"A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal." – Steve Maraboli.

The sun's rays beamed through the stalls and trees. A sign of a new day, of hope, and above all, it's the sign that the day is finally here. The day Alexander's family arrives. 

The sun warmed up the marketplace, as I walked to my destination. A stall selling fresh fruits and veggies. I rubbed my cold hands together, as this morning's weather is affecting me much more than I'm used to.

I came to a stop at the stall, I'm greeted by an elderly lady, she must be in her late 60's, with her was a little girl of about 5 years with light brown hair and chocolate brown eyes.

The little girl greeted me with the brightest of smiles, but her eyes tell me something else. How can someone so young, hold so much sadness in their eyes? I gave her a smile and decided to do my best to make her day just a little brighter. "Hi there, princess," I said, kneeling down to face her, on her own level. 

"Hello, Luna" she responded with a tiny smile. "Oh, please, call me Monica," I said to her, which made her smile even more. "What's your name sweetie?" I asked and she just beamed up.

"Phoebe," she said proudly. "I'm 5 years old." 

"Well, it's so nice to meet you, Phoebe." 

"Thank you," she said, running into me for a hug. I placed my arms around her little body. Which was way too thin for her age. Suspicions ran through my mind and I wanted to ask her where her parents are when the older lady spoke. "She is from the orphanage." She gave me a sad smile and suddenly I had a new mission for the day.

I picked her up, and gave my shopping list to the older lady and asked her to keep my order for me. "I will pick it up on my way home." She was so happy for the business and orders that her entire posture changed.

This market was on the outside of  Alexander's pack, which means that this orphanage was located in another pack. 

I put Phoebe down and took her hand in mine. "Sweetie, I'm just going to call a friend quickly. Just hold onto my hand. Don't let go." she nodded her little head and I took my phone out of my pocket.

I dialed Alexander's number, due to not being mated and marked,  mind linking was not an option. He did not even let the phone ring once.

"Hello, love," he said, which made me blush a little. I was still getting used to this side of him, not that I'm complaining.

"Alec. I need you to... uh... I need to enter a pack territory. Would you be able to... help me? Please." I asked. I don't know if he would budge on this, but I had a bad feeling about this pack.

There was a moment of silence until Alexander decided to speak up. "Sure, but, I'm coming with you. You still at the market?"

"Yes." I responded "be there in ten." he said, cutting off the line... well he seems pissed now. 

The ten minutes passed faster than I thought and true to his word I saw Alexander approach me. He eyed little Phoebe with a confused expression, but still had that darn smirk on his face. Making my heart flutter in a million different directions, yes, it's possible. He was wearing a tight fit suite, defining his muscles, which by the way made me feel all kinds of... things, yes things.

Mental note... don't drool over mate in front of 5 year old... no dirty thoughts and no, no, no imagining him, naked... 

My entire body became hot and I could feel the blood rush to my cheeks, which probably are red at the moment.

He greeted me with a kiss on the forehead, then his mouth went to my ear and I thought he was going to kiss me on my neck, which made me weirdly, excited. Instead, the idiot whispered in my ear. "I smell you, a mile away, my queen." His voice low, husky, and, fuck, hot. My heart started to race rapidly. 

He backed away from me, making me feel cold, he then kneeled down to Phoebe. "Hi there sweetheart." he greeted her and she gave him a shy smile. 

"Where do you want to go, love?" he asked me, picking Phoebe up in his arms. Like nothing happened. Which made me blush even more.

"Phoebe's orphanage home," I said. He took one look at her in his arms and gave me a knowing look. He knew I wanted to check it out, all silliness and nasty thoughts gone, as we both knew this was serious.

The space between us was met by our hands, taking my breath away. A strange feeling filled me from the inside. Something within me was awakened at this very moment. I looked at Alexander and I could see he feels it as well. The mate bond, growing.

The orphanage was located at the border of the pack territory, we were going into. The building was beautiful, well kept and to the outside, it seemed normal. Something felt off, there was no border patrol, no one was outside. It's like it was deserted.

I could see Phoebe cling Alexander's arm with fear and I knew, even though everything seems normal, this is the place where we have to be.

We walked up to the front door and it was locked. Alexander handed Phoebe to me, only to kick the door open, with a loud bang the door flew off into the building. Once the door was gone Alexander went inside. I  was hot on his trail when I walked into his back.

"Go, outside, now," he ordered.

"No, Alec. I'm here for a reason."

"Dammit, Monica. Go, outside now. I don't want to expose you to this, this is-" suddenly a foul smell hit me, something between rotten eggs and crap mixed with death.

I was so in thought that I did not hear Alexander speaking. I handed Phoebe over to him. I could feel my blood being drained from my body as I walked through the room. Everything inside of me broke at that moment.

This is not normal, this is cruel, abusive, and plain sick to say the least.

I could feel my soul being torn from my body as I took in the sight before my eyes. There must have been twenty cells and cages. The room was cold and only cement, the cells had silver bars and suddenly I was back, back to being in that room with Katy.

My eyes fell on a young woman, she had a small baby in her arms, there was no bed, none of them had beds, no place to use the bathroom, and not even something to sit in, the baby was wrapped in a sweater and crying.

In that split second, I lost it. I turned to Alexander who just stared at the cells. He was in deep thought.

"I've mind linked William and Cole. They are bringing the SUVs and warriors. We're getting them all out of here." he told me. I could tell he was about to lose his self-control, his eyes were flashing black and then Zane took over... Completely.

Fuck.

"Zane... Look at me." I pleaded.  His gaze fell on me and I gave him a smile. 

"It's okay..." I walked towards him, placing my hand on his face. "Focus, love. You're the King, their only hope. Stay in control. Please. For me?" I kissed his cheek, hoping he would return to me.

I could feel his tension, the sadness, and the anger just from touching him. He was in pain, because in a way, these wolves were a part of his pack, as the King. He closed his eyes as he berried his face in my neck and Phoebe started giggling.

Alexander moved away from me and gave me a silent nod, he was back. Just then I heard voices from outside and William and Cole appeared in the doorframe.

"What the Goddess is this?" Cole said. William was so stunned he did not know what to say.

"Let's get them all out of here. Then we track this useless piece of crap Alpha." Alexander instructed and just like that everyone went into full rescue mode. 

I handed Phoebe over to one of the guards, Tom. He was still young, but Alexander said he held a lot of promise, so I trusted him. 

I walked to the cell, cage, whatever you want to call it of the woman with the baby. I completely forgot about the silver bars and to be honest, it burned like hell, the moment my skin came in contact memories from Katy sprang into my head again, the torture. I closed my eyes and pushed the memory away. 

The sound of metal falling got me out of my memory "What the fuck?" William said, placing his hand on my shoulder. "How the Goddess, how, did you do that?" 

I looked at him with confusion when I realized that the silver bars were no longer in front of me. I stepped between them, where they were laying on the ground, and walked towards the woman.

I sat down, in front of her and gave her a warm smile. "We're here to help, I know it will be difficult, but, can you find it in your heart to trust me? Please?"

She nodded and gave me a weak smile. She was only skin and bone. She was dressed in a t-shirt only. I took off my jacket and placed it over her shoulders. "William, come here, please," I asked him.

He was still in awe over the silver-bar incident, but once I called him he was back to being the Beta. "take the baby, I'll help her out of here. You must take them to the hospital William, I'll tell Alec."

I handed him the baby and helped his mom up, she was weak, but could still walk, well, so I thought. 

It took every ounce of my strength to get her outside, William helped her into the SUV and drove off. I stood outside for a few moments, watching the SUV drive away, praying to the Goddess that she and the baby will be okay. I can't believe a baby, being born in such an environment. No one deserves this, this abuse, I could still smell the sickening smell of the cells. They were here for goddess knows how long. Their eyes drained of all hope.

"So, you thought it would be that easy?" 

I turned to the direction of the familiar voice and felt a shiver down my spine...

"What are you doing here?" I hissed, not showing my fear. My heart rate increased and I could feel my hands shaking.

'Don't show him fear,  Monica.' Ella popped up, giving me some strength.

"Nice markings on your arms, sweetheart." he laughed "must have stung like shit," he said, eyes turning black.

shit...im done for.

Before I could react to his jump towards me, he slammed my body to the ground. "Fuckoff, Mitch!" I shouted. Kicking him in his gut. His face flinched in pain and then he hit me in the face, full force, making my head hit the ground with a loud thud. He lifted his hand again, rage-filled his black eyes and I closed mine.

The hit never came. 

I opened my eyes and saw Mitch and Alexander fighting. Alexander was clearly ahead, but then I saw her... 

Cecile

She stood behind Alexander and had a fucking gun in her hands.

Shit

Everything after that happened without even noticing what happened. I shifted, jumping mid-air, landing between her and Alexander. I may not be much, but I would take a bullet for this man, my mate.

And a bullet I took.

Hi there. Here is the next chapter. The song is called, people help the people by birdy.

PS - please vote and comment <3

M

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