Meeting The Alpha

The car stopped.

The voices I had been stuck with had stopped as well. I heard various noises then a thud, followed by the fading sound of footsteps until nothing.

I didn’t waste another second. My head spun as the air grew heavier around me. The cramped, stuffy space was practically stealing my air. I gasped, trying to take in as much air as possible as my head swayed. Darkness surrounded me, strange objects poked at my feet and back, and the lack of fresh air made my chest tighten. My vision blurred.

I shook my head, stretching my hand frantically through the darkness. I had to get out. I had no idea how long I had been in here but it was long enough to steal my breath away. My fingers brushed around the trunk’s edges. My fingers graze against a small plastic button and with trembling hands, I tapped on it. The trunk clicks open and it raises a bit, letting light seeped in. Air gushed it and I gulped it.

I reached for the roof of the trunk, pushing it higher. I looked around and luckily, I didn’t see anyone. I climbed open, dashing for the gate, not sparing a second to gaze at my surroundings.

It wasn’t until I reached the bustling market place that I realized how far I was. I had no idea where I was but everything looked different-the attire, the roads, the stalls itself and the people. For some reason, I was glas I didn’t see anyone I knew, no one sneered, glared, scoffed, snickered-no one even knew me and I was glad. I was tired of keeping up a smile or my head up.

One more thing was that the market stalls where packed with different items.

My stomach rumbled.

I hadn’t brought any money with me. I had made a rash decision. Everything I packed, I had left behind. At least, my bags and cluttered room would give me some time to settle down before they come searching for me, that’s if they actually do.

I walked towards a store where a group of people stood and haggled over prices as they reached for the item they wanted. I stood by, looking lustfully at the red apple that caught my attention.  I walked towards the crowd, blending in, my eyes still glued on the apple. Then I reached for it. My fingers wrapped around it and I snatched it. I hid it in my pocket.

It was evident, anyone would know I kept something in it but I tried to act unbothered. I turned in the direction I came from and began walking. “Hey,” a voice suddenly called.

My chest thumped and my eyes grew wide.                                

“Hey,” the voice called again.

I quickened my pace, pretending to ignore the voice. That’s when I heard footsteps heading in my direction. Whispers erupted in the background and I began running. The voice called but I didn’t stop.

‘From one problem to another’ I cursed underneath my breath.

I had nowhere to go. I didn’t know where I was going. I was so sure I would figure everything out when I got here but I have no plan at all. The only place I knew was the gate I ran out from. The building I didn’t get a good look at.

I took a sharp turn, running until I arrived at a large gate. I stretched my neck, peeking inside. That’s when I caught sight of the car and luckily, the trunk was still open. Since no one was around, maybe I could sneak inside and hide here until the store owner leaves.

I rushed past the gate, my mind set on the trunk.

I arrived at the car.

I took in a breath and reached for the trunk, pushing it open.

I placed one leg in when someone caught my arm. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” The voice questioned, deep and already pissed off. It was one of the guys who were in the car earlier. I still didn’t have a face to the voice but I could already picture the expression he had-furrowed eyebrows, lips pressed in a thin line and jaw clenched.

I turned slowly to my side and spread my lips into a fake forced smile in the same motion. “Hey,” my voice came out cracked.

I cleared my throat right after.

“She is a thief,” another voice which I recognized as the angry shop owner announced, stressing every word.

I turned my head swiftly to face him. “No, I am not,” I retorted.

No one was convinced.

“I was going to pay,” I added.

The shop owner took a step forward but was stopped by two guards that mysteriously appeared. A faint smile spread on my lips. I don’t know what kind of tricks luck was playing but it was a little funny.

“Now, i will ask you this question one more time,” A familiar voice said and I turned to face one of the men who were in the car who gripped my wrist. I recognized the voice to be Gerald’s, although his voice was no longer as calm as it was in the car. “Who the fuck are you? And what the fuck are you doing?”

“Actually that wasn’t exactly the question you asked earlier-”.

“Shut the fuck up and answer,” Gerald cut me off.

“How do I shut up and answer at the same time?” I asked.

Gerald groaned and released me. He turned away for me, running a hand through his hair as he sighed.

I almost giggled.

“Don’t play coy or smart with us,” another voice chimed in. It was the more aggressive one. It was Steven who wasn’t calm and collected. If I beat around the bush, I’m worried he would punch me in the face. “Who the fuck are you and what are you doing?”

I realized my leg was still in the car and I pulled it out, lowering the car’s trunk, not enough to close it but low enough that it may go unnoticed, just in case. I ironed my jeans and looked up at him. “I’m not from here,” I pointed out the obvious. “I’m from the neighboring town that’s shockingly far, although I haven’t left the pack’s premises before”.

“Get to the point,” he demanded.

“I ran away, I wouldn’t say run more like snuck away cause they were about to sell me to some disgusting abusive old rich man so I got into the trunk of your car and hid here till we arrived in this unusual place,” I explained. “I’m surprised none of you noticed, I could have robbed you, you know?”

“So you’re a thief?” Gerald asked.

“No, I am not a thief, you’re the thief” I retorted.

“She is a thief,” the shop owner who was still being pushed back by the guards said.

I reached for the bulge in my pocket and pulled out the apple. I threw it at his direction and didn’t bother to check whether he caught it or not. “Take your stupid apple,” I huffed, folding my arms across my chest.

I could hear the shop owner’s yells but it was silenced by Steven. “We’ll take care of her and make sure she gets what she deserves, go back to your shop sir”.

I dropped my arms, facing them. “What? Take care of me?”

I didn’t like the sound of that.

Almost immediately the not so calm and collected driver grabbed my shoulder and pushed me towards the large building. We walked inside and I wasn’t able to look around because I was continuously nudged forward till we stopped in front of two large doors.

“Stay here,” Steven instructed, letting go of me. He looked at Gerald to confirm whether he could contain me before bursting through the doors.

I took the time to look around. There was a family portrait hanging in the hallway, followed by single portraits of every person in the family photo. The portrait that caught my eye was the one of a little boy who looked at least ten years old with black hair styled back and no smile. He stood straight, no form of personality written on him. His eyes were empty. At what age does one lose their spark.

My eyebrows creased, staring intensely at the yellow tie and white shirt. He wore a wristwatch and black pants. The photo was cut a little below his waist so I could see his pants and belt.

“The alpha-Cohen Slade,” Gerald answered the question that lingered in my mind. “His mother died after his birth and his dad became distant, they are both still affected by her death, everyone is but we aren’t allowed to speak about her”.

I took in a breath.

What kind of problem had I landed myself into? Hopefully, I would be able to talk my way out of this meeting. I wasn’t ready to get tied into any emotional rollercoaster when I had my own problems. I literally had no home or identity to begin with.

“Why aren’t we allowed to talk about her?” I began with a dumb question.

He blinked, raised an eyebrow then blinked again.

“Oh, yeah, you said that,” I added.

I kept quiet for a while, looking around before I spoke again. “What about-”.

A crash silenced me. I flinched, jumping back a bit. I turned to face the doors. It came from inside the room.

I looked back at the guard and he was unfazed.

“This happens often?” I questioned.

“You’ll get used to it,” the guard assured me.

My eyebrows creased and my eyes grew wide.

Get used to it?

Who said I would stay here long enough to get used to it?

“You look like Cohen’s late fiancée,” he informed me. “Although it’s still a rumor, her death hasn’t been confirmed yet but she hasn’t been attending meetings and parties. She isn’t even seen outside so people assume she’s dead, probably because of the person attempting to kill the Alpha”.

“And?”

“We never bring anyone to see the alpha,” he added.

“Okay?”

“Don’t you think it’s odd that you look exactly like someone who died?” He questioned.

I narrowed my eyes. “What does that mean?” I asked, genuinely confused.

He parted his lips to speak but I beat him to it. “You are too chatty for a guard”.

“And you’re too chatty for someone declared death,” he retorted. “If you weren’t yelling and acting totally different from her, I would have thought you were her”.

“And what does that have to do with me?”

“I’m just saying,” he responded. “The Alpha doesn’t let anyone off easy so use that to your advantage”.

I scoffed and turned to face the doors.

Screw talking my way out of this, I would probably make a run for it and save myself the trouble.

I took in a breath, retracing my steps and calculating how long it would take me to get out of here when the doors bursts open and men shuffled out of it.

“Giulia,” One of the men turned to me with shock written on their faces. “I thought you were dead,” he said in almost a whisper as he moved closer, reaching for my face.

“Don’t touch her,” Gerald warned, grabbing the man’s wrist and glaring at him.

“Oh,” he laughed nervously. “Sorry”. He joined the crowd and walked out. I could hear their whispers, trying to crack the puzzle about this Giulia girl being alive.

Why does almost everyone keep mistaking me for her? I thought she’s dead.

Steven came in a few minutes later. “He will see you now,” Steven informed us and Gerald nodded.

He grabbed my elbow, jerking me forward.

I staggered forward. He paused, letting me gain my balance. I turned to face him, giving a look of disapproval. Again, he was unbothered. I was really hate this calm and collected attitude of his.

I rolled my eyes.

He nudged me again and I chose to ignore him. I began moving, dodging the large doors then walking inside the large room. it had a large table and set of chairs around it, placed in the middle of the room.

I looked around until I caught sight of someone who stood with their back turned to me.

The door slammed shut.

My head spun in its direction and I realized it was just Steven.

I sighed, looking away from him.

“I heard you look like my dead fiancée”.

He turned.