Collecting Misery

Chapter 7 - Part 1

A/N: Song A Take Away Show by The Dø.

Unedited Version

My hands were shaking as hard as my will. The fastest I got over with this, the better. I closed my eyes and filled my nose with his scent cringing at the smell of blood. This would never feel okay, but it was the right thing to do.

I tried to tighten my grip. A clean cut and it would all be over. Why wouldn't my hands obey me? Was this really the only way? 

"Shh... It's alright, my Izzie. You're helping me."

Allie's soothing voice was the final push. I'd free him from all the pain. His suffering ended now. The shaking stopped and my determination strengthened. 

"Stop!" Alpha Tobias' command had me freeze in place and open my eyes. "Shift back and step away from him."

I opened my hand and took a step back before turning to Alpha Tobias. He was sporting the same amused smile as before. Was all this a game for him?

"Don't frown. I'd never let you kill your mate. That'd be too cruel."

Cruel? Letting me kill my mate to protect him from this pack's torture would be cruel, but forcing me to live with him after all he has done was perfectly fine?

"Now that we all know how you feel about him, let's get down to business." He placed a hand on my shoulder and ushered me to the door. "You're just another victim of Alexander Hunter."

A victim? I had no interest in being a victim. I was done with that. This guy just managed to piss me off each time he opened his mouth. Some steps more and I'd be out of here. 

Sparks like fluttering kisses erupted in my wrist when Alexander got a hold of it. "Izzie... I'm sorry."

I looked into his sad green eyes. Don't leave me like this, they were telling me. But, he had abandoned me way worse than this. He hadn't allowed me to help him before and landed himself in this place. The hatred threatened to overcome the pity.

Did he expect me to forgive him? Indignation settled into hatred. How dare he put his hands on another woman? to kiss her without her consent, to hurt her. What would forgiving him say about me? That I condone that behaviour? What about the boy? Torturing a kid with silver was too much. 

Alexander whimpered when I yanked my hand out of his grasp.

"This is all you'll ever be." I turned around and marched away with Alpha Tobias matching my pace. His soldiers followed right behind.

Each step I took away from him added more dread to my pain. Would they allow me to leave their territory? Did that mean that I'd never see him again?

I wouldn't cry. He didn't deserve my tears. I'd be strong. I sniffled and came to a halt at the bottom of the stairs. 

The sunlight slipped into the room from under the door on top of the stairs. I took a step back but made myself take two forward. I dragged my feet up the stairs and out of this hell.

"So, this is the current state of affairs."

I leaned back in the leather chair, crossing my legs and letting my gaze drift from the oak wood bookcase in the right corner of the room to the cliche wolf portrait in the wall behind the large desk. Do all Alpha's receive an "Alpha Office blueprint" or creativity is just long-dead?

"Miss Nash?"

My gaze fell on the tall man behind the desk. That smirk of his seemed to be his natural expression.  Besides a dull "sorry," he had barely acknowledged the situation he had put me through. Now, he asked for my help. The nerve.

"My last name is Stidolph. Miss Nash died when her pack and the rest of the werewolf society turned their backs on her." I picked up the glass from the end table and took a sip of water, relaxing my body and replacing my frown with a mocking smile. "So, groups of rogues have been attacking the borders and evading even your best trackers? Wolves don't just disappear. Perhaps, you should consider training your pack better?"

He gripped the edge of his desk, grinding his teeth but with his smile in place. That was a truly admirable talent. "I understand, Miss Stidolph. You've lived in human territory for a long time and you've been in contact with rogues. That would explain the manners." His tension dissipated once all his witt had been put forward. "Any idea of where this group might be hiding?"

I owed him nothing. Council member packs, always so blind and stupid. If it wasn't for their strong Alphas, they would all be where they belong: under a more capable leader. There were so many weak links in their alliances and way too many traitors.

Why would I tell him? I should send them straight to a trap, just as a little payback. If I was lucky, Salvador would come and kill this asshole once his pack is weak.

"If you help us, we would offer you protection as part of our pack."

Oh, that was interesting. I stared at him and for once his annoying grin was nowhere in sight. If he was lying, he gave no sign of it. His heartbeat was steady; his posture relaxed. There were no ticks or microexpressions to give him away.

"You'd make me part of your pack? Me? A dirty rogue?"

He sighed and shook his head up and down. "I've only recently been made aware of your situation and the injustice committed against you. A place in my pack is nothing but the first step to start making up to you."

A place in his pack, uh? Now, this made sense. I smirked. Salvador, you bastard.

"Grene Village, that's the reason your trackers haven't been able to find the rogues."

Alpha Tobias' eyebrows shot up and I took pleasure in his astonished expression. "Grene Village? That's part of Alpha Wallace's territory."

I nodded with a wide smile. "A small town at the outskirts of his territory with an agriculture-based economy and a mostly Omega population. Their job is mainly to provide for the larger and prosperous cities around it but is mostly took for granted. Their Alpha sends rebellious soldiers there as punishment. They weren't nearly strong enough to protect themselves from rogues."

He stayed brooding waiting for me to continue.

"A few years back, they reached an agreement with S--the leader of the rogues. Weak and tired rogues go to that place rest. It's a bargain for both sides."

He scoffed. "A bargain? with rogues, there's never a bargain. Is Alpha Wallace aware of the situation?"

I shrugged my shoulders. No, that Alpha didn't know anything, but let them bicker. "His soldiers are in. They open the borders for the rogues."

Alpha Tobias growled. "Those traitorous bastards!"

"You should definitely investigate the situation before acting hastily, Alpha," I said with a small smile.

"That's enough for today. Rob will take you to your room." He waved his hand dismissively.