "Alpha wishes to not be bothered right now. I told you I'll set an appointment with him and I did. He said he'll make room when he has time."

I narrow my eyes, "when he has time? I don't have time! Do you hear that, Damien?" I kick the elevator doors with as much strength as possible. In response, I hear loud barks farther away. "Does he have a dog?"

"No. Alpha is in his office. It's completely sound proof. He won't be able to hear you," he grumbles and presses the number 2 on the elevator. I lunge for the button to open the doors, but Lane must've expected me to pull such a move and blocked he buttons with his arm. "Do you know why Damien chose to save you?"

I shake my head and look at the ground. There's no way I actually want to tell this guy what I am to him. It's embarrassing being mated with a brat that's letting out his anger on other people because he can't get what he wants. "Because I'm his mate," I sigh. I don't know why I confessed to this stranger, but the stress is getting to me.

"Well, if you are who you say you are, its best to keep that to yourself. You're being talked about. Rumors and such, and if they find out who you really are, everyone is put in danger," Lane explains and his reaction is completely different than what I originally expected.

"O-okay," I whisper as the elevator dings on my floor, and I stare at Lane a little longer. "One more question," I request.

"Shoot." Lane nods his head.

"Is there any directory for the Pack Members? Any collections of names and families in the pack?"

He furrows his eyebrows and looks up in thought. After a moment, he replies, "Alpha has copies of all of it, but you may find something of the sort in the library. It's on the 7th level. You'll find your way."

"Alright, thanks, Lane."

"Wait, why're you looking for-" the elevator door closes before he has the chance to question what I'm up to and I open the door to my room.

My mind is set on two things as of now: Lily and Jacob's mom. Once I've sorted things out between them, I can leave. Still, coiled deep inside of me is the thought of my lonely mate and my empty heart.