the Mistake

the Mate

Today my guards decided to wake me up with a nice bath. They chucked buckets of freezing water all over me. To think they would go easy on me since it was my birthday after all. “Rise and shine mutt, breakfast better be ready in 10 minutes or you’ll get a nice birthday present,” they cackle together. This is usually how my days started, but at least i had school to escape most of it.

Rushing clumsy up the stairs, I rummage through the cabinets. I decided on a simple cookie on each of their plates, I didn't care anymore. I have been planning my escape today, plus I’ll find my mate. I could hear movement all throughout the house, now is the time Willona. My wolf was right, time to leave this wretched place we called our pack.

We were always taught how bad it is to be a rogue. That you needed a pack to survive or you’ll go delusional and crazy. That packs are families that protect and care for eachother. So far everyone in this pack had never done that. They always chose to beat and tourture me, because of something I can't ever remember. 

Some say it's I that killed Luna, but i never remember it. When I ask if it’s true my beatings end up ten times worse. I sometimes dream of holding this alluring woman in my arms and weeping for her. I can never place who she is, I ask but to no answer. I wish I dig more into who I am, but im never aloud to step foot in the archive room.

I must’ve been so immersed in my thoughts, I didn't realize that I was already to the school. At least I could see my one and only friend, Arabella, she is from a neighboring pack. Alway tries to get me to come and join, she’s the only one not from the Silver Lining Pack that knew about how I was treated. Today I may take her up on the offer, unless it starts a war with our packs. I would never forgive myself for that.

“Hey honey bunches, happy 18th here,” she was practically bouncing with excitement and handed me my gift. Quickly unwrapping it I see it’s a crescent moon with a wolf on it, in the wolf's eye was my birthstone. “Thank you so much, I absolutely love it.” I was almost crying when she put it on me. It looked like the one I had on in a dream long ago.

Just then I catch a whiff of vanilla and hot coco, it smelled so amazing mate….mate….MATE….. WE FOUND MATE! Volva was howling and prancing in my head, then suddenly stopped and retreated to the back of my mind. “Arabella, I caught my mates scent but Volva isn't coming out, what could this mean.” This has never happened, your always supposed to be happy with your mate. I wonder what is wrong, everything feels off and I have a horrible feeling. 

“Willona something is really wrong then.” She begins to look around warily. Just then I locked eyes with none other than my Alpha, and sadly my mate. The man who beat me to no end is my destined mate. What sick joke is the Moon goddess playing at? “Arabella its my Alpha...he’s my… my...I can’t even say it.” I just wanted to run, far from here, far from him. 

He stalked his way over like a predator hunting his prey. “I Mikkel Alexandros reject you, Willona Tungl, as my mate and Luna.” As soon as the words fell from his snarl, my legs buckled and my world was shattered. He didn’t even try to help me or anything just stared. “You will also stay in the mansion, do anything and everything your told. We’ll see on the beatings.” with that he turned and strutted off. 

“Arabella, I’m leaving, thank you for being my friend and caring for me. This is goodbye for now, but not forever. I’ll drop letters off at our secret place and keep in touch. I love you my friend,” thats all I could manage to say as I turned and began running. My first stop is to retrieve my records, I’m going to find my family. The second will be wherever the wind shall carry me.

Thankfully when I arrived at the mansion it was empty. I could get what I needed and leave without any problems. I reached the fourth floor in record time. I’ve never been aloud on this floor, it’s known as the Alpha quarters. It hurt a little smelling his scent, but I’ve accepted his rejection. After what felt like ages I reached the archives. 

Sadly I only knew my first name so I went with that. You know it used your last name in the rejection right? This is the first time she’s spoken since it happened. I put in my last name and finally got it. For some reason my file was put at the very farthest cabinet by itself. As soon as my fingers graze it I heard the front door smashed open. Well it’s my time to escape.

Quickly scribbling on a note, “I Willona Tungl accept your rejection.” With that I jumped from the window, shifting in mid air. Volva surged the front of my mind and dashed through the woods. She wasn't like other wolves, she was the size of an Alpha and pure snow coat. She is also stronger than most wolves, but they’d always use wolfbane. That was until today, we were strong due to no beatings.

I could hear the snarls and growls from about twenty yards back. Run Volva run, we need away from them. Give me full control, I’ve got this. With that a relinquished all control to her hoping she was right. Next thing I know, a white light blurs around us. I felt us leave the pack border over an hour ago, but she’s still moving fast.

The more distance we put between us and Mikkel, the better Willona. She was right, he’d keep hunting us down so we need a good head start. When darkness fell, we were several states north. The goal was to hit canada by two days time. In my file it stated, I lived in a pack known a White Dawn Pack. They were my home, and hopefully they’ll accept us. 

Volva gave me control once we hit what looks like a waterfall that turns into a lake. She had been hunting so I was thinking over what needed to be done. We had traveled from Louisiana to Kansa so far. We had to travel through three more U.S states and four Canadian states. 

Walking around I spotted a small entrance in the waterfall. Trotting over we decided to mask our sent in the water. It was a little smaller than I expected, but it will do. We stayed in wolf form to keep warm. Goodnight, we will get through this, we are strong, I know, goodnight Volva. 

Willona give me control, there’s some rouges about a mile out. Do you want to fight them or run. Do what you think needs done, is all I said as I moved to the back of my mind. At this point I was numb and didn’t mind what happened. Volva of course was in a haze of anger, so she wanted a fight. I blame it all on our dumb mate, mates are supposed to love and care for their mates. Not him though, all he ever did was cause us pain.

Once again I was into my thoughts to even pay attention. There were five rouges laying all across the ground. Volva made a sickening decision to position them in Mikkel’s initials, MA. We were hoping he’d find this and know he’s the cause of the blood thirsty wolf we were becoming.

Pulling the map from my bag I realize there is a town two miles from me. The town is like a little homey town, if it wasn’t for the dominant smell of humans I’d think it was a pack village. “Welcome To Goodland” , seems like a great town. I don’t have any money so I should Stay here for a while. 

“Sally’s Bed & Breakfast” we could stay here, and maybe they’d give us a job. The whole town has a homey feel, This could be home for a while. I couldn’t agree more with Volva, he spoke the words I felt. I just have to remember not to get attached, we’ll have to leave this place in a month or so.

“Hello hun, I’m sally, how can I help you?” A nice looking middle aged woman said. She had a motherly feel and I could see she is a genuinely happy woman. “Yes, I’d like a room, and perhaps a place to work. I come from a few states over and don’t have much.” I shouldn’t have said as much as I should, but I felt I could open up to this woman. Remember Willona, don’t get attached, we need to leave soon. My wolf was sadly right. Even if I did stay, these people couldn’t take on a pack of wolves.

She slowly eyed me, looking for any clues. “How good are you at cooking? I’ll let you stay here for free, if you help in the kitchen.” Now I’m thankful that I did most of the cooking in the pack. “Yes ma'am, I’d be happy to help with anything I can.” I’m overjoyed that she's going to work with and let me work as payment. 

“Joey, just in time, show this young lady to her room.” I noticed a boy around my age walk in the room and glanced at me. “I’m Willona by the way, nice to meet you.” reaching my hand out to sally and then I’m guessing her son Joey. They both seem oddly comfortable with being around me, almost as if they know what I am. That would be impossible though, right? Willona I’m getting the same feeling, but I trust them. 

I was lead to the fourth floor of the surprisingly big house. On the outside I could’ve sworn it was only two-story house, but it just keeps expanding. We stopped in front of a beautiful red wood door, upon opening it I was met with a beyond amazing sight. The whole room was red wood and crystals. They we handing from each of the poles on the four poster bed and across the headboard and window seals. 

“This is absolutely beautiful, but what is with all of the crystals.” I questioned out of curiosity. I haven’t seen anyone use crystals besides a witch that once healed me. She was in the cell next to mine and she sobbed as she saw my beatings. “Um...their um… a hobby of the family.” He was lying but I wouldn’t push him any. I'll find out eventually. 

“When should I be down to help your mom.” I was hoping to at least get in a shower, but I only had the clothes I had on. Maybe there was some in the room. “My mom said be down whenever you're ready, my sister Kasey will be bringing you some clothes. Your the same size and I'm guessing you don't have much clothes. I'm no meaning to make you feel bad or anything, I promise!” 

I guess he could see how my face fell when he said that. He was right though, I was only able to pack a map and my records. We had to rely on Volva to hunt, but that also helped her. I was just about to break down in front of him, when this smaller girl ran in with bags of clothes. 

This must be his sister, she seems sweet and adorable. This whole family so far makes me feel at home, I'm not sure if that's a bad thing or a good thing. “So I may have went shopping, I hope you liked what I picked. I got shorts and sundresses.” She was jumbling over her words, in turn made me giggle out.

To this she stopped and smiled. “Thank you so much for this, I will repay you I promise.” I vowed her. I will repay them, I've only been here for a couple hours and they've opened their home and spent money on me. “No no no. It's okay, I promise. I'm just excited there's another girl here besides me and Mom. Joey's friends are usually always around.” Well I take it as we're going to be friends. She suits me well if I'm honest, I couldn't agree more. Though I'm sensing there's something more to this family. Something like us but not a wolf.

What could they be if not a wolf. I'm not sure, but I'm going to find out. I want to stay here. I want to as well Volva, but we can't remember. My birth pack is far north. I know, it's just that they feel oddly of home and I'm going to really miss this. I couldn't agree more. It's for the best though, they shouldn't be brought into our mess. 

“Excuse me, Willona, you spaced out a bit. When you get dressed would you like to see the town.” Kasey seemed so shy in this moment, thinking maybe I'd turn her down. “I'd love to, so far I've only seen this place and the sign. So far I love it here,” I spoke honestly. It really was a lovely town and I wanted to explore. “I'll be down in an hour if it's okay.” All she gave in return was a wide joyous smile. 

Turning to one of the sundresses, I grabbed a mustard yellow colored one. Heading to the shower I am determined to wash away all of the sorrows away with the water. I am starting new from this point forward. No mate, no pack, no being a rouge, nothing. At least while we’re here, when we leave, I'll bring it back. The water helped ease my aching muscles and my stress. This was really need and somehow Sally and her kids knew this.

I quickly rushed down the stairs, my hour shower turned into two. I was caught up in actually being in a show and having no worries that I lost track of time. Their going to be so mad, I made a mistake and their going to kick me out. Calm, their not like our abusers, their caring. They know we’re hiding something. Their understanding I promise. I was hoping I could get out of that mind set. It’ll take time I suppose.

“Woah who’s the gorgeous lady.” A man that looked to be in his mid twenties remarked, admiring me. “Leave her be, she’s our guest. Respect her or mom will not be happy.” Joey seemed upset by this. I didn’t mean to make him upset, I am ruining this. “Willona, calm down please. I’m not mad at you I promise. I’m mad at Embrose.” I hadn’t noticed he was beside me until I felt him hug me. Immediately I caught an all too familiar scent.

“Johanna?” I never in a million years thought I’d see her again. She saved me so many years ago, and I thought she died. Her she was in all her glory, the only witch I've ever met. “Hello my dear, I see you’ve met my nephew and my son.” She stated gesturing from Joey to Embrose. “That’s why I felt so comfortable here. It’s your home and family. I have missed you so much my friend. They told me they...they…” She already had me in her arms, both of us weeping at our memories. 

“My dear, I went for you. I knew it being your 18th that you could leave. They told me the Alpha ordered your death. If it wasn’t for Arabella telling me, I would've died revenging you.” Those words tore at my heart. Someone would’ve actually cared if I passed. “Mikkel was my mate. I found my file ...I have so many questions.” My heart knew she could help me. This woman gave so much for me. “What do you mean, was.” She questioned worriedly. Everyone in the room seemed to hold their breath awaiting my answer.

 “He rejected me, and I accepted. I’ll never be that weak wolf again. We will find out the truth behind everything.” Volva and I spoke as one. I could feel something inside me awaken, and it felt powerful. Johanna was full blown grinning, with an evil twinkle in her eyes. “I think it about time you learn about your birthright and who you really are. That Alpha will regret everything he’s ever done.