The Mating Revolution

Chapter Fifteen

The guard quietly opened the cell door and gestured for me to step out. Once I did, I could feel the effects of the silver already waning. I could feel myself starting to heal little by little. I followed the guard to the main door. “You never told me your name.” I said in a whisper. He shot me a glance while fitting the key in the lock. “It’s Greg, now be quiet and follow me.” I nodded and Greg led us to the door that would open to the outside. He looked out the window and swore softly. I took a quick peek and saw what worried him. The yard was teeming with pack members of all kinds. It was still daylight, but it looked like things were dying down. Greg turned to me and brought his head closer to my ear. “Walk next to me with your head down. Don’t look at anyone, don’t answer anyone. If I tell you to run, then you run. Do you understand?” I nodded and before I could ask anything, he opened the door and we stepped out into the falling sunlight. I did as he asked and kept my head down, my hair fanning around me. I hoped that would be enough. I felt Greg put his arm on my shoulder. I wanted to shrug it off, but I resisted the urge. It felt wrong for someone else to touch me. I realized it was part of the act when I heard someone come up beside him. “Hey Greg. Who’s the newcomer?” I felt him stiffen slightly but he answered quickly. “This is my mate Hellen. I met her when I accompanied the Alpha to another pack.” I felt Greg jolt and I resisted the urge to look up. “Good for you man!” Greg relaxed slightly and I could feel him nodding. “Thanks. We are going to head into the forest for our first run together.” The man left and Greg picked up his pace. He kept his arm on my shoulders even after we hit the forest. Once we were surrounded by trees Greg spoke to me. “You can look now. We need to pick up the pace. Alpha was planning to kill you after dinner.” I lifted my head to see the wonderful green of the trees. Greg dropped his arm and we took off, running for our lives. I had no idea where we were, but Greg knew. After we had run for awhile Greg slowed down and stopped. I did as well, my breathing heavy. “We just passed the pack borders. Your pack is another hundred miles or so north. We have a long way to go but we can’t stop just yet. Can you run anymore?” I nodded, unable to push any words out. I was tired and my body was throbbing. The beating that Greg’s Alpha gave to me had taken more out of me than I realized. Greg started to run again, and I followed him, a little slower this time. My legs were screaming at me to stop and every jolt of movement caused pain to shoot up my arm. We ran another 2 or 3 miles before I just couldn’t anymore. “Greg.” I managed to get his attention before he went too far past me. I collapsed on the ground, careful of my arm. “Go on without me. Let my Alpha know where to find me. I can’t go anymore.” Greg didn’t answer, instead he approached me and lifted me into his arms. This was not a good idea, but I couldn’t stand the pain of running anymore. The pain of Greg running wasn’t that great either. He was going as fast as he could while carrying me and the movement made my headache and my arm burn. I couldn’t concentrate on where we were or how far we had gone. I closed my eyes as every part of me felt like it was on fire. Every punch, every slap I was feeling them all. I wasn’t around the silver anymore, but the healing process was slow. We healed quicker than humans but the kind of beating I took would have killed a human. I tried to open my eyes, but I couldn’t. I could feel myself wanting to slip into unconsciousness. I tried to focus on Greg’s breathing, anything to keep myself awake but I couldn’t. He felt my body becoming limp because the next thing I knew his words cut through my brain. “You have to stay awake. We are almost there. I can sense some wolves coming toward us.” Was it my Keaton? I had to know before I could let go. I had to know if he was ok. I felt Greg slow to a stop. I heard the rustling of the forest around me. I heard a voice that I recognized. “What are you doing with my Luna?” It was Rick, our head tracker. Where was Keaton? I struggled to open my eyes but they wouldn’t budge. Greg was quick to answer. “I rescued her from Alpha Adam. I have brought her back to Alpha Keaton.” I heard footsteps and Greg tensed. When Rick spoke, he was in front of us. “Is she ok?” Greg placed me into Rick’s arms. I wanted to say something, but it was like I couldn’t control my own body. Greg answered for me. “She was beat pretty bad. She ran with me for a little bit but when she couldn’t I picked her up.” I could feel Rick turning and he started walking. He spoke to the warriors I’m assuming he brought with him. “Cuff him and bring him with us. He is not to be harmed until we can figure out the truth.” I wanted to tell Rick everything, but my damn body still wouldn’t listen to me. I felt myself being placed in a car. As we pulled onto a road my mind finally let me go.

I felt myself slowly waking up. I could tell I was laying on a bed, covered up, and someone was breathing deep next to me. I realized I was in the hospital as I became more and more aware of my surroundings. I opened my eyes and saw Keaton splayed out awkwardly in one of the small chairs and my heart soared. I took quick stock of myself. I wasn’t hurting anywhere, and my arm was in a sling. I could feel the IV in my arm and wondered if they were giving me pain medication. I tried to move my free hand to touch Keaton, but he was too far away. “Kea, baby, wake up.” The words were barely out of my mouth when his eyes flew open. He looked at me and I could see the tears threatening to fall. He stood up and walked to my bed and embraced me gently. I inhaled his scent and let his touch soothe me. He was ok. I was ok. His gruff voice was full of emotion. “How do you feel little Kat?” He kept me wrapped up in his arms and I didn’t want to move so I spoke into his chest. “So much better now. What happened? How long have I been out?” Suddenly I remembered Greg. “Where is the man who brought me home?” Keaton started running his fingers through my hair. “Greg is fine. He told us his side of things and I allowed him a place in the pack house for now. You’ve been out for just a few hours.” I nodded then a realization struck me. “When are we leaving for the council.” Keaton shifted me so he could look at the clock on the wall. “We need to leave in 12 hours.” I relaxed back into him. I hadn’t missed it. “Keaton. Can you tell me everything that happened?” Keaton kissed my head. “I will. I didn’t realize you were gone until dinner. When you didn’t show for lunch, I figured you were busy, but I knew something was wrong when you didn’t show up for dinner. I had my trackers look for you. We couldn’t find your scent at first then we found it by the road. It was faint but enough to go on. I stayed back, calling everyone I knew to find you. Everyone claimed to have no idea. I was about to call Alpha Adam when I got the call that you were found and on your way home. I made sure the hospital was ready for you. When you arrived, Rick rushed you straight to the hospital while I talked with Greg. He told me everything as soon as he saw me.” I pushed myself away from Keaton just enough to look into his face. “Are you going to hurt him?” Keaton pulled me back into him, kissing me again on the head. “He saved your life. He didn’t even know what was going on until he was told to guard you.” I let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you. I was worried that he would be guilty by association.” Keaton laughed at that. “No baby only the guilty will pay. My warriors and I already captured those who knowingly put your life in danger. We will make an example out of them when we return.” I swallowed hard. I was scared to see that side of Keaton. “Now it’s your turn little Kat. Tell me what happened.” I took a deep breath. “Some of this is going to piss you off.” I felt him nod and inhale my scent. “I went for a run. Some pack members joined me and when I shifted to go for a swim, they grabbed me and hit me over the head with something.” I felt Keaton tense as I told my story. “I woke up and the Alpha hurt me to get me to speak. He tried to make me believe you authorized it. He wanted me to believe that he was doing this to keep me from going to the council. Greg revealed to me that he was actually doing it to weaken and kill you. Once he thought the fight was out of me, he locked me in a cell and made Greg guard me.” Keaton pulled me out of his chest so he could search my face. I could see the look of worry from him. I lifted my good arm and placed my hand on his cheek. “Don’t worry baby. I knew he was bluffing. You would never do that me.” His expression instantly softened, and he captured my lips in his. This kiss was soft and not assuming. He broke away and laid me back on the bed. “I’m going to get a nurse to check on you and see if we can get you out of here. The council is a full day’s trip, so we need to pack a small bag.” I nodded at him and he left the room. I quickly examined myself. From what I could see I was covered in bruises. I wondered if Keaton saw it. A nurse entered with Keaton hot on her heels. I couldn’t pay attention to what she was saying because I was looking at Keaton. She lifted my shirt, examining me and I saw the look of rage cross Keaton’s eyes. His face was emotionless since the nurse was here, but he couldn’t contain all of his emotions. I gave him a soft smile, assuring him I was ok. It didn’t seem to help any. The nurse finished her exam and gave me my discharge papers. I thanked her and Keaton lead me out of the hospital. He made sure to walk slow enough. I was still very sore from it all. We made it to the pack house. My pack didn’t bombard me with questions or anything like I expected. Once we made it to our floor, I gave Keaton a knowing look. He flashed me a smile. “I told them not to bombard you with anything just yet. I assured them you are ok and that you were still going to meet with the council.” I placed a quick kiss on his lips. “Thank you, baby.” He smiled and we started heading toward our room. We packed some clothes and I made sure to pack what I needed for the actual council meeting. Keaton brought along his work. He wasn’t allowed in the meeting so he would stay in the hotel until I was done. We got into one of the SUVs. A warrior drove and another SUV full of warriors was following us. I told Keaton we didn’t need so many people guarding us, especially since we were together, but he wouldn’t hear of it.  Keaton quickly lost himself in his work and I pulled out a book to read. I didn’t realize we had made it until I heard the front window being rolled down. The warrior spoke to the man and rolled our window down as well. Keaton pulled his face up out of his work and stared at the gate guard. A flashlight hit his face then moved to mine before the gate was opened and we were waved through. The council village was small. It contained the houses of the council members, a meeting hall, a grocery store, and a small mall. Enough for it to be its own little city. Keaton had explained to me that the council members didn’t travel outside their walled city because they were targets. They had to pass the laws that no one liked so it was hard for them to stay safe. We pulled up to a little cabin. Keaton had been able to rent out the cabin in front of us plus the 3 surrounding it for the night. I would meet with the council in the morning then we would leave unless the council decides my request is worthy of punishment. Punishment is the council’s way of not letting people walk all over them or bring them stupid requests. You have to come prepared. Keaton was more worried than I was. I had faith in my idea, and I hoped that the council could see reason. They are the wisest beings alive.