6

In the Darkness, he’ll show you,

All the answers, that were kept from you,

Go in search until he’s found,

Resist the liars all around.

Amelia

That song. It was back. I thought that I was free of this nightmare since leaving the cottage. I guess I had thought wrong. I hadn’t heard it since being in the mansion, yet here it was filling my mind once again. I woke up and tried to move but was taken aback by the intense pain that was rippling through me. I tried to open my eyes, but they were still swollen, and pain bolted through my head as though someone was stabbing my brain. I gasped loudly and struggled to find my breath; every inhale felt like someone was tightening a rope around my chest. I braced myself and forced my eyes open, fighting through the feeling that I was about to pass out, but I did it. I stared up at the ceiling above and waited for a moment to regain my focus. A bright, long white light was above my head; it was the kind of light that you would normally see in a hospital. Wait, am I at a hospital? I tried to sniff, to see if I recognised the smell of where I was, but my nose ached, and my sinuses were so swollen that it was impossible to breathe through my nose.

‘She is awake.’ A voice I didn’t recognise said. An old man in a long white coat looked down at me. ‘Amelia, my name is Benjamin Bailey. I am just going to check you over quickly. Please let me know if you feel uncomfortable at any stage.’ He paused for a moment as though he was allowing me to take in his information before continuing. I felt his shadow pass over my face and then blinding light. He shone a light into each of my eyes and wrote something on his clipboard, nodding his head. He’s a doctor, I must be at a hospital.

‘C..ca…can I sit up?’ I croaked lifting my head slightly. My voice didn’t sound like my own. It was rough and hoarse and completely alien to me. Before I had a chance to actually sit up, I felt two sets of hands hold onto each of my arms and gently lift me, making sure that I was stable before letting me go. Now that I was sitting up, I was overcome with the feeling that I was going to be sick. I wasn’t in a hospital, it was more like a medical centre, I recognised the brown double doors. The mansion has a medical centre, what else does this place have? A dentist? Opticians?

‘Hello sweet girl.’ I recognised the soft female voice immediately; Marie. I strained my eyes a little harder to get a better look as she stepped closer to my bedside. She looked like she hadn’t slept at all. Her normally perfectly styled hair pulled up into a loose ponytail, instead of wearing one of her posh dresses she was wearing an over-sized deep red jumper and black leggings. ‘You are healing extremely well.’ She smiled, stroking my hair gently. At the slight touch I forced myself not to cry out. Even the simplest of actions hurt.

‘H-How long have I been here?’ I stammered, trying my hardest to remain calm. Marie was silent for a moment and dipped her head.

‘Three days sweet heat.’ She replied solemnly.

‘But, what about my first shift?’ I asked, my voice weak. A look of sadness passing over her face. ‘What? What is it?’ I added, my eyes wide.

‘I’m so sorry darling. You were not in any condition to shift. We had to keep you here, heavily sedated. It was too much of a risk to put your body through the extra trauma.’ She whispered, unshed tears shimmering in her eyes.

‘I am going to kill that bitch.’ I muttered, wincing as I moved my head. And I meant it, I would kill Lori, one day she would get what was coming to her. That wasn’t a threat. It was a promise that I was making to myself.

‘Get in line darling, she is in a lot of trouble.’ Marie nodded; her face now twisted and full of anger. ‘I cannot believe she would do such a thing. I always said she was a piece of work; but Tristan would never listen to me.’ Marie folded her arms across her chest and dropped into the chair beside the bed. ‘Once Arlo and Matt brought you here, I know he summoned Lori. She will face some serious consequences; I can assure you.’ I nodded at what Marie had said. Not if her pathetic daddy has anything to do with it.

I glanced over to the table beside my bed and took in the sight of the most beautiful flowers that I had ever seen. They were an assortment of roses in all sorts of colours, some that I didn’t even know existed.

‘W-Who are they from?’ I asked weakly, jerking my chin towards the vase. Marie climbed from her chair and picked the label from the centre of the flowers and read the tag aloud.

‘Amelia, I just wanted to give you these, so you had something as beautiful as you to look at when you opened your eyes. Love, Ethan.’ I paused for a moment as my heart sank a little. For a moment I thought that they may have been from Arlo. But either way, these flowers truly were beautiful, and I needed to find the person who sent them to me.

‘Who is Ethan?’ I asked softly. Marie smiled softly and glanced over her shoulder. He is the son of Benjamin. The doctor that was treating you.’ She replied. I nodded, trying my hardest to think back to if I had met him before, but I was coming up blank. ‘I am going to get some coffee quickly; I think Matt is waiting outside to see you.’ Marie whispered, stepping away from the flowers, before pausing as she looked down at me lovingly. ‘Can I get you anything sweetheart? Some coffee perhaps?’ I tried to swallow and felt my throat was dry and scratchy. I nodded lightly, ignoring the pain and hoping that it would ease the more I moved. That’s what we were all told as children right? Keep moving it so it doesn’t tense up! I hope to the moon goddess that that was true.

I watched as Marie left the room and Matt walked in, his face a mixture of concern and anger. Marie’s words suddenly dawning on me. Matt was here, to see me. Why? I twisted around in my bed and tried to sit myself up a little more and cried out in agony. Matt crossed the room quickly than the average human and was there helping to prop me up.

‘You are one crazy girl, you know that?’ he said sitting in the chair that Marie had occupied moments before. I nodded at him wincing as I did. ‘Me and Arlo got you here as quick as we could. I can’t believe Lori! She went too far.’ He was now clenching his fists, his dark brown eyes darkening; if that was possible, in anger.

‘It’s okay, I am fine, and Marie said I am healing well.’ I croaked gently stroking my now healed nose. ‘I will get revenge though.’

‘Oh, I don’t doubt it, but first we need to teach you to fight. I will do everything in my power to see you put that bitch in her place.’ Matt said rubbing his big hands together. ‘You are really brave though; brave…and stupid.’ I looked over at him and attempted to narrow my eyes playfully; Not that easy when they are practically already shut.

‘Maybe, but I am not going to back down from anyone, I don’t care who they are, I don’t deserve to be treated like I am a piece of shit. No one does!’

We sat in silence for a while watching the as the two nurses changed sheets on some beds that had previously been used; the doctor was sat on a chair in the corner of the room still writing things on his clipboard. I sighed and lent back on to the two pillows that were recently placed behind my head.

‘Where is Arlo?’ I asked glancing over at Matt.

‘At a pack meeting, he said he will be over to see you afterwards.’ Matt said walking over to the water machine. I watched as he put a white paper cup under a plastic tap and pressed a blue button for cold water. He filled the cup up and then smiled at me. ‘You know, Arlo will only do what the elders tell him and even that is tough for him, but he actually listened to what you told him to do. I think he really likes you.’ He passed me the cup and sat back down before continuing. ‘And, I am beginning to see why.’ He said with a kind smile.

‘Thank you.’ I said weakly taking a sip of the ice-cold water, I felt as it rushed down my throat and landed into my empty stomach, my god I was so thirsty. I raised the cup to my lips once more and drained it of its contents. Marie came back into the room and grinned at me, glancing over her shoulder shiftily, she opened the door and in walked Piper, her pale freckly face full of a mixture of concern and anger.

‘Oh my gosh! I have been so worried about you!’ she gasped jogging over to my bed. She knelt beside me and looked as though she was about to cry. ‘I am sorry you are going through this.’ Tears filled her eyes and she sniffed, pulling a tissue from her pocket. Me, Piper and Matt looked up as Marie and the doctor stood at the bottom of the bed.

The doctor smiled. ‘You have healed very well; you might still be sore for a day or two, but I don’t see why you need to stay here any longer. I am discharging you but please do not hesitate to come back and see me if you have any concerns.’ With that he walked away putting his blue pen behind his ear.

I climbed from the bed with some assistance from my three friends and Matt turned his back while Marie and Piper helped me back into my clothes. As stiff as I was, I was determined to carry on, and try to do everything with as little assistance as possible. I failed!

Marie, Matt and Piper all helped me up to my room, they didn’t need to, but it was obvious they all felt sorry for me and I hated it. Its Lori they should be feeling sorry for, once I had regained my strength, I was going to do whatever I could to make her life hell. I suddenly smiled to myself. It looked as though I had finally given myself a reason to stay here. That and the fact that I was genuinely beginning to care for some of the people that lived here.

‘Can I stay with Amelia?’ Piper asked as they all helped me sit on my bed.

‘That’s up to Amelia.’ Marie smiled nodding her head towards me. I didn’t mind, it would be nice to have some company for a while and Piper was always full of gossip. Maybe she could tell me how Arlo dealt with Lori and her Bitch Pack. I was seriously hoping that it was going to be some brutal, medieval style punishment. I doubted it, but a girl could dream. I nodded yes and Marie and Matt left my room. Matt pausing one last time and smiling over to me with saddened eyes.

‘So, what do you want to do?’ Piper asked pacing around my room, something was bothering her, I could tell. She wouldn’t stay still, beads of sweat forming on her head every time she tried to wipe it away.

‘I don’t mind.’ I shrugged, ‘but first, I think you need to tell me what is bothering you.’ I watched as she froze on the spot.

‘What makes you think that something is bothering me?’ She asked nervously, I held her stare for a moment and she put her head down, she looked as though she was going to cry again. ‘Piper; tell me what is wrong.’ I said in a stern voice, my heart was picking up speed and I felt sick. It was clear that what ever she was going to say, wasn’t going to be good.

Piper sat down beside me, making sure not to look at my face, she sighed and then started speaking.

‘So, Lori has been telling everyone; that Arlo summoned her last night to talk about her punishment and they had a huge row’ she said before pausing.

‘Go on?’ I urged.

Piper nervously licked her lips and looked at me, her eyes full of sadness. ‘They slept together. Lori hasn’t stopped going on about it.’

I was stunned. I felt as though I had been kicked in the stomach by that bitch all over again. So, whilst I was in the hospital bed that Lori had put me in, the man I had started to fall for fucked her. I had just started to let my guard down and he did that? My heart sank and I thought that I was going to be sick. An intense heat washed over my body and I felt sweat beading down my back. I stood up despite the pain I was in and walked towards my bathroom. I could feel a lump form in my throat and did not want anyone else to see me cry. I was done with this pack.

‘Lia’ Piper cried walking towards me. I put my hand up to make her stop and turned my head.

‘Thank you so much Piper for telling me, I appreciate it, but I just need to be on my own.’ I said swallowing back the lump that was desperate to escape my mouth. Piper dipped her head once more and nodded. Without another word she crossed the room, closing the door behind her. The minute that she was gone, I hurried into the toilet and threw up.

I sat against the now closed bathroom door sobbing, my heart hurt, I felt so betrayed. Was this all a setup to hurt me? Was everything an act? Was Arlo pretending to like me this whole time? Did Matt know? Did Marie? Of course, they all did, heck even the doctor and the nurses probably knew. I thought to myself, finally standing up. I could never trust anyone again, how could they all look me in the face knowing that Arlo practically led me to believe he actually liked me and then went a fucked his ex; someone he protested he hated? Fuck the lot of them.

I stormed over to the shower and turned the faucet, watching for a moment as steam gathered on the ceiling before crawling along it. I stripped my bloodied clothes off and threw them to the ground and stepped under the hot torrent of water. The minute the water hit me I felt refreshed and renewed. I pretended that all the hurt, lies and deceit was being washed down the plug hole with the dried blood from my hair.

After my shower I hurried back into my bedroom and rummaged through the drawers, finally deciding on some baggy lounge pants and a super baggy yoga t-shirt. I wandered over to my window bench and sat staring out as the sun slowly sank down behind the trees. I sat in silence and watched as dusk turned to night, the sky turned from blue, to orange, to pink, then to purple, before the sky was turned inky black and dotted with magnificent stars. I don’t know how long I had been sitting there in my trance, but I somehow felt as though all my problems had disappeared while staring out into the black abyss. It was 8pm when I heard a knock on my bedroom door. I knew it was him. Although I had been waiting for him all day, I also didn’t want to see him. But I needed answers. I was done with the lies.

‘Come in.’ I called trying to sound normal. Arlo came into my room with my dinner on a silver tray. He smiled weakly and looked at me with sad eyes. Was he being serious right now?

‘I have brought you some dinner.’ He said placing it on my bedside table.

‘Thanks.’ I mumbled looking down at the casserole, it smelt delicious, but I just couldn’t stomach any food right now. I couldn’t even stomach looking at Arlo. ‘I didn’t realise that room service was in the alpha’s job description.’ I mumbled sarcastically, Arlo laughed to himself for a moment and paused.

‘How are you feeling?’ He asked putting his hands in his jeans pocket, he was studying my face, seeing how well I was healing.

‘Dandy.’ I replied sarcastically and then I stood up and faced my Alpha, my arsehole of an Alpha, my eyes burning into his. He screwed up his face and then went as white as a sheet. He knew then that I knew about him and Lori. ‘Did you have a good time last night; Alpha?’ I snapped, ignoring as my muscles and bones protested under each movement. Arlo closed his eyes momentarily and then sighed.

‘It’s not what you think happened.’ He stuttered; his eyes now full of desperation. I laughed at him.

‘It’s exactly what I think happened, no, no, no! It’s exactly what I know happened. You led me into a trap, let me think you actually liked me, let me start really liking you and then you threw me to the wolves.’ No pun intended. I took a step closer to him. And jabbed my finger into his chest. ‘You fucking had sex with her whilst I was beaten black and blue in a hospital bed below you, you acted like you hated her and then slept with her! How could I have been so stupid to have believed you?’

‘Please Amelia; I never planned for that to happen. I do like you, so fucking much and I had every intention to punish Lori, I hate her, but I was stupid, and I allowed her to manipulate me, I am so sorry.’ He put his hands on his head and ran his fingers through his hair. ‘Please forgive me, I didn’t set you up, I swear.’ I didn’t believe a word that came out of his mouth. And I wanted to make sure he knew that.

‘I hate you.’ I whispered allowing a tear to fall down my cheek. ‘I really do hate you; you are a liar and just like everyone else. I should have known better, no one else could actually care for me; no one.’ Tears were now falling uncontrollably from my eyes and Arlo took a step forward touching my arm. I jumped back and picked up the glass of orange juice that was next to my dinner. ‘Don’t touch me.’ I hissed, but he didn’t listen, he lightly tugged my wrist to try and get my attention, he was desperate for me to listen, but I lost it. ‘I said don’t touch me.’ I screamed, the windows shook with my scream and I threw the glass in temper, allowing it to smash against my wall. ‘Get out.’

‘No, listen to me Amelia, please listen to me goddamit.’ He shouted. If he wouldn’t leave, then I would. I pushed past him, barging him with my shoulder as I went, an action I instantly regretted, and threw open my bedroom door, it made an awful bang, I am sure I had probably dented my bedroom wall. Arlo followed me as I stormed down the stairs. Lori and her bitch pack were standing at the bottom grinning from ear to ear.

‘It was such good sex, he was so angry with me at first, but you know what a man is like when he is angry, he just needs a release and I knew he wouldn’t be able to resist me.’ Lori laughed, her stupid friends both giggling with her. I narrowed my gaze at her, and I saw the tiny hairs on her arms stand on end. In that moment I knew that she was scared of me. And I liked it.

I stopped on the bottom step, I had, had enough of her shit.

‘That’s all you will ever be; Lori, a fuck… because you have absolutely no self-respect, just like your precious little Alpha.’ I said watching as the smile fell from her face. ‘I am so glad you enjoyed being his little release, he must have been desperate.’ I concluded sarcastically.

‘Darling he could have had anyone in this mansion, and he chose me. Ask anyone in here, yeah admittedly he has been known to fuck a Mutt or two, but he always comes back to me.’ She replied trying to make herself feel better. I heard Arlo growl loudly behind me, Matt and Piper were now standing by my side.

‘Because Lori; he knows how easily you will spread your legs, most of the other females here have some self-respect, unlike you. And like you said, he was angry. I guess he just wanted something easy and used. Looks like he got it.’ I was now done arguing with this girl, she was getting on my nerves and if she said one more thing, I would seriously hurt her. I know she got the best of me yesterday, but I wasn’t anywhere near as hurt as I am now. I was done.

‘Face it; Amelia, you will never be good enough for him, you’re an unwanted mutt and you do not belong here with us.’ Lori chuckled flicking her blonde hair over her shoulder, her friends both laughed and then they froze. They were staring at me wide eyed.

I lost it; I flew off of the stairs slamming myself into her knocking her onto the perfectly polished floor. All I could hear were gasps coming from the pack members who had gathered round to watch ‘the show’. Matt and Arlo pulled me away before I could stamp on her face just like she did to me.

‘Get the fuck off of me.’ I growled, breaking away from their grip and rushing back over to Lori who was trying to climb back to her feet. I swung my leg out and kicked her arms from under her, causing her to smack her face down onto the cold, polished marble. A sickening crunch filled the air followed by squeals of pain. I never bothered hanging around to find out the damage I had done. I ran out of the mansion, blocking out Piper and Matts calls to me. I rushed through the grounds and headed to the only place that I could think of. The Howlers Arms. The pub that he took me to. I pushed Arlo from my thoughts and marched forward. I needed to get shit faced.

‘Um, excuse me… Miss Hunt…’ Came a nervous voice from behind me. I whirled around on the spot and growled angrily.

‘What?’ I snapped, causing the guy rushing towards me to flinch and cower slightly. I knew immediately from his stance that he was a non-elite. My stomach dropped and I suddenly felt sick. Great. Now he was going to think that I was just like the other Elites in this goddamn place! ‘I am so sorry. Is everything ok?’ I asked, stepping forward and smiling kindly. The guy shifted a little nervously in front of me before turning his blue eyes up to meet mine.

‘Um… my father asked me to bring this to you. I mean… he was going to do it, but I volunteered. I hope you don’t mind. I was going to talk to you in the main hall but then you and Lori…’ He paused mid-sentence and lowered his stare to his feet. He cleared his throat and held out a white box. I stared at it hesitantly for a moment as he raised his stare to meet mine once more.

‘What is it?’

‘Oh, sorry, I forgot that you didn’t know who I was. I am Ethan Bailey. My father is Benjamin Bailey. The doctor that was treating you in the medical ward.’ He replied, standing up a little straighter and grinning proudly. The smile he held while mentioning his father melted my heart. I reached out and took the box from him before placing my hand in his.

‘Oh, so you’re Ethan!’ I said excitedly. ‘Thank you so much for those beautiful flowers and your lovely note. It’s really nice to meet you.’ I replied sweetly.

‘N-no… the pleasure is all mine Miss Hunt.’

‘Please Ethan, call me Amelia.’ Ethan’s eyes widened, reminding me of a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming truck.

‘S-Sure thing Miss… I mean, Amelia.’ He stammered nervously. I giggled lightly and shook my head.

‘Hey Ethan… what are you doing right now?’ I asked, tucking the medication in my back pocket before turning back to look at him. He offered a slight shrug and shook his head.

‘Well, I have just finished my shift with my father, so now I was just going to go home. W-why’s that?’

‘Would you like to join me at the pub?’ I asked sweetly. His face paled slightly, and I thought that he was about to pass out.

‘I-I can’t’ He stammered once more. My smile faltered a little and his eyes widened even more; who knew that that was even possible? ‘No… I mean… I really would love to but… it’s frowned upon. I’m a Mutt. We aren’t really allowed to socialise with Elites.’ I clenched my teeth and shivered.

‘Firstly, please do not refer to yourself as a Mutt. I hate that terminology. And secondly… my best friend is a Non-Elite. So why can’t I be friends with another one?’ I asked plainly. Ethan hesitated for a moment and ran his hand through his shaggy blonde hair and blew out a breath through his mouth glancing over his shoulder. He really was a handsome guy. I was surprised that someone that looked like him was this nervous around girls. He could have literally been one of those shirtless models that they hang on posters to make girls want to buy whatever it is that they are selling.

‘I am sorry for offending you… but I will make you a deal… you promise that you are going to take your medication properly, and I will come out with you now.’ He responded coolly. I rolled my eyes playfully and held my hand out in front of me.

‘Deal’ I said confidently. He slipped his hand into mine and I felt the slight tremble that they held but he nodded and kept eye contact with me.

‘Deal! But… if you’re going out drinking tonight then maybe you should start taking them in the morning? I’m not too sure that they are compatible with alcohol.’ He said with a small smile. I rolled my eyes once more and nodded.

‘Ok. I can do that. But… that just means that we have to get really, really drunk.’ I added with a giggle and started running in the direction of the pub. I didn’t need to look behind me to know that he was following.

I don’t know how long we had been in the pub, but I was starting to feel the buzz from the alcohol. I sat on the bar stool, my arms rested on the counter with the stem of the wine glass pinched between my fingers, gulping back my third glass of wine. I was completely healed and ready to get drunk, I needed to block out all of the pain I was feeling. How did I miraculously become healed? Was it the wine? Did it have healing properties? Or was it just that I was getting a little tipsy? Either way, I didn’t care.

‘Another one; Amelia?’ the barman asked.

‘Yes please,’ I smiled weakly. ‘Put it on Arlo’s tab, I’m sure he won’t mind.’ The barman nodded and smiled at me, it was the same one that served us before, I was glad he hadn’t been at the mansion when everything kicked off with me and Lori, he would have probably called his Alpha to tell him where I was.

‘So, is it only wine that you drink?’ Ethan asked, propping himself up against the bar beside me. I pushed my empty glass across the counter so that the barman could reach it easily just in time for him to slide a fresh, full glass over to me. I sipped my wine and turned back to face my new friend.

‘Well, wine is the only alcoholic drink that I have ever had so… I don’t know if I like anything else.’ Ethan’s eyes flew open in amazement and he called the bar man over again.

‘Hey Pete, can you get us 4 Jagerbombs?’ He asked politely. Ahh so that was the bar man’s name… Pete. I made a note to remember that! Pete hurried back over with a small tray containing 4 shots of brown liquid and a large glass filled with a fizzy yellowish liquid. A strong smell of liquorice and aniseed washed over me. It was so strong that it stung my nostrils a little; swiftly followed by a sweeter scent that blended the two smells together. Ethan reached into his pocket and pulled his wallet from within.

‘Hey! What do you think you are doing?’ I asked, glaring at him playfully. Ethan turned to look at me with a confused expression on his face.

‘Um… paying?’

‘No, you’re not. Pete. Can you please put these drinks on Arlo’s tab please? Oh, and any other drinks that this guy here buys!’ I giggled, spinning around on the bar stool and fluttering my eyes to the man behind the bar. Pete hesitated for a moment before nodding.

‘Of course, Miss Hunt.’

Ethan smiled to our new friend and turned back around to face me placing the shot glass and the tumbler on the counter. I looked at him in confusion as he picked up the shot glass and dropped it into the yellow liquid, causing it to fizz up slightly.

‘Here. Try this. The trick is… you need to knock it back in one.’ Ethan said with a proud smile. I creased my brows suspiciously for a second and watched as he followed his own instructions, gulping the entire contents of the glass in seconds. I mimicked his actions and swallowed in one go. The sweetness of the energy drink fizzed through me as the burn from the shot was like lava touching the back of my throat. I coughed lightly and Pete chuckled, handing me another one. This time I didn’t hesitate, I repeated the process and swallowed it in one.

‘I think I have found my new favourite drink’ I giggled; my words slightly slurred. I waved Pete back over, ordering another round of Jagerbombs, as well as a beer for Ethan and a bottle of Rose for me. Just as Pete was turning away, I reached out and touched his arm, causing him to flinch. Seriously, what did the Elites do to these guys to make them so jumpy around us? ‘Make sure you get a drink for yourself too, ok. It’s on Arlo.’ I giggled. Pete smiled over to me and nodded once. I was pretty sure that he was just being polite. But I appreciated the smile.

‘Amelia, thank god you’re here!’ Piper gasped, bursting through the doors and running over to me, she sat next to me, trying to read my blank expression.

‘What?’ I asked looking at her desperate eyes.

‘I just want to make sure that you’re okay?’ she whispered sadly.

‘I am fine.’ I grumbled picking up my fresh glass of wine. None of this was her fault and yet she probably felt like it was, I softened up and weakly smiled at her sad face. ‘Shall we dance?’ I asked, my speech only slightly slurred. Pipers face twisted in confusion for a moment before lighting up and she pulled me over to the juke box.

‘What song?’ she asked going through a list of romantic songs. I raised my eyebrows.

‘Definitely not any of those.’ I found a song perfect for my mood. ‘This one.’ I laughed dragging my friend onto the dance floor. I looked up at Ethan who was still sitting at the bar and nodded for him to join us. As the music started the barman dimmed the lights and put on bouncing spotlights, the colours went from Blue to Yellow to Red and then to Green. I downed my wine and put my glass on another pack members table, the alcohol had well and truly hit me, giving me a newfound confidence.

I felt Ethan’s hands on my hips, as his swayed in sync with mine in time to the music. Wow, he really was an excellent dancer. And he was a gentleman. No matter how drunk he was, his hands never moved higher or lower than my hips.

‘Is it hot in here or is it just me?’ I asked Piper, fanning my face. She nodded and watched in shock as I took my baggy jumper off throwing it over to the barman. Now all I was wearing was a belly top and comfortable lounge pants that were riding dangerously low on my hips. But I didn’t care.

Piper laughed and took my hands, we both took other pack members hands and pulled them up to dance with us, we were the only females amongst ten males, a recipe for disaster? Who cares…? not me. Another song came on, it was a bit more seductive then the recent ones, I climbed up onto the bar stool and placed my bare feet on the bar and pulled Ethan up to join me.

‘A bottle?’ I mouthed to the chuckling barman. Piper and the other pack members were all watching me with their jaws practically on the dance floor. ‘Come on, dance.’ I squealed opening the fresh bottle of wine.

Matt walked into the bar and looked at Piper.

‘What the fuck?’ he mouthed his wide eyes full of amusement. Piper shrugged and took her shoes off, glancing over to me and Ethan once more.

‘Come on.’ She called to Matt who was now sitting in his usual spot, he laughed and shook his head.

‘Are you kidding? Arlo will kill me. He is probably going to hit the roof if he finds out that I am here, and this is happening.’ He laughed. Piper shook her head and hurried back over to where I now stood on the bar; Coyote Ugly style! and joined me. We started singing at the tops of our voices. I noticed all the male pack members dancing in front of us, they were having such a great time and I was glad. Fuck you Alpha. I thought.

‘Drink some water.’ Piper said giving me a clear glass of icy water. She took a large gulp of hers and smiled. ‘Go on’ she nodded glancing at the pub door. I looked over and realised that Arlo had just walked in. No one else had seemed to notice; why was I the only one? I turned away from him and looked at the men who were all still dancing, drunk out of their faces and I poured the tall glass of water down my chest allowing it to all fall down into my bra and down my bare belly, I squealed as the water soaked my lounge pants and underwear and started jumping up and down. I turned to Arlo and sang to him, quoting a verse from G.R.L’s Ugly Heart. He did not look happy with me at all, but I didn’t care. He lost all of my respect when he slept with Lori and although he was my Alpha, I refused to answer to him and maybe then he would banish me from the pack, and I could be free. I jumped down from the bar and ran over to Matt, falling into his arms drunkenly, waiting as Ethan followed me and stood behind me at all times.

‘Can I have a cigarette please?’ I asked politely, he didn’t know what to say, he just slowly pulled one out of his pack and picked up his lighter and handed them to me, looking over my shoulder at Arlo. ‘Thank you.’ I walked past my Alpha without even looking at him and stepped into the pub garden. I glanced over my shoulder and noticed that Matt had placed his hand on Ethan’s shoulder, holding him in place. I looked at the faces of both men and they seemed to be ok. I shrugged to myself and stumbled over to the bench and dropped down onto the seat. I leant backwards and stared up at the stars above me and was taken in by their beauty. I leant further back, trying to get a good look at them when the ground came rushing to my face. I have no idea how… who knew the earth could move like that? I sprung up from the ground and patted the dry dirt from my clothes and stared down at my broken cigarette and shrugged. I pinched the broken part back together and smiled proudly to myself. Who needed a man? I tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear and giggled to myself.

It was silent outside, and I should have been cold, but I was too hot from all the dancing I had been doing. I lit the cigarette and took in a long pull, I had smoked before, I used to steal my grandmother’s cigarettes, but it wasn’t a frequent thing. I sat on the pub bench and leant back on the wooden table, listening as the music inside was still thumping, slightly muffled by the brick walls.

I turned around on the spot and came face to face with an extremely angry Arlo.

‘What?’ I asked before taking another pull from the cigarette and blowing my smoke into his face.

‘What are you doing; Amelia?’ he growled.

‘Smoking….’ I replied knowing exactly what he meant. He clenched his jaw and took a big breath in, trying to control his anger.

‘No… I mean… who the fuck falls from a bench like that?’

‘What? Who did?’ I asked, turning around to glance behind me feeling more than a little confused. I turned back to face him. ‘Who fell’d?’ I asked, his words not processing in my head. He closed his eyes and exhaled loudly.

‘Fell’d isn’t even a word!’ He grumbled, more to himself but I answered anyway.

‘Then why you say it?’

‘What the fuck was that in there?’ he snarled, baring his teeth at me like an angry dog. I mimicked his actions and growled pathetically.

‘See… I can do that too!’ I beamed proudly. His expression never changed, and I sighed. ‘I was having fun; you should try’s it sometime and I don’t mean with your willy.’ I hissed. I paused and threw my head back in laughter, giggling uncontrollably. ‘Willy. Who says that?’ I continued chuckling.

‘Are you trying to piss me off, pay me back for what I did? This isn’t you.’

I laughed at what he said.

‘Wait… if I am not me… then who am I? Do you know me, Alpha;’ I asked in confusion. I looked down at myself and noticed my white belly top that was now see through and giggled to myself. ‘I think I spilled something.’ I said with a slurred giggle and took another drag of my cigarette. Arlo growled once more and came storming over to me, throwing his jacket over my shoulders. I turned away, so he was facing my back, something that is very disrespectful to an Alpha and threw his jacket from my shoulders, and started walking back towards the pub.

‘Do not walk away from me.’ He roared grabbing my wrist. I spun around so we were toe to toe, his eyes now black.

‘Get off me.’ I grumbled pushing against him, but he just tightened his grip.

‘Please, would you just listen to me.’ He begged finally loosening his grip. ‘Please; Amelia, hear me out and then you can go, you can go and drink some more, you can fuck which ever man you want, just listen.’ I pulled away from him and he let my wrist go.

‘Fuck which ever man I want? I will have you...kn... know I am not like you. I am not Lori or your other whores you know… How many no... n Elites have you slept with…Alpha?’ I said slurring my words as I poked his chest, trying my best to not fall over again.

Arlo sighed and then looked annoyed.

‘The way you were in there.’ He said pointing to the pub. ‘You may as well have thrown yourself at them.’

I raised my eyebrows and crossed my arms sulkily.

‘I was dancing! I wasn’t opening my legs or giving them any reason to be…lieve I would sleep with… them; I am not you; Alpha! I was having such a great time, with my new friend Ethan, we were all just dancing to music and drinking and then you come and ruin it. I would never have sex with just anyone.’ I turned my head to the side. ‘Why did you come here? What do you… want from me? A fuck? Is that what you want Arlo? I know that is obviously all you see women for. Come on then, you want to fuck me…let’s do it…now…here.’ I then stopped and looked him in the eye, I had never seen him so angry. ‘I hate you for what you did; leading me on to believe we could be friends, flirting with me and making me think that maybe there was something more. So, go and sleep with whoever you want, but do not pretend to be my friend, do not pretend to like me, I trusted you and I am so fucking stupid for doing so.’ He was taken aback; I am not sure if it was the fact that I said I hated him or if it was because I told him that I had thought that we could have been more than friends or that I managed to say a whole sentence without slurring my speech, but a pained expression spread across his perfect face.

‘All I want is for you to hear me out.’ He said sternly.

‘And I do not care for your explantation. I don’t care that you shagged your ex, that’s you’re prerogative’ I lied. ‘What I do care about is, that you made me feel like you cared about me, you made me care about you and I don’t want to care about you, it just leads to me hurting and everyone mocking me.’ I bit back the tears; I would not let him see me cry. ‘Go home Alpha; your whore is waiting for you.’

He looked upset and put his head down, he was ashamed of himself.

‘I do care about you… a lot. I have never felt like this for anyone ever, not even with Lori and we were together for two years.’

I rolled my eyes, why the hell did he have to say her name, I hated it, I hated her, and I hated this whole situation. I shook my head and almost felt sad for him.

‘I don’t want to hear it; I don’t believe anything you say. I don’t want you near me. And I definitely don’t want you “ruling” me as my alpha!’

‘Hey, is everything alright out here?’ Ethan asked, appearing in the doorway of the pub and looking between Arlo and Me.

‘Go back inside Mutt, this doesn’t concern you.’ Arlo growled, his golden eyes flashing as he used his full force alpha’s influence.

‘Don’t you fucking speak to him like that!’ I snarled, raising my face to meet his. He leant forward and his eyes flashed with the alpha’s influence once more.

‘Get back to the mansion and go to bed!’ He ordered. I froze on the spot for a moment as he stared down at me and his golden eyes swirled hypnotically. I leant in a little closer to him, so close that I could feel his body heat rolling off of him in waves; raising my hand and pointing in his face.

‘Oh woooow… I never knew that they did that. They look like glitter! Do it again.’ I squealed excitedly jumping up and down on the spot. Arlo pulled back a little and stared down at me in confusion, the glittering glow fading from his eyes. ‘Hey! I said do it again… not stop it!’ I said with a pout.

‘Get back to the mansion. Now!’ He growled. I turned on my heel and started stumbling back towards the pub. He lunged forward and grabbed my wrist once more, twirling me around back in the direction of the mansion. I let out a growl of frustration and started staggering back to the mansion. And then the ground did that thing again. It met my face once more.

I hopped back up to my feet with a loud “Woo hoo” and giggled to myself before stumbling backwards once again and falling on my arse. Arlo closed his eyes and stomped over to me, shaking his head. Before grabbing my arm and flipping me over his shoulder and began carrying me back to the mansion. The world around me began to spin and a strange feeling built up in the pit of my stomach. I opened my mouth to warn Arlo what was about to happen, but it was too late. I puked all down his back causing him to stop in his tracks. It wouldn’t stop. The river of vomit gushed from my mouth, coating his back and the backs of his legs. I stopped and slowly raised my head.

‘Lovely.’ Arlo grumbled, before continuing his trek back to the mansion.

‘I feel sick.’ I slurred, before flopping back over his shoulder.

No, you’ve been sick.’ he mumbled. I felt the world begin to spin once more and this time I gave in to the darkness.