Chapter 7 : Restrained

*Estelle*

I stood frozen in the doorway, trying to process what I had just heard. In just one day, the pack had learned about my arrival and decided that they didn't want me. The man who had helped raise Gabe was telling him to send me away and that I wasn't good enough. All of this, even though we were supposed to be mates. I was used to rejection, but this was beyond the pale.

Charles was looking at Gabe sympathetically, but his expression seemed insincere to me. Gabe hadn't moved since Charles spoke. His eyes were expressionlessly fixed on Charles, as if he couldn't react. Or maybe he was waiting for something more to happen.

My wolf was in distress. I could picture her pacing anxiously and a soft, almost pitiful whine was echoing in my mind. That side of me couldn't stand the threat of losing its mate. It was amplifying the shock and hurt that I was feeling, which made it nearly impossible for me to keep a handle on my emotions. My eyes were watering already.

"I know that it's unfair to ask this of you," Charles said. "But she simply cannot be our Luna."

I expected Gabe to shout, or at least to sternly tell him off. When he simply lowered his eyes, I felt my heart drop into my stomach. After what had happened between us yesterday, I couldn't believe he would hesitate now. He said that I was meant to be with him. Where had that conviction gone?

It was clear that he didn't care about me. He brought me here because the mate pull compelled him to, but he didn't really want me. If he did, he'd say so. Wouldn't he?

"So that's it then," I said. "I don't belong here. No one wants me here. So let me go home." It was the only possible solution. It would be a relief to both of us, eventually. It was obvious that we were incompatible, anyway.

Gabe's head snapped up and he glared at me. "No."

"Why the hell not?!" I demanded. A few minutes before, I'd felt like crying, and suddenly I was just angry. "I never asked to come here in the first place! And what concern is it of yours if I die? We're strangers. There's nothing between us. No connection, no loyalty. There's no reason for you to care!"

I just couldn't understand him. He had shown nothing but irritation and anger toward me. Why would he put any more effort into keeping me around if it was only going to cause him issues as the Alpha? It didn't make sense.

Charles had a knowing expression on his face. "You cannot speak to the Alpha that way," he began.

Gabe held his hand up to silence him. That cold look had returned to his eyes and his jaw was tense as he slowly walked toward me. I straightened my back and kept my eyes locked on his.

"You're not leaving," he said forcefully.

He'd used that tone on me before. I instinctively wanted to obey him, but I fought the sensation. I had to physically shake my head before I felt like I could respond.

"You can't make me stay," I said, as steadily as I could.

He growled. He actually growled at me. He grabbed me by my upper arms and the force of his grip hurt. I gasped at the pain, but didn't try to pull away. I knew that it would only hurt more.

"I can make you do whatever the hell I want," he said coldly.

I gritted my teeth and fought my desire to look away from him. I could feel my hands starting to shake. It was terrifying, having him tower over me and say something like that. The icy look in his eyes made it impossible to tell what he was thinking. I had no idea if he would really hurt me or if he was just as angry and uncertain of what to do as I was.

"No you can't," I said shakily.

He could try, and he had so far, but I knew that ultimately I'd find a way out. I always had before. There were plenty of situations I'd found myself in throughout my tumultuous life that I had to fight my way out of. I may have ended up anxious and quiet as a result of my upbringing, but I also learned to do what it takes to protect myself.

"Stubborn woman," Gabe rumbled.

His grip on my arms loosened, but he didn't release me. It was clear that he was annoyed at my interjection into the conversation he'd been having with Charles, but I'd be damned before I'd stand mutely by while they talked about me.

"You have no idea of the gravity of this situation," Gabe said.

"I don't understand?! I've been kidnapped!" I screamed at him and yanked myself free of his grip. "I was nearly murdered in a bathroom! I'm being held captive by fucking wolf shifters! You think I'm the one who doesn't understand the situation?!" Did he really not understand what he was putting me through or did he just not care? "Just let me go home," I pleaded.

"You are staying with me!" Gabe shouted. "Even if I have to keep you locked in your room."

I'd been kept under lock and key before. It was the worst feeling I knew, and it was hard not to lose myself in the terrible memories.

"Ungrateful girl," Charles cut in. "You would be dead if the Alpha hadn't found you when he did."

"Maybe I'd be better off," I said bitterly.

That seemed to catch Gabe off guard. He stared at me in open disbelief. I could feel the tears in my eyes, but I kept looking at him. If he couldn't understand the pain and fear he was subjecting me to, he would at least see the effects of it on my face.

"It would be better than having my freedom ripped away and being told it was for my own good." I swallowed and tried to get my tears under control.

"People who say things that are always lying."

I fixed Charles with a withering look, then turned and rushed out.

It hurt. Rejection always did, but so did being treated like I was some kind of commodity. Gabe thought he wanted me around because of the mate pull, but he didn't even know me. He didn't seem interested in getting to know me, either. I was not going to be some trophy he kept locked in a display case. I had to get out of there.

I could smell Gabe approaching and whirled to face him. Before I could speak, he had grabbed my wrists and pushed me against the wall. I gasped as he crowded in close to me. I tried to pull my arms free, but he tightened his grip.

His touch made my skin tingle and for a moment I was left breathless. I closed my eyes and tried to force the reaction aside. "Let me go," I demanded.

"Be quiet," he commanded. "This attitude of yours might have worked for you with humans, but it is not acceptable here. You will show me respect," he said slowly. His voice was dripping with condescension.

It was infuriating.

"Respect is earned," I spat back. "You've done nothing but insult, bully, and threaten me. Why the hell should I respect you for that?"

"I am the Alpha," he said icily.

I could have sworn his eyes flashed as he said it. He was truly angry. I knew that I should shut my mouth, but I was too worked up. I pulled against his hold again, but his grip didn't change.

I glared back at him, hoping that my expression could convey a fraction of the outrage I was feeling. "You are a jerk!"

He growled again. My wolf was whining in my head, trying to get me to stop.

"I am warning you, Estelle. Learn your place."

"You don't know the first thing about me," I said. "Who are you to tell me my place?" I yanked on my arm until I thought my wrist might break. Gabe must have realized that I was hurting myself, because he finally let go. I shoved against his chest. "You don't know me!" I yelled. "I will not be locked up again!"

Confusion flashed across his face before he schooled his expression. He opened his mouth to speak, but I shoved against him as hard as I could and ran.

I rushed out the door with tears streaming down my face. This time, he didn't follow me. I stumbled down the sidewalk, trying to put as much distance between us as I could. I could hardly catch my breath through my sobs, but I was afraid to slow down. I rubbed my sore wrist and held it close to my chest.

He hadn't hurt me, not really. That didn't make me feel any better. He'd tried to physically intimidate me, and that was more than enough to show me what he was capable of. I couldn't stay here. I had to find a way out of this mess.

I would have to risk the trail again and if I ended up getting attacked, so be it. Whatever was out there could only kill me. It probably wouldn't mock or belittle me first, so it was a step up. My wolf was urging me to go back; I could practically feel it pulling at me. I wiped my eyes on my sleeve and kept moving forward.

I rounded the corner and hurried along the sidewalk. I could see the trail now. I just had to keep my head down and hope that no one tried to stop me. There were people scattered around the little shops and sidewalks chatting happily, as if it were just a sunny summer morning. I wished that I could be a part of that simple, comfortable life.

I couldn't stare too long. I knew that I would be recognized. Charles said that the pack knew who I was, even though I had hardly met anyone. I didn't know if someone would try to stop me from leaving, but I didn't want to risk it. I just had to get away from Gabe.

I kept my eyes fixed on the trail. I was only a few blocks away now. As soon as I reached it I would run as fast as I could. There had to be a main road at the end of it and I could flag down some help or hitchhike out of here.

I could hear voices murmuring as I passed by. A familiar, male voice stood out among them. I picked up my pace, but it was too late. He had seen me.

"Estelle?"