Chapter one
Her Escape
I wake up early, around 5 o'clock. I grab my little bag and extend the straps fully, shoving some clothes and food into it. I climb out my window and head for the woods behind the house. I jump in the air and shift into my small white wolf, my tail fluffy and spotted with black chunks of fur. I glance at my torn clothes on the ground and the bag that's staying on my back.
I sprint through the trees, jumping over roots and fallen branches. My bag bounces against my back as I sprint for hours. I look at the sun above me and know it's noon. I've run through multiple pack areas without being caught, but my legs burn, and my head is pounding.
I stop by a river and shift into human form, I wince as I get in the cold water, watching dirt and blood wash off me.
I'm trying to heal us, but we have to eat and rest. Can we stop running for now?
I hear my wolf say in my head, and I sigh, knowing she's right. I dig through my bag and change into some clothes while I look at the food I managed to get before I left. I start a small fire and roast some of the chicken.
I'll let you rest so you can heal us faster, I'll walk in human form for a while. I'm sorry for pushing you so hard, Ellie
I say to my wolf in my head as I eat the chicken. I put out the small fire and cross over the river, pulling the bag onto my back. I start walking through the forest, and I pull out my phone, seeing if I have any service. I pull up Google maps on my phone and curse under my breath when I realize I'm close to the Blood Moon Pack territory.
Ellie, we need to get out of here, can I shift?
I quicken my steps, trying to stay along the border so they don't pick up my scent.
If you need to, then shift, we should be healed enough now.
I shift into my wolf again, not caring about my torn clothes. I sprint through the trees, but my body gets shoved to the ground and a wolf snarls in my face. I whimper from the pain of his teeth scraping the fur of my neck.
"Get off her!" I hear a wolf growl from nearby, and by the tone I know it's the Alpha. My nose twitches from the smell of cinnamon and chocolate and I whine slightly. The beta wolf gets off me and I back up, my tail between my legs. I'm missing patches of fur and have cuts along my body that my wolf has been trying to heal. The alpha steps closer, his black wolf is huge and his aura is dominating.
"Mate." He gets closer, snarling at the beta who had pinned me moments ago. My ears perk up at him calling me his mate, but then fear hits me like a wave and I back up even more. "I won't hurt you, little mate." He says quietly, and I watch as he shifts back, but quickly look away as I realize he's naked.
The beta shifts next, handing the Alpha some clothes. I back up more as they change, but the scent of cinnamon and chocolate makes my mouth water and my heart clench from how I'm putting distance between us.
"I-I'm sorry, A-Alpha." I whisper, bowing my head low as my tail tucks between my hind legs. My fur sticks up and my scars show more. He walks over and crouches in front of me. I flinch as his hand comes near my face, but he gently runs his hands through my fur and I quickly relax as tingles run through my body.
Mate! We found our mate!
My wolf says happily and starts to force me to shift. I quickly move behind a tree and change into clothes once I shift back to human form.
"Come here, little mate. Please." He says and I poke my head out from the tree that I'm hiding behind. "I'll l-leave. I-I'm sorry for trespassing." I whisper, my voice shaky and barely audible, but being wolves they hear me just fine.
"This omega can't be your mate, Brayden. She's clearly weak, and stupid." The beta says and I flinch from the harsh tone, hiding behind the tree more. My cheeks heat up as I hear what the beta called the alpha. Brayden, his name is Brayden. My handsome mate is Brayden.
My mind whirls with thoughts and then I panic. The Brayden? As in Alpha Brayden? One of the strongest Alphas? That would make me a Luna. I can't be a Luna, I'm weak, no one would listen to me.
He suddenly grabs my hand and pulls me to his chest, as if sensing my thoughts. The tingles run through my veins and I bury my face in his chest. I groan slightly from his delicious scent, gripping his shirt. He chuckles at my reaction and picks me up.
"She's my mate, and your future Luna. Give her respect." He growls at his beta. "Dan, tell the pack I've finally found my mate, and make sure they know she has been through a lot. By the scars her wolf has, I'm guessing she was abused." I tense against his chest as he looks at me, but I nod.
Memories flash through my mind. The whips, the claws, the hot metal, the pulling, the slaps and punches. They all flash in my mind and I flinch, reliving it all.
He strokes my hair and whispers something to me, but I'm too lost in the memories to hear him.
"Mate." He growls to get my attention and I look at him. "I asked for your name." He says softer, noticing my fear. I look away and bite my lip, my body tense as he holds me tighter, making me realize he had pulled my legs around his hips.
"Elizabeth Harl." I whisper quietly. "M-my wolf is Ellie, and everyone in my pa-" I cut myself off. "My old pack, called me Beth. I didn't like it." He starts walking, carrying me with him. "You're safe, and I'll call you whatever you want me to call you." He murmurs against my ear and I smile slightly.
I must've fallen asleep while he carried me, because when I woke up, I was in a soft bed with warm blankets against my body. I sit up and look around, seeing Brayden asleep next to me. Heat creeps up my neck as I see his bare, muscular chest. My fingers twitch as my hand reaches out, touching his warm skin gently.
He growls slightly in his sleep and I pull my hand away quickly. I glance at his face, seeing he's still asleep. I gently brush my fingers along his chest again, then up his shoulder and neck, pushing my fingers through his hair.
"You're so warm." I whisper quietly, laying back down. My hand tingles from touching him. I lean closer to him, smelling the cinnamon and chocolate. I can't help the small moan that slips through my lips at his delicious scent.
In a flash, I'm suddenly pinned beneath him and he's looking at me with black eyes, his wolf is in control. I gasp as his hands grip my waist gently and his lips brush my ear. "My little mate." He whispers in a deep, sleepy tone. I stare up at him, watching his eyes shift from black to brown. He looks down at me, back in control.
"You need to sleep, the pack doctor said you have some bad bruises and cuts. He gave you a shot of some medicine to help your wolf heal you." He says quietly, laying back down on his side and holding me until we both fall back to sleep.