Cody's POV

I struggle to open my eyes when I come to, my head throbbing and my body sore all over.

My eyes finally adjust to the light and I find my lip cut and mouth dry as I try to take in my surroundings and my last waking moments wash over me.

Sure enough, when my vision clears, I find myself inside the tent that Makayla used when she gave us our Runes. Anger and shame wash over me, hating the fact that I didn't ask more questions, leaving us vulnerable and unguarded against our biggest concern.

The vast wall across from me where tapestries hung is now uncovered, revealing a sickening sight. There are dozens and dozens of candid pictures of both James and I and other members of our pack and Winter Moon. In some sick twisted display, I can see notes from each picture, all of them attached to a string that eventually connects back to the middle where the words 'Key to Heaven' are written in bold.

Again with the fucking key.

Though this time, it seems like we finally have a confirmation to our theory. We had wondered if whatever key that was being asked for was special, and a Key that could unlock the Gates to Heaven would be worth killing for indeed in the name of Satan.

I try to use my mind connection once more, but all I'm met with is a thick static. The Rune on my arm is fading away, this one must being a temporary spell, the chains that I find wrapped around my ankles covered in anti mana spells. I sigh to myself, wishing there was a way to warn James when suddenly the flaps to the tent are pushed open and Makayla walks through the tent.

With a glimpse into outside, I realize that we're not in the bustling streets or secret alleyway of Revelia. Using my nose to confirm, I recognize the smell of wolves, lake water and pine trees, Vollmond's unmistakable scent that only comforts me now. Thought it doesn't serve much of a comfort when I realize where exactly we are in Vollmond knowing of only one place where Makayla could set up base and walk around freely without fear of being caught.

The Rougelands.

The realization sends chills down my back, fear striking my heart as I remember the cold and cruel way my family died at the hands of Rouges.

My heart is in my throat as I watch Makayla come around until she's standing in front of me, a wicked smile placed on his lips. But what I'm stricken by the most are the Devil horns that are on top of her head, the glamour spell clearly gone.

"I see you've finally woken up. Nice of you to join me." She says, studying me with an amused and self righteous smirk that makes me want to bite her Witchy head off. "You know, it was almost too easy to play all of you right into my hands." She brags, but I don't take the bait, wanting the gather as much information as I can so I can try to be helpful if I manage to make it out of here.

"It was you that killed that poor Hybrid after you summoned those Shadows didn't you?" I ask her, though I already know the answer. She laughs and looks at me as if I'm adorable.

"Wow, I really have to spell it out for you. As soon as I knew Vollmond had what I needed, it was simply a matter of finding it. After a few late night trips of sneaking around and searching everywhere, I realized someone must be hiding it. So I started trouble to unsettle you into moving the key, or lead me to whoever has it. And it still didn't work. No matter how many times I warned you or how many people I used as examples, you just wouldn't give me the key. So now, I'm using you, Mate to Alpha James and Luna to Autumn Falls as leverage. If they don't hand it over, you'll all die, and I'll find the key among your corpses." She explains calmly, not even flinching as she describes what she's done and is planning to do.

I feel uneasy, but I don't stop, knowing that information can be the difference between life and death.

"You're only one Enchanted and some traitor. What could you possibly do against an entire pack? Especially if we have Winter Moon as back up." I question her, starting to wonder if the Hybrid is crazier than some evil genius, but her cool slow smile, as if she knows exactly what I'm thinking, puts me on edge.

"You let me worry about that. The only thing you need to do is tell me where that key is and who has it. You won't like it if I have to ask again." She warns me but it's no use. I have no idea what she's talking about. Even with the context of it being the possible Key to the Gates of Heaven, I've never even heard of anything like that here in Vollmond. Or anywhere in Kaulike. And something tells me it's not an actual key. Even if I did know of it and where it was, the last thing I would do is give it to her. I doubt a random Enchanted is going to risk her life to go up against an entire pack on her own whim. We don't know if this is an Enchanted Issue, a Witch issue, a Daemon issue, or if its Satan herself. Until we know more, all well be doing is flying in different types of blind and ultimately unprepared.

Just like we were today.

Knowing that I can't just stall, I scramble for an answer that will satisfy her but I draw up blank.

"I haven't been had my ceremony yet. I have never heard of any Key before. Besides, doesn't history say that the only people who are able to travel between realms are Gods?" I ask her, distinctly remembering learning about it in class.

"I'm not a sheep that you can herd into whatever narrative the winning side came up with. I know about the keys. Now where are they?" She repeats herself and this time, I watch as she used her fingers to manipulate my shadow beneath me, moving the now solid darkness to wrap around my torso, squeezing me tighter and tighter as I struggle to breathe.

"I've never heard of these keys before! I swear!" I tell her but she doesn't stop, her eyes only narrowing as she tightens her hold on my shadow.

That is- until she randomly sighs and shrugs her shoulders, releasing my shadow allowing it to melt back to its natural shape. "Fine. You don't have to talk to me if you don't want to. But you will talk." She tells me before walking away, heading out of the door flaps she came in from.

My heart is pounding and I try my best to calm it down, trying not to let the panic take control of me.

'I'm sure by now James has figured out somethings wrong. Is there anyway we can break this wooden post without using your Supernatural strength?' Jessie asks, his mind working from the moment I woke up, trying to figure out a way out of here.

I check out the post behind me and come face to face with etchings of strengthening runes, ruining the idea before it even has room to firmly take shape.

Before we can continue to brain storm, the flap moves from the corner of my eye. I turn to see Makayla walk in only to see a larger man follow in closely behind her. He ducks through the opening and when he straightens up I realize that I recognize the salt and pepper hair and the strict unforgiving lines of his face.

"Alpha Richard?" I ask, but he doesn't answer only smirks. It's only then that I realize with horror that his usual light brown eyes are no where to be seen. His entire eye, even the whites are black, not a pupil in sight.

Fear strikes through me, my hands shaking as I try to figure out what the hell is going on, never seeing anyone's eyes look so disturbing.

She must see my reaction because Makayla laughs. "Oh I forgot to mention. This isn't Alpha Richard anymore. You see, I took someone else's shadow and forced the reflection of one's soul right into his body, keeping him loyal, allowing him to have critical thinking skills, and making sure none of those little heart strings can be rugged. And the only ones shadows listen to are their creator. So I wouldn't lie or waste his time if I were you." Makayla warns in a sing songs voice as she walks out, leaving me with the shell of the man who almost killed me and abused the love of my life for twenty long years.

A lump gets stuck in my throat as Richard circles the tent, his black eyes motionless, without end or bottom, empty worlds studying every movement.

I don't speak.

Don't blink.

Try not to breath too loud.

I sit as still as possible pure terror shooting through me knowing that as defenseless and powerless as I am chained to the tree, I'm probably going to die here today.

I try once more to reach James holding back a sob when I'm met with the same infuriating static as before. Richard keeps pacing as he starts to ask questions, my breath picking up as anxiety rules over my mind hijacking my brain.

"Where is the Key to Heaven, boy?" He asks me, and Makayla was right. Whoever it was inside of Richards body it wasn't his own, even his voice sounding different, but that predatory glare and glint of pleasure from the idea of controlling someone else is almost a direct reflection of the former Alpha.

I try to clear my throat and pretend like fear isn't eating me from the inside out, but the way my voice quivers gives it away.

"I have no idea what that is. Why would you even think I would. Or that Vollmond even has it?" I ask, in the back of my mind having a melt down, trying to figure out why it had to be during my turn to be Luna that this bull shit has to happen.

I feel like I've handled enough inconvenience and self entitled assholes to last an entire Angel lifetime.

"You don't need to know any of that. Try again." He tells me, and I watch as he picks up one of the crystals lying on Makayla's workshop desk, the pointed rock larger than his hand.

I feel tears spring to my eyes at the sight of the large man holding the now weapon, hating myself for being trapped and manaless no better than I was six years ago.

"I told you, I don't know what that is," I tell him quietly, and I brace myself as Richard swings, slamming the hardened crystal into my stomach causing me to throw up the meat loaf and mashed potatoes the school served for lunch. I cough as I spit it all up, shiver in disgust at the disgusting taste and texture as I throw it up onto the ground.

I gasp for breath, barely being able to use my shoulder to wipe my mouth, food chunks stuck to my lips and the side of my face.

"I told you not to lie. Seems like you don't quite understand what no lying means. So let's try this again." Richard offers and I'm unable to hold my tears back as I cry, realizing with horror that there's no way out. I keep trying to use the mental leak, already discovering a while ago that my phone was gone. With no way to communicate and no way to escape all I can do is answer Richards questions and wait for the next blow each time I don't give him the answer he's looking for. And if I take too long to answer, he'll hit me anyway.

It's a dick game.

I know they know I don't know anything.

It's all about power. The power to break me down. The power to take me from James and Sloan. The power to hurt me.

All to get us to give them something we didn't even know existed.

And something is telling me they're not just going to give up.

After ten hits. I maybe twelve, I'm left in a shaking crying mess on the ground as my slow Omega DNA heals me, taking twice as long as usual, though not as slow as a human. Still, the pain is agonizing, and I find myself dreading getting better, Richard being sure to assure me that he would be back as soon as I was healed. And not a moment sooner.

I try not to think about it, focusing instead of the beautiful silks and fabrics that make up the tent, listening to the sounds of Vollmond's Wolf Woods.

It hurts to breaths and it feels like it would be a lot easier to just let go and skip into the darkness, allowing them to do what they want.

But it's my promise to my family to keep fighting, and the will to see James and Sloan again that gives me the strength to hold into consciousness as I heal. Until James finds me, I will do my best to protect the pack, and not give them anything. For the first time I understand what my parents felt when they refused to answer the Rouge's questions about the pack and it's leaders even at the expense of their own life.

My mother told me once that living for someone is easy, it's when you're willing to put it all on the line and risk it all that your loyalty is truly weighed.

My family stays with me and keeps me company as I heal and prepare myself to do all I can to get out of here and protect the pack that has given me everything and became my everything when I thought I was nothing. I won't let them down.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Okayyyyyyyy so information is coming out! Yes, Richard has been possessed by someone elses shadow and therefore someone else's will. What do you guys think of Makayla and Richard working together? What do you think will happen next?

Thoughts?

Comments?

QOTD: Favorite sitcom? Mine is currently Black•ish