Rescued by the Pack (2 page)

Allison swallowed a bite of muffin, which had suddenly become quiet dry and flavorless. It stuck in her throat, and she took a large swig of diet cola.

“Alright, what is it?” she asked.

“Werewolves have a code of conduct of sorts, a set of laws we live by – or at least, most of us live by,” Michael began. “Our rival pack chooses not to live by our laws, which is why we had to save you from them.”

He continued, “Their pack is savage. They take what they want, and they don’t care who gets hurt. We, on the other hand, live a life of honor. There are… certain elements we can’t control… but we do our best to ensure no one ever gets hurt.”

Allison’s gaze was transfixed. Michael leaned forward, locking his shocking golden eyes with her blue ones.

“I want you to understand that we never meant for any of this to happen,” Michael said. “I can’t tell you how important it is for us that you know this.”

“What are you saying, Michael?” Allison asked.

“Because we rescued you, pack law states you must become our pack’s mate,” he said in a very matter-of-fact way, as though he’d just told her the sky was blue, or her shirt was on backwards.

“Mate… like… sexually?” she asked, her eyes growing wider.

“Precisely,” he said.

“And if I refuse?” she asked.

“You cannot,” he stated.

“But what if I do?” she pressed him.

“Then we will
take
you,” he said.

Her eyes traveled to Logan, who shifted his eyes to something across the room. He refused to look at her.

“I thought you didn’t want to hurt me,” she said, turning her eyes back to Michael. “You said that, right?”

“We
don’t
wish to hurt you, Allison,” Michael told her. “That is why you must comply when the time comes.”

“So I have no choice,” Allison said flatly. “That’s what you’re saying. If I don’t submit, you’ll force me.”

“Yes,” Michael said bluntly.

Allison’s mouth fell open. She sat gaping at Michael, shocked at how nonchalant he was about the matter.

“You must know that this is not what we want,” Michael said. “But unfortunately, pack law will not allow us to do otherwise.”

“What
exactly
does this law state?” Allison demanded.

“Anytime a pack rescues a member of the opposite sex from mortal danger caused by a rogue pack, the pack must take the rescued individual into the pack for protection,” Michael said. “Since you are not a werewolf, you cannot be accepted into the pack in the traditional sense. However, pack law states that a pack, in the absence of appropriate werewolf mates, may take a human as a mate. Thus, the only way we can take you into our pack is by making you our mate.”

“Why not just let me go?” Allison asked.

“Because you have seen us,” he answered. “Pack law states that once a human has learned our secret, they must either join the pack or be killed.”

“Killed?” she gasped. “So that’s the only other option?”

“I’m afraid so,” he said, his voice showing some sign of emotion for the first time in the discussion.

“This is not happening,” she muttered. “This can’t be happening. This is all just a bad dream. I have to wake up.”

She took the fork from her tray and jabbed herself sharply in the arm. She sucked air in sharply through her teeth, and the fork clattered onto the tray.

“I’m afraid this is
not
a dream,” Michael said.

“So you said I had to comply ‘when the time comes’… what does that mean?” she wanted to know.

“A wolf pack goes into heat every so often,” Michael explained. “The timing is unpredictable, and our reaction is… uncontrollable.”

“What do you mean?”

“When we go into heat, if there is a female nearby, we cannot be stopped,” he said.

It took a moment for what he said to sink in. She felt a knot growing in the pit of her stomach.

“So… you really meant it when you said if I didn’t comply, you’d take me,” she said softly.

“I’m afraid so,” he agreed. “It is not something we can control.”

“Then why not just let me go?”

“As I said, it simply isn’t possible. Our code is quite strict. We could not let you go even if we wanted to,” he told her.

“But no one will ever have to know,” she said. “I promise I won’t tell anyone.”

“It’s not that simple. Those of us who abide by our laws cannot go against them even if we want to. We are physically unable to,” Michael said.

“What… you mean like… you’re under mind control or something?” she asked.

“Yes, something like that,” he agreed.

“I think I’m going to be sick,” she mumbled, her face turning a sickly shade of green.

“I do apologize for this,” Michael said. “Unfortunately, it was either this, or allow the other pack to have you. And I am quite certain you’d have chosen to come with us if you knew what they were like. They would not have been gentle with you, nor would they have complied with pack laws. You would probably be dead right now, or at least in a great deal of pain.”

Michael’s voice was dull and resonating inside Allison’s head. Her stomach lurched, and she tried not to vomit. The color drained from her face.

“Michael?” Logan interjected cautiously.

Michael turned to face Logan without a word.

“Maybe we should let her get some sleep,” Logan suggested. “She looks really exhausted.”

“Perhaps that would be best,” Michael agreed. He turned back to Allison and said, “Please, get some rest. We will discuss this tomorrow.”

Allison nodded weakly. Logan took the tray away. He shot her an apologetic glance, but his eyes quickly shifted away from her gaze. He headed out of the room, and Luke followed him. She lied down and pulled the blankets over her. Michael remained in his chair.

“You’re not leaving?” she asked.

“I must stay… for your protection,” he said.

“I see.”

She closed her eyes, and tried not to think of the events that had transpired. She thought of Kyle, and almost wished, for just a moment, that she were back with him. At least living with a cheating bastard was better than being forced into a sexual relationship with a pack of werewolves, wasn’t it?

Before long, she somehow managed to fall asleep.

Evil, reflective eyes stared at her in the darkness. A resounding, guttural growl
erupted, sending chills through her body. Her heart began to thump rapidly in her chest, and she could feel her pulse pounding in her head.

Lips curled savagely, revealing rows of sharp teeth that glinted menacingly in the moonlight. A flash of fur and teeth lunged at her.

“No!” she cried, shielding her face with her arms.

She gasped, shooting up in bed. Beads of sweat trickled down her face and neck, and her heart thudded harshly.

“Hey!” Logan said, quickly moving from the nearby chair to sit on the bed beside her. “It’s alright! You’re safe.”

His arms folded around her protectively, and she dissolved into them a trembling wreck. The dream had been so real.

“Where’s Michael?” she asked.

“Sleeping,” Logan said. “It’s my shift.”

“Oh.”

“Don’t worry, I can protect you just as well as he can,” he puffed up defiantly.

“No, I… I didn’t mean anything by it,” Allison said quickly. “I was just wondering.”

Logan relaxed a little.

“Michael and Luke think I can’t do things because I’m so young,” Logan confessed. “I may be young, but I’m not weak.”

“How old are you, anyway?” she asked.

“Nineteen,” he answered. “Luke is twenty-three and Michael is twenty-seven. They think they’re so much better than me because they’re older.”

“I don’t think that,” Allison said, managing a weak smile.

Logan puffed up again and grinned.

“My sister thinks the same way,” Allison told him. “She’s always thought she was better than me because she was older. You know, smarter, more successful, all that.”

“You have a sister?” Logan asked.

“Yeah. Her name is Andrea,” Allison said. “I’m twenty-one, and she’s twenty-nine. She’s married, has two kids, college degree, nice job… I’m single with a cheating bastard boyfriend, no kids, and I work as a waitress.”

“That doesn’t mean anything,” Logan said. “It’s who you are as a person that matters.”

“Well, everyone thinks Andrea is perfect,” Allison lamented. “In fact, I doubt anyone will even notice I’m gone for a while.”

“I’m sorry,” Logan said gently.

“It’s alright, I’m used to it,” Allison lied.

“Hey, do you want some breakfast?” Logan suggested. “I make great waffles!”

“I’m not really hungry,” Allison said.

“Come on, you need to keep your strength up,” Logan urged her. “At least let me bring you some fruit or something.”

“You know what? I’m actually having a craving for something,” she said slyly. “You don’t happen to have any bacon do you?”

“Sure we do!” Logan chirped cheerfully. “How do you like it cooked?”

“Oh, nice and crispy,” she said, the hamster wheel suddenly revolving in her brain. “Cook it for a long, long time… until it’s nearly burned.”

“Got it!” Logan said. “You can count on me!”

Logan rushed off to make her breakfast, and she watched as he left the room, closing the door behind him. As soon as she heard the clatter of pots and pans in the kitchen, she grabbed the post to which her shackle was attached and began to wiggle it back and forth, attempting to loosen it.

The noise continued in the kitchen, and she finally managed to loosen the post enough to remove it. She slid the chain off the post and slipped off the bed. Her eyes scanned the room, but couldn’t quickly locate her shoes, so, moving as quietly as she could with a chain jingling around her ankle, she crept out the door.

She slowly, cautiously closed the door behind her. Just as she turned around to flee, she smacked into something.

“Going somewhere?” Michael chuckled.

“Michael!” she gasped. “I… uh…”

He grabbed her by the arm and ushered her back inside. He slammed the door behind them.

“Oh, Looooo-gaaaan!” Michael called, his voice laced with irritation.

Logan appeared at the door. His face blanched white as soon as he saw Allison standing beside Michael, her arm grasped in his iron grip.

“You were
supposed
to be
watching
her,” Michael growled through gritted teeth.

“I’m sorry. I was making her some breakfast,” Logan explained sheepishly.

“And you wonder why Luke and I don’t trust you,” Michael snarled.

“Don’t blame him,” Allison interjected. “He was just…”

“Enough!” Michael shouted, his fingers gripping her arm so firmly she shrieked. “Sit down!”

She immediately sank into the chair and closed her mouth. Michael turned his attention back to Logan.

“If you
ever
disobey a direct order again…” Michael warned Logan.

“It won’t happen again,” Logan promised.

“It better not,” Michael muttered. “Go. Get out of my sight. Finish her breakfast.”

Michael waved his hand, shooing Logan away. Logan bowed briefly and backed out of the room. Michael turned his eyes back toward Allison, who was busy gnawing a fingernail. He sighed heavily and sank down onto the bed in front of her.

“Allison, did you listen to
nothing
I said last night?” he asked.

“Of course I did,” she replied. “But you really didn’t think I was just going to sit here and let it happen without trying to escape, did you? This is just ridiculous! I just went for a simple walk last night, and I got caught up in a bunch of stuff that isn’t even any of my business!”

“I understand it’s not ideal, but…” Michael started to say.

“Ideal?” Allison shouted. “Are you kidding me? This is insane! This is totally unfair!”

“I promise you, this isn’t what we wanted, either,” Michael insisted. “What would you have preferred we do… let the other pack have you?”

“No, but…”

“Then you’re going to have to deal with the situation the best you can, just as we will,” Michael said.

“Yeah, how convenient for you,” Allison muttered.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Michael snapped.

“Well, you get a little slave who has to do your bidding, and what do I get?” she snapped back.

Michael suddenly looked hurt, and Allison almost regretted what she said.

“Allison, listen to me,” Michael said, leaning forward and placing his hands on the arms of the chair. “This isn’t what we wanted to happen. If we could change it… if
I
could change it, I would. But we
had
to save you. There was no other option.”

Allison softened slightly. “Alright, I get it,” she relented.

“So no more escape attempts?” he asked.

“No more escape attempts,” she mumbled.

“Good,” Michael said. “Then I will leave you unshackled, but you’ll still have to be guarded twenty-four hours a day.”

“You can trust me, Michael,” she implored. “I’m not going to run away again.”

“That may be true, but we still have your safety to worry about,” he argued. “The other pack isn’t likely to give you up without a fight.”

“What? You mean, they could seriously still come for me?” she gasped.

“They could, and mostly likely will,” he said seriously. “Now it isn’t just you at stake, but also their honor. They will feel we’ve dishonored them by stealing you from them.”

“And what will they do to me if they get me?” she asked nervously.

“In all likelihood, they will force you to submit to them,” Michael said. “And if you do not, they will kill you. They may kill you even if you do.”

“How is that any different from what you said you were going to do?” she challenged him.

“We will not make it painful for you,” Michael said. “In fact, in time, you may even come to enjoy it.”

“I wouldn’t bet on it,” she muttered, scoffing and looking away.

Michael chuckled. “Perhaps not,” he said. “But we shall see.”

She narrowed her eyes and glared at him.

“What can we do to make your stay more pleasant?” he asked.

“How about removing this shackle for starters?” she asked.

“Of course,” he said, and he removed a key from a chain around his neck and unlocked it.

Allison rubbed her ankle, which was quiet sore from the heavy metal that had been rubbing against it. She noticed the smell of frying bacon wafting in from the kitchen and she felt a twinge of guilt for tricking Logan, and for getting him into trouble.

“You were awfully hard on Logan,” she commented.

“That is not your concern,” Michael spat.

“I beg to differ,” Allison argued. “If I am to be your mate, then don’t I have a say in anything?”

“Not in this,” he said.

“Why not?”

“Because I am the Alpha, and I said so!”

“If you ever expect me to comply willingly, then I don’t accept that!” she argued.

“Whether you comply willingly or not is of no consequence,” Michael said firmly.

“I thought you didn’t want to hurt me,” Allison said.

“I don’t, but I will not have a
woman
making demands of me and undermining my authority!” he shouted.

“Oooh, listen to the big, bad man yelling at the poor, defenseless woman,” she spat at him. “Boy, you think being Alpha really makes you something special, huh? It sure takes a big man to kidnap a woman, hold her hostage, and tell her she has to submit to you or die!”

“I don’t
want
it to be this way!” Michael insisted.

“So you keep saying, but you’re not doing anything about it!” Allison shouted.

“You just don’t understand,” Michael argued.

“No, I certainly don’t,” she snapped.

Allison crossed her arms defiantly in front of her and threw her head back, thrusting her nose into the air.

Michael sighed heavily, standing up and moving across the room to plunk himself heavily into a dusty old armchair in the corner of the room. He, too crossed his arms in front of him, and he glared at Allison from across the room.

A little while later, Logan sheepishly entered the room carrying a tray of food. He’d brought Allison several slices of well-done bacon, a croissant, some fruit, and a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice.

“Wow, thank you, Logan,” she gushed. “At least
some
of you have some manners.”

Logan blushed. Behind her, Michael gritted his teeth, but he said nothing. Allison quickly ate her breakfast, even managing to choke down the nearly black bacon lest she hurt Logan’s feelings.