Wild at Heart

You’ll never be good enough. You’ll never succeed. You’ll fail every time you try.

Where was I? I groaned and rolled over to my side, but that didn’t help. I felt like my entire body had been used as a punching bag. And what was that voice inside my head?

I opened my eyes and saw nothing but rocks all around me. I must have been in some type of cave, but nothing smelled familiar. My hands were shackled together and when I followed the chain it seemed to be bolted to the wall. I could smell wolfsbane and it was evident to me that whoever kidnapped me had similar taste to whoever set up the bunker where Jackson hid out. I sat up and leaned against the wall for support and that’s when I noticed him.

A tall wolf with muscles for days stood in front of me, but I could smell others on him, which told me he wasn’t alone. He smiled at me when we made eye contact and it sent a shiver down my spine. My planned run was rudely interrupted by my kidnapping, so I was still only wearing my jeans and black bra. I felt no insecurities by being half naked in front of this wolf, but I was pleasantly surprised by the fact that he wasn’t eyeing me up like a snack.

“I’m glad to see you’ve recovered so quickly.” The wolf said in a thick southern accent.

“Was is it that I’m recovering from, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“Moose tranquilizer.”

“Lovely.” I shifted my body weight to be more comfortable. “Am I wrong to assume you’re from the South pack?” It wasn’t hard to put together, his accent was almost identical to Stefan’s.

“You’re smart.” He said with another smile.

“And you’re pleasantly charming for a kidnapper.” I crossed my legs around each other and watched his every move. He chuckled and sat on the ground across from me.

“I just follow orders.”

“Don’t we all?” I muttered with another uncomfortable groan.

“You don’t, Emma Clark, Luna of the North Pack.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “You never have from what I understand.”

“What can I say?” I grinned. “I’m a rebel.” He chuckled again.

“It goes against our nature.” As wolf’s we thrive best in a pack, a monarchy that follows power.

“Sorry?” I didn’t know where this conversation was going.

“No, you’re not.”

“No, I’m not.” I never have been. As much as I wanted to live a peaceful life away from all the drama of the pack, it seemed that it always found me. And I was never one to step away from a challenge.

“That’s what we like about you.” The wolf said to me.

“We?” I questioned.

“Our pack.”

“How does your pack know me?” I asked.

“Ever since Stefan has been Alpha of our pack, he has never taken a Luna. He’s had many females in his den to which he was blessed with children to take over his lineage, but never a mate. But he wants you.”

“Is this how he shows it?” I questioned. “Kidnapping me and chaining me to a cave in the middle of nowhere.”

“This wasn’t exactly his idea.” He turned away from me, adverting his eyes.

“I thought you said you were following orders?” I was wonder how safe I was in this cave. Stefan was a monstrous narcissist, but at least I knew I was safe around him for the time being.

“I am.” He said, his eyes suddenly sad.

“Then what am I doing here?” I don’t know why I thought this wolf was going to give up any information to me, but he didn’t seem like the type of wolf that I imagined would come from the South Pack.

“Beta Dimitri asked me to bring you here.” He stood up from his seated position and looked around the cave. “I’ll have to let him know you’re awake.”

“You don’t have to.” I said. “I get the feeling Stefan isn’t going to be crazy about me being all chained up by his trusted pack members. What do you say you get me out of here and he’ll never have to know it happened?” I was grasping at straws here, but what was my other choice? I had no idea where I was, and I was chained to a rock wall with no way to defend myself if I were to be attacked.

“I’m sorry.” Damn. Time to think of a Plan B. As soon as my mystery kidnapper was out of sight, I turned and braced my feet against the wall, holding onto my chain with both hands. I pulled as hard as I could until I heard the chain screech in compliance with my plan. I heard footsteps echoing from the cave, so I turned and leaned my body against the bolt to the chain to hide what I was doing.

“Sleeping Beauty!” A large blonde male raised his hands to me and greeted me with a giant smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Emma. I’m Dimitri, Beta of the South Pack. You’ve already met Grayson.” It was nice to put a name to a face, but I still wasn’t convinced I was in a particularly good position.

“I would say the same, but you’re not the one chained to the wall.” I said as I lifted my hands. Dimitri laughed at me.

“Fair enough, but I couldn’t be too cautious. Your reputation proceeds you.”

“And you thought it was a good idea to chain me up instead of asking for a pleasant meeting? Charming.” He clicked his tongue and lost his smile.

“My Alpha is in a compromised position.” He stated coldly. “He infiltrated enemy territory just to meet you, and it’s been difficult to get him back.”

“Get him back?” I questioned. My lips parted as the shock of his words sparked inside my brain. “He never left the North.” I whispered. Nick and Daniel thought they couldn’t locate Stefan simply because he made it to the border and disappeared back home, but that wasn’t the case. Stefan had been hiding out in my own pack and none of us knew it.

“Don’t worry, dear.” He said with a chuckle. “I said it’s been difficult to get him back, but we did.” Dimitri elbowed a stiff Grayson like this was all a game to him. Grayson stayed stiff, not wanting to engage in Dimitri’s behavior. “A small pack of Omegas are bringing him here as we speak.” A chill went down my spine. “He’ll be so happy with my surprise for him.” Dimitri stepped closer to me, but I had nowhere to back up. His large hand went to my bare side and I pushed him away with my shackled hands. “Come on now, don’t be like that.” He held my chain in place with one hand while his other rested on my thigh.

“D, knock it off, Stefan’s gonna be here any minute.” Grayson attempted to come to my rescue, but the Beta snapped at him.

“Mind your damn business, Omega!” He turned back to me and I kicked him in the nuts as hard as I could. He stumbled back, clutching his crotch as he groaned in pain. “You bitch!” He backhanded me so hard I instantly tasted blood on my lip. My vision blurred for a moment, but when it came back, I could see Grayson backing away, the smell of fear filling the cave.

“Pardon my French,” Stefan stood before us, power radiating from his presence as he spoke in his thick Southern accent. I couldn’t help but feel like my knight in shining armor just showed up. “But what the actual fuck is going on here?”