The Human In The Wolf Pack
Chapter 13

The sound of the front door opening and closing alerted me to Rider’s return from the guest bedroom. I had decided that staying in Rider’s room just wasn’t a good idea, especially after that girl showed up. Sure, we hadn’t decided to be together or anything but we were still mates. Until we figured this out, I don’t think he should be bringing his sneaky links around.

I could hear his footsteps walking around, looking for me until he finally sniffed me out. His tall, well built form stood silently in the door frame.

“Vera,” he said, smiling awkwardly, probably still thinking about what had happened between his wolf and I.

“Rider,” I replied stiffly. I could see he was slightly taken aback by my tone before he sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. It was silent till he finally replied with

“It’s getting late. You should probably go to bed.”

I looked at him, stunned. So, now he’s bossing me around? What did I look like, a kid?

“You’ve been gone all day and that’s all you had to say?” I exclaimed.

Rider’s face hardened as I stood up and marched myself right up to his towering body.

“You just dumped me off at some unfamiliar pack, didn’t say anything, just disappeared!” I said going to poke his chest angrily, but his hand stopped me.

Then, a very familiar stench wafted off of him, nauseatingly sweet and overpowering. My gaze turned ice cold as I tried to yank my hand away from his powerful grip.

“You-you-you!” I stuttered beyond furious as I fought against his hold.

“You jerk!” I screamed, surprising Rider enough for him to let me go.

“You were with that barbie tramp! I can’t believe you!” I yelled, stepping away from him.

He looked utterly confused and pissed.

“What the hell are you going on about, Vera?” He finally snapped.

“That desperate, rude, stinky girl, Mackenzie!”

“How do you know Mackenzie?” He demanded, his tone becoming defensive and his stance tense as my anger continued to build..

“She came knocking at the door for you this afternoon, practically naked!” I glared harshly, practically spitting the words at him.

He noticed that look, fury taking over his face. He strode forward to me in a flash, then grabbed my biceps painfully.

“Don’t belittle any of my pack members. I am your alpha now and I demand respect,” he snarled harshly as his grip on my arms tightened painfully.

“Do you understand?” He hissed lowly.

My heart seemed to run cold at his familiar tone. It was like being around Jekyll and Hyde. Sure, there was the sweet, fun Rider, but there was also the Rider who glared at me like I was some disgusting bug that happened to cross his path. It hurt though, much more than it ever did before. His grip on my biceps burned with pain as I winced, too scared to even struggle in his grasp. He noticed though, and let go as if I had burned him.

“Vera…” He trailed off, realizing how far he had gone.

I turned away from him, rubbing my arms where his grip used to keep me.

“Good night Alpha Rider,” I said, my voice cracking slightly as I tried not to cry.

I could tell he hesitated, but then, he walked out. I collapsed as soon as his footsteps faded away. Sobs racked my body as I held myself, trying to keep myself from falling to pieces. He… Hurt me.

I raised the sleeves to my sweat shirt, noticing bruises already appearing on my pale skin. He left a mark. I crawled into my bed, despair enveloping my very being. The pain was numbing, empty.

I finally fell into unconsciousness, tears still streaming down my cheeks. Rider betrayed me, he had lied. He was never just some nice, sweet guy. I had been tricked.

…

I woke up extremely early the next morning. Maybe around 4 am. I didn’t want to risk seeing Rider. So, while he was sleeping, I snuck out for a run. I know it was slightly ironic, the human surrounded by wolves enjoyed to run throughout the woods. Even if I was human, I was raised by wolves. The exhilaration felt by the wolves who ran through the forest seemed to be contagious.

Sporting my running shorts and a tank top, I close the front door softly as I make my way farther and farther from the Alpha’s cabin. I decided I wanted to take a jog down to the lake. This place once again struck me with its beauty.

As I jogged along the lake’s shore, the water so clean it looked clear, I breathed in the harsh cold air of the mountains. I could see the colorful rocks in the submerged bank,even in the dimly lit, early morning hours. I jogged at a steady pace. Breath in. Breath out. Breath in. Breath out. Thoughts of yesterday flashed through my mind.

Rose. My parents. Mackenzie. Rider. Mackenzie. Rider. Rider. Rider. The memories pushed me to go faster, like running would make them go away. I needed to be exhausted, to the point where nothing could hurt me, where I couldn’t think of anything but getting air in and out of my lungs. Soon, I was racing across the beach. I had always been a fast runner and I didn’t tire out quickly.

Thanks to all that practice chasing after Ripley. Soon I hit the tree line, but I didn’t stop, I kept going. The finger shaped bruise marks on my biceps seemed to burn me like they were saying

Don’t forget about us! We’re here. He put us here.

Pain seared my trail blindly as I sped away from my thoughts, hoping the exertion would make my mind go blank. I don’t know how long I ran. All I know, is when I stopped. I collapsed to the earth from exhaustion. I knelt there on my hands and knees for awhile, breathing heavily as I felt bile rise in my throat.

I leaned back, resting on my heels. The forest was beautiful around me. Light shining through the trees, leaves resting quietly on the ground, while the birds squaked at the early morning sky. The sun had finally rose, it’s light warming the air around me. I sat back and enjoyed the peace, resting against a tall tree with grey wood and sparse leaves.

It was beautiful. But then I realized something that immediately sent panic running down my spine.

I didn’t know where the hell I was.