Thursday, March 28th
I place my pack on the ground and pull out a small LED flashlight that Jon gave me. I use it briefly to find my way to the worn path and keep it pointed down towards the ground to keep it from being too easily seen. To my relief I come across the first cabin within an hour of walking. I slip inside and lock the door behind me. Using the flashlight I locate the box of matches and light the oil lantern left on the counter. I use the small flame to warm my hands as my teeth chatter. The temperature outside has dropped fiercely and I now curse the fact that I don’t have a television or phone that can tell me the weather. Just because it’s supposed to be spring doesn’t mean it won’t snow.
I light the gas stove next, letting it burn as I fill the kettle. I place it silently on the flame as I find several packs of hot chocolate and a mug. I remove it from the flame before it whistles and make myself a drink, enjoying the simple pleasure of something sweet and warming at the same time. I look around the cabin and find a heavy coat, a hat and a pair of gloves laying on the bed. I shrug the coat on, stuffing the gloves and hat in the pockets before turning everything off. I’m tired enough to sleep but the possibility of snow pushes me to continue. I walk the path until I reach a fork. Using the flashlight I find the tree marked in orange and resume my walk towards it. The entire time I’m on high alert as I know at any minute I could run into a guardsmen or an enforcer who have been told under no circumstances are they to allow me to be in the woods.
I follow the orange markings until they turn into yellow ones, indicating that I had missed the second cabin. I pay a lot more attention to the yellow marks as my hike approaches the third hour. I know the sun will be up soon and I’m quickly reaching the end of my ability to stay awake. I sigh in relief as the next cabin comes into view. I try the door but it doesn’t budge. My heart is in my throat as I continue to twist and push against the door. Finally with a groan the door struggles to open but I manage to push it enough to slip inside. It takes more effort than normal to get the door to shut but once it does I make certain that it’s locked.
I again light the lantern sitting on the counter before walking slowly around the cabin locking all the windows and drawing both the blinds and curtains so no one can see inside and it keeps the light out. I use the light of the lantern to fix myself a lite breakfast before finding the small gas heater positioned near the bed. I check that everything is locked again, trying to find some peace in my racing mind. I remove my shoes and put on an extra pair of socks, slipping under the covers shortly there after. It doesn’t take long for sleep to find me as the shadow of the low fire dances silently against the wall.
(3:00pm)
It’s the crashing against the door that wakes me from one of the more peaceful sleeps I’ve had in a while. My heart is in my throat as I hear voices right outside the door.
“I swear this door is locked.” One growls in frustration.
“Calm down Jason. I told you before we got here that the door on this cabin is messed up.”
The crashing stops for only a second before the familiar pain of the link causes me to lay back down.
‘Cole, are you inside? This is Mason, Mason Locher. Jamie said that links hurt you but you have another way to communicate. I’m completely open to you.’
As soon as his message is completed his link lets go. It seems his friend is quite impatient as the banging against the door resumes.
‘Mason?’ I think his name with great hesitation as I haven’t practiced using the channel much.
‘I’m not certain how this works.’
‘Neither do I but I do hear you.’
‘Good. Stay with me for a moment.’
A sudden yelp, much louder than through the door, catches my breath in surprise.
“What is wrong with you?” I can hear Mason’s voice as if he’s speaking right next to me.
“What do you mean what’s wrong with me? I’m trying to get inside.” Jason protests.
“I just told you that this door is busted. Yes it’s freezing out here and I volunteered my group to patrol during a blizzard but busting down this door will do nothing but get your backside busted.”
“I’m not afraid of some sissy spanking.”
This guardsmen obviously has never had one and it seems Mason doesn’t like his response as I hear his body get slammed to the door.
“At twenty-two you’re lucky to have never been touched by the alpha’s belt. Most every pup in this pack, some as young as two years old, have been licked by that thing and you are utterly stupid not to fear it. You mean to tell me that you’re ready to receive twenty-two hits to your bare backside with a thin leather belt? And if you so much as grunt while he’s beating you he will automatically add five hits with the buckle.”
‘What has he done to you?’
I mistakenly think before remembering I’ve opened up the channel with him. Everyone is silent, only the creak of the door can be heard as Jason slowly lifts himself off of it.
“What did you get spanked for?” Jason’s curiosity has peaked.
“For being a good wolf.” He whispers.
“But that doesn’t make any sense.”
“Never said that it did, Jay.”
There’s a note of sadness in his voice as I feel them walk away.
“The first time I was punished by alpha was when I saw an adult rape a young girl. My friends and I were playing in the woods. We came across one of these cabins and could hear a lot of screaming and crying inside. They were raised to mind their own business. I was raised to protect those who are smaller than me. I opened the door but it was too late. The man continued what he was doing without noticing me but I recognized the smell of both of them. I reported the incident to Alpha Redmen. When he called the man to his office he was outraged. Claimed that he walked in on me raping her. That I had been stalking her and now she was in the hospital wing. Because it was a sexual act, he gave me to Kristoph but when I fought against his molestation I received twice my age to my bare ass.”
I can’t help but feel for him as I hear him continue.
“Once you’ve been branded by that belt he won’t hesitate to beat you again. I’ve been beaten, for things I didn’t do, four times over the last seven years.”
“Do you know anything about the alpha’s kids? His youngest has disappeared again.” Jason comments.
“I’m not worried about his youngest son. Despite the rumors, the few people here that have taken the time to really get to know him have described him as kind and loving. It’s Kris that you have to look out for.”
“You’re not going to look for him, are you?”
“No.” He replies simply.
“Why not?”
“I know you’re brand new to my group but didn’t you listen to what I said during the meeting? The reason I volunteered our group to come out in this nasty weather? Those of us who dare to follow the upcoming leader are in the know of things that are happening, both now and to come. Everything is changing quickly because of what Alpha Redmen has done to his youngest son. He believes he has our allegiance when the majority of this pack recognizes the destruction that he’s brought to us. The council will be here soon enough to see it for themselves but Alpha Redmen’s youngest child will disappear before they get here.”
“What does that mean? He disappeared twice before and he’s ended up found and brought back.”
“Exactly Jason. This is his third time trying to run. Found or not this time he won’t come back.”
“What are you trying to say, Mason? That Alpha Redmen is out to kill his own son?”
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