Behind Closed Gates [Edited]

Chapter Nine

This is my favourite chapter so far; it's also the one with the most changes in comparison to the original, and one of my biggest changes yet. I hope you enjoy! Let me know what you think!

Libby Xx

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Silverwood Packhouse

The drive home was quiet. They left the zoo once Prince Elliot regained some of his control, although each time the King spoke about his mate, that dangerous werewolf trapped in the zoo, he came close to crossing that respect and pushing his father down. His wolf was almost ready to take over, ready to rule, but the King was still the King. Prince Elliot had to earn his title, but King Claude hadn't seen that deed yet. It was tense. Marie could sense that Elliot's wolf was stronger, but still not as wise as the King in the passenger seat.

The Head of Security, Jackson she found out, was driving quietly. It was silent in the car, Marie tapping her fingers against her leg when Elliot turned to her.

"Tell me about her." Elliot ordered gently.

"Willow?"

"My mate." He agreed. "Tell me what you know about her."

Marie's mouth was open, unsure, for a heartbeat before she fished around her brain. "Um, I honestly don't know much about her."

Elliot kept looking at her. "Tell me what you do know."

Marie pursed her lips. "I know she was enrolled in the zoo 14 years ago, that they found her underneath a willow tree at one of the local parks." She racked her brain for those posters on her enclosure wall, detailing her story. "Apparently a couple were having a stroll, one of those romantic walks, and they found her severely malnourished... They managed to get her to the Zoo, she was unconscious, and the Zoo has kept her since.

"Ten years after, Aunt Melanie took ten of us on a school trip, you know, to see what the human side of life was like. Thought it was good to expose us? Anyway, Aunt Melanie would have us walk right past Willow's enclosure but I walked in when she wasn't looking and touched the silver bars..."

Elliot frowned. "They're silver?"

Marie nodded. "All the cages are. I think that's why she doesn't approach the front very much, it's such a strong amount of silver that it severely burned me when I touched it." Her eyes drifted over her scarred left hand, the palm taut and pale from the burn.

The Prince clenched and opened his fists. His eyes darted around the car, struggling to maintain his composure. "Have you even tried to break her out?"

The rogue scowled at the Prince. "Yes. I didn't spend years cleaning up crap and washing walls for nothing."

"Watch your tone." The King ordered, the Head of Security not really trying to hide his smirk.

She glared at the passenger seat in front of her as though she could burn away his annoying orders with her eyes. It wasn't working, much to her dismay, but she looked back to the Prince. "The opportunity she had to escape she used to protect me. Willow saved my life, I'm returning the favour."

The car ride back to the Silverwood Packhouse was silent for the rest of the way.

When Jackson pulled the car up, guards immediately surrounded the vehicle. As Jackson got out first, the King and Prince both exiting at the same time, Marie was left last out. She followed the Royals into the Packhouse, keeping her head held high as she marched alongside wolves much more powerful than her. Marie watched as the guards kept formation alongside the four of them, but also at the Silverwood guards around the Packhouse. She saw Jasper staring at her in shock as he stood tall against the front door; Marie ignored him like usual and went inside without a second glance.