Desiree.
I stared at myself in the mirror, admiring the dress Madam Gertrude had given me, how they always got the right size of my outfits was a mystery I wasn't ready to unfold. But it was quite exquisite, draping my body like a sending skin while retaking a certain modesty. It was a blue dress that had small white polka dots and it covered my arms. I couldn’t help but feel like a different person in it. My red hair had been pulled into a ponytail and my eyes were filled with exhaustion.
As I looked down at the mirror to the notes in my hand that the stranger had given me. 'Meet me here tomorrow' it said. That was today, I was supposed to meet him in the woods today and he was going to get me out of this hell hole.
But then Maddox's reassuring touch tingled on my cheeks again and a wave of confusion hit me. I didn’t know what to do, there were so many unanswered questions that I knew t

Desiree.
As I walked into the room, my heart pounded heavily in my chest threatening to jump out. I didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t know what was happening. But here I was going to face judgment for a crime I knew nothing about. Willis led me into what appeared to look like a courtroom and I was instantly aware of the number of people in it.
Inside, at the left was a section of older people and my first guess was that they were the elders Willis had spoken about. Their judgmental eyes stared deep into my soul but one of them stood out. He was a much older man with white hair and pale eyes that looked like he was blind but something told me he saw everything in this room.
And somehow he felt familiar. I tried to remember where I had met him before, but I couldn’t. But he gave off an eerie vibe that seemed to creep me out. I quickly averted my eyes as I heard murmurs and gasps from ot

Desiree.
When the sun started sleeping through the curtains was when I gave up on sleep. After being up all night tossing and turning on the most comfortable bed I’d been in, I still couldn't sleep. It was a new environment and I hadn't adjusted to it. And I didn’t even want to be here.
Despite not being in a cage I still felt like a prisoner.
I watched as the sun's rays stretched into the room, highlighting its beauty and my eyes watched the way the furniture glittered under the light.
Lost in thought, I hadn’t heard the knock on the door until it opened to reveal Madam Gertrude who looked bright and happy as she closed the door behind her and walked towards me.
“Good morning, miss,” she said, a small smile on her face despite her judging eyes as she walked to the window and drew back the curtain and it was like the sun was right here in the room as it brightened every corner.
I gasped as the beauty outside and my legs were rubbing towards the window before I could stop it. There was a huge garden just outside the window, perfectly manicured lawns bordered by beautiful vibrant flowers that exploded with colors. And at its center sat a small pool that had two ducks in it with their ducklings like a perfect family.
All of this beauty, however, felt tarnished by the circumstances of my presence. Despite the breathtaking view, the mansion's walls remained my cage, and I couldn't forget the reality that lay beyond the garden's boundaries. If maybe this had been a diffrent situation, I would have truly appreciated the view.
In the distance, I could see a big pool, its waters shimmering under the sunlight and everything just looked like a perfect fantasy where dreams were fulfilled but then I frowned. I was living in a nightmare.
“You are going to have a busy day today Miss.”Madam Getrude started and I turned to her as she had started to lay my bed carefully and folding the blankets at the foot of the bed.
“Why? What am I doing today?” I asked as she stopped folding fur a moment and turned to me.
“You’ll be meeting the Chief elders as well as the other elders,” she said and I frowned at that, taking a step towards her.
“Elders? Who are they?” I asked and she nodded.
“They are some sort of advisors to the Alpha of the pack. They are like a second in command, personal advisers and they hold a high status. They would be deciding what to do with you.”
“Deciding what to do with me? Like kill me or something?” I asked, horrified at the thought of my life being in the hands of some old group of elders who I knew nothing about.
“Maybe,” Madam Getrude said and I felt my heart sink for a second before she continued. “Don’t worry, the Alpha will protect you. He won’t let any harm come to you. And his words are final. They obey his decision.” She finished and I sighed, running my hand through my hair.
“As if he would. Maddox is an asshole. And he locked me in a cage, bit my neck and suddenly he would protect me? You can tell him to take his protection and shove it up his arrogant ass,” I spat just as the door opened.
Maddox strolled in like he owned the room, which he technically did. But the aura of arrogance bled off like a wave, there was something superior about the way he walked like everyone was beneath him. He wore a dark suit that hugged his biceps and outlined every muscle. His black hair had been styled backwards giving more room for his green eyes to shine.
This was the Maddox I knew, arrogant, cold and lacking any emotion. And I remembered him last night, drunk and more open about his feelings. A part of me wondered why he had been drunk. Was there something bothering him? Because he had gotten drunk when no one else was around. Was he hiding something? A pain maybe?
I almost felt sorry for him but then his cold glare locked with mine and I remembered the kind of asshole he was.
“You can tell me yourself.” He said sharply and I frowned at him. He was so different from last night, his eyes were sharp and his expression cold. I wondered how he had gotten over his hangover in a few hours and looked as sharp as ever. No one would even suspect he had been drunk only a few hours ago.
“I’m not going anywhere,” I said defiantly as Madam Gertrude started to say something when Maddox raised his hand at her.
“Leave us.” He commanded and I watched as she started to leave, giving me a stern look as if to behave before bowing deeply at Maddox. I frowned at that as she left and shut the door behind her.
“I see you are a bit mouthy this morning,” Maddox started and I scoffed, rolling my eyes.
“Tell that to someone who you didn’t kidnap. I’m not going anywhere with you to where they’ll decide if I live or not.” I told him but he said nothing for a second, simply looking outside the window.
“The Elders don’t have a final say. I do. They can’t decide on my behalf,” he responded and I glared at him.
“Why do they feel the need to even say anything? No one knows me here. I want you to take me back home. I don’t belong in this cult or whatever you people do.” I almost yelled as Maddox turned slowly to me, his green eyes so empty.
“It’s a pack. And secondly, you’re undergoing an investigation. Your arrival here has caused the death of my members, many of them are sick and it’s all tied to you somehow. So until we figure out if you’re a threat or not, you’re staying here,” he said before looking down at his watch.
“Willis will be here soon to bring you to the court. I have to leave,” he said as he started to turn away and I hurried after him.
“Court?” I exclaimed as Maddox stopped and turned to me and I slammed into his chest and stumbled but I felt his hand go around my waist so I didn’t fall. Sparks traveled through my body like a race and I felt butterflies in my stomach. Up close, I could see the small dark circles that surrounded those green eyes, like some dark mountains in a valley of green trees.
I blinked, my cheeks flaming red as I coughed awkwardly and stepped away from him.
“What do you mean court?” I asked, looking everywhere but at Maddox.
“There's going to be the gathering of elders, my Beta, and some scouts. Some pack members would be there as well. Nothing too overwhelming, don't worry,” he said, but I couldn’t help but worry, standing all alone in the midst of people I didn’t know, to be judged on something I knew nothing about.
Thousands of questions clouded my mind but I didn’t even know where to start but then I felt something on my cheeks and looked up to see Maddox touching my face. His fingers slid across my cheeks and sparks followed, a tingling sensation sat around my cheeks as if dancing around excitedly.
For a second, I felt everything vanish around me as I was lost in Maddox's intense green eyes that watched me with a sense of protection. It was weird, how could my captor feel like my savior? My protector? My safe space?
“I’ll be there. Don’t be scared. I won’t let any harm come to you,” he said, his eyes searching mine as I nodded absentmindedly. Maddox said nothing else as he dropped his hand and left the room.
Unknowingly, I let out the breath that I had been holding, raising my hand to my cheeks where he had touched. I could almost feel the intensity of his grip, it wasn’t strong enough to be painful or light enough that I could hardly feel it. But enough to know that his words were not just empty promises. They were firm and honest.
And I was a fool for trusting him.
How could I believe his words so easily? How could I trust that someone who captured me and harmed me would protect me?

Desiree.
I stared at myself in the mirror, admiring the dress Madam Gertrude had given me, how they always got the right size of my outfits was a mystery I wasn't ready to unfold. But it was quite exquisite, draping my body like a sending skin while retaking a certain modesty. It was a blue dress that had small white polka dots and it covered my arms. I couldn’t help but feel like a different person in it. My red hair had been pulled into a ponytail and my eyes were filled with exhaustion.
As I looked down at the mirror to the notes in my hand that the stranger had given me. 'Meet me here tomorrow' it said. That was today, I was supposed to meet him in the woods today and he was going to get me out of this hell hole.
But then Maddox's reassuring touch tingled on my cheeks again and a wave of confusion hit me. I didn’t know what to do, there were so many unanswered questions that I knew the stranger would see to. But something about Maddox called out to me, as if begging me to stay.

Chapter 20