Entwined

Chapter 17: Revelations

Chapter 17: Revelations

        I awoke to the sensation of feeling cripplingly cold and achy. I found myself sitting on the ground somewhere unfamiliar, with my arms tied tightly from behind, wrapped around a metal pole. I blinked blearily, feeling my stomach roll with queasiness as I tried to focus in on my surroundings. My head ached horribly, sending sharp pains radiating from my temple and all the way to the back of my scull. Even worse, I couldn’t believe how bitterly chilled my entire body had become. These western wolves really had a thing about knocking me out cold.

        Of all the moments in my life, I knew this one should’ve been the worst but…I couldn’t really conjure up the will to cry or scream. I was strangely peacefully, despite the physical pain. Knowing now that the Eastern pack was saved, the Western wolves were under control, and that Everett survived the war perfectly unscathed, I could finally relax. In fact, for this first time in my life, I felt truly proud of myself. Shockingly, I felt warm tears trickle down my cheeks slowly.

        I felt so… happy.

        Well, I was until Alpha Michael stepped out of the shadows before me. I knew he had no intention of keeping me alive for much longer.

        “You know, all of this is really my fault; you know, for believing a revolting rogue like you could listen to reason.” Alpha Michael crouched in front of me, his expression mirroring a pitifully hidden rage. After everything that happened within these past few days, I wasn’t about to let this sick, power-obsessive man, intimidate me.

        Daringly, I smirked and jerked my chin up confidently. “Underestimation is the first step towards defeat,” I spat, staring into Alpha Michael’s blood-shot gaze.

        Alpha Michael shuttered with fury as the words slipped through my lips and after a split second of hesitation, he slapped me viciously across the face. I immediately absorbed the recognizable pain and clenched my fists - I knew if I reacted to the hit, I’d only satisfy Alpha Michael.

        “Seriously though, Juliet, I saved your life and this is how you repay me?” Alpha Michael’s eyes grew wide with a crazed look, as he leaned in close to me. “I killed for you,” he whispered brokenly and trailed his nails across my collarbone. “I was going to go down in history, before you. I’ve been killing for a decade just to gain control of my packs. Juliet, my dear, do you honestly believe the massacre in your village ten years ago had been some random act?” I suddenly felt the colour drain from my face as I stared at the man before me.

        My village…my parents…        

        “Yes, I knew I recognized your emerald green eyes and distinct features. You were the daughter of that stubborn, sad excuse for an Alpha that chose to fight me instead of obey. As you can see, little girl, I don’t have the greatest solutions when handling my temper and so…I kill anything that stands in my way. Now, I’m just wondering how exactly you seemed to slip through the cracks that night.” His eyebrows crunched together, pulling off both a scowl and a sneer at the same time. It was probably hands-down the most disturbing expression I’d ever seen. “I’m so sorry I have to kill you, but don’t you see? In some twisted turn of fate, here we are again, rewriting history. You were meant to die that day. I’m just finishing up the job now.” I felt red-hot rage bubble in my chest as I watched Alpha Michael’s black eyes glint with excitement.