The Leopard's Alpha Mate

Ch. 1 -The Beginning of the End of my life in my tribe- (Sapphire's POV) Where do I even start? Guess my name will have to do for now. My name is Sapphire Star of the Alaskan Snow Leopard tribe. My father, Leon Star, is chief and alpha of our tribe. My other brother Drake will be taking over as Chief and alpha when our father retires. Right now I'm running cold and scared. Even in my snow leopard form I'm still freezing and limited to seeing two feet in front of my face because of this blizzard that came out of nowhere. I managed to lose the two other leopards chasing after me, but it won't take them long to find my trail again. Hopefully my brother is leading them astray for me to keep going. 'How did it all come to this point?' you may ask. Well let me take you back a few days and it should explain why I am running. -flash back to a few days ago- I'm being awoken by my best friend and bodyguard Rose. "Wake up Sapphire, you got things to do today and your father has invited other tribe leaders to come for your 18th birthday!" she yells hitting me with a pillow while laughing. "Ahh ok ok I'm up!!" I get up before she hits me again with the pillow and run to the bathroom to wash up. "I picked out your favorite dark blue dress with white jewels and white stockings. Your father told me to make you look your best today cause you might find your mate today after 2 years of having your leopard," she said laying my dress down on my bed. I walk out of the bathroom drying my hair and glare at her. Her green and brown eyes, that reminded me of a forest, wached me as I stepped out, She was wearing a dark turquoise dress that came just past her knees. "Not my fault she's picky. I mean you had to wait 6 months to find yours" I cross my arms because it happens to be my older brother Drake is her mate, I look at her annoyed face and grin. 'I'm not picky your father just doesn't want us to meet anyone else except for who he deems appropriate' I roll my eyes at Scarlet. I love how sassy my leopard can be at times. "I didn't have to wait 2 or more years like you," she taunted me making my face sour. "Well maybe I will find him tonight at the dance you don't know!" I shout throwing a pillow at her making both of us giggle. I grab a fresh pair of underwear and a bra and put them on, then I grab my stocking from my bed and slip into them. Rose grabs my dress and unzips the back for me and I step into it carefully. "Ok turn around so I can zip it back up," I turn around and she zipped my dress up. I walk over to the closet and grab a pair of dark blue flats with white jewels on them. "Perfect, just in case I need to run away in any situation," I added putting them down on the floor and slipping my feet into them. I walk over to the vanity with my brush and makeup eating a muffin Rose brought for me as she brushes my hair. The next few hours Rose helps me with my hair and makeup and I help her with her caramel brown hair that slips just a bit past her shoulders, as I finish her hair as its all done up in curls and butterfly pins that sparkled with the light there came a knock at the door as Rose finished curling my long black hair and pinning it up into a bun. "Come in," I commanded turning towards the door as it opened to see one of our head maids standing there. She was tall and thin but could kick ass when a situation called for it, her dirty red hair was up in a ponytail, she never liked to leave it down when working. "Good Evening my lady, your father would like you to come see him now if you're ready," she announced looking at me with her hazel eyes. I nod putting a light pink lipstick on then standing up and brushed my dress off, I fallow after her with Rose behind me as we heads down the hall and down the large staircase. I see my father and brother standing there as I step down the last few steps and see them smile once they see me and I smile back at them, going over and bowing to my father, his black hair and beard brushed neatly back so you can see deep blue eyes and a few wrinkles, a few grey strands of hair are sprinkled there and there like salt and pepper, I go over to my brother and hug him. My brother is mute due to a battle injury that tore his vocal cords up beyond our healing ability could do, now he can't say anything besides a growl or a high pitched squeak when I hug him to tight. His snow white hair is a mess like always but it always made him look cute with his blue eyes popping out from under his bangs. "Father, brother its nice to see you. Have our guests arrived yet?" I ask looking around. "Yes they are waiting in the large dinning hall for us," my father replied. My brother holding his arm out for me to grab as we walk to the large dinning hall. The two double doors leading to the room open revealing a large table full of my favorite foods and more. Everyone gets up and turn to us as they hear the doors open and bow in respect to my father, brother and I, my father walks us to the head of the table as we sit down everyone else fallows suit. All the gentlemen are wearing black suits with colorful ties to go with there mates dresses that are more like ball gowns then anything else. Rose brought me a plate of my favorite foods, that consistsed of foren foods we dont get here often such as meats that didnt come from our forest, as I looked up at her. "Thank you, Rose," I beamed at her. "My Lady," Rose responded bowing to me and walked over to Drake and kissed his cheek sitting down beside him as he poured her a drink. "Welcome friends and family to my daughter's 18th birthday party. I'm very happy to have all of you here with us today and later on I will have a special announcement to make at the dance. For now enjoy the food and drinks but try not to over do it," my father announces with a chuckle as he raises his glass to toast. "To the tribes, may we always be prosperous!" he declared. Everyone cheered and all started to eat and drink, laugh and tell stories of my father when he was my brother's age getting into trouble constantly. As soon as we were done eating, we headed to the large courtyard outside as snow lightly fell from the sky. You could see how big the castle was just from the cortyard: it was 4 stories high but looked bigger because of the tall walls It looked old and worn from the outside but was well kept. I looked out into the crowd of people and I saw others from the tribe there as well, all wearing their best and favorite outfits, as I hear the music play someone taps my shoulder and I turn and my face sours as I see his face. His stupid bleach blond hair that needed to be re-done made me want to cut it all off and the worst part was he was wearing contact lenses to change his eye color from a gray to a violet color. I crinkled my nose up at him thinking to myself was 'why the hell is he here?' My brother growled as I look at him. "What do you want Roland?" I began with a snarl. I didn't like this man. He was anything but nice to me my whole life. When I turned 16 he slapped me because we weren't mates then told my father that I had fallen down. Ya he was this kinda guy and I tried avoiding him whenever I could. I hear a low growl coming from my brother as he stared daggers at Roland, Drake was the only one who believed me when I said that he hurt me. "I just wanted a dance my lady," he responded with a cocky grin on his face. I was about to say “no” till my father chimed in. "I'm sure she would love to Roland!" he expressed smiling from ear to ear as he pushed me towards Roland leaving me no choice but to go with him. I groan as he pulls me by my hand into the middle of the dance floor then turns to me and puts a hand on my waist. I glare at him as I put my hands on his shoulders. I could see my brother watching from beside our father with hate in his eyes and I could tell he was not happy with Roland touching me. "Why the sour face my dear?" he hissed pulling me closer. I looked away and looked at the other couples who have found their mates and sigh before my face gets pulled up towards Roland's. 'Is he really about to kiss me,' I thought. I slapped him hard leaving a red hand mark on his cheek and knocking him down as I stormed back to my father. Everyone looks at me in shock then back at Roland. My brother rushed over to him growling low as he stood over him, the expression on my father's face was of shock and rage as I stood beside him. "And what was the reason for that?!" He demanded glaring down at me. "He tried to kiss me," I growled not looking at my father or Roland who was still on the floor holding his cheek like I was the abusive one. "And why not? He is your future husband after all," he scolded me as I gasped at what he just said. Roland and I are to marry? I looked up at my father with fear in my eyes and my brother looking at our father in complete disbelief at his words. "But dad," I whimpered. "No buts. It's been two years and you haven't found your mate so I chose one for you and I think he will make a fine husband for you. Come on sweetie; do it for dad I'm not getting any younger," my father begged. I sighed and looked at Roland then to my brother who was shaking his head then back to my father, "fine..." i whispered. "That's my girl!" My father beamed. "Go get some sleep honey you're gonna need it: for this weekend you two are getting married!" My eyes began to fill with tears, I ran inside and to my room where I sat and cried on my bed. After an hour or two I stopped crying and changed into my night gown. I washed my face of all my makeup and unclipped my long black hair letting it flow down past my waistline. I looked in the mirror at my crystal blue eyes and see how red and puffy they look after all that crying. 'We are not marrying that man you know that right?' Scarlet chimed in breaking me from my thoughts. "I know you won't allow it ,but what other choice do we have," I whimpered holding my legs close to me. 'We could run away... but for now sleep. We need to sleep. We can't think clearly when we are upset you know,' she purred in my head. I laid my head down onto my soft pillow and hugged it like it was the last time I would feel it.