Chapter 51 - Men

******Maddison's POV******

The next day came like a flash. I feel like we barely even got any sleep...

We were all now downstairs getting breakfast in the same dining room as before.

I could sense Coda's discomfort from the second we had got here. Especially in the presence of his father. I could sense that he just wanted to rip out his throat and end him in an instant... but he only had one thing on his mind-

His mother.

I noticed the kid Sam from last night sitting out in the back yard alone when we had first came down stairs and I decided that I wanted to go talk to him after breakfast.

"Dad, I'm going to go speak with that kid Sam... he's out the back yard alone so I figured I could maybe talk to him and learn some truths about what it's really like here." I tell them, as he nods cautiously.

"I'll have four guards assist you." He confirms, as Coda nods in approval.

"Fine but make sure they at least keep a fair distance... I don't want to scare the poor boy." I complain, as they both nod understandingly.

"I want to go to the cells, to see if there are any prisoners there that shouldn't be. Coda you can come with me." My father states, as I nod.

"Mind link us if you need anything." Coda warns me with a look as I nod and kiss his cheek quickly.

"See you both soon..." I race off towards the back door, hoping that the kid is still there when I notice him sitting on a bench playing with his hands.

The four guards follow me outside but sit on the steps of the porch a good distance away- but still close enough to help if I needed anything.

I rush across the grass towards the boy, feeling a need to make sure he's alright as I watch him finally lift his head up noticing me as I get closer.

I stop on the spot to gasp.

The poor kid was now sporting a horrible purple bruise across his cheek.

His eyes widen slightly when seeing me so close, as I smile at him sadly before approaching him to sit down.

"Hey Sam..." I trail off sadly, as he continues to look at the ground.

"H-Hey." He states shyly, causing my heart to shatter.

"I figured we could maybe talk? I can help you out with anything you know?" I encourage him softly, as he shrugs.

"I just wondered if you could tell me what really goes on around here... I could let you in on what's really going on if you want?" I smile softly, now grabbing his attention as he looks at me.

"What do you mean? Is our pack under attack or something? I've heard stories about the King wiping out packs in the past? I mean... I know it's a terrible place here and all but it's also filled with kind wolves who deserve a better life... I don't want to die..." He rushes out in a slight panic, as I shake my head softly.

"No of course not! My father isn't a bad man... everything he does is for good reason so believe me when I say that you're safe with him. We are here to save everyone from your Alpha..." I tell him, as he moves slightly closer to me on the bench, taking in everything that I'm saying.

"You... You mean... the Alpha King is going to take over from Alpha Lain?" He stutters nervously.

"Well not exactly... you know my mate? The one that was sitting with me last night at dinner? Well believe it or not... but Alpha Lain is really his father... he abused him and his mother many years ago and he banished his mother to become a rogue... Coda then ran away from this pack when he was young and now your Alpha doesn't even recognise him anymore... we are here undercover to restore the pack and to try and find out what happened to his Mom..." I explain, as his mouth opens slightly in shock.

"Your mate... Coda... maybe he should be our new Alpha... you could be the Luna... you seem really kind and Coda seems much stronger than Alpha Lain... he could easily kill him and make this pack strong and good." Sam smiles excitingly, as I smile back.

"Now... you must not tell anyone what's really going on ok?" I state, as he nods slowly.

"Believe me... I don't even have anyone to tell..." He shrugs sadly, but smiles softly at me nonetheless.

"What about your family? Or friends? What's the deal with the kids here? They all seem so scared." I question as he takes a deep breath before replying-

"My father is a pack warrior who has no time for me... he put me into the kitchen to help out and the woman there have basically raised me... I watched him beat my... my mother to death four years ago and ever since he barely even speaks to me." He explains, a tear escaping his eye as he stares back down at the floor.

This poor kid...

"The kids here all have it tough... there's about forty strong fighters in the pack and all of them think they are above everyone else... they beat their mates and children regularly... but everyone else below them are really kind... I guess we just live with our heads down around here to avoid getting hurt..." He explains, another silent tear rolling down his cheek.

I can't control myself as I reach over and pull him into a warming hug. He tenses at first before hugging me back slowly.

"We are going to make everything ok... I promise... those awful men and the Alpha will pay for how they have treated everyone Sam..." I rub soothing circles on the kids back as he cries into my shoulder.

"What happened to your eye?" I ask pulling away from the hug, although I feel like I already know the answer...

"The Alpha." Was all he said, before I pulled him back to me.

"I am so sorry that you've had to live here like this for this long... but it will all be over soon Sam... you'll be a normal kid who will find his mate one day and you'll go to school and become whatever you dream to be..." I hug him tighter as he lets his emotions run free.

"There's... there's something that your father and mate should probably know about this pack... but I'll need you to bring them to me so that I can tell them... I think it might help." He suddenly says, wiping his tear stained cheeks.

"Ok... I'll mind link them to come here straight away!" I smile as he nods softly and smiles back.

"Don't worry Sam... everything's going to be ok..."