8Aileen dug the last tally into the dirt before her. Sixteen marks were strung out across the floor, sixteen times she was forced to mate with the alpha. Now it was over and he was soon returning to bring her home; home the word sounded like vomit to Aileen.
"Knock, knock," Isaiah entered the tiny shack with a smile. Aileen watched as he released her from the chain, a red ring became visible around Aileen's ankle. She stood carefully, her legs shaking unsteadily. Isaiah was dressed in a simple brown outfit, Aileen was jealous; the only thing she had to cover herself with was a ratty old blanket. As they made their way out of the shack Isaiah tapped her on the shoulder. Aileen looked up into his deep blue eyes with a questioning gaze. Isaiah tugged at the blanket that she held to her body indicating that she must remove it. Shaking her head quickly Aileen tried to continue forward, but Isaiah stopped her, his rough grip leaving a red mark on her white skin. She removed the blanket reluctantly, her body shivering in the breeze.
"Let's go my dear," Isaiah breathed protectively in her ear. Aileen stayed by his side, her eyes glued to the large oak doors that separated her from the village. Isaiah opened them easily, his muscles rippling underneath his clothing. A protective arm climbed around Aileen's waist as they entered the village. Tiny houses lay before the pair, many with smoke emitting from the chimneys. Aileen watched curiously as some of her friends entered houses that were not known to be their own. Children darted about, many wearing tiny cloths for clothing. Aileen looked down the street where she used to live; her mother was in the garden, Aileen's brothers and sisters played nearby; their hair dancing in the evening wind. Aileen's mother looked towards her, sweat covered her brow and she looked as though she had been in that tiny garden all day. Aileen tried to smile, but it would not come to her. Her mother waved with a large smile on her face, she was clearly proud that her daughter was chosen by the alpha.
Isaiah pushed her forward, forcing her mother out of sight. Staring ahead once again, Aileen tried to guess which house Isaiah had made his own. Her green eyes wandered curiously throughout the small village, the houses before her warm with love. Isaiah pulled Aileen closer as they passed through a small wooden gate. Aileen looked at the large house before them; she should have known this was the alpha's house. This plot of land always had a new house on it to match the taste of the new alpha. Isaiah had picked a three story cottage; the wood on the outside was smooth and polished. There was a large garden off to the left of the cottage, clearly put there for Aileen's enjoyment. Isaiah released Aileen from his grasp, turning swiftly to lock the wooden gate.
Grabbing Aileen roughly by the arm, Isaiah forced her into the house. She felt a rush of cool air as she entered the building. Aileen barely took in a moments worth of sights before she was thrust down a set of stairs, the air becoming thick and heavy. Torches lined the walls, allowing Aileen to see the twists and turns of the stairs. Isaiah forced her through multiple arches and turns, the trail becoming a blur to Aileen. Finally she was released from his grasp her thin body shoved forward. Tumbling onto the cement below her Aileen peered around what seemed to be a small cell. Her fears were confirmed as she heard the clang of metal. Turning to face Isaiah Aileen felt her knees go weak. He stood behind the locked bars proudly, his face stern and hard.
"Here is your new home," Isaiah informed her. "You will be allowed thirty minutes a day to enjoy some sunshine. I know your tricks Aileen and I refuse to let you slip through my grasp. You will remain here until you learn how to be a proper mate." Before Aileen could speak Isaiah turned, his feet clicking away into darkness.
"Isaiah!" Aileen screamed. "Isaiah, no! Please, Isaiah! I promise I won't run! Please!" Her cries went unanswered, her panicked voice echoing into the vast darkness before her. Rubbing her arms roughly Aileen felt vile rise in her throat, dashing to the corner of her cell Aileen vomited. The acid burned her throat and the tears stung her eyes, but Aileen couldn't stop the fear growing inside of her. She was completely alone, the darkness that surrounded her empty. Aileen ran to the bars, her hands shaking them with all her force. She slammed her body against them, the cold steel pressing into her skin.
Aileen changed forms, her wolf whining as she continued to beat against the bars with no success. Pacing back and forth she continued to try and calm herself, her ears picking up only the sounds of her paws tapping of the concrete. She felt her hot breath against her fur as she pressed her nose to her paws, trying to cease her crying. Her mind created monsters that lurked just beyond her reach. Aileen had never been afraid of the dark, she hunted many times under the moons light, but this darkness was an endless pool of fear. No light existed; she was forced to struggle against her own senses. Aileen refused to return to her human form, the idea of lying on the cold cement floor naked terrifying her.
Flopping onto her side, Aileen forced her eyes closed, her senses refusing to calm themselves. A soft scratching noise caused Aileen to spring to her feet. Searching the darkness Aileen listened for the noise again. It repeated itself the scratching growing closer, Aileen inched further in the darkness, the feeling of the cool steel reaching her fur. Aileen relaxed herself her eyes adjusting allowing her to scan the small cell before her. She felt relief the instant panic had caused her to forget to tap into her wolf senses, she silently cursed herself. A mouse skittered into view, its black beady eyes scanning the floor for food. Aileen pounced, her paws slamming the miniature snack into the ground.
The crunching of bones was comforting to Aileen, the sense of a kill comforting her wolf. The smell of her vomit began to fill the enclosed area, making Aileen want to spit up her mouse, but she refused to not knowing when her next meal would be. Glancing around the cell Aileen studied the walls, curious to know if there was a weak spot. She saw none the solid stones stood proud climbing up high above her head. There were no windows and the steel bars did not look as though they would give to any amount of pressure. Following her tail in a tight circle Aileen settled down for the night, her eyes scanning the walls and the hallway that fled away from her cell before she slipped into a deep sleep.
A mass of blonde hair flooded the grass as the young girl fell onto the ground. She stared at the sky her eyes scanning eachcloud as though they would turn blue and disappear. Rolling on her side she looked over at the boy beside her, his black hair falling over his eyes. He smiled at her, his awkward, lanky body sprawled over the spring grass. Isaiah had not yet reached puberty, but Aileen never spoke of it to him, his brothers teased him enough. Giving him a quick punch on the arm Aileen rolled away from his retaliation. He darted after her, their thin forms dancing back and forth on top of the hill. Aileen jumped at Isaiah knocking him to the ground, a rush of air blew from his lips and he began coughing trying to suck more air down. Aileen rolled off of him laughing, her arms wrapped tightly around her waist. Isaiah shot her a glare before he let his own laughter spill onto the earth, a deep rumbling noise that rattled his throat.
"Let's run away," Aileen said breathlessly.
"Where would we go?" Isaiah asked his eyebrows moving toward his hairline. Aileen shrugged flinging her arms behind her head, Isaiah copied her, his arms moving oddly like they didn't know how to respond to his minds request.
"Anywhere," Aileen shouted face growing red. "All my mother talks about is how I'm almost mating age, two more years. That's all I have Isaiah and you too, why can't we just run. Look out for one another, make our own start. No stupid mating season, no restrictions, just us and the world."
"I'd like that," Isaiah smiled brightly, although he said this about anything Aileen suggested. He was her best friend, never doubting her dreams or wishes. They talked of their journey, how they would escaped, what they would bring, and how happy they would be. Just the two of them, no one else, they would take on the world together and begin a new life. It was a reach but they wanted it, the freedom from this village made them itch with anticipation. They would be free in only two nights time
Aileen awoke panting, sweat soaking her fur. Reality set in a horror eroding her mind, they never broke free; they broke to the rules of the village and fell like every dreamer before them.