the Alpha had told him of my plight, even though he never mentioned it to me. Things had changed since my folly, as he was upon me even more than before and often times, his cock was shoved down my throat until I’d gagged and even vomited. It was as if he was punishing me with something that was supposed to give me pleasure, but didn’t. It hurt, every time. I prayed to just be free of Winston… to be able to sleep in peace. Perhaps, I was looking at this mission in the wrong way. If it took me from Winston, then I should look at it as a reprieve. A test, no doubt, but one I could bend to my benefit. Maybe this was the Alpha’s way of granting my wish, but at the same time, saving face. Growing up, I began to learn not everything was as it seemed, and one had to be clever in order to get their goals met.
I finished supper and cleared the table. That night, Winston didn’t take me and I was able to sleep.
~*~
Elias was smaller than I was by about a foot with blond hair and brown eyes. Not the least bit attractive either, with a nose a bit too large for his face and lips far too thin that made me wonder if he could pucker them. I had spied on him for a month, following his schedule. He was home schooled, but enjoyed going to a tavern from time to time. The place he enjoyed most, however, was the park where he liked to paint. The park was no stranger to thespians of all walks of life from poets to performers and minstrels. Elias must have felt at home there.
I, unfortunately, had no artistic skill, but I needed to make an impression. So, when I enlisted James to help, he was all too willing.
“Do I get to keep the purse?” he asked once I laid out my plan.
“Of course not, I must wrestle you to the ground and retrieve it so I can be the hero of the day,” I said, smiling.
He rolled his eyes. “You owe me.”
“I will, thank you.”
That was three days ago, and now I was standing by a tree as if I had not a concern in the world. I made sure to be in Elias’ view, but I paid him no mind. Only when I heard him shout “thief” did he get my attention. I ran past him to chase down the vermin who’d stolen his purse. James ran fast, but he wasn’t faster than I was, even on his best day. I caught up with him, tackling him to the grass. We rolled several times and I managed to snatch the purse from him.
“Punch me,” I said as I saw the constables coming our way. James gave me one good right hook, knocking me off him. He was on his feet and hauling arse long before the constables caught up to me. I rose to my feet as I rubbed my jaw and turned to greet them. They congratulated me on stopping the criminal long enough to save Elias’ coin.
“I wish I could have held him for arrest,” I said.
“We will find him,” they said.
“Go after him now,” Elias ordered.
“Yes, Mr. Longwood,” one of the constables said, and together, all three ran off in the direction James had gone. I wasn’t worried about James. As a natural born, we just ran faster than your average human. They’d never catch him, especially since he had the head start.
I did take note of how quickly the constables obeyed. How Elias gave an order and the constables followed without any resistance. I knew his father was a powerful and rich man, and those in the elite ran the world. His father never remarried after losing his wife to consumption. Elias being the sole heir to his massive fortune and influence made him a person of interest to my pack. Maybe this mission was more important than I was giving it credit.
I handed him back his purse, which was heavy with coin. “I believe this is yours.”
He took it and smiled. “Much gratitude. I say, you were quite daring in your pursuit of this,” he said as he slipped it back onto the belt over his tunic. He didn’t dress the way those with wealth and prestige dressed, at least not when he was in the park.
I chuckled. “I honestly don’t know what came over me.