__________________ 

Chapter 3

My eyes widened in fear after Adam claimed that we were in the Black Shadow pack, the biggest pack in America, the pack that's known for their cruel punishments, and the pack that never shows mercy to the rogues that cross their territory.

That's it, we're dead.

I looked around my surroundings to see if there was a way out, but there wasn't. We were surrounded by angry wolves that kept growling at us every time we make a single move. I couldn't see Adam's face because he was in front of me, but I could tell that he was as terrified as I am. There's no place to run, no place to go.

"Tiana, do you think you could save us with your powers?" Adam asked in a hard tone, I immediately tried to use them but it was no use, I don't have much energy left because I didn't eat anything at all.

"I can't. I don't have much energy," I replied. Adam growled lowly causing some wolves to step closer to us.

Adam was about to say something from the mind link but was immediately caught off when we heard loud growls from the distance. It soon turned louder and louder until a big wolf emerged from the trees.

The wolf had a strong vibe coming from it, my guess is that it's either the alpha or the beta. Ok, now we're screwed. Soon the wolf came closer and shifted into his human form, leaving his naked body on display. I lowered my head because no way was I going to see something I didn't want to see. I raised my head back up when someone from behind him passed his pants and wore them.

He stepped closer to us, giving us a deadly stare.

"Shift," he growled in a dangerous voice. Adam looked back at me and nodded his head, indicating that we should listen to him before it all gets worse.

We both shifted into our human forms and I immediately wore the clothes that were in my mouth and ignored the stares I got from the other wolves.

"You do know you're in a claimed territory, rogues?" The man asked. Adam grabbed my hand and moved in front of me once again.

"We do," Adam replied. The man stepped closer and growled lowly.

"And do you know what happens when you cross our territory without our permission?" He questioned. It was pretty clear that he didn't like us at all. nope, not one bit. However I knew the answer to that question, everyone knows the answer to that question and it's death.

Adam stiffened and squeezed my hand tighter.

Adam nodded but didn't say a word. I gulped when the wolves came closer to us.

"You're lucky that the alpha isn't here right now, because if he was then you both would be dead on the spot but for now we're taking you guys to the dungeons," he said and looked at the guards that were behind us, before nodding his head. At that moment they come up to us and grabbed us by the arms.

I growled at them and so did Adam.

"Let go of us," Adam yelled. He looked over to me and his eyes were pitch black, his wolf wanted control and so did mine. "Let go of her," he yelled again. He started to struggle and growl at the guards that were holding him and me.

I wanted to tell him to calm down before he got himself hurt for the racket he was making but that was too late because the beta nodded his head to a guard that was behind him and knocked him out. He fell to the ground and closed his eyes as the guards started to carry him.

"Adam," I yelled worried as they started to take him away.

I growled and started to shake as well. I was about to curse at them when a painful scream came out of my mouth from the pain that was coming from my neck, making me fall to the ground.

At that moment I knew that my life was going to come to an end sooner than I have ever expected.

I slowly opened my eyes and groaned. I shook my head and moved my hands to massage my head but instead winced from the burning sensation that was coming from my wrists. My eyes widened and I looked around and gasped when I saw the state I was in.

I was in a small cell that smelled horrible, the smell of blood wasn't hard to catch at all which only made me want to gag. My wrists were tied up by silver, a werewolf's weakness. It drained me of all the little energy that I had left.

I was in a small cell that screamed death and horror.

It was dark so I couldn't see what was clearly happening outside the cell. There was a small window beside me which only allowed a little amount of light to enter.

I sighed and laid my head back on the wall, trying to prevent the tears from falling. I'm not going to look weak. I will die with courage and dignity.

I closed my eyes but snapped them open when I remembered something important, someone, important.

Adam.

I looked around and tried to make out if there was another cell close to or in front of mine.

"Adam," I called out quietly. No answer.

"Adam!" I called out even louder. Still no answer.

"Adam! Please answer me." I yelled, no answer. I closed my eyes and put my head down but smiled a small smile when I heard his voice.

"Tiana?" He asked

"Yes, Adam. It's me. Are you ok?" I asked loudly for him to hear.

"I'm alright, just these chains are draining my energy. Are you ok?" He asked me. I sighed out in relief. thank goodness he's alright.

"I'm fine," I replied.

"Tiana, I want you to know that we'll find a way out. I'm not going to let anyone touch a strand of your hair even if it's the last thing I do." He called out to me.

"I know, Adam. We have to find a way out of here." By the time I finished my sentence hysteric laughing erupted in the air. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion and I bet so did Adam.

"A way out of here?" Asked a squeaky voice which sure definitely belonged to an old man. The voice was coming from in front of me, which only creeped me out.

"You both want to find a way out of here?" He asked again. "There is no way out. No one can escape this hell we are in." He started to laugh again.

Adam growled and I just clenched my fist.

"Who are you?" I asked.

He stopped laughing and cleared his voice.

"You want to know who I am? I'm afraid I can't tell you that but I will tell you that you both will die. No one has ever escaped him and neither will you." I just gulped and shook my head. Don't listen to that crazy man.

Adam growled louder this time.

"Shut up, we'll find a way out." He yelled. And of course, the man started to laugh again.

"I've been in here for years and I've never found a way out. I know the pack like the back of my hand, yet I never managed to get out."

I bit my lip and sighed. He's right, who could ever escape the most feared pack in America?

"You were in the pack?" Adam asked confused.

If he was in the pack then what did he do to be in the cells? Questions passed my mind as I tried to think about it, squinting my eyes so I could try to see the person that was in the cell in front of me. However, I couldn't.

"Oh, yes. I was. They treated me like garbage. No one ever appreciated me," the man hissed. I furrowed my brows in confusion again.

"Why are you here?" I asked. The man stayed quiet. Not a single sound came from him, and that only made my curiosity grow.

I was about to ask one more time when the sound of doors slammed open and guards came into the dungeons, allowing light to enter the cells. I prayed that they didn't come for us but closed my eyes when they started to walk towards my cell. I started to pull my hands from the chain only to wince in pain.

I opened my eyes and sighed in relief when I saw that they opened the doors to the cell next to me and entered the cell. A moment later the guards were holding a struggling man and pushing him towards the doors.

"No. Please, I can't die. I can't!" The man's words echoed throughout the walls of the dungeon. I closed my eyes shut and a shiver ran down my spine. I breathed in and out, trying to calm myself down.

Only a miracle would help us get through this. That was the last thought before I blacked out.

I fluttered my eyes open and was met with the blue, peaceful sky. Not a cloud in sight. It was calm and the breeze hit my skin softly.

My eyes widened. Where was I? The last thing I remembered I was in the dungeons. I sat down and looked around. There was a small lake and tall grass everywhere. It was beautiful. This is a place where I would go to relax and calm my mind. Somewhere with no drama nor headaches.

I got up and ran my hands over my face. It still doesn't explain why I'm here.

"Hello?" I yelled. I started to walk around but found no one.

"Adam!" I yelled. "Where are you?" I questioned, looking around the beautiful, calming place.

"Adam isn't here, honey."

I gasped and turned my head over to the source of the sound. I felt my eyes water at the people who were in front of me.

"Mother? Father?" I whispered and placed my hands over my mouth. How could this be? How are they here? The last time I saw them was the day of the attack. It wasn't long ago but I missed them so much.

My mom opened her arms and I ran into them, hugging her tightly. A few tears slipped out of my eyes but my father immediately wiped them away. I hugged him too and we soon pulled apart.

"How are you here?" I asked. They smiled at me and each one held my hand.

"It's a long story," my mother replied. My father nodded his head in agreement and gave my hand a squeeze.

"Darling, we want to let you know something," my father told me. I slowly nodded my head and my parents looked at each other for a moment, before looking back at me.

"You're dreaming right now," my mother said. My eyes widened and I pouted my lower lip. So this was not real? I guess it was too good to be true. It was nice while it lasted.

"But that's not the thing we wanted to let you know," my father spoke. I nodded my head once again, letting them continue.

"We want you to know that no matter what happens everything will be ok."

"How? I mean, it's impossible to escape the dungeons nor the pack. How will things be ok?" I asked. This was all too confusing.

"Tiana, trust us. There's a solution for everything," my mother said while placing her hands on my shoulders, "you just have to not give up."

I inhaled and nodded my head.

"But where are you guys? Are you ok? How are we even communicating in my dream?" I asked. There were so many questions in my head. Too many that my head started to hurt and swirl from the overwhelming questions.

"You will get your answers in time. Just be patient and remember, never give up." And with that, they started to disappear in thin air.

"Mother, father. Wait." But it was too late. They were already gone. However, before my mom was completely disappeared, she said two words which made me face reality all over again.

"Wake up."

"Tiana, Tiana. Wake up." I heard a familiar voice call out my name. I slowly opened my eyes and found myself sitting on a chair. My hands were free but my feet weren't. I rubbed my wrists and groaned in pain. They were red and bruised. Well, I guess that will leave a mark.

I tried to move my legs from the chains but they wouldn't budge.

Great.

"Tiana," Adam called, concern lacing his tired voice.

"Adam?" I snapped my head up "What happened?" I asked.

"They took the chains off of our hands and tied them to our feet so we could eat what they gave us. Isn't much but it will do. I woke you up because I wanted you to eat before they chained our hands again." He replied.

I looked around and saw a small tray with bread on it in the corner of the cell. My stomach grumbled at the sight of food.

"Thanks, Adam," I spoke.

"You're welcome," he sighed. I reached for the tray and started to eat the bread. It wasn't much as Adam said but I was thankful that they gave us something to eat. The last time I ate something was last night, I think that's the longest I went without food.

After I was done, I started to think of the dream I had. It seemed so real, like my parents actually communicated with me. But that's impossible, isn't it?

"I had a dream," I said.

"A dream?" He asked.

"Yes, and I saw my parents." I sighed out. "It felt so real like they were sending me a message."

"What was the message?" Adam asked. I ran my hands through my messy hair while thinking about the conversation I had with my parents in my dream.

"I didn't really understand but they were saying that I shouldn't give up," I replied. "That there's a solution for everything."

"Yes, there is. No matter what happens I'll be there for you." I smiled at that. I could always rely on him.

"But if something does happen, I want to let you know something," he said in a soft tone. "I really shouldn't be saying this in the dungeons where lots of people might hear." He muttered to himself but I was able to hear him.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Tiana, I-"

He was caught off when the dungeon doors slammed open. My eyes widened and I gulped in fear when I saw the guards walking towards me but this time they opened my door. I clenched my hands and my heart pace started to beat faster. One guard came up to me and smirked at my scared facial impression.

"Tiana? What's happening?" Adam yelled.

The guard unlocked the chains and pulled me outside the cell.

"Adam. They're taking me," I yelled back but winced in pain when the guard pushed me against the wall.

"Shut up," he sneered, his smelly breath fanning my face, making me cringe.

"Run, Tiana. Run," Adam yelled.

Once Adam's words registered in my mind I did something that might have gotten me into more trouble or might have saved my life. I hit the guard with my knee where the sun doesn't shine.

Poor guy might never have babies.

He cried in pain and fell to the ground. I started to run towards the door but two guards were in the way.

I used the little energy I had left to make myself invisible. The two guards' eyes widened and started to search the room. When they got out of the way I ran to the door but my powers immediately wore off.

"She's over there. Get her before the Alpha has our heads," one guard yelled. They started to run after me while I just ran to wherever the hall would take me to. My heart rate increased as my worry only heightened. I was running through the dark, dim hall, not knowing where exactly I was going.

I stopped dead in my track when I smelled a rather pleasing smell. It was a smell of woods and a hint of dark chocolate. It sounded weird but it smelled nice.

My eyes widened when I realized that they were gaining up on me so I started to run again. But this time I stopped again, not because of the smell but because I bumped into a chest. I stumbled back and realized that the smell was so strong that it made my wolf purr in delight.

I slowly raised my head up to be greeted by dark brown eyes staring at me like they can see right through me. My eyes widened when I heard what the guard behind me said.

"Alpha Mason."

Right then and there my heart literally stopped, and not because I was in front of the most feared Alpha. But because of what my wolf kept repeating.

Mate.

____________________