Clash of Claws: Chapter 5

My eyes felt too heavy to lift when the sound of voices met my ears. I tried to move my body but it felt like my limbs were made of stone. What was in that syringe! I bet it could take down an elephant! I could only lie helpless as the voices argued quietly amongst themselves. I was only able to catch a few words of the conversation.

"…rogue…census …orphaned..."

"…mate…away…exile…home…"

What were they talking about? Rogue? Who was abandoned? Census? Mate? What was a mate? I wanted to tell them to explain to me what was happening, to scream at them to give me an explanation. I tried to fight the heavy weight of darkness but I wasn't strong enough. I could feel my fingers twitch and my leg shift on the bed. The moment I moved the room was quiet for a short moment and the next, I heard heavy, booted footsteps approach me, felt a prick of a needle, and the darkness became the weight of a boulder that crushed me.

~C.O.C~

We were able to take Ashley to the Alpha's home in the extravagant part of Stanton Island with no fuss. I was happy to discover two things from Ashley, one- she was a hybrid, and two- she was my mate. Though it did sadden me to see she did not feel the mating bond between us or that her Alpha wasn't too keen on helping her any. Apparently, Rogues weren't welcomed in his Pack.

The Alpha, Ashley, and I were in a large guest room. Ashley had been placed on the bed and an IV placed to help her body get the nutrients that she could not find on the city streets of New York. I stared at her body with a deep frown on my face and I could feel a crease in my forehead from my frustration. My wolf wanted me to take her back to Wyoming and make sure she was fed properly. She looked underweight and in need of a few good meals under her belt. I was in agreement with him about taking her away from an Alpha that was arrogant on who he allowed into his Pack and disgusted that he didn't consider Rogues equal to those born into the Pack. Out West, Packs are built by welcoming Rogues into the Packs and treating them fairly, thus helping to nurture and grow the Pack in both numbers and in strength. To reject Rogues would decrease the size of a Pack from over one-hundred to a mere twenty werewolves. My Pack was started by my grandparents during the Great Depression, welcoming Rogues who needed a place to stay and support in a time when life was hard and difficult to get by. They used the Bartering System to survive and were able to sustain a healthy eighty werewolves, fifty members made up of Rogues, their mates, and pups. More Rogues joined as my parents took over, and grew in size to three-hundred, and over a hundred-and-fifty members were once Rogues. Our territory spread out over three states, making us the largest Pack of the West. I was proud of my parents for carrying on my grandparents' legacy of equality and compassion and wanted to continue on that legacy as well.

While my mate slept, Alpha Waltz and I discussed what would be done now that Ashley was found.

"I don't want the rogue. She was not registered in the census and has been running with her tail between her legs like the coward she is. I will not have her weakness bring down my pack. My plan is to abandon her and exile her from my territory as soon as she is able to leave. Which will be as soon as she wakes up," Waltz growled with a sneer, taking in my mate's untamed and dirty appearance.

Though I can see through his point of view, understanding that the pack is only as strong as the wolves that make it, my wolf and I did not appreciate him looking at what belonged to us or of what he said about our mate. A soft growl of warning had him face me and away from my mate, clearing my throat I to cover it up. "Alpha Waltz, there is something that I would like to make known to you, due to its connection to Ashley… She is my mate," I stated bluntly. "I would not appreciate you looking or saying such rude remarks about my mate. Also, I plan on taking Ashley back to my Pack, immediately or as soon as she is able to be safely transported. I have a private jet at my command and will be happy to take her home with me," I said. The word 'home' brought a smile to my lips. I could already see her laying in on the sofa in front of the fire, the flames giving her hair a golden glow with me behind her, an arm around her waist. Her nightgown giving a sexy view of her thigh…I had to hold back a groan as the image passed through my mind. My wolf panted one word- Mate. He too wanted to take Ashley just as I wanted to. But, it would not be good if Ashley ran off again as soon as she woke up. That seemed to be a pattern of hers when she was brought into the safety of another's home, away from the dark streets she was familiar with.

A slight shift from the bed brought me back from my thoughts. Ashley had shifted her leg and her fingers flexed, much in a way of someone waking up. She seemed to have the skill of slipping though the fingers of her trackers, like loose sand through their fingers. I could not let her slip away from me when I've just found her. I also didn't want her to wake up in front of the Alpha that didn't want her and would only hurt her further if she knew what he thought of her. Especially since the man wasn't her mate. I was the one who was able to watch her wake up, not some arrogant asshole. God, I sound like a jealous lover. I was becoming more possessive by the minute, though that is to be expected with a mate, especially when one has an Alpha mate. I quickly grabbed a syringe of Propofol, a sedative, and injected it before she could fully regain consciousness and control of her body.

I then called my Beta, Luke, and told him to have the jet ready ASAP, we were going home. Ashley almost regaining consciousness had me jump a few steps to when I knew she was willing to come with me. Though I knew she would be upset to be taken from her home at least she would be safe. Her safety and wellbeing was my responsibility, now. I then scooped my mate up into my arms and left the Alpha's home and went straight to the airport, using the guise that Ashley was too tired for the trip so the cab driver wasn't suspicious. Quickly boarding the jet I let my mate down on a soft seat, buckled her in, and gave Luke the okay to take off. Soon, we will be home, mate. And you will be safe, I thought as I took Ashley's hand and the seat next to her. I knew there would be hell to pay later but, my wolf assured me that the storm would pass. The thought of her living so long on the streets, alone, cold, and hungry made me growl, angry at myself. I should have been there for her! I should have gotten here sooner! I turned to her and stroked her cheek. You'll never be lonely again, mate. I nodded to myself as I settled back into my chair, enjoying the company of my mate.

~C.O.C~

Feeling a bed beneath me, I slowly woke. I thought I was in an older woman's home. After all, it wasn't unusual for me to sometimes be picked up off the street while I was sleeping and waking up on a small mattress, especially when I was younger. I made sure to wake up early if I could, shower, eat and pack a bit of food before anyone called the cops. There had been some close calls with the woman calling the cops just as I was leaving and then another time when they were at the door when I had packed. Both times I was able to sneak away unseen. I counted my blessings on those days.

I began to actually feel the mattress beneath me and I suddenly knew I wasn't in an older person's home. The bed was softer than the hard spring mattresses I was used to waking up on or the hard ground of the alleys. The sheets were like silk instead of scratchy, harsh cotton. The comforter was like clouds instead of the heavy, homemade, wool quilts. As if on autopilot, I did what I had always done when I was taken to another's home: clean up, eat, and sneak off before the authorities were aware of my location. I grabbed the towel that was on the bed, undressed, and walked into the bathroom. I did my best to ignore the glamour of my surroundings: the shiny chrome fixtures, gleaming tiles, and the marble counter tops. I washed fast and got out. Wrapped in a towel I found I stepped into the bedroom. My street clothes that I left on the floor were gone and on the bed was their much cleaner counterparts and everything I needed: underwear, bra, sweatpants, and a t-shirt. Finding everything that fit, I hoped the ones to pick out my clothes were a girl. How embarrassing would that be?! I then noticed a plate of food covered by tinfoil; my stomach growled on sight. Inside were five pancakes, two scrambled eggs, and three slices of cantaloupe. I wasn't able to eat everything but I did have two pancakes, an egg, and a slice of the fruit.

After I was finished I began to look for a way to escape. Looking out the window I stared in horror.

Trees, grass, flowers, a lake.

Those aren't in the city, at least only in Central Park. Where am I? The lights, buildings, and the smell of the streets were all gone. I was so scared of my unknown surroundings that I fled what many would stare at for its beauty but, to me it wasn't beautiful. It wasn't where I belonged. In my panic I yanked open the door only to bump into a strong, hard chest. I stared up at him in fear, hoping he wasn't who I thought he was.

"Ashley, are you alright," the stranger asked, he sounded concerned, his hand reaching out for me but I backed away from it, the power I felt last time was coming off of him. I couldn't understand why I was afraid. Women's Intuition? All I know was that I wanted to stay as far from him as possible. The voice I recognized from somewhere…flashes of last night came to my thoughts and I knew he was the only who took me- him and his friends. I narrowed my eyes in anger and distrust and it built with every second I stared at him. It's his fault! He took me away! I lunged for him and began hitting his chest with my fists as hard as I could, anger replacing the fear I felt a second before. I must have looked pathetic. "You bastard, take me back! Take me back," I screamed at him, tears threatening to fall but I was too stubborn to let them. I didn't notice his arms coming around me and soon had me pinned to him. I couldn't move at all from this massive 'bear hug' he was giving me. I still squirmed in his grasp; I wasn't going to let this deter me from escaping. I kicked him wherever I could and the thought of biting him crossed my mind but, I didn't act on it.

My arms and legs felt like lead after some time and I eventually slowed to a stop in his grasp. "That's right, calm down," he said; he rubbed my back and shushed me whenever tried to move. After some time passed he gently picked me up bridal style and laid me back on the soft bed. With my energy gone, I didn't put up a struggle. "Now, get some rest and I'll be back with some food in a little while. Okay." I said nothing in reply. The stronger took my silence as an answer and left the room, the click of a lock sounded and the sounds of footsteps drifted away from the door. I just laid on the bed, glaring at the beautiful dresser across from me but, I ignored its grandeur and the luxury around me. I could only hope that by the time he got back I would have enough energy to get out of here. Though I had no plan I didn't think that was important.

All I knew was that I wanted to go back to New York and that this bastard was in my way. I knew every trick in the book of escaping that I bet I could escape from prison if I ever needed to. Well, looks like I'm in a green prison and this Warden is going to have to go.

~C.O.C~

Please R&R! I'd really appreciate it!

AN: I hope to continue Of Apples and Wolves as I write Clash Of Claws. I will be switching between these two for a while and I hope my readers for Of Apples and Wolves (A&W) will also read this story as well. Since I'm back at college it will be a while until I can update and battle writer's block. Your patience is greatly appreciated! Feedback of any kind is welcomed! Thanks readers!