Eryn - 4

I watch as he walks into the room. He is tall and very handsome. His bright blue eyes are striking with his tan complexion and light blond hair. His features are delicate but set sternly upon his face. I feel the wave of authority wash over me as I stand in this room with my wrists in handcuffs in front of me. I know that this is the Alpha of the Winchester white wolves.

I fall to my knees fearing that in an attempt to keep peace between the packs, he may send me back to Brinshire. I am their Luna, after all and Asher is desperate to keep me for some reason. I wouldn't put it past him to threaten Winchester with war if I am not returned to him. I begin pleading with this Alpha to kill me instead. I can't let him send me back and I know that breaking the treaty is grounds for execution. Which would be better than going back to Asher, especially now that I have accepted him in fear.

Suddenly, amidst my pleas, he kneels down and comforts me. His hand on my shoulder is a soothing, cool rush that is euphoric, and his voice is silky smooth. I look up into his eyes and suddenly I feel a wash of something stirring deep inside me. It is unexplainable and powerful.

"Please, calm yourself," he says in that smooth, comforting voice.

"I can't go back! I would rather die than go back to him, please!" I utter softly. He furrows his brow as he asks me why. I take a deep breath and begin from the beginning. I tell him of Asher becoming our Alpha after he had earned his place, though I didn't say how he had done it. I explained how I had realized only a few weeks ago that Asher is my mate and I had run from him since, until, of course, he finally got what he wanted. I even told him how Asher had gotten me, how he had forced me to accept him and why I had run away. It is a brief explanation but efficient.

We sit silent for a moment before he speaks. "My name is Abel. What is yours?"

"Eryn," I answer. "What is going to happen to me, now?"

He smiles and uncuffs me, taking my hand in his. They are soft and warm. "I'm not sure as of yet. But..." he pauses as another man walks in.

"Alpha, this has just arrived for you," the older man says as he hands him an envelope. We both wait as Abel reads the letter inside. I can see his jaw clenching as he reads, and his brow sets in anger.

"Nyko."

"Yes, Sire?"

"Who all knows of this message?"

"Only the young man who had delivered it and us, though you are the only person aware of its contents."

"Good," Abel folds the letter up and puts it in his pocket. "Let's keep it that way, shall we?"

"Of course, Alpha," Nyko replies startled, I think.

"Well then, let's get you out of here. Are you hungry, Eryn?" Abel asks with a carefree smile on his face.

I nod my head, I am starving. He extends his hand to me, and I can't help but take it. This isn't making any sense, why did he care? Does he care? Or is this a ploy to gain my trust and reveal more information about my pack? What was that letter about? How am I gonna get out of here?

There are mountains out east of Winchester, I remember the maps of this region from school. If I can make it to the mountain range, maybe I can get away from everyone and possibly be free to find peace living alone. I don't need an Alpha! I can be my own Alpha and Beta! I don't need a pack! I can be a lone wolf free to live in solitude!

Abel leads me out of the building by my hand and as we step out, the sun is bright in the early afternoon sky. I stop and squint, letting my eyes adjust. Abel stops and patiently waits for my vision to clear. Then it does.

Everything clears and I realize how different Winchester is from Brinshire. Here, the buildings are made of brick and mortar and the roads of pavement. There are trees, but they grow in rows along the paths. Back home, our buildings are wood, roads are dirt, and trees grow wild. This is way more than I imagined.

Everyone that I can see are bustling by with whatever business that they have. That is when I also realize another difference. Unlike back at home, where everyone was dark headed with gold eyes; here, everyone has light hair. Different shades of blond, like Abel but all light-colored hair. 'We still stand out like a sore thumb!' I hear Keira laugh in my mind. I hadn't heard anything from her since last night when Abel caught me, so I let out a sigh of relief.

"Are you alright, Eryn?" Abel asks concerned.

"Yeah, but what is going on?"

"I will explain on the way."

"On the way to where?"

"To my place, we need to talk." He glances around then looks deep into my eyes. He is now only inches from my face, and I can feel his breath on my face as he finishes, "away from prying ears." A smile crosses his face that makes me feel butterflies fluttering. I nod and we start toward a fancy black car. There is a man standing near the front of the car and Abel waves him away with an announcement that he will drive us to his house. The guy bows his head and starts toward the jail that we had just left. Abel opens my door for me, and I slide into the car. I watch as he hurriedly walks over to the driver's side door.

We drive down the road as I look at the sheer beauty of this city. The white wolves surely have prospered, while Brinshire has squandered on worthless things at the lead of our Alphas. Before long, we pull up to a golden gate between two ivory pillars. Abel stops, hits a button on the roof of the car and the gate opens. Inside the gates is a massive white mansion. I glance over at Abel who smiles at my reaction.

"I take it Asher's place isn't like this."

"No, there isn't anything like this in Brinshire. Nothing!"

"Well, you are welcome to stay here, with me, until we get everything figured out."

"Get what figured out?"

He pulls the envelope from his breast pocket and smiles. "What to do with you."