CHAPTER FIVE

Everyone is in an uproar after Rafael is taken away. No one can say whether or not they agree with it without risking the wrath of the current alpha. But everyone is shocked. Something like this has never happened before. We're all wondering what will happen next.

“Now that that's settled, we should go about our days as usual,” the alpha says. “I don't want to hear anything about Rafael for the rest of the day.

“We'll deal with him later. For now, it's back to getting our pack working as usual again.”

I try to carry on as usual, so I don't attract the attention of the alpha. But my mind is elsewhere. My thoughts are fixated on trying to save Raphael, because I don't even want to think about what they'll do to him. I'm sure it won't be good.

It's all too clear that Rafael challenging the alpha has harmed the alpha’s pride or something. That's the only reason why he's doing this.

He can't stand the fact that there might be someone who could be a stronger alpha than him. And I suspect that he will destroy anyone who wants to stick up for Rafael.

Yet I know that I need to. I need to save my mate. I need to do something.

I decide to do some work outside in the community garden. It's the one space we all share to help feed each other. The people I'm friends with are usually out there. But today I hope I don't run into anyone.

I take off my shoes as I step onto the dirt. The sun is warm against my skin. And I feel a little bit fragile as a human. I feel vulnerable. But it also gives me time to think beyond just my instinct as a wolf.

I'm not the only one who has had the idea to go out to the garden. Quite a few other people are out here, planting, weeding, watering, and talking to each other. It seems like a safe place we can talk without the alpha listening.

I listen to what everyone is saying, so I can have some idea of how to approach this situation.

I don't engage in any of these conversations. I just bend down and start weeding. But I'm listening.

“I just don't think it's right,” my best friend, Lisa whispers to her younger sister. “We have rules in place for a reason. The ceremony of challenging the alpha is something that's been done the same way since forever.”

“I know,” Anna says. “It just doesn't make sense on why they're changing things up now. I think the alpha’s pride is wounded. But this isn't how it's supposed to be. Rafael shouldn't have been arrested. It's not the natural order of things.”

The same sentiment is whispered throughout the garden. No one wants to speak up for fear of angering the alpha and ending up in prison too. But we all know this is wrong.

The ancient ways we have of doing things are something we treasure. It's something we never take for granted.

It feels all wrong to know that the alpha has gone against this. It feels like someone should put things back in order. This isn't how things are supposed to be.

“I personally think that maybe the alpha isn't strong enough to be an alpha anymore,” one of my close friends, Toby says. “He was defeated by Raphael. That says everything. And he's been a bully for a while now. It's about time we get a new alpha.”

His words give me the strength I need to realize that I must do something. Someone needs to stand up against this alpha. And I'm motivated too because he has my mate in prison.

I can't just leave my mate there. I don't think Rafael would leave me to fend for myself. So, I must stand up for him.

Of course, I know I'm not strong enough to beat the alpha and his crew in a fight. So, I'll have to do things in a smarter way. I'll have to be crafty.

I finish up my work in the garden, and then I head out to the jail cell. I know it will be difficult for me to see Rafael in there, but I know I need to. I need to figure out a way to get him out.

After wandering around the property some more, I learned that Raphael isn't in the typical jail cells. He was put in the one that we don't even use anymore.

We always thought it was a medieval contraption. It's mostly just used for children to play in now. I didn't even realize it locked anymore.

But it looks all too secure as I walk over to the cage that sits in the middle of our territory. The silver bars still stand strong against the weather. There's no room for privacy here. There's no shelter from the sun, or blankets to warm himself with. It's just a cage with grass underneath it and nothing else.

“What do you think?” Jacob asks as I walk over. “The alpha is trying to teach everyone a lesson by keeping Rafael out here. It's something we're trying out. It'll show what happens when you mess with the alpha.”

I want to point out that the alpha couldn’t have done this on his own. It took multiple men to bring Rafael down. And they really seem more like bullies than any strong leaders.

But I know that I can't help Rafael if I'm in the cell with him. I have to think quickly. I have to think of a way to get him out.

The cell is too carefully guarded for this to be easy. I won't be able to easily sneak him out or free him. I have to be clever.

“I love that idea,” I say. “The alpha always knows what's best to keep the pack in line. It's very smart of him to do this to teach everyone a lesson. I kind of want to be part of it.”

“What do you mean?” Jacob asks.

“Do you need any guards?” I ask. “I'd love to help. I want to show my devotion to the alpha. I want to help keep Rafael in prison. I can be someone to help watch over him.”

I wait anxiously, hoping this will be my way in. I don't know what I'll do otherwise. But I know I have to free Raphael. I can't let him stay here forever.

It feels like we're just waiting for him to die at this point, and I won't let that happen to my mate. I will save him no matter what it takes.