Chasing A Runaway Mate

Chapter 12

Kat

For as long as Kat knew who her family was and what their role was in the pack, she had made it her mission in life not to be the typical princess people expected the daughter of an Alpha to be. She rebelled against every duty her mother and father expected of her. Thinking back on it, Kat now felt somewhat ashamed of some of the stupid things she had done in the past.

Somehow, in her ignorance, she had thought these things would fade away. That as she went down this new path she could leave her past behind her. Ironically, she hadn't realized that using her family's connections made her exactly who she had always tried not to be. Plus, it would seem she had not thought this through as much as she thought she had. People were bound to make the connection when they learned her last name.

"Can I ask a favor, Gun?" Kat asked seriously.

"That depends on the favor." Gun looked at Kat quizzically.

"I know what this looks like, but I promise you that our family had nothing to do with the dealings of that mad man."

Gun remained silent and Kat knew he was finding it difficult to believe her. She didn't blame him.

"Look, I'm not supposed to talk about it, but I realize you need incentive," Kat sighed.

"Is this favor really that important?"

Kat understood why Gun asked her this. Secrets in their world were more valuable than gold. Giving information to the wrong person is dangerous and could be treasonous.

"Yes it is." Kat paused to make sure Gun understood the seriousness of the situation.

"My brother is the Alpha of the Renegade Pack. They have joined forces with the Council to overthrow Ivan. He's our uncle. I'm not going to go into any more detail, so don't even ask. All I'm going to say is Ivan is egotistical and a maniac. He deserves what's coming his way."

Kat could see Gun processing this information, and she wondered what else he knew of her family and the battle her brother was fighting at the moment.

"What's the favor, Kat?"

"I don't want others to know who I am. Can you keep my last name to yourself, please?"

"You know something like that won't stay quiet for long. The trainers will surely know who you are. One of them is bound to slip, especially if you piss them off."

"Let me worry about that."

"All right then. I'll keep quiet, Kat."

"Thanks, Gun. Knew I could count on you," Kat smiled but inside she sighed a heavy sigh of relief.

They drove on in silence for a while. Kat's gaze was fixed out the window, but she didn't really see anything as her thoughts ran around in her mind. Soon they reached the large ornate gates of the Council's headquarters. Arrangements must've already been made as they went through the opened gates with only a nod from the security officer. They did not stop in the parking area set aside for visitors. Instead, Gunther moved them around the right of the large main building and down a narrow paved road.

It led them until they entered the shade of the large trees which framed the back of the property.

After driving only a short distance, the trees thinned before revealing a clearing. The ground was fairly even and all forms of vegetation had been removed. The dark soil had been compacted and looked hard and unforgiving.

"This is where the First Years train. The Second and Third Years' training ground is on the other side of the barracks," Gun explained.

"Right. Tell me about the trainers."

"Well, they are all pretty much cut from the same cloth. Eric and Sam are tough but fair. Warren is a different story, though."

"What do you mean?"

"Some days I think what he does is because he wants the best for the Enforcers, but on most days I just think he is an asshole who gets off on making our lives miserable."

Kat gave Gun a look which suggested that she was not following what he was saying.

"I think it's best you draw your own conclusions about the trainers, Kat. This place... This place means something different to all of us. You'll see that your reasons for coming here are not that different to the rest of us. Just think about it. It is in our genes to want to belong to a pack, to a people. Why do you think so many of us willingly join the Council?"

"Hmm... But the Council isn't a pack, Gun. You don't have an Alpha."

"Yes, but here we all mean something. We can contribute to our way of life despite where we come from."

Kat thought about what Gun said. Again it would seem that, despite her efforts, she did have the secluded and privileged upbringing of an Alpha's daughter. She had been certain her situation was unique. That no one else would have gone to the Enforcer's Academy to escape their past and to find purpose.

Gun parked the car behind a large red brick building which Kat assumed was the barracks he had spoken of earlier. A little further off there were people training in various areas fenced off from each other.

"That's where the Second and Third Years spar and get one-on-one training," Gun said when he saw Kat looking in that direction.

"Right. So what now?"

"This is as far as I go, sprout. There should be someone inside to show you to your room."

"Thanks, Gun."

"No problem. I'll see you around. Oh, and lock the car when you're done and give the keys to any of the staff. They'll know what to do with it." Gun got out of the car, stuck his hands in his pockets and disappeared into the shade of the trees.

After retrieving her luggage from the trunk of the car, Kat locked it and made her way to the open back door of the barracks. The sunlight didn't reach far into the entryway of the building, making it feel cold. Kat took a deep breath to steady her nerves before heading in further in search of someone to direct her next move.