Red Riding Hood's Mate

Brandon

It's been about a week since Papa told me I'm a wolf. I feel more at ease with what he told me, but I don't know if things will ever be how they were before. I'm different.

I've stopped taking the pills that Papa originally said were multivitamins. They actually dampened strength, reflexes and senses in general, so stopping taking them has made a huge difference and I feel stronger. Much stronger in fact. All my senses are sharper and I am starting to recognise other wolves and how they differ from humans.

The sun was peeking through the trees in the late afternoon and I told Mama I wanted to go to Grandma's and give her some food.

Papa has relaxed his restrictions on visiting Grandma but still says that I have to be aware of other wolves. I'm told the tablets we have before we go into the woods stop other wolves sensing that we are wolves. They are forbidden from attacking people, on punishment of death, but it seems the rules are more relaxed for other wolves, as they are defending their territory.

I got on my bike and spent some time appreciating the beauty that surrounds me- the flowers displaying an array of colours, the butterflies fluttering around decorating the air, the bees going from flower to flower, making honey. I can appreciate all the sounds and smells of the forest better each day now I'm not on those nasty pills. I'm not taking the ones to make me smell less like a wolf either. I figure we are here for a reason, and it's not Grandma.

I got off my bike by a beautiful bed of different coloured flowers and started choosing so I think Grandma will like. The different aromas were like a beautiful symphony so I tried getting lots of different ones. Then I smelled a different scent. Like sweet cinnamon and sandalwood. It was intoxicating.

I look around and I see an attractive man walking in my direction from a different path.

He is over six foot and walks confidently. His brown hair compliments his green eyes and his lips widen into a smile at me.

"Good morning beautiful." He said in a hypnotically deep voice that made me weak at the knees. He thinks I'm beautiful! There was no way he was human looking and smelling like that.

"Good morning Mr... Wolf?" I asked before I knew what I said.

He smiled a knowing smile and quickly moved his head towards me. I moved back, matching his speed.

"It looks like we both are," he said. "even if you try to hide it."

I smiled and looked down. It felt strange to be recognised as a wolf.

"What are you doing in the woods so early?" He asked, bending down slowly next to me now.

"I'm picking flowers." I said, forcing myself to look at the flowers and not stare at this man who was making my heat beat fast.

"You have food, too." He said to me, casually, but it sounded almost like he was asking what I was doing. He probably smelled the bread in the basket of my bike.

"I'm giving the food and the flowers to my Grandma." I said, completely mesmerised by his eyes.

"Does your Grandma live in the woods?" He asked, smiling.

"Yes by the clearing." I said, trying not to look in the direction of Grandma's house and completely forgetting my parents' advice not to talk to strangers.

"I'm Brandon. What's your name?" He asked. He picked a red poppy and held it in his hand.

"My friends call me Red Riding Hood." I said cautiously.

"Are you not scared of a big bad wolf?" He asked, smelling a flower and handing it to me.

"Do big bad wolves give flowers to girls they've just met?" I responded as I took it.

His hand touched mine as he gave me the flower. I felt his finger on mine and it made me hot all over. All sense of reason suddenly left my body and all I could think of was him.

I sprung up and he matched my movements. It felt too good to be comfortable. I wasn't expecting that at all.

"Mmmm." He said in a quiet purr.

"Pardon?" I asked. I didn't understand what that meant. Was he talking about the food... or me?

He looked at me and took a step towards me.

"How old are you?" He asked, stepping forward. The look in his eyes took my breath away. I felt like he was dangerous, but I struggled to move away from him. My body didn't want to cooperate.

I finally stepped back, finding my bike. I watched him to see if he would move forward again, but he didn't. I wrapped the flowers with a ribbon and put them in the basket on the front of my bike with the food.

Not old enough, I thought. Definitely not ready enough for him.

"Seventeen." I hesitated, trying to keep some distance between us now. He looked a couple of years older than me. Maybe 20 or so. But he looked strong.

"Can I get to know you?" He said, self-assuredly.

"You just called yourself a big bad wolf." I said, taking a step backwards. I was now next to the side of my bike so I got on.

Our connection was like nothing I'd ever experienced before.

"Red Riding Hood, please don't leave just yet." He was pleading with his eyes but this was so intense I felt like I had to escape.

"Where can I find you?" He called as I started riding off.

I looked over my shoulder and took him in my memory one last time before speeding up. He was crouching down again, smelling where I had been sitting.

I rode as fast as I could, but not towards my Grandma's. Although I'm sure he could've chased me without breaking a sweat, I took a longer route to make sure he couldn't track me. I liked that he didn't chase me.

"Goodbye Brandon." I said quietly. I was sure he couldn't hear me but I wanted to say his name. It felt good on my lips.

I reached Grandma's house and I knocked on her door.

Grandma opened the door and let me in. I locked the bolt on her door.

"What's wrong, my love?" Grandma asked me in a concerned voice, looking out the window.

"I met someone who said he was a wolf. He gave me a flower and when his hand brushed mine, I felt this connection. He let me go but I just want to stay here for a while before I do anything."

Her eyes grew wide but no words were spoken from her mouth.

"Do we need to call Papa?" I asked.

"No." Grandma uttered. "No need for that. Sit down and drink something. Tell me, how did it feel?" She asked, not revealing any emotions at all.

"We had a connection. There's no denying that. But it was so... intense." I admitted. "I'm happy to be away from him so I can gather my thoughts."

"You need to reject him. Wolves in these parts are nothing but trouble. They only lead to pain." Nana said gravely.

"What do you mean reject him?" I asked.

"When you turn 18, you start to sense your mate."

I had no idea what a mate was so I waited, looking confused and hoped Nana would explain.

"Your mate is a soulmate. But if you get a bad mate, it will lead to a lifetime of pain. So it's better to reject him before you turn 18 and the bond between you gets too strong."

"Was grandfather your mate?" I asked tentatively.

"Yes. He was a great partner. A strong man, an even stronger wolf, and his death almost killed me. But I had to stay strong and your Papa who had just lost his mate and three children."

"Did grandfather die in the same battle?" I asked, not knowing if I wanted to hear the answer.

Nana nodded.

"Papa knows now he should have fought the Alpha but Leon is his brother in law. Mama Jade's sister is the Crescent pack's Luna."

I looked at her confused again.

"Your uncle Leon is one of the strongest wolves in Europe. Your mother and father would have made strong and fair leaders but Papa thought he would be able to change Leon's mind. But it was pointless. Leon wouldn't listen to anyone and ruled more like a tyrant than an Alpha. Your Papa was going to fight Leon that night, but then they were attacked and your mothers death almost broke Papa. He's had to live with that regret for almost 18 years."

Nana looked broken. I didn't want her to feel unhappy, but I desperately needed answers.

"You're saying my aunt and uncle are two of the highest ranking wolves in Europe? My mother would have been as strong as them too, then."

"Your mother was a force to be reckoned with. She was smarter than both of them combined. Faster, too." Nana's tears betrayed the smile that was now withering on her face.

"So why do you think I should reject this wolf? He might not even be my mate?"

"Every single one of the wolves in this area are Leon's pack. That's why they don't attack me. But Leon doesn't like competition. If this wolf is your mate, it will bring nothing but misery to your entire family. Like your Aunt did when she didn't reject her rotten Alpha. The consequences for us all could be severe if Leon finds out who you are. I've not said you or your father are here for good reason. I don't think I could bare to bury another."

I thought to myself, big bad wolves.. No wonder they come with warnings. Grandma was scared, for what seemed like a good reason. I would have to keep my distance.