The Alphas Sanctuary

Gage Matthew's

Gage stopped in his tracks, shocked at what had come out of her mouth. What could she be running from. She didn't seem like the type to get in trouble with the law, then again sometimes it was the quiet ones. Apryl turned to him when he suddenly stopped. The look on her face and body language told him two things, it wasn't the law she was running from, and she definitely didn't want to talk about it.

"Please don't-" she started. She wasn’t ready to tell anyone let alone him.

"It's alright. You can tell me when you're ready. I won't push, I promise" he interrupted. He gave her a reassuring smile and they continued to walk throughout the woods. "Would you like to see something?" He asked, breaking the silence.

"Yeah sure" 

Taking her by the hand he turned taking her off the walking path. The brush was a bit overgrown but she didn't complain she just pushed on with him. They came into a small clearing and there stood the remains of a decrepit building smaller than her cabin. Two of the four walls were gone along with the roof and windows. Moss was growing up the one side along with thick vines. It looked like it should have been in a fairy tale. Apryl was sure that any other normal person would only see the ugly and fear of this place but not her. She saw its beauty. 

"Wow" was all she could say

Gage stood back and watched as she slowly walked around her fingers reaching out to touch the old stone. He had had a feeling she would appreciate it after seeing how she was at her cabin. "There is an old legend that this was the earth home of the moon goddess" he told her.

"Moon goddess? Who is she?"

'moron she's human' Gage's wolf Jamison said

'so what it's just a story' Gage responded before turning back to Apryl.

"Well I'm sure you know stories about werewolves"

"Of course I think everyone has seen at least one movie with them in it." Apryl said as she stepped into the old building. Nothing was there but earth and weeds she couldn't help but feel homey though as she imagined what it once was.

"Yes but none of that is real"

Laughing she looked at him through the once window. "Are you an expert then?"

"You could say that. Do you want to hear the story or not?" He joked back. He continued when she nodded. "The moon goddess is the creator of the werewolf. She made them to be the protectors of humans. Making them stronger and faster so they could efficiently do what they were created to do. They say there was a time she lived here on earth. Right here in this hut surrounded by nature."

"Why did she leave?"

"No one knows. That part of the story got lost long ago."

"So werewolves don't actually kill people for sport?" Without noticing Apryl had started to clear out some of the weeds in the hut. A soft breeze blew past her and she swore she felt a kiss on her check as it passed. How odd.

"No they don't." Gage laughed out loud. Typical human question.

Apryl suddenly remembered the huge black wolf she encountered just days ago. He was larger than any wolf she had ever seen and he had actually allowed her to pet him. Maybe there was some truth to his story, she thought, then quickly dismissed it. This was the real world not a fairy tale.

"Come on"he said "let's see what other hidden treasures these woods may have.

They walked for an hour or so in total. He learned that she loved to read, water somehow calmed her, her favorite color was teal and that she loved to cook. He found it easy to laugh and joke with her. He enjoyed her company very much. Jamison enjoyed being with her as well but didn't want anything to progress further then friends, he felt no romantic pull towards her. Gage on the other hand thought maybe he did and wanted to explore the possibility. He was 30 years old and still hadn't met his mate which wasn’t completely normal. Even odder that his alpha also hadn’t found his mate yet either. It happened though the world was a big place and she could be anywhere. He didn't want to give up the idea of her completely but he also didn't want to die alone. Deep down he knew it wasn't fair to start something with her when at any moment he could meet his mate. But he was drawn to her and he owed it to himself to figure out why.

Apryl felt like she finally found a friend she could talk to who would be honest; someone to laugh with, and someone she could trust. It felt different, but good. She really hoped she could trust her judgement this time. She really wanted this to be a new start for her. She wanted to stay here; she didn't want to have to up and leave again. This felt like home, and she wanted it to stay feeling that way.

When they reached her door Gage smiled brightly at her.  "That was nice,  we should do that again. "

"Yes I think I would like that.  Maybe next time we could walk along the water? " she had yet to venture down there. 

"Anything you want" he couldn't stop himself from pulling her in for a tight hug.  She only flinched for a second before she hugged him back,  but it didn't go unnoticed by him.  It only made Gage more curious as to what had happened to her in her life.  They had time for that though,  he didn't want to push her. Friendships were not built in a day. "You know if I had your number it would be easier to plan things,  what if I would have shown up and you weren't here?  I would have looked pathetic sitting on your stairs when you returned. "

She threw her head back and laughed.  "Very subtle way to ask for my number" same week and she was giving her number to a second guy.  Either this was progress or she was losing it.  But she decided to trust her instincts about him and gave it to him.  "Text me now so I have yours as well"

"Yes ma'am! " he saluted her then they both broke out into fits of laughter.