The Alphas' Runt

Chapter 5: Found

Holding onto four oranges in her embrace, she only had one last one left. This one had rolled a bit further from the rest. Gathering her energy, she stood up from her squatting position and let out a whimper. These injuries are definitely going to last a while. Her non-existent healing abilities means she was just as good as a human when it comes to recovering. As she stepped towards the last orange, she failed to notice the branch on the ground, covered by the tall grass. Once again, she planted her face straight into the ground, only this time it wasn't just muddy water, but mud itself. Brown marks streaked across her face as tears streamed down, masked by the rain.

Try as she had, the oranges still flew from her warm embrace and two of them were visibly squashed. She was a goner now, the pies had to be damaged by now and soaked in rainwater. The rest of the fruits in the bags must have been damaged as well and her oranges were either muddy or squashed. She didn't have any money or time left; how was she going to get another set to replace this?

A metallic taste creeped up in her mouth, and she realised she had probably cut her lips on the rocks by the pavement when she had first fell. Sobbing, she knew there was no use simply lying down there. It will be even worse when her family comes looking for her, or if she gets found by someone else. It will be worse than death.

She tried to pick herself up again, as she is used to doing throughout her life. Except the moment she sat up, she felt a pair of strong arms surrounding her and instantly, she was on guard.

Oh no, had she been found by her brother? Or the warriors? Or strangers?!

Alarm rang through the mind and she quickly struggled, wanting to get down.

"Please let me do- ouch!"

Pleading in a whisper while struggling, the young girl felt a sharp pain on her left side. She must have accidentally hit the injury again.

"Don't move." A gruff voice sounded, stern and demanding.

Upon hearing the voice, her body seemed to move on its own accord, leaning close to the broad chest. Her heart was beating quickly in her own chest, but she dared not speak. Authoritative voices like this calls for her obedience. That was her most important lesson growing up.

Listen to authority.

Or... suffer.

She was already in deep trouble; there was no need to add more. She simply closed her eyes, hoping the rain would hide her tears and fears, and wash away her pain.

Even though the girl had stopped struggling upon his words, her fear was still apparent, screaming in Damien's face. Damien was no stranger to fear; it was the most frequent emotion others displayed towards him. He had never reacted to it and in fact, had embraced it. Fear meant that people would leave him alone in his solitude; fear meant that he had power to get things down; fear was an efficient currency in his eyes.

Yet, holding the tiny girl in his arm who was trembling like a leaf, Damien hated this currency for the very first time.

Not wanting to jostle her and further injure her, the eldest brother took quick but steady steps towards the car. Seeing that they were near, the youngest held the door. Standing in the rain, holding the door like a gentleman, Finn looked like he was filming a commercial with his relaxed posture and the other hand in the pocket. Yet upon a closer look, he was anything but. His knuckles were turning white from that hard grip on the car door, and his fist inside the pocket. His eyebrows furrowed and he wore a scowl as he looked at the man approaching. Finn could not fathom how this huge chunk of muscles and the supposedly best warrior in the house could have failed to see the girl.

Seriously, what the actual fuck, Damien.

Finn's thoughts echoed in their minds but none of his brothers reacted. In a flash, Damien had gotten the girl into the backseat situating her on his lap while Finn got back in beside Damien and slammed the door shut. On the other hand, Ethan had gotten the clothes ready and swiftly covered the girl with a towel as soon as he got into the car.

Just like how the towel enveloped her tiny frame, an uncomfortable silence fell upon the car. Besides the howling wind and the sound of the rain hitting on the windows, there was only the sound of her teeth chattering loudly. Feeling the warmer embrace of the large towel, she instinctively pulled in closer onto herself while leaning closer into Damien, her source of heat.

For what seemed like eternity, no one knew how to break the silence. No one knew where to start.

Who the hell is she?

Through the countless questions that was raised in the minds of the brothers, one kept repeating itself.

As the chattering gradually came to a stop, Ethan finally spoke up, after much pushing from his brothers.

"What is your name?"