Sour Souls The Morningstar Series Book 6
Sour Souls Chapter 10

It's been five years of me being locked up. Gods, I f*****g hate this place. I hate staring at these same four walls.

I've spent these years trying to control my power. So far, it's barely worked. I can make the flame flicker more, sometimes it does what I say, most of the time it doesn't.

Alpha Frederick seems happy enough with my progress. He hasn't killed Noah yet anyways. Though, he wishes I would be further than I am now.

That stupid Alpha wants to use me to take out other packs. He hopes to use me to crush the Lycan King, and take his thrown. Alpha Frederick says that no one will dare mess with this pack again. I have zero intentions of ever doing any of that.

Protect this pack? Help this Alpha take more power than any other wolf? Be his little secret weapon?

Yeah fucking right.

I've been learning to control my power for one reason only. To take that sorry excuse for an Alpha out. One day I will. One day I will use this power to kill him the same way I killed his f*****g Beta. This pack will be free. I'll be free. Noah will be free.

I've been down here for so long that I've picked up on a lot of Alpha Frederick's secrets. I'm pretty sure that they don't care what I know. I mean, who am I going to tell?

They bring the young girls, and boys down here before selling them off. I've met quite a few of them over the last five years. There's been so many.

All it does is fuel my anger towards the Alpha. I will end all of this one day. Then I will tell the Lycan King about what is going on here.

I have no idea where these kids go when they leave here. I hear that they are sold off, but I only catch names. Never places though. It's other packs, other supernaturals, or even something called Hunters. Regardless, I know that the Lycan King can replace them. I've heard the stories about his father when I was still free. Even the stories about Alpha Ryce himself. I always wished that he would visit this pack. That maybe he could get me, and Noah out of here.

It was all wishful thinking. I can't depend on anyone, but my damn self. No one can help me, no one wants to help me.

After being locked up for a full year, I started to pray to the Moon Goddess for my mate to save me. I would escape into my own little world as I imagined my prince charming coming to my rescue. He would take me far far away from this place.

A year, and several beatings later, I came to terms with the fact that I will never be rescued. The only way I'm making it out of this dungeon, is if I learn to control my power. No one is coming to save me. No one is even allowed down here.

I haven't even caught a glimpse of Noah, or Talia, or Granny. I miss them so much it hurts. Alpha Frederick could at least let me see Noah. I raised the kid for fuck's sake. Plus, it's not like Noah could go against his Alpha.

Still, Alpha Frederick always refuses. Sometimes he would coax me with promises of letting me see them. He would tell me that he would let me out to go for a run if I would just control my power. I never could.

Noah should be about 11 now if I'm keeping track of time correctly. I wonder if he's gotten his wolf yet. Hearing Honi was the highlight of my life. I know that Noah probably would feel the same.

Is he doing well in school? Eating properly? Has he grown tall? Is he still my good little Noah? Or did the Alpha corupt him?

No, Granny and Talia would never let that happen. I hope they are doing well too.

I hope Granny is still cooking way too much food. I hope that she gives all her leftovers to Noah. I bet she makes sure he keeps his elbows off the table. I'm sure she has made sure my little Noah has kept all of his manners. And Talia.. My best friend. I miss her so much.

I miss her fierce energy. I miss her beautiful face. I bet she has grown into such an amazing women.

I wonder if Talia has met her mate yet. I wonder if it did end up being Derek. Maybe she got out of here though. Maybe her mate was from a different pack, and she left with him.

I would be happy either way. As long as he is good to my best friend. That's all I can ask for.

Someone is coming. Honi told me.

I heard the door to the dungeon shut with a loud thud. I hate that noise. I swear it haunts my dreams. Well, when I sleep anyways.

I'm too scared to sleep. I barely get any, and when I do, it's only in wolf form. Not after two of the warriors tried to r**e me in my sleep. They died of course, but that doesn't make me less terrified. Especially when it happened again. And again. And again. "Little bird, how are you my dear." Alpha Frederick greeted when he made it to my cell.

I rolled my eyes.

"I am doing well thank you Frederick. If I would have know you were coming, I would have tiddied up a bit." I said with a fake pout.

The Alpha clicked his tongue.

"Still refusing to acknowledge me as your Alpha I see. What a shame. You might as well be a rouge at this point." Alpha Frederick said.

"Anything would be better than being under your rule, Alpha." I stated.

"Even death?" The Alpha said with a laugh.

I looked into his cold eyes, and gave him a cold stare of my own.

"Especially death." I stated.

The Alpha chuckled.

"We have some guests here in the pack currently. Sent straight from the Lycan King." He told me.

The Lycan King?

"It appears I am under investigation." Alpha Frederick said.

I snorted. "Bout time." I said.

Hope sparked in my chest.

Will they replace me down here? I would give them all the information they needed. Even if I wind up in another dungeon. At least I could help these innocent kids that Alpha Frederick has been selling off. Alpha Frederick's face morphed into a sneer.

Oof, I hit a nerve.

"If they come down here, you will not speak to them. You will not tell them a damn thing."

I laughed interrupting him.

"Oh please, if they come down here, I'm telling them every little thing I overheard. You won't get away with selling those kids off forever. I don't care if it costs me my life, I'm snitchin"." I said. "Even if it means the life of your little brother?" The Alpha asked.

My blood boiled.

"You fucking asshole." I muttered.

"Make no mistake little bird, I will slaughter your precious brother, your friend, her grandmother. I will bring them down here, and I will slit their throats in front of you." Alpha Frederick warned. I glared at him, but kept my mouth shut.

The Alpha smiled. "Keep your mouth shut, and be thankful that I won't be bothering you for the next few days."

With that, Alpha Frederick turned to leave me alone once again.

Always alone.

**********

It's been a few days since my last visit from the Alpha. No one has came to visit me actually. Not even to give me food or water.

"Did you pricks forget I'm down here?!" I shouted at no one.

"Come on! I'm thirsty!" I tried again.

I grabbed the bars, ignoring the burning of my flesh. I shook the bars, but they didn't buge. Fuck. Looks like I'm not getting fed until these vistors leave.

I wonder what mistake it was that Alpha Frederick made that got him put under investigation.

Just then I heard the door to the dungeon open. I waited for whoever it is to come to my cell. A moment later, I'm faced with the stupid Alpha.

I rolled my eyes.

"I'm just down here to remind you to keep your mouth shut little bird." He said.

"Did you happen to bring a bottle of water with you Frederick? I'm absolutely famished, and dehydrated." I said.

The Alpha sneered at me.

"Awh, are you having a bad day Freddy?" I asked with fake care.

Alpah Frederick growled at me.

"You keep your mouth shut, and I'll let you out of this cage little bird." He told me.

I scoffed.

"I mean it this time." Alpha Frederick said. "I will let you go. Only to become my new mate. Since mine died so long ago."

My eyes went wide.

"I would NEVER agree to that." I said.

"I don't need you too. I am your Alpha. I will force you to mark me, after I mark you. Then you will never be able to leave here. I will have you forever." Alpha Frederick said with a laugh.

I glared at him through the bars.

"You better hope these people don't come down here, and replace me." I seethed.

Alpha Frederick gave me a smug smile. He looked me up and down once, then turned on his heal to leave.

"Not even a good bye? Awh, you hurt me!" I shouted at his retreating back.

F**k.

I'd rather die than be mated to that man.

We won't be mated to him. Honi assured me.

Damn right we won't. I said.

Our mate is already on his way anyways. She said.

Uhh... what? I asked her.

He visited us a few nights ago, but you do not remember. Honi said.

What? I asked. He's in this pack? A warrior? Oh, Gods, no.

I'm starting to spiral.

Calm down. He visited us in his dreams. Honi said.

I paused.

Have you fucking lost your mind? I asked her.

Being locked up for so long must be getting to her. I don't blame Honi. She's a wolf who has never even seen the outside world. Hell, Honi hasn't seen anything beyond these walls. You will see soon. Honi told me.

I rolled my eyes at her.

I'm sitting with my thoughts sprialing still. Not over what Honi said about my mate, but about about what Alpha Frederick said. Will he really make me be his mate?

I heard the door to the dungeon close. Foot steps sounded. I kept my head facing the wall in front of me. Then I felt the presence of someone standing at the bars. "Back already Frederick? Scared that your little guests will replace me?" I sneered.

There was no answer.

Then I caught the scent of burning incents, and a smokey smell that's making my mouth water. My Gods, that smells f*****g amazing. Did they being me real food? Honi started to pace in my head.

I turned my head to the person standing on the other side of the bars. My eyes connected with deep blue ones. Then my own Hazel eyes went wide.

This man is huge. Like, stupid huge. I don't think any of our warriors are as big as this guy. What the fuck does he eat?

He has raven black hair, sitting in slight curls on top of his head. Some even falling over his eyes. He's tall, like way tall. His lips are full, his jaw sharp. A little bit of stubble covers his handsome face.

Honi is going absolutely insane in my head. She keeps repeating 'told ya so' in my head, along with another word. One I'm not sure how I feel hearing.

Mate.

The man let out a low growl that screamed 'I have tons of power try me'. A chill ran down my spine, but I'm not afraid of him. He gripped onto the bars of my cell. I can hear the sizzle of his skin, and smell his burning flesh. Not that he seems to notice. His eyes bore into mine.

"Mate." He stated with a deep voice that sent chills across my body.

I just stared back at him.

"What is your name?" He asked.

I said nothing.

"I said, tell me your name." He tried again, his voice going deeper.

I still said nothing.

I'm not sure I can answer. I'm too stunned. This is my mate? He seems so powerful. This can't be right.

The man sighed.

"My name is Ares." He told me.

Ares..

We like it. Honi said.

I frowned at her.

"Now, what is your name?" He asked.

I still said nothing.

Sure, this man looks like he could snatch me up out of here. He looks like he could even take on Alpha Frederick. But would he protect my friends, and family?

If I talk..

What if Alpha Frederick already has a plan in motion for it I talk? I can't risk it. I just can't. Not even for my mate.

"Fine." Ares stated angrily. "Why are you down here?" He asked.

"I killed the Beta." I answered.

"So, you can talk." Ares said.

My Goddess, his voice is so deep, and silky.

I nodded.

"Why did you kill him?" Ares asked.

"Huh?" I asked.

It's not that I didn't hear his question, it's just.. No one has ever asked me why. Not that I've had many vistors, but still.

I guess it was no shock to this pack that I was beat. Maybe some of them just thought that I was a ticking time bomb that finally blew up. Clearly, this mate of mine doesn't know that. Should I tell him? Would he blame me? Would he hate me once he replaces out I'm a bastard child?

"Tell me why. The truth." Ares ordered.

I frowned.

Great, a mate that likes to boss me around. Well, he's got another thing comming. I'm only going to answer if he asks nicely.

So, I crossed my arms, and turned my head to stick my nose in the air.

"I don't think you're in a position to clam up on me, mate." Ares said lowly.

A shiver ran down my spine. Goddamn, it is not fair how silky that voice of his is. I could listen to it all day.

I kept my nose in the air still.

Ares let out another powerful growl. Sucks for him if he's trying to scare me. Because it is having the complete opposite affect on me.

So there.

"You are not in a postion-"

"I don't care." I said interrupting him. "You can ask me nicely, or you can leave me the fuck alone, mate." I said.

Ares let out a dark chuckle. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up. Damn, his voice is melting me.

"Please tell me why you killed the Beta." He said.

I turned my head to him.

"Because he's an asshole, and the pack is better off without him." I stated angrily.

Ares seemed to inspect me. I held his gaze without wavering. Which is extremely hard. Especially with Honi swooning in my head.

Ares didn't reply to me. Instead, he turned, and started walking back down the hall. I shot to my feet, and grabbed the bars.

"Hey! Get your a*s back here right now! You can't leave your mate down here!" I shouted.

Hopelessness settled in my chest. A small whimper fell from my lips. So much for my mate rescuing me.

"Who said I was leaving you down here?" I heard Ares deep voice.

My eyes snapped open to see Ares fiddling with a set of keys. Ares unlocked my cell door. Excitment poured through me as I stepped to run out of this damn place. Only to be pushed back inside.

Ares stepped in front of me, and walked into my cell. I looked up at him with a glare. He only stared down at me.

"What are you doing? We are not living together in this f*****g cell." I stated angrily.

The corners of Ares mouth twitched.

"You, are not leaving until you answer my questions." He said.

I huffed, and fell to the ground on my a*s. I crossed my arms again, and stuck my nose back in the air. It was stupid to hope that my mate would save me from this place.

"Then I guess I'm never leaving." I said.

"All I want is to know the truth." Ares said.

"I already told you the truth." I said.

"Not all of it." He said.

I ignored him.

"Look, I can't help you if I don't know what really happened." Ares said in a much softer tone.

"I prefer your normal arrogant tone, don't try to trick me Ares. I will not fall for it." I stated.

I can feel Ares eyes on me. He sighed deeply. I still refused to look at him.

"Most mates would be thrilled about this. Most would jump at the opportunity-"

"Then go replace one of them, because I will never jump for you." I interrupted.

My eyes snapped to Ares. He has his hands balled into fists at his sides. His eyes are glowing an orangey color.

My jaw dropped as I stared up at him. I've never seen a wolves eyes glow that color before. Is he not a wolf?

"Answer my questions, or rot down here then." Ares said.

I frowned. "Guess I'll rot." I stated nonchalantly.

Ares looks like he's about ready to blow a fuse. I'm not sure why, but it kind of makes me want to laugh. Ares looks.. well he looks like he could break me in half easily. Hell, anyone with half a brain would be scared of the look he has on his face, of the menacing aura pouring off of him.

I must not have a brain, because all I want is to keep pushing his buttons. How far could I get before he hits me? Would Ares throw me against the wall? Tie me up?

Why are these options giving me other feelings than the normal ones?

We are horny for our mate. Honi said.

My face flushed.

Ares opened his mouth, but was cut off before he could even get started.

"Do not say that to her you fucking asshole."