Chapter 3

I must have fallen asleep during the ride. I awoke with a start. I was getting ready to get up and head to the kitchen when I remembered I do not live there anymore. I was still in the back seat of the SUV. The elder kept looking at me in the mirror and whispering to the man on his right. I think it is Beta Aaron. I fell asleep again with the sounds of cicadas and crickets as my music.

The car stopped abruptly. I woke up once again. It was pitch black outside and the car doors began to open. Everything was black and shiny. I looked at a sign that said, Onyx Moon. So that is who bought me. I got out of the car and stood on the sidewalk. I saw everyone going to their respective homes. Some of the people had new mates, others, went home alone. I waited for the Elder and Beta Aaron.

"I am sorry to bother you. Which way is it to the dungeons?"

They looked at each other and laughed. When they realized I was serious, they changed their facial expressions and started to explain.

"I had no intention of putting you in the dungeon. That was me being snide with Alpha John. I knew about your mother and I knew she had a child. However, no one ever knew where the child went. The child somehow just vanished and your father acted as though he didn't have a family and was a single wolf again. Any time I pressed him on the subject, he would avoid the topic. We here, do, believe in prophecies and we were under the impression that the child had passed and the prophecy would never be fulfilled. Your mother came from a pack that we absolved into our pack to make it stronger. Her pack was extremely small and they needed help. I wish I could say that you have family or relatives alive but that would be giving you hope that didn't exist. Her parents died fighting off rogues that attacked there land before the absolution, unfortunately, your mother was an only child so you do not have any aunts or uncles. I think that is enough story for the night. Elaine here is going to show you to a room. And I mean a legitimate room, not a makeshift room."

I turned around and there stood a woman. She was very nice looking. She led me to a room. It was a nice large room with an ensuite bathroom. I had fluffy warm towels and plenty of shampoo and conditioner to go around. I wanted to take a bath but knew I did not have any clothes other than what I was wearing.

"Do you have a bag that I misplaced?"

"No, I did not bring anything with me."

"Did you not have any clothes?"

"I made everything I had out of old bed sheets. This is actually made out of a flannel bed sheet and the top out of a ripped Egyptian cotton one." I pointed at my skirt first and my top second.

"Did they provide you with shoes?"

"These someone threw away. I assume they did not like them. They were still in the box. I waited three days before I took them just to make sure they didn't change their minds." It was just a black flat. I was lucky it was my size. For all I know, someone could have pitted me and put them there for me on purpose.

"Oh my. Um, do you know your measurements or did you just guess and alter as needed?"

"The latter of the two."

"Hmm, let me think."

"She can use this for now if she wants to shower. I will have Anne, bring undergarments and a pair of shorts up for her." I nearly jumped out of my skin. There he was standing in the doorway taking off his shirt. He handed it to Elaine and she walked me to the bathroom. I turned back to look and he was gone. A few minutes later another person was knocking on the door. 

"Hi, I'm Anne."

"Hi, I'm..." Before I could finish she finished for me.

"Chloe. I know my brother told me. You are his mate, huh? Was your room really in the dungeon? I can't imagine having to tolerate the smell. My brother is some kind of pissed over that. I don't know if it is the fact that his mate was held in the dungeon or sheer principle. I know, Dad has been talking about it with the elders and other council members. I think they are going to stop allied relations with the Sapphire Heart. I think he is going to leave the decision up to you though. Oh, and I brought some of my things. I hope this helps." In her hand, she had some undergarments. "We can take you to the store tomorrow for proper undergarments in your size."

"I wouldn't know what proper size is. I made all my things from sheets."

"You are kidding right?"

"No, any of the sheets that were thrown out got put in my room and I made clothes out of them." I could see she was made as well now.

"You don't see anything wrong with this?"

"I mean I see it is wrong, but what was I supposed to do? If I didn't obey I was beaten." I unbuttoned my shirt and removed it. I felt they should see. You could see the scars on my belly and chest and whip marks across my back. Just because I heal fast does not mean the scars go away. Elaine sat patiently off to the side. However, the look on her face was that of pure shock too. 

Elaine and Anne left after putting the shirt, shorts and undergarments on the sink counter and I closed the door to just have some privacy and think. I removed the dagger from my skirt pocket and put it on the counter under the shirt. I grabbed a towel. It smelled nice; better than the detergent from home. I started a hot bath and looked through the different soaps. I removed my skirt and entered the tub.

When I crossed the new territory the sounds of pack members were gone. I was alone. Finally, by myself, I could breathe. Then I could not breathe. I found my mate who does not want me. I understand not wanting me to but do not prolong the inevitable.

'How do you know he doesn't want you?'

'Wait what? Marie?'

'Yes, who else would it be? He is just really angry right now.'

'I don't even know his name. I forgot to ask Anne and he wasn't very forthcoming with information.'

We sat in silence for a while.

'Why did you leave?'

'I couldn't watch them treat you like that. I stayed far enough away that I couldn't see you, but close enough that I could help take some of the pain away. It wasn't easy trust me. When I realized that you were no longer in Sapphire Heart territory, I crept closer to get a look. You fell asleep when I got there. You were so used to my presence at a distance that it was too overwhelming.'

'I see.'

I washed up and dried off. I put on the undergarments and shorts and last HIS shirt. It was comforting and made me sad. I looked at the bed and determined it was too nice to sleep in. In front of the bed was a chaise lounge with a throw blanket on it. I grabbed a pillow and the cushions off the chaise lounge and went to the walk-in closet. I placed the cushions on the floor and the pillow on one side. I used the throw to cover up. I laid down on the cushions, closed the closet door, and fell asleep.