Freedom’s Song

Riding the high of finally baring the last dregs of ugliness and vileness from her soul Jessa sat back on the seat and contemplated life as a rogue or to trust the man sitting before her. If what he said was true, she and her makeshift family would not be slaves anymore. They'd be pack equals. They'd be able to work real jobs, for real pay, and have a real life. No more tiny closet sized rooms, sleeping on broken mattresses with rolled clothing for pillows and rags for blankets. Caleb could have a proper education. He was such a brilliant boy. He could OWN books, not risk being whipped for sneaking into the library to read.

It was a lot to consider. Of course the other two had a lot of say in the decision too. They'd go to Rising Moon and see what was what. They'd ask to be left to decide what they'd like to do. It wouldn't be safe for them as rogues, but if they simply couldn't abide living there, they'd ask to maybe find a suitable pack… as she thought these words Jessa felt so…wrong somehow. Like it was a heavy oppression on her not to be there…. It made no sense to her. Nor did it make sense to her to feel such a fluttering in her hormones and heart when she stole small glances at the alpha. Ugh, stupid hormones!

Just then Alpha James looked up at her making her cheeks turn crimson and her eyes fall to her lap immediately. Her back automatically stiffened and it pulled at the wounds causing her to wince. They'd been riding for what seemed like most the day and were still surrounded by forests and mountains. She had no clue of direction or geography so this had no clue as to where she even was.

Caleb and Amelia were asleep with Caleb's head resting on her shoulder her arm protectively curled over his shoulder. Jessa's stomach rolled and growled again and she pressed her hands into it to stop the rumbling discomfort. She was used to not eating. She often went days without food. But as she heard Caleb's stomach growl in his sleep she felt sad. She had not one cent to her name and no way to get her siblings food.

James looked up at Jessa and met her eyes. His gaze softened as he accessed her condition.

"Are you in pain Jessa?" He asked

"Nothing I can't bear sir " she replied.

"You can call me James, Jessa. I'm not so formal with my pack members behind closed doors, only in the presence of other packs. A formality if you will. The young man seems to be hungry, he's a growing young man, I can bet your, er, sister? Is too. Would you like to stop and get some food? It's almost dinner time and we've still a ways to go yet." He said

"I'm fine, I know they're hungry. But I have no money for food. Perhaps there's forgeable vegetation nearby? Amelia can also hunt small game at times. We are very skilled in finding edible plants." She rambled on not noticing the look that crossed James's face. He was outraged at her words. What kind of life had these three lived? He wanted to turn the SUV around and go slaughter that useless pack!

'All in good time,' he reminded himself, 'all in good time…' they'd all pay for what they've done to these innocent people.

"Jessa, there is absolutely no way I'm allowing you to do that. I will gladly provide you with a meal. You're my pack now. I won't have you starve or foraging for food ever again. As far as money, don't concern yourself with that. This pack has plenty of it. We own three major companies. I have very little doubt that we can find a job for all three of you. As well as schooling for the boy. Is he literate? Can he read and write?" He asked

"Caleb is exceptionally bright. He is very smart. He never had much schooling, but he was taught basics and he taught himself more. He would sneak into the pack library and read everything he could find. He often got whipped or starved for it but he would still go back time and again. He has a passion for learning, though it often worried Amelia and I." She said

"Whipped for wanting to learn? What an utter disgrace that pack was! I will personally see to it that his abilities are tested and see to it he's enrolled in schooling. Once we know how much he knows we'll sort out what grade he's at and he'll be able to get an education." He said harshly at first then his tone softening as he looked at the sleeping lad. He was certainly going to be a tall man. Once he gained his wolf he'd be strapping. Now his face was tanned from working outside so much he assumed. He was a handsome lad. His face still slightly rounded from his youth, brown eyes that looked far too old and hardened from his lifestyle, his body long and lanky with the way of a young teenager. His sandy hair curled slightly away from his face. He bore a striking resemblance to his Beta in a way.

Snapping out of his thoughts he turned back to Jessa. He asked her to wake the other two as they were approaching a town. Goddess knows he couldn't take her into a human restaurant looking as she did. She didn't even have a proper shirt on! Just rags tied around her chest… She has a magnificent chest… what? He mentally slapped himself. Where in hades did that come from?!?! She was a child to him. And vulnerable. He can't be thinking that way. Even if every inch of her screamed woman. Gorgeous, curvaceous, beautiful woman… He was immensely grateful when Sam cleared his throat and announced they reached the town.

"Alpha, there doesn't appear to be many options. I assume we're better off going through a drive-through? Given Jessa's condition I'd feel better getting her to the pack hospital as soon as possible…." He said.

James nodded his head and told his Beta to go through McDonald's. He turned to Caleb first

"What would you like young one? You may have whatever you like. All of you may." He said only to be astonished when all three said they had no clue what the restaurant had. Had they never been out of the house and surrounding area? How sad. He ended up ordering a bunch of different foods. They could taste around to find what was to their liking. He also ordered three large milkshakes. One of each flavor. He'd let them try for themselves.

Sitting back in her seat as much as she could Jessa was deliriously happy. Freedom tasted amazing. She hummed a tune to herself wordlessly. Her adoptive mother has often hummed it to Amelia and herself at night. They in turn used to hum it to Caleb in his bed. As if practiced the other two began humming along too. Three voices so perfectly harmonized. It was beautiful to James's ears. These three abused and abandoned souls, humming their freedom song….