The Alpha's Runaway

Chapter Twelve

Several days later, I was working in the garden again when I heard voices heading toward me. I instantly recognized them as the girls who tried attacking Jess. Rolling my eyes, I kept my head down and continued working.

“What kind of Luna does the work of omegas?” Mina’s voice was full of disgust.

“Honestly, it’s a disgrace.” Kiera agreed.

“No less disgraceful than pack members with no status putting down those around them just to make themselves feel better.” I returned evenly. I knew I probably shouldn’t engage, but their very voices grated on my nerves.

“You don’t even belong here. Why don’t you and your sister run back to wherever you came from and leave us alone?” Kiera scoffed.

“Viv is right. You two are a walking cliche.” I rolled my eyes.

“You’re calling us cliche?” Mina scoffed, “Your sister’s ‘I’m adorkable’ act is ridiculous but at least she has personality.”

“Is there a point to this conversation? Or do you just like to hear yourselves talk?”

She glared at me, “Stay away from Grant and Lance. Neither of you are good enough for them and sooner or later, they’re going to realize it and come back to me and Ashley. Leave the pack before we force you out.”

Setting down the gardening tools, I brushed the dirt from my hands and stood, facing her, “Go ahead. If you want me gone, then all you have to do is make me. Fair warning though: I’m not nearly as nice as my sister. You remember how that ended, right?” My wolf growled, begging me to let her out so she could tear them to shreds. After a moment of silence, I added, “You really shouldn’t threaten an Alpha-born. They tend to be temperamental.”

Mina and Kiera scowled. They must have decided that it wasn’t worth it, and they walked away without another word.

“Thank goodness.” I muttered. I didn’t have the energy to deal with their childish games. After pruning the roses, I went back to my room to wash off the dirt before meeting Gwen in the library. She was already buried in a book, barely looking up when I walked in.

“Hey Laura.” She greeted.

“Hey. Have you found anything yet?”

“Not yet. I’m hoping the books on that table will have something helpful.” She gestured to the table in front of her.

“Got it.” I said, grabbing the top book and settling into one of the armchairs by the window. I scanned through the table of contents hoping to find something about the triskelion that appeared on my wolf’s shoulder.

‘Do you have any idea what it means?’ I asked Kleio.

‘Of course not. I would have told you. I only know we are special.’ My wolf replied.

Finding a chapter about Celtic symbolism, I started reading. While it was interesting, I couldn’t find more than a brief mention of the triskelion. Gwen and I quickly worked our way through the stack of books, then searched the library shelves for more. Just before it was time to get ready for training, we heard the library door open and the familiar scent of crushed pine needles filled the air.

“Hey.” Grant said, walking toward where we sat surrounded by stacks of books, “Have you found anything yet?”

“No.” I answered, frustrated.

“I hate to say it, but I’m not sure we’ll find anything here.” Gwen sighed unhappily, “We might need to think about reaching out to allies and expanding our resources.”

“About that. Lance and I are going to the Harvest Moon pack to take care of some business. Their library is more extensive than ours. I’ve asked Alpha Mason if you two can join us to search their records as well, and he agreed.” Grant informed us.

“Are you serious?” Gwen looked up from her book, eyes wide in surprise, “That would be amazing! When do we leave?”

“At the end of the week. We’ll only be there for a day, so you’ll need to make the most of it.”

“Did you already tell Charlie?”

“I did. His only request is that you leave Will here.” Grant smirked.

She rolled her eyes, “It’s not like Will is glued to my side. He’s not with me all day. And I’m not about to take my pup into a different pack’s territory.”

I chuckled, “I’m sure Charlie will be relieved to hear that.”

She shot me a betrayed look, “Not you too, Laura!”

“Sorry!” I laughed, “I couldn’t help it. You know I love having Will here.”

She stuck her tongue out at me.

Grant watched us in amusement before walking to my side, “Can I steal Laura for a bit?” He asked.

“Please.” She teased, waving us away, “Traitor.”

As I followed him out the door, he asked, “Want to go for a run?”

I nodded, and he led me outside. As soon as we were within the treeline, I hid behind a tree and undressed, placing my clothes in the bag Grant handed me. After shifting, I picked up the bag in my mouth and took it to Grant who disappeared behind another tree to shift. When he came out, the bag was tied to his leg. His eyes flickered from their usual blue to black, and I let my wolf take over. She approached Grant’s wolf cautiously, and he closed the distance between us. Kleio brushed her face against his, and he stepped back, circling around me. My wolf hopped away from him before taking off in a run through the trees. I could hear Grant’s wolf following close behind. I savored the feel of the forest floor beneath my paws and the wind sweeping over my fur. Suddenly, Grant pounced on me. I yelped in surprise, thrown off balance. I skidded to a stop and Kleio growled. She wasn’t one to submit easily. He tackled me to the ground, pinning me. He brought his face close to mine, growling lightly before licking my cheek. He took a step back, allowing my wolf to stand, before inclining his head to our right. He took off in a run and I followed him. After a while, we reached a clearing next to a cliff, overlooking the town.

Grant disappeared behind a tree and shifted, reappearing wearing basketball shorts and a t-shirt. I went behind the same tree, taking back control from my wolf and shifting back into my human form. As soon as I was dressed, I joined Grant in the clearing.

“Is this the place you were telling me about?” I asked.

He nodded, “This is my sanctuary. No one else knows about this place. I come here when I need to be alone, or when I need time to think.”

I slipped my hand into his, “Thank you for sharing this with me.” I said softly.

He smiled, pulling me closer and remaining silent.

After a moment, I asked, curious, “What’s your wolf’s name?”

“Theseus. What about yours?”

“Kleio.”

“What’s it like? Having her inside your head?”

“She is… fierce. Outgoing. Kleio likes a challenge, and she’s not one to back down. She has good instincts, but she sees the world differently than I do. To her… The world is still good, in her eyes. She was dormant when I… When I endured what I did. Life on the run is the only life she’s known and she doesn’t understand why. Whenever we had to move, it was a constant battle of wills. Until this last time. It’s like she knew we would meet you.”

Grant pulled me closer.

“What about Theseus?” I asked.

“He… is an Alpha wolf. He doesn’t like others challenging his authority and he can be difficult to control at times. But he’s also protective and loyal. Theseus will do whatever it takes to make sure the people he loves are happy. He fights for what he wants”

“And what does he want?” I whispered. Grant’s eyes flickered between blue and black and the intensity of his gaze took my breath away.

Instead of answering, he captured my lips with his. One hand buried itself in my hair and the other wrapped around my waist, holding my body against his. The next thing I knew, my back was pressed against a nearby tree and his lips were on my neck, leaving a trail of kisses starting from my jaw. When they brushed against the spot where he would mark me, my legs turned to jelly. I was certain if he hadn’t been holding me, I would have fallen. Grant’s canines extended and grazed my neck, sending shivers down my spine. With an animalistic growl, he shoved away from me.

“Sorry.” He gasped as I struggled to catch my breath.

“I think we both just got a little carried away.” I blushed.

“Yeah. We should get back to the packhouse. Training will start soon.”

I nodded, and we shifted before running back to the packhouse.

Later that night, after dinner, I pulled Jess into Grant’s office.

“What’s up?” She inquired curiously.

“Henry and I were talking a few days ago, and the next full moon came up. It’s in another two weeks. Before the first full moon, Grant said if we want to join Silver Woods, we need to lead the pack run.”

“Okay? Lance told me the same thing. What did you and Henry say? About us joining the pack?” Jess asked cautiously.

“I think we should do it and Henry agrees. I know it’s fast, and we haven’t known them for long, but we both trust Grant and Lance. They’re nothing like Dad. I think as long as we are careful, we’ll be safe.”

She broke into a wide smile, “So you want to stay?”

“I do.”

“Oh, thank goodness! I was so worried that you’d try convincing me to leave.” She threw her arms around me.

“Really? You’re not going to tell me we’re making a mistake?”

“You know that’s not who I am. That’s Henry’s job. You two are the cynics. I’m the hopeful one.”

“I’m not cynical. I’m logical. Except, right now, it’s like I’m going on instinct. It feels right, but a small part of me is screaming that I’m making a mistake.”

“You’re not. You’re a wolf, you should trust your instincts. I know that what you did kept us safe the past two years, but in a way, it repressed who we are. We’re not meant to be alone. We were always meant to have mates and be a part of a pack. Maybe it didn’t work out with Mom and Dad, but we’re not them.”

I sighed, “That’s the understatement of the century.”

“You are so used to fighting for your life. For the first time, you don’t have to. So much has changed so quickly. You’re bound to feel a little disoriented. You just need to remind yourself of your reasons for staying, not the reasons to run.”

I chuckled softly as her words sank in, “When did you get so wise?”

“We were all forced to grow up too fast. Quinton became selfless, you and Henry became cautious. I became wise.” She shrugged.

“And humble too.” I ruffled her hair.

Jess laughed, batting away my hand, “Shut up.”