My Own Destiny

Escaping

Natalia and I were up later than I had wanted to be the previous night.

Then, when I finally went to my suite, I had trouble sleeping. Lucian had come looking for me at dinner time. I brushed him off saying I was not feeling well. I feared if we started talking I may slip and tell him or tell him out of guilt.

I felt guilty but needed to keep him in the dark. I wrote a note to my parents. I kept it simple and made it clear that I told no one of my plans, but could not agree to be mated to such a pig.

Jullian didn’t care about me and it was horrible to think that, as my father said, once we mated and bonded, the mate bond would kick in and then he would turn into a sweet loving mate with only eyes for me.

Like we would be brain washed into loving each other just because of the bond.

It was four-thirty in the morning when I decided to leave, sooner than I had planned.

When I left, it was still dark. I wore a long dark dress with a deep red cloak with a hood. I had a pair of high comfortable boots that would allow me to walk a long distance.

I had my pockets and bag filled with clothing and belongings I felt I needed.

I had to sneak out quietly, not wanting to alert anyone.

There were a few guards stationed throughout the territory. I knew where each were supposed to be located and slipped by each one as I left.

Once outside the pack house, I ran towards the woods, which made it easier to hide. I made it down the path as quickly as possible, making it to the edge of our territory in record time.

I tuned and took one last look at the Midnight Moon territory. I could just see a small amount of light far in the horizon, a couple of birds chirped in the distnce.

It was a beautiful home; I would miss it and the pack. I would miss my sister Natalia, my brother Nate as well as my mother and father. I would miss my best friend Lucian most of all, but I needed to go. It was time I made my own destiny. I would not allow myself to be tied to a male that was not my fated mate and, most of all, not worthy of my affection.

I turned to leave when I heard a rustle of leaves, making me freeze. I listened for several seconds but heard no other sounds, so I started walking and took that last step over the territory line.

“Where are you going?” I heard in a low gruff voice, making me almost jump out of my skin.

Brutus

Sitting on the back porch watching the early morning sun as it just began to make an appearance deep in the distance. I could not sleep these last few days.

I was haunted at the thought of Aurora possibly being my mate and being forced to be mated with that a** Jullian.

I have always admired Aurora’s beauty from afar. She was my best friend's younger sister and the Alpha’s daughter. I respected her.

I was also the quiet type, unlike Lucian who was all personality and her best friend.

There were times I would watch them and wonder if there was more to their relationship. I saw how his eyes followed her.

His eyes held longing, not the look of a lover.

At least that is what I kept telling myself.

The other night when Lucian called Nate and I, and I realized what was happening, I almost lost it. If Nate and I had not gotten there at the same time, I do not think I would have been able to hold myself back. I would have tried to rip Jullian apart.

Could I have won, I am not a hundred percent certain, but I sure would have given him one hell of a fight.

Why I reacted so strongly, I am unsure but suspect maybe Aurora is my fated mate. I have grown more attracted to her over the last several months and she is nearing her 21st birthday.

‘You must train harder than ever. Once her 21st birthday is here, if she is our mate, you know we will have to challenge Jullian.’ My wolf Tag said, as he sat in my head looking all serious.

‘I know and I must win or that would destroy her to have her fated mate killed. Never mind leaving her to him.’

I cringed at the thought of his hands on her. As it is he would be back next weekend for another visit.

I had some things I had been pondering over the last few days, finally I voiced my thoughts to Tag. ‘I think I should talk to Lucian.’ I paused as Tag tilted his head; I am sure ready to disagree.

‘Hear me out.’ I said, not wanting him to jump to any conclusion until he had heard my complete idea.

‘I know Lucian has been training Aurora for years.’ I heard a low growl from Tag, acting out in jealousy.

‘He will no longer be spending all that time training with her, I am going to suggest he and I train together, to get extra training.’

‘Pfft, why would he agree to that?’ Tag shook his head, like I had lost my mind.

‘I know Lucian has had a crush on Aurora for years, he probably thinks he is her mate as well. I will appeal to his side as her best friend. If he is her fated mate, then he can challenge Jullian, and I will back him 100% but if I am her fated mate, then I will expect him to show me the same respect.’

I could see the doubt in tag’s eyes, ‘Think about it, Lucian is a great trainer and fighter, he will train us hard, and it will also get him to another level training with me.’

Tag smiled, ‘Because we are stronger than he is.’

‘Yes, but he is very skilled, so he could give us a run for our money if it came down to it. We just have to be sure that whichever of us is her mate, that we are prepared to challenge Jullian and win. Jullian thinks his strength and the Crimson Moon pack name is enough, he will not be expecting this of us.’

‘What about Alpha, he said we would have to reject her, we would be going against his command.’

‘Let’s not worry about that just yet.’

‘Did you hear that?’ Tag’s ears were perked up in attention, listening.

‘Yes, someone is outside.’ I added, listening intently for any other sounds. ‘Its like just after four-thirty, no one is usually up at this time except for guards.’

Tag gave a little growl, ‘That is no guard.’

That is when I saw the figure move away from the pack house, quickly running across the field towards the woods.

I took a deep inhale. I could smell the crisp morning air, with the damp morning dew. I could smell the flowers newly in bloom and then I caught a small bit of Aurora’s scent.

That got Tag’s full attention. I quietly stood, ‘What do you think she is doing?’

‘Meeting Lucian?’ Tag offered, making me stifle a growl.

‘Why would they venture out into the woods to meet?’ I said out of curiosity.

‘Follow her!’ Tag yelled in my head.

I took off running. I was tempted to turn to wolf form but didn’t know what was going on, where she was going and if I shifted back I didn’t want to be stuck standing there nude.

‘Who cares!’ Tag yelled at me.

I stuffed Tag down deeper for now so I could concentrate. I ran across the field, not at my full human speed, because I didn’t want to make my presence known just yet.

Once in the woods, I saw the figure walking along the path. She was walking carefully, avoiding tree branches and leaves as much as possible.

I saw her stop at the edge of the territory. She hesitated, then turned to look back. She looked out onto the Midnight Moon territory with a sad look I could just barely see from my view. She had her dark colored cloak on with the hood up over her head, leaving just a small fraction of her face showing.

‘What is she doing?’ Tag said, sounding worried. ‘Is she leaving? Stop her, do something!’ He yelled in my head.

She turned to leave when I moved out from hiding, making the slightest noise. She froze, listening.

She obviously thought she heard something but was still unaware I was here. She was about to take that last step over the territory line and I knew I had to say something to stop her.

“Where are you going?” I said in a low voice, making sure no others could hear, even from a distance.

Aurora jumped, as if someone jumped out of the closet and yelled boo.

She spun around, I am not sure if she knew right away who was watching her.

She looked at me with her eyes wide, like a wild animal that may bolt in fear. I saw her eyes dart around us, looking for others.

“Have you called the others?” She asked in her sweet sensual voice that made me feel things I did not understand.

I stepped closer and saw her stiffen her stance.

“I have called no one.” I said, making her narrow her eyes at me.

“Why?” she asked as she took a step just over the territory line.

“I was curious what you were doing.” She did not answer me, so I guessed, “You are leaving us.” I made it sound like a statement, not a question.

She held eye contact with her beautiful hazel eyes, then let out a deep sigh.

“Please do not try and stop me.” She brought both hands up to remove her hood. This allowed me to see her face better. I was pretty sure she wanted to be sure I could see the pained expression in her eyes.

“I cannot stay here and be forced to be mated with Jullian.”

She held my eyes captive as I watched her. I felt like I could drown in her beauty. After several moments, I answered her.

“I agree.”

She looked surprised at my agreement. “But that does not mean you need to leave us.”

She studied my face for a bit and tilted her head, watching me. “Jullin tried to make me go back with him yesterday. My father put a stop to it, but I think only because of the incident with Tria. Eventually, Jullian or Jacques will insist I move to the Crimson Moon pack and I have no doubt my father will give in.”

I knew she was right; I had replayed Alpha’s words in my head many times after my going to him and informing him that I thought there was a possibility Aurora was my mate.

“I owe it to myself to try and find my fated mate.” She said with such determination.

“What if your fated mate were right here at Midnight Moob pack?” I asked but could not hold eye contact.

“You know Lucian thinks he may be your fated mate.” I paused, not sure if I should tell her more. But she was about to leave, what harm would it do to make my suspicions known?

“I also have felt a growing connection with you.” I glanced up at her without making full eye contact.

I could see her little smile, like she already knew what I had been about to say.

Then she frowned, “I cannot stay.”

I gathered my insecurities and stuffed them down deep and stood tall once again.

“I will say nothing of your departing, but once your 21st birthday comes, promise me you will not complete your mate bond with anyone that is not your fated mate until you at least come back to us.

Lucian and I deserve a chance to be sure you are not our mate.”

She frowned again and bit her lower lip in thought. The action caught my attention, making me want to kiss those luscious lips.

“You would not reject me?” She asked quietly.

I could not help but be offended that she would think I would reject her.

“Of course not! Why on earth…..” Then it dawned on me, “Your father….”

She gave another shy smile, “I heard your conversation with my father.” She glanced around the forest, most likely to be sure no others were around.

“When my sister and I were children and would play hide and seek, we discovered that the storage room beside my father's office. If you sit on the floor beside the vent you can hear quite clearly.”

I could not help my smile, “You sneaky little thing.”

“I was curious who my father was talking with when I went to beg him to not make me fulfill my obligations to Jullian. Of course, my father denied my request, he wants me with someone that can protect me.” She rolled her eyes.

She glanced around once again, “I really need to leave before others awake.”

Her eyes held mine once again and before I realized what I was doing, I leaned down and kissed her. I could tell I had taken her off guard, but she did not pull away or push me away.

I let my lips linger on hers, they were soft, making me want more. I pressed my lips against hers again, kissing her more aggressively, and again she did not resist.

As I pulled away, I could see her eyes flutter open, she had a slight blush on her face. I know she had very little experience with males and was shy when it came to these matters.

I lifted my hands to put her hood back on her head.

“Go, be safe and do not forget us.” I said as she gave me a smile, turned and quickly walked away.