Chapter Four

***WARNING: ACTS OF VIOLENCE AND SELF HARM BELOW. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED***

*****

Time seemed to freeze alongside me beneath an unsettling pair of green eyes fixed intensely on me. Everything faded into nothingness as my eyes roamed fleetingly over a fine specimen of wolf, solidly corded muscles and chiseled roughness.

The proximity and size of him robbed me of any air that dared to escape from my lungs. His jaw was so rigid and his chest broader than the average Alpha. He stood tall and towering before me.

A dominance so undeniable, there was an air of authority that prompted me to flee far from this menacing, formidable man.

I felt the heat of his muscled frame as it oozed off of him and wrapped around my senses. His green eyes stayed fastened on me as he examined me unnervingly.

My wolf wouldn't stop clawing at me to claim him but I refrained from doing so and blocked her out. 

To say I was intimidated was an understatement. His eyes reached mine and a scowl appeared on his godly face. That made me come back to reality. 

He took some steps toward my shrunken frame. I didn't want to appear intimidated but my stupid heart wouldn't stop hammering against my chest and my stupid brain refused to work. 

His scent consumed me fully once he stopped in front of me. He crouched to come to my level, those taunting green eyes were now directly in front of my face and I could make out a hint of brown and gold specks intertwined in his pupil.

No snap out this...you will not show your weakness! Mama didn't raise no wimp! I lectured and gave myself a mental slap on the cheek. It took me a great effort not to run into those strong arms.

With the self-lecture taken to heart, I straightened my back and pulled on a pokerface. He raised an eyebrow at me, I could see a little bit of shock in his eyes. Was he expecting me to cower in fear of him?...well surprise bitch! I'm good at hiding it.

" If you have nothing to say to me then can you stop scowling at me like a creep?" I said with a sweet voice, his scowl turned to a frown and that made me smile. 

" You'd better watch your mouth rogue, I won't take it lightly with you mate or not" he stood up straight. 

I scoffed, "Well get used to it cause it's how I am boo". His facial expression adjusted to a blank one. It looked scary like he wanted to strangle me but he was waiting for the right time. Weird. 

"Why are you in my territory rogue?". Straight to the point I see. "I came to look for you my handsome prince of darkness. " I said wiggling my brows and winking at him. He looks bewildered and is he... blushing? Oh Sexay! Well damn.

"Are you blushing baby? Would you look at that. You've got a crush on lil old me. I'm flattered. If I had known you were coming to see me I would have dressed up and tidied the place a bit ". He cleared his throat and frowned at me, " That's enough, skip this crap and tell me why you're here"" So eager...I already told you, I came looking for y-" he let's out a low warning growl. 

'Stop pushing his buttons...'

'Pfft..I'm not pushing anything...He's just cute'

I wanted to raise my hands in surrender but the sharp burning pain from the silver chains made me regret that decision. I hissed in pain, " Oops forgot about these" I muttered. He looked concerned for a second but it was gone in a flash.

He kept an impassive look, " It's your punishment for trespassing, attempted attack on my warriors and disrespect for my second in command, you should be glad you're still... alive" his voice dropped to a dangerous tone and his eyes were a shade darker, giving him a menacing look.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, my wolf whined. He noticed my slight fear before I could cover up and smirked. 

" You should really think twice before jumping to decisions. Did you really think you could barge in and not get caught?" He asked with mockery, he was mocking me. " Your warriors got lucky or it's the plan of the goddess because I never get caught" I said.

" Right" he replied sarcastically and turned his back to me, " think about it, if your warriors hadn't been able to catch me you wouldn't have found your mate, be thankful" I said. He turned back, glaring daggers at me " thankful? For what? You?" He scoffed. 

The sharp knife of rejection stabbed me right at my heart. I felt so hurt but I didn't let him see through me, " Okay then let's get this over with" I said indifferently. 

He looked confused, " what?" He asked. I looked him straight in the eyes, " reject me and I'll be out of your hair forever" I said. He was looking at me like I just grew two heads, " why would you want to be rejected?"" I'm used to it, it's no biggie" I replied. Oh it's a big deal, I'm dying inside.

" Wha-" he was confused so I took matters to my hands, " I, Clover Doharty rejec-" all the air in my lungs were knocked out of my body as he slammed me against the wall, his fingers wrapped my neck in a tight squeeze. His eyes were glowing golden and his canines were barred. I struggled for air and clawed on his hand as he lifted me off the ground.

" Who do you think you are to try and reject me?!" He growled menacingly in my face. I tried to gasp for air but there was a lot of restrictions, " You're going to regret it" he snarled. I could feel my wolf slipping away and my already weak body becoming weaker. My eyes were growing heavier and I could feel the darkness dragging my into it's abyss. 

I couldn't believe I was going to die in hands of my own mate. His eyes grew even brighter and I wished I hadn't pushed his buttons. I was going to die with a broken promise to my wolf, I was going to die without trying for her.

I was letting the cruel darkness swallow me when suddenly the cell door banged against the wall and a pair of footsteps hurriedly entered the cellar. " Phoenix stop!" A very familiar voice rang around the cell and some else pulled him away from me. I fell to the floor coughing and gasping for air with my hands around my neck. 

" What do you think you're doing?! She's your mate for f***s sake!" The familiar voice yelled.

Someone knelt beside me and helped me sit up, " hey are you okay?" my blurry vision cleared up and rested on the person in front of me, I smiled, " I'm okay" Landon sighed. 

I looked at my other savior, Tobias gave me a sympathetic look, " I'm sorry" he said " it's fine you didn't know, none of us knew" I said with a hoarse voice. 

I looked around the cell, " he left" Landon said, I nodded. " I'm going to look for him, before he breaks something....or someone" Tobias said and left.

" I don't think he'll be able to stop him on his own, you should go with him" I said to Landon " your right, will you be okay?"" Yes don't worry" I replied with a smile. He nodded and went out of the cell but came back immediately with a bunch of keys.

He pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket, one by one he unshackled mywrists and ankles and stepped back. " Better, sorry about all those.."" It's fine just go" I smiled, he still looked disturbed but bowed a bit and left. 

I dropped the smile and let the silent tears take control. 

*****

The Next Night...

The night was extremely quiet making my racing heart the only sound booming through my eardrums. I was terrified and determined at the same time. 

Terrified of being caught and determined to get out of this place. I pulled the chains not minding the growing pain of the silver burning the palm of my hands. 

'I don't think we should do this...I mean he was just angry because you pushed his buttons...'

' Don't justify his actions...You want to stay and rot in here waiting for him to decide our fate? No thanks...I'd prefer to die outside this pack than to be killed by the hands of my own mate...'

The chains slipped out of my fingers and I was sent flying to the floor roughly. I groaned in pain and stood to my feet cradling my injured hands.

'You're hurting both of us...'

'For a good reason...I'm not going to give up...'

I grabbed the chains again gritting my teeth from the pain. I wrapped the chains around my forearms and pulled at the chains with all my strength.

I channeled the growing anger in me for him to the chains, my muscles burned from the amount of energy I was releasing and my bones felt like they would snap anytime but I kept pulling and pulling until finally a large crack appeared in the wall. 

My determination increased, I let go of the chains and went to examined the crack. It wasn't much but due to how old the walls were it was going to crumble with just a few pushes.

I moved backwards until my back was touching the opposite wall.

'Uhh...what are yo-'

I charged forward and rammed my right side into the wall causing waves of unending pain, I think I broke a rib or two, but it was worth it because the crack increased, a few tiny stones fell from it creating a small hole.

I repeated this over and over again and finally, the wall gave in and crumbled. A large hole was formed. It wasn't very big but it was large enough for me to squeeze through. I let out a small victory laugh and quickly shimmied out through the hole.

The cold air of the night kissed my skin creating goosebumps and the moon glared down at me. I couldn't believe that the guards weren't able to hear all the crumbling noises the fallen wall made. Some guards they are.

The cell door opened, " she's escaping!" A guard yelled. I spoke too soon. Without hesitation, I began running into the row of trees in front me. 

The feeling of de ja vu hit me as I heard them chasing me but this time I wasn't thrilled instead I was really focused and determined to get away from them. 

Although I was weak, I still pushed my body and my wolf to go on but it still wasn't enough. They were gaining on me. I widened my senses and smelled three of them running from behind and two following from up in the trees. I knew they would soon attack me just like the first time. I needed to think fast.

I got a great idea and immediately executed my plan. I slowed down a bit and as I predicted the two in the trees came flying down, I quickly moved out of the way so they flew into each other. 

The others are getting closer...

Don't worry...

I started running in a zigzag motion completely confusing them and making a great distance between us. I felt triumphant and proud of myself. 

The more I ran, the closer I got to the border. Soon I could see it and it made me run faster. But I was caught off guard by a large body ran into me from my left side, throwing me into a nearby tree. 

I fell on my stomach, groaning and gasping for air. My body jolted in blinding pain and every movement became excruciating. My head felt heavy and my vision blurred. I could feel someone standing above me. I tried to see but all I caught were angry golden eyes glaring down at me and then it all went black.

Phoenix

She fell unconscious. " Alpha should we return her to the cell?" A guard asked, "No. I'll take care of it, return to your posts" I ordered. The guards bowed and left. " What now?" Tobias asked as he came to stand beside me. I picked my unconscious mate and threw her over my shoulder. I tried to ignore the sparks and heat that flowed down my spine and also ignored my wolf who seemed ready to mark her any moment. 

She smelled of coffee and lavender, I found myself taking in deep breaths because I couldn't get enough of her scent. It was driving me and my wolf insane. She was so weightless that you'd think you were carrying an empty sac instead of a living being.

"So?" I snapped out of my daze and faced my beta and gamma, both were giving me questioning looks. " I'm going to see Celeste" I said. Their eyes widened, " why? I thought you said you were never going to go there again?" Landon asked " I can't leave her walking around with her rogue scent everywhere" I answered and started walking. " But it won't change anything" Tobias said " It's temporary until I figure it out" I said and started walking.