A Winters Memory

Chapter Twenty-Seven

The silence continued on until they reached the cabin. Michael turned to his men and nodded for them to go on in first. Alec looked to Ara then to his father as he moved to stand in front of her. The Alpha sighed running a tired hand through his hair as he stared at the two as if trying to figure out his own thoughts.

"If you're going to change your mind now that we've come back here; I suggest that you reconsider it." Alec's voice came out cold and stone like his demeanor tense as he continued to keep the distance between Ara and his father. The alpha shook his head.

"I haven't changed my mind. I was going to say that she is no longer my slave and that she is now a free woman. She is free to do as she pleases..." The Alpha spoke the words he knew his son wanted to hear but it was far from how the Alpha truly felt.

If he were, to be honest, he wanted nothing more than to be rid of the little nuisance and that abomination growing within her womb. Alas, he would have to bide his time before such actions could be taken. "I'll tell the other women and ask them for extra clothes they no longer use for her to use." Alec nodded his head taking a step forward and wrapping his arms around his father in a tight embrace.

"Thank you. I truly appreciate what you are doing for us... You have no idea how much it means to me; no, to us that you are allowing us to be together as a family." The Alpha nodded his head, his dark eyes locked solely on Ara making her shift uncomfortably under his wrathful glare.

"Of course, my son, come now; let us get you two settled in properly." The three of them entered the cabin, Alec and Ara moved towards Alec's bedroom to put away their belongings. When all was done, the Alpha had called a pack meeting allowing both Dahlia and Ara to attend so that they could hear the announcement that had been floating around since they had arrived.

The moment Dahlia's eyes fell on Ara, she had to push back the urge to run to her and wrap her arms around her tightly then scold both her and Alec for allowing themselves to be caught. Although she was upset they had been caught and brought back, she couldn't help the feeling of relief wash over her at knowing they were now safe and sound within the confines of this dreadful place.

"Changes shall be made within this house." The Alpha began as everyone gathered around, their eyes all moving to set upon Alec and Ara. "From this day forward the sla-..." He cleared his throat and scratched at his salt and pepper beard before fixing his words and beginning again. "From this day forward, she is no longer a slave, but a member of our pack." He turned to look at Ara as the packs' attention all moved to her.

Whispers echoed through the room as everyone tried to figure out what was going on and how the Alpha had come to allow the girl to become part of their pack when they had just found out about her and Alec running away together. "Silence, silence everyone. I shall explain it all." Alec placed a hand on his father's shoulder and stepped forward, he turned to look at Ara as he reached out towards her; she hesitantly placed her hand in his as he brought her to his side.

All eyes fell on the both of them, looks of confusion and curiosity streaking each face. "She is my one true mate. I apologize for the trouble we have caused but I needed to keep my mate safe for many reasons that I will be giving in a moment." Ara looked to Alec and gave him a small smile as she looked towards the gathered pack, their eyes still curious and expectant.

"One of those reasons, I felt that we needed to escape is that she is carrying my child..." Gasps were heard all around. Dahlia smiled wide as she listened, her eyes falling on Amelia whose face was contorted with pure anger and hatred. A new reason had been added to the list of things why Amelia now detested the slave girl. Amelia looked at her father, his eyes glaring intensely at Ara.

Amelia clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging into the meatier part of her palm and drawing blood. She repressed a growl as she turned away; leaving the room no longer interested in what anyone else had to say. She shoved the door open to the kitchen, storming out the back door and running out, ripping at her clothing as she began to shift. She shot off into the forest with a growl as fury coursed through her body.

Alec looked around the room waving his hand to silence everyone once more. "As the Alpha's son, I hope that you all will show Ara the respect she deserves as the mate of your Alpha's son." It was silent for a moment before everyone nodded and agreed. "One more thing, if any of the women have extra clothes that are no longer in use, please send them to our room. She will need them as she grows. She will also no longer be staying down in the basement but sharing my room with me. Am I clear?"

They all looked to their Alpha for reassurance as to what Alec had been claiming was true. The Alpha nodded his head and that was that the rest followed suit agreeing to Alec's words. Once the meeting had been dismissed, the Alpha retired to his own bedroom to gather his thoughts some more wishing to not be disturbed until it suited him.

Dahlia quickly ran over to Ara and wrapped her arms around her in a tight embrace. After another moment Dahlia then released her only to smack her arm. "Ow! What was that for?" Ara shot a glare towards Dahlia as she rubbed her arm. "Serves you right! How could you two get caught?" She threw her hands up in the air in frustration.

Ara sighed twisted her lips, looking towards Alec who was in a deep conversation with one of the older females from the pack. "Well?" Ara looked back at Dahlia with a sad smile. "We had to keep stopping to rest and get warm... Alec had hidden some extra clothes for us to use when we left but when we went to get them, they were gone. We were left with what we already had which left us at a great disadvantage."

Dahlia sighed shaking her head. "Well, I'm glad that you're safe now, I mean, at least I won't be sick with worry that you're out there somewhere freezing to death." Ara chuckled with a nod and hugged Dahlia once more. "I've missed you, I really wish you could have come with us; perhaps then the outcome would have been different." Dahlia nodded softly.

"Maybe... I've been meaning to ask... How did you two get that godforsaken madman to not kill you on the spot? Don't get me wrong, I am beyond glad, but it does pique my curiosity." Ara bit down on her bottom lip as she replayed Alec's words in her head.

"I had to give him what he wanted..." Tears began to form as she fought the urge to cry. She cleared her throat and looked away as she spoke. "He had been about to beat me when Alec said that I was carrying his child." She took a deep breath in, "he didn't agree to allow us to be together right away, it... it took some convincing and a compromise for him to finally agree."

Dahlia's brows furrowed as she took in Ara's demeanor. "What was the compromise?" Ara didn't dare look at Dahlia, she couldn't. Dahlia moved to stand in her line of sight, "what was the compromise, Ara?" The tears that had been threatening to fall, had finally begun to leave a wet trail down her cheeks, she sniffled and wiped at her nose and the straying tears before speaking again.

"He has to continue to sleep with Amelia; otherwise we're forced to never leave the basement. He said the baby and I will be prisoners down there and that Alec would never be allowed to see the child..." Dahlia's hands clenched into tight fists; "he can't do that!" Dahlia raged with anger, her eyes filled with such a rage that even Ara, herself could feel it radiating off of her in large tidal waves.

"How are you alright with this!" Ara shook her head. "I'm not... I'm not even remotely okay with this but I have to be... If I make any trouble with this agreement the alpha will strike, and I don't think anyone could stop him if he did. It isn't just about me anymore Dahlia, it's about this baby and making sure that he comes into this world unharmed."

Ara sighed. "I have to think about what is right for the baby and right now, this is what is best even if I do not like it; the Alpha has promised to leave us alone as long as Alec does what he is told, and this is to produce an heir with Amelia. He's already said he would never accept our child as his blood. It is the only thing keeping us alive and safe."

Dahlia continued to shake her head. She had been at a complete loss for words, the Alpha was truly a remarkable person and not in the way that one would think... No, he was remarkable in the way that made you question how on earth he had been able to stay in position for so long without his enemies constantly trying to rip out his throat at every turn.