the golden wolf

Mate

It’s been a couple years since the rogue attack, and things for the most part have been calm. We have had a few rogues on our land but none have made it that close again. Every time we get alerted to the intruders I’m left behind to guard the safe house with those that are unable to fight. I don’t see why they won’t let me fight. They know I have shifted and I’ve been training with a select few warriors along with training by myself since I have graduated school early. They still deem the woods off limits, which I don’t listen to and sneak off to my waterfall to meditate. I also hide there on my birthday since I know no one will look for me there, which is what I am doing now.

With today being my 16th birthday, Alpha is throwing a big party. This would be the day I would normally shift for the first time and the day I could start looking for my mate. Even though I shifted early, the mate bond feeling wouldn’t take effect until I turned 16. I told my uncle and alpha I didn’t want a party and I don’t care for finding my mate right now. My bickering about it fell on deaf ears, they were going to do what they wanted. So I was going to hide for as long as I could and try to relax. I was enjoying my peace until I could feel I was being watched and I could hear them moving around. 

“You're not supposed to be out here, if you were smart you would leave” I growled.

I didn’t get a response, but I could still sense them. Being agitated already and trying to calm down in my place and someone was intruding I had enough. I picked up my bow that I always kept beside me. I grabbed an arrow and closed my eyes, listening closely, aiming and let go. It hit a tree but I heard a growl and retreating footsteps. 

“Where are you?” Nova yelled at me through mindlink.

“Ugh hiding from the pack and our guests” I grumbled.

“Well you have five minutes to get in my room and start getting ready or I’ll send the boys to find you” she threatened.

“Fine I’m coming, don’t send the idiots after me. I’m not in the mood today and they will just make it worse.” I replied and cut our link off.

I gathered my things and placed them in my bag, I looked around to make sure no one was around. I undressed and placed my clothes in the bag and zipped it up. I shifted and started running towards the pack house to get ready for a night in hell. Artemis was excited about the possibility of finding our mate, and showing the whole pack us. Only a select few know I have shifted and even less have actually seen me in my wolf form. I got back to the tree line pretty fast, I shifted back and got dressed to head up to Nova’s room.

Once I entered her room I was shoved into the bathroom and told to shower. I did as I was told and showered quickly grabbing my robe she left for me and putting it on. Normally I would argue with her but I know I won’t win with this so I might as well just do it and get it over with. I opened the door and went back into her room to be placed in front of her vanity mirror, there was finger food waiting for me. I was starving but I knew that meant I was going to be here forever. Before I could protest about being all dressed up there was a knock on the door, in came one of the omegas with a Jameson and sprite for me. She’s trying to butter me up with alcohol.

Obviously there is no winning an argument with her, she is pulling out all the stops to make sure she wins. I accept my drink and start to eat the food that was brought up while Nova works on my hair. She dries my hair which is almost to the floor in this seat, and then curls it. When she’s done my dirty blonde hair is in beautiful spiral curls. She does my makeup next and cuts me some slack going for a natural look knowing I hate to wear make-up. I’m sent to my room to get dressed when she’s done so she can get herself ready.

When I enter my room there are boxes on my bed with a note. 

This is what you’re wearing tonight or nothing at all.

           Love, Nova

I opened the first box to a beautiful red lace long sleeve dress that has a deep plunging neckline, and the other box was a pair of black stilettos with red on the bottom. I shook my head and went to my closet, to find she wasn’t kidding. She had emptied my closet completely besides leaving me a thong to wear. I got dressed and head back to Nova’s room covering my exposed chest.

She was already ready so we headed down to the party that I have been dreading all day. I figured I’ll just keep my distance, let them see I came and then shift and end the night. That is not how the night was going at all. All the guys are trying to talk to me and bumping into me to see if they feel any sparks. I’m fed up and ready for the night to end, so I turn to head to the stage. 

“MINE”

Is all I hear and then there is a hand on my shoulder followed by sparks radiating from it. I don’t even turn around. I don’t want to look him in the eyes. I peel his hand off my shoulder stepping out of my heels at the same time. And then I take off towards the woods, once I pass the tree line I strip. I shift into my wolf and take off to my sanctuary, but everyone is right behind me. Once I make it to the waterfall I’ll be able to hide my scent in the secret cave that only Nova and I know about.

As I run towards there I weave in between the trees, and dodge fallen debris. I quickly get into the water and dive to the entrance of the cave. Once in, I finally relax and can feel the nagging at the back of my head of someone trying to mindlink me. I open the link to be yelled at by 3 of the most important people in my life.

My uncle was yelling at me for going into the woods alone and begging me to come back. Alpha was pissed at me for going into the woods but I could also hear hurt in his tone. And Nova was screaming what were you thinking, I know where you are and I’m coming to knock some sense into you. Great I shut the link back down no need to respond I’m sure she’ll tell them where I’m at and I will be dragged back and made to meet my mate. 

I was snapped out of my train of thought to the sound of people popping up from the water. The smell of pine needles and fresh rain fills my nose. I can hear Nova talking to him, as my blood starts to boil. She knows how I feel about this place being a secret and obviously I’m not wanting my mate if I took off. She comes to the back of the cave where I am hiding still in wolf form.

“Nevaeh shift back so we can talk.”

I just growl back at her. 

“Shift now!” Nova yells using her alpha tone.

All I see is red now, I’m completely pissed that she is trying to force me to shift. I growl and get in a fight stance ready for a fight. Nova sees this and shifts into her wolf and lunges at me. Our growls and snapping of our jaws echoes in the cave. She is trying to get me to submit to her. I open the link and tell her to take him and leave, one of us will die tonight if not. I see hurt flash in her eyes but I don’t care. She is supposed to be my best friend and she has betrayed me and then commanded me tonight. She doesn’t back down and neither do I. 

The fight continues, we are both beat up and bloody. I can see her tiring and I pounce on her with my jaws around her neck. I have her pinned down, she can submit where I can make her leave me alone or die. Before either of those could happen, someone’s arm wraps around my neck and starts to squeeze. It’s him I can feel the sparks for his contact. I bite down harder causing Nova to cry out in pain, she knows this will end badly and finally submits. I release her from my grip, but he is still holding onto me and I have no clue who he is.

Nova shifts back and grabs a towel we have hidden for when we come here.

“Noah let her go, she wants to be left alone. She has cut everyone off and refuses to shift back. She needs time.” Nova says her voice cracking.

Noah is my mate?!