Alpha’s Complex Mate

The leaves crunch beneath my feet as I continue to jog. My ability to run wore off about five miles ago. My feet are sore and on the verge of giving up entirely. I stop and squat behind a tree as I gulp down some more water. Beads of sweat gather on my forehead and I swipe them away. A howl rips through the silent night and I curse myself for stopping. They are getting too close now, they will catch us. I need to reach the human town and find the safe house. A reliable source told me that the safe house helps vulnerable women. I break back into a jog and weave between the trees. Ordinarily I love this time of year, the air is warm with humidity. But not whilst I am running through the forest with my precious cargo. A weird sensation passes through me, like leaving a border. Wait. I left the border to Creek Hollow Pack about two miles back. There should not have been another pack between that border and the human town. Shit. Have I gone the wrong way? I try to think of the packs bordering our own. My mind whirls as I list them off in my head. My ankle twists and my knees buckle before I hit the ground with a strangled grunt. My hands catch my fall luckily but my knees are now throbbing. I sit down and assess my ankle. It is sore to the touch and likely dislocated. Tears sting at my eyes but I push them away, crying never got me anywhere. Especially with injuries, the only option is to treat them. I have had enough the last few years to know how to care for them myself. A twig snapping pulls my attention and I grab the knife from my pack. A wolf appears from behind a tree, followed by another and another. My pulse sky rockets as they surround me. “I won’t go back to him,” I shout at them and hold the knife out. Panic tries to grip me but I shove it down inside. The wolf at the front shifts before me and stands. Thankfully he pulls a pair of shorts straight on so he is covered. He is not a man I recognise. “Why are you on our land?” He demands and takes a step toward me. I lift the knife higher and try to shuffle back. “Whose land exactly? I have no idea where I am.” I keep my eyes firmly locked on the man. He is clearly not one of Donte’s men like I had thought. “You are on Ember Sky Pack grounds, Alpha Zeke is on the way now.” He explains and crouches down. “Are you hurt?” I swallow hard and nod, “I was trying to reach the human town. I must have lost direction before I tripped and hurt my ankle.” “Stand down,” a strong voice commands after he shifts. He also pulls on shorts and most of the wolves disperse. The man stops before me and looks - happy? Just as he opens his mouth to speak he is cut off. “Mama?” Nate’s soft voice fills the silence. I reach up and slide the huge cloak off my body. The men before me audibly gasp when they see my pregnant belly. I release the clasp and Nate jumps down off my back. I engulf him in a hug. “How old are you?” The newcomer asks. “Seventeen,” I reply quietly. “I am Alpha Zeke, we need to get your ankle seen to. Do you think you can walk?” He asks and I shake my head no. “Can I carry you?” I glance at Nate with worry. The Alpha inches closer to me. “This is my beta, Dillon. He will hold the little ones hand and walk with us.” Reluctantly I nod and they both push forward. Alpha Zeke crouches beside me and takes Nate’s hand first. “Hey buddy, are you hurt anywhere?” He asks with a kind smile. Nate glances at me before looking back at the Alpha and shaking his head no. “That’s good, Dillon here needs some help with walking. Can you hold his hand and look after him for me?” The Alpha asks. “It is a really important job.” Nate smiles at the Alpha before nodding. He runs over and takes Dillon’s hand. The Alpha turns his attention back to me, “okay. I am going to slide my hands under your legs and around your back so I can lift you. Is that okay?” “Yes,” I agree and he slowly proceeds as he instructed. My arm rests across his shoulders. He easily lifts me into the air and begins to walk slowly. I know Alpha’s are strong but he is not even breaking a sweat. “What is your name?” The Alpha asks. “Emily.” I answer quietly. “How far along is your pregnancy?” He asks as we walk. “Nearly seven months. The doctor thinks I will give birth soon though, given that I am having twins.” I tell him and see his eyes widen in surprise. “Twins. Wow. You will have your hands full with three children.” He smiles at me softly but it almost looks sad. “And you said you were only seventeen?” I consider whether to tell him the truth for a moment but part of my instincts tell me to trust him. “My parents sold me at age fourteen. I was forced to marry Alpha Donte. I am the Luna of Creek Hollow Pack.” I explain and he tries to keep a straight face, I don’t miss the clench of his jaw though. “My husband has always been…” I pause and think of the polite way to say it. “volatile toward me. However, he struck our son, Nate. That was the final straw for me.” Alpha Zeke nods softly, “I am sorry that happened to you. You are safe within my pack lands.” Upon entering the packhouse the Alpha takes me into a living area. He places me on the sofa and Nate joins me. I am passed a bottle of water before a doctor joins us.