Word Count: 1605

~Brielle

Exhaustion swept me into sleep around midday.

The sound of the door opening and shutting startled me awake again. Disorientated, I catch the eyes of Chase as he wanders through the door. Any hope Ren has taken control of his body again is dashed once I realise the vibrance of that Blue eye. It's like some kind of magical cue that Chase's personality has been triggered.

Night have definitely arrived, leaving my body disoriented and confused. Shadows play on the bed covers in front of me as evening shifts into dusk. It's a strange feeling to wake when night is just beginning.

Chase even looks different. In the time he has been gone, he has acquired a leather jacket that dries all the moisture from my mouth.

What has he been doing?

He doesn't say anything as he approaches the side of the bed, reaching for the binds that have tied me here all day. They have surely left marks, the burn never never ceasing all day. I doubt Chase would care very much if I complained anyway. He's only exhibited the curlest qualities so far.

"Was this really necessary?" I question flatley while he unties my wrists. I glance up at him, dark hair dusted over his forehead and eyes while he works. Ren would never wear his hair so carelessly. Another difference between them.

A slight smirk crosses Chase's face. "Like I said earlier, I quite like seeing you tied up like this."

My jaw clenches. Sick.

Finally, he unties my wrists, letting them drop, stiff and aching from being held there all day. When I look down, they are covered with harsh red marks like I knew it would be. When I brush my fingers down over them, they are sensitive too.

"Let's get out of here," Chase mutters. For a moment when I glance back up at him he was looking down at my wrists, looking uncomfortable. Is he concerned about me?

It doesn't last very long as we head downstairs back toward the car. No one waiting in the lobby looks suspicious of us either. I could call out to one of them for help, but I know it would be worth nothing. Chase would be able to sweet talk his way out of anything, and being an Alpha, no one is going to question him.

Once we get into the car, I decide I can no longer wait for him to give me an explanation in his own time. I need one now, and even if it means sitting in this car for hours getting on his nerves, I will do it.

"At least tell me one reason you took me away from that island," I almost beg. I would beg if I had no more dignity. But I'm still fighting to get out of this.

"There's only one reason," he muses calmly.

"Are you going to tell me what it is?" I demand. I'm getting more desperate to know why he took me now that we seem to be driving further and further away from civilisation. We sink deeper into a dark pine forest with no lights around us. If he were to kick me out of the car here, I wouldn't be able to find a way back. Not in the darkness either.

Chase furrows his brows, as if he is wondering within himself whether he should tell me or not. I'm hoping any bit of information will tell me more about his motive, and what he is planning to do with me.

"It will do you fine to wait until we make it to our destination," he grumbles under his breath, not even looking at me.

That means I'm not going to learn anymore.

The rest of the drive is full with darkness and unanswered questions. Since I've never been outside this Pack before, there is no way for me to tell where we are going, or where we are right now. All I know is we are beginning to climb a mountain. The only Pack that I know that has mountains within its borders is the Independence Pack. Is that were he is taking me?

Dawn was just cracking when we arrived at Chase's destination. It was hidden behind a cliff ledge, being just a small cabin that looks long abandoned. He must have done his research before coming here.

As we clamber out of the car, he doesn't restrain me here. I would be stupid to run off into the mountains with no civilization around for miles. Plus, the cold is thick and heavy around here, making me shiver.

And I have no other clothes.

"I don't know why you dragged me up here, but if I didn't resent you for it before, I definitely do now," I mutter under my breath as we walk up to the cabin.

Inside, it's small and run down to the point one window is broken on the other side of the building, floorboards have collapsed and there is nothing in here aside from a dusty couch with broken springs. This has been abandoned for a long time, and in no way is going to do well in holding off the cold.

"What is this place?" I question, as Chase closes the door behind us. He rubs his hands together, feeling the cold as much as me. Despite my disgust, I sit on the decrepit couch, hoping to get some warmth back.

"We won't be here for long," Chase tells me, wiping his mouth. "Just need to...Get some energy back."

I watch him pull his hand back. Blood.

Turning around, I pretend I don't see it. Is he sick? Something is going on, but I'm going to wait before I question him. Suddenly I feel something warm cover my shoulders. Looking down, I realise it's Chase's leather jacket. It smells like him. Fresh but spicy. It's oddly nice, so I tug on the jacket to keep it close, the scent sending a shiver down my spine.

"I would say thank you, but you still haven't told me why I'm here," I tell him, watching him walking around the couch. Despite my tone, I am thankful he gave up his jacket just for me. It's the first kind gesture he's ever made to me.

"You should know now I'm an impulsive person. And a jealous person," Chase mutters, raking a hand back through his hair.

I blink a few times, not understanding.

He paces in front of me, finally letting his guards down for the first time. "I'm a jealous person and I...I saw you talking to some contractor and I had to take you away."

It surprised me how matter-of-fact he said this. He seemed uncaring of my reaction, clear in how he feels and is not embarrassed about it at all. It just leaves me confused, trying to figure out what he means by that. To be jealous, he has to be somewhat attracted to me, or feel something...

"You're telling me you took me away from my work and my home because you were jealous?" I question in disbelief. "You don't even know me. I don't even know you. All I know is you hurt innocent girls for your own fun."

Now that I'm confident he won't hurt me, I'm speaking my mind with no care at all. It clearly doesn't make Chase very happy, though.

Not that I care.

A muscle in his jaw ticks as his expression turns to cold stone. He steps toward me, kneeling down on the floor in front of the couch. Seeing the distant look in his eye, all the confidence that had been there for a fleeting moment drained away in an instant. Maybe he would hurt me.

"I wouldn't question me. I know what I want," he mutters darkly. He leans so close I can see contours of his face I hadn't before. I can feel his warm breath on my face.

Swallowing uncomfortably, I just nod. It's easier.

He sits back for a moment, eyes still looking distant. He blinks a few times, looking concerned. Something is wrong with him, and as much as he tries to hide it, I can see his face getting pale. Maybe keeping Ren hidden in the back of his mind is taking a serious toll on his health.

As if the thoughts in my head controlled him, Chase's eyes roll to the back of his head, and he collapses onto the floor with a sickening thud.

Gasping, I get to my feet, unsure of what to do. Part of me wants to lean down and check if he is still alive, as sure as I am he is. However, I'm worried he might come to in a moment. Regardless, I lean my ear down close to his mouth.

He's breathing.

Without thinking twice, I rummage through his pockets, pulling out his keys. I'm not going to stick around and wait for Chase to wake up. I need to get out of here and get help. Someone will come for him if he doesn't wake up first.

As I stand, I take one last glance at him. With his eyes closed, I see Ren. Sweet Ren. So tearing his jacket off my shoulders, I lay it on him gently. Hopefully that will help against the cold.

Then I'm forced to go, leaving laying on the floor unconscious.

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I've also just posted the second novel in the Immortal series (in no way in correlation to book one which is Fate

It's Time!

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Instagram: Sophie_Midika

~Midika 💜🐼