I want meat today. Kayla whined softly, but we both knew that we couldn’t leave the cabin while mother was away, if she returned and we were nowhere to be found, she would scold us for the rest of our lives.
When she returns we will ask for a hunt, maybe a dear or a few rabbits. But today, we have fruit pie. I laughed softly, placing the pie into the place beneath the fire to cook.
Kayla agreed, though it was with some reluctance as I made a fresh pot of coffee and moved to sit by the window, my feet on the table as I watched the leaves gently fall from the trees. It would be winter not long after my eighteenth birthday and that is when mother would bring the ingredients for what she called a Christmas pudding and we would cut down a tree and put it in the cabin after decorating it with chestnuts and acorns.
Winter was my favourite time of the year, I loved the snow, it was always so perfect and made the clearing look flawless, as though a white blanket had fallen from the heavens.
Something caught my eyes from the tree line, not something, someone. Multiple wolves of all shapes and sizes were approaching the cabin, their noses raised as they sniffed the air. I tensed, either they were rogues or a pack had left the safety of their own territory in search of food. Whichever they were, it was bad news for me.
I jumped from my seat, accidentally knocking my now empty cup from the table, the loud thump as it hit the floor startling not only myself but the other wolves as they all tended, heads snapping in my direction. I didn’t know what to do, their was only one way in and one way out of the cabin, a design flaw that I hadn’t noticed until this moment as the wolves drew closer, spreading out in a semicircle around the door while at a safe distance to allow me to show myself.
Mother always said run. So that’s what we’ll do. Kayla growled, coaxing me to leave fast and swift.
But one thing bothered me, whoever they were, their were eleven, and while I was fast, I didn’t know what gift of essence each of them had and that left me at a disadvantage. One that could get me killed. They also knew where I lived, where mother and I had hidden for all these years under the noses of several packs. I had to play this carefully, the way they moved to surround me told me all I needed to know, they weren’t rogues at all, they were pack wolves, and at the front was a large black beast that would tower over me even in wolf form. He, was the alpha. The beta was a slightly smaller silver wolf that watched both the door and window with caution. They knew I was here, hiding behind the wooden walls and they were prepared to wait me out.
I pressed my back against the wall beside the window, breathing heavily as I weighed all my options carefully, would they kill me on sight for not being a packed wolf? Had they already found my mother? Had they killed her?
What if I explained that we weren’t hostile, that we only wished to live peacefully and alone, would they leave us alone? I doubted it very much, but I had to try, I didn’t know where we would go if we had to leave, and I didn’t know where the human city was to search for mother.
A voice broke the silence, it was deep and radiated power. “We know you are in there rogue, come out and we will speak like civilised people.”
I tensed, that was the alpha’s voice, the strength that was held behind his words sent shivers of fear down my spine, but I had no choice if I stayed in here they would attack, the grows of his men informing me that at least five had remained in wolf form.
Mustering up all my courage, I spoke, surprising myself with how strong and steady my own voice sounded. “How do I know that you will not kill me as soon as I open the door?”
I heard a chuckle, though I wasn’t sure who it belonged to as I peaked through the window, I spotted the alpha first, a long scar stretching from his ear to his jaw. He was clean shaven with short brown hair that was neatly pushed back, his eyes the same shade as his wolf. He tall and muscular, his chest bare as he only wore a pair of green shorts, scars lacing his stomach, arms and legs. Whoever he was, he had seen his fair share of battles, I didn’t stand a chance against him let the alone the ten others he had with him. As I suspected, five smaller warriors remained in wolf form, their eyes locked on the door. The one who I knew instantly to be the beta was similar to the Alpha, with scars and muscles that littered his body, though he had short Sandy blonde hair with green eyes.
The others littered around were much of the same, men of all shapes and sizes, each one different from the last. I had never seen a man before, the only person I had ever known was my mother, and she was far from as muscular or large as those who stood waiting for me to show myself, perhaps so they could kill me. Pack wolves were not known to be merciful towards rogues, not even rogues were merciful to she-wolfs that didn’t belong to a pack, they saw us as vulnerable and easy targets for the taking. Or so mother told me.
I watched as the beta spoke, realising that it was him who laughed, his voice was softer than the scarred alpha, but no less intimidating. “You have my word you will be able to plead your case, our alpha is curious as to why a woman is out here alone.”
At his words a sinister smirk played across the Alpha’s lips and I immediately tensed, their was something about him that urged me forward, whilst the logical side of me screamed to stay away. Warning me that he was dangerous. I decided that I had no other choice as I slowly made my way towards the door and removed the three deadbolts, I knew that I could either face them by choice or they would break down the door and kill me before I could even blink.
I took one last look at the safe haven that was my home, wondering briefly if I would ever see it again, or if I would die before I saw my mother once more. I wanted her to be ok, I prayed to the moon goddess that she was but as I pulled open the door I tensed and my heart rate increased, I could smell blood, her blood. I soon realised that the howls I had heard last night were the wolves before me and dread pooled in the bottom of my stomach, my mother was dead, their was no way she could have outrun these trained wolves, or fought them back. If she had, she would have come home.
I nervously played with the sleeves of my dress as I closed the door behind me, all eyes turning towards me whilst I hid behind my hair, concealing the shade of my own eyes from their judging faces. Some looked at me in disgust, while others simply tilted their heads. It was then that a scent hit me, it reminded me of freshly cut grass and burning wood. It was enchanting.
It was then that the alpha lifted his head into the air, sniffing before he growled possessively. “Mate.”
Oh no!
Instinctively I stumbled back, crashing into the door and beginning to hyperventilate, Kayla screaming at me to run, though not to him as I had imagined she would. She knew from the look in his eyes that he would not be a loving mate, he would be controlling and cruel just as mother said, she wanted badly to reject him right there, but without his name and the name of his pack, we could not.He took a step forward before seeming to realise what he was doing and stopping in his tracks, his voice confused and tense. “Who are you?” He asked.Instead of answering his question I asked one of my own, silent tears sliding down my cheeks as I searched those before me through my hair, knowing they wouldn’t see the odd colour of my eyes nor my freckled face through my thick hair.“Is she dead?” I asked, my voice was barely above a whisper, though I knew each of them had heard me from the
What would he do to me if I went with him and the others? I didn’t want to join and pack, I didn’t want to submit to the terrifying man that was destined to be my mate. I wanted to live here with my mother and remain hidden from the world. But they had seen my eyes, my face, they would follow me and track me wherever I went. Even the human city should I find it before I froze to death.The alpha must have given his men a silent command, they had begun to walk forward, surrounding me slowly, as though they were taunting me, daring me to run or fight. Instinctively I raised my forcefield, blocking them from taking another step, each of them growled, all except from the alpha who simply smiled.Then, he moved forward, walking through my barrier as though it wasn’t even there, his eyes dark and merciless. I turned on my heal and jumped onto the ledge above the door, climbing onto the roof before crouching as low as I could. I l
He turned me so that the pack could see me, the same awe I had seen on his packs faces back at the cabin now present on those around us as they saw my eyes, the strange shades of amber and purple. Each of them looked at me, the state of my battered body and smiled slowly, showing me that they were all as cruel as their alpha. It was as though I was some great prize to behold, that my mate had obtained something that no other had.Minutes passed before he released me, my legs instantly collapsing as I fell into the ground, though no sound escaped me as I clenched my jaw, doing all that I could to hide the pain in both my body and mind. I knew in my heart that this was the cause of my bad feeling, that my fate would no longer have a happy ending. Without out a word, the black eyes monster once again threw me over his shoulder and began walking, nodding at people who congratulated him as we passed, yet none acknowledged I even existed.We appro
I stood there with my head held high, watching as confusion contorted his features, he watched me for what seemed like hours before he growled, clenching his fists.“How did you do that!?” He bellowed, his wolf nearing the surface as he began losing control of his temper.I said nothing as I looked him in the eyes, almost a silent challenge, I would allow him to walk all over me, I was better than that. “I’m leaving.” I said bitterly, “Tell me your name so that I can reject you, you are not my mate. Not now. Not ever.”I swore that his eyes darkened, if that were even possible, and in a flash he was pinning me to the wall, his hand grasped tightly around my neck. “You will not leave, little wolf.”I knew he was using his alpha tone, I could feel the power that radiated from him, my feet close to his knees as he held me in the air. “I wil
I felt nothing but pain as I stirred awake, my body weak and slow as I tried to recall what happened, the events of the previous day crashing into me and making me gasp. They killed my mother, took me from my home, the alpha marked me without my consent. I shot upright, my eyes open as alert as I looked around, I was the same room from the night before, I was in his bed, I realised after a few moments that I was alone, his faint scent telling me the bed had been empty for a while. I tried to stand, but when I did something metal dug into my ankle, I threw the covers back, horrified to see that the monster had chained my leg to one of the posts on the bed, the chain small meaning that I would only be able to take a step or two before the metal cuff tore my flesh.I pulled as hard a could on the chain, but it wouldn’t budge even an inch and the cuff was secured with silver, it would burn my skin on contact and weaken my wolf. I curled my bare legs towards my
I growled back, my own wolf threatening to break loose and dominate the stupid alpha, she had never spoke nor showed herself where it was not needed. But now, she was just as furious as I was, we never once said the alpha was weak, we simply demanded to know what made him kill our mother when she had not been aggressive towards him or his pathetic pack.I knew my mother well, she would run before she used her essence against anyone, she was peaceful and all she had ever wanted was to protect me, she knew that if I was found I would be used and locked away. Exactly as was occurring now.“How many times do I have to tell you!?” I screamed, my chest heaving and my body trembling from an anger I had never before experienced. “I. Am. Not. Yours.” With each word that left my lips thunder sounded from somewhere outside the building, lightning flashing across the room as a uncontrollable storm raged both outside and inside my
He had moved to stand beside the bed in a flash, looking down at me as though I was something he could devour and control, watching me in a possessive and yet cruel way. I didn’t move, call it fear or confusion whatever you want, but for reason I knew that challenging him at this moment would only lead to severe pain, a pain I was unsure I would be able to handle.I gulped even though my throat was dry, causing me to cough slightly whilst I built up the courage I would need for my next words. “I-I need the toilet.” I whispered, my voice so low a mortal wouldn’t have heard me.He tilted his head to the side, watching me as though I was some sort of mystery he had yet to solve. “How do I know I can trust you not to try anything?”I rubbed my legs together in discomfort. “Please? I won’t do anything, I really need it.”He laughed, though the sound he
The door burst open, violently pulling me from the dreamless sleep I had no idea that I had entered, my mind slow and distant. That was, until I heard unfamiliar voices approaching the bed; ridding me of the last moments of peace I had been given.“This is her? She’s tiny, definitely not suited to be the next Luna.” Laughed an unfamiliar female voice, causing my eyes to peel open, the light blinding me for a small moment.There, to the bottom of the bed, was two bulky she-wolfs, their eyes the shade of deepest emerald and whilst the one who spoke had bleach blonde hair, the other having a ginger and brown shade. I could clearly see their muscles through the very short and tight dresses they wore, their breasts barely covered in the revealing purple and yellow gowns, though the one with blonde hair was plastered in make-up.I sat up slowly, my eyes bouncing between them in curiosity. “Who are you?&