Entwined

Chapter 14: Strategy

Chapter 14: Strategy

Three days have passed since I ran away from Everett and my picturesque life in the Eastern territory. I have spent three days captivated in a stingy, cold bedroom in an unfamiliar run-down home. I do not know where I've been placed in the Western territory, or the exact time of day, but I what I do know is that these past three days have been some of the worst I have ever lived.

I sat against one of the wood-paneled walls, staring at the patch of sunlight shining through the single, clouded window in the room. I watched the dust particles float through the air, simply waiting for someone to barge into the room and torture me into doing what Alpha Michael has asked of me.

I groaned and placed my head in my hands. I would not hurt the Eastern pack; I'd rather die than comply with Michael's sickening demands.

Though, I felt distantly thankful for one aspect of my situation. Since Michael and I's confrontation in the den, I haven't seen or heard from Reid. I couldn't even begin to imagine all of the awful things he'd do to me if he caught me alone. I shivered and hugged my knees up to my chest; I could only hope to continue to avoid him.

On the topic of avoiding, I pressed my fingertips to my temples and sighed wholly. I could feel him; I could feel Everett's mind reaching out to mine. Though our thoughts were clouded and broken due to the distance and our unfinished mating, I could still very much feel his presence. Because of that, I did my very best to block him out and leave him no indication of my whereabouts.

Alpha Michael's insane take-over, I could handle; facing Reid's sickening face again, I could handle; but seeing Everett again and torturing him for another second, I could not. I have already caused so much irreversible harm. I quickly shut my mind down, pushing thoughts of Everett aside. I needed to revert back to my old ways; I needed to become an emotionless stone if I had any hope of surviving this.

I swallowed my tears back and rested my forehead against my dirty knees.

Despite my persistent protests, Alpha Michael had ordered me to be completely bandaged and treated by his doctors so I'd be fit for battle. Therefore, my mangled shoulder was now almost completely healed, as well as the blows to my head.

I cringed as the door to my makeshift bedroom opened and in walked Claus, who was instructed to watch my every-move. I scowled deeply as he made his way across the floor toward me.

"Put this on and meet me outside in five minutes. If you're late, I'll come back in here and dress you myself." Claus sneered and tossed a black jumpsuit on the floor at my feet, before walking straight back out into the hall.

I had the strong urge to flip this house upside-down every time someone spoke to me. The only thing keeping me sane is reminding myself that if I do as I'm told, perhaps Everett would survive this incoming war.

* * *

Once I fully dressed myself, I dazedly opened the door of the bedroom and walked into Claus' painful grasp. I recoiled as his fingers tightened on my arm as he began dragging me out to the front of the house.

"Can I ask where we're going?" I asked quietly, not really feeling like starting another raging fight. Claus has proven time and time again that he will not hesitate to inflict pain in order to gain obedience.

"To gather numbers." Claus rolled his eyes as I tripped over my own feet.

Ugh! It wasn't my fault that he was walking so hastily! Wait...gather numbers?