Chapter Nine

Stephanie had sat in front of me talking about how her and Blake were going to be settling down into his pack house once they had finished getting everything sorted out with the rogues. I just sat there listening and smiling at her in agreement while my own thoughts kept wondering off to Marcus and what he was doing at the moment. I knew they were trying to get more information on the attacks on Stephanie but I wasn't sure how the wolves following me played in to the picture. The best I could come up with was maybe both parties had started working together after the attack at the motel. I mean to me it would make sense. Enemy of thy enemy and all.

I sighed as Stephanie said something and I smiled at her nodding. She slapped me. "Ow! What the hell Stephanie?" She tilted her head. "Really? You just agreed to have sex with me Serenity!" I gawked at her and she burst out laughing. "I noticed you had gone into your own world so I asked if you wanted to have sex with me. Clearly you were not paying attention." I smiled embarrassed. "Sorry Stephanie. I'm just all over the place at the moment. I know the Alphas are trying to sort everything out and work out how to deal with the attacks but...I can't help but feeling like I should be doing more. Do you know what I mean?" She nodded. "I do, but I'm also used to the men of our pack doing their job. They fight for us and protect us. Wow that actually sounds sadder than it should hey?" I nodded smirking at her. "Just a little. I mean haven't you ever wanted to just stand up for yourself and fight your own battles?" She thought about it for a minute. "Yeah, I have actually."

Stephanie bounced up off the bed and held her hand out to me. "Where are we going?" She smiled widely at me. "To get answers and to take charge of this ourselves." She looked so determined I couldn't help but smile. I took her hand and let her help me up from the bed. My leg felt fine strangely enough. I shrugged and walked with Stephanie to the door. She opened it and poked her head out looking around. She pulled it open the rest of the way and stepped through. "Come on. This way." She led me down the hallways to a set of stairs that looked like they went down deep into the mansion.

I followed Stephanie carefully until we reached the bottom. She looked around the corner carefully before stepping out. She led me to a door that was slightly ajar. She frowned. "This shouldn't be open..." I looked at her. She pushed the door lightly and it moved open further. Both of us covered our mouths in shock. What had been a prison now lay slumped against a wall with his throat missing. "I'm sorry Stephanie, but I don't think we are going to get any answers from him." Her shoulder dropped as she sighed. "Maybe we can try another prison. I'm sure they brought more than one down here." She turned and looked at the other doors. Most of them were slightly open but two were locked. She stepped up to the first one and looked in. "Nope." She stepped back and turned to the other door. "And nope... Now what?" She looked at me disheartened. I sighed and shrugged. I was at more of a loss than her.

We walked back up the stairs slowly trying to think of other ways to get the information that we were looking for. voices sounded close to us and Stephanie stopped still. I stood next to her quietly as we waited. Whoever it was finished their conversation after a few minutes and we heard footsteps walking away. "You can come out now." Noah said. We both stepped out from around the corner blushing. "Where have you two been?" Stephanie stumbled over her words as she tried to answer. "No where... Stephanie was just taking me for a walk to help with the slight stiffness in my leg. We just heard people talking and didn't want to interrupt so figured we'd just wait...And I thought we might get in trouble because of my leg..." I covered quickly. Noah looked at me closely for a moment then smiled tightly. "Yeah well you really shouldn't be up on it yet. How about you go back and rest for a bit now that you've had your walk." We nodded quickly and headed off towards my room.

"How did you just do that?" Stephanie asked as soon as we were out of ear shot. "Do what?" She looked at me and blinked. "Really? You don't remember what I said? You can't lie to an Alpha Serenity! How did you just do it?" We reached my door and I opened it. I shrugged. "I don't know..." We walked in and closed the door. Stephanie sat down on the bed and stared at me. "Noah should have been able to tell if you were lying but if he did then he didn't say anything. I doubt he would have stayed quiet though if you lied to him." I looked at her. "I still don't even know how I managed to link people that I shouldn't be able to. Maybe it's just another strange thing I can do?" Stephanie raised her eyebrows. "That all you've got? Wow. Well that still doesn't help us with our other dilemma either."

I sat down next to Stephanie and frowned trying to think. "OK, so all the rogues are gone from the other night. I'm also pretty sure none of the guys are going to willingly offer up any of the information they have. So that leaves us with..." Stephanie leaned against me. "Squat. That's what." I laughed at her. "Pretty much. Stephanie you've lived this life surely you know something?" She sat back up and looked at me with her eyebrows raised. "Sheltered version of this life, remember?" I sighed. "Still. There has to be something. Hey does my grandfather have an office?" Stephanie looked at me with her eyes wide open. "Seriously? You want to sneak into an Alpha's office and steal information?" I looked at her and shrugged. "Have you got a better idea?" She groaned. "No, but...I still don't think that's wise..." I looked at the door and nodded in agreement. "I suppose your right. Besides we almost got caught coming back from the rogue..."

We laid back on the bed staring at the roof. Stephanie fidgeted with her phone like she was waiting for a phone call while I tried to think of another way to get what we needed. I didn't want to drag anyone into what we were doing. I didn't really want to get Stephanie involved, but she knew more about any of this than I did. I was tempted to sneak out and find Noah's office on my own if I could get the information we needed. I was also considering going for a run into the woods to see if there were any more rogues hiding but that kind of felt like suicide at the moment and that's even if there was any left out there. I had to admit to myself though that it was feeling like the only option left. Maybe I just had to risk it. I could always call out for help if I needed it and surely if I left Stephanie behind the threat wouldn't be as bad.

I needed to get Stephanie distracted though and I couldn't tell her because otherwise she would want to come. I also needed to check my leg. If the wound was still open and bleeding then I don't know if it was worth risking a shift. It may just open it back up and then I would be defenseless against a rogue. I sat up from the bed and smiled at Stephanie as I excused myself and walked to the bathroom. I closed the door and walked over to the bath. I sat down on the edge and took a deep breath as I carefully pulled my pants down dreading what I was going to see.

It was still wrapped in a bandage so I undid it and started unwinding it. There was gauze taped over top of the wound. Carefully peeling it back I noticed a lot of the not so deep areas had completely closed up. The deeper areas though where still open and slightly weeping but it was no longer bleeding at all. I peeled the gauze off completely and touched gently around the edges to see how tender the wound was. It was sensitive in some spots while others were completely OK to touch. There were also a couple of numb areas. Over all it had heeled quiet quickly and rather well. Clarisa had done a good job. Not that I knew exactly what she had done, but it had obviously worked well.

I sat there looking at it debating whether it was worth the risk or whether I should just wait a little longer. The only problem was I didn't know how long we had. We were safe here but what would happen when everyone left? They could attack on the way and our numbers would be lower than they are at the moment. I needed to risk it. I left the gauze and bandage off as I pulled my pants back up. I was going to risk it. Now I just had to work out how. Standing up from the bath I knew I was going to have to come up with something so that Stephanie didn't follow. Then I had to get passed everyone without being noticed or they would stop me and I needed to do this.

Stephanie was still lying on the bed when I stepped back out of the bathroom. She looked over to me and smiled. I smiled back and walked over to the bed and flopped back down next to her. "I'm so hungry my stomachs eating itself." I smiled at her. "I know what you mean. Oh hey lets go get something to eat from the kitchen!" Her weakness, food. "I would but after being caught earlier..." She cringed a little. "Yeah good point. Did you want me to go get you something?" I sat and smiled brightly at her. "Would you? Please!! Do you think they have ice cream hiding down there?" She smiled evilly. "Of course. I've raided the stock before. What did you want? They have chocolate, strawberry swirl, cookies and cream, caramel and bubblegum." I opened my eyes wide. "Definitely Bubblegum!" She laughed at me. "Bubblegum it is then. I'll be back soon, as long as I can get passed the kitchen staff... And mum." I laughed as I watched her get up from the bed and walk over to the door. She smiled back at me quickly as she disappeared through the door.

With Stephanie gone I got up and grabbed a spare change of clothes quickly from the wardrobe. I walked to the door and opened looking around to make sure that no one was close. I stepped through and pulled the door closed behind me. I made my way to the front doors as quickly as I could without being seen. The hallways had been clear but I could hear voices in the front entrance as I walked down the stairs quietly. I stopped and chanced a look in the direction of the voices. I didn't recognize the two men standing there but that didn't mean they didn't know who I was. I cursed under my breath wondering how I could get pass them. I thought about trying to sneak out the back but that involved going closer to the kitchen and I didn't know how much longer I had until Stephanie was on her way back.

Sucking in a deep breath I stood up straight and casually walked down the stairs hoping that maybe I could pass by them without drawing to much attention instead. They continued talking as I walked closer to the doors. One of the men glanced at me and frowned but continued his conversation. I breathed a sigh of relief as I reached the front doors and stepped through. One obstacle down. I stopped and looked around to see if there was anyone else I needed to avoid. So far it was clear. I walked off towards the woods as quickly as I could looking around me constantly to make sure I wasn't spotted.

I reached the woods and stepped in just behind a tree and looked back at the house making sure that I hadn't been spotted at all. I was starting to feel nervous and lent back against the tree. I started to doubt whether I had made the right decision or not but I needed to do something. I also felt bad for not leaving a note or something for Marcus but if I had he would have followed and stopped me. I stood up straight and pulled my clothes off quickly to shift. It was easier than I thought and I had only felt some pulling in the wound with very little pain. I looked back at the house one more time before shaking my head and walking deeper into the woods.

I wondered aimlessly to start with but suddenly I picked up a strange smell. It was a mix really. A little musty and a little like off meat which made me cringe a little internally. I followed the smell as it got stronger. I stopped when I heard snarling. I listened and realized there was more than just one or two. This had been a bad idea. I backed up slowly and quietly so I could move away without being noticed. I turned around slowly and went to take off. "You made a mistake little one..." I froze in place. I guy stepped out from behind a tree looking at me with a smile on his face. He took a step towards me and I backed up slightly. "You've got nowhere to run. If you go back they'll jump on you like your nothing." He stopped moving forward and watched me.

I lowered my head and snarled. "Wouldn't do that love." The snarling behind me quietened down suddenly and I realized my mistake. Glancing back I became nervous and he just laughed. "Told you." I heard their movements as I tried to judge what to do. He was in human form but the smell coming off of him warned that it wouldn't be as simple as it looked. While I had been debating my next move he had also moved himself in to position that would allow him to get a quick jump on me if I did try to run. Crap. Essentially I was trapped between him and rogues in wolf form. Either way I wasn't getting out easily.

I turned myself slightly so I could see the rogues coming up behind me while still keeping my eyes on him as well. He watched my movement smiling. He took a step sideways forcing me to have to choose been watching him or my back. I couldn't watch both. I chose to watch him. His movements where deliberate and well thought while theirs was wanting to simply attack. I heard them snarl right behind me and braced myself to dodge. I heard one rush forward and he moved at me at the same time. I shot down on my stomach and slid across the ground under him. Spinning I watched him collide with the wolf as another launched at me. I spun quickly and took off swerving around a couple of trees to slow down the wolf behind me. I heard the rest rush after me as he yelled at them.

I spotted a large hollowed log and swung towards it. Ducking slightly I ran straight into the centre of it. I heard one of the rogues jump up onto the log snarling. The rest came crashing through right behind me. The other end was smaller and forced me to crawl quickly through it. I came out the other end just as the rogue on top jumped down landing on me. We rolled over and I bit out at him while snarling. He pushed himself off of me and stopped long enough for me to roll back up onto my feet. I spun and ran as fast as I could. I could feel the burn start spreading through my body and I smiled internally as I pushed myself past it.

My gait opened up and I felt my speed pick up. It was almost like hitting my own version of over drive. I pushed myself faster and faster as I saw the edge of the woods come into view. I could hear the rogues still following but they were getting further and further away finally. Suddenly my back leg was grabbed and ripped out from under me. My eyes flew open as I hit the ground. "Stephanie!!!" I screamed out through the link. I spotted men running towards me as I started being dragged back towards the woods. I clawed at the ground trying to slow the progression but whoever had me was stronger. The other rogues broke through the tree line and came thundering past me heading for the men. I had to get up, I had to fight.

I dug my paws in and pulled back against the mouth wrapped around my back leg. The teeth dug in deeper the harder I pulled. I managed to get back up on my feet though and swung around lashing out at who had me. My teeth connected with the muzzle of a dark brown wolf. He let go and jumped at me. I ducked and rolled off to one side. He landed on the ground next to me and rolled back up onto my paws. He lowered his head and snarled at me. We heard loud snarls and fighting get close to us. We both looked and I watched the Alphas push the rogues back from the house and they were all getting closer to us. The wolf in front of looked at me for a second then back at the fighting approaching us before he turned and ran back to the woods. He reached the tree line and howled. The rogues spun on their heels and ran after him. The Alphas reached me and I watched him stare at me as the rogues cleared the tree line. He then turned and disappeared. I was in so much trouble...