Mate Bond - Finished

Chapter Fourteen - Goodbyes

Serenity's POV

I had taken the last few days to spend time with my siblings, parents and Luka. It had been blissful, but showed me even more why I needed to put them first and make sure the pack's future was protected.

We'd had dinners together, shared laughs and Luka and I spent a lot of time cuddling. I still wasn't feeling well and laying around was my favorite activity. It was strange to lie next to him with our baby growing in my womb and know he had no idea.

Tonight was the night I was leaving. I thought about what I would need and how much I could carry. I still wasn't sure where I was going. Luka's uncle, Ben, was the Alpha of the neighboring pack and our only ally. I knew, though, he would call my parents. My parents had grown up in that pack and he wouldn't keep my presence there a secret for very long. I could go to Fire Moon, also a secret ally, where Luka's dad used to be the Alpha. I knew they would call my parents, too, though. Hell Moon was not an option because of Kale. Spirit Moon, Water Moon and Air Moon were my only options unless I wanted to be a rogue. I decided to go to Spirit Moon because they were the furthest from my own pack.

I dressed in comfortable clothing. Capri leggings, a tank top and a sweater. I packed a pair of warmer pants, some shorts, an extra pair of leggings and some underwear. I rolled a sleeping bag up to carry with me to sleep on. The journey would take more than a week walking so I needed to be prepared. I went to the kitchen and packed water bottles and as many snacks as I could fit. I grabbed the little bit of money I had and pretended to go to sleep.

While in my room I wrote my letter to Luka. I explained that I was distracting him from his true mate. I explained that I didn't want to be the reason our pack didn't get their destined Luna. I explained that this wasn't good for either of us and we needed to be apart and find our mates. I explained it was his duty to find the Luna and we were wasting time. I did not tell him about the baby. I left the letter under the door of his house and set out on foot with my backpack and sleeping bag.

I walked for several hours into the night. I stayed near the road and planned to do so during the night and the walk in the shadow of the woods during the day. I walked as far as I could, trying to put distance between myself and my pack. I knew they would look for me in the morning and I knew if I wasn't far enough away they could easily catch up with me.

I felt cramping in my stomach and knew it was time to stop for a while. I laid my sleeping bag down and got into my backpack. I found a few snacks to eat and drank some water. I didn't want to push things too far and risk any harm coming to the baby. I hoped wherever I ended up that I was able to see a doctor when I got there to check up on them. I pulled my ultrasound picture of them out to look at and remind me why I was doing what I was.

A crack behind me made me jump and get to my feet as quickly as I could. I turned to face whatever was coming for me, knowing I wouldn't be able to outrun it.

“I thought I caught your scent out here.” A voice said menacingly in the darkness. Kale.

“Leave me alone.” I said knowing it was no good.

“Oh, I wouldn't leave you alone out here. That's not how a man treats his mate.” He said. He approached me.

“I'm not your mate.” I said firmly, again, knowing it was no good.

Kale grabbed my wrists and I stood my ground. He tried to pull me into him but my firm stance on the ground ended up making me lose my balance and fall backwards.

“What's this? A pup?” Kale asked, taking the ultrasound picture from my hand. “You're right, I could never have a mate pregnant by someone else.”

“Just let me go, Kale. I'm leaving my pack to protect them and raising my baby alone. That should be more than enough in terms of revenge for you. Please just let me go.” I said.

“Not a chance, my love. The baby can easily be dealt with. You can come home with me and we'll take care of that. Don't worry, I'll give you as many pups as you want.” He said.

My stomach turned. I knew I couldn't get out of this. I stood and started to run toward the road. I was screaming and trying to get someones attention. I knew I was near Earth Moon's pack borders and if I could get a patrol to hear me, someone could come to help. Suddenly, Kale was in front of me. I saw a few wolves come behind him. I didn't know if they were his pack or someone else's. He pushed me to the ground in my struggle to get away from him. I hit my head – hard – and everything around me went black.