Guardian - 20. Testing Boundaries

His eyes were closed, but he couldn’t get away after thinking about Neil and everything that was intertwined. He tried going back into the Meadow. However, something happened that kept him from going back. Gabriel was starving, in constant pain and his focus was shot. His head would pound and his body shook. He ended up grabbing the blanket off the bed and wrapping it around him, fighting the pain of his shoulder, still dislocated from days earlier. He couldn’t find tears anymore, they failed to fall from his face. His eyes drooped while he sat against the corner of the wall, holding his knees. They shut immediately when the door opened, letting in the blinding light from Scott’s room. He brought his good arm up to shield his eyes before blinking several times to see who stood there. He guessed correctly when Scott’s figure came into view. Gabriel didn’t even look up at him, almost feeling like he should give up. But this was a game, it was always a game. There were several ways to play it and in order to survive; he had to play it right. Could he give Scott the idea that he had given in? It could work; the wolf himself seemed to be too high strung on his own power maybe he wouldn’t notice himself being tricked. Gabriel wondered if he could pull it off. He was pulled from his thoughts when Scott kicked at his legs, just enough to shock him. Gabriel gasped softly, whimpering a little bit. He didn’t look up so he missed seeing the grin on Scott’s features.

“Hungry puppy?” he sneered. The sudden snarl in Gabriel’s stomach made him curl over tighter. Scott gave another kick and Gabriel let out a small cry. “Answer the question.” Gabriel had to think and had to think fast. Would it work? He had to take the chance, if not he’d perish in this cell.

“Yes sir.” He barley recognized his own voice. It was so course, he hadn’t talked out loud, not even to himself. He sounded dry and so weak as his eyes dared to glance up. He added the ‘sir’ to see if it was sufficient enough for Scott to not kick him again. He was glad when it had been, the male reaching down and pulling the boy to his feet. No warning was given as Scott grabbed his shoulder and instantly popped it back in place. The utter shock caused Gabriel to tense and cry out, his hands reaching and grabbing for the only thing close to him. Scott. He didn’t want to see the obvious smirk on the man’s lips as he held him. He was at least better now that he had full use of his arm again. With not much time to react, Scott grabbed Gabriel and dragged him out of the cell, making the boy turn and face him.

“Now, you remember the little spill I gave you a week prior don’t you?” A week? Gabriel had been in that room for a week? How the hell did he even survived that long? It hadn’t felt that long. Maybe because he slept half the time. He did remember though, he remembered it like it happened a day before. He gave a nod. Scott smiled. “Good. If you fuck up just once, I’m shoving you back in that room understand?” Just once? Gabriel swallowed hard and gave an almost desperate nod. His legs shook under his weight, feeling so weak after not eating or drinking anything. Scott let him go, the teen falling to the ground and sitting there, unable to really move. Scott walked away and out of the room. Wasn’t one of the rules that Gabe always had to be at his side? He doubted he could even get up and follow. Feeling defeated already he moaned. His eyes stared at the floor until he heard foot falls again, looking up to see Scott walking back with a large glass of water and food on a tray. His stomach lurched and he couldn’t help but lick his dried lips. Scott saw his eyes widen at the food and smiled. He had the Jarkla right where he wanted him. At his mercy. He placed the food on the bed and went over to grab the boy, lifting him and setting him down. Gabriel wanted to go for the food, but fear kept him still. “Do not eat it fast. If you so much as heave, I’ll throw you back.” Gabriel wanted to grumble but instead he frowned. Great, even if he made the slightest mistake of puking the food back up, it was possible he could just get thrown back in his cell. He nodded a few times as he eyed Scott, as he moved to lean on his bed and turned the TV on again to watch it. Gabriel was careful as he grabbed a piece of bread and began to nibble on it, his stomach arguing and urging him to gorge. He ignored it, the painful cramps making him wince but he fought against it. Holding the glass of water in his hand as he ate slowly, he took sips, his eyes going to look at Scott who continued to watch the TV as Gabriel ate. Was this how it was going to be? Gabriel felt like he would become nothing but a pet, a tool as all the others had become. What was so wrong about shaping his own life? His eyes looked down to the food as he continued to eat slowly. He was going to have to gather his strength, and hope to god that Orion was searching for him. He wanted to ask about Jake, but refused to even think about it. He didn’t need Jake to get killed, or hurt. He wondered how he was fairing.

Scott’s eyes moved from the screen to Gabriel who quietly ate, obviously following what he said as the boy ate slowly. He smirked and scanned the boy’s body. He wanted him weak, but not pathetic. After a day of recuperating, Scott thought about training him, just to tone his body. The thought slowly stopped him in his tracks. Amaya had run from him, and that was the last thing he wanted. But perhaps, with another type of ‘training’ he could make this boy choose him over anyone. The smile on his face didn’t hide his thoughts very well when his eyes caught Gabriel’s as the teen glanced up at him. Gabriel found himself stopping in mid chew, quickly looking away. He didn’t blush, but he didn’t feel all that great either. The humming speech of the TV had zoned him out so he didn’t pay much attention to the man who watched him so keenly. He could feel his stomach’s urge for more food, but he continued to eat slow and steady, feeling some strength return. He hoped he could get to the meadow after he ate some more. Swallowing he felt the bed shift, he gazed up as Scott got right in his face.

“Not as vocal as before, puppy. “ Gabriel swallowed the piece of chicken he was chewing before trying to think of what to really say. He was about to say something when Scott continued. “I hope that changes when I take you. I love a screamer.” His breath on the teen’s neck made his whole body shiver and Gabriel had no idea how to reply to that. His hands shook and his eyes stared at the plate of food. He tried to keep his hands steady by clasping them together. Things looked horrible to him, and feeling Scott’s hand against his skin on his neck, moving him closer, Gabriel gasped. He went to grab the water glass, afraid he’d spill it over the bed, but felt Scott’s other hand when he moved. He stopped his movements, his eyes catching Scott’s. “I can be nice when I want to, and as long as you’re a good little puppy, I’ll be nice to you. Remember that.” He finished with another lick on Gabriel’s cheek which grossed him out. He closed his eyes and shivered again as Scott let him go. He said nothing more as he stood and stretched and then left without another word or glance. If panic wasn’t settling into Gabriel’s chest now, it was defiantly making its way there. As much as he told himself he wasn’t hungry after that, his body protested. He ended up eating everything on the plate during the few hours Scott left him alone. Afterward, he placed the tray carefully on the end table and glanced around the room. It was very nice and very expensive looking. He looked to the TV and wondered if he could change it without Scott jumping down his throat. He bit his lip and decided against it as he looked at the screen. It began to filter through missing persons reports and his eyes widened when he saw his own face. He had shorter hair, and it was his school picture. Had it been Lance that put this up? He wondered if he even looked like that anymore. He jolted when the door opened to reveal a very large male. His stature reminded him of Orion, but the guy still couldn’t match Orion’s looks. He held another glass of water and something else in his hand as he walked over. Gabriel eyed him wearily before the man reached out and, opening his hand, revealed some pills.

“Take these. It will help you regain your strength and give you nutrients.” Gabriel was slightly hesitant but his eyes caught someone in the doorway and fear developed again as he took the pills slowly and the glass from the man.

“Tank, go get more food for it. And fetch a bitch. She’ll need to bathe him.” Tank turned to his alpha, bowing his head.

“Yes alpha.” Gabriel was almost dumbfounded, taking the pills and eyeing the two. Tank was much bigger than Scott in a human aspect, but he guessed that wolf wise, Scott ranged in the bigger size. It came with being alpha didn’t it? He watched him leave and felt Scott staring at him again. Gabriel didn’t say or do anything, watching from the corner of his eye as Scott left and the doorway was filled with someone else. He gazed up at the red headed female who hardly looked beautiful. She had scars on her arms and even one across her face. How cruel was this pack? She went to him and bowed deeply, Gabriel almost felt sorry for her. He could feel the despair in her emotions.

“I need to bathe you Jarkla, please allow me to help you.” He wanted to whine, to take this female into his arms and hold her, but something was stopping him. Could she also feel the fear he had for the one they deemed as their alpha?

“You can help,” he mumbled softly as she held her hand out for him to take. Walking would be a challenge but he did feel renewed strength as he got to his feet again. She helped him to the bathroom and he looked around to see if anyone else was there. He wondered about Jake, how he was doing again. He bit his lip when the woman began to get the bath ready and Gabriel stripped of his clothes. “What’s your name?” he asked softly, his voice starting to come back to him. She looked at him, shocked a little. He gave her a smile, one that he hoped would help loosen the tense atmosphere.

“Heather,” she said in a whisper. He could understand why she would whisper. Bathrooms always echoed, and he wanted to speak to her, ask her about Jake. He continued to smile at her.

“You can call me Gabe if you want.” He saw the faintest smile on her lips when he said that. He smiled wider, taking her hand as she helped him into the bath. The warm water felt good, and it soothed him instantly. It especially helped with the soreness of his shoulder. He gave a sigh, watching as she left and got him a change of clothes and a towel. Gabriel took the time to wash himself, feeling better being clean and not so grimy. When she came back, he sat up some. “Say Heather, can we talk?” She looked worried when he asked the question, looking back at the door and then back at him. He frowned.

“It is forbidden for anyone but the Alpha and Beta to speak to you unless serving you.” Gabriel’s frown deepened.

“But why? Is it just this pack?” She gave a small nod and he frowned even more. He didn’t want to get her hurt, so he turned away and sulked in the tub. Heather saw his sadness, and even felt it. She looked back and bit her lip, moving to peek if anyone was around. She scurried back and sat beside the tub.

“I can serve you by answering questions if you have any.” Gabriel looked at her when she whispered again. He had to think for a moment before it dawned on him that it was a sneaky way of talking. He smiled and perked up again, resting against the tub as she did the same.

“Ok, how old are you?” He guessed he would start with simple ones, just things to make it seem to whoever was listening that he was just curious and nothing more.

“I’m 45,” she replied with a smile. He was happy to see her smiling now, it gave him a good feeling and it made him feel as if even now, away from Orion, he was making a difference. ‘Scott is in for a rude awakening later’ he thought to himself.

“You look a lot younger,” he muttered. Even if she did have a scar on her face, she could pass for a teenager like himself. “It’s the werewolf thing isn’t it? With all the slow aging and all, right?” She gave him a nod. He thought back to Neil. How did the pups age exactly? He pondered the question and decided now was the best time as any to get an answer. “So, next question, when a puppy is born, when do they start…looking their age, in a way.” At first Heather didn’t understand the question. She looked at him in a curious manner before starting to answer it.

“Well, it takes years for the pups to actually look like a teenager. As you see, I am much older than I appear. For puppies, a newborn moving to a toddler phase can take several years. When they reach around 20 years, it also depends on the pureness on their blood and gender; they can look between the ages of four and ten.” That made more sense now that he thought of Neil. But he was only half wolf, and the only ones to really answer the Jarkla questions, were the Jarklas themselves. He thought back to what Eli said, when he mentioned he was 45 but he looked close to 30. Perhaps that poured in with the werewolf gene and if the Jarkla was considered part of the moon, then it would be the purest of blood right? He didn’t realize how silent he was with all this thinking until Heather tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention. “You ok?” she asked with a head tilt. Gabriel smiled.

“Oh yeah just thinking. I’m ready to wash my hair though…” She smiled at him and handed him the shampoo and conditioner as she pulled out the attached hose. He smiled and took it. “I can do it myself…thanks, Heather. Oh, one more question.” He lowered his voice. “Jake, he came with me, is he ok?” Heather’s happy expression had changed as she moved closer to whisper back.

“He’s watched constantly, and not allowed near you. Alpha is always having the others beat him. I talk to him often, he’s worried for you. I was going to tell him how you are fairing…would you like me to send him a message?” Gabriel was smiling, not because of what was happening, but because Jake, at least, was alive. He felt tears again, and rubbed at his eyes.

“Yeah, tell him to hold strong and…give him a big hug for me will you? “ Heather gave him a nod and smiled tenderly.

“I will. Shall I leave you now?” she said raising her voice a bit louder and Gabriel understood why.

“Yeah, I can do it myself. Thanks.” Heather stood and took her leave, almost bumping into Tank as he had been standing in the doorway. She stared up at him, frightened, but the man only gave a nod and let her go, moving in to stand blocking the door so that no one else could enter. He listened to the water’s movement as Gabriel finished washing himself. He continued to stand there until Gabriel walked out wrapped in his towel and noticed his clothes on the bed, a simple pair of slacks and a white wife beater. To say Tank surprised him was an understatement. He gasped and jumped back; losing his balance as Tank grabbed his arm to keep him from falling.

“Jesus you scared me!” he exclaimed, not knowing just how loud he was. When Scott heard the exclamation from downstairs, he made his way up to see a disgruntled teen stepping into the slacks and Tank standing with his back to the boy.

“I didn’t mean to Jarkla.” Gabriel hadn’t noticed Scott yet as he gave a snort, showing that he was pretty much back to his spunky self.

“Well you could have said something, like you were outside the door or something. Give me a heart attack why don’t you,“ he grumbled, pulling the wife beater over his head and then noticing Scott leaning in the doorway with a grin on his face. Oh how Gabriel wanted to throat slam him into the ground.

“Puppy is talking freely I see.” Gabriel instantly wished he hadn’t been so loud. He was afraid of what Scott was going to do and just stood where he was. Tank turned to see his Alpha advance slowly. “You may leave Tank. My nephew needs his daily dose.” Gabriel’s stomach dropped when he heard that. He kept his hands against his side and looked down at the ground as Scott stood in front of him. He felt Scott’s hands on his body and tried to ignore them, feeling him pinch his arms, his chest and stomach. He winced at some of them and even blushed when the wolf lifted his shirt and rubbed against his sides. His body tingled and shivered as he tried to stop himself. He heard a chuckle. “Not so talkative now are you?” When Gabriel didn’t respond, Scott growled.

“Not really…” he muttered. Scott’s hands squeezed his sides, causing him to squirm and groan painfully.

“Not really what,” Scott growled between clenched teeth.

“S-sir?” He was hoping it would work, praying even that Scott would stop squeezing him as he felt too uncomfortable. It did slowly stop and he was able to stand straight, but Scott’s hands never left his sides.

“Much better. Puppy will need to learn how to respect his Guardian and give him anything he wants. Won’t you?” He was terrified at that statement. What was Scott going to make him do? He gave a soft cry as Scott lifted him and threw him on the bed. Gabriel tried to scramble off but Scott was on top of him and pinning him against the mattress. “Tell me, you ever kiss anyone yet? Did my darling little brother break you in yet?” Gabriel’s chest heaved and he shook his head, trying to move away as Scott came closer and licked his neck again. “Mmmmm good, that means I can take it.” He had forgotten what tears felt like even in that short week, and now he felt the wetness of them as they dropped from his eye lids. Scott began to nibble and kiss on his neck. He hated how it affected his body, causing him to squirm and whimper softly. He didn’t want this to happen. He shut his eyes and dealt with it as the wolf continued to nibble, lick, and even at times, bite at his neck and shoulder. Gabriel never wanted Orion’s company as badly as he did at that very moment.