Adeline's eyelashes fluttered on the tops of her cheeks. The atmosphere was silent.... empty. Just as quickly as her eyes opened, they snapped shut from the bright light shining down on her.

Adeline let out a groan. Her eyes burned and her body was in a fog of fatigue and numbness. For a moment, Adeline thought that she was still asleep -- that she was still hidden within the depths of her mind -- but the gentle hum of the fan swirling above her let her know that she was indeed back to reality.

Adeline's eyes opened cautiously, prepared for the onslaught of blinding light to meet her.

Dull, empty whiteness met her. How could the tone, the shade of the ceiling seem so familiar? How could the color, void of personality and warmth and meaning, make her feel so familiarized.... so relatable?

Reaching up to brush the dark hair away from her eyes, Adeline frowned when she felt something hold them in place. Lifting her head, she saw leather straps crossing over her chest, abdomen, and lower legs; leather shackles were strapped to her ankles and wrists. No wonder she could hardly move, she was practically harnessed down to the bed. Adeline was tied down like a feral animal that had attacked one to many people.

She could feel the anxiety rising. The room seemed to rise in temperature; the heat burned her skin and caused a sheen of perspiration to coat her flesh. Had she attacked someone again? Did the Beast break the chains and attack anyone in sight? Did she attack her mother?

Was this finally it? She wondered, a wave of unease settled over her, cloaking her in a sense of fear and doom. Have I killed someone?

The light seemed to grow brighter as her breaths quickened. The radiant energy intimidated and frightened her; light could expose someone, whether it be their physical body or their flaws and secrets. Adeline would rather be hidden in the shadows, wrapped up in the darkness that surrounded her, than to ever have someone shine their light on her. Some thoughts and secrets were better off unknown to others.

The sound of a door opening drew Adeline out of her thoughts. The slab of wood let out a lengthy squeal that rattled the insides of Adeline's ears and twisted her face into a grimace.

"She's strapped down to a damn bed," a very irritated, very female voice growled. "It's not like she can do anything. The only thing I need to look out for is the fleas."

Adeline growled unconsciously. Being called a dog, or having fleas, was an insult to any wolf, and pups were usually taught from a young age to never say those words.

"She's awake, so you are going to move away from the door and let me into that room." The female said. Adeline could sense a type of confidence in the woman's tone, but it wasn't cocky.

A deep, low growl slipped through the widening crack as people began to file into the small room.

The first person to walk into the room was a male that had the air around him practically buzzing with his dominance. He was tall, muscular and had the richest brown eyes she had ever seen. Like most males, his dark hair was styled in a military cut -- shorter on the sides, and longer on top -- but to her surprise, and silent satisfaction, the hairstyle fit his 'mess-with-me-and-I-will-screw-you-up' aura. This male was rugged, badass, dominant, intimidating and masculine, but he was beautiful.

Stop it Adeline! She chastised herself. He's a mature male, and we are only seventeen. Stop looking at him!

Adeline tore her eyes away from the male, but out of the corner of her eye, she saw his mouth form a smug half-grin.

Crap. She thought with a dark frown. Here she was, harnessed down to a bed like the monster she was, and she was checking out the unknown male that wasn't being escorted around by her parents. Where were her parents anyway? And who were these people? Were they here to take her away, to end her miserable life?

It's about time. She thought darkly.

"Adeline Manson. I am so glad to see that you have graced us with your consciousness." A woman said, stepping out from behind a wolf with short, russet red hair. The woman had curly black hair that was pulled up into a ponytail, her skin was dark, and her eyes were so light in color, that they sparkled like gold. Just like everyone else in the room, the woman was beautiful, but she was the only non-wolf. Adeline wasn't sure what species the woman was, but she couldn't be Canis. Canises, even females, weren't guarded by four mature wolves; but then again, Adeline was in the same room.

"I'm Sasha Murphy, the Western Oracle." The woman said, introducing herself to Adeline.

Sasha began to name the wolves surrounding her, "This is Desmond, my mate and Delta. That is Trace, he's a Pack Enforcer" she said, pointing at a stocky male with golden tan skin. "That is Darius, he's a Pack Warrior," she pointed at a broad male that wore a black leather jacket and dark jeans.

"That is-"

"I'm Finnian Vogel, Beta of the West Pack." The male with the intense brown eyes said, cutting off Sasha from her introduction. The Oracle turned to glare at Finnian, her eyes narrowed and her lips pursed in silent irritation.

Why is an Oracle here? Why are they all here?' Adeline wondered as Sasha rambled on and on about how Canises need to learn manners and that they need to take more showers. Adeline could already tell that the Oracle was going to be a royal pain.

"Where-" Adeline's voice was hoarse. Swallowing with force, she pushed down the dryness and thirst. "Where are my parents?"

"They needed to take a cool down." The male, Finnian, said. His rich brown eyes bore into hers, they were calculated and intense, it were as if he was looking into her very soul. Adeline didn't like the way the male was looking at her, it was unsettling and way to intimate.

"Basically, what he's saying, is that we had to lock them up." Sasha retorted as if she were simply talking about the weather. Adeline's lip lifted in a snarl.

"And why did you lock them up?" Adeline's voice was tight as her eyes began to glow. She felt her canines press against her lower lip with her growing anger. With each passing year, her emotions were becoming harder and harder to control; and with each year, the Beast was becoming more powerful. Even now, she could feel it in her mind.... Waiting.... Watching.... Observing. Waiting for the perfect time to make its presence known.

"They couldn't control their wolves when Sasha was seeing; they both understood that they had to be removed from the premises." Darius said, his voice gruff. Adeline already knew that the warrior never played around, he was all business.

Adeline suppressed a growl. Not only did she not like being tied down to a bed, but she also hated that her parents were being locked up in their own cells. They were Alphas, and yet, the newcomers were confining them. She didn't like this one bit.

"Release them." Adeline ordered, pulling at the restraints. She called on her natural dominance, relying on it to control the newcomers. Adeline's eyes melted into a pale shade of blue so light in color, that they appeared to be carved from ice. She stared at the large male, Darius, with hard, unblinking eyes. He was a dominant warrior, but he was no match for an pissed off, naturally born Alpha. Adeline could be feral and murderous and angry all she wanted, but she wouldn't tolerate wolves who weren't even in her pack to control her parents.

"Release them. Now." Adeline ordered, staring at the warrior. Darius's dark eyes glazed over as his mind was clouded by the Alpha command. It didn't matter if he wasn't a wolf of Adeline's pack; he was a wolf. A wolf that was less dominant than Adeline.

"Release my parents. And that's an order." Adeline's voice was cold.... Emotionless.... A silent bomb that was moments away from detonating.

"Addy, honey. You can stop right there." Adeline's focus shattered. Her icy gaze tore away from Darius, and zeroed in on the unimpressed Oracle.

Sasha folded her arms across her chest with a sigh. The large red-headed male that was her mate, stepped in front of her, and lifted his lip at Adeline in a silent snarl.

"Okay, first of all.... You do not command my wolves; ever. Second.... Your parents are fine. They just needed to be away from you while I searched your mind. And third.... We need to talk, so put on your big girl panties, suck it up, and grow a pair."