Crescent (Old Version)

+ Part 3 +

My mother talked about men like Ceth Shawcross before. Men, charming men, that were far more dangerous than I could ever comprehend. Men that I didn't need to be directly threatened by to know not to cross them. He knew who I was, he knew what I was. I'd spent my entire life hiding from people like him. I would be foolish not to listen to him.

"Please," he said. "Sit."

 I sat in the chair next to his, my back pin-straight, and folded my hands in my lap as he strolled around and stood just behind me.

If he wanted me dead, I would be.

I swallowed the fear I felt tightening in my throat. "Where... are we?"

He grabbed a goblet from his place setting and poured himself a glass of wine from a crystal decanter. "All of your questions will be answered soon, love." He waved a hand and three platters piled high with food appeared at our end of the table. Those green eyes glittered as he took his seat next to me and swirled the red liquid around the rim of his cup. "Eat. Please."

The smell of herbs and hot spices wafted towards me and I couldn't deny that the sight of rotisserie chicken, sweet yeast rolls, and roasted veggies made my stomach howl.

If he wanted me dead, I would be, I reminded myself.

Ceth's eyes watched my every move as I loaded myself a plate. I chose against the wine. I needed to keep my wits about me if were to ever get out of this place. I ate a bite of the chicken and he smiled, snapped, and had two servants appear to serve him his own plate.

I still watched in awe as they served him a plate of steaming food, topped off his goblet of wine, and bowed before a phantom mist took them back into oblivion again.

I'd never seen anything like it.

"Where are we?" I asked again. He stifled a laugh and gave me a saccharin smile that seemed to be his signature.

"Persistent, aren't you?" he swallowed loudly but his eyes remained solely focused on me. On my eyes. "Do you know where you are?"

"I wouldn't have asked if I did."

He folded his hands in front of him though he looked clearly amused by me. "Two hundred kilometers from the border of the human realms. About three hundred and fifty kilometers from your hometown: Bayport. Wasn't it?" I glared at him outright, but he ignored the sharpness of my look. "I've given you the specifics. Now, you tell me. Where- are- you?"

Human realms? I felt my stomach knot. He knew I had no idea where the hell we were. I had to swallow my disgust as he dangled the information in front of me. "Where is my family?"

He smiled wickedly and rested his chin on his knuckles as he looked at me. "Do you know why you're here, Brenna?"

I thought back to what one of the men had said: "She's pure." But, I still didn't know what the hell he was talking about. "No," I lied instead.

Ceth looked almost too amused to tell me. "Do you know what I am?" 

Werewolf.  I could guess that much... but there was an air about him that told me... he was something else too.

"My family has owned this land, Vervale, and the northern-most human realms for over seven centuries now. I rule over every pack, every half-blooded rogue commune like your family's. So, I'll ask you again, Brenna." His head swelled with pride, but my brain searched for any possible explanation. "Do you know what I am?"

There was only one answer: He was pure-blooded... an alpha. Pure mythic folklore.

He leaned forward and that wicked grin bared two razor sharp canines. "Alpha Superior," he whispered. Dread settled in the bottom of my stomach. "There are only five others like me."

Everything fell into place then. The soldiers who'd come for us. They weren't just looking to kill us. They were looking for pure-bloodlines. Which meant that alphas, betas- things I'd only heard about in the stories my mother had told me as a child- they were real. 

So, what did that make me?

I didn't dare ask the question. I still had no idea why I was here or where my family was. Were they even alive?

The sound of the cathedral doors opening behind us nearly made me spill out of my seat. Ceth stood swiftly as nearly ten men filed in dragging a single man hanging by his arms.

"I won't tell you anything! I'll never tell you where they are!!" he cried and even from this distance, I could smell the blood pouring from his wounds. Ceth beckoned me out of my chair and blocked my view of the poor mutt they'd just brought in. But, I caught a glimpse of the commander that had escorted me here, and it only confirmed my suspicions: He was Ceth's right-hand.

"Sir." He stood awaiting orders with his arms behind his back.

Ceth ignored him. "I'll have Moira escort you to the infirmary to asses any injuries in the morning. But, if you'll excuse me... I have to retire for the evening." He bowed again and gently placed a kiss on my hand before turning back to the group.

My jaw hung slack as I watched the men drag the wolf across the hall, blood a trail behind him. The table cleaned itself, and Moira and the two guards appeared from the shadows to lead the way back. I stared after the group as Moira led me down the entryway towards my room. Nothing could hide the sound of the wolf's pained howling just moments later.

I paused at the stairs, and the two soldiers gripped either of my arms and dragged my forward again. It was already getting darker outside and more candles had been lit around my room when we stepped inside.

"Breakfast will be served at eight. Call for me if you need anything else," Moira curtsied and  turned toward the door.

"Wait!" I stepped in front of her, and her eyes went wide. "What are they doing to him??"

She disappeared before I could object. The door locked behind me. The sound of her footsteps on the other side disappeared down the hall.

I could hear the guards still breathing heavily outside the door, and I could hear the crackle of candle light and the light hum of snowfall outside my window. And, I sank to the ground in defeat.

I was a prisoner. I was alone.  I was confused. And even as I plugged my ears to cover the sound, there was no escaping the young wolf's screams as they echoed off the castle walls.