A Runt Luna novel Chapter 2

Frowning slightly Rory took in her savior, wondering why the pretty wolf would help someone of a low rank like herself. Although Georgia was new to the pack, with her beauty she could have been a well respected female. Her auburn hair, bringing out the blue flecks in her eyes. A soft scatter of freckles across her face made her beauty to be a soft and pure kind. Not like the others in the pack who dressed so exposing, had loud personalities and would do anything to bring about attention. No, Georgia didn't need that type of attention on her, for she was the true definition of beauty.

"Aurora, can you walk?" Georgia questioned, her blue eyes glancing down, no doubt looking at the bruises on her neck.

"You need to leave." Rory warned, her voice raspy. She wasn't going to let anyone be subjected to the abuse and punishment that they would get for conversing with a runt. Especially Georgia who didn't know any better.

"What?" Georgia asked confused.

"They will hurt you for talking to me." She said sitting up, looking around the room at the water mess. The bucket had gotten knocked over at some point and caused a large puddle to take over the dinning room floor.

"I think I can manage. Come on, lets get you into some dry clothes." Georgia spoke, wrapping her surprisingly strong arms around Rory's shoulders. Rory let her take the lead, leading her up the stairs into what Rory assumed to be her room. She watched as Georgia rushed about the room grabbing clothing and a blanket. She let her fuss, not quite sure what the girls intentions were but was shocked when Georgia wrapped the blanket over Rory shoulders and hugged her trying to warm her up.

"Here, these may be a little big but you need to change into some new clothes." Georgia instructed. " You are soaking wet, and even though we don't get sick easily, you will if you stay in these.

"Why are you doing this?" Rory asked not sure what to make of the kindness that was being directed at herself.

"Doing what?" Georgia asked confused, a worried look on her face.

"Being nice to me."

"You don't deserve to be abused like that, no one; no matter the rank, does."

Rory didn't say a word, instead she slowly peeled off her wet shirt, and jumped when she heard the gasp and felt warm fingers touching her. She couldn't help but flinch away from Georgia, no used to any type of touch to be kind directed at her.

"Why, do they do this to you?" Georgia asked more to herself, not expecting an answer.

Rory knew that Georgia was seeing the scars that littered her back. But if it was from the belt buckle imprints on her skin or the lashes of the whip that caused her to gasp; that she did not know.

"To punish me." Rory whispered.

"Why?"

"For being different."

Aurora watched as Georgia moved around the room. She was in a tizzy after seeing the marks on her back. She seemed so surprised by the way that the pack treated Aurora, that she wondered if the pack Georgia came from didn't have a Runt.

Most runts were killed young, as it was just too hard for them to survive in the wild. Being in a pack, a runt was just another mouth to feed and a creature more likely to get a disease. That was the last thing a pack wanted, which was why they killed the runts if nature didn't.

"Well, I should go. Thank you for your help." Rory spoke getting up, laying the blanket down on the bed. She was barely able to take a step before was stopped by Georgia.

"Wait, you can't go back down there!" Georgia hissed appalled.

"Who do I have to tell?" Aurora rolled her eyes, a sour laugh coming form her mouth.

"Aurora, I'm serious." Georgia said.

"Ok, fine."

"You know the Alpha that's coming to visit?" Georgia asked and continued when she saw her nod. "Well, that's actually my brother. He's heard about the bad things going on in this pack, I don't think he knew how bad it really was, but he's going to put a stop to it."

"And how is he going to do that?"

"He may challenge the Alpha."

"If your brother is the Alpha, why would he send you to this pack?"

"Because he needed someone on the inside, to see what was really going on and report back to him. Originally we were looking for an alliance, but hearing the rumors about the pack on this territory, we had to see what was true and what we'd be getting ourselves into."

Rory didn't know what to say. Was she supposed to feel hopeful that things were going to change? She felt a seed of doubt in the back of her mind. What if this was just the Alpha Darren trying to test her, trying to tease her? Georgia seemed to be sincere while she was helping her, but she also could have just been a really good actress.

"Please don't tell anyone." Georgia said after they sat in silence. "If Darren finds out, he will set up an ambush for my brother, and I can't let that happen."