Wysteria

Chapter 24

Surprise! Bet you didn't see this coming :). Hopefully you enjoy this chapter, feel free to check out my other books. They're different to COTM, but I think they showcase my improving writing style! Anyway, I've missed you guys.

(Not edited)
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Mindy slips the old, faded gold key into my hand, thick fingers brushing mine. I don't falter at the sight of the old scars swirling under her jacket sleeve, but file it away for later. The key's edge is jagged, curving back and forth sharply to fit the lock of the storage room door. I keep my face neutral, if not slightly apprehensive to uphold my facade, and watch as Mindy steps up to the woman with the confidence of an experienced doctor. She seats the woman on a chair next to the first bed, and Alice's voice reaches my ears. Quiet and yet hard, Alice doesn't look up from her computer.

"Master? Slave number?"

"Fargon. 148." She whispers, and I bristle at the name. Fargon is the man who brought me to that council, who locked me up and beat me. Fargon is the man who ordered the attack on Rhylan and our pack.

And so he is the first one I will kill.

"Age?" Alice asks, reaching up to tuck a lock of brown hair back into her ponytail.

"16," The girl whispers, and I am shocked again. The blonde girl is tall and frail, with thin limbs that seem to hang beside her body. Her pale skin is littered with bruises, cuts and scars, more than I have ever seen on a body.

I turn away and open the storage room door. I don't close it, because if this girl is closely involved with Fargon, then I need to hear everything she says. I quickly pull a dozen jars and containers off of the shelf closest to me and place them on the table. The jars are covered in a thick layer of dust, leaving behind my fingerprints as I let them go. Some of them have silver lids, some have blue lids and the others have orange lids. Only two have red, and I observe them curiously.

"Reason for visitation?" Alice's voice drones out, barely audible. She seems to mumble her voice, so I stand just outside the doorway.

"My rogue master thinks I might be pregnant." She says, voice trembling. So far, she had been stoic to the point of almost nonchalance. Now, her voice wavered and I move closer to the door, listening intently.

"It says here that Fargon can't afford a baby, nor has one been approved by the council. If you are pregnant, immediate termination is the only option. Please allow Dr. Cramer to conduct your pregnancy test and free monthly check-up." Alice's voice has changed too, from professional and solid to almost angry. Her words have a hard edge to them, and I want to look into the blue room to gauge their emotions, but hold myself back. A new, kidnapped Alpha Female wouldn't be so curious, or go looking for trouble. She'd be terrified, keep her head down and listen to orders. Well, a kidnapped Alpha Female planning on escaping, would. And I am going to play the role of a lifetime.

"Wait-!"

"Please sit still." Mindy's voice rings out, with a drop of silky honey underlying. Maybe she is trying to console the girl, to placate her, but the way that Mindy changes from helpful to loyal is another reminder that she can't be trusted, and neither can anyone else. I would have to do this all alone.

"Don't take my baby!" The girl cries with the sounds of a struggle reaching my ears. I grimace and back away, standing in front of the desk. I face it, leaning forward and breathing deeply. I need to be careful. I need to gather my thoughts.

Suddenly, the girl's cries quiet down. I step out of the room and just catch her slumped figure over the shoulder of a rogue, blonde hair limp and swaying, like the rest of her body. Mindy follows after him, shooting Alice a look that I can't place. I step further into the room and walk up to Alice, who doesn't look at me.