The Alpha's Runaway

Chapter Two

It only took us ten minutes to pack our belongings. As soon as I emerged from my room and did a sweep of the apartment to make sure we left nothing behind, Grant took my duffle bag, along with Jess’s and led us to his car. Jess and Henry climbed into the back seat while I took the front, and soon we were on the road, driving toward the woods at the edge of town.

“Have you three always been able to mindlink without being in a pack?” Grant asked as he pulled onto the highway.

“Only to each other, and only within about 15 yards.” I answered, “We tested it about a year and a half ago. I assume it’s because we’re triplets.”

He nodded, thoughtfully.

“What’s your pack like?” Jess asked curiously.

“Um, the pack is peaceful, I guess. We’re allies with all of our neighboring packs, and the rogues don’t tend to bother us. We may not be the largest pack in the region, but we are the strongest. Everyone is trained to fight starting at fourteen years old. It’s mostly hand to hand combat at first, until you turn eighteen and shift. Then, you’re taught to fight as a wolf as well.

“I like to think we’re happy. We may have the same structure as other packs, but no one is afraid to speak their minds. Everyone seems to have a general respect for each other. Everyone has their place, and it’s just as important as the others, even me. Obviously there are some arguments, but so far, there hasn’t been something I was unable to fix.”

“That sounds perfectly idyllic.” Jess sighed happily.

‘Careful, sis. Don’t get too attached. We don’t even know if we’re staying.’ I shot her a quick message via mindlink.

‘Why can’t you just admit something good happened for a change?’ She responded, exasperated.

‘Probably because nothing good ever happens to us?’

She ignored me.

“How often does everyone train?” Henry inquired.

“Everyday. Half train in the morning, and half in the evening. That way, there’s always enough people to protect the pack if anything goes wrong, but everyone still has the opportunity to improve.” Grant explained.

“It would be interesting to train with other wolves.” I mused, “We’ve only ever sparred with each other.”

“You should join us this evening, then.” He explained the different exercises he put his warrior through. After about half an hour, the conversation turned to a challenge that his father set up before stepping down as Alpha, “You’ll be able to see it tonight.”

He turned onto a barely visible dirt road and drove for another five minutes. Finally, the trees thinned before giving way to a large clearing.

I gasped as I took in the view. A mansion sat in the middle of the clearing, the dirt road cutting through the middle until it reached the paved driveway. On our right was a training field reminiscent of the one from our old pack, and on the left was the obstacle course Grant described on the way here.

“Oh my goodness.” Jess breathed, “Look at that architecture! And with the trees in the background, the lighting… I have to draw that sometime.”

I looked back at my sister, laughing softly. Her face glowed with admiration, and she studied the packhouse as if trying to commit it to memory.

Grant pulled into the driveway and parked the car. He grabbed my bag and took my hand in his. Another man near his age strolled toward us, grabbing Jess and Henry’s bags. He was about 6’2”, an inch taller than Henry and about two inches shorter than Grant. His wavy hair was dirty blond and his eyes were the color of chocolate. He had a slight build, a square jaw, and his very presence exuded confidence.

“Guys, this is my third-in-command, Charlie. Charlie, this is my mate, Laura, her sister, Vivian, and her brother, Cameron.”

Charlie grinned, “Welcome to Silver Woods. Lance, our Beta, is out on patrol right now, but he’ll be back by training.”

He and Grant led us into the house, and almost immediately, a feminine voice called down from somewhere upstairs.

“Grant, I swear, you better not have gone back to that diner again! This is getting ridiculous! Every day for a month and you still haven’t-- Oh my Moon goddess, you found her?!”

A petite girl around my age stopped at the top of the stairs, staring at me. Her blonde curls were about shoulder length, and her pale skin was flawless. She hurried down the stairs and gave me a hug. I froze for a moment, taken aback.

“It is so nice to meet you!” She gushed, smiling brightly. Her light blue eyes sparkled, “Grant has become absolutely unbearable to be around lately.”

“You realize you’re talking about your Alpha, right?” Grant raised an eyebrow with an amused expression.

She shot him a look and he laughed before introducing her, “This is Gwendolyn Fairbairn-Sommer. Think of her as our historian and magic expert. She studied under the pack elders. She’s also Charlie’s mate.”

“Please, call me Gwen.” She said immediately before glaring at Grant playfully, “Why do you always insist on saying my full name? You don’t do that for anyone else.”

He grinned, “It’s fun to say. Plus, I know it bugs you.”

She rolled her eyes before looking at me expectantly.

“Hi. My name’s Laura. This is Vivian, and Cameron.” I gestured toward my siblings.

“Laura, Vivian, and Cameron,” She repeated, looking at each of us in turn, “Got it. Are you three triplets?”

“Yeah, we are. You’re a historian and magic expert?”

“Well, expert is a bit of a stretch. It’s not like I memorized everything. But I’m pretty good at research, and I know enough.”

“That’s amazing! I’ve always wanted to study werewolf history and learn more about the magic behind our wolves.”

“You should stop by the library when you get the chance! I spend most of my free time there.”

“I’d love that!”

I felt a glimmer of shock and disbelief through a mindlink, and turned to see Jess, Henry, and Grant staring at me.

“What?” I asked defensively.

“Who are you and what have you done with my sister?” Jess asked, “The real Laura isn’t this… perky.”

I scowled, “Shut up.”

She grinned, “See, that’s the sister we know and love.”

I flipped her off, earning chuckles from everyone. We followed Grant as he led us upstairs. Once we reached the third floor, he stopped, gesturing around the loft. The room held a TV, couches, a mini fridge, microwave, and a vast movie collection, “This space is just for those who live on this floor. It’s just me, Charlie, Gwen, Lance, and now, you three. The others are down that hall,” He pointed to the left of the loft, before turning right. There were two doors on each side, with a fifth door at the end of the corridor.

“You can choose whichever room you want.” He addressed Henry and Jess, “Laura, our room is the one on the end.”

He expected me to be in the same room as him? I shot him an apprehensive look.

“Make yourselves at home. Training is at 6 if you want to join. If not, there’s always tomorrow morning at 6.”

Jess took the room closest to mine and Grant’s, on the left side. Henry chose the one next to hers. Grant opened the door to our room. I stayed rooted in the hallway.

“Grant, I’m not comfortable with sharing a room.”

“Why? We’re mates.” He said, confused.

“You can’t keep using that as an excuse for everything.” I shook my head, “We just met. I’m not comfortable with the idea of sleeping next to a guy I barely know.”

“Even if the Moon goddess herself chose that guy specifically for you?”

I shot him an exasperated look, “Yeah, even then.”

He gave me a sad smile. I could tell he was disappointed by my decision. He gestured toward the door closest to his room on the right side, opposite of Jess’ room, “Okay. Take this room. If that’s what you want, we can take this slow.”

“It’s what I want.” I confirmed.

Grant strolled to the door and opened it for me, stepping aside to let me in.

The room was bigger than the apartment. On our left was a couch, TV, desk, and bookshelf. On the right was a king sized bed. The bathroom was in the back right corner, right next to a closed door.

Grant set my bag down and leaned against the doorframe. “Vivian and Cameron seem nice. Especially Viv. She’s different from you and Cameron. She’s more open and positive.”

“Yeah, she’s the dreamer of the family. She’s all bright and sunshiny. The strongest of us all: to have endured what we did and still be who she is.”

He studied me sadly, “Can you tell me what exactly happened to you?” He asked softly.

I closed my eyes briefly. That was stupid of me. I should have kept my mouth shut. Maybe it was the mating bond, but it was just so easy to talk to him, “I’m sorry. Our past isn’t something we like to discuss.”

“Hey,” He said, pulling me into his arms, “Whatever happened to your old pack, you’re safe here. No one is going to touch you. You can tell me anything.”

Wrapped in his embrace, I almost believed him. A wave of emotion hit me, and I blinked back tears, “Grant, please. I just… I don’t want to talk about it just yet.”

Grant was quiet for a moment. Then, my face was in his hands and his lips were on mine. The kiss was gentle at first, then quickly became insistent, wild, and possessive. One of his hands slipped into my hair while the other went around my waist, crushing my body to his. I clung to him, kissing him with equal abandon. Then the kiss slowed, becoming achingly tender. All too soon, it ended.

He pressed his forehead against mine, “I hope one day you’re comfortable enough to tell me everything, and I’m confident that day will come because you are not leaving me. You belong here. The Moon goddess gave you to me, and no one is going to take you away. No more running, Laura.”