Birthright
“Take her upstairs,” Ava demanded. “She has a habit of slipping out, so guard her door. Don’t let her leave.”
The two warriors nodded at Ava and turned to me. Before they could grab me I turned from them and headed out. Had I been born a man I would have been their leader, my father’s heir. The throne he sits on would have been mine. I would have been the next Alpha and been the one to govern over this pack but because I was a woman, I was nothing but a pawn, a chess piece. One to be sold off at the highest price. My only use was how my father wanted to move me across the board.
The unfairness of it all was enough to cause my eyes to prick with tears. It wouldn’t matter who Ava was or if she was the favorite child. I had been born first, I should have had more say. I was the one who should have had the power. I held my head high as I led the way out. A few men ran in front of me and I was forced to follow them out. As much as I wanted to, I didn’t look at Gabriel as I walked out the double doors. I didn’t say another word to Ava and she didn’t either. I could hear her talk to Gabriel about her dresses as the doors closed behind me.
As much as I wanted to run to my room, I forced myself to take slow, even steps. The thought of seeing Shane had excitement building. As the stairs came into view, it was harder not to take off running. The warriors were walking extremely slow and I fought the urge to groan. At this rate, I’d be dead by the time we made it to my room. The sound of my shoes clicking bounced off the walls as we made our way up the stairs.
They came to a stop and moved out of the way as we came to a stop in front of my door. Thank Goddess. I pushed my door open and slammed it in their faces. Bolting the door, I wiped my hands on the material of my dress. There were a few hours until noon. If I left now, I would have a few hours to look into Shane.
I would come back before my sister came for me. I rushed to the window and stared down at the ground. It was a long drop. If I were to fall, even as a wolf, I would be injured if not killed on impact. I didn’t hesitate. I threw my leg over the ledge and held on tightly as I climbed over. I would find out information on Shane. I would need to stay away from the meeting hall, the dining hall, and the main areas where my father spent his time.
The wind blew and I held on tight. It had been strong and caught me off guard. I could see it now. Me, falling to my death. I giggled as I slowly began to climb down the wall. This wasn’t the time to lose my mind but here I was losing it as I made my way down a wall of death. When my feet touched the ground, I ran around the packhouse. The worker’s entrance to the kitchen was open. As it always had been when I was a young girl. I would sneak in here for buttered scones and treats.
I asked the workers if they’d heard any news of Shane but they all shook their heads. He didn’t have many friends. The kitchen workers he worked with on a daily basis might know something. I was disappointed to find that no one had been in touch with him, nor had they seen anything. I ran through the kitchen but a young boy stood in my way. Now that I was here I couldn’t remember the last time I had something to eat. The boy made a small bowl of soup and bread for me. I asked him questions while I ate.
“I haven’t heard anything yet but there is a meal being prepared for the Alpha and his guest. If we hear anything, I can try and send word.”
“Thank you,” I said gratefully.
I ran through the hall and came to a stop in front of the door that led to the dungeons. Slowly, I opened the door and made my way down the stairs. I gasped and stopped halfway down. Below me, a body lay inside of a cell. There were two guards stationed to watch him. I wanted nothing more than to run down there to him but I couldn’t be caught. I watched him, hoping he would move. His eyes were closed but he jerked. He lifted his head, his nose in the air as he sniffed.
I let out a breath of relief knowing that he was alive. That’s all I had wanted to know. Now that I was here, now that I knew he was okay, I wanted more. I wanted nothing more than to get him out of here. All the want, the need, the desire I had was useless when it came down to it. I was useless. He stared into the dark abyss I hid in. He didn’t blink and I wondered if he knew I was here. Could he tell or could he sense me?
I didn’t want to leave him here. Was there anything I could do? I hadn’t shifted yet. I’d be useless against the two guards. Logic didn’t stop the need to help him. He didn’t say anything but a part of me knew he knew I was here. I had to force myself to slowly climb back up the stairs. I didn’t bother trying to climb the tower and hide myself. I walked up the stairs that led up to my room. The one bit of satisfaction I did get was the look on the guards face when they saw me coming. I fought the urge to laugh.
“I won’t tell if you don’t,” I whisper as I walk past them.
I lifted the key from around my neck, pulled it over my head, and unlocked the door. I closed the door and locked it. I sighed as I made my way across the room. Throwing myself onto the bed I turned my head and looked out the window. Shane was alive. Now that I knew he was okay I could do what I needed to do.
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