Escaping Wildfire

Chapter 17: Step One



Gema

As promised, Rory asked her father about going swimming. Surprisingly, he not only let me go with Rory, but he also allowed Jasmine, Jade, and the twins to join us.

We were only allowed outside from one to four as Rory had told me, but it was everyone's first time outside in weeks, and it was the first time I saw the boys smile since we got here. We had yet to see their parents, so I knew they must be worried about them. They withdrew more with each passing day. I hated seeing them this way, but I was glad they at least had each other.

Jasmine came outside with us, but she refused to get more than just her feet wet. She usually loved swimming, but I could tell she was still hurting from the loss of her parents.

I, on the other hand, took the time to pretend we were in a better place, recalling all the times we had gone to the waterfall back home. My last memory of the waterfall was the night Noah and I gave ourselves to each other. What I wouldn't give to be back there right now.

I stayed underwater for as long as I could. Here, I could pretend I was anywhere else surrounded by just the water. When I could no longer hold my breath, I swam back to the surface and lay on my back floating. I looked up at the sky and shut out the sounds around me.

All too soon, though, I was brought back to reality. Our time was up, and we were expected back inside. I showered off the chlorine, and Nora showed up as I was getting out of the shower to let me know I was expected for dinner with the Alpha tonight. She brought me another dress handpicked by Alpha Marek himself. This one was a simple black dress that came to mid-thigh with thin straps and a sweetheart neckline. Nora did my makeup and hair as usual before walking me upstairs to the dining room.

As the days passed, I noticed Nora talked to me less each day, and she continued to look more gaunt. I was worried about her, but I knew nothing I said would help her situation. I couldn't even help myself, I don't know how I expected to help Nora.

She led me into the dining room where Alpha Marek, Rory, and Larkin were already waiting for me. My parents were not in the room this time as I had hoped they would be.

"There is my beautiful future daughter-in-law. Come sit, Beta Griffin is on his way, he'll be joining us today.

I sat to the right of Larkin, and he greeted me politely. "Did you enjoy your swim with Rory this afternoon?"

"Yes, thank you for allowing us to join her." Alpha Marek smiled his fake smile at me that didn't reach his eyes. Everything about this dinner was a facade, starting with his false kindness.

Beta Griffin arrived, and he sat across from me and next to Rory. She looked uncomfortable and shifted slightly towards her father, making sure to avoid looking Beta Griffin's way.

I glanced over at him at the same time that he looked up, and he winked my way. The action made my stomach turn as I remembered Alpha Marek's threat to me about the Beta if I didn't go along with marrying Larkin.

Luckily, dinner was brought out to us soon after the Beta's arrival, which meant we could hurry this meal along.

"Larkin told me you found a ring you liked. I'll make sure it's resized and ready for your party next week. I also have a boutique delivering dresses for you to try on this Monday."

"Thank you," I said knowing I had to feign politeness and play his game.

"The wedding is nearly all planned out. It's going so well that I was contemplating moving the date up."

Larkin was mid-drink when Alpha Marek said this and choked on his water.

"Don't you think that's a good idea, son?" He said with a hint of malice in his tone.

Larkin cleared his throat loudly before answering. "It seems a bit rushed as we have only just met…but I'm good with whatever you want, father."

"Good," He said emotionlessly. "I also have a surprise for you two tonight. I wanted to wait until after the party, but the decorator finished up yesterday, and I was just so excited to give you the surprise that I couldn't wait until next weekend."

Larkin looked at his father expectantly but with an undercurrent of concern as we waited for him to tell us what the surprise was.

"I have set up a new room for the two of you to share here on the Alpha floor. I brought in a decorator to completely redo one of the rooms up here, and you two can move in together as soon as Gema has officially turned 18." Alpha Larkin gave us a smug look. "After all, you two are going to be engaged now, so you shouldn't be apart."

I swallowed the lump in my throat. He wanted us to share a room. I felt sick, but I also knew that if Larkin was remaining quiet, it would do no good for me to say anything against Alpha Marek.

"Gema, why don't you start moving in tomorrow, and then Larkin can join you after your birthday? I'll have Nora bring your things up."

"Thank you, Alpha."

He narrowed his eyes at me as he took a drink. "You've been behaving so well these last few weeks Gema, I've actually contemplated giving you some pack work to get you ready for your future role as Luna. Come to my office in the morning, and I'll see what I can find you."

I simply nodded, feeling disgusted with the game we were all playing, and wondering how this man could get away with so much.

"You've been great at following orders, so I might be able to start letting you wander about the packhouse on your own…maybe even let you get some time with your parents." Alpha Marek took a bite and chewed slowly as he looked at me. I said nothing in return, but he knew he had me trapped with his previous threats.

We finished our meal and Alpha Marek left quickly, not waiting for anyone else. I looked over at Rory, and she looked uncomfortable as Beta Griffin stretched out and brushed against her arm.

"I'm heading back downstairs, how about I show you back to your room." Beta Griffin directed me my way.

I wanted to say no, but you could cut the tension in the room with a knife, so I simply stood up and followed him as Larkin and Rory remained in the dining room. "Good night," I said to them both, and they politely replied the same.

As I stepped out into the hallway, Beta Griffin put his hand on the small of my back and led me towards the stairs. I tried to walk ahead of him but he kept up with my pace.

"Come," He stopped at the landing to the next floor down. "I have to get something from my room before I drop you off."

I had a bad feeling about this and stepped away from him as he continued down the hall. "What? You don't like me touching you?" He grabbed onto my waist and roughly pushed me up against the wall. I wasn't expecting the move and bumped my head on the wall.

"I know you don't like Larkin, you and I could have some fun together." He trailed the back of his hand over my cheek and leaned further into me.

"I'm not interested." I shoved at his chest trying to sound strong but hearing the slight quiver in my voice.

"Not interested?" He chuckled. "That's never stopped me before, and I am interested." He roughly grabbed onto my ass with both hands and got closer to my face. I hated the feeling of his hands on me, but his grip on me tightened as I tried to pull away.

"I bet a good girl like you is still a virgin. Tell me, have you been fucked before?" I could feel him getting hard against my stomach and bile rose in my throat. He was as deranged as the alpha, and I knew I had to get away from him. "Once I sink into that tight little pussy of yours, you'll be begging for more." I pushed at his chest again desperate to get away.

"Let her go, Griffin." Larkin's firm voice sounded behind us, and the Beta was suddenly pulled away from me as Larkin's fist landed on his jaw.

"I'm not sure what the fuck you think you're doing, but I'm certain my father told you to keep your hands off of my mate." Larkin crossed his hands over his chest as he stared Beta Griffin down, but Beta Griffin just scoffed and wiped at his busted lip. "Not doing anything she didn't want, Alpha." He spits that last word out mockingly.

"Gema, are you okay?" Larkin looked at me with kind eyes, and I nodded as he gestured for me to stand beside him.

"Everyone in this packhouse knows the kind of filth you are, and you can guarantee I won't let you manhandle any more women while I'm here."

"I'd like to see you try and stop me." Beta Griffin narrowed his eyes at Larkin.

"You are not to touch any woman living in this packhouse, especially not my mate. You're lucky all you got from me today was a busted lip." I could feel Larkin's aura radiate off of him, stronger than I had ever felt from him before. Did he just give Beta Griffin an Alpha command?

"And another thing, don't tell my father about this little conversation we just had." Beta Griffin looked to the side baring his neck at Larkin, seemingly unable to look up with Larkin's aura directed at him. I could see his clenched fists indicating he was seething on the inside.

"Let's go Gema." Larkin had me lead the way as he walked behind me.

"I'm sorry you had to deal with that. I knew better than to let you go alone with him." He put his hands in his pockets as he let out a slow breath. "I can guarantee, he won't be bothering you like that again."

"Did you give him an Alpha command?"

Larkin looked around the hallway, hesitant to answer. "You can't tell anyone about that. My father can't find out I can do that, he'll see it as a threat." His eyes widened in fear.

"Don't worry, your secret's safe with me."

"Thank you…" He visibly relaxed. "and about the whole room thing. You don't have to worry about me. We'll have to share the room because of my father, but I can sleep on the couch or the floor. I won't ever hurt you."

I nodded slowly in understanding. "Thank you."

"Look, I know this whole situation is fucked up…this isn't what I want either, but maybe we can be friends and help each other get through this together. I know having you around has already helped Rory not be as sad as usual."

"Rory's a nice girl, and yeah, I think we can be friends." I gave him a small wave as I turned and walked into my room. As I started to change clothes, I realized I hadn't heard the lock click this time.

Tonight had not gone as expected, but I seemed to have broken through Larkin and Rory's defenses this week, which was the first step in getting out of here and getting back to Noah.


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