Claimed by The Rogue Alpha
Claimed By The Rogue Alpha Chapter 46

==Matteo==

A massive ache seared through my skull. As if nails were being driven there. My palm was on my forehead and I was rocking back on forth on a chair. I gritted my teeth. It always came this way-shifting-which was why I dreaded the full moon. Shifting was excruciatingly painful. Worse still, I had to endure hours of pain before finally morphing.

A grunt left my lips. The pressure in my head was building up. So much so that I felt like pulling my br But I was determined to get my destination. So, I pushed on-eventually making it inside. As soon as I breath. Then, almost like a flash, the pain came back. With full force this time.

I groaned, clutching my head. The water had lost its cooling effect. I felt like someone dunked into a g fell. My shoulder made a nasty impact with the tiled floor. Urgh.

. I left my seat and staggered towards the bathroom. Ever step I took was laborious. I had suddenly weighed a log.

side, I ripped off my clothes and crept into the tub. I turned it on and laid back, waiting to get submerged. For a while, the pain ceased and I caught my

My hands found their way to the rim of the tub. Clutching it tightly, I pulled myself out of the tub. As I brought out one foot to the floor, I lost my balance and

I didn't rise. I merely laid still, gritting in agony. Then, something entered my ears. The sound of someone knocking on the bedroom door. The intensity, loud: kpor kpor. My eardrums cried out in pain. I covered my ears, growling. The knock came again and as I opened my mouth to speak, the throbbing came again.

In my throat shut me up. So, I laid helpless on the floor, hoping that the person at the door would be sensible enough to go. But he/she didn't. The sound

***

==Olivia==

I didn't know why I hadn't done this before now. Didn't explain why it took me this long to finally deci

s*x with him. I closed my eyes, cringing at myself. At my stupidity.

I had to go. I had to get back to my apartment this night.

eave. I hated myself because deep down, I knew. Had it been Matteo wasn't such an a*s, I'd have stayed back and who knows, I'd have gone ahead to have

I walked to the window, looking outside. I could see the full moon crowning out in the sky. My fair guess was that it was around 6pm now. The full moon... I didn't know if I should see that as a blessing or as a curse. In a way, it appeared to be in my favour, as it would light my path and make me manoeuvre my way more easily. But then, its presence wouldn't make me e. The guards could spot me and, well, the rest would be history.

I bit my lips as I thought of what to do. Do I just quit? Do I just give up and stay back, or should I take l by the horn and attempt making an escape? Yes, it was worth the try. I'd been made prisoner; I'd let Matteo use me. Look how freely he claimed my lips whenever he felt like. How he would take full dominance, acting as though he was the boss. I could remember clearly, the other day at the maze. How he'd grabbed every part of me, having his way and I being a fool, stood still. And what about that statement? "I don't want you to leave, Olivia." Hadn't he that? Once again, my dumb a*s saw that as a compliment..tried in that, thinking he'd said that because he felt what I felt for him. I was completely wrong.

I'd had enough. Enough. I longed for the comfort of my apartment. For the company of Leah. I wanted to meet...dad. We had a lot of catching up to do. A lot.

My focus was reestablished at the scene outside. The compound looked deserted. I hadn't seen any guard. The ones stationed at the gate were nowhere to be found. But then, a giant lock hung on the gate. This morning, and in the afternoon, when I'd gone downstairs for a meal, I was met with silence. I hadn't bothered that Matteo didn't show up. However, something didn't feel right. I couldn't replace any guard. I didn'know what to make out of that. Felt pretty strange.

That, however, wasn't my business. Nothing about this goddamned place was. I would be free tonight. That was what I should be concerned about.

***

==Matteo==

Crawling slowly on my belly, I made it to the door of the bathroom. I'd just woken from the doze of a lifetime. I knew this because this was a ritual. I managed to pull the door open and slipped into the bedroom. The pain had managed to die down, but here was the catch: I'd be partially paralysed. Then, the pain would appear after some time. I kinda preferred this to shifting. To morphing into my wolf.

And so, to see to that, I'd pulled down every curtain, sealed any space that would let the light from the moon get to me. Gould, my wolf was aggressive on a normal day. Imagine how it would behave in the night of a full moon. Maniacal. It would go on a rampage, sourcing for fresh blood, not minding the source.

I didn't fancy that. Didn't fancy the sight of blood not to talk of its taste. Tonight was going to be agonising. The spell would last for all of this night till the next morning. I weakly made my way to my bed, and pulled myself on to it. Landing with a plop, I groaned. Gradually, my eyes closed.

I had to savour this moment, before the next bout of pain.

==Olivia==

"Okay, Olivia. What you got?" I muttered to myself as I went over my plan once again. One, I'd make it to the backdoor, the one where those tools and equipment were kept. Two, I'd walk stealthily, making sure I didn't make a sound. And three...I hoped on fate to be kind to me. I hoped she would bring to my notice a route.

I untied my hair and rearranged it to a tight bun. I wouldn't want to be distracted.

I stared down at my dress, a sigh leaving my lips. Certainly, I'd have gone for something better. Pants, but those weren't accessible. I just had to go with the flow.

I walked to the bed and placed the pillows in a line. Then placed a duvet over them. Disguise, check.

Turning around, I padded to the door, holding my breath as I pulled it open. When the door was ajar, I slipped through. Getting into the empty hallway. I shut the silently. The hallway was so quiet, the drop of a pain would make a hell lot of noise.

I walked slowly, careful with my steps. I occasionally would stop to know if anyone was watching or to catch any sound. So far, there hadn't been any of those, which again, made me a little confused. How possibly could that be...a thing. The mansion was hardly ever silent, as far as I knew. So what was going on now?

None of your business, Olivia. Focus! True, true. A frown of concentration appeared on my face. My curiosity, replaced with determination. With my jaw set, I kept tiptoeing off.

I reached the staircase. The first of the very many I had to descend in order to get to the backdoor. I let out a silent sigh. Don't get too excited. Don't blow this up.

Licking my lips, I shot out a foot. The moment it made contact with the first step, the light disappeared. There was total black out. I almost screamed a cuss word, but luckily I was quick to realise myself. What the f**k!!!

Immediately, apprehension ceased me. This hadn't happened before. Never ever had the light gotten cut out. Never. I couldn't help but wonder if Matteo had somehow expected me to run off this night. Was that the case? Could that explain the sudden silence here? My throat went dry as I considered this. F**k, no. God, please no. I was on the verge of tearing up. No, I had to leave here tonight. I couldn't deal anymore.

My frown returned. No way I was going to chicken out. Should I get rounded by Matteo and his cronies, then, so be it. If it meant me putting up a fight, I would. I was done being wimpy.

I gripped the railing, taking the steps slowly. I soon made it all the way down, still with the stark darkness around me. Relying on my prior knowledge, I kept walking straight. Yes, thankfully, the path to the backdoor wasn't windy.

A groan rang out, making me jerk in fright. I clasped my palm on my lips, preventing myself from shrieking or breathing too loud. It came again, the sound.

A low guttural sound. Almost like someone in intense pain. Or was it? Was that a ruse to try to get me? I stayed still for some time, not because I was pondering on whether or not I investigate. Far from it. I however, wanted to be sure I wasn't followed. I strained my ear, my eyes wide open. The groan didn't seem to reach my ears anymore. So, I made to continue with my escape.

But just as I made a step, the sound came again. But not as a groan. Something more distressing. It sent chills down my spine. I froze on my tracks, my heart working overtime.

You don't want to know what that is, Olivia. Get the f**k out of here! My wise subconscious kept warning me, but I didn't budge. I didn't move.

That sound. That sound... Was someone in trouble? Or was it... I almost burst out laughing. Once again, I held a hand to my lips.

Was it that Matteo had a woman with him? It couldn't far from being the case. However, the sound I'd heard didn't seem like something born out of pleasure. Goosebumps literally had formed on my skin. So, no, that didn't appear to be the case.

What was going to happen was this: I'd locate the source of the sound. If someone was in danger, I'd help or simply get on with my escape plan. Then, as soon as I make it to town, I'd bring in the cops. Yes. My subconscious screamed a no. But, for some reason, I didn't listen to it.

I followed the direction the sound had come from. That was the right side of the hallway.

Here, I go.