I can barely sleep; Ryker is on my mind all night. I’m apprehensive and nervous about the wolf-shift in four days. I get dressed, make the bed, and make my way downstairs to the dining room for breakfast. There are a few members already at the table eating; Amelia is one of them.
‘Good morning, Astrid,’ she says.
‘Good morning, everyone,’ I say, smiling and sitting next to Amelia. The other ladies smile.
‘You’ll have to tell me all about Shady Crest,’ I tell Amelia.
‘Alpha Zenith is obviously our Alpha,’ she giggles,
‘Yep. I think I got that,’ I giggle.
‘We train here daily; including the she-wolves. Alpha Zenith likes to keep our strong reputation; we’re the strongest pack, and we should always be prepared, just in case another pack becomes a threat, and we need to take them out. His eldest son James hasn’t found his mate yet. Alpha Zenith has one in mind. He won’t say who just yet, but says he will only settle for the strongest she-wolf, as James will eventually take over as Alpha,’ she explains.
‘What if James finds his true mate in the meantime?’ I ask.
‘Alpha Zenith is also part of the council called the elders. They have the power to vote and choose an Alpha’s mate for them, if they feel their current mate is inadequate; if they don’t suit as Luna or don’t benefit the pack,’ she explains.
Alpha Zenith is part of the Elders council! Ryker said they had wanted Vanessa as Ryker’s mate. Why would Alpha Zenith make Vanessa Luna of Shadow Crest, when she was the pack slave here at Shady Crest? It doesn’t make any sense.
‘That’s terrible, to remove someone’s true mate. A mate that the Moon Goddess chose for you. Love is all that should matter. Being with your true mate, your one true love,’ I say, feeling my eyes well up, thinking of Ryker.
‘Amelia? Where is Alpha Zenith’s mate? Where is the Luna of Shady Crest?’ I ask. Amelia bites her lip, and looks at the other two ladies sitting at the table eating breakfast.
‘Um, you see—’ They quickly stand and bow their heads; Alpha Zenith walks into the room.
‘Astrid. Good to see you’re ready for work,’ he smiles.
‘Good morning,’ I reply, nervously. Other pack members approach the table for breakfast once we’re all done, and I follow Zenith to his car.
I sit in the back of the Mercedes with only Zenith this morning.
‘Is John not joining us?’ I ask.
‘No, he will be going in his own car today.’
‘Oh, okay,’ I say.
‘I want to discuss some things privately with you,’ he says. I’m nervous and don’t know what to expect.
‘It’s your eighteenth in four days,’ he says.
‘Yes, that’s correct,’ I say. Zenith rubs his half missing ear in thought; I want to ask him about it but don’t want to be rude.
‘You would be a great asset to my pack, Astrid. When you turn eighteen, you’ll be able to sense your mate,’ he states.
‘Yes, I know,’ I say, unsure where he is going with this.
‘You know my son James hasn’t found his mate yet and is of age.’
‘What does it have to do with me?’ I ask.
‘What would you say if I wanted you to be his chosen mate?’ He asks.
‘I-I’m flattered, but I would prefer to find my true mate.’
‘What if you don’t find him?’ He asks.
‘What if I do?’ I retort. He lets out a chuckle
‘Oh, Astrid, you are a stubborn one! Perhaps think about the idea for a few days,’ he says, smiling.
‘Why would you want someone weak like me to be your son’s mate? Wouldn’t you want a strong she-wolf to bear his pups?’ I ask.
‘You’ll find out why I’m asking when you shift into your wolf on your birthday,’ he says, still smiling. What is he on about? And mate with James! I don’t want to be with anyone other than Ryker, even if Ryker does move on with Vanessa. Just the thought of being with someone else makes me feel nauseous.
We arrive in the underground car park and ascend in the elevator in silence. I take my seat at my desk and start answering phone calls. John and James go into their Dad’s office; James winks on his way in.
‘Zenith Creations. Astrid speaking. How may I help you?’ I say.
‘Tell the boss I got his special delivery here, he ordered,’ the caller says.
‘Okay, and who is speaking?’ I ask.
‘Beta Glen,’ he replies. I put Beta Glen on hold and call Zenith.
‘Beta Glen says he has your special delivery here,’ I inform him.
‘Tell him to bring him up right away.’
‘Okay.’ I press the button for Glen.
‘Zenith says bring him up right away.’ I hang up the phone. That is weird referring to it as a him.
The elevator dings and my jaw drops; two men in suits drag a third into the room. The man’s hands are bound behind his back and he has a calico bag over his head; new and old blood stain the man’s shirt; I contain a gasp. They drag the man past me nonchalantly and into Zenith’s office. I hear the odd thump, and agonized moans; it’s quite confronting.
The phone rings and I answer it; it’s Zenith.
‘Make some lattes please,’ he says, before hanging up; I gulp at the thought of going into the room; I don’t want to see what’s going on in there.
I place five lattes on a tray and carry them to his office, using my hip to push the door open. I place the five lattes on the desk. All five men stare at me; Zenith wipes his hands clean on a wet rag. The man is unconscious on the ground; I stare widely in horror and bite my tongue. I can only see the back of him, but it’s enough to know they’ve beaten him.
‘Oh, don’t worry about him Astrid; he will be fine,’ Zenith smiles.
‘Beta Glen and Gamma Dan, Astrid,’ he says, introducing the men to me. My voice shakes as I stare at the man on the floor.
‘It’s, um, it’s nice to meet you both,’ I say, nervously, avoiding eye contact.
‘This isn’t the Astrid, is it Zenith? The Astrid from Moon—’ Glen coughs after Zenith strikes him across the head.
‘Not another word Glen,’ Zenith snaps; his tone is deep and creepy. I jump back in fright; Zenith watches me back away slowly.
‘Please don’t mind Glen here. He forgets his manners sometimes and I need to remind him,’ he says, trying to calm me.
‘Take him back to the basement!’ He snaps. Glen and Dan put the calico bag back over the man’s head and drag him out of the office toward the elevator. I watch in horror and jump when a hand gently squeezes my shoulder. It’s James.
‘Sorry you had to see that, Astrid. I did tell Dad it wasn’t a good idea, but he says it will toughen you up when you’re, um, my mate,’ James says. I step back, and glare at Zenith.
‘I never agreed to that,’ I say.
‘I told you it would toughen her up,’ Zenith says, grinning. James is crestfallen.
Angry, I run out of the office and into the bathroom, locking myself in a cubicle and cry. The door creaks open.
‘Astrid, let’s go home,’ James says. I don’t want to go home with James; I don’t want to go anywhere with James; I want Ryker.
Closing my eyes, I imagine myself in Ryker’s arms with my head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat. James taps the cubicle door, disrupting my daydream. I unlock the door and swing it open, only too happy to be going home.
At the last second, Zenith hops into the elevator with us. The elevator dings and we descend; I’m wiping my tears. No one says anything; my sobs and sniffles are the only sounds. Outside in the car park, John waits in his car. Zenith opens his car door, gesturing for me to hop in. I stare at the open door for a moment, hesitating, and look at James.
‘You can always come with me,’ he says. I don’t want to be near any of them. Zenith is impatient now; he grabs my arm and pulls me onto the back seat.
‘Get in! I’m not waiting around,’ he snaps.
Falling onto the seat, I let out a cry. He just grabbed my arm and threw me onto the seat. I sit as far away from him as I can, and look out the window, avoiding conversation. His phone rings on the way.
‘What kind of problem? … I see … do you think his mate will return? … Good … Vanessa, now listen to me … yes, you will! I’m your father! I don’t care what you have to do. Bear his pups! Drug him if you must. Alice will put it in his food. I’ve waited long enough!’ I’m shocked by what I’m hearing. Vanessa is his daughter! Alice is the Luna of Shady Crest! They were never slaves!
‘I don’t care if he doesn’t want you. This isn’t about love. It’s about power. If we want to expand and become the greatest pack – you need to bear his pups, kill him and combine packs.’ Zenith sees my horrified expression; colour has drained from my face. I’m hyperventilating.
He squints and studies me a moment.
‘Vanessa, what’s his mate’s name?’ He asks.
My stomach churns; I’m going to be sick. No one can help me. Jim’s diner is up the road; I pull the handle on the car door but it won’t open because it’s locked. Vanessa has told him my name. Zenith laughs at my struggles. I’m just a pawn in his game; how many people have I been a pawn to? I try punching the windows.
‘Vanessa, rest assured she won’t be a problem, and won’t be returning to Shadow Crest. I have her with me right now,’ he says, laughing.
‘Oh, Astrid, the windows are bullet-proof. Give it up already honey,’ he says, placing his hand on my leg.
‘Don’t touch me!’ I yell.
‘Vanessa, I need to go; your brother’s betrothed needs to be put in her place… yes that’s right … why? … because I said so! You’ll find out in a few days,’ he says, ending the call.
Slumped in the seat defeated, Zenith leaps forward, grabs me aggressively by the hair and yanks me toward him.
‘You never told me Alpha Ryker was your mate! You’ll let James mark you after your first shift. Vanessa is meant for Alpha Ryker,’ he shouts.
He releases me and shoves me back onto the seat; tears run down my face. The car stops outside the packhouse. Zenith gets out of the car and waits for me to get out. He even goes as far as holding out his hand to me, which I definitely do not want to take.
‘Don’t make this difficult, Astrid! I will drag you out if I have to!’ He yells. I ignore him. When he leans in and tries to grab me, I start kicking and yelling.
‘Don’t touch me! Get away from me!’ James and John are standing behind him.
‘Dad! What is going on?’ James asks.
‘This little whore of yours is being difficult,’ he says, successfully grabbing my leg and yanking me out of the car by my ankle.
I cry out as I hit the ground with force, and roll a few metres across the gravel. I get up; I have scrapes on my arms and legs; my tights are laddered and torn in several places. Three men stare at me with black eyes.
