Caged Between The Beta & Alpha
Chapter 56

RAVEN

Taylor and I watched another movie after, we talked about our svcky situations as we ate all the snacks and even grabbed some beer from the fridge.

Comforting each other when we needed it and laughing at our lame attempts at singing. Yes, we were both tone-deaf and sounded horrifying, but hey we had fun and lots of giggles.

Taylor was an amazing friend, and although we weren’t close as children, it felt like I had known him forever. I mean, I did, but not like this.

The credits of the second movie had now ended and the TV had switched off, but me and Taylor were still awake, lying side by side on the bed, staring at the shadows that were cast across the ceiling thanks to the moonlight shining through the cracks in the curtains and the tree branches.

“Raven. “

“Yeah?” I said, yawning as I rubbed my eyes sleepily.

You know, when we were little… When I was weird and awkward, that shy kid no one wanted to know or play with, you used to always greet me and talk to me.

‘You were not weird; you were cute and adorable.” I said, trying to keep my eyes open.

“Mmm you’d think that… But you were this little, tiny girl, like the smallest one in the pack, and everyone used to say you had a growth issue… Cause you were like six, wearing two-year-old clothes… “

He said drowsily.

‘Yeah… I remember…I’m sure it was three years clothing,.”

He chuckled sleepily.

“You were like a damn little doll… Walking and talking yet so damn doll-sized… Well… you always had this big smile on your face and always talked to me, complimenting me on what I was wearing, my hair… saying good morning.. and although it was something small, it made my day… So, thank you…”

He yawned, turning on to his side to face me. “I never even knew your name for many years…”

“Hmm? You didn’t?” I asked, turning my head to look at him.

“No, I used to call you the girl who looks like a doll… until I heard Liam calling you once… I’m older than you, but I was timid, and back then you were so brave … You still are… You’re damn perfect and no matter what you do, I’m going to support you ok?” His eyes fluttered shut, and I yawned again.

“‘Mmm thanks… I’ll always support you too…”I remembered saying before my eyes fluttered shut and sleep welcomed me into its folds..

My eyes flew open, my heart pounding. I sat up, looking around the room, it took me a moment to realise I had fallen asleep at Taylor’s. His back was to me and he was snoring lightly.

I looked around the dark room, brushing my hair off my face. How had I woken up? Something didn’t feel right… I slowly got off the bed, not wanting to disturb Taylor. I walked across the floor, careful not to step on the chocolate wrappers and rubbish that we had littered all over the floor, before I tip-toed to the window.

Taylor had left the top one open to air the room that had smelt of take-out, but it was fairly silent outside.

The distant sound of an animal and the rustle of the leaves in the trees were all that I could hear.

I peered out past the tree that stood in the corner of Taylor’s garden and my eyes fell on my old bedroom window that was just across from Taylor’s. I was about to turn away when my wolf’s uneasiness made me look back at my old house… Almost as if urging me to pay attention to it. She wanted me to go there.

Why?

I could feel her restlessness and I frowned, glancing back at Taylor, before I slowly unlocked the window and slid it up silently, flinching when it made a slight squeak. I paused as Taylor g*****d and turned over, falling back to sleep.

I blew out a breath and slowly climbed onto the ledge, lowering the window as much as possible behind me before I jumped to the ground below, landing lithely. I stood up straight, ignoring the sharp poking of the stones beneath my feet, and padded towards my parents’ home, jumping over the low fence.

Mom lived alone now, was she ok? My heart skipped a beat as a horrible thought came to my head.

No… don’t think like that, Raven.

I walked around the house, my heart pounding despite trying to push that thought away. Should I just do the doorbell and see if she was ok? Wait… it’s night-time, she’ll be asleep…

I stared at the dark house, hesitating before I turned away, but once again my wolf’s restlessness made me turn back.

Since returning to the pack she was a little more active and I didn’t want to shut her out if she was trying to tell me something. I needed to respect that.

Ok calm down, I’ll mind link her.

‘Mom?

No answer, she was probably asleep…

Mom?!’ I tried pushing through that block, frowning at the fact I was drawing a blank.

What the heck? Had she shut me out? Could she do that so strongly whilst sleeping?

I turned, thinking to go do the doorbell. I was beginning to feel worried, maybe I’m just overreacting.

No wait, a sudden thought came to me and I padded around the house to the bathroom window, wondering if Dad ever got it fixed.

I smiled when I saw the gap in it. Something that Mom always asked Dad to fix, seems like he never bothered!

Perfect!

I scanned the ground, replaceing a decent-sized branch that I used to slip into the gap and pry up the dodgy handle. It was a small window but I’d fit. Grabbing onto it, I pulled myself onto the ledge and squeezed in, frowning when my a*s and thighs got a little stuck.

Just great, seems like the only place I had grown over the years was there. Stupid fat thighs… I pulled myself through, feeling the window scrape my a*ss and snag at my p*nts. Finally, I managed to get in and blew out a breath. Yay!

The cool bathroom tiles were pleasant beneath my feet as I made my way to the door, opening it ever so silently. Calming my heartbeat to minimise the sound of it.

One look at Mom and then we were back out of here.

She never needed to know I had been here!

I made my way down the dark hall, the scent of pumpkin spice lingered in the hall and I smiled sadly.

It was Mom’s favourite smell, year in and year out.

She’d stock up on the festive scented candles in the winters and use them throughout the entire year. I was careful, making sure to stay towards the wall.

The floorboards didn’t creak so much where they were hardly stepped on. Years of sneaking out really does help.

I went up the stairs as silently as I could. Glancing down the hallway, I could see the door to Mom’s room was open and I frowned.

Did she leave it open because Dad wasn’t here? Wait, I refused to call him Dad..

The entire house was dark, and it was a little cold too, I felt my stomach twist. Wasn’t she taking care of herself?

I silently made my way down the hall, frowning when I didn’t hear a heartbeat. Wait, had she left the pack or something?! Was that why my wolf was worried? After all, it had a link to family.

I rushed to the door, pushing it open, expecting to see a half-empty room. I froze at the smell of b***d that filled my nose. My eyes snapped to the silhouette of someone under the sheets on the bed.

My heart pounded as fear and panic settled within me. Alarm bells going off.

No heartbeat…B***d… Was that…

“Mom?” I asked, my voice shaky as I edged closer to the bed.

Please be a prank. Please tell me I’m wrong. “M-mom?!” I whimpered, sounding terrified.

Stay strong, Raven.

My entire body was shaking involuntarily, I couldn’t breathe properly… I reached out with a trembling hand for the sheets. Mom’s scent and the stench of fresh b***d now overrode my senses. I couldn’t bring myself to lower the duvet…

My ch3st was heaving.

I’m scared…

‘Liam…” I whimpered through the link; he was probably asleep…

What is it, Love? Are you ok?’ Worry and concern were clear in his voice, but the warmth of just hearing him made me feel an inch braver.

It was a struggle to reply, as I yanked the bedding back. My mouth widened in a silent scream and I stumbled back, my breathing ragged as I stared at the horrifying scene before me.

No please goddess…no!

F**k…

There lay Mom with b***d-stained bedding under her, her empty mouth hanging wide open slit from ear to ear, her teeth were gone and where her eyes should have been were two gaping sockets.

‘Raven, where the f**k are you?’ Liam’s voice snapped me out of my horror-struck state.

Liam.. Mom…’ I trailed off when the sudden feeling of being watched overcame me. The hair at the back of my neck stood up and my heart thundered.

I whipped around, but I was too late. Something struck my head, a searing pain erupted through it, and before I could even recover or react, I felt a stinging pain in my neck. Then everything went dark.