Why had that made him so angry? I nodded slowly and hopped off the bed, stumbling slightly and Callum quickly grabbed my arm, steadying me. He let me go as soon as I was balanced.
“She’s fine to go, but I will want to be informed if she suddenly gains a fever or becomes sick” the doctor advised the Beta who nodded grimly.
“I’ll let Alpha Jaxon know” he murmured.
I stood there and expectantly waited. The beta hesitated and then turned with a sigh, leading me out of the hospital. I saw curious glances from the various nurses, doctors and hospital personnel as I struggled to keep stride with him, the sunlight temporarily blinding me as we stepped outside and onto the grounds. I breathed in the fresh air, my eyes closing as I felt the warmth of the sun shining down on me.
“Sorry I didn’t realize I was walking so fast” Callum apologized as he slowed down and allowed me to keep pace with him, both of us side by side.
“Are you glad to be out of the hospital?” he asked with interest.
I nodded and then fidgeted with my hands. It was difficult to have a conversation without being able to speak. He sighed.
“Can you fight? In human form I mean?” he asked.
I shook my head. I had never been allowed to train, not properly so my fighting skills would be dismal at best. A child could probably kick my ass and that was putting it mildly.
“I suspected as much” he murmured regretfully.
Several pack members were outside and I noticed some from my old pack, my shoulders hunching instinctively out of reflex as I waited for the insults and degradation to start. Callum noticed my change in stance instantly, glowering at the pack members staring at me, who immediately began to scurry off.
“Don’t worry, nobody here is allowed to harm you” he said reassuringly, putting his hand on my shoulder as I looked up at him wide-eyed.
Not allowed to harm me? Who had given them that order? It had never stopped them before unless Alpha Jaxon had cared enough to intervene and order the pack to leave me alone.
I smiled at Callum as we began walking again. He put his hands in his pockets and walked with an easygoing air. He was not arrogant, or rude. I wanted to know about my father and brother but didn’t know how to ask since I didn’t have a pencil or paper to write on. I tugged on his arm impatiently and he turned, raising a questioning brow.
I tapped on my chest and then gestured. He frowned. I did it again, a little more emphasis on the gesture.
“Are you asking about your father and brother?” he asked confused.
I nodded, dreading the answer.
He glanced away. He rubbed the back of his head and debated how to answer. I waited expectantly. “They were in the dungeon,” he said quietly “and they still are. Our dungeon is composed of two areas or two dungeons if we’re honest. I didn’t want to have to tell you this,” he said looking downcast “but the Alpha has requested that you be put in the dungeon as well.”
My eyes widened and I began to breathe shallowly, panicked. I hadn’t done anything wrong. How could they put me with my father and brother?
“Not in the same area as your brother and father” he was quick to say as I relaxed slightly, “but the other smaller part of the dungeon. Alpha Jaxon has ordered that we make your room down there” he growled sounding displeased “and as much as I’m loathed to take you down there, I have no choice” he explained as I stared at him blankly.
My room was in the dungeon? Or at least part of it? Why? Was this a form of punishment? I knew that my mate might not want me but to go to this extreme? Tears of frustration filled my eyes.
“I’m sorry Riley, but I can’t disobey my Alpha, no matter how much I disagree with his actions” Callum apologized.
I knew he couldn’t. I wouldn’t want him to. He would be punished and I didn’t want him punished on my behalf. I swallowed hard, feeling sick. He looked hesitant as he took my arm, his touch gentle, despite the tugging I felt as he began to lead me back to the pack house.
“I tried to make it as nice as I could considering the circumstances, Cody too,” he said gruffly.
Like that would make a difference in a room that was prominently bars and steel I thought forlornly. I appreciated he’d made the effort to do it, but it would still look like a dungeon.
We reached the pack house. I barely looked at it. What was the point when I would not be allowed to enter it and exit it at will? Nothing had changed, I thought bitterly, I was still to be treated as an omega who was worthless, only this time it was in Alpha Jaxon’s pack. Callum gently led me inside and then down a long corridor, opening a door and down some long stairs. Naturally, the dungeon was in the basement.
As my feet reached the base of the stairs, I saw what Callum had meant by the dungeon being split in two. There was a large divider wall and another reinforced door, down what was arguably the middle of the dungeon, leading into more cells from the appearance of it. Callum pointed at it “Your father and brother are in there” he explained gruffly “those are” a hesitation “the torture cells.”
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