- Knox ~novelbin

This has to be one of the worst motels I have ever stayed in. I picked it because it was off the beaten track and near woods...which if I couldn't keep my wolf at bay meant I had somewhere for him to escape into. I was very much in human territory right now. As it stands, I've been able to keep him locked away, I've been able to stay in control. But in order to do that, sleep has been reduced to a bear minimum.

I was running on an empty battery for a reason, if he was able to take control before I woke up in the morning, all hell would break lose. The motel room is pretty basic, yet they would notice the carnage of a wolf shifting in here...I think.

I had left the Dark Phantom pack three days ago, living on a diet of cheap take-out foods and whiskey...again a useful substance to keep him under lock and key.

I feel nothing, numb. I'm alone again and that is how it should be. But in my dreams, I can't escape the reminder of her intoxicating scent and her red hair under the touch of my fingers. I go to bed thinking of her only to wake up with remorse of what I have done. But it is for the best.

Using the shower in this motel for the last time, I throw the same clothes on that I've been wearing for the past three days. I didn't pack, I just needed to get out of there. Closing the motel door, I walk across the car park towards the reception to check out and settle my bill. Breakfast is a cereal bar and a can of pop from the vending machine before hitting back on the road and returning to the Dark Phantom pack...one last time.

With an intake of air, to settle my nerves, I place my helmet on and fire up my motorcycle...before escaping this hell hole of a motel. Even as I exit the car park, the sign flickers with broken lights before one of them drops to the ground completely. The morning sunlight shows the true state of this place, I must have been beyond desperate to stay here.

It's nothing to the own personal hell I have been mentally living for the past three days though, not even close.

My wolf stirs beneath the veil, his excitement pushes through to me as he realises where we are going. To the point that I reduce my speed, to give me that little bit longer to keep him under control.

As the pack gates come into view, dread enters into my gut...that sickness feeling of not knowing what I was returning to. Slowing my speed, I'm surprised to find the gates closed and extra guards on. Each other time I have had free movement in and out.

I pull up to the gates slowly and, the guards, with caution make their way over to me. Their eyes flittering between mind-links until I realise I have my helmet on and they can't recognise me. As soon as I remove my helmet, they give me a nod of acknowledgement before going back into a mind-link.

"The borders are on lock down. The Alpha will need to approve your entry." One of them calls out to me.

"Approve my entry? I was only here three days ago?"

"I know, but a lot has happened in three days. He won't be long, I've informed him you are here." A guard confirms before moving back towards his post.

A lot has happened? My first thoughts are of the red fiery bombshell.

It doesn't take long for a blacked out SUV to arrive on the other side of the gate, both Alpha Hector and Beta Riley exiting the vehicle. I climb off my bike, placing my helmet down and making my way over to them.

"Alpha Hector, Beta Riley...is everything okay? The guard said the pack is on lock down?"

"Not the pack, but the borders are. There's been unusual activity a few miles out, I'm just being cautious. So...you're back?" Alpha Hector reports back before changing his tone slightly.

"Only to hand in my report. Did Alpha Kaia not inform you..."

"Oh, my mate informed me." He cuts me off with a slightly harsher tone than usual.

"Right before I found my daughter alone in the meadows." His eyes flash a demonic black, as his jaw tenses and the aura around him darkens. I watch him carefully, one wrong word...one wrong action and this great wolf, the notorious Dark Phantom alpha will be lunging for me.

"She was in the meadows for hours Knox..." He takes a step towards me, his voice lowering so that only I can hear. I'm sure I'm not though...even the beta and the guards would still be able to listen if they wanted to.