Days had passed and there was no sign of Georgia's brother. Aurora couldn't help but feel disappointed. She thought she was going to be able to leave this hell hole, but it was looking like it may never happen. Since the night Aurora showed Georgia her form, the duo had grown close. It was nice to have someone who cared about her, especially after the beatings she received from Darren or one of the others.

She had been cleaning the kitchen after breakfast when Georgia appeared at her side.

"I'm worried." Georgia whispered grabbing a dish to dry.

"Why?" Aurora asked.

"My brother should have been here by now." Georgia whispered stacking the plate before grabbing another. "Something's wrong, I can tell."

"I'm sure if your brother said he was coming for you, he will." Aurora tried to reassure her. However hesitant she was feeling, she didn't want Georgia to see her doubt. She could feel Georgia staring at the side of her head, but she made no movement to look at her.

"Oh Georgia, dear." Angel said in a sickly sweet voice. "Leave the cleaning to the runt."

Neither girls had heard the footsteps coming near them. Aurora kept her head down, not wanting to look the devil in her eyes. If she made one wrong movement, said one wrong word; Angel would tell Darren and she would receive a beating.

"I don't mind." Georgia said with a smile watching as Angel's face turned to a frown. Obviously not used to people disagreeing with her, Angel had narrowed her eyes looking between the girls, trying to figure out if they were friends. In her mind the runt shouldn't have friends.

As much as Angel was trying to intimidate her, it wasn't working. Georgia was a Luna, and a bitch like Angel wasn't a threat. Angel's minions looked to be clueless-they were just following the leader, so Georgia knew she didn't have to worry about them.

"I know you're new, so let me warn you. Watch the company you keep. Don't lower your rank, just because you pity the runt." Angel warned.

"It's not out of pity. It's because a pack is a family. You should include and help all, no matter what rank another is." Georgia snapped.

"That's funny, last I heard you ran from your pack. Your family - so I don't think you really know what a pack is. You're a coward and you obviously lack loyalty. You will not last long here." Angel promised.

Even though it wasn't the truth, she did not run from her pack but Aurora could tell it struck a nerve with Georgia. No wolf liked to be called a coward or have their loyalty questioned. Angel basically was calling her a lone wolf; a rogue. It went against their instincts to be apart of pack, to be a loyal and valued member of a pack. Only few were fit to be a rogue.

Aurora knew what was going to happen, but before she could stop it; she had to watch in horror as Georgia threw the last of the chocolate pudding towards Angel, covering her front. Her anger seemed to die as soon as she realized what she had done and she paled.

Angel screeched, "You bitch, this was a new top." Her minions yelled in disgust, and soon the loud and thundering steps of the Alpha were heard.

"What the hell is going on in here?" He demanded, his voice cold.

"Look what she did to me, boo. She ruined my top." She cried against the Alpha's chest. Wrapping his arms around her, he glared at the two girls. Aurora could practically feel herself shrink against his gaze. He was murderous.

"Want to explain yourself?" Darren asked looking between the two.

"It was me, Alpha. I'm sorry." Aurora spoke up taking the blame. She wasn't going to let Georgia be beaten. It wasn't likely that she had ever been punished let alone been beat before, and Aurora wasn't going to let Darren's darkness taint her.

"NO!" Georgia gasped, looking at her. "That's not true." She tried to explain.

"Well, which one of you was it? Don't waste my time." Darren asked growing irritated.

"It was me, I threw the chocolate pudding at Angel." Aurora lied, it didn't escape her notice, that Angel had smiled. It was exactly what she wanted to happen. She had wanted her to take the blame, in fact she seemed to know that Aurora was going to.

"Runt." Darren growled. "Some days I wonder why we keep you." He reached out and grabbed her arm with a bruising force and drug her to the basement. Aurora saw Georgia following them down the hallway, but she shook her head; warning her. Aurora was relieved when she saw that Georgia reluctantly agreed to let Aurora take the blame. She seemed to know that even if Georgia confessed the truth now, they would have both been beaten. Probably a worse beating for Aurora, for lying in the first place.

Her skin stung in pain as she was tossed across the concrete, her head hitting the wall with such force that she saw stars. Aurora couldn't help but try to block out what was going on around her. She avoided watching Darren gather his tools. Biting through her almost healed lip she held back her screams as he raised his hand over and over again.

~*~*~*~

Georgia stood in her room after lights out, and she could still hear Aurora screaming. It had been three hours of torture, each scream getting louder and louder. After another hour, the screaming stopped. Georgia wasn't sure if Aurora had finally been able to black out, or if he had killed her. She gazed out of the window, praying to the moon her brother would get here soon.

~*~*~*~

9 Days.

It had been nine days since her brother was supposed to come and fix this pack. It had been 5 days since Georgia had watched as Aurora had been dragged to the basement. She had quickly learned that Aurora was not dead, because it seemed like screaming started again after it had just stopped.

The thought brought her breakfast back up, and Georgia had barely been able to make it to the toilet. She couldn't remember the last meal that she kept down, or the last night she had fully slept. Guilt kept her up at night, there wasn't a day that went by that Georgia regretted allowing Aurora to take the blame. She had been touched that she had felt the need to stick up for her, and knew what she was trying to do; she was trying to be a friend. Georgia flushed the toilet, sitting on her haunches. As soon as Aurora was released she was going to make it up to her. She didn't know how to make it up to her, but she would find away.

Georgia was in the kitchen when she heard the basement door open. Glancing over to the door she was shocked to see that it was Darren pulling Aurora behind him.

"Get clean and stay out of my sight." He demanded pushing her away from him, causing her to hit the wall. She was weak, but he didn't spare her another glance before making his way down the hall.

As soon as he was out of sight, Georgia rushed to her. She reached out to steady her, not missing the flinch.

"Aurora, it's me. Its Georgia." She whispered moving in front of Aurora.

Her whole body ached but she opened her eyes to see Georgia's concerned face. Closing her eyes against the first light she had seen in five days, not able to handle the brightness. Her body was on fire, she was exhausted.

"Come on, let's get you cleaned up." Georgia guided her to the stairs leading her to the room.

Aurora didn't have any fight left in her, she was done. Right now she wasn't sure she would have enough energy left to change her clothes, let alone clean her wounds. She was happy to have Georgia's assistance and allowed her to take care of her. It was a slow process but Aurora was finally in new clothes, a loose fitting tee shirt and a baggy pair of sweatpants. Not only did she not have many clothes that fit her, the loose clothing gave her wounds air to breathe.

"Lay down, I will see if I can sneak some food from the kitchen." Georgia said making sure Aurora was comfortable before she left the room.

In no time at all she was back with some crackers and a water bottle in her hands.

"I'm sorry its not much. It was all I could get, they were watching the kitchen." Georgia apologized. Aurora knew who they were, it was the patrols making sure no one was going to steal food. Darren liked to have complete control of the pack. It was why they all lived together, so he could ration food, control their bedtime-even control who the unmated wolves slept with. Having been in the pack for nearly her whole like, she never thought it was odd, but the more Georgia told her about her real pack, Aurora knew it wasn't normal for the Alpha to be this controlling.

"No, its perfect. I don't think I could handle any more than this." Aurora spoke taking the crackers and water. It wasn't a heavy snack, but she wasn't even sure if she would be able to keep it down. Going five days without food would do that to you. As much as she was starving she knew she had to pace herself.

"I wish you hadn't taken the blame, Rory." Georgia whispered. "But thank you."

"It's fine." Aurora spoke, smiling at the nickname. It wasn't the first time Georgia had called her it, but every time she heard it, she felt a little bubble of happiness swell inside her. It was a weird feeling, she couldn't remember the last time someone had taken the time to get this close to her. Many didn't want to lower their rank, or worse be bullied and abused as well.

Her eyes were heavy and before she knew it, Georgia was encouraging her to sleep. "Sleep, I will keep watch." It was a promise, Aurora could hear it in her tone of voice. It was the last thing she heard before she let the darkness take her.

She felt like she had only been asleep for minutes, the only reason she woke was to someone shaking her. Blinking her eyes open, she braced herself for an attack. Some of the others like to startle her this way, when she had been asleep, defenseless. Georgia's face filled her vision her lips moving rapidly, a smile on her face. She had a beautiful smile, the way her eyes were filled with true happiness, her nose wrinkling in bliss. Aurora found herself smiling at Georgia's happiness.

"What?" She asked her voice croaking.

"He's here. My brother. He's close, I can feel it." She gushed.

"Are you sure?" Aurora spoke.

"Positive." She beamed. As if Darren had heard Georgia's prediction, he was calling for them. He was calling for them all.

If her smile got any larger, her face would crack. Aurora thought to herself.

"See. Come on, we have to hurry." Georgia said. She made her way to the other side of the bed and helped her to her feet. "Finally we can get out of here! You can be free."

"Free.." Aurora whispered as it finally dawned on her. She could be free.

The pair made their way to the ground level, instantly making their way outside and lined up in rows. It was the traditional way to greet any visitor of rank.

Aurora had lined up next to Georgia, curious to see how everything would play out. If it was indeed her Alpha brother, was he going to challenge Darren? It was all so nerve racking.

"Welcome, Alpha." Darren greeted.

"Darren, thank you for allowing us to visit." A deep voice spoke in return. She glanced at the speaker and felt her mouth go dry, her heart beat rapidly against her chest. He was a very tall man, nearing 6' if not taller. He had a wide frame, he was in top shape, she could practically imagine the muscles on his body. He had a dark buzz cut, and either blue or green eyes. She was too far away to tell, but if she was going off of Georgia's eyes, they had to be blue.

She glanced at her toes, confused as to what she was feeling. Never before had she felt this weird attraction, it was almost like a magnet. She was drawn to him, but she fought it. Her fox was purring inside her, calling the man her mate. It was a foolish and a childish thought she couldn't not let herself have. No, it would just cause trouble. She figured if she kept her eyes down he would never see her. This way, if he didn't notice her he wouldn't be able to reject her. Of course, her plan would have worked if she wasn't standing next to his sister.

"And why do we owe the pleasure of your visit?" Darren forced out to be a pleasant question, even though he wasn't thrilled at the intrusion.

"I have come for my sister and something else I seek. My mate. I would like to see your unmated and see if any of them are her." The deep voice spoke. Aurora was confused, Georgia said he was going to evaluate the pack, what had changed?

"Of course, and who is your sister?" Darren asked his eyebrow twitching at the thought of knowledge being withheld from him.

"Georgia."

Aurora could feel Georgia squeeze her hand, before stepping out of the shadows, and towards her brother and what Aurora assumed to be the beta and her mate. She watched the happy reunion as her mate took her into his arms and kissed her. The sight was something Aurora ached to have but knew better than to wish for it. Especially if her mate really was the Alpha, he wouldn't want a runt.

"Thank you for keeping her safe."

"My pleasure." Darren said. "Allow me to line up the females, so you can get on your way."

"Please." The Alpha nodded.

"Line up if you are mated and get back to work." Darren spoke dismissing the others who were unneeded for the presentation.

Aurora shuffled to the line, finding her way to the very end. She kept her head down and her eyes shut. The Alpha started at the other end, and for this Aurora was relieved. Maybe one of the others was his mate and she was just feeling their feelings through the pack link? It could happen. Unlikely-but it could.

As he came closer she felt like her heart was going to pop out of her chest. She kept her eyes shut, praying he would overlook her. But when she felt his warmth stop in front of her she knew it wasn't going to happen. Aurora cautiously looked up and was caught by his eyes. The man was even more beautiful up close than he was seen at a distance. What wasn't beautiful was the tense look on his face.

"Who did this to you?" He growled sending a chill through her body and not in a good way. She remained quiet not wanting to get herself in trouble, with either Alpha. Her eyes on her toes she shifted uncomfortably, hoping he would move on to something else.

"I asked you a question." He demanded, grabbing her chin with a surprisingly gently touch. She swallowed, her mouth dry. His furious silver eyes scanned her face before he turned around with a snarl. "Who dare harm my mate?" Looking to someone else for the answers, but no one wanted to confess. No one wanted an angry Alpha to turn his attention onto them.

It was if something clicked in Darren's head. A weakness maybe, because he egged on the tense atmosphere with the next question.

"The runt is your mate? Well you can have her or what's left of her, that is. She required some disciplinary action so she might be a dud. She's definitely damaged goods." Aurora cringed at that truth. She was damaged goods, an Alpha would never want a Runt for a mate; let alone one that shifts into a fox. She could see the Alpha tense the muscles in his jaw clenched. She was almost afraid he was going to break a tooth. He was mad, she could see that-anyone could. Aurora was sure it was because he realized what she was, as Darren outed her as a runt. She braised herself for the rejection she was sure was coming, promising herself she wasn't going to cry. The Alpha did open his mouth but instead of the rejection it was a growl that escaped his lips.

"Watch yourself." Alpha warned not liking the way the other Alpha was talking down about his mate.

"Why don't like the truth?" Darren asked.

"You bastard!" Georgia snapped breaking from her mate's embrace. Something inside her just snapped as she heard him egging on her brother, disrespecting Aurora. Georgia lunged at Darren, shifting in midair but he was expecting it. In fact he was encouraging it.