The Fallen Mate

Escape

Olivia's POV

After Phobe explained the plan to me I got ready. I went into the large closet that was provided and scowled. Most of the clothing was small and didn't cover much. I pulled out a pair of black leggings and a grey short sleeve crop top. It was the longest one that was available so I ended up with that. There were no sweatshirts or jackets so nothing to protect me from the cold.

The only shoes I could find where heels. I decided I wasn't gonna break an ankle so I was now barefoot. I go to look at the drop from the window to the floor for what must be the twentieth time.

Calm down. I'm gonna stop your fall

Phobe tries to assure me. I just nod. Not really believing it. I scamper over to the door and put my ear to it. Trying to see if there was anyone coming. There was only silence so I padded back over to the window and threw it open. The drop was about 15 feet down. A human would be very injured by this fall and me and my weakened wolf might not fare any better. I take a deep breath. Trying to clear my mind so that I could transform into my wolf. I stepped onto the window ledge and took a step forward.

The wind whipped at my face as I fell. And it felt like it was all in slow motion. Come on. I thought to myself. I tried to picture my wolf. She had golden fur and white specks on her tail and paws. Before I knew it I felt my bones cracking and rearranging themselves into my other form.

As I hit the ground my furry paws make contact with the snow. I topple to the side at the impact. The wind is knocked out of me and I feel a snap in my leg. I do everything not to howl out and alert my captors.

Phobe, however, seems to not feel any sort of pain and starts to bolt towards the woods as fast as she can. I let her fully take over. I've been in control for far too long and I need to let myself rest.

It'll be ok. I'll get us out of here

She assures me and I drift asleep with her approaching the forest that marks the border between the Hollow moon territory and no man's land.

I wake with a start as Phobe trips over something. I look around and see that we're in a snow-covered forest. I smile. We're out. We're free. I haven't been outside the packhouse since I was 9. My smile quickly fades as I realize our situation. We broke something in our paw and are barely hobbling along. The snow also makes finding any food next to impossible. The cold has also set in. Even though I have a thick coat of fur it's not doing much to protect me from the freezing temperatures.

What's the plan Phobe?

I ask my wolf. Scared.

I'm gonna try to sniff out a cave

She responds. I just nodded not knowing how else to respond.

We wander around for two more hours. Just trying to find some form of cover. At this point my paws are frozen and my rumbling stomach is alerting me to incoming trouble.

We've gotta find something to eat

I say to my already frustrated wolf. She growls.

You think I don't know that!

She snaps. I go quiet.

Hey. I'm sorry. I just don't want to be free just to die an even more pitiful death

She sighs.

Me too

I respond. She walks in silence and I try to think about something else to get my mind off of delicious squirrels. I hear the crack of a twig and stop short. I take control and lead Phobe towards the sound. Sniffing. Not getting a discernible scent.

Before I have time to run a giant brown wolf jumps on top of me. Pinning me into the snow. I yelp as he steps onto my back legs. He snaps at my neck. Daring me to fight back. I'm not stupid. I show him my neck in defeat and he gets up. I feel a push on my mind link and I let him in to talk.

Shift

He commands. I shake my wolfy head no. He growls. Exposing his sharp canines. I whine and shift into my human form. I collapse naked into the cold snow. I attempt to cover myself with my thin arms to not much success. The big wolf looks surprised. He then goes over to a big bush and grabs a large t-shirt from inside. He tosses it towards me and I nod in appreciation. The shirts a little damp but it's better than standing naked in front of a very scary wolf.

Why're you here?

The wolf asks gruffly. He's still glaring but it's a little softer. I don't answer him. Afraid of saying where I'm from and him taking me back. He lets out a a low growl. Not threatening. More like frustrated

If you don't tell me I'm going to have to take you to the cells

He says. Trying to bargain with me. But I don't budge. I'd rather go to these cells then be taken back to my old hell.

Fine

He just goes behind a tree and a man comes back out dressed in jeans and a sweater. He's beautiful. With curly brown hair and blue eyes. He's the most beautiful guy I've ever seen.

"Let's go" he commands. His voice is deep and scary and I quickly start walking behind him. Not wanting to face the consequences of not obeying.

We walk for twenty minutes until we reach the biggest packhouse I've ever seen. Although that number isn't much. I stop to stare at the vastness.

"Come on!" The man, who's name I learned was Conner, demands. I quickly step back into the steady pace we had. He leads me around the packhouse to a shed-like room. He unlocks the door with a small key and pushes it open. It leads to a stairwell that seems to go straight to the center of the earth. He jesters for me to go forward. I start to cautiously walk down the stairs. My injured leg causing me to go a lot slower then normal. It gets darker and colder as we go down and by the end, my bare feet are burning from the cold and I can barely even feel my injured leg it's so numb.

Conner then walks in front of me again. We're walking through a long hallway packed with cells. The majority filled with men but every now and then I see a ragged-looking woman. I'm getting a lot of stares. I don't know if it's my lack of clothing or small figure but the men look up and down my body and lick their lips like the wolves that they are. I keep my eyes down even though Phobe wants nothing more than to rip their throats out.

Conner finally stops in front of a small empty cell and unlocks it. He opens the door and gestures me in. I give him a small smile. He surprises me and gives me one back. He then closes the door behind me and locks it. He turns and leaves. Leaving me alone in the damp cell.

I go to the corner and sit. My arms clutch my knees to my chest and I rock back in forth. Knowing I've just gotten myself into a new hell.