Chapter 35

I smile And try to quickly finish my food, shuffling it down as fast as I can, the excitement building within me more than I can bear. I have always wanted to watch a movie or series, I wasn't entirely bothered which, I just wanted that experience. I'd always have the guards talking about films and things like that, But I've never seen them myself, bath as I didn't like slaves using anything, let alone a TV.

Most of the time we weren't even allowed to read the books in the library, he forbade us, said we weren't worth it. That we didn't deserve it, that we never would. he treated slaves like less than humans, less than wolves, most meant nothing to him. But, because of what I was he wanted me more than he cared about the others, I was special to him. Not in the way I was special to these wolves, rather that he would have been able to use me however he saw fit and I would have been able to do nothing to stop him. I would have been utterly powerless against him a few days ago, maybe even now would be the same.
Though at least now I could have some sort of fighting chance, I could fight back against his magic with my own. Or at least, once I get stronger I would be able to put up some sort of defence against him.
I was a slave for so long that I didn’t know what good company was, nor did I know how to cherish it, though I was determined to try, I cared about these men, I wanted them to care about me in the same way; and somehow I knew that they did. They said they they would do anything for me and I believe them, I believe that they would do all that they could to protect me, to make me feel wanted.

That is what I care about, the fact that they will try, they they will do all in their power to make me happy. That’s all I could ever want, all I could ever need. I am right where I want to be, they make me feel special, as though I am worth more than I was originally told, I could never repay them for their love, but I was determined to try.
Once we Finished eating Alexander escorted me to what he called ‘The Den’ and turned on the tv, going onto some streaming site i couldn’t recall the name of and bringing us both popcorn and a can of pop. He snuggled up close to me on the sofa and pressed play, then for the next hour or so I was engrossed in the world that Disney created.
The movie was amazing, about a young chiefs daughter who enlisted the help of a Demi god to save the world. It didn’t quite turn out the way I had expected, but I loved every second. I could relate to Moana, wanting to explore and see things she’s never seen before, experience things she had never had the chance to before. She was so brave and amazing, I sort of wished I was as brave as her.
“What did you think?” Alexander asked me, his arm wrapped around my shoulder.

He had been silent through the whole film, though I could tell at certain points he had been more interested in my reaction that what was on the screen, something I never really expected. It made me embarrassed at times, but I didn’t comment on it, if he wanted to watch me then that was fine. He had to right to look at someone who he cared for and I wasn’t about to stop him, or tell him off for it. I cuddled into his shoulder and smiled, it felt as though everything was perfect in this moment, just two lovers talking about a film.
“It was amazing. I loved every second.” I say, a blush creeping onto my cheeks.
“So did I. But you were more interesting than the film.” He teased, “perhaps I’ll watch you more often.”
“Feel free, I’m yours.” I respond, nudging him slightly.
“That you are baby.” He smiles, kissing the side of my head.
“What do you want to do next?” I ask, wanting to experience more.
He smiles once more, pulling me in for a hug. “Well we can either watch something else or go for a walk in the garden, whatever you want.”
“I would like to go for a walk, I didn’t use to get out much.” I say, deciding that a walk in the garden would be nice.
“Then that’s what we’ll do.” He climbs to his feet and leads the way from the den and into the hallway, passing some other pack members as we went.
I wondered if everyone in the pack had specific jobs, I knew what the alpha and beta did (sort of) but I don’t know what everyone else did everyday, or if they got a wage. I knew that Dean had money, but I didn’t know how much or how the rest of the pack did things.
Nyx strutted within me, interested too in what everyone else did, she wondered if we could do something too. If we could have a job where we got paid, we had never had money before, so we didn’t know where to start. But soon I would ask, I wanted to do something to pass the days, I wanted to help Dean and the pack in any way that I could.
Dean and the others had already done so much for me, they had taken me in, fed me, clothed me. They were making sure I was same from Balthazar, that I would never Be left in his care again, the least I could do was help out. Maybe I could clean around the pack house? Or somewhere else on pack land, I would do almost anything if it meant helping them.
I wondered once more if I could earn money like everyone else, I had never bought myself anything before and their was a few shops I would like to visit that I saw when Zane brought me here. It would also be nice to sit in the coffee shop for a while and relax.
“Have you seen the gardens yet?” Alex asked me, noticing that I had gone quiet.
“Not yet.” I look around as we exit the pack house, my eyes instantly pinned to the rows or roses.
“It’s a sight to see, so in tune with nature.” He says, taking my hand in his. “I like to come to gardens to feel closer to my wolf, it’s like we’re one in the wild.”
“I never thought about it like that, before I came here I was only allowed out for twelve hours a month and that was usually on the night of the full moon, Balthazar didn’t like me away from him for too long. It tended to make the other slaves jealous, they thought I was his obedient pet.” I explain, Telling him things about myself that no one else knew.
He frowned deeply, growling. “I’m sorry that you had to experience that Annalise, I wish that we could have spared you of that life.”
“Theirs nothing you could have done, I was born there it’s all I knew.”
“I still wish I could have prevented it, you didn’t deserve to live like that.”
“No one deserves to live like that.” I corrected.
He nods. “I agree, all packs are looking into stopping the slave trade already, it’s only vampires and warlocks that still practice it. It’s barbaric.”
“It is.” I agree. “And I will help put a stop to it in anyway that I can.”
“I’m glad that you said that, perhaps when you learn how to use your abilities we can put a stop to it together.”
“I’d like that.” I say. “I don’t want anyone else to go through what I did.”
“We’ll stop it if we can, if it’s up to the packs, no one will ever have to suffer like that again.” He promises, determination littering his tone.