The Witch's Fate: Save Me, My Alpha!

My time in the city will soon end. Why? Because in a week my dad is moving our whole family to a small town located in the middle of nofreakingwhere. About two days ago my dad came home in a good mood. The big surprise was that he bought two buckets of ice cream! My dad was...is...whatever, he was a dentist and as all dentist dads do, he doesn't hesitate to tell us that "eating sweet things will wreck your teeth faster than the Titanic at the age of thirty"

Sometimes I always wondered if he meant that the Titanic was thirty years old or us.

Sue swiftly turned and threw her ice cream spoon in the direction of the telly's plug. Dad sidestepped and the spoon harmlessly bounced off the wall.

Sue pouted "sorry Dad I thought you were a ra...someone else"

Dad glared at her. I picked up Sue's abandoned bowl of ice cream and dug in. The telly might be off but a live performance was about to start. Okay so Sue was often impulsive and dad rarely had the patience for her dramatics. He dropped the plug and walked upstairs yelling for our brother to come down for a family meeting. My hands paused. Dad didn't yell. Or even make a mean face. What the heck was going on?

Our baby bro, Jerry, by a year and a half came down the stairs. Messyhaired, paleskinned and coughing pitifully into a blue handkerchief. He had dark circles around his eyes. But I could tell he'd just been messing with my eyeshadow. Thanks to mum's indulgence, a little cough and bam Sue and I had to do all his house chores while he 'recovered'. If not for the rule the three of us set about not ratting each other out I would have used a baby wipe to expose him.

He plopped down on the couch behind us.

"Is...is that ice cream?" His voice was deliberately low and quivering. I almost thought he was actually sick. Almost

"No, it's frozen baby powder in a bowl" Sue rolled her eyes, she was still glaring at the dark telly.

Jerry yelled, "Dad the DTs are eating ice cream!"

DT meaning double trouble is the nickname Jerry gave Sue and me on the first Halloween we decided that he was old enough to be pranked. It wasn't funny...for him anyway. I sighed in my mind 'so much for not tattling.

Sue threw the remote in her hand at him "Dummy, dad bought it for us"

Jerry looked momentarily surprised then he said: "okay first...rude and second..." he lunged for our bowl "gimme some of that"

I raised my leg and kicked him back unto the couch. "No ice cream for you young man you're sick and delirious with a fever you should have some scalding hot broccoli soup instead" I tried to imitate mum's doctor's voice.

"Okay first eww second double eww"

Sue placed her feet on the t.v screen "will you stop with the lists already"

Jerry didn't reply. While we were talking he had somehow snuck the ice cream bowl into his lap and was stuffing himself silly.

Dad returned and sat on the single settee

"Let's start," he said

Sue interrupted "aren't we waiting for mom?"

Dad shook his head his ponytail swished along "no she already knows and she agrees with my decision"

I stared at him suspiciously "what decision?"

He smiled at us "I just got a new job as the head of a clinic, and I'm gonna take it"

The three of us cheered

Me: "Fantastic"

Jerry: " Cool"

Sue: "more moneeeeyy"

Dad chuckled nervously "I'm glad you're happy, but that's only one part of the good news"

"What else?"

"Well...we...are moving!...yay" he grinned sheepishly

Sue said a bad word.

Despite our protests, we still found ourselves in a moving truck on our way to the new town. Sue and I stayed with the moving truck while Jerry and dad followed in dad's car.

"Maybe it's a good thing we're moving"

Sue didn't reply she continued looking out the window. Trees flashed past in a green blur. The driver turned down the radio.

"We're still a long way out" he began "you can lower the chair and catch a little nap"

I nodded "Oh thank you"

But I didn't want to sleep. I looked at the road. Although I was upset we were moving I am still happy somewhat. For a fresh start.

I turned my phone on for a quick Google search. Then I paused. I still didn't know the name of our new town. So I looked at the driver.

"Where are we going, sir?"

"Huh?" He frowned in confusion but didn't take his eyes off the road.

"I said where are we going?"

"Clearwater ridge" he finally replied "it's a nice small town"

"Thanks" I murmured.

I typed in Clearwater ridge and pressed the search icon. It loaded for a bit and stopped.

"Eh?"

Sue finally turned and leaned over to glance at my phone.

I questioned the driver.

"There are wolves around Clearwater?"

"Ah, well I ain't never seen one but people say there are" he shrugged.

What the hell?

Sue and I stood under a tree a few feet away from the car, watching as dad tried to drag Jerry out. After several failed attempts to skip the first day of school, Jerry decided that he was going to stick to the car even if it kills him...or if dad kills him, whichever one comes first. I moved further back and whistled while studying my nails.

Note to all passersby, I do not know these people.

After failing to drag him out of the car dad resorted to threats.

"Jerry" he began calmly "get your lazy ass out of that car or so help me you will be grounded for a month!"

Jerry was unfazed and tilted his head at dad "does that mean I'm not allowed to go to school?"

Dad lost his calm "Get Down Now" he roared.

Jerry puffed his cheeks in a pout. This trick could have softened mum's heart but to dad, he probably looked like a gassy blowfish.

Sue walked towards them with a hiss "Time to end this shit"

I grinned

Uh oh, Jerry's in verbal trouble.

Dad sighed and sidestepped when she approached

She said "Jerry love"

I choked on my gum and got a tiny heart attack.

Then she continued "get down from that car at the count of five before I show you what pain and suffering truly mean"

Jerry swallowed and I sighed in relief.

Good, my sister hasn't been kidnapped by aliens.

Sue raised a glossy black manicured finger "one, two, four..."

Jerry scrambled out of the car "What the hell happened to three?"

Sue said "It died...just like you would have if you didn't get down"

Dad started the car "Have a great day at school kids" he pulled away "and Jerry"

"Yup?"

"You are grounded for a month"

"What the..."

The car disappeared out of sight.

A few earlybird students already passed by us. Dad was resuming his new job today so he had to go extra early. In such a situation mom would have dropped us off but she was yet to move in with us. She still stayed in our apartment in the city. She was a fully booked surgeon. I don't think she will be moving down here until at least two months.

At exactly seven o'clock on the dot, everyone was gathered in the main hall. Sue and I sat together at the front while Jerry sat two rows behind us. He said something about not wanting people to know that we're related.

I fiddled with the charm bracelet on my hand. I made one for me and Sue. My tiny carvings on a string.

Suddenly, a shadow fell on us. Sue and I looked up to see a girl about our age with three other girls behind her, sneering at us.

She had shoulderlength blonde hair—I couldn't tell if that was dyed or the natural colour—and green eyes. She was dressed like your typical bitch. She glared at us

"Get up newbies"

Sue eyed her "why?"

One of the girls behind her answered "cuz that's our seat"

Sue turned back to look at her chair "Hmm, I don't see a name here, is there any name on yours?"

I checked mine "nope...so how is this your seat?"

The bimbo in front, obviously the leader, hissed "Don't try to play smart with me"

I grinned "Of course not, one can only play smart with smart people"

Sue snorted "good one"

"Thanks, sis, I learn from the best"

Another girl said, "How dare you insult her she's the next..."

The bimbo raised her hand to silence her and looked down at us. Her nose was so high up that I was sure she must be breathing hydrogen. "You smell weak and pathetic"

I raised my hand to sniff my sleeve "How did you know? The name of my perfume is 'Weak'"

Sue nodded "yup and mine's called 'Pathetic'"

It was obvious that we were making fun of them.

One of the girls behind her, the quieter of the three tugged on her jacket.

"Leave em Sue let's go"

I guffawed "Hey sis your namesake is a bitch hehe"

The two Sues looked like they ate something bad.

"Copy the note and be quick about it"

I looked at the empty whiteboard, then at the teacher before slowly raising my hand "err what note...sir?"

He frowned and glanced down at me, through his ironrimmed glasses like a king on his throne looking at a dirty peasant.

"Are you deaf?"

Okay, that hurt. What a nasty goat. I was even trying to be respectful. You know what forget that shit

"I wasn't the last time I checked" I retorted.

Veins bulged on his head, and then the girl seating behind me abruptly stood up "Sir! She didn't understand what you meant, ignore her sir we all make mistakes, after all, we're only human"

Ignore me?

I rolled my eyes. Although I liked the town's artistic nature we haven't really been able to interact with its locals since we moved here. Today was my first proper interaction and...everyone we've met has been a different kind of stupid.

Sue had a different class so I was stuck here, alone and without a backup.

The teacher used a finger to push the glasses further up his nose. "Oh, I see..." He picked up a heavy textbook from his table and dropped it on mine. "Chapter 10 pages 9093, copy"

I picked up my pen and started. Besides if I skipped some parts and words in the note he might not notice. A few minutes later when it felt like my head will fall off my neck I raised it to see that I was the only one still coping. Mr Teacher was reading a book while everyone else was talking or chatting on their phones. I was also the only one with a textbook on my desk. I frowned.

About half an hour later I walked out of the class. I was so annoyed. For the rest of the class, all I could do was copy the stupid note as fast as I could when I was finally done the bell rang and I couldn't even be bothered to return the textbook to his table, I picked up my things and stormed out. My hands were shaking like a very old lady's leg.

When I got to my locker Sue was already there. She was leaning on the wall. And nodding her head to the song playing in her headset. Her glossy black hair, the same as mine, was no longer in a ponytail. Instead, it was scattered around her head. It looked like she was listening to rock and she only does that when she's mad. She opened her eyes just then and stared at me.

"I hope your first class was as shitty as mine," she said.

I shrugged and stuffed my books into my locker "I don't know if we compare later, mine might be shittier"

She said "remember do not cry"

I grinned "even if the ball hits your eye"

We pushed open the doors and slowly walked in like warriors on a battlefield. Everyone was separated into two dodgeball teams. The teacher who was about to blow the whistle saw us and smiled. Not in the 'I'm nice way' but the 'you're so dead' kinda way. She pointed at Sue

"You there what's your name?"

"Sue Andrews Miss"

"I ain't your Miss"

She pointed at the team on the left that had an awfully familiar face "Your name is Sue I'm sure you won't mind joining your namesake," she turned to me "go to the other team girl number two"

There was a collective guffaw

I smiled coldly at her "name's Aria nice to meet you too"

"I wish I could say the same" she returned

Ouch. The teacher's got spunk.

The game started. The game ended.

What happened in between is too painful to remember. All I can say is give me a gun and Bitchy Sue and I will paint the school red.

At four in the evening, the three of us met under a tree some distance from school. Jerry had a small bruise on his cheek.

Sue looked him up and down "you're a mess"

Jerry huffed "it's just a bruise...at least I wasn't bullied"

I cut in "hey let's set this straight" I pointed at Sue and me "we weren't bullied...we just played dodgeball"

Jerry scanned the several bruises on our faces and arms "right, don't you know that dodgeball is the game of bullies"

"Hey guys" Sue waved at us to stop talking "dad just sent me a message it says 'I won't be home tonight I have to work late take care sweetie pies'"

I frowned, on its own, the message wasn't odd...It would be a normal thing if mom sent it...but dad?

Sue frowned "that's weird"

Jerry nodded "yeah dad hates anything pie"

I mumbled "and he definitely doesn't think we're sweet"

There were dark circles under my eyes. It's been two days and dad was yet to return or send another message. A few more hours and we could report him officially missing. We tried to call mum but her number was also switched off. We didn't know the way to his new office so we couldn't even go check on him.

"Dad might be fucking missing and all you can do is act like a fucked up baby" she yelled and stormed out.

I stood by the door looking at Jerry. Although I wanted to smoothen things out his angry and wronged expression just annoyed me. I threw the door handle and screwdriver at his feet "fix that when we return" I turned to leave before throwing them over my shoulder "and Jerry at some point in your lifetime, grow up"

So you can imagine breakfast a few minutes later was quiet. Jerry stood up to pick up his bowl and noisily dumped it into the sink. Sue opened her mouth to yell at him, but I shook my head at her to just let him be.

Before he left the kitchen he turned to us "I hate how you just assume that I don't care just cuz I'm not sulking around acting like the world's about to end"

Sue stood up and stalked to him in a few steps. She grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and pushed him against the wall

"If anything happens to mom and dad, our world may as well end" she released him and her fist flew towards his head again. I stood up thinking she was about to hit him again but her fist landed on the wall a hair's breadth away from his head.

She turned and took her phone off the table she waved it at him. "I called mom's office when her number didn't go through, do you know what they said?" She didn't wait for a reply and continued "They said that her new replacement came early and she already left the city on Sunday. They even threw a goingaway party for her. I had to make up some stupid excuse so they don't notice anything's wrong, do you know what this means?"

I reacted this time "She was supposed to be here since Monday which means...Mom's missing as well?"

As our teacher pointed out the different changes in a wolf's genes during the full moon the door opened with a bang and someone walked. The class went so quiet you could hear a silent fart. I raised my head to see who came in this late.

Okay, first of all, I have seen many handsome men and guys especially after coming to this town but 'oly guacamole he was...Dang!

I was almost excited to see how the teacher will scold this Adonis. It's an instinct to want bad things to happen to people who are too goodlooking. But to my amazement, she didn't even say one word to scold him instead she even respectfully greeted him "Sir please take your seat"

"Get up, that's my seat"

Again?! What's it with these people acting all territorial with their stupid seats? Well, bigshot or not I'm not moving an inch and no one's gonna make me.

So I turned to him and said in my best Royal British accent which if I may add is the worst British accent, ever "Pardonne Moi my good sire but alas I do not see your name on this here chair. I'm afraid you will have to scram now"

Don't even ask me why my British had French in it

He raised a perfect brow at me "so you won't get up?"

He didn't seem angry so I acted even more haughty "I most certainly will not!"

He nodded, and I smiled in triumph, one point for Aria and zero for Adonis. But then he dumped his bag on my desk and held my shoulders.

My accent fled "Wwhat are you doing" I panicked

He lifted me like paper and dumped me in the next seat like trash. I felt like a ragdoll being moved from one toy box to another. My face burned red and it was either from anger, embarrassment or the fact that a guy was so close to me. Boys didn't come near me and Sue after what happened two years ago at our old school, something that led to both of us nearly being expelled.

He sat down in his seat. Bitchy Sue leaned into him, her oversized unmentionables were nearly spilling out. She sneered at me before turning to flutter her whiplike lashes at him. I'm surprised that one of those Peacock feathers didn't poke his eye out. Although he barely paid her any attention, he didn't stop her either.

Not that I care. He's stupid. Boys are stupid. It's general knowledge, really.

Urgh is the teacher not gonna stop this nauseating PDA? I turned to look but the teacher continued with her notes on the board. I'm sure that she definitely saw them, and she was ignoring the whole thing. I turned to look at Sinbad, just who is this guy?

I stabbed the bluegreen glug in my lunch tray with my fork "Urgh he makes me so mad"

Sue used a straw to poke hers. The look on her face said 'I'm poking aliens on my plate' She didn't turn from her tray "who?"

"Sinbad!"

At this, she frowned at me "The Disney character? I thought you loved that dumb show"

I rolled my eyes "okay first it's not dumb and second Sinbad is this dude in my class"

She nodded "Ah I see...so you like him"

I choked on my gum "cough cough of course, no I just met the dude like an hour ago"

At this point, she was shaping the thick glug into a head with her spoon "so...you like him"

"I don't!"

"Is he handsome?"

I thought back to the bottlegreen eyes jet black messy boy band hair. A square jaw and dimples when he talked. His clothes were baggy but anyone could tell that he had a figure girls wanna touch and guys wanna have. But then there was Bitchy Sue clinging to him like velcro. And for some reason, he wasn't repulsed by her

"Hey...HEY!"

"Wwhat?"

"Dude you zoned out me...one minute you look like you're dreaming about an angel and the next you look like you just ate a mouthful of whatever this is" Sue pushed the plate away and took the single apple before taking a bite "I wonder if the angel's name happens to start with an Ssss"

"Stop it already"

She fully turned to me her expression was worried and I dreaded what was to come

"Aria you know what happened that time had nothing to do with you it was...if anything it was my fault..."

"Look it was both our fault let's just leave it at that okay? Please"

She sighed "fine...and Aria?"

"Hmm"

She pointed at my apple "I'm hungry can I have that?"

"Sure thing"

When her hand reached over I flicked it

"Ouch"

"You can have the Glug special, no apple for you"

Sue sighed and slouched further into her chair "are we going to file the missing person complaint after school?"

I turned to her "do you think we should?"

"No, if we do they'd realise that we're minors living alone and by tomorrow we'll have child services knocking at our door and distributing us to foster homes faster than we can say 'our parents ain't dead' and I can't deal with that. But not reporting feels..."

"Selfish? Yeah but...mom and dad wouldn't want us to be separated, how do you think Jerry will react? How long are they gonna be missing? How long will we be able to pretend that everything is alright"

"Yeah I know the town is small if people don't see our parents soon busybody's tongues are going to start wagging"

Suddenly a shadow fell on us

From the choking perfume, I could already guess who the person was. Sue and I rolled our eyes before looking up to see bitchy Sue glaring at me

What did I do?

Her posse had the same expression

"Stay away from my man"

I shook my head "I'm sorry, your who?"

Bitchy Sue glared at me "stay away from Sinbad"

Oh him. Territorial much?

I pouted "The Disney character? But I love that show"

Her face turned red "you know who I'm referring to! He's my boyfriend..."

"But you're not his girlfriend...from what I heard it's an obsessive onesided relationship"

"How dare you! He is my boyfriend" she pointed a finger coated with bloodred polish at me "you better stop throwing yourself at him or else"

I looked at her nearing finger, it looked like she planned to poke my eye out I deadpanned "ooo I'm scared" I eyed her "you better get those bloody Mary hands out of my face unless you wanna meet my claws"

Bitchy Sue and her posse glanced at each other and then burst out laughing

Beside me, Sue frowned "what's so funny?"

Bitchy Sue ignored her and sneered at me "you'd be adorable if your face didn't make me wanna puke"

A girl behind her scoffed "Stay away from Master Sinbad cuz I'm sure you don't wanna meet our claws and yeah baby they're real hehe"

I rolled my eyes. Tch what's up with that? just cuz they've got sharper manicures.

They turned and walked away but before leaving Bitchy Sue said "As much as it disgusts me to even do this but I've been told to invite you both to the Halloween party tonight at Dead man's float"

After she went away I turned to Sue "are we going?"

"And enter into an obvious trap"

We both smirked "hell no"

Suddenly, a voice said "Don't worry" a redheaded girl our age smiled at us from the opposite table "Her father owns the boathouse so she usually gives it stupid names that she thinks are scary. It was the same girl that told the teacher to 'ignore me cuz we were all humans and stuff'

I scoffed "her father owns the boathouse? Tch all the more reason not to go"

The girl laughed aloud "haha come on guys it'll be fun...name's May by the way"

"Aria"

"Sue"

"Sue? Haha, what sore luck for you your namesake is ..."

"A bitch I know"

A few minutes after 7 pm Sue, Jerry and I stood at the river bank. When May said it was a boathouse, I pictured a small boat with a thatched hut in the middle. But thisthis was a floating carnival. I was sure the post and beamstyle boathouse covered the expanse of the lake. It had open sun deck.

Jerry tapped my shoulder and dragged Sue's hand "look over there they have a speedboat"

"No wonder she's such a royal bitch"

"Her Pops spent so much money just for a stupid Halloween party, talk about extravaganza"

Although May said the name was stupid, even I had to admit that the name Dead man's float fit it perfectly. If I didn't know that all the decorations were plastic I'd probably have nightmares after this. Hehe, maybe this was a glimpse of the creepy darkness in bitchy Sue.

We didn't wear any costumes. The only ones we had were from long ago when dad dressed us up in giant dental products. And there is no way in hell's blazes are those costumes ever gonna leave the attic.

In the boat, for the first time, Jerry stuck by us instead of running away.

I asked him "Why are you here?"

He picked and filled three cups of soda before giving Sue and me one each he took a sip of his "why am I here?"

"Here as in with us, I thought you didn't want people to know that we are related?"

"I was just joking"

"Ehn and your joke lasted for a week"

"You guys said that stupid girl with a stupid name has been picking on you"

Sue glared at him

Jerry stepped back and raised his hands in mock surrender "don't worry sis it's only stupid on her...anyway I wanna make sure she doesn't try to mess with you guys"

I reached up and ruffled his hair "awwnn who's the baby bro that cares for his sisters you are oh yes you are..."

He pushed me away "Fuck off"

"Awn baby bro learnt a bad word"

He rolled his eyes at my dramatics

"The other Sue...is she pretty"

I eyed him suspiciously "I guess?"

"Blonde and greeneyed?"

"Yeah?"

"And most likely to were a pole dancing costume for Halloween?"

Sue answered "ha most definitely"

"Ah"

"Buh why did you ask?"

"Oh...she's coming over here"

"What are you guys supposed to be? The Three Mouseketeers?"

Sue took a swig of Soda from a can and belched "we're dressed as humans"

Bitchy Sue scoffed "Humans?"

I smirked at her "Darling don't ya know?

Humans can be monsters too haha"

She glared at me "Fuck you"

"Eww no thanks"

"You..."

She turned to walk away "I don't give a hoot and a howl about what you do just stay away from the lower deck, three of you"

Jerry "should we go to the lower deck?"

Sue reasoned "it might be a trap..."

Two minutes later at the lower deck

Jerry spoke "there's nothing here and no one's around either"

There was a sealed cabin at the lower deck with stairs descending into the lake. Transparent glass kept most of the water out, there were small cracks here and there that allowed a steady trickle of water, making the stairs damp. The farther we went the higher the water rose

"Why are we still going down?" He asked

"Curiosity" Sue's voice echoed

"Well that stuff killed the cat"

Sue grinned "Then it's a good thing we aren't cats"

I pouted even though they couldn't see me "speak for yourself I have always felt quite feline"

"Right"

We reached the bottom of the stairs there was a door. It looked old and rotten in contrast to the outside of the boathouse. We jingled the handle but it was locked.

Jerry groaned "all this just for a deadend...why don't you tear it apart as you did to my room door"

I turned to match back up the stairs "stop whining"

Suddenly there was a sound at the other side of the door. It sounded like a knock but I couldn't be sure "errr did you hear that?"

Sue "meh"

Jerry "let's leave from here this is literally how people die in horror movies. Going where you're not supposed to, opening doors you're not supposed to and then dying when you're not supposed to"

Sue touched the door "don't be such a big baby"

"Go jump in a well, I know you've always wanted to die in a horror movie"

"So stupid"

"Hush it both of you"

We listened another knock came but it was weak.

"What if bitchy Sue has someone trapped in there for...I don't know, revenge or something"

"See you don't know so let's go"

Sue raised her leg and kicked the door. At the second kick, the board at the bottom of the door fell off. Sue bent down to look

"I've got a bad feeling about this" Jerry murmured

"Your feelings don't matter tho" Sue said

Jerry kicked his leg and splashed water on her back.

I tapped the wall and withdrew my hand when it touched something sticky "what do you see?"

No reply.

"Sue?"

Sue's voice was barely above a whisper "guys?"

Jerry and I "what?"

"Run!"

"What in the hell's blazes is that" Jerry screamed

We could still hear the noises of the creature chasing us up the stairs. When it crawled from under the door at first I thought it was some kind of prank, until I smelt the blood. Its eyes were pitch black the kind that no contact lens could imitate. I was frozen for a few seconds Sue grabbed my hand and we flew up the stairs. At this time Jerry was already way ahead of us, I could see his legs hitting his butt as he ran.

After some time I realised something was horribly wrong "Iis it just me or is the way out longer than the way in"

Jerry whisper yelled "No, it's not just you! I already thought I was going fucking crazy"

In front of me, I noticed Sue was slowing down.

"Why are you slowing down! Move!"

She was panting "It's acting up again"

"What?" I hissed

"Mmy leg"

"No no no not now!"

She stopped and gripped a jutting out piece of rock on the wall "You guys keep going II'll slow it down"

"Don't you dare play martyr with me! Jerry get back here Sue can't move"

"Bbut that thing"

"Jeremiah Huntley Andrews get your ass back here or so help me I will feed you to that thing myself!!"

"I coming calm down jeez"

One at each side we supported Sue up the stairs.

"We can't get far at this pace," Jerry said

"What else are we supposed to do" That thing was getting closer I could almost feel its touch. And the metallic smell of blood was oppressively pungent.

"I told you to leave me here and..."

"Shut the fucking hell up, one more word about leaving you and I will knock you out it's not like you're walking anyway may as well as be unconscious"

Sue mumbled "sorry"

"You should be" I hissed

"There's a door here," Jerry said. I looked over and sure enough, I could see the outline of a door in the wall.

"Is it locked?" Sue asked "that thing is getting closer"

Jerry touched the door and it opened with a soundless swing. Instead of rushing in, I paused. It was too easy. Besides I'm sure there was no door on our way down.

"Aargh" the thing behind us screeched. I looked and saw small beady black eyes searching for us. I don't think it saw us. I pushed Sue and Jerry in before shutting the door behind us. No time to waste.

Sue sat down on the floor and massaged her legs. "That door opened so easily...It's not going to be that much of a barrier to whatever that thing is"

The room that we were in was empty and thankfully dry. All it had were some drawings on the wall and a single candle at the farthest corner it wasn't really big...but it was too big to be here. The small cabin we entered to descend into this watery grave was way too small to contain a room this big.

Jerry who had his ear pressed against the wall whispered "It's still there...somehow I have the nagging suspicion that it's eavesdropping on us"

I pushed him away "oh shut up"

Sue stood up and tested her leg. She stomped it a few times when she was satisfied that it no longer hurt she said "How are we sure that this isn't some prank huh? I mean we didn't even plan to come to the lower deck until that royal Bitch told us not to"

"Now that I think about it it feels like a way too obvious trap...why did you guys drag me here!?"

I glared at him "Idiot weren't you the one that wanted to come to the cabin"

"No, I mean only you guys were invited so...why am I here?"

I shrugged "we couldn't leave you at home"

"Why?"

Sue answered "because you are a kid that needs babysitting"

"You..."

"Shhhhhh...listen" I put a finger to my lips and listened at the door

"It's quiet"

"Yeah we figured that one out genius"

"Shh!"

"Sorry geez Luiz"

"Should I open and check?" I asked

"And get us thoroughly eaten? Hell no!"

I walked to the wall with the drawings it was a drawing of human evolution. Like from ape to human. Although this one was strange. Instead of ape, it was wolf to human.

Werewolves?

"Come look at this"

Sue and Jerry came over

"A bunch of drawings?" Jerry frowned

"It's the revolution...but with wolves as ancestors"

Jerry scratched his head "so what? You think it's a werewolf? Oh please"

At the other side of the door, there was a growl "grrrr"

"Is it back?"

Something hard hit the door. Bang.

I moved to push against the door "guys!"

Sue and Jerry rushed over and we pushed. Another bang came. A vibration passed through the door and us.

"It's not gonna hold up much longer!" came Sue

Jerry started crying "waaah I don't want to dieee" tears were streaming down his cheeks and his eyes turned red "I haven't even had a girlfriend yet or a first kiss or...or even had s..."

Sue hissed "complete that sentence and I will kill you faster than that thing can"

"Ssushi...I was gonna say I haven't even had Sushi"

Bang.

"We have to leave the door or we'll be crushed under it," I said

"But wewe'll die!"

Sue: "we'll be dead either way...just shut your eyes when it starts eating you"

"Sue!"

"What?"

"Stop it!...let's step away from the door, I still have my pocket knife we can defend ourselves"

"Right we'll wave the measly thing at the beast yelling 'back off sucker'"

"Well do you have a better plan?"

"As a matter of fact, I do;

First, we get killed then when we turn to ghosts we totally haunt the royal Bitch"

Jerry stared at her "In such a situation how did you become even more unserious than I've ever been?"

Bang. And the door caved. There was thick dust. We huddled closer together. Sue nudged me forward "well go on Alexander wave your mighty sword"

I took out the shiny red pocket knife and waved it in front of me "Sstay away"

The dust swished with movement and a figure came into view. The hand that held up the knife dropped to my side.

"May?"

"Do you know her?" Jerry asked

May ignored us and went straight for the candle she yanked it out and walked to the exit "Let's go"

Jerry moved forward but I pulled him back. "And why should we follow you? How do we know that you won't lead us to that demon?"

May turned to us she dipped her hand into her pant's pocket and pulled out a glowing green stone. "This will only keep the Ferals at bay for a while"

"Ferals? And what's with the plural s there was only one if it" Sue said

She glanced impatiently at the door then each of us "There's more headed this way and a small casting stone won't be able to stop them, follow me" this time she ran right out the door.

Her voice echoed when she said "in case you haven't noticed this building changes its distance and position if you are not close to me you might lose me and find yourself right where you started from or worse, separated"

Jerry went after her "let's go guys"

I nodded "wait for us, come on Sue...Sue!"

She shook her head and blinked "huh?"

"Come on let's go"

"Yeah yeah...do you hear that?"

"Hear what?"

"Oh nothing, come on stop delaying we'll get lost"

After climbing for a few minutes we finally saw the door. I don't think I've ever been so happy to see a door, ever.

"Why did you guys come here?" May finally slowed down

"Bitchy Sue told us not to...so we came," I said

"Sue...I should have known that's why she was acting so strange, If I hadn't seen your scents at the lower deck you all would have been dead"

I shook my head "I'm sorryyou saw our scents?"

May sighed "look I'm here to help but I don't wanna be implicated after helping you, the door's over there just leave"

She turned and started walking back down the stairs. Sue grabbed her hand "where are you going?"

May shook her hand away "to do my job" And she was gone.

There was silence before I said, "should we go down and help..."

Jerry ran out the door before I could even finish

"Coward" Sue yelled

"Better a living coward than a..."

Sue snickered "than a what?" She looked down the stairs shrugged and walked to the door "what Jerry? cat got your tongue"

I followed her out. I'm not being a chicken but to be fair she didn't take for our help. And I don't like forcing my help on people. The cool breeze hit me first before the crowd gathered at the door did. They wore hostile expressions. Jerry and Sue were pinned to the ground by two hefty men and one was headed to me. Before I could scream my face was also slammed in the dirt.

Bitchy Sue was at the head of the snarling mob. She pointed at me "Alpha I told you that they were no good rogues, why else will they try to free the Ferals"

She was talking to a tall imposing man. Beside him was Sinbad who was glaring at me like I broke his trust or something.

My brain was fried. Alpha? Rogues? Ferals? What the blazing asshole is going on here!?!

Someone behind sniffed delicately and said, "But they smell human?" It was the quiet girl from bitchy Sue's posse.

Sue turned and glared at her "They probably got a witch to cover up their scent...or maybe one of them is a witch, I bet it's this one" She raised her heels and stepped on my hand. I resisted the urge to scream. I could feel my skin tear and blood flow to the ground.

Beside me, Sue struggled to throw off the man holding her down "leave her alone you bastard!"

Jerry: "Stop it!"

Sue gave a cruel sneer and pressed down even harder. I bit my lips till it bled but I still didn't make a sound.

"Stop!" I heard a familiar voice roar.

Sue pouted "but Sinbad..."

"Kneel!"

Sue's eyes widened and she fell on her knees "forgive me"

The man who bore a striking resemblance to Sinbad spoke "Take them to the packhouse for questioning" He patted Sinbad's shoulder and spoke to him his voice was low that I could barely catch it "sorry son but she has to be taken in"

Sinbad glanced at me in hesitation. As if he wanted to help me, I hoped he would help, but he didn't move even as the men hauled us to our feet and dragged us away. I didn't expect him to help anyway. We didn't know each other. He had no reason to help me.

The cell we were taken to was relatively clean albeit damp. Like it was just thoroughly washed with water. There was a lingering faint metallic smell that I dared not think of. After we were brought in they chained our hands and feet to the wall. The man, Sinbad's dad stood at the other side of the bars looking at us.

"Hey!" Sue yelled "we didn't do anything"

He cocked his head, just like Sinbad "you didn't?"

"No!" Sue hissed when the chains pulled at her "look this is what happened we..."

Sinbad's dad didn't seem to be listening. He was glaring at Sue suddenly he spun and stalked out of the room.

Sue was flabbergasted "What the...? He didn't even listen...F@ck you! F@ck you all!"

"Sue!!" Jerry and I yelled at once "stop!"

"Leave me alone you two"

"Now is not the time to make them even angrier with us"

"Forget their stupid anger, what will mom and dad do if they return only to find us missing"

Jerry sighed "I hope that they at least return...how's your hand?"

I tried not to move but with each jolt of the iron chains my wound hurt, even more, I clenched my teeth to stop myself from crying out loud "It's not too bad"

Sue who had been watching me hissed "When we get out of here I will pay her back double"

Jerry said "if we get out that is"

"Who are they, what are they?" I shook my head "that painting and all they said...do you think they're werewolves"

Jerry frowned "I don't even know what to think now, do you still think that it's some kind of sucker prank?"

Sue scoffed "If it's a prank then it's an expensive one and by the moon's magic..."

"Sue! Don't you dare!" I screamed

Jerry frowned in confusion "what?"

I shook my head, rattling the chains, I felt a sharp pain in my hand my eyes were red not from the pain but from a memory that I have long wished to forget "nnothing just stop speaking Sue"

"If it worked then, then it can work now!"

"No!"

"We can escape from here...whatever happens they deserve it"

"I said No! You promised me!" My eyes watered

Jerry spoke in frustration "what the heck are you guys talking about"

"I said nothing just leave it at that!"

"Fine don't tell me!"

The cell descended into silence once again. There was a noise at the door. The locks turned and it was pushed open. Sinbad walked in. He was holding a small bag. I watched him but did not speak.

Sue eyed him with dark eyes

Jerry hissed "let us out of here"

Sinbad ignored him and walked straight to me. He pulled a necklace out of his collar. A small metal key hung on it. He came closer to me until I could feel the heat of his breath. There was a click and my wounded hand was released. He held it in his own and examined the damage.

He opened the bag and took out an antiseptic and cotton wool. He wordlessly cleaned the wounded area and bandaged it before locking my hand back up. Jerry who had probably thought that he was here to release us cursed at him.

I didn't say anything till he turned to leave "that's it?"

Sue glared at him "you have a key why can't you let us go?"

Sinbad turned and reached me again. He held my face in his hand as if examining it. He was probably looking for more injuries. When he didn't see anything his hand remained. His voice was a low whisper when he replied: "I can't even save my Mate..." He turned to Sue "how can I save you?"

"Mate?"

Sinbad turned to me "yes, Mate, you are mine as I am yours"

I laughed at that "Useless, leave from here"

Sinbad picked up the bag "I can only do so much, I am not yet Alpha I don't have much power. And everyone saw you leaving the forbidden room, but don't worry I won't let anything happen to you"

"Leave already" I didn't want to hear anything.

Once the door locked behind him my foot tapped rapidly on the ground. I was so mad. Mate? What mate? Even if he was a werewolf and my mate I'll still reject him. My parents are missing and now this. Sue that...that thing, I will kill her. I shook my head but all I could see was red.

"Aaahhh" I screamed until my voice turned hoarse. Jerry and Sue looked on. They were used to it. I finally stopped and was panting.

Sue shifted closer and nudged me with her leg "feeling better?"

I nodded "not good but, less bad"

We hung out...ignore the pun...for what felt like a day. But I was sure only a few hours had passed. Jerry leaned heavily on the wall "do they plan to starve us...not even a drop of water"

"It's barely been a day don't be dramatic" Sue rolled her eyes "but I do think they plan to make us weak so that we won't be able to withstand interrogations" she turned to me "about Sinbad..."

I looked at her through halflidded eyes "What happened to him?"

Sue rolled her tongue in her mouth "okay no talking about your fiance"

I scowled at her

She rolled her eyes at me "What? you heard him...you're destined mates by the moon goddess"

Jerry snickered "Too bad brotherinlaw chained us up"

"Hey at least we got the VIP cell"

Sue snickered

"Oh forgive me but I do not quite like the view"

The door rattled again before I could reply.

The door slowly creaked open.

A small redhead peeped in.

"May?"

Sue eyed her and said "You seem to have the talent of popping up whenever we're in trouble"

May walked in and quietly shut the door "I do, don't I?"

She took out a key from her pocket and unlocked my chains. She walked to Sue next. After wiggling for a while the key didn't work. I walked to her. "What's wrong?"

She sighed "it's not the same lock"

Jerry called out "try mine"

She passed me the key "help him" she turned to study Sue's chains

I put the key in the lock and twisted "it's not working"

"Well, what are we gonna do? you can't leave us here!"

"Don't be silly of course I won't leave you guys here"

"Step back" May waved me away

She stood in front of Sue first she grabbed the chains and closed her eyes. The air turned cold. When her eyes opened it was pitch black. Sue stared at her open mouth. In her hand, the metal turned to dust and Sue's hands were freed.

She walked to Jerry. Jerry shifted away...he looked scared. May frowned her black eyes grew even darker like a vortex. Jerry shivered. May grabbed his chains when he could move no further. She drew closer to him "you don't want to be released?"

"II do"

"Then stay still"

The chains in her hand turned to dust. Jerry who was hanging unto the chain lost his footing, but before he could hit the floor May caught him. Jerry's ear turned pink.

May smirked "cute" she helped him up and turned away.

I rubbed my wrist that still ached from being chained "What are you?"

May said "your only hope out of here"

"How do we get out of here?" I asked

She took out a small black ball from her pocket and tossed it on the floor.

"Like this" the ball exploded, it emitted black fog, which soon cleared to show a hole, we moved away from the edge.

Jerry leaned over. From looking into it, it seemed like we were above a forest. "What's that?...is it safe?"

May nodded "It is...I'll go first"

Sue raised her hand "fine with me, if you survive the fall then call us down"

"The portal only lasts for 30 seconds, bye" She grabbed Jerry's hand and jumped.

"What the..." I dived in after them

Sue followed.

I shut my eyes. It felt like all those slightly unconscious dreams where I feel like I'm falling. But after some time I opened my eyes to realise that our descent was slow. The ground was near. There was an open space in the foliage I could see May and Jerry standing there looking up at us.

I landed gently on the ground and Sue came after me.

I turned to May "why did you grab him huh?"

"If I didn't, would you have been so cooperative?"

"The last time we were cooperative we ended up being chained to a wall!"

"I didn't know Sue gathered everyone at the exit I was way too busy rescuing you guys to realise that"

"Where are we?"

"Forest of the lost...I'll take you somewhere safe"

"Dammit"

Alpha Kain, my father growled.

His black as night wolf was stretched sniffing the air. My grey wolf crouched behind him. Watching, listening.

"It's scent was concealed, the feral has escaped"

Typically ferals didn't have scents. But the few we captured where infused with a special poison. It was a painless slow killer, but most importantly it gave off a rancid stench that could not be easily concealed. The plan was to let one or two ferals escape and then track them to their nest. But the scent was covered. Without it we were blind.

"Do you think a witch helped them father?"

Father's eyes turned red. He hated witches...even more than he hated ferals. Afterall witches enchant ferals. Ferals were born from a witch's curse. Turning perfectly normal shifters to raving beasts.

"If there's a witch on the loose then we should return Alpha" one of the wolfs said through pack link.

"He's right father we can't risk running into a witch, we can't have either of us being turned"

Alpha Kain growled into the night. He knew they were right.

"Aalpha?" Another wolf whimpered

"Speak!" He was thoroughly vexed

"Why don't we seek a witch's help..." When the Alpha did not reply he continued weakly "it's better to fight fire is with fire"

Alpha Kain's wolf turned to the wolf. The wolf's small brown figure was completely dwarfed by Alpha Kain's larger one. Alpha Kain sniffed.

"Why is a sniveling fool in border patrol?"

The small wolf shrunk even further. He was shaking.

A blue wolf stepped forward "He is a new recruit Alpha"

"Are all our recruits so pathetic?"

"Father!"

"What?"

"You're upset, relax"

There was a stare down between the present and future Alpha. Alpha Kain sighed and turned away first. His eyes fell on the sniveling wolf.

"Name?"

"..."

"Name!"

"Huh? Aaiden Sir!"

"I will be watching you Aiden, you better improve, our pack can not afford to have a spineless wolf protecting it in these troubled times"

He turned "let's return" his wolf disappeared into the dark night.

Sinbad cast the wolf, Aiden a sympathetic glance before going after his father.

He caught up to him near the pack house

"Father his idea about getting a witch..."

"Forget it, if you fight fire with fire the fire will only grow. Remember witches are not  to be trusted—I should know—I trusted one once"

"Who?"

"Forget it—just remember"

But from the door I noticed a small bundle in my seat. On closer look it was a girl although pretty she had the body of a middle schooler. But then again I couldn't really tell under her baggy outfit.

The annoying bug, Sue sat in her usual place smirking at her in schadenfreude. I'd be grateful that someone took the much hated position beside Sue but for some reason I really wanted to mess with the new girl.

When I got closer I felt my wolf stir. My eyes darkened. The girl stared at me as I approached her I could see the appreciation in her eyes as she checked me out. And for once I didn't dislike it. She was human I could see that. But there was this aura around her that begged to differ. But I didn't care, whatever she was it was fine.. as long as she wasn't a witch. Afterall she's my mate.

After the class ended I looked for her but she made a quick escape. I chuckled, she was too cute. I didn't try to find her, besides we will have a whole lifetime together.

"Babe"

A voice that gave me goosebumps cooed.

Sue held my hand before I could even leave the class

"What?"

I won't be mean to her but I won't be nice either.

"You will be coming to my Halloween party right?" She blinked her eyes at me.

Party? Just so she can show off as my future bride. She never hid her greed to become my Luna, but that will never happen.

A rejection was at the tip of my tongue when I thought of someone.

"Invite Aria and I will think about it"  with that I walked away.

I was excited at the thought of seeing Aria tonight, although I wasn't sure she would even come. I went to the party anyway. I waited for some time, I saw her and her siblings, they didn't wear any costumes. Neither did I, I thought it was childish. I dropped my drink to talk to them when I saw Sue saying something to them then she left. I had a bad feeling. Maybe I shouldn't have asked her to invite Aria. I saw them leave. I was annoyed it seems like Sue kicked them out of the party.

I wanted to stop them but decided against it. I didn't want Sue to pick on them any further. So imagine my surprise when my dad called me to go down to the feral holding. It was an enchanted path that led to the room were the ferals were locked up in.

There was a crowd at the entrance already. Father and Sue were at the front. The door opened. My heart constricted. It was Aria's brother. Didn't they leave? Her sister came out after and two pack warriors swiftly held them down. Aria followed. She turned to her siblings and saw them subdued. Her eyes widened in shock and anger. A third warrior pushed her down. I clenched my first to resist the urge to kick him off her.

That's when I felt it I looked at her in shock. Her aura had changed. Earlier it was a faint warm feeling. But now it was raging she was glowing a dark shade of red. Somehow I felt betrayed. She was a witch. Why? And how? How could the moon goddess give me a witch as a mate.

Then Sue stepped on her hand. I felt a pain in mine and my mind cleared. Witch or not she was mine.

"Stop!"

She tried to protest

"Kneel"

I unleashed the aura of one with an alpha blood. My tone brooked no argument.

She fell to her knees under the pressure.

Father glanced at me. Then he asked for them to be taken away.

I could see the plea in her eyes but my father's warning glance stopped me from moving. My knuckles turned white from how hard I clenched my fist.