Aella

I'm not sure if I regret telling Apollo those things about me. On one hand, it brings him closer to me, which isn't good for his safety. On the other, it feels natural, like telling him is instinct. The inner conflict is starting to impact my judgement and make me forget my purpose in avoiding him. I'm already starting to forget why I have to leave this place as soon as the weather permits.

The fight to stay away has become...difficult. I catch myself either staring at him when he's in the room, and looking for him when he isn't. Almost out of habit, I'll go to his door instead of mine, barely catching myself before opening it. I'm starting to lose the battle, and the only thing that worries me more than that is the fact that occasionally I wonder why I'm fighting it in the first place.

Like right now.

Staring at the open door to the Alphas office, I've been watching him work for the past hour. He and the Beta, Coran I believe his name is, have been going over paperwork while the Alpha is answering phone calls, and from what I've overheard they are prepping for a meeting with another pack leader.

I already figured out Apollo is practically Gamma of this pack when I met him, and his ceremony will be soon. The subtle way the other wolves seemed to follow his orders, the authority in his voice the night I met him, not to mention the fact that occasionally some of the wolves treat me like I hold rank.

I don't know why I'm standing here, watching him. At least, hiding from him anyway. That in itself is pointless- he knows I'm here just like I know that he's tired and ready to call it a night. So the only answer I can come up with is that I don't want to admit that I'm watching him... again.

The sound of new voices echoing downstairs catches my attention, and out of habit I leave the Alpha floor and head towards my room...or as I have been doing lately, Apollo's room. I quickly redirect myself to my room, making sure to close it behind me. I don't know the wolves coming over now, and it's best if it stays that way.

I don't really have much to do to pass the time, but I've noticed movement outside the window. Small kids, or pups as the pack calls them. About a dozen of them are playing in the snow, their parents watching over as they throw snowballs and play fight. I can't help but smile as I watch, my eyes drawn to two boys in particular, both looking very similar to Apollo in both complexion and features. They must be siblings, they look far too similar not to be family.

Suddenly, the two boys start heading inside, followed by a couple that have to be their parents. Following them inside the house, I watch them disappear from sight. I haven't seen Apollo's parents much, outside of my first day awake and right now, so I don't really know them personally. There's a surprisingly strong urge to meet them though...along with the boys who are no doubt Apollo's brothers.

Sighing, I lean against the wall and slide down until I'm sitting on the floor, crossing my legs and closing my eyes as I listen intently to the sound of the pups laughing and playing outside. I don't really notice the slow descent into sleep, my mind drifting into old memories I haven't thought of in a long time.

~~~~~~

"Aella, what are you doing darling?"

I turn around for a moment before quickly turning back to my drawing, wanting to finish it before she sees it. I know it's kind of pointless, she always seems to know everything, even before I think of doing it.

"Just drawing something."

I reply, putting a final touch on the eyes. They are my favorite part of the picture, and I finally found the right color pencil to match the color of them from my mind. I've been seeing the picture in my dreams for a while now, and was kind of curious about why.

"May I see it?"

I nod and hand her the picture, her hazel eyes widening in surprise as she takes in the image.

"What inspired you to draw this?"

She asks curiously, her eyes meeting mine for a moment before going back to the paper.

"I've been dreaming it about it for a while...and it's the same every time."

"Your dreams?"

I nod my head and she smiles, a knowing look in her eyes.

"Can I tell you a secret?"

I nod vigorously as she sits beside me on the floor, then she pulls me into her lap and holds the picture in front of me.

"I've been seeing this too."

I turn back to her in surprise, her gaze still on the paper.

"You have?"

"Mhm, in fact, I have been seeing this vision since the day you were born."

I turn back to the picture, looking over it intensely.

"What does it mean?"

She seems to think for a moment.

"I think it means that one day you will meet him, in person. When you do you'll figure out the rest."

I tilt my head to the side as I mull over her words, they both make sense and don't at the same time. Not to mention that like me, she called it "Him", despite not knowing for sure if it is. However, as I think about it, 'him', sounds right.

I smile broadly, gazing into the golden eyes of the gray and brown wolf, knowing one day I will meet him outside of my dreams.

~~~~

My eyes shoot open as a laugh echoes down the hallway outside my room, sending waves of recognition through my body. I may have only heard it the past once or twice, but its sound still rings fresh in my mind. I pull myself up quickly, not wasting time going out the door and following the owner of the voice. My search leads me back outside the Alpha's office door, and my eyes fall on a face I thought I'd never see again.

Pale blond hair in tight ringlet curls goes down to her shoulders; her skin strikes noticeably against the curls, making them look even paler in comparison. The shine of her dark brown eyes contrasts sharply with the last time I saw them, with happiness and delight instead of fear and sadness like I remember.

The floor creaks loudly as I take a step closer, and her head turns in my direction, her wide eyes freezing on my face. She stands quickly as we just stare at each other in silence, ignoring everyone else's looks of concern and curiosity.

"Brooklyn?" I whisper, so quietly I wonder if she even heard me.

"Aella, is that really you?" She calls out in a trembling voice, tears pooling in her eyes.

I nod, and she starts walking towards me urgently. Before I can say anything else to her she pulls me into a tight hug, which I return in equal force. I close my eyes as she burrows her face into my shoulder, her body shaking from tears. After a moment, I hear her swallow hard in an attempt to talk clearly.

"I have missed you, sister."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I can't believe it's really you. The last time I saw you, you were..."

Brooklyn trails off, the familiar sadness returning to her eyes. We left the crowded office to get some privacy, at least, as much as you can get with a house full of werewolves.

"I thought you died that night. I thought I'd never see you again."

"I'm okay Brook, I'm right here."

She pulls me back into another hug, squeezing me as if she's afraid I'll vanish.

"So, how are you and Ryan doing?"

She releases me from her death grip, wiping her eyes.

"We've been doing great. He found his pack, and they're happy to have him as Beta again."

She smiles broadly as she talks, no doubt she's proud of her mate. She suddenly blushes, and I get curious.

"And, I'm officially the Beta Female now."

She says, pulling her shirt over to expose the mark on her shoulder. Meaning Ryan has officially marked her as his mate.

"Congrats Brook, I'm happy for you."

"Thanks. I'm still trying to adjust to it all, but Ry has been a great help."

I truly am happy for her. Back in that hell, Ry and Brook couldn't be together much, and they certainly couldn't show any kind of affection towards each other, not without consequences. In there, anybody you cared about could and would be used against you.

Anytime you disobeyed a rule, or failed a mission, your punishment would end up falling on the shoulders of your loved ones. So, the only way you could protect the people you cared about in there, was by pretending you didn't care about them at all.

"I missed you sis."

I tune back into reality, looking at my sisters face. Free from fear and pain, not worried if she'd survive another night, not terrified of being hurt by our captors... just free.

"I missed you too."

She smiles again, a welcome sight.

"How have you been? Are you...okay?"

I hesitate, trying to piece together my words carefully. Physically, I'm good, all things considered. Mentally and emotionally, well, I'm a mess.

"I've been okay..."

Her eyes flash with intuition, but she doesn't call bullshit.

"Which one is it?"

"What?"

She sighs.

"Which wolf in this pack is your mate?"

I'd forgotten how sharp she is. I don't answer, I know what's coming, and I don't want to get a word by word echo of my thoughts on why my resistance is futile.

"Come on Aella, just tell me."

I sigh, knowing she isn't going to let it go.

"Apollo..."

Her eyes widen in shock, staring at me in wonder.

"Wow...the future Gamma..."

It's silent for a second, then Brook grabs my shoulders tightly.

"Why are you fighting it Aella? Why are you resisting it? Don't you remember how miserable I was back then?"

"Of course I remember...and that's the reason why. You know as well as I do that anybody I'm close to is at risk."

She shakes her head, fierce determination in her eyes.

"No Ae. You don't have to suffer the way me and Ry did. You're free. You're not trapped in a prison being forced to do that awful mans bidding, you don't have to keep your distance."

I look at her, my expression grim.

"Brook...Zercon is still alive..."

Her determination doesn't falter.

"That doesn't change anything. We're not under his thumb, we're out. We're surrounded by hundreds of one of the strongest supernatural beings on earth, and all Zercon has is a tiny army of humans that you and I can kick the asses of. Whenever he decides to come knocking, he'll be going against a couple hundred pissed off werewolves that want to rip him to shreds...he won't stand a chance Ae."

She grabs my hands in hers, squeezing tightly.

"He's already taken enough from you, don't let him take anything else."

I laugh halfheartedly.

"You sound like me now."

"Who do you think gave me all those pep talks about never giving up? And protected me and Ry from being exposed as mates? You are the reason we're free Ae, you deserve to be happy."

She hugs me yet again, burying her head in my shoulder.

"And you and I both know that he would think that too, if he was here."

She whispers, pain squeezing my heart at just the reference to him. But, for the first time...I begin to believe that it's true.

At least, I want to believe it is true.

More than anything.