Free mate

The pack

I wake up aching and confused. My head is aching and I have to blink to focus my vision, slowly taking in the big room I'm in. Dark red wallpaper covers the walls and there are bookshelves but most of my vision is on the massive bed I'm lying in, four posts rising high and supporting some sort of ceiling over the bed. I've never seen anything like it. Every furniture is dark wood, carved with beautiful shapes and matching the otherwise red colouring of the room. There is a nightlamp on a table next to me, warm light illuminating the room.

The bed is soft but my muscles hurt and my ankle is throbbing. I try to ignore that as I push the soft blanket covering me aside and sit up but I have to stop there. Sitting still with my eyes closed I try to breathe slowly and wait for the pain to pass. As much as I attempt to focus on the pleasant feelings like the soft carpet under my feet and silky cool nightgown I'm wearing the fear and pain is overwhelming. What the hell is this place?

The events of last night are fuzzy but I remember escaping the cabin. Nicolas and Carolina were on their rare trip to the city to buy things we couldn't make ourselves so it was just me and Jason. He had tortured me all day, touching me gently and the next moment slapping me across the face. Once he fell asleep on the sofa after eating dinner I saw my chance. It was dangerous and probably doomed attempt but I couldn't stand this life anymore, I had to try to run away.

I didn't waste time gathering anything, it's not like I knew where Nicolas kept his money and there was nothing I could take with me. My shoes and other clothes were in the basement and Jason would wake up if I opened up that door. Without any real plan, I crept up and slowly opened the front door enough to slip out and quietly pressed it shut. I tried to be quiet at first but once I got to the forest started to run towards the lighter sky guiding me to the city. I got surprisingly far before I heard Jason behind me, taunting and cursing.

But how did I end up in here, and what even was this place? I tried to look around the room to see anything that would help me understand. There wasn't much in here, just the bed, two shelves full of books and an empty table. Two paintings of countryside scenery in dark colours on the walls and that's all. There is a window but no sunlight shining in, just grey sky. Must be still night. Or maybe it's night again, I don't know how long I was asleep but my body is sore and stiff so it was probably at least a day.

Wincing I brace my self and limp to the window. I gasp when I see what I already suspected. The window is high from the ground and below me, there's a grey mass of buildings and roads. I spot a few people walking and cars passing by but it's quiet. I got in the city, though I have no idea who brought me here

The window wasn't an option for escape, it was far too high from the ground. I turned to look at the door on the other side of the room, the only way out of here. Just as I was about to start my painful walk to the door it opened, making me jump and lose my balance.

“Oh, dear!” I heard a surprised voice exclaim as I fell down. The carpet wasn't soft enough to soften the fall and I groaned as I hit the floor, trying to move away from the stranger on the door.

“It's okay, I'm not gonna hurt you. You're safe now.” I look up to see who came in.

It was a pretty woman, maybe a few years older than me. Her almost white hair was braided and fell over her shoulder. She didn't move towards me, just closed the door and kept talking. I got the feeling she used the same tone I used to have when calming the sheep we had at home when they spooked. My wild eyes and quick breathing probably made me seem like an animal and I tried to calm down.

“Who are you? Where am I?” I asked.

“My name is Hanna, I'm the beta of Redmoon pack. I can explain what I know but could you go back to the bed, please?” I consider for a moment but what other option do I have? She's a werewolf too, I can't run away and there's no point in sitting here on the floor. Besides, somehow I feel like I can trust Hanna even though it makes no sense. I nod slowly and leaning on the table pull myself up. The few steps to the bed make me embarrassed, I wouldn't want her to see me limp like this. She doesn't say anything and once I'm sitting on the bed again she walks to the table and grabs a chair to sit on.

Her tank top shows impressive muscles on her arms when she lifts the chair and sits down, cross-legged and leaning towards me. My thin body feels useless often but for the first time, I realize I must look terrible too. Suddenly the revealing nightgown makes me feel very self-conscious.

“Thanks, you really should stay in bed for a few days. My sister is bringing you something to eat soon, you must be starving”, I don't answer just sit there waiting for her to tell me why I'm here.

“I can't explain much, we would like you to tell what happened. I was driving with my brother and sister last night when we heard someone screaming. We stopped and found you, half-dead in the forest. Of course, we took you with us, patched you up as well as we could and here we are. Our alpha is going to meet you soon and you should get better here where it's safe but if you'd like we can also take you to your family if you want.”

“No”, I blurt out without meaning to, instantly regretting as Hanna's gaze sharpens.

“I mean, I don't want to disturb you, I can go. Thanks for saving me but I'm fine now”, I try to soften it. Hanna shakes her head but before she speaks the door opens again, another woman walking in with a tray of food.

She must be Hanna's twin. They have the same round face and white hair, though this woman has hers open, curls falling down her back. Her smile is just as lovely and welcoming as her sisters when she walks to set the tray on the table next to me.

“Hi sweetie, glad to see you're awake. I'm Sera Brown.” There is only one chair that Hanna is using so Sera sits on the foot of my bed.

“Thank you”, I mumble. I don't want to eat their foods but my stomach growls loudly enough to make the twins laugh and I've rarely had fruits like these. I'm used to picking apples and I could eat those freely but banana and orange were rare, only after Nicolas and Carolina came from the city and even then there was a slim chance that I'd get to taste them. I reach to take the plate and slowly started to eat. I focus on enjoying the sweet taste that when I look up again the twins stare at me with a mix of amusement and confusion.

“Let us know if you need anything else honey”, Sera says and I nod shyly.

“So, what's your name?” Hanna asks. I think fast but can't figure out a reason to lie.

“Kate. Strongwood”, I hated that name but didn't have anything else to offer, I didn't know who my parents were.

“Lovely to meet you Kate”, Sera smiled.

“Can you tell us what happened?” Both of them were nice but Hanna was clearly more focused on getting me to talk. Sera shot her a look and they were quiet for a few seconds, having some sort of silent conversation. Sera ducked her head and Hanna turned back to me.

“Who hurt you, can you tell us a name or anything?” What should I do? I could tell the truth but not only was it humiliating but I didn't know if I wanted them mixed up with Jason and his parents. I wanted to get away from all werewolves but I owed them something for all the care they offered. I was still stalling when the door slammed open, scaring me again. The twins didn't look surprised but both stood up and greeted the two men walking in.

I glanced at the first man, a dark older man in a suit. I didn't have time to focus more as my eyes landed on the man walking in behind him.

He had striking blue eyes contrasting his black hair. We locked eyes and he froze just as I felt like I was hit by lightning, something waking inside of me while I sat paralyzed, lost in those eyes. My body was burning and ice-cold at the same time, overwhelming emotion, unlike anything I've ever experienced, confused by how familiar he instantly felt.

Mate?

“No f*****g way”, the other man said and I felt all three starting at us when he walked closer. Oh, Luna, he was handsome. Tall and wearing a fitted suit but all I could do was stare at those clear blue eyes when he approached, stopping next to my bed where I sat up like a scared rabbit.

“W- what?” I force myself to look away but there's still a strange urge to get up and go to him, touch him, kiss him... No, this is crazy!

“You're my mate”, his voice is so deep but the words pull me out of my trance. I jerk back to avoid his touch.

“That's not possible”, I choke out, “I'm not even a werewolf!”