Page 53 of Alpha Chained
I think of my baby sister, who was just a girl when they took me. The one I’ve fought so hard to protect all these years. Her life hangs in the balance because of my choices.
I fight my emotions, torn between the longing I feel for Raura and the need to protect Willow at all costs. But that’s assuming there’s even a chance for a future with Raura. We’re still near strangers, our bond forged in that godforsaken place and strengthened by a handful of interactions.
But I know what matters.
I’ve glimpsed the essence of who she is – her inner fire, her unwavering courage, her ability to endure even the darkest trials while still radiating a softness and warmth. I know her in a way that transcends a shared history.
“Riot?” Her voice is soft.
I glance over at Raura as she stirs awake, her eyes fluttering open.
“Hey, you,” I say gently.
There’s a shift in her energy, a newfound spark that ignites her features as she straightens in her seat and looks around, taking in our surroundings.
“We’re getting close,” she says, her voice laced with a mixture of excitement and apprehension. “I can feel it.” She turns to me, her eyes alight with an intensity that steals my breath. “I’m going home,” she murmurs, as if tasting the words, savoring their sweetness.
“You are.” I reach out and give her hand a reassuring squeeze. She laces her fingers through mine, holding tight, anchoring me to this moment.
Fuck, she’s so lovely.
“Tell me about it,” I urge her gently. “Tell me about where you live.”
A radiant smile blossoms across her lips. “You’ll love it, Riot!”
I listen, enraptured, as she begins to describe the place she loves so much. “Steel Lakes is amazing,” she says wistfully. “The buildings are old, but they’re full of character. It was a mining town before, so the homes are simple, but we’ve put our own stamp on them. Some people have painted them, put flowerboxes outside their windows. You should see it in summer!”
“It sounds really special.” I can practically see the images unfolding as she paints a vivid picture. The buildings clustered together, an air of warmth and community permeating every nook and cranny.
“Very!” She nods eagerly. “And then there are the gardens!” she continues, her eyes sparkling. “We have these lush vegetable patches where we grow our own food. Everyone pitches in to tend them – it’s a labor of love.”
As she speaks, I find myself eager to see this place with my own eyes. To experience the camaraderie she describes so vividly.
“Tell me more,” I tell her, enjoying the sound of her voice, her enthusiasm. There’s something contagious about it.
The landscape blurs by, growing more austere, the towns less prosperous-looking.
“I think it’s the people who make Steel Lakes truly special,” she says, her affection for them shining through every word. “We’re a pack bound by more than just blood – we’re a family.” She’s put her hand on my thigh and squeezes, her fingers warm there.
“Family,” I echo, thinking of my own.
“Yes. An odd one, I’ll admit.” She grins. “But we’re there for each other. And together, we have everything we need. We even have our own doctor – Dr. Bea. She’s amazing – you’ll love her!”
My ears perk up at the mention of a healer. “Tell me about her,” I urge, my interest in healing sparking again after lying dormant for so long. “What kinds of remedies does she use? What’s her approach to treatment?”
“She takes the ‘mother hen’ approach.” Raura chuckles. “But I guess you could say she kind of mixes and matches her treatments as needed.”
“Mix and match?” I raise an eyebrow.
“Yeah. She uses a lot of the old healing arts, but she’s quite comfortable using modern human medicine.”
“Really?” I’m curious. “Does that work on our kind?”
“Yep. Mostly. It’s how she helped the wolves who we rescued.” She nods.
“What wolves?” I frown.
“The ones who escaped after they were taken.”