***this is the second update today, please make sure you read 25 first****

Throughout breakfast, I did my hardest to ignore the reactions of the wolves. As if being on my period was enough stress, the added werewolf senses were really making me feel like crap. Every time a new wolf entered the kitchen, their nostrils would twitch and they would turn to seek the scent. Thankfully, none seemed to be disgusted or angry, merely curious as a few asked me if I was okay, which helped settle that part of my mind, but... bloody hell, if everyone could smell everything, then I was going to become paranoid.

Safe to say, I ate quickly before scurrying into the utility room again. Serenity, Ren, as she wanted to be called, had helped me to sterilise the cup and I had it in its little bag ready to use. But before I could escape to my room, I needed to take my sheets out of the washing machine. She told me to not tumble dry them, so I carried them outside hoping to find a line to dry them.

I didn't have to walk far, finding some concrete posts with wire, and also an airer stuck on the ground. I smiled, inhaling the fresh cotton scent as the wind blew my hair astray. Upon realising that the washing line was too high for me to reach, I deemed werewolf world height-ist. Shorter species were not welcome.

Huffing, I tried to keep the sheets from touching the floor as I looked for something to hold them up. An unsettling cramp began in my lower stomach that had me inhaling sharply through my teeth. It was like lightning in my damn butt.

Exhaling the pain away, I spun around once more only to stumble backwards when I found a dishevelled Asra standing where I once did. His hair was messy upon his head, his chest bare and heaving for breath. Had he been for a run?

He stared at me intensely, not saying a word. I watched him with hesitant wonder, from the way his lips parted to the way his chest heaved for breath. He was about three feet in front of me, and this close, I could see his tattoos in more detail. They looked like vines and branches, claw marks and tears. A mixture of thick and thin lines the wrapped around his body.

"They're lined with silver, so they never wear away." His soft voice commented.

I lifted my gaze from his stomach to his eyes, flicking an eyebrow up at his words. Oh, so now he wants to talk to me? After ignoring me, having the weird magical lake thing and then hugging Piper in front of me?

I huffed, passing him the sheets. "Be useful and hang these for me, please?"

His foot staggered in surprise, his nostrils widening as I stepped closer to pass them over. Whilst one hand grabbed the sheets instinctively, the other grabbed my wrist. His head cocked, his dark blue eyes scanning me before settling on the frown of my lips.

"You smell-

I wrinkled my nose, snatching my hand away. "For goodness sake, can everyone stop doing that?"

He growled, shaking his head. "Has someone been causing you trouble?"

Yes, you.

I rolled my eyes. "No."

"Ailia..."

"Don't Ailia me. I want nothing to do with you," I huffed, crossing my arms.

He grumbled but turned around to hang my sheets, his back effortlessly contorting as he clipped some wooden pegs onto the line. Smoothing out the wrinkles, he turned to me once more. Still sullen, the only giveaway of his emotions was the crease in his eyebrows.

"Thank you," I smirked.

He nodded. "I will have them lower the lines for you."

"No need for that. I'll just find a long stick with a hook." I shrugged. "Or a willing wolf."

If I wasn't already staring at the space above his shoulder, I would've never noticed the quirk of his lips at my words. It fell awkwardly silent as we both stood at a stalemate before I sighed and turned to walk away.

"Are you okay?"

I hesitated, wondering why he was asking me such bizarre questions when he seemed to care less. I was confused and knowing he wouldn't hurt me; I spun on my heel to confront him.

"What are you doing?"

He frowned, about to retaliate his own question.

"Why are you suddenly interested in me? I have been without you since I have been here, so why the sudden interest?" I asked.

His teeth clenched. "Did you not feel anything in the lake yesterday?"

"The lake? What has the lake got to do with it?" I scoffed, shaking my head. "Look, I am human. You are a werewolf. This wasn't meant to be. Piper is lovely, so I'm sure you will have a wonderful life with her. Just... leave me out of it. I don't want to be here."

He had the decency to look wounded by my words, his head jerking with surprise. "What are you talking about?"

Period mood swings, here we go!

"I don't want to be here. I thought I made that clear."

"And I thought I made it clear when I said you are mine." He growled, walking over to me in a flash.

I gasped, stumbling at his sudden intrusion. He may have caught me off guard that one time, but it wouldn't happen again. Despite the welling, and impeccable timing, of a stomach cramp, I glared at him and caught my bearings.

"I don't want to be yours," I snapped through halted breath. "Even if I did, you seem to have something arranged with Piper."

His growl didn't scare me, not even when I lifted my eyes to meet his eyes with my own scowl. My blood was boiling, but I didn't want to stand here and argue. Not when I saw the shake of his shoulders and the sharp glinting of his canine. Shaking shoulders and fists only led to punches and hits. I felt my eyes widen slightly at the realisation, but quickly spun on my heel and went back inside to dislodge the idea.

Grabbing my cup from the utility, I ran to the elevator and punched the button for my floor. My shoulders were shaking from the minor argument, the adrenaline wearing off throughout the death box's journey. Once out, I ran to my bedroom and slammed the door closed. Chest heaving, I stayed there until I felt well enough to walk without wanting to crawl under my bed in fear of his retaliation.

Instead, I shakily walked into the bathroom and had another shower. It helped to ground me, to surround my thoughts with cleanliness and water instead of the demons hiding behind the door. As long as that bathroom door was locked, he couldn't get me in here.

Asra may not be Darius, but he was a werewolf who could easily lose his temper. I wasn't sure what to make of him, heck I didn't even know the guy. All I knew was that he was the silent, broody type who growled a lot. He had a lot of power, tattoos and muscle, but... was that it? He seemed caring to Piper, but reserved.

I didn't even want to be here.

My thoughts, my memories, my past, my future. Did I want to spend it here, with the werewolves? Where they constantly sniff and observe me? Where I am expected to be some leader like I was back home? To be primed and pampered for the public only to be shunned and ignored for sidepieces behind closed curtains?

Is that what he thought of me? It had to be. Why else keep Piper around when he had met his so-called soulmate, aka me? I had no meaning, no purpose, and yet they wanted me to stay. I had friends, sure, but I still felt so out of place and, dare I say, naïve.

I couldn't thrive here, could I?

To be a trophy, to be a housewife once more? That wasn't me. I couldn't do that.

The thought had my heart racing, my breath hitching. I turned off the shower and scrambled out. Drying off, I disposed of my dirty laundry and inserted the cup before wrapping a towel around myself. I rubbed some moisturiser over my face before falling face first into my bed again. It was nearing lunchtime, the clock by my bed saying half-past eleven.

The morning had passed rather quickly, and the longer I stayed here, the harder it would be to leave. I lay face planted and blank minded for another hour before I planned.

I was going to leave here. I couldn't bear another moment stuck here.

Standing from the bed, I shoved some clothes into a small bag I found, along with some toiletries and tissues. I was about to leave the room when I remember something important. Clothes.

Scurrying back to get dressed, I chose dark green and black clothes to blend in to the forest. Pulling the hood over my head, I hoped the clean laundry would hide my scent and the lack of external blood would be in my favour. Hitching the bag onto my shoulders, I used the stairs as I navigated the various hallways.

I passed by with no one noticing, slipping through the utility door and into the fresh summer air. The heat beat down on my back, burning me through the hoodie. Perhaps midday in spring-time was a bad time to run away in a dark hoodie.

Pacing myself, I meandered my way to the tree line, grateful no one stopped to take much interest in me. I really was just an observational piece. No one wanted to talk to me. The thought made my chest hurt. I wasn't seeking the attention, but perhaps someone talking to me may have stopped this rapidly baffling idea.

Moving deeper into the trees, I heard the faint sounds of fighting in the distance. Turning my head to the noise, the snapping of teeth and growling wolves reminded me that after lunch was training time. I wasn't sure what time it was anymore. Not having a phone or watch truly was a disadvantage. These wolves had a schedule, and I hoped I timed this right.

What felt like an hour later, but was probably ten minutes, I cursed my spontaneity. It was too late for me to go back. I would come across their border fence or something, eventually. I could feel it, feel the tension rising. It was like something was drawing me in, yet repelling me at the same time. My instincts were telling me to forward, to find out what it was.

Another ten minutes and I stumbled to a stop when I came to a strange break in the trees. There was something there, in the darkness of the trees in the distance. My eyes struggled to focus on it, the leaves too full and branches too low-hanging. It was dark over there, but it looked... freeing.

"Don't you even take another step."

I froze, my shoulders tensing at his voice. How did he know I was here? Did he follow me? Did he scent me?

Turning round, I crossed my arms to seem unaffected. Asra stood there, covered in sweat and even more dishevelled than he was this morning.

"Sorry?" I huffed. "Since when was I not allowed to walk in the woods?"

His eyes narrowed. "Right next to the border? I have been following you for the last half a mile. You were purposely going to the border."

I scoffed. "I'm just a human. How would I know where the border is?"

"Ailia," He inhaled deeply, his eyes closing with frustration. "Don't toy with me. Step away from the border."

I turned around, following his line of vision. Cocking my head, I saw nothing in particular, just some leaves and bugs and dirt. Some poop probably since these were dogs I was talking about.

"I don't see a border," I shrugged.

"Do not mess with me, Ailia." He growled, my name leaving his lips was so delectable.

Wait. No. Straight mind Ailia. Remember why we spontaneously left the house? Yeah, we are not some side piece in a werewolf world.

"I'm not messing with you, Asra." I grunted.

He strangely shivered, his eyes closing slightly as his name trailed from my lips so effortlessly. His stance widened then, his knees locking in preparation. I recognised that movement, that preparation.

Looks like it was now or never.

He must've seen my determination because the moment I threw myself backwards, he was right behind me. I landed rather ungracefully on my stomach and face, leaves and sticks pricking me in the cheeks and mouth. I groaned at the impact, not feeling any dramatic change of being 'out of his border'.

Looking behind me, I found a smug Alpha male staring down at me.

Damn, he even looked good from this angle.

"One rule, Ailia. Don't be so gullible."

Confused, I opened my mouth to retaliate, but his hands wrapped around my ankles and dragged me. I shrieked, grabbing at loose debris as he pulled me towards him. Once I was half way beneath his legs, he bent down to wrap his arms around my waist. I screamed, my fists raising to hit his back as he placed me over his shoulder. My eyes blurred as fear encased my throat. My lack of strength compared to his was overwhelming.

The rushing of blood to my head had my heart racing as panic overwhelmed me. Staring down at the floor, my head became heavy, my heart raced, and my lungs aching for breath in the panic. I didn't want to go back. I couldn't go back.

I had to get away.

Darius.

I shook my head, beating down on his back. He growled, a sound that had me curling into him slightly, but it didn't stop the waves of panic that I endured.

"Please," I begged, tears forming. "Please put me down."

He hesitated, coming to a stop.

"Please, Asra." I whimpered, knowing their name was always be a good distraction. "I won't do it again, please. I'll be good. Please, please put me down."

He must've noticed my lack of fight, or felt sorry for me, because they pulled me from his shoulder and sat me beneath a tree. My head fell between my knees as I fought for breath. Haunted memories taunted me, most of them starting with me trying to escape, only to be thrown over a shoulder. Taken to a dark room, tied to a bed, cuts and scrapes in the kitchen, glass, knives, waterboarded in the bathroom...

Darkness.

I shook my head, my hands fisting my hair.

Darius.

Pain. Pain. Pain.

*************
Hey hooo

Question of the Day:
Anyone have a tv show on the go right now?
I've been watching the good doctor lately.