Chapter 21-

I back up into the kitchen as James glowers down at me. I knew I shouldn't have left the house and the guilt over sneaking around makes me lower my eyes. “Why did you leave the house Ember? Did you not get my note? Did you not think that I’d be worried about you? What was so important that couldn’t possibly wait until I got home?” I felt fear creep up my spine as he cornered me into the dining room table, I feel the hard wood dig into my back. In my heart I know he won’t hurt me, but I see the suspicion all over him. I want to tell him the truth, need to tell him, but this feels like the worst possible time. I wanted us to be able to sit down and calmly discuss this, but that seems to have flown out the window at this point.
“Do you know how worried I was when I came home, and you were nowhere to be found? I was calling out for you, but was met with nothing but silence. Horrible things ran through my mind. Things you can’t fathom. Ember I can’t lose you not the way I lost them. It would break me, I can't do that again I love you too much to be able to go on living if you are not. Do you know what happens to wolves who lose their true mate? It weakens them and they die soon after. Most of them taking their own lives.” I sobbed when he held onto me and I felt the wet warmth of his tears. I felt his fear and desperation crash through my body. I knew he had lost his wife and son in an attack and I feel incredibly selfish thinking of how he must have felt coming home and finding it empty, especially after he had asked me so pointedly to stay inside.
“I’m so sorry James.” I say as I take his face in my hands kissing him softly and trying to re-assure him that I’m here and safe. “I’m here my love.” I tell him between kisses. “I’m safe. I promise to listen next time. I’m so so sorry.” I know this isn’t the right time to tell him, not with him being so raw. Not with his tears on my skin, I don’t know if I can devastate him further with my betrayal. The last thing I ever want is to hurt him. James pushes me onto the table his hands greedily taking in my body. We’re kissing and he starts pushing the dress up my legs when we hear the bell ring out. He pulls me up from the table so quickly, I am amazed I don’t get whiplash. James grabs onto my hand and drags me from the house not bothering to close the door behind us.
I hear the synchronized howls ring out from the forest and I grow scared. Something serious is going on and I fear for our little community. Suddenly before I even realize what’s happening, I am scooped up and being carried, I can feel James racing heart under my palm. As we run towards the shelter, we both yell out for the women to hurry to safety. I’m pleased to see so many of the men helping the women to get to the safe house. If I didn’t feel it before I definitely felt it now, we are treasured here and carry so much value to our men. It fills my heart with pride seeing everyone work together so well. We arrive at the bunker door quickly and James kisses me possessively saying. “Ember you are in charge in the bunker. Do not leave or open the hatch for anyone. When things are clear Lucas, Shane and I are the only ones with keys, one of us will come for you. You are the most important person here; you are our queen. The packs strength lies with you, as our Luna you are tied to us all. Watch over our women and please promise me that this time you will listen and that you will care for our pack in my absence.” “I promise James. Please be safe, just as you fear for me, I fear for you. Come back for me.” “I will Ember, always. Now go!” I kiss him quickly and do as he says. We have ten male warriors who will stay with us and offer extra protection if needed. After I descend the stairs into the bunker it is only a few minutes after that the doors are sealed. I see the women cowering in the spacious area designated to keep us from harm and I know this is the time for me to step up and let them know we are safe. If I want to be their queen, I need to act like one. “Women let’s sit quietly and take role; I want to make sure everyone is accounted for. Then we will settle in and get comfortable no one will leave until one of the men come back for us. Know that you are safe here. Our warriors are up there protecting us from any threat, so in return we must be brave for them and be wise. The men who were assigned to the bunker looked to me and nodded in respect. I began taking role and comforting the women only to realize quickly that someone was not accounted for. Someone important to me, the person I swore to protect. Where is Ava?
Ava:
I hear the bell ring out and know I need to head to the safety shelter quickly. My heart is racing and I try to reign in the panic that threatens to disable me. That was one of the first things taught to us; when the bell rings it means danger. I think about the story that the Alpha told us about the women and children being murdered. I worry that hunters will come after us, don't they know it wasn't our choice to be here? I was taken from my home and now there are people who hate me and probably want me dead. Lucas isn’t home, I know he is out on patrol today and probably won’t be back until late. Honestly, I was glad until now that he’s been gone my heart is still too hurt to face him. Now all I want is for him to swoop in a save me. I see women running from the window and men helping them. Even though I am not loved by Lucas how I want to be, I do feel cared for and important in this community. The men of this pack want to keep us safe, I do believe they care for our safety. I know the fastest way to the bunker is to cut through the wooded area behind the house and straight through the crop fields. I start running knowing I have already spent too much time standing here and freaking out. I scream when I feel a large hand clamp down on my wrist. I feel only slightly relieved when I notice its Ian’s hand holding onto me. He scares me and anytime he is around I feel little danger signals going off in my brain. I know he wasn’t allowed to participate in the games and was whipped badly for a crime he committed; l don’t know much about him but there is something that makes me uneasy when he is near.
I feel terrible thinking bad things about him when he is here to help me. The men think of us as precious and have taken good care of me so far. I saw lots of other men helping the women to safety and I know how much they fear losing more women. “Ian you startled me.” I tell him as he continues to lead me through the woods. “Ava, you’re Lucas’s mate right? Why isn’t he here to help you to the bunker? You must get there quickly; hunters have breached our boarders again. I don’t want you getting hurt.” “Yes, Lucas is on patrol today so he must be out there already. Thank you for helping me.” Ian turned to me, smiling dubiously and said. “I never do anything without gain to myself.” The danger alarms are now blazing in my head and I feel like I made a big mistake letting Ian help me. Awareness settles over me and I realize the danger was not with the hunters closing in on us but the monster that was in front of me. The monster that is holding onto me, the one that has me alone and seperated from the others, the one smiling at me. The most dangerous person to me is supposed to be my friend.