4. Passing time

 It's been at least a week since the destruction of my pack. Or, so I think. It's almost impossible to tell time down here. The only source of time I have is the guard who brings food down once a day. I feel like I'm going to go insane. The only thing that keeps me from giving up is the remaining members of my pack. They need me.

 As soon as the guard leaves, I eat my food and start looking for any weakness in or around this cage. Something I can take advantage of. A week with no luck. They made sure that whoever came down here died here. At first, Cassie would give me bits and pieces of what was going on with her pack. It's like she was still hiding things. Too scared to tell anyone.

 "Cassie.." I spoke softly. 

  We haven't spoken to each other in at least a day, I believe.

  "Mm?" 

  Well, that's something, I guess. At least shes kinda responding.

  "Cassie, I don't know what you've been through. Whatever it was, I'm truly sorry; it ended up this way. I can see your guilt and pain swimming around you. But, please. You have to help me. If you truly want change. If you want to make things better. Just like you said, I was born for great things. I can change our world. I —I just need your help!" I got a little choked up and emotional. But I couldn't help it. She needs to know the dire situation we are in. She needs to tell me.

   She looked at me with her tear-soaked eyes. Continuously sniffing. I got her attention. I guess this is my chance. 

 "Is the alpha your son?" She nods. "Why did he lock you up?" She stills, probably deciding on whether or not to tell me.

"So I didn't interfere with his plans."

"What plans?" I could feel myself getting a little worked up from finally getting some answers.

  "To claim what belongs to him." She mumbled. But what would that be?

"What is he trying to get? What is it that he felt my whole pack had to suffer?!" This is stupid. He killed my pack over an object?

  "No, darling..." When I heard that word, my whole being immediately froze. I hadn't heard it since the last time my mother said it. Then it hit me. After over a week of being locked up. Of trying to free us. All the guilt, the pain, and the loss finally hit me. I lost my parents; they truly are gone. sobs immediately racked my body. I couldn't control it anymore. I was broken.

   Whatever Cassie was saying. She halted when she saw my state. She just stared at me. After what felt like days, but was only an hour. I finally stopped my fit. I took in a few deep breaths to calm my heart. Now that I was able to grieve a little, I had a new sense of determination. Today is the day I will free my pack.

    I looked over at Cassie to tell her to continue. I still needed to know everything. When we made eye contact, she had this interesting glint in her eyes. It intrigued me.

  "It seems it's finally time to tell you what you need to know." She told me with conviction. I sat and listened to everything she had to say.

  "It started when my son was only 10 years old. I'm not sure how or why, but my mate had found out that you would be our son's mate. Or at least his deranged mind believed it. I thought it was some harmless thing. He just wanted our son to be strong, with someone equally as strong beside him. To rule and protect our pack. Our families used to be friends. Your mother and I would spend time together every time our husbands had to meet. During that time, Alec was content with waiting until you both were of age. Over the next two years, we kept finding proof of Alpha Axel's betrayal. He was giving time sensetive information to our enemy pack. At first, we didn't believe it. The proof just kept racking up until we couldn't ignore it. In a blind rage, Alec challenged Axel."

 Thats when I remembered.. the man that came to our home unannounced! It was him! It was all starting to make since. 

"What happened after he visited my dad?" I hastily asked.

"Well, I know it made your dad livid. I mean, he never let anyone near your lands. Not even other alphas for meetings. And for my husband to randomly show up in your house, declaring my son your mate. Haha... I can only imagine how that turned out. My husband never returned home that night. When my son came in, he was bloodied, and the shy, sweet boy I birthed and raised was no more."

  I was completely stunned after hearing what had happened. My father killed his? I get he had no choice, he was challenged. I understand why this alpha hated my dad. I'd hate his dad if he had won that day instead of my father. That's not the point, though. My parents and my pack didn't deserve this fate. 

  "Why are you locked up?" I'm tired of this. 

"I tried to stop my son from exacting revenge on your pack. I know your dad murdered my husband. He was becoming deranged, and no one could reason with him. He only cared about power. I knew your pack didn't deserve what was going to happen. I knew he could eventually regret it. Sadly, I was right."

 "What do you mean regret it?"

"Just like my husband suspected, you are indeed my son's mate. How? That I'm not sure. Thats why he hasn't been down to "take care" of the rest of your pack. He can't. He knows you want to get revenge for what he has already done. He's been fighting with knowing he should have listened to me."

 Is she trying to get me to accept him? Thats insane. That will never happen. I thought angrily as I stared at her.

 "Hahaha" laughs filled the air out of nowhere. I stared at Cassie in surprise and shock. Is she okay? I was becoming a little worried about her state of mind. There's no telling how long shes been down here.

 " darling," 

Ugh, that word again. It'll never be the same for me. I hate hearing it now. I just miss my mom..

 "No, I would never assume or try to convince you to accept my son. Not after that attack. I know he doesn't deserve your forgiveness. But, I hope that you hear his side before rejecting him. At least know from his point of view. Why did he feel it necessary to do as he did? If you do at least that, and he still doesn't tell you his name. I will. I will help you reject him. If that's what you truly want at the end."

  I was still in shock. I never thought his own mother would give me this choice. I guess she truly does see the wrong in this situation. I thought long and hard. Should I? Does he really deserve to be heard?

  "Where is he? Why hasn't he been down here? If he really wanted me to accept him, why the hell hasn't he come down here and said so himself? Is he really that scared to face his own actions?" I shouted at his innocent mother.

 As soon as those words left my lips, my cage door flew off the hinges. I nearly jumped out of my skin. How did he get down here? Without me hearing or smelling him. what's going on?

 It was way too quiet. He slowly strode into the small cage. His, and his wolfs eyes on me. Those enticing gold specks swirling in his eyes. Dammit, why did he have to be so beautiful? He just stood there in his full alpha glory, waiting for me to stop being mesmerized by him.

  "You – wanted to see me, babygirl?" He sensually said as I snapped myself out of that stupid trance.