Chapter 10 – Her story

The more he looks at her, the more he wants her. But he kept himself under control. They ate everything his mother prepared, which wasn’t much. Apparently.

After a few hours of light conversation, in which he told her things about the pack, the sun has gotten very hot against their skin. It must be lunch time already.

“Do you want to head back? Or stay a while longer?” Conrad asked her and she contemplated.

“Can we come back here?” She likes this place.

“Of course. Any time you want. It’s not restricted. I can come with you if I’m not busy.”

Alice nodded. “Let’s go back, then.”

She helped in packing the basket and they walked back.

“Do you want me to show you around?” Though he told her what she would find in the pack, it’s not the same as seeing them.

Alice hesitated. “Can I rest for a while?”

He noticed the way she seemed to wince while asking. “Of course. I should’ve known you would be tired. How long has it been since you last had a fun run?”

“Almost a year?”

“Back in your pack?”

“Yes.”

He didn’t like her answer. It made him think of her situation. Could he probe now? They needed information from her, after all.

“Haven’t had the chance to run since you left?”

She shook her head as she pursed her lips.

“You managed to survive for months, though. That’s something. How did you do it?”

Alice sighed. She knew they would ask her these questions, but still…

“Do you want to rest first? I’m sorry if I’m making you remember those unpleasant memories.”

“It’s fine. I know you have to ask.”

Conrad remained silent as they continued to walk.

“My mother… I don’t remember when exactly it started, but she did prepare for me to leave. She was urging me to go, but I didn’t listen to her. She didn’t say anything when I asked why. She explained nothing. And so, I was… I stayed. Who would want to leave their pack? Alone? I don’t want to be a rogue. All that time, I haven’t been able to talk to… the alpha. He hasn’t been home for a few weeks. That’s right. Mother started acting differently after he hasn’t come home for a few days. When he came back…” Alice took a deep breath and stopped walking. It was horrible.

Conrad could feel her pain. He went to take her into his arms as she cried again. Alice found comfort again, something she hasn’t felt in a long while. It’s nice to be near him. To be with him. To be in this place. But could she really stay?

“I’m sorry about what you had to go through.” Conrad doesn’t have the words. He tried to comfort her the way he knows, pressing kisses on her hair and rubbing her back.

Alice wanted to continue telling him what happened. There’s an odd sense of relief that comes from letting it all out. She clung to his arms as she told him the rest.

“He came home growling and almost in his wolf form. He trashed everything within his reach. Mother told me to go and run quickly. She managed to give me the bag she prepared. She’s still the pack’s Luna. She’s strong, but not as strong as the Alpha. She did manage to hold him off as I left. She must’ve put up a good fight, allowing me to stop for a minute and apply the potion she said I should use when I leave. I didn’t exactly saw how she was killed, but I knew enough from what I’ve witnessed that… the alpha was there to kill us. He must’ve learned something. I don’t know if the speculations were true. If it was, then who’s my father? How is it that… he believed I was his daughter all those years, and then it changed in an instant?”

Conrad switched to caressing her hair, not interrupting her.

“Later, when I came across other wolves, they said they heard about what happened in our pack. The Luna was murdered by the Alpha. He changed. He has tendencies to be unreasonable, but when it comes to my mother, he would usually listen to her. She was the one that… she…” Alice couldn’t find the right words and Conrad patiently waited.

“If it wasn’t for her, he would’ve abused the whole pack already. I knew he could be arrogant and merciless, but… with my mother around, he was never like that in front of us. With her gone, I knew the pack would only get worse. What I heard from others, it was as much as I could imagine. He’s really… I won’t ever forgive him.”

Conrad has been in a few battles before, but he hasn’t experienced losing someone very close to him. Pack members that his father is currently responsible for, sure. But he hasn’t felt much from their deaths. He understands it would be different when deaths arise from his own decisions. It was something he would have to go through eventually, but he’s not sure if he’s already prepared for it.

“You’re here now. I would protect you. You would be safe here.” How many times has he told her this since yesterday? It’s starting to sound empty, even to his own ears. How is he going to convince her to stay?

“Alice…” He pushed her back a little so they can see each other in the eyes.

“I know we just met, but we have this bond between us. I hope you can trust me. You’ve experienced a betrayal, I understand that. But I hope you would give me a chance. Give us a chance to be together. You already have my heart. I waited for you for a long time. Now that you’re here, I wouldn’t be able to bear letting you go. So, please… please stay.”