Page 41 of Escaping Wildfire

The rest of the week had gone by quickly. We started training two days ago, and so far, it has been going rather well. I was teaching the boys’ class, so I worried less about them being indoctrinated by Wildfire because they were being taught by me.

The stupid combo engagement/birthday party was tonight, and Alpha Marek had graciously invited all of us prisoners from the pack formally known as Cobalt Falls. Jade and the twins could not have been less excited, and Jasmine had taken to not even talking in the past week. I would say she was a mere shell of herself, but I don’t think she was even that, maybe just a shadow. The only thing that kept her going at this point was Jade and being there for her. I know she was worried about me as well, but I hadn’t even told her about my encounter with Beta Griffin as I knew it would make her anxiety worse.

Alpha Marek had made good on his word to move me into my new shared room, which was actually more like a small apartment with a separate sitting area, bathroom, and kitchenette. I don’t know why we’d need that, though, as I wasn’t even allowed to go food shopping.

Nora had offered to do not just mine but also Jasmine and Jade’s hair for the party, so we were all sitting in my new room waiting to get ready.

“Your dress is pretty.” Jade ran her hand across the glittery red fabric.

“It is, too bad Alpha Marek pretty much picked it for me.” Jade quickly moved her hand away from the dress as if she had been burned.

“Do you think we’ll ever get out of here?” She walked over to the bed and sat down. “I haven’t given up hope yet, and I’m sure the boys are doing everything possible to get to us.”

“But what if Alpha Marek attacks them too, and they all die, like Mom and Dad?” Her voice cracked and her eyes welled up with tears, but before I could comfort her, we heard Jasmine, who had been looking out the window, start gasping for air. She was bent over clutching at her chest. “Jasmine?” We rushed to her side, and Jade cupped Jasmine’s face. “Jas, it’s okay. I’m here, just focus on me.” She continued gasping, and tears fell from her eyes. “Jordan is safe at Harvest Moon. He’s safe, we’re safe…focus on my voice Jas.” Jasmine closed her eyes and her breathing finally steadied. She opened her eyes as her tears streamed down her face, and she nodded at Jade, reaching out to hug her. I stepped up behind the two sisters not wanting to interrupt but also worried for my friend.

“Here, let’s sit.” Jade walked them over to the couch. “Can you get her a glass of water, please?” Jade called out to me.

I served the water, and walked over to them, handing the glass to Jasmine. “How long has this been going on?”

Jasmine wiped her cheeks but said nothing.

“The panic attacks started about two weeks ago, but the nightmares started the night we arrived,” Jade answered for Jasmine as Jasmine looked down at the floor.

“Do you also have them?” I asked Jade.

“Not the panic attacks, but sometimes I have nightmares.”

I took a deep breath and sat beside Jasmine and hugged her. “We’ll get out of here, I promise you, I’ll get you out of here and back with Jordan.” My only plan was still only a half-brained idea, but I meant the promise I made to them. I was going to get them out no matter what it took.

We had Jasmine lay down for a nap in my bed and had Nora fix mine and Jade’s hair and makeup first. As usual, she made me look perfect. I put on my red dress and gold heels, to match the pack colors, of course.

I was their new princess and had to look the part, but I waited until the last minute to slip that awful ring onto my finger. I felt like I was betraying Noah by having that ring.

“Your clutch and your ring, Miss.” I took my clutch from Nora and stared at the ring box in her hand. Nora’s hand shook and her eyes glistened as if she was about to cry. She looked scared that I wouldn’t take the ring, so I hastily took the box from her and slipped the ring onto my left hand. A tear I hadn’t realized was there slipped onto my cheek. I quickly wiped it away before Jasmine and Jade saw, but not before Nora saw.

“Alpha is expecting you now.” He must have mind linked Nora to bring us down to the party. She opened the door and ushered us out.

She looked quite beautiful today. All pack members were required to attend tonight, and she had curled her light brown hair and applied the most natural look to her face. She looked beautiful in her light yellow dress, but I could see that the dress looked a little worn in some places and the sleeves were not quite long enough for her arms like she had grown out of it. It must be her only dress, but that said a lot about her if she could make her worn dress look so beautiful.

The party was in full swing when we arrived, and the twins were the first to greet me. They were in brand-new matching suits but also wore matching scowls. “You were supposed to be at your party with Noah.”

“I was, but it’s not safe to say those things here.” They nodded in understanding and went off to get me and the girls some punch.

“There’s my future daughter-in-law. You look beautiful.” Alpha Marek sidled up beside me as if we were the best of friends, but I knew he was just putting on a show for everyone. “I have another surprise for you.” He clapped his hands once and gestured towards a side door where my parents were standing. They wore a new suit and dress, but they looked pale and had lost a considerable amount of weight. At that moment, I didn’t care if this was another ploy of Alpha Marek’s, I ran to greet my parents, having missed them these last few weeks.

“Feliz Cumpleaños, mi niña. (Happy Birthday, my girl.)” My mom patted my back as she hugged me and cried. “Look at you, so grown up and beautiful.”

Alpha Marek appeared behind us and gave us a crooked smile. “Let’s sit down for dinner now. Everyone better play nice, or there will be consequences.” He whispered that last part so only we could hear, but we did as he said and sat at a table for eight that included my family, the Alpha family, and Beta Griffin. Luna Clarissa was here as well, looking perfect in a tight bun, red lipstick, and a gold sheath dress. If I didn’t know better, I’d think she and Alpha Marek were happily mated.

Larkin came over to me and pulled out a chair for me to sit. The food was brought out, and we ate in uncomfortable silence. As we were finishing the meal, Alpha Marek made his way to the stage.

“Thank you everyone for being here.” How ironic, thanking people for being here when he forced them all to be here. “Let’s have a round of applause for my son, and his beautiful fiancée, Gema. Larkin, why don’t you bring her up so everyone can congratulate you two?” We walked up to the front, hand-in-hand, pretending to be the happy couple Alpha Marek wanted. As we neared the front, a large cake was brought out, and the crowd started to sing ‘Happy Birthday.’ I smiled, but I felt anything but happy. The cake was decorated with red ribbon, vanilla frosting, and gold polka dots.

My mother had spent weeks planning my party back home, a pink and red theme with a strawberry cake. I felt ridiculous wanting to cry over a cake. I’d never been high maintenance, crying over silly things, but today, I wanted to cry for the strawberry cake I wasn’t getting.

Larkin led me back to our table as the cake was passed out, and I stared at the offensive slice of cake placed in front of me.

The DJ started playing music, and the crowd happily rushed out onto the dance floor, but I hated everything about this party. In the past, Jasmine and I would have been the first out on the dance floor, but now Jasmine was fighting just to even sit in this room, and I was putting on a facade for the devil alpha.