C34

"The doors and windows are all locked. Don't try to escape, it will be a waste of time."

Ben had left Brooke alone with Alec and he was currently hunting through the cupboards in the kitchen, searching for something to eat.

"This will be fine for you if you just do as you're told."

"I've never been good at that," Brooke said.

"Then your friend will suffer," Alec said stiffly.

Brooke gulped. "Why her? She's got nothing to do with this. She innocent!"

Alec slammed the cupboard shut and turned round, glaring at Brooke. "I know, now shut the hell up."

"Why are you working for Rogue? Can you not see what sort of person he is!"

"I know exactly what sort of person he is," Alec snapped. "And I said to shut up."

"Can you really live with yourself if you hurt an innocent girl?" Brooke asked, her voice was quiet.

"No," Alec said. "I can't."

"Then why help Rogue?"

"Do you have a choice?" Alec demanded, his eyes were wide and he was glaring at Brooke. "Do you have a choice in all this?"

"You kidnapped me, so I think you know the answer," Brooke said.

"Then what makes you think I do?" Alec growled. "Get up. Now."

"What?" Brooke frowned. "What do you-"

"Up," Alec demanded and grabbed Brooke's arm.

"He's got something over you," Brooke said as Alec yanked her up. "He's using Alice to get to us, but what's he using to get to you?"

"Shut up, or I'll gag you," Alec said and shoved Brooke towards the door.

"You can help us fight him-"

"Oh really? Of course I'll come and help you when you seem to be doing so well," Alec said sarcastically. "Rogue's going to win, especially with Ben working with him. I've accepted that."

"You've accepted fear."

"You should too if you want to save your friend," Alec muttered and pushed Brooke towards the stairs. "First door on the right. And I've already warned you about trying to escape."

Brooke sighed and made her way upstairs. She walked into the first room on the right. The thought of escaping was high, but she knew Alice would get hurt if she tried anything.

The room was pretty bare. There was a bed pushed up against the wall and a wooden wardrobe and desk on the other side of the room. Brooke opened a door off to the right and it revealed a bathroom. Brooke walked over to the bed and sat down, hugging one of the pillows close to her. She looked at the window and swallowed, she could see a padlock trapping her in.

Tears started to form as she thought of Alice. She prayed that Sasha had made it home okay. She hoped that Harry wasn't going to do anything stupid. She wanted to see him. Every inch of her wanted him beside her, but she knew both Harry and her had to stay away from each other, for Alice's sake.

But then Harry didn't care about Alice.

And he loved Brooke.

*

When Brooke woke the next morning there was a suitcase by the door. When she opened it she saw it was full of her clothes, and there was a note inside.

Stay strong, babe, I'll get you back.

Tingles filled Brooke just at the sight of his writing. "Harry," she whispered. She dug deep in her mind. She could feel him, she could sense his worry, his anger, but there was a barrier up, stopping her from accessing him completely. Stopping her from talking to him.

"You've got half an hour and then we're leaving!" Brooke jumped when she heard Alec shout and bang on the door. "Don't make me come up here again!"

Brooke sighed and got ready for school. She changed into a pair of jeans and a top. She quickly pulled on some shoes and tied her curly hair up. When Brooke was ready she cautiously made her way downstairs. Her eyes were drawn to the front door, but she carried on to the kitchen.

Alec was eating a bowl of cereal. "Help yourself," he muttered.

Brooke didn't move. "I've not got much of an appetite."

Alec shrugged. "While you're standing around doing nothing, I would get rid of that note," he said.

Brooke froze. "How-"

"I did check the suitcase to make sure your mate hadn't put anything stupid in there. I know he's not known for his friendliness," Alec said.

"You left it in there," Brooke said. "Why?"

"Just get rid of it. It's not like it's going to help you escape so why keep it? It will only cause trouble if Rogue or Ben find it," Alec said sharply. "Discard of it or I will."

Brooke swallowed and nodded. "O-okay."

"Good, now lets go." Alec stood up and grabbed his keys from the side. Brooke followed him to the door and he unlocked it, letting her out first. "Get in the car, and I hope I don't need to remind you not to run. I've been told about your stubbornness, but I'm relying on your loyalty to your friend. I don't feel like chasing you today."

Brooke scowled at Alec and walked over to his car. "You're an ass," she snapped.

"I assumed you'd be used to that then, considering who your mate is," Alec said and opened his car door and sat inside.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Brooke gasped as she sat in the passenger seat.

"Your mate is a dick."

"You're a dick!"

"I have my reasons for being like this."

"And Harry has his," Brooke defended her mate. "Nothing excuses what you're doing, or how you're acting!"

"Would you do this for Harry?" Alec asked, raising his eyebrows at Brooke.

"Do what?"

"Practically kidnap someone? Keep them away from their mate? Make their life hell? Would you do that if it meant that Harry wouldn't be harmed? I know he'd do what I'm doing if he were in my position. Would you?"

"They're threatening your mate," Brooke whispered, her eyes widening in realisation. "Aren't they? It's why you're doing this, to protect your mate?"

Alec gritted his teeth and started the engine, driving away from the house and towards school.

"That's how they're getting you to do their dirty work," Brooke said. "You'd do anything for her, wouldn't you?"

Alec glared at the road ahead and his grip tightened on the wheel, his knuckles going white.

"Harry would do anything for me, not that he'd publicly admit that. Of course you would do anything for your mate-"

"Shut up," Alec snapped.

"We can help you get her back-"

"The only way that you can help is if you shut up, stay away from Harry and do what Ben wants. Then your friend won't be harmed."

"And your mate," Brooke whispered.

Alec let out a breath. "And my mate. It's not just you that risk harming someone you care about if you don't do as you're told."

"I wish he could just disappear," Brooke groaned. "It's his fault Ben is back and it's his fault everything is shit! I hate him!"

"Hating Rogue won't make him go away," Alec muttered.

"You're just an optimistic bundle of joy, aren't you?" Brooke snapped, growing angry.

"Calm down, there's no point getting angry."

"But I am!" Brooke exclaimed, getting flustered. "I'm angry, I'm fed up and I just want my mate!"

"I feel the same, but you don't see me getting all worked up, do you?" Alec snapped. "Now, chill out."

"Don't tell me to calm down or chill out!" Brooke took a deep breath, her emotions were running wild. "You don't understand, I need Harry. He's the only person that helps me!"

"I'm sorry," Alec said suddenly. He had heard stories about what Brooke had been through. She'd had it rough, especially for a human.

"If you were sorry you'd try and fight back, not just give in," Brooke whispered.

"I can't risk the life of my mate," Alec muttered.

"I don't want to risk my mate or Alice! But we have to try-"

"We're not talking about this," Alec said sternly.

"You're a coward."

"I don't care, as long as she's safe."

"You really think she's safe with them!"

"If I do my job then she is," Alec said sharply. "Now drop the fucking subject."

Brooke sighed angrily and kept her lips sealed until they reached the school. She kept her eyes pealed as Alec parked the car. She so desperately wanted to see Harry, but she knew that he would risk Alice's life to get to her.

Brooke couldn't let that happen, so she prayed that she wouldn't see his gorgeous blond hair or stunning green eyes.

"Get out," Alec said and opened his car door.