The Wolf Within

Chapter Nineteen: We Are All One; Forgive or Forget?

Arden's P.O.V

My eyes opened and then shut again, repeating as my hand placed itself on my forehead as my fingers rubbed it in a slow circular motion. A groan escaped my mouth and my eyes finally opened looking around a purple yet curtain dark room. I backed up and my spine hit a head board and I noticed I was on a bed with silk white covers and a big purple overcoat cover. Moving my hair out of my face I sat up on the bed with my feet dangling and I examined the room and the scents that surrounded it. My head quickly shifted when I heard the doorknob turn and a squeak come from the door. Ansel walked in with a tray of food and some water. I moved into a child's pose and placed my hair behind my ears as he slowly closed the door behind him.

"Morning sleepyhead," he smiled as he placed the tray on the dresser near the window that I noticed had no bars.

"Morning," I responded without control.

He rubbed his hands on his pants and sat next to me looking at the floor. I stayed in child's pose and looked the opposite way of him. An awkward silence filled the room. The gasp of air he took got rid of the silence and I felt him place his eyes on me. The nerves kicked in.

"I'm sorry," he stated, "for all of this, I know that all of it makes me look like the bad guy but you have to understand, I have a family to protect too."

My eyes quickly shifted to him. "A family?"

He nodded. "My mom, little sister, and my sick dad," he stood up and looked out the window with distress, "tricking and capturing you was the only way I was able to protect them from your father and-."

"He is NOT my father," I barked while standing up and facing him in a defensive stance.

"Well he kind of is..," he smirked.

I stood there for a minute and examined him. Well built, that charming smile that I fell in love with during high school, blue eyes, shiny yet dark fawn hair, and those dimples. Did he forget about the kiss? Was it all to protect his family? Or did it actually mean something to him? I bet not. I quickly ran up to him with my elbow suffocating his neck. He was backed into a wall and just looked down on me.

"He is not my father, if he was he would never hurt me, he would never use my brother as a way to trap me," I said, "he would never.. he would never not claim me as his."

"I'm sorry," Ansel choked out.

I let go of him and walked backwards, "no your not," I walked to the tray of food and unwrapped the sandwich, "why are you in here anyway? Did he send you?"

"No, just thought you'd be hungry," he said putting his hands in his pockets, "your still beautiful to me Arden."

I looked up at him while taking a bite out of the sandwich almost like I was hypnotized by his voice and the words that came out. Before I could reply the door opened and in cake Alpha Mike. He left the door opened as to tell Ansel to exit and so he did. As quickly as a mouse would when it sees a cat in its presence. I placed the sandwich down and out my hands in my back pockets.

"Hello little sunflower," he laughed out while leaning against the door rim.

"Hi," I said.

"You can go shower if you want, you are pretty filthy," he told me.

"Thanks, I will."

"When your done come down to the kitchen, the pack misses you and I would like to say a few words," he said placing his hand on the doorknob about to close the door.

"Where's Sebastian?" I yelped.

He stood facing away from me holding the doorknob for a few seconds. Then he let a soft laugh out and proceeded to closing the door.

——————

The fog. The fog from the hot shower running as I stared at myself in the almost foggy mirror and my hair soaked itself in sweat. I clenched the sink sides and watched as my eyes changed color from dark brown to flames and my hands began to steam. I let myself calm down as I slowly stepped into the shower and let the water touch my skin and hair. I stood there in front of the shower head and closed my eyes while touching my arms. My thoughts for once went away. My body was calm. My heart was soathing. Nothing mattered but myself. I washed up and scrubbed my hair till all the dirt came off of my skin and scalp. After I felt clean and safe. I sat down under the water and let it hit me as all my thoughts came back to me. My brother. Ansel. Kai. Bay. My real father who I did not want to claim. And most of all. My freedom and actual safety that I needed again.

I sensed everyone going to the kitchen. So I quickly washed up one more time enjoying my last moments of mindfulness. I walked back to my room holding my red robe around my wet and moist body closing my door behind me and realizing home this room looked so much like my old room. I took a peck out the window and the sun appeared on my face and brightened my eyes the sound of my door opening a little made me close the curtains and turn around forcefully.

"Your dad wants you downstairs in 10," the sound of Ansel's voice made me feel at home for some reason.

"Ok," i said calmly looking back out the creak of the opened curtain.

I got dressed quickly, just putting on some leggings, a white top, and some comfy socks with my converse. I brushed my hair out and let my curls place themselves. I looked at myself and realized that I should play nice with these wolves. Maybe I'll get what I want then and they'll begin to think I'm on there side. I'll get my brother back. Then.. we can leave.

I made my way to the kitchen and every wolf in the pack was there. I searched around for Ansel, near the fridge my arm was softly grabbed and I turned around to see myself facing him. He smiled his beautiful smile and led me to the front of the kitchen where I spotted my father. Alpha Mike. Why did I call him my father in my head? Why do I feel at home? This wasn't the plan at all. I can't get attached to this place. I know what I came here to do and how I'm going to do it. But what if I wanted something else from this? What if I knew this was my home? What if I wanted to..

stay.