I stood at the entrance of the Alpha's tent, my restless feet betraying my anxiety as I paced back and forth waiting for the meeting to end
"How dare he summon me here and leave me hanging around like a servant". I thought to myself.
I snuck a peek inside the tent. The council members where all seated, and arguing non stop just like they always did. It was exhausting just watching them, and I couldn't help but wonder if they'd ever agreed on anything.
Derrick's eyes met mine from across the tent, I gave him a "cut it short" signal but he ignored me, instead pretending not to see me.
"Ignoring me, huh?". I muttered, clearing my throat as loud as I could before making my way into the tent completely unannounced.
"Alpha Derrick, you summoned... me". I paused, my eyes widen in fake surprise as I turned to the council members "I hope am not interrupting anything important?".
For a moment the room fell silent, all eyes looking at me with a mixture of shock and curiosity.
"I think we've covered enough grounds for today. We'll meet again after the rise of the first Luna moon". Derrick ordered, his eyes fixed on mine.
One by one, the council members made their way out of the tent until Derrick and I were left alone.
"You always know how to make an entrance don't you?". Derrick said, his voice dry and sarcastic.
I raised an eyebrow, my arms still crossed. "Why did you summon me here again?".
Derrick's eyes narrowed slightly. "I just wanted to make sure that you're not getting cold feet or maybe even thinking of backing out of that little deal of ours".
"Wait, you dragged me all the way here to talk about some stupid deal again?". I asked, my tone rising In annoyance.
"Of course". Derrick scoffed "I mean is there anything else to talk about between us?"
The mating Ceremony wasn't something any wolf, no matter the rank or status could take lightly. Once the mates are chosen, a special bond is formed between them which could only be broken by accepting or rejecting your chosen mate.
But either way, there has to be an agreement between the two mates or else, they'll both face consequences no matter where they go or how they try to escape.
The supposed 'magic' of finding a mate didn't apply to me. Instead of sparks and butterflies,
the only thing I could feel was stomach ache, from days of near starvation. And anger at the universe for throwing Derrick into my life.
"Don't worry, I'll make sure that everything goes according to plan". I said "Just make sure you hold up your end of the bargain".
I took a step back, ready to make a quick escape from the camp.
"Hold on". Derrick called, making me stop in my track, I turned back to him without saying a word.
"Sam". Derrick said softly, taking a step closer to me. I quickly took another step back, feeling a shiver run down my spine.
Why was he trying to play nice all of a sudden?
"I know we don't really see eye-to-eye, but can you really blame me?. You should know by now that every decision I make is for your own good". Derrick said, his lips curled into a sly smile.
"Wait a minute". I said, my eyes widen in disbelief. "So you're telling me that you took away my birthright, turned everyone in the pack against me, and soon I might not even have a place to call home. And you have the nerve to tell me you did it all for my own good?
"You've hated me for so many years that why you've refused to see the bigger picture. Guess that's what your father saw in you too, why he'd never consider you to take over his position".
"Bigger picture?". I repeated, my eyes boring into Derricks smug face, daring him to explain.
"Don't you get it yet?". Derrick asked "Even if you're not a threat to me now, what's to stop you from becoming one in the future, and then you'd leave me with no choice but to kill you. And then who would we blame for that?".
At that moment my entire body seemed to turn to stone. I couldn't move or say anything else. Alot of thoughts were racing through my mind at the same time.
"Was my existence really a threat to him? Even so, I shouldn't have to to die just to give him peace of mind."
Derrick's face lit up with a self satisfied smile
"You're a smart girl Sam, so if you want to make it out of this alive. Then just stick to being the good puppet that you've always been. And I promise, once this is all over, I'll
let you walk away from the pack, alive".
HIGH NOON
People often say that when the human world falls asleep, the werewolf world awakens and I couldn't agree more.
The forest of Dawn Runner pack was transformed into a breathtaking wonderland as the pack prepared for the mating ceremony.
Delicate lantern wrapped in red ribbon carefully hung on like tiny moon on the tree trunk. Colorful flowers of every kind decorating the tents. Natural crystals and gemstone, carefully placed throughout the forest path added a touch of magic to the entire atmosphere.
"I'm so gonna miss this". I muttered, giving a nostalgic sigh. The young cubs laughed and danced playfully under the moonlight. While, the young ladies strolled arm-in-arm, gossiping and giggling about who would be the lucky wolf chosen to be the Alpha's mate. Others were busy making last minutes preparations determined to look their absolute best for the big night.
A part of me wanted to scream out loud, to confess that I was the one who had been chosen to be the mate of that two timing fraud and that there was absolutely nothing lucky about it.
But I couldn't do it, escaping from this nightmare and saving my own skin was far more important to me than getting back at those who hurt me.
"Hang in there Sam. Just one more day and you'll be free forever". I reassured myself, following the long and lonely path that lead to my aunt Catherine's.