Scarlett

Chapter Two

I made my way into the bookshop, my hands tugging on the sleeves of my pale yellow dress. The shop was small, with rows of books lining the walls. The owner, an old woman, sat behind the cash register flipping through a magazine. I didn't know where I wanted to look first; I ducked behind the first aisle of books glancing at the titles. Almost every label had to do with mates and werewolves. I rolled my eyes.

After walking around for a couple of minutes, I found an old classic, Fahrenheit 451. It was rare to find classic books now; werewolf ones were more popular and common. Flipping through the pages, I started to read. There was nothing I loved more than getting lost in a novel, the ability to escape one's cruel reality for a different one was something I cherished. The sharp bell of the bookshop interrupted my reading, signalling that new customers had entered. I peaked between the rows of books.

Two giant males stood in the doorway. They wore perfectly tailored black pants and fitted black shirts, not a single rip insight. If it wasn't clear from their outfits, their appearances gave them away. Glowing eyes and muscles the size of my head. They were wolves! Important ones, too. Even humans could feel the power radiating off them. They were probably part of the Alpha's guard; they certainly looked like they had been in their fair share of battles.

"Can you just help me look? My mate has been going crazy asking for this book." The black-haired wolf said. The blonde hair one rolled his eyes with a growl.

"Quickly, Alexander, we can't be late."

They made their way to my aisle, my breath stopped. I knew they could smell me and knew I was here, but that didn't mean I wanted to interact with them. The less contact I could have with wolves, the better. I quickly rushed to another row, my hands clutching my book.

"Relax, Luke, I'll be fast," Alexander said, scanning the various books.

"You know Alpha Theo has been on edge with the ball coming up. I can't believe he got picked to host this year; he hates shit like this." Luke laughed, leaning against one of the bookshelves.

"He's just grumpy because he hasn't found his mate yet." Alexander grabbed a small red book from the shelf. I couldn't see the title from my hiding spot but assumed it was something dumb about wolves.

I started to tune them out, I was going to be late, and I didn't wanna spend any more time here this close to such important wolves. I made my way to the exit looking down at the book in my hands. I had to put it back. There was no way I could afford it. I sighed. Maybe someday.

"Hey!" A sharp voice broke me out of my thoughts. I looked up. The two wolves were making their way to me. My heart felt like it was going to stop; they looked angry. The whole store seemed to be closing in with every step they took. Wolves never just randomly talked to humans, they only brought trouble. I backed away and decided to do something incredibly stupid. I ran.

"Stop!"

"Wait!"

I ignored their voices, pushing myself out the door, my feet stomping down the cobblestone path. I turned down an alleyway, my legs burning. My hands were still clutching the book to my chest. If I made it out of this alive at least I had a new book. I could hear the two pairs of feet chasing me, their growls shaking the ground. Suddenly, a pair of arms shot out, pushing me.

I fell hard. My beloved book flew out of my grip, and my body throbbed with pain. My yellow dress was ripped and was stained red from my scraped knees. My head was ringing, and everything hurt.

"How dare you run from us?" Luke said, standing above me. Alexander was at his side, rubbing his hands on his pants. They towered over me, and I had never felt smaller.

"Listen human " Alexander seemed to spit out the word. "You are never to run from werewolves. Do you have any idea how stupid that is?"

"I-" I stuttered out.

"We are part of the Alpha's small council. What you just did was a blatant sign of disrespect." Alexander growled out.

"I'm sorry," I said, trying to sit up; my favourite dress was ruined because of them. I looked around for the book. Fahrenheit 451 lay next to my feet, muddy and soaked in a puddle.

"So, not only do you lack any form of respect for your superiors," Luke said, bending down to pick up the muddy book. "but you're a thief too." He flipped through the pages carelessly. He turned back to Alexander.

"Well, Alex, what do you think we should do?"

"I think a visit to the pack dungeons would help her learn respect," Alexander said, laughing, his sharp teeth forming a mocking smile.

The dungeons? I felt tears pricking my eyes, but I held them in. All this over a book? I knew it wasn't the book that sealed my fate, but my disrespect. Wolves were above humans, and disrespecting them was a death wish. They could easily rip my throat out with their bare teeth. Alexander and Luke seemed to be close to the Alpha, which only made it worse. The higher the rank, the more aggressive and possessive. I hoped Elsa and Amber wouldn't worry too much when I didn't return home this evening.

"Get up." Alexander spat. I struggled to get to my feet, my muscles aching. Alexander grabbed my arm, forcing me to walk with them. Only their walking was my running. My head felt like it was underwater, I stumbled over my feet. Black dots took over my vision, the slick black car that was waiting out front seemed to fade in and out. I must have hit my head harder than I thought.

They shoved me in the back, the plush leather cool against my hot skin. The car door slammed, making me flinch; humans on their way to work stole quick glances to the car. Looks of pity surrounded me. It wasn't unusual to see a human shoved in the back of a wolves' car, but it had been a while since it last happened.

Luke started the car with Alexander in the passenger fiddling with the radio. Classical music came out of the speakers as we drove away from the town and towards the Alpha's estate. I was surprised they didn't tie me up, but I guessed I wasn't a real threat. I was a puny human to them. As we got farther away from the town and human's houses, the scenery changed. Beautiful cherry blossoms and pine trees lined the road. Wolves seemed to be all around us, each home we passed nicer than the last. Even the grass seemed greener.

We approached a set of giant silver gates that opened to reveal the most striking house I had ever seen. The Alpha's Estate. I had heard of how stunning it was, but no words could compare to the sight before me. A cobblestone fountain lay in the center of his driveway, leading the way to the house. The house was made from white brick, with white pillars framing the wrap-around porch. Rose bushes lined the front of the house, with giant windows and a balcony overlooking the front lawn. Wolves walked around the property, laughing and smiling. I felt a pang of jealousy. The wolves lived like this while we suffered.

The car came to a stop at the front of the house. A small blonde female wolf made her way down the steps, her blue dress flowing in the wind behind her.

"Stay." Alexander glared at me before getting out of the car to greet her.

She rushed into his arms, smiling. He kissed her cheek while pushing a strand of her hair out of the way. They must be mates. He smiled before pulling a thin book out of his pocket. The red one from the bookstore. She grabbed the book from his hands, jumping up and down, pressing kisses all over his face.

Huh, who would have the thought the same wolf that sent me to rot in the dungeons had a caring bone in his body?

Luke also got out, slamming the door behind him. A couple wolves that were drenched in sweat greeted him. They must have been training.

I let my head fall against the cold window, my headache getting worse. The music faded away as I drifted into darkness.