CHAPTER 5

*ADRIENNE*

I WOULD HAVE expected being cooped up with the intimidating Alpha Ezra to be scary, uncomfortable, and awkward, but it was not so. It was almost like he wasn't there and he encouraged me to rest before we got to Scotland. 

I looked out the window as the landscape flashed by. 

"We are finally escaping," Thea muttered. "And not as rogues."

"Then as what?" I asked. 

"A potential part of the pack," Thea answered.

She might be right, or not. I don't know what fate or the moon goddess has in store for my future, and based on what has happened so far, I am sure that whatever waited for my future was not going to be good. I glanced at Aloha Ezra, his gaze was focused on a large newspaper. 

I closed my eyes, and just before I drifted away in sleep, I made a promise to myself. "At any sign of abuse in this new pack, I will break my bond and leave. I will become rogue." Thea purred in agreement and I finally allowed myself the much needed rest. 

I was awoken by the force of the car slowing down. I opened my eyes and looked out the window, the sun was bright and the sky was very blue. 

"You can lower your window," Alpha Ezra's voice made me jump. I nodded and did as he said, pressing the button for the glass to lower. The air smelt clean and like the smell of rain and freshly wet sand. It smelt delicious. 

"Welcome to Scotland," Alpha Ezra said. 

The cars pulled to a stop in front of a large mansion. I got out slowly and looked around. Some plump women stood at the front door. One of them stepped forward and hugged Alpha Ezra.

"Did you get him?" She asked in a thick accent. Alpha Ezra grunted and nodded. 

"He's in the SUV behind us." He said. "But first, come, we have a guest." He directed the woman to me. "Adrienne, meet my wife and Luna of the pack, Amelia Stuart."

I bowed dutifully. 

"Nonsense, come here, child," Luna Amelia said, wrapping her arms around me in a warm motherly hug. I was too stunned to move. She drew back and looked at me. Her eyes were bright hazel, and it felt like she was looking deep into my soul. She turned to her husband, "This one has been through a lot," 

Alpha Ezra nodded. "She has, and she needs rest." 

"Oh, of course of course," The Luna pressed me close again for a brief moment before releasing me. "Bonnie, take her to one of the empty rooms in the pack house, will you?" 

A young lady bowed. "Yes, Luna."

I looked at Alpha Ezra, unconsciously asking for his permission to leave. He seemed to notice, he nodded and waved his hand away. "I will come and see you soon," He said as the lady called Bonnie led me away. 

Just before the front door was closed behind us, I felt a slight tingling on my neck. It was on the scar I had gotten from that dreadful night, it never healed. I always looked at it, to remind me of the enemies I still had out there. It was on my bucket list to hunt them down.

"Oh my baby boy," I heard Luna Amelia cry out. I tried to turn around to see who she was talking about, but Bonnie led me into a passageway. 

"You're from London?" Bonnie asked me. 

I nodded. "North London pack."

"Alpha Ezra hates that pack. Why did he take you in?" She asked. She observed me closely.

I shrugged. "I do not know. My alpha was willing to sell me off for anything."

"Why?" Bonnie asked.

I shrugged again. "I'm wolfless." I plan to continue with the lie that has gotten me through my whole life in my previous pack. 

Bonnie smiled sadly and turned to a door. She twisted the handle and pushed it open. "Here is your room," she stepped aside and let me walk in first. 

The room was almost 5 times the size of the closet I was sleeping in in North London. There was a king-sized bed with thick blankets and an overhead camp. The window was wide and allowed sunlight through. I walked to the window and pushed the blinds aside. There was an indoor bathroom and toilet through another door. I walked into it and smiled widely. 

I came back out to my room and saw Bonnie standing in the middle, watching me check out my suite. 

"You like it?" She asked. 

I nodded. "I do. Thank you very much," I was expecting her to leave and give me privacy, but instead, she walked to a small table and sat on it. I squirmed at the intensity with which she gazed at me. "Is something wrong?" I asked.

"Why did you lie?" She asked. 

My heart pounded as I looked at her. "What are you talking about?" 

"Previously, when I asked why your alpha sold you off, you said you were wolfless," She said. "But you are not wolfless." 

I did not bother to counter the lie, I simply lay on my bed. 

"I can hear your wolf, Adrienne," she said. "She is seated and hidden deep in your subconscious. But she is there." 

I looked at this lanky, freckled girl that sat before me. There was nothing weird or strange about her. "Are you a witch?" I blurted. 

She smiled. That sad smile again. Then she stood up and shook her head. "I am not a witch," She said. "But I have gifts. Special gifts endowed on me by the moon goddess." She walked to the door, but before she left, she turned to me and said, "I won't ask you why you lied. That is your business, but I would suggest that you do not lie to Alpha Ezra when he comes to speak with you. Because if you do, he will know and it won't be pleasant," She gave me a small nod before walking out.

I was stunned. "Gifts? What does she mean by gifts?" I asked myself. I looked out the window to observe what I could about the pack from my room. I could immediately tell that this was a very traditional pack, they seemed to be more in touch with nature than I have ever seen. The pack was bordered by thick forests and high hills. 

"It would be a fun place to go running," Thea said. 

Perhaps. I agreed. But I had never shifted fully, not to talk of running wildly. It was not something I wanted to start now. I laid back on my bed and closed my eyes, unable to believe that I was finally away from Alpha Jake and his bitchy family, and I hoped that nothing made us cross paths ever again.