Spite
The days passed in a blur, an entire week going by without Elk coming or informing them if he had found a safe house.
But on a new day, he finally contacted them - he had secured a safe house away from the pack territory, but close enough to reach by car.
As soon as everyone got the information, they wasted no time deciding to drive there without delay.
Alisha and Alice had been silent toward each other that entire week, not speaking a word. Though Alice wanted to talk to her, even forcefully, he ultimately dropped it, thinking they would have time once at the safe house, so it didn't feel like a bigger issue.
It took them two hours to travel to the safe house, which was situated on the bay of a river, a beautiful small cottage. Away from the pack territory.
"We can't come inside, Alisha, because we need to get back to the pack soon. But remember, if anything happens, call us on the landline this house has. And please, control your anger, Alice," Maya spoke as Alisha and Alice exited the car.
Alisha's eyes grew teary. "I still didn't get to talk with Mother Mary, can I do it?" she asked Maya.
"Yes, you can talk to anyone. This phone is not tracked, so don't worry," Jackson said from inside the car.
"I'm going to miss you," Levi said sadly, offering Alisha a small smile. They had grown so close these past days, Alisha feeling like the sister Levi never realised she needed.
Rish joined Levi's side. "Same. Will definitely miss you."
"Me too," tears spilled from Alisha's eyes as she felt like she was being torn away from the family she had just found. If the situation weren't so precarious, she would have preferred to stay with them. But it was out of her hands - she had to stay with Alice.
Levi, Rish, Maya, and Jackson said their goodbyes before driving off, leaving Alisha standing outside, letting the cool river breeze hit her as the fresh scent soothed her senses and hammered home the reality of her situation.
Alisha stood there for several long moments, letting the gentle breeze dry the tears on her cheeks. She felt Alice's presence beside her before he even spoke.
"Are you going to be okay?" he asked, though his usual roughness was softened by concern.
Sniffling, Alisha nodded and turned to face him. "I will be. It's just...hard, you know? Leaving them behind after everything."
Alice's expression was unreadable as he studied her carefully. Finally, he sighed and pulled her into a loose embrace, stroking her hair.
"I know it sucks," he murmured.
Alisha leaned into his solid warmth, drawing strength from his unwavering presence.
After a few steadying breaths, she pulled back and managed a watery smile up at him. "We should go check out the house."
Alice's lips twitched in a semblance of a grin. "Lead the way."
Shoulders squaring with renewed determination, Alisha turned and headed up the path to the little cottage. It was quaint but certainly livable for the time being.
As Alice followed behind her, she couldn't help looking back towards the road where everyone had disappeared. She'd miss them terribly.
Once inside, they took stock of their temporary home. It was modestly furnished but clean, with all the basic amenities. A decent enough place to lay low until the threats against Alisha blew over.
"Cozy," Alice commented dryly, dropping their bags near the door.
Alisha shot him a look over her shoulder. "It'll do."
He arched an eyebrow at her but didn't argue the point. Though he doesn't live in places like this, for Alisha he can even do it.
As evening fell outside, Alisha prepared a simple meal. Alice joined her, as he settled down the plates.
First time in his life he is working on these things or else he has maids to do everything for him.
But it feels like a family, doing this with Alisha.
The silence that had lingered between them finally broke as they sat down to eat.
"Is this place even safe?” Alice asked around for a mouthful of food.
Alisha shrugged one slim shoulder. "I imagine so. Maya and the others seemed confident in Elk abilities to find this place.”
"Yeah, well, it feels like," Alice grumbled.
His bitter tone had Alisha frowning. “The place is good, don't be sore.”
Alice scoffed but didn't argue further.
As the empty plates were cleared, Alisha couldn't ignore the tension crackling in the air any longer. She turned to face Alice fully.
"We can't keep avoiding what happened," she stated firmly. "We need to talk about it."
Alice's jaw tightened, but he inclined his head stiffly. "Fine. Let's talk."
Taking a fortifying breath, Alisha met his gaze head-on, determined to clear the air between them once and for all.
The tension was palpable as Alisha addressed the core issue directly. "We both know why they sent us here - they want us to mate so the curse can break and I can get my wolf."
Alice's expression hardened. "I know, tell me something I don't."
"I don't want to mate with you no matter what," Alisha stated firmly.
He scoffed. "I know this too." Alice winced. "I'm not dying to sleep with you either, so it's probably fine. And the fact that it's you who needs it makes it even funnier for you to talk like I'm the one in need."
Alisha rolled her eyes at how narcissistic he was being. The way he had kissed her before, touched her intimately, bathed her - it clearly showed what he wanted. Now that he knew she was the one cursed and mating was the only cure, he was trying to act like it was all on her without acknowledging anything.
"Don't act like you're innocent in all this," she shot back hotly. "You were the one who kidnapped me, touched me without consent, and tried to force me into a marriage bond against my will!"
Alice recoiled slightly at her accusation but quickly regained his bravado. "I still wanted to do it.”
"That's a piss-poor excuse and you know it," Alisha spat. "You took advantage of me for your own desires."
Rising to his feet, Alice loomed over her, his eyes flashing dangerously. "You think too highly of yourself, Angel. I did what I had to do, nothing more."
Alisha refused to be cowed, meeting his glare with one of her own as she stood as well. "Not anymore.”
His nostrils flared with barely restrained anger. "So that's it then? You'd just stay cursed forever out of spite?"
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