Chapter 49

*****Dani's POV*****

"Dani doll… wake up now!" A hard hand shakes my shoulder as I grumble - feeling like I had been asleep for a grand total of five minutes.

"Not yet..." I groan, becoming annoyed at the sudden bumpiness of the road we were driving on.

Wait... the road?

I crack my eyes open slightly, seeing that we were now surrounded by a very noticeable dullness compared to what it had looked like before I went for a nap.

I crack my back with a stretch, before sitting up in my seat to further investigate the surroundings.

I looked around at the dark stretching fields beside us, cringing at how sad and rundown the place looked as the crops lay dead. The only word coming to mind was - lifeless.

"Where... are we?" I mumble quietly, scared that the ghosts would be listening in on us now.

"We are in the East side packs doll... basically the shit part of this world." Axel explains briefly, as we follow behind the other cars single file.

I glance at the large upcoming sign reading-

'GEMSTONE / 15 MILES'.

I read it aloud, wondering what Gemstone meant before Axel interrupted with an answer.

"Gemstone is the worst pack of them all doll... we decided to target them first." Axel explains, as I gulp and nod briefly.

“Oh…” I gasp out feeling somewhat breathless with nerves.

I knew things would be bad but I didn't think it would be total horror movie bad...

Why did the sky have to be so purple and dull... it reminded me of the very first time Lupin had brought me to this world. Yet the sky back at Axels kingdom was normal, bright and sunny compared to here.

I guess this place really was let go... but at least Axel was making an effort to fix it now. I just hope he can save this place and that it’s not too far gone...

I watch the road ahead seeing the outline of approaching houses in the distance. I jump slightly next as a fat raindrop falls and splashes down onto the car windscreen in front of me.

Axel laughs at my reaction to the water as I shoot him a small glare. Jeez I didn't realise I was so on edge until now... I didn't feel good about this place at all!

"Everything will be fine doll we have it under control." Axels soft voice fills my ears, as a stern hand lands itself on my thigh - giving it a small squeeze of reassurance.

"I trust you." I reply, watching as the rain begins to bash down on the cars.

I loved the calming sound of the rain... I pictured myself back at our home, curled up in our bed together - listening to the sound of it falling outside.

I hadn't seen rain since I got here, but I struggled to enjoy it in this very moment. It only added to how dull and lifeless this place seemed.

I only wonder what the people here will be like...

I jump again slightly as the car begins to ring out, signalling that a call from Nolan was coming through this time.

"Nolan?" Axels strong voice questions him when he answers.

"They tried to ask us for ID at the border gates, I've told them to piss off though and that you were a few cars behind so they've let us in... we will meet you at the leaders house yeah?" I listen to Nolan as he seems unbothered with his tone.

"Yeah perfect meet me there and have some of the guards do the rest. I can't wait to watch the little bitch scramble to put on a show..." Axel laughs out, his response causing me to raise a brow.

I wonder who he means...

"I know right! See you soon!" Nolan laughs back on the call, as Axel hangs up and instinctively turns to me.

"You ok doll? I'll take care of you don't worry." He nods at me, meaning every word he says as I take a deep breath.

"I'm ok... I mean yeah I'm nervous but I trust you." I reply, as he nods simply in understanding.

"Whose house are we meeting at?" I question next, watching as the cars ahead begin to slow.

"So basically you know by now that I am the King and what not yes?" He starts with sarcasm as I nod with a slight giggle.

"Well every sort of mini-pack and town has its own Alpha leader... basically the strongest wolf amongst them and that wolf controls their own little area... yeah?" He asks, raising a brow to see if I understand him so far.

"Yeah..." I confirm, edging him on.

"So the 'mini Alphas' are in charge of their own packs in their own land but they are all supposed to follow the general laws that are set by me as the King... So right now we are going to visit all of the mini packs and if they aren't being run properly then I'll be making many arrests and I'll be appointing a new Alpha leader to run the packs when I leave to keep things in place... all of the mini Alphas should also report to the King regularly… but as you are aware, I haven't been doing the best at my job until you got here so that will all start up again with monthly Alpha meetings and more boring shit once we sort out the packs." He laughs at the end, as I nod along.

I think I understand now... but just how bad have these packs became...

The rain continues to pour as we approach some large steel gates ahead, four guards in total - two holding the gates open and the other two stopping each car as it approaches.

Our car eventually rolls up to the front next, as Axel grumbles and puts down his window.

"Are you seriously trying to fucking stop me for ID?" He snaps harshly causing my mouth to drop open from his sudden scary King voice. He asserts himself with his tone before the other man even has the chance to speak to him.

"N-No Alpha... just saying welcome to Gemstone!" The man stutters, bowing his head before gesturing for us to drive forward.

Axel ignores him and puts the window back up, before driving through the gates and into their official land.

"Axel that was sort of rude you know!" I scold him slightly, earning a glare.

"Trust none of them here do you understand me doll?! Now listen... you might see a very different side to me here but I need to be brutal or these creatures won't listen! No matter what you see or how I act... I won't hurt you." He suddenly speaks to me in the same stern tone, earning an instant nod as I decide to stop the conversation from progressing.

I know that he's probably on edge right now with us being here and that he probably needs to act like the big scary King that he's known to be.

At least Belle and Lily will be here too... we can be scared together I guess?

I decide that silence is the best answer, as I continue to stare out of the windows, passing by worn down and poverty stricken homes.

It looked awful here...

Cracked roofs, broken bricks, mud everywhere, no greenery… it was just a sad sight.

We continued through the town, some of the locals seeming scared as they ran inside their homes and some even looking hopeful as they stared at the passing cars out in the rain.

My heart broke for them. Who knows what they've been through over the years...

I hadn't seen any children yet either which put me at ease slightly…

But that could always be a bad thing too right... where were they all?