Recrudescence

Sonia sipped on her coffee, sitting cross legged on the grass, her untouched food in front of her. The sun kissed her skin but failed to warm her inside. Her hands didn't stop shaking.

The park was full as usual. She hoped they could disappear in the crowd when it was time to escape.

“The bus will arrive in five minutes. Go change and meet us in the bus” Istona said and walked away.

“Good luck” Zinn was more nervous than Sonia.

“Take the bag and keep everything here, we want them to believe we are coming back” Lana squeezed her hand.

“Ok.”

Sonia went to the park toilet. She put on her disguise and tugged the bag under the cape.

She arrived to the station in time to take the bus, seconds before it took off.

They did it! Sonia was excited she couldn't contain her laughter.

Many eyes were looking at her, but her attention was only on her friends. Not far from the door, Lana tapped the seat next to her, a proud smile on her lips.

Sonia sat down and rested her head against the window, her smile fading as the rush of adrenaline wore off. It was too early to celebrate. She was still in danger.

They arrived to the next town, after two hours. The lack of sleep was catching up on Sonia. She felt her brain boiling, her thoughts were all over the place which gave her a terrible headache. They decided to stay the night in a cheep hotel.

The room wasn’t horrible but Sonia couldn't sleep. She knew she shouldn't have drunk that coffee earlier, but she was hungry and coffee made her feel full. Now, thousands of ants were crawling under her skin, her stomach was tied in knots and the shaking rocked her entire body. She was pacing. Any sound made her rush to the door to check if someone was coming for her.

She had to meet the revolutionaries. She couldn’t do this alone.

Stopping in her track, she went to the duffle bag, on the bed. She opened it and took out the keys and the phone. It was the keys of a safe house she owned. She texted them the address and the time of meeting. Then slipped both items inside her pocket.

A rustle reached her ears. She tiptoed to the window and peaked from behind the blinds, the street was empty but she couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched.

Only few hours left to the morning. She had to stay strong.

Too much had happened in the last few days. It felt unreal if not for Omar's mark on her neck and the bracelet.

She traced the bracelet, sighing, she missed him. She wouldn’t admit it out loud but he made her crave something she never wanted: love.

“Are you regretting your decision? It wouldn't surprise me.”

Sonia forgot she was sharing the room with Istona.

She turned her back to her “leave me alone Istona!”

Istona looked at the bracelet and scoffed, “you missed playing house with the wolf already?

Sonia gritted her teeth, closing her eyes. Of course, she wouldn't shut up!

“It’s not too late. You still can go back to him. Chose the easy life. That's what you always do. It’s not like the revolutionaries will accept you in the camp anyway”

Sonia huffed, looking toward the ceiling.

“After all, your father is a traitor, you went MIA for a year then you came back marked by an alpha. Don't expect a welcome back party.”

Sonia's hand shot up to her mark. She didn't think about that. What if she was right?

Sonia looked at her, all blood drained from her face. “But, it wasn't my choice. I didn't chose to be locked down. I didn't chose to be Omar's mate!”

“Don't believe your own lies Sonia. Your victim playing is getting old.” Istona sauntered toward her, her eyes dripping venom. She stood in front of her, invading her personal space. She said, poking Sonia's chest with a black manicured finger, “Your father took you away but you let him. He didn’t force you. You chose your little peaceful life not caring about us peasants. Also with the wolf, you had a chance to reject him, but you didn't. He then marked you.”

Sonia looked down. It is true. She couldn't reject him. The mere idea made her heart ache. She wanted him to make that decision for her. Istona was right. She was weak.

Tears clouded her vision, she fought to contain them, but they flowed down her cheeks. “What should I do? I need to talk to the revolutionaries. I'M NOT MY FATHER!” the words were painful to say.

Istona was not affected by her breakdown “We are in a critical time. We don't need traitors nor weaklings among us. If you show up, they will either kill you or take you as a prisoner. There is no other option. I would have advised you to go to your mate but I don't think he would have you back, nor the pack would accept you.”

Istona was enjoying this too much. She was looking at Sonia as her eyes lose all hope, and her previous resolve turned into fear and uncertainty.

“Run Sonia, run.” She said in a malicious joy.

“Why? Why you do this to me? Why you hate me? WHY?”

Sonia threw anything she could reach at Istona who stood there laughing.

“Leave me alone! LEAVE. ME. ALONE.”

Sonia couldn't find anything else to hurl at her. Frustrated she flipped the coffee table and stormed out of the room.

She was power walking along the street, panting. She couldn't see straight. She tripped almost hitting her face when a hand caught her. Relief flooded her, but it was short lived. The same hand that saved her shoved her inside a moving van.

Everything happened inhumanly fast, Sonia couldn't react or even scream.

What was happening? Her mind went blank. Her heart was pounding in her chest. She was sandwiched between two women. She tried to reach the door, but her struggle didn't affect them. Werewolves!

She lowered her head between her hands defeated. Her breathing was laboured. The sounds around her started to fade, only her heartbeat and the buzzing in her ears were heard. Her vision started to tunnel. A hand rested on her shoulder which caused Sonia to flinch. The woman said something but Sonia's jumbled mind didn't catch it. Her violet eyes though gave her all the answers she needed. They were indeed werewolves. They were taking her to the West Claw territory.

Upon arriving to the pack house, Sonia was led to the alpha’s study.

When they opened the door, the first thing that caught her attention was the TV mounted on the opposite wall. It displayed the news and the reporter was saying in a happy tone “... the whole city is excited about the up coming event. People of all ages are gathered to welcome them.”

Oh! She was too late. The werewolves won.

“Sonia—” her father said.

“how dare you! HOW DARE YOU!” She couldn't contain her emotions any longer, all her exhaustion, her fear, her shame, her helplessness came crashing on her.

“I HATE YOU! YOU DESTROYED MY LIFE” She looked back at the TV “you destroyed everybody’s life. How dare you!... how dare you!”

Hands extended to touch her were met with screams and fists. Skin broke under her nails. She didn't know at who’s face she was clawing. They wouldn't take her without a fight!

Her arms ached in protest as she kept fighting. Doubts she buried inside came back to the surface. She was weak. Alone against the world. Slowly, all fight left her body.

She looked around to find the alpha and her father. A lump formed in her throat.

She took her phone out and texted her last message “I’m sorry” then dropped it to the ground and stomped on it, again and again.

She was now mumbling, long lost in her breakdown to understand the voices around her or to fight the hands that brought her out of the study.

“We lost! I'm sorry. It's my fault. I'm sorry...”