Silver Fate

Enemy Territory

Confused and quiet, she went into her room and leaned against the door. Her body felt strange, like an electric shock was running through it, but it felt good. She remembered his dark brown eyes and how they looked at her like she belonged to him. Her wolf inside her didn't like him and she could feel Naya sending hateful vibes. She didn't understand why her wolf didn't feel the same as her. He affected her so much... Her entire body kept on giving her signals that she had to go back to him. She bit her lip and touched her neck, wondering what would have happened if she didn't stop him. His passion was strong enough to make her feel like she could be with him, without being Fated to him.

knock, knock

Her curiosity piqued as she heard the peculiar knocking on her door. She took a step forward and opened the door to find her friend, Nadine. 'Come in,' Rue invited her red-haired friend into her room.

'Happy Birthday,' Nadine said with a smile. Rue could tell that her friend had not come to celebrate her birthday.

Rue smiled back and walked over to her dressing table to sit on a small stool. Nadine hovered over and began to carefully undo her braid with her fingers, a comforting gesture she had done countless times in their years of friendship. Their friendship was strong, despite being only fifteen years old. Nadine was an Omega, but she was fortunate enough to reside in the Alpha's house with a few other lucky individuals. Her father had become Gamma van de Alpha since January of the previous year, chosen by Heath himself.

'I can see your neck is still unmarked,' Nadine said cautiously. Rue nodded in response to her friend's unspoken question.

‘So you’re not fated?’ she continued, while knowing better. For most women in our pack, being chosen by a powerful Alpha would be an honour beyond belief - something they'd dreamed of and more than willing to take on, chosen or fated. Most wouldn’t even care... but the same did not apply to Rue. ‘That’s a shame,’ Nadine continued, saying the exact opposite of how Rue felt. Or at least how Naya felt.

‘Do not let the disappointment ruin your birthday,’ the redheaded girl tried to turn her friend’s frown upside down. ‘You’re eighteen now. And we have a huge pack. You might find your mate today, after all. Who knows?’

Rue forced herself to smile back at her enthusiastic friend.

'Who knows,’ she repeated her last two words. She knew Nadine made a fair point. It truly could be that she will find her mate today. But the thought filled her with dread. Finding her soulmate would mean his downfall or, at the very least, serious injury at the hands (or paws) of Heath. She wasn't convinced anyone in the Sullivan Pack could defeat the Alpha.

After I defeat your soulmate, whoever it may be, you will become mine. Whether you are Fated or not, Heath had said to her. The thought left her with a flurry of questions and confusion. Was their electric connection a sign? Had she been sending the wrong signals? Was it Naya perhaps, that sent out wrong signals? Maybe even her birthday was wrong, and she wasn't officially eighteen yet. Perhaps what she felt was the spark that would ignite in the future...

No mate, Naya sternly reminded her. Rue tried not to pout.

With one last tug of the mannequin, Nadine finally positioned it in front of her. Rue could scarcely believe her eyes, as she beheld an exquisitely crafted, multi-layered gown that shimmered with all shades between aquamarine and sapphire blue. Tiny sparkles adorned the dress like countless stars twinkling in the night sky- although there were most likely faux gems… Their effect was still dazzling enough to take her breath away.

She had picked it together with her parents just a few months ago. It was supposed to serve as part of what marked both entrance into adulthood and meeting potential mates, during her coming-of-age party tomorrow evening.

But now? Now she did not even want to leave her room.

None of the boys or men here seemed to fit the bill and none of them could even hope to win a one-on-one combat with the strongest Alpha she had ever seen. She'd grown up with them all, dated some, but none had gotten much further than second base.

'You seem rather pale,' Nadine observed, approaching Rue and placing a hand on her forehead. 'Do you feel unwell? Would you like some water?'

Rue shook her head. There was only one thing she wanted now. 'I want to run,' she said with a soft smile. She knew it was a strange urge, especially since she had just returned from a pack run that had been extremely satisfying. But nothing made her as calm and relaxed as being able to transform into her wolf form and become one with nature.

'But your parents are waiting for you,' Nadine replied in surprise.

'And there's no one better at distracting them than you,' Rue winked at her red-haired friend. She jumped up and kissed her on the cheek. 'You always come up with something.' As she walked to the window, she said, 'I'm brushing my teeth. Or wash my neck, for my soul mate. Or maybe I'm just so sad that I'm not Heath's mate that I don't want to leave my bed at this hour. That I wish to sleep, and that I will see them in the morning. I mean, it's a strange custom for parents to see their child right after midnight. It's not like either one of them is my mate.'

'But you just ran with the pack, why would you want to run again?'

‘Just… distract them, until the morning. Okay?’ She did not want to fight Nadine for her freedom, but she understood why she was so surprised. She should want to sleep. Prepare for her party tomorrow. She should feel excited, because any day now she could find her mate.

Yes, but it could also take years. That was the downside.

With a final wink and a sudden leap, she escaped through the open window, as she had done countless times before. She heard Nadine call her name, but pretended not to. Without folding her clothes neatly, she quickly got out of them and transformed into her wolf. The sight of the full moon made Naya want to howl, but she caught herself just in time. No one was supposed to know they had left... Something that would be hard enough without Naya warning everyone with a loud howl because of her bright white fur without spots, dots or stripes, which seemed almost fluorescent in the illuminating light of the full moon.

They ran as fast as their four legs could carry them. When they reached a distance that Naya felt confident enough to, she let out a heartbreaking howl. Looking for her partner... But Rue knew it was in vain. They ran, and ran, and ran. Further than they had ever gone before, in one night. On an open plain in the middle of an unknown forest, they found a small lake and stopped to drink. The moonlight reflected on the sparkling surface, making them feel calm and welcome.

Fear coursed through their veins as a chorus of menacing growls surrounded them. They desperately searched for an escape, but it seemed there was no way out... It became clear that this was not just any random place - they had invaded someone else's territory. But... they were in a truce with all neighboring territories. Why were they now fearing for their lives?

Rue's fear peaked when she saw Naya cringe in anticipation of their attackers' next move. Wolves appeared from all sides, each one bigger and more fearsome than the last. Sharp teeth and claws threatened their every move, and Rue yelped in pain as they sliced through her skin. If it weren't for Naya's agility, they would never have been able to flee from their unknown enemies.

As they fled, Rue's legs pounded the ground, every step more urgent than the last. She knew it was a race for her life, and she relied on her speed to stay alive. Despite her disadvantages - a bright white coat that was easily spotted, and a small size that made her vulnerable - her agility and swiftness were saving her life.

Finally, as she entered Sullivan territory, her pursuers stopped in their tracks, as if blocked by an invisible barrier. As she looked back at them, every wolf barked and growled, but they didn't dare to cross the border. Was it fear of her Alpha, Heath, or was the Sullivan pack's power even greater than she imagined?

A chilling howl echoed in the distance, sending shivers down her spine. Without a second thought, she raced towards her pack's villa, ignoring her wounds and the pain that accompanied them. all she could think about was getting home safely to the comfortable sight of her pack's villa, in the very distant distance. She tried not to be slowed down by her wounds.