Escape to Midnight

Fated Mates

Charis POV

 I walked out of my room and into the den where my dad was waiting for me. He would be driving me to the ball. As much as I hated the idea, it was no use arguing with him.  He convinced my Uncle Jamison to let him attend and help protect our young wolves. The three hour car ride to the ball could leave us open to an attack from rogues. There is also the chance of violence during the ball.

When our grandparents were young the Moon Ball was a giant party and it quickly got out of hand. Jealousy between newly found mates and previous partners led to violence. Pack law is very strict about violence. A wolf brings shame on their entire pack if they do not abide by the Moon Ball laws. He told my Uncle he wanted to help, but I knew the truth. My Father would be there to try and stop me from finding my mate. I could not let him keep me trapped, I had to get out.

This year the Ball is hosted by the river moon pack. My Father lectured me the entire drive about family business. “Our business is not anyone else’s business. You keep your mouth shut. You don’t talk about our family. You run that mouth and I will shut it forever. You hear me girl?” He was growling and angry. He ranted on and on about not disrespecting him and bringing him shame. According to him, there is nothing wrong with how he handles his family, at least as long as I don’t tell anyone.

As he was parking the car I jumped out. I tried to put as much distance between us as possible.  I wanted to get away from him, forever. Walking towards the pack house, I saw signs directing everyone to the back of the Pack house. Walking along the path I was filled with excitement.  My heart was pounding so hard it felt like I was running a race. I wanted tonight to be the one I would tell my pups about, the night I met their Father. As I came to the back of the House I could see the beautiful Garden the Ball was being held in. I wanted to stand there and take it all in. It was so beautiful. I kept walking though; I did not want my father to catch up to me.  I walked through an arch entry covered with climbing roses. The smell was magnificent. Throughout the Garden twinkling lights were hanging in the trees. It looked like the lights extended into the woods behind the garden a little. The whole scene was so romantic. I moved to the far side of the entrance and hid behind a tree to get my bearings. The garden was at least ten acres and the back blended into the forest. I could see several different cobblestone paths leading to an area where people were dancing. To the side of the Dancing area was a band. The music was loud and my heartbeat seemed to be in sync with the song they were playing. There were several fountains and an area for refreshments.

I saw my Father rush through the archway and head for the dance area. He was looking for me, to keep tabs I’m sure. I decided to follow him. I could stay a little behind him, hidden and look for my mate. I know a group of other wolves from our pack were here, but I did not know where they were. My Father insisted we come separately.  I don’t know if I would have hung around any of them anyway. They would avoid me like the plague if my dad was around. The band began to play a slow song. I recognized it immediately as one of my favorites. I watched as the wolves who had found their mates began to dance, swaying to the music. My heart was so full of longing, I started to feel overwhelmed. I looked at the dancing wolves and I wanted what they had! I wanted it so much I felt like I could not breathe. I suddenly felt light headed, like I needed to sit down.

 I heard an excited squeal and looked over. A girl had found her mate. They looked lovingly into each other’s eyes. I leaned against a tree to keep from falling over. I had only been here twenty minutes and I was falling apart. The fear of not finding my mate and going home with my father was crippling me.  I had to pull myself together if I was going to find my mate. I watched my father start walking down a path leading to the refreshments. I decided to walk to a fountain and sit down. I needed to be calm.

As I sat down I began to smell a sweet warm scent. I felt my pulse quicken. My wolf was suddenly very excited.  For a moment I was confused, and then I smelled him. His scent was a mix of vanilla and caramel. My stomach was full of butterflies. I looked around trying to figure out where the scent was coming from. I saw a man walking towards me. His eyes were intent and I felt like he was looking into my soul. I stood up to walk towards him, but my knees buckled. I felt myself begin to fall. My face began to burn with embarrassment. Suddenly, I felt two strong arms around me. I was pulled up off my feet and into his arms bridal style.  He was bigger than a lot of the other guys in the garden, and he made picking me up seem effortless. I immediately wanted to run my fingers through his thick brown hair.  He was perfect. As he stood me back up on my feet I was gripped with fear. What did he think of me? What if he does not like me? Would he reject me? Would he be like my father?

As he spoke, my heartbeat quickened and I was overcome with desire. “I finally found you, you are more beautiful than I could have imagined. Thank the Goddess you are perfect.”  He smiled the most beautiful smile I had ever seen. His eyes were the deepest green and I felt lost in them. I felt my face flush. I could barely speak, but I managed to give him my name. “My name is Charis Blair of the crescent bay pack.”

 He smiled again and said the words that would give me my freedom. ”I am Logan Cain, Future Beta of the midnight moon pack. You are mine; I hope you are prepared to go back to my pack with me tonight. Anything you forgot I can replace. Anything you need I can provide.”  

The law requires me to go to his pack with him. He had a higher status in his pack than I do in mine. I never have to return home. My heart was jumping for joy. He gathered me into his arms in a hug. Sparks danced all over my body. I was so caught up in the moment I did not see what was coming.

“Get your hands off my daughter!” I heard the words and felt someone grab my arm and jerk me. An intense pain shot through my arm. 

I heard my mate begin to growl, “She is my mate, and she is mine!”

My father was growling and I was terrified. What was my father thinking? Why would he do this? My mate took hold of my arm. He was trying to be gentle, but trying to keep my father from taking me. I mind linked my Uncle for help. My uncle Jameson ran across the garden to where we were standing. He tried to get my father to release his hold on me. My Father ignored him. Jameson used his Alpha voice and commanded my father, “ Release your hold on Charis!” My father dropped my arm, but his growl told me this was far from over. My father and uncle stared intently at each other with anger glowing in their eyes. We could tell they were mind linking.

The Mind link - Jameson and Warren

 “Warren, you will not ruin this ball and bring disgrace on our pack!” Jameson said through the mind link.

“That wolf will never have my daughter. She will reject him and return home with me.” My father, Warren insisted.

“Charis does not look like she wants to reject him. I will ask her. If she wants to reject him she can, If not you have to let her go.”

 Charis Point Of View

My uncle looked at Logan and I. “Charis, do you want to reject your mate, or leave with him?” he inquired.

 I felt flushed. I felt bile rise into the back of my throat. I was petrified. I could not speak. My eyes were fixed on my father. If I reject my mate I will be trapped forever with my father. If I don’t reject him and somehow my father wins this fight the punishment will be brutal. It felt like my father’s eyes were burning into me. I felt broken and lost. All the possibilities with horrible outcomes raced through my mind. Logan was the next to speak. “Please Charis, give me a chance. I will spend my life making you the happiest woman in the world. Don’t reject me until you give me a chance.”

   It was the opening my father needed. “Clearly she is conflicted and needs time. If she wanted to go with you she would have said. I demand she return home with me until we decide if this is what she wants.”

Tears began to burn my eyes. My uncle looked at me pleading with his eyes for me to speak. My fear of my father was too strong. I stared at the floor as tears began to fall. My Father wrapped his arms around me and tried to lead me away. A man standing behind Logan began to shout. “This is outrageous! Why is her father even here? He is not the Alpha of his pack.”

Jameson spoke calmly trying to diffuse the situation. “He is my Brother, The captain of my warriors. He is here to protect our pack members. We are three hours from our pack land. I must provide protection. He is here at my request. Who are you?”

“I am the Alpha of the Midnight moon pack.” He angrily continued, “My nephew has found his mate, she must reject him or leave with him, it is the law.”

“She is afraid, and confused. She should come home with me and decide what she wants to do. She is still shaken from the loss of her brother. Her Mother will be devastated to lose her. Give them a chance to say goodbye.” My father had changed his voice. He was pleading and sounded so concerned for me.

My Uncle looked skeptical. I knew he did not believe my Fathers excuses. The Alpha of Midnight moon did not know my father, he was falling for his act. His face softened as he looked at me. He misread my tears and silence And accepted my father’s explanation. “How much time do you think she needs?” he asked with concern in his voice.

My Father popped out his chest in pride, he won this game of his against two alphas. “Six Months.” he exclaimed.

Everyone around us began to protest again. I felt my knees buckle again. Logan was still holding my arm. He stepped forward and was keeping me from falling. Uncle Jameson raised his hands into the air to quiet everyone.

 “That is not reasonable Warren,” Jamison stated.

 The Midnight moon Alpha realized he had been duped. “One week should be more than enough time to say her goodbyes and pack her belongings.” he angrily said.

As he spoke he was closing the gap between him and my father. Uncle Jameson stepped in between them. “How about one month? I know it is not normal, but Charis’s mother, Eliza is still in mourning since the loss of her son. Leaving her Mother is going to be very hard for her. Please give her this time to say her goodbyes. You have the rest of your life with her.” Jameson was speaking to Logan.

Logan looked at me. He saw my tears, he felt how weak I was. He thought it was my distress for my Mother and he agreed to one month. I felt my wolf howling in despair. How could we let this happen. My Father always seemed to have the upper hand.

 “I would like to leave with her now then.” My Father told them. “She has found her mate, she has no reason to stay. The longer she spends with him the harder the separation will be.” My Father began to pull me towards the door. I felt my world slip away and everything went black. 

Logan’s POV

 This year the moon ball is hosted by our neighboring pack. That meant an hour drive which was bearable compared to some in the past. This is my fifth Moon Ball, I no longer get excited. Every year I don’t find my mate, the odds become greater I never will. Most of my friends are mated and have pups already. I may not be the oldest, but I am one of the older unmated wolves in my pack.

Every year when I come back alone my Mother looks so disappointed. My Mother was injured during a rogue attack when she was a teenager. She was told she would never have a pup of her own after the attack. Knowing that, her mate rejected her. My Father was the beta of her pack. His mate was killed in the same rogue attack my mother was injured in. The Goddess chose them to be second chance mates. Ten years later the Goddess blessed them with me.  Once I am mated I can become the Beta of our pack and my father can retire. I feel like their lives are on hold. They want to retire and spend time with grand pups like their friends. That can’t happen until I meet my mate.

This year, much to my Mother’s disapproval, I am dressing casual for the ball. I have on jeans and a button down shirt. I compromised; I had planned on just a t-shirt. I don’t feel the need to dress up just to come home alone again. It is very depressing. I am also driving alone to the Ball. I don’t want to ride home alone surrounded by young couples eager to get to know each other.

I arrived at the ball a little early. I planned to find a quiet spot to hide and wait for this to end. The band was warming up and I realized a quiet spot would not be found. I found a fountain with a little bench beside it close to the forest. I sat down and watched as all the other guests were arriving. You could always tell if it was someone’s first moon ball. They are so full of hope they have no idea how hard it will be to go home alone. “Stop Pouting!” my wolf Samuel demanded. “It does not matter if we are 17 or 27. There is a mate for us and you are making us look pathetic! Get up off your ass and find her.”

I rolled my eyes at Samuel, but I got up and started to walk over and get a drink. Then I smelled the most tempting  scent. It was intoxicating, I felt like I was being pulled towards it. Samuel was howling with excitement. The scent was becoming stronger and was now  a mix of  strawberries and  honeysuckle. It is crazy. I am surrounded by hundreds of wolves in this huge garden and all I can smell is her scent. I begin to feel her presence. As I look around I see her. I know instantly she is mine. She is sitting at a fountain. As she tries to stand it looks like she is falling. I rush forward and catch her in my arms. I picked her up into my arms. She is so beautiful my breath catches in my throat. I can already tell I will give my life for her.

I had practiced my speech for years, Exactly what I would say when I found her. My Mind was racing. I could not remember my exact speech, but I did not need it. The truth was so much better than what I had prepared. As I spoke, I tried to sound confident and powerful. “ “I finally found you, you are more beautiful than I could have imagined. Thank the Goddess you are perfect.” I smiled at her and felt so nervous as she smiled back. When she spoke her voice was soft and cute, she sounded like a little girl. “My name is Charis Blair of the crescent bay pack.”

She looked as nervous as I was, “ I am Logan Cain, Future Beta of the midnight moon pack. You are mine; I hope you are prepared to go back to my pack with me tonight. Anything you forgot I can replace. Anything you need I can provide.”  That was part of my original speech. My mind was still racing, imagining a future with her. I began to pull her close to me, I wanted to ask her to dance. The thought of holding her as we danced, knowing I would take her home with me, I was overwhelmed. 

“Get your hands off my daughter!” A man grabbed a hold of Charis and tried to pull her from my arms. I held on as gently as I could without letting him have her. I was trying to process what he said, Why would her father be here? What was his problem?

My wolf answered for me. “She is my mate, and she is mine!”

Another man came running over. They were mind linking. I took the chance to mind link my Uncle. He is the alpha of our pack, hopefully he can sort this out. I felt Charis begin to shake, and saw as her eyes filled with tears. I was confused. She looked happy to find me, but now she looked like she wanted nothing to do with me. I was gripped with fear of rejection. After all the years of waiting if she rejected me I would be devastated. I couldn't face my parents if this happened. “Please Charis, give me a chance. I will spend my life making you the happiest woman in the world. Don’t reject me until you give me a chance.” I felt like I was begging, all of my confidence and so called power were gone. I felt like a young wolf begging for her to accept me.

 “Clearly she is conflicted and needs time. If she wanted to go with you she would have said. I demand she return home with me until we decide if this is what she wants.” her father interrupted me. I got a really bad vibe from him. I'm not sure if it is intuition or the fact he is trying to keep me from my mate. I just know I want to kill him.

 “This is outrageous! Why is her father even here? He is not the Alpha of his pack.” Finally my uncle was by my side. 

“He is my Brother, The captain of my warriors. He is here to protect our pack members. We are three hours from our pack land. I must provide protection. He is here at my request. Who are you?” I realize the man with her father is her uncle. I began to feel like there was less of a chance for this to end well.

“I am Sterling Cain, Alpha of the Midnight moon pack.” He angrily continued, “My nephew has found his mate, she must reject him or leave with him, it is the law.” I'm glad my uncle is putting up a fight for me, but I would rather she think about it before she rejects me in haste.

“She is afraid, and confused. She should come home with me and decide what she wants to do. She is still shaken from the loss of her brother. Her Mother will be devastated to lose her. Give them a chance to say goodbye.” Her Father’s words touched my soul. I understood her tears. I was not sure why she was so terrified of me. Her heart rate spiked to the point I thought she might pass out.

“How much time do you think she needs?” I felt my uncle’s words cut through me. I was leaving alone. She was terrified of me and I was leaving alone. I wanted to fight every wolf in the room and run away with her. It was no use. I could tell by looking at her she did not want me.

 “Six Months.” The words her father spoke chilled me. Six months of waiting to find out if she would have me. I looked at my uncle with defeat in my eyes. I realized he was angry. I’m not sure why he was so angry, but if it got me my mate sooner, I was happy about it.

I felt Charis slump into me, I was holding her up. It is confusing. She is terrified of me, but she is not moving away. If anything she is letting me support her. I am so glad she is, but I am confused.

“That is not reasonable Warren.” The other alpha said.

 “One week should be more than enough time to say her goodbyes and pack her belongings.” my uncle said as he began moving closer to Charis’ father. I mindlinked him not to scare her. Her heart rate made me believe she was having some sort of panic attack. Besides, if anyone was going to kick his ass it would be me. 

“How about one month? I know it is not normal, but Charis’s mother, Eliza, is still in mourning since the loss of her son. Leaving her Mother is going to be very hard for her. Please give her this time to say her goodbyes. You have the rest of your life with her.” The other Alpha made me feel like a d**k for demanding she leave with me. She was so scared and so sad. How could I force her to come with me like this? Maybe after a month back home she would accept me. I was so torn, how do I convince her to give me a chance?

I felt the only chance I had with her was to let her leave, let her see I did not think I owned her. If we spent the rest of the ball together, getting to know each other maybe she would not need an entire month. Reluctantly I agreed to let her leave, before I could say anything else her father cut me off.

 “I would like to leave with her now. She has found her mate, she has no reason to stay. The longer she spends with him the harder the separation will be.” As he spoke he was already moving towards the door with her. I could not move, I felt like I had lead weights on my feet. As I watched her leave the garden I felt so much anguish. How did this happen? Would I ever see her again?

“Look Logan, I don’t like how this played out. We will talk to your parents in the morning.” My uncle was mind linking me while keeping his eyes trained on the other Alpha. What do you mean you don’t like it? How do you think I feel? I said the words as I turned and walked away. I wanted to cry, I wanted to punch someone and I wanted to be as far away from the damn moon ball as I could get. I walked straight to my car and got in. I started to beat my fists into the steering wheel. I started the car and backed out. Leaving the parking lot of the pack house in a trail of dust.