Chapter Six

* Diane *

The very next day, the door of my bedroom slammed open, but I wasn't sleeping when Diane came in. I was wide awake and thinking about how cruel this pack is to female wolves even towards an Alpha's daughter. Everyone just agreed to send Chloe into the Dark Blood pack.

"Oh, Diane it's happening sooner!"

She was looking desperate now, hair unmade and face void of any makeup. Not the usual Chloe that I used to hang out with. I felt bad for failing to speak with the Alpha of the Dark Blood pack.

"Oh my God...Chloe."

Then I remembered her brother; maybe he could've help her.

"Chloe, tell me what your brother says about all this? I didn't see Duncan the other night."

Duncan is Chloe's older sibling. He is set to inherit the Alpha title from my Uncle. I know Duncan is about to get married too; he chose his own wife, and Alpha Daniel agrees.

Chloe sobs when she hugs me tightly. "Don't even think about my older brother to help me. All he cares about is the Alpha title; he would agree with my father if he were there. Both of them agree with everything."

I sighed. How could Duncan just abandon her like this? He used to protect Chloe when we were younger. God this must be so hard on her.

"Shhh, calm down and let us sit on my bed first. Does Uncle Daniel know you are here?"

She quickly nodded. Of course her father really cared that he let her see me before she was sent to the Dark Blood Pack. Her shoulders were shaking so hard I thought she would break.

"They're going to send me earlier than I expected," she whispered. Diane, they're going to send me to him. I saw his eyes when he came to the Alpha house. He doesn't even see me as a person."

I dropped down next to her and pulled her into me. She smelled like expensive rose shampoo but mixed with fear. Her wolf, started to wake up inside her, and was whimpering so loudly I could almost hear it.

"Diane," she choked out, grabbing my hands so tight her nails almost dug in. "Please. You have to help me. You're the only one who will. Tell Dad, and tell Uncle that I can't. I can't marry him, Diane. I'll die out there."

Before I could answer, Dad's voice cut through my bedroom. He entered because the door was not closed when Chloe came in.

"No."

I looked up. Dad was standing by the door frame, his face grey. Mom was right behind him, her arms crossed, tears already in her eyes.

"Diane, don't ever think of helping her," Mom said.

Her voice was shaking. "Don't you even think about it."

"Dad, you heard her," I said. "You know Chloe needs my help. She can't marry a monster!"

"He is not a monster stop overreacting Diane; he is an Alpha of a powerful pack!" Dad snapped. He rarely snapped at me. "He is the Alpha of the Dark Blood Pack. Do you know what that means? If we refuse, if Chloe refuses, he will wipe the Crimson River Pack off the map. He will kill your father, your mother, every child here."

"So we just agree to give her away?" My voice cracked. I was holding Chloe tighter. "Like she's some... some bag of grain for an alliance?"

Chloe sobbed harder. "Aunt Emma , please. I don't want to go."

Mom knelt, but she didn't touch Chloe. She looked at me instead. "Diane, my love, listen to me. You have a good heart. Too good it puts you into trouble oftentimes. But this is bigger than you and Chloe playing best friends. This is our pack law. Alpha Daniel has already agreed. Alpha Zayden was very clear about everything he wants."

"Clear about what? That he'll punish us if we don't send Chloe to be bred like."

"Diane enough!" Dad shouted. The whole house went silent. "Watch your mouth. Stay here and don't even think of coming out of your room until I say so."

"No Dad," I muttered, but my hands were shaking. He rarely gets angry with me but right now is different. I can't defy him.

Mom grabbed my shoulders. "Do you think we want this? Chloe is like a daughter to me. But she is an Alpha's daughter. She was born for this. And you, you are not involved. Do you hear me? You will not follow her. You will not think of any silly ideas to help her. You will not make one of your stupid, brave plans."

Chloe looked up at me then, her eyes red and wet. "Diane?"

That look she gave me. That look since we were children. When she fell off the swing and I helped her get home. When her mom punished her and she slept in my bed for a week. We are closer than sisters. Every material thing she has as an Alpha daughter she always shares with me. Food, jewelry, and clothes too.

But my parents were saying no when she needed me. The Elders were saying yes to her being shipped away. The whole pack was saying yes. But Chloe was asking me like she'd been abandoned by everyone, I would hate seeing myself in her shoes; that's why I must help her.

I wiped her tears with my the back of my hand, i must speak with Charles. I can't save her alone. My jaw was clenched so tight it almost hurt.

"Okay," I whispered to her, so only she could hear. Okay, stop crying now. Breathe and relax."

Mom thought I was agreeing with her. She sighed and stood up. "Good. Good girl. Chloe, honey, come. We'll make you some tea. You need to rest before going back to the Alpha house."

I didn't let go of Chloe. I looked my mother straight in the eye.

"I said okay to her mom. Let her stay in my room for tonight."

Mom's face fell. "Diane."

"No," I said. My voice was low and furious. "You can all say no. You can all be scared of him. I'm not. If she has to go into that dark place alone, I am going with her. You can lock the door, you can lock me up here. I will still go."

Dad stared at me like he didn't recognize me.

Chloe clutched my arm and whispered. "Diane."

"I'm coming with you," I told her. "You are not going alone." There was a silent determination in my voice and between us, a silent understanding was formed.

That is what I told her I would do, she looked at me hopefully and slowly got up from bed. "I must go back to the Alpha house now, I'm sorry Aunt Emma and Uncle Thomas for disturbing you."

My parents just nodded towards her when she passed by them. She made one glance at me before she left my bedroom. Then my mother took a deep breath and she closed the curtains of my room.

I thought they would leave me alone when both of them came out, only to come back bringing tools and start barricading my windows!

"Mom, Dad! What is the meaning of this?!"

I was almost hysterical when they continued what they were doing like I wasn't there.

"This is for your own good Diane, I know you won't listen to us. You are our only daughter, it's our fault that we gave you so much freedom while growing up that is why you're acting like this."

I watch them in silence while gritting my teeth; they were good parents. Yes, I am almost spoiled rotten as an only child but I don't deserve this. They close all my windows and then lock my bedroom from outside. I lay on my bed thinking.

"How can I help Chloe now?"

At dinner time, my mother brought food to my room. "This is only temporary Diane, just until your cousin goes to the Dark Blood pack. The sooner she leaves the pack, the better for you."

I sobbed and looked away from her. My mother left the room without a word from me. Then my eyes flew to the open door of my bathroom and I figured, I might have a way out.