The King

My hair whipped around my face as I ran through the woods towards town. It was dark, but the light of the moon was lighting my way. I could hear a loud howl in the distance behind me, and my heart started to race. He must have just discovered I was missing, and in no time, his guards would be after me. I was running as fast as my wolf would allow my legs to move, but royal guards didn't just get handed the position. Even with my head start, there was a chance they might catch up with me. I just had to hope that my knowledge of the land would give me an advantage. I'm sure by this point you are wondering why I'm running through the woods in the dark. I should probably rewind and start this story a few hours earlier.  Today is my 18th birthday, and it had started as uneventful as every other day of my life. My father is the Alpha of the Dark Moon Pack, and I am the youngest of his five children. A party had been planned in my honor even though I had requested a quiet birthday this year. My eldest sister, Bianca, had refused to allow it, but she did indulge me by keeping it low-key. A couple of party tents had been set up next to the lake, with lights strung across the ceilings. Chairs and tables were spread out in them, with tables of food running down the middle of each. Several bonfires had been started around them, and the music was a mix of new and old songs that I liked with a small dance floor in front of the DJ. While Bianca sometimes got on my nerves, she did know what I wanted and never tried to force me to be different.  The party had started out as any other party. I had worn a simple short black cotton pencil skirt with a white t-shirt and a blue jean jacket. To Bianca's dismay, I had opted to wear black converse over the black wedges she had suggested. Tonight was about me though, and I wanted to have fun and dance with my friends without worrying about my feet hurting. My father had made a speech at the beginning and, while staring me down, had said that he wished my mother had been able to see me grow up until the great woman I was today. While everyone else found it touching and sweet. I understood how he really meant it. My mother had died giving birth to me. He never let me forget it, and I knew he blamed me for her death. He never seemed to stop and think that having five pups in less than four years probably wasn't the best thing for anyone. While he never mistreated me, he didn't have the same relationship with me that he had with my sister and brothers. My best friend Hanah had drug me out of the tent as soon as his speech was done. She was the only person that really knew how I felt about my father, and she was quick to smooth over the situation and get me back in the party spirit.  My close friends were standing around a fire, passing a bottle of alcohol around, and I quickly grabbed it and took a big gulp. It burned going down, but I smiled as I handed it to my best male friend, Xavier. He wrapped an arm around my waist and took a big swig as well. He seemed to already be pretty well intoxicated. He wrapped his arms around my waist from behind and started to sway to the music. "Do you want to dance, X?" I asked him. He smiled, nodding his head, and pulled me towards the tent with the DJ playing in it. The rest of the group followed, and slowly more people joined us on the dance floor. Luckily my oldest brother, Samuel, was not here, or Xavier might have found himself getting his ass kicked due to how he was touching and dancing against me. We had always liked each other, though I had suspected he liked me more than I liked him. We had decided not to try and pursue any kind of relationship because we both knew my father would never let me be with someone that wasn't my mate chosen by the Moon Goddess. We were close though. If I wasn't hanging out with Hanah, I was with him, which is why I didn't mind dancing with him this way. The Weekends Save Your Tears came on, and I'm not sure if it was the alcohol we were all still passing around or just the heat of the moment, but we both stopped dancing and stared into each other's eyes. Lost in the moment, I watched as he bent down to me, and our lips connected. Instead of pulling away, I wrapped my arms around his neck and let him deepen the kiss. Lost in the moment, I didn't realize the music had stopped, and everyone around us was kneeling until I heard a loud growl behind me and a deep voice bellowed to unhand me.  We jerked apart quickly, and I watched as Xavier's face paled and he dropped to a knee. Before I could turn to see who had yelled, an intoxicating scent hit my nose, and I knew instantly that my mate was near. I turned, and my mouth fell open as my eyes grew wide when I saw the man standing in front of me. His eyes looked furious, but the rest of his face showed no emotion. I didn't know what to say. My mouth and brain seemed to be unable to form any words or sounds at all. "I apologize, your Majesty, for my daughters' behavior," my father finally said, looking just as shocked as me.  "Why don't we take this to your office Alpha," King Alexander stated, making sure my father knew it wasn't a suggestion.  "Come Acelynn," my father growled at me.  I watched the king turn and head towards the main packhouse, his guards following behind him. My heart was racing as I panicked from the realization that I was the kings' mate. There was no way this could be possible. There had to be a mistake. I looked down at my friend Hanah who was looking up at me with wide eyes. She reached up for my hand, squeezing it before giving me a small push towards the tent's exit.  The group of men had stopped waiting for me and only started walking again once I caught up with them. I heard someone behind me and glanced over my shoulder to see my sister and two other brothers following us into the house. It felt like it took forever to reach my fathers' office. The whole time I continued to panic internally. There was no way I could be his mate. I didn't want to leave my family. Maybe he, too, would see that I couldn't be a queen, and he would reject me. I had been told it felt horrible, but at this point, I'd risk it if it meant I didn't have to leave with him.  The King had made himself comfortable in my fathers' chair. My father stood awkwardly in front of his desk, not used to being on this side of it. I stood off to the side behind him. Bianca had stood beside me, wrapping an arm around me, which I was thankful for. She was the closest thing to a mother I had known. My brothers, Jacob and Elijah, stood against the wall close to the door. I wished my brother Samual was here. I knew he couldn't go against the King, but I also knew he would be the only person that would stand up for me. I looked over at the King to see his eyes on me, and I blushed instantly. He was eyeing me like a piece of meat in a display case, and it made my skin crawl. His smell, though, was intoxicating to my senses, and I wanted to bury my nose into his neck. I had never realized how much I loved the smell of mahogany, black teakwood, and dark oak until now, but that was how he smelled to me. I thought I would never smell anything better in my life again. I shook my head though breaking the trance. I refused to succumb to the mate bond. I was not queen material, nor did I ever want to be queen. His deep voice had a calming effect on me instantly, though as he looked at my father and said, "Well, Alpha Richard, it appears that your youngest daughter is my mate."  My father looked at me, and for a moment, I thought I might have seen concern in his eyes before he turned back to the King. "Are you sure, my King?" he asked. The kings' eyes darkened again in anger before they turned to me. "Acelynn, I would like for you to go pack what you will need for a few days. I will send for the rest of your belongings tomorrow," He stated matter-of-factly like I would have no objection.  I looked up at my sister for help. She looked at me and then to the King. It took a moment for her to gain the courage, but finally she asked, "My King must she go tonight? It is her birthday, and her party wasn't over. I'm sure she would like time to say goodbye to everyone." The King sighed, looking slightly irritated at being questioned. "Yes, unfortunately, we must leave tonight. I have business to attend to tomorrow, and I will not be leaving her behind."  My sister looked down at me apologetically. I gave her a small smile for at least trying. She guided me out the door into the hallway, my brothers following behind us. It was a silent walk to my room. Once I got to my door, I turned to look at them. My sister looked on the verge of tears though she was trying to hold them back. My brothers looked angry. Elijah grabbed me and pulled me into a tight hug. As we pulled apart, he looked down at me and said, "If he does anything you don't like or hurts you, call me. I don't care if he is King; I will come and get you."  Tears started to fall from my eyes as I turned and opened my bedroom door. They had all agreed to meet me downstairs to finish our goodbyes before I was made to leave my home. I walked into my room, standing in the middle looking around as my anger started to grow. How dare he come here and force me from my home against my will. Quickly a plan started to form in my head. I texted a human friend in the city to meet at our usual spot, suggesting we go out for my birthday. She had quickly texted back, agreeing.  I changed into running shorts, tennis shoes, and a t-shirt. I packed a small backpack with a few essentials before pulling my long hair into a high ponytail. I stepped out onto my balcony, looking back into my room one last time before climbing over the edge down the trellis like I had many times. I made it quickly down to the ground. With one last look back at my family home, I took off sprinting through the woods.  This brings us back to the beginning of our story. I felt like I could already hear the guards running behind me. Their paws slapping heavily against the dirt. I was almost at the edge of our land, though, and I could see my friends' car lights already. I pushed myself the last little bit and quickly made it into the car. As my friend drove off, I looked back and could see their glowing eyes right at the edge of the forest. A gut-wrenching howl that sent shivers down my spine was the last thing I heard before turning around in my seat.