by Alana Dyer
The border is just a few feet away from me waiting to accept me into the unknown and escape this cruel fate given to me. If I denounce my status as a member of Pinepaw I will become a rogue and so will the pup inside me. I know what I have to do. Slowly I walk towards the border, my toes just on the line as I feel the power rushing through my sneakers.
“I, Laina Starcrest, denounce my membership of this pack and henceforth become a rogue till I find my mate or a new pack to call my own.” I take a step over the border and feel the snap as the connection to the pack breaks. Since my pup is only just conceived it would have no ties to any pack until I join one. I smile and continue to run moving where ever is farthest from my old life. I would miss my cousin and his mate as well as Alex, Mathew and Milly but I needed to do what was right for me, for the little one inside me.
I needed to find a place where there is no Breeder status and be free once again.
Chapter 7
Four Month Later...
The sounds of their howls were closer than the last time. I was slower than when I first escape Pinepaw with my now protruding stomach filled with them, the twins. But for their sake I will keep going, I have to keep going. Currently I was in no man’s territory where rogues like me bounce from town to town trying to find a place we belong. It’s a place where rogues are supposed to be safe but my pursuers tell me otherwise. The sounds of town life reach my sensitive ears from the safety of the forest trees and I try my best to run faster. Just a few more kilometers and I will be safe from my pursuers, from the wolves of Pinepaw that are just a stone throw away from me.
I can hear the sounds of both wolves and humans now chasing me, realizing that some have shifted; probably to make it easier to try and persuade me to come back. Hell has a better chance of freezing over than me going back to Pinepaw.
“Don’t hurt her, she is carrying my pup.” Sam calls out to the wolves behind him. He knows I am pregnant, most of my old pack knows actually and I guess Alex never had a chance to dispose of the pregnancy test. But no one understands why I would run away from Pinepaw, run from being a Breeder. I left everything behind to protect my pups. I may be sixteen but I know what is right and what is wrong. Being hunted and chased by these wolves is wrong. Being forced to accept my Alpha’s seed and produce his heir is wrong. Becoming a Breeder is wrong. Everything Pinepaw did leading to this moment is wrong. It is because of all these wrongs that I ran and will keep on running.
The safe heaven I call the town line finally comes into view bringing renewed hope into my being as I take the chance to pick up speed and rush into the safety net. I feel some resistance at first as if some invisible force is trying to keep me out but I keep pushing forward and soon I am safely across, relief causing my nerves to settle down. With a smug grin I turn around to face my pursuers slowly walking backwards as I take in each of their faces.
“You will never have this pup and I will never be a part of your pack again.” I growl out at Sam, wrapping my arms around my stomach protectively as I continue to walk backwards. So far he only knows about one pup and I would be damned if I let him learn that I am carrying twins.
“Look Laina, we can talk, just come back to the pack.” Sam pleads his body nervous as he keeps looking around. Something is off about him but then again I have a feeling that Sam isn’t playing with a full deck of cards in his mind and that he hasn't had a right and stable mind for a while.
“How about no.” I smile triumphantly and turn on my heels walking down the road towards the town. I could hear Sam and his warriors calling out to me. They were begging me to return back to them and to stop walking to town - I ignore them all. I knew they just wanted me back because of the pups inside me believing I am only carrying one. I am in no mood for their tricks and mind games. Instead I want a poutine.
I travel along the side of the road, coming up on the side walk when I find one and take in the forest that surrounds the roads. It is a nice walk and not having to worry about being pursued for the time being makes it easier to enjoy the fall coloured forest. I enter the small town with my two duffle bags and keep an eye out for anything that had poutine. Many of the places were commercial restaurants like McDonalds and Tim Horton’s but neither of them could give me the satisfaction I needed. Then I see it, grinning like the Cheshire cat when the colours of red and white checkerboard sign of a vintage Dinner appears like some form of Messiah. With lighter steps I walk into the small place and sit at a booth, placing my bags beside me and taking out my wallet and placing the warn out leather object beside me on the table.
“Long day?” I jump when a waitress quietly comes up on the other side, her face sympathetic as she takes in my tired appearance and worn down bags. I take in her pristine white apron, her brunette hair pulled into a large bun on top of her head and a short long-sleeved checkerboard dress complimenting her figure perfectly with the red high heels.
“Very, being pregnant is hard work.” This gets the girl laughing and I couldn’t help but smile. It felt nice talking to someone not trying to capture you.
“I have three of my own, so I know the feeling. Do you know what you’re having?” The waitress’ friendliness brings whatever frazzled nerves I have remaining down to a calmness I've missed. Being on the run for four months of my pregnancy took its toll on me.
“Twins, that’s all I can tell you.” The waitress nods and flips open her book, taking the pencil from behind her ear.
“So what do you want darling?”
“Poutine with extra cheese, a vanilla milkshake and plain cheese cake please.” She smiles at my order.
“That’s what I got all the time when I was pregnant with my kids. It’ll be ready in a few.” With that she leaves to ring in my order and I heave another sigh -something I have found myself doing since running away - relaxing in the booth. From what I can tell from my walk into town, this small town is quiet and it looks like my old pack couldn’t come here. It is a paradise in a world of darkness that sends a light of hope just made for me.
“What do you think of living here?” I ask my protruding stomach, rubbing it gently and smiling when I feel some movements.
“Yeah, I like the idea too.” I laugh out. The idea that I have found a place I can call home and raise my babies in has my eyes watering with tears of joy. Pack or no pack I will make it on my own and raise these babies and if being in this town means I can do so here then so be it. I felt safe the moment I crossed the town line and this feeling of being safe is what I need in my life.
“Talking to yourself?” The same waitress returns and sets my milkshake down in front of me with a friendly smile. I couldn’t help but reach for the creamy goodness and inhale it, quenching my thirst.
“I figured you were thirsty so I brought two for you.” She sets a second glass down and I smile gratefully at her.
“Thank you.” I say, reaching for the glass and setting my empty one aside.
“No problem darling. Now-“ She stops midsentence to sit down across from me, folding her hands on the table and looking me right in my eyes her posture showing how serious she is.
“What is a rogue doing here on my pack’s territory?” I freeze with her words, fear taking hold and sniff the air, smelling her carefully. My eyes wide when I finally take in her sent and learn that she too is a werewolf.
“It’s not what you think. I was running away from my old pack.” I state and she just stares at me with squinted eyes, not believing a word I say. But as a rogue I know that trying to convince anyone of my innocence will be difficult.
“Your pack probably has Breeders like mine and I was forced to be one so I ran.” I continue my explanation hoping to gain her sympathy and help to settle down. I am tired of running and need a place to safely raise my pups.
“Breeders are illegal now. The Great Elders told all Alphas this new law two years ago.” The waitress nearly shouts and I am happy that there is only one other person here in the dining area of the Dinner and he had disappeare
d to what I assume is the washroom a while ago.
“B-but that’s impossible. The pack I am running from always had twenty at a time.” I exclaim my brows furrowed in confusion. If Breeders are illegal now then why did Sam continue it?
“Listen, I am calling my Alpha. Then we are going to get the Elders and we are setting that pack straight. Don’t worry about paying for your food, it’s on the house. You have been through a lot already and you need a break. If you need anything, go to the counter and ask for Eeva, that’s me, and I will come see what I can do.” Eeva offers me a smile as her once suspicious eyes turn to ones filled with sympathy and sadness for me. Her hand reaches out for mine and squeezes it in a reassuring way filling me with all the hope I had lost over four months ago.
“O-okay.” I stutter slightly as Eeva stands and leaves me alone to my thoughts as she disappears to what I assume is an office hopefully calling her Alpha. I put my wallet away and sip at the milkshake, sighing slightly. What had happen to me was illegal and yet it still happened. The thought that I was forced to be bred like an animal for someone's own gain causes a shudder to go down my spine. I spent several days in a drug induced state for something that was abolished two years ago. Another waitress takes me away from my swirling thoughts placing my meal on the table. I thank her before I dig in, savouring the warmth of the poutine. I was almost done when the door to the Dinner opens and the bell above chimes at the arrival of a new comer. The scent of an unfamiliar male floods the Diner causing small tingles to run down my spine.
“Alpha Tate this way.” Eeva’s voice rings clear through the Dinner and my eyes widen. The reason why Sam had been terrified earlier stands just inside the door to the Diner and dread settles inside me once more for the umpteenth times this month. I am in Bloodsvain territory and he was the Blood Alpha, the man who slaughters packs that anger him, who is possessive over the she-wolves he dates. He is mateless and feared by everyone. The Alpha of this pack – Tate Randall-Silvermoon.
I feel the power radiating off of the Alpha, feeling it get closer and envelope me as they near my booth. Shivers continue to run down my spine some are shivers of fear but the rest are an unknown feeling that I couldn't put my finger on. The Alpha’s scent wraps around me causing my body to unconsciously relax even though part of me wanted to run away and move on to a new town.
“Alpha, this is the girl I told you about on the phone earlier.” Slowly I stand and turn to face her Alpha, my head bowed in submission. I am on his territory and need to show that I am not a threat if I want him to help me.
“You don’t have to be afraid.” His voice is gentle, something I did not expect from the infamous Blood Alpha whose hands have been covered in blood on multiple occasions. So is his touch as his fingers lightly touches under my chin while he raises my head, causing me to look him in the eye. My eyes widen in shock as sparks of electricity trails from his fingertips, down from where his skin touches mine and right to my toes. My breath is caught in my throat when I see his dark green coloured orbs staring back into my own and a trace of possessiveness flickers through his gaze.
“Mate.” He growls out pulling me closer to his body, barely giving me time to press my hands against his chest to leave some room for my protruding baby bump.
Tate be careful, she is pregnant.” Eeva warns only to get a possessive growl from the Alpha who holds me like some delicate porcelain. I feel his arms release me for a moment, only to watch as Tate moves my bags to the other side of the booth and sits down, pulling me down carefully beside him and wrapping a protective arm around my shoulders.
“Don’t be so possessive.” I state boldly, glaring at the wolf before me and hating how within our first meeting he stakes his claim on me as if we were a bunch of barbaric beings.
“I can and I will. You are mine.” He retorts back with, a bemused expression on his face as if what he says is the right answer.
“I belong to no one.” We both glare at each other for a moment neither of us wanting to back down as the idea of him staking his claim on me rubs me the wrong way. Not realizing that Eeva had disappeared till she returns to the booth, she breaks us out of our staring contest with more milkshakes and a tray full of pastries and cookies that she slams onto the table to gather our attention.
“Look here, this girl is pregnant and already had a rough day. Now baby bro, let her be for now.” Tate growls at her words and she growls back just as threateningly. The power of two Alphas cascade over me but I smile as I grab another vanilla milkshake and a chocolate tart with Tate's arms loosened from around me while Eeva distracts his attention away from me. The two stare at each other for a moment linking each other while I continue to eat the treats before me. I guess Eeva won whatever silent argument they were having as she sends a smile my way and takes my hands in her own giving me a concerned smile.
`“Now sweetheart what’s your name?” She asks. I could feel Tate’s eyes on me, waiting patiently to learn his mate’s name. I guess if I wanted help - especially from these two wolves - I would have to speak.
“My name is Laina Starcrest, I came from Pinepaw pack under-“
“Samuel Lightran’s rule.” I nod as Tate finishes my sentence, hearing him growl loudly. Something inside me tells that Sam and Tate have a history that most likely ended badly.
“He knew about the new law and didn’t stop Breeders. Tell me, whose pups you are carrying.” I stay silent and look down at my hands, tears forming in my eyes. They asked me where am from and I answered - I did not expect for some Alpha with a high and mighty attitude to start demanding things from me. I feel shame bubbling inside me. I had wanted to give my first everything to my mate from my first kiss to my first time. Now would Tate stay with me knowing that I was forced to be a Breeder and pregnant with another wolf’s pups?
“I said tell me!” He bangs his fists on the table in anger and I flinch, the tears now falling down my face. I couldn’t bring myself to tell him but I knew deep down I had too. Tate deserves to know the truth.
“Tate you’re scaring her. I thought you said she is your mate.” Eeva scolds the angry Alpha beside me and sense her move from across the table where she sat to my side and pull me into a hug. My body shakes as sobs wreak havoc through me and the protective feeling that comes from the she wolf beside me gives me the courage to speak.
“They’re his. He forced himself on me to have heirs.” I whisper through the sobs, feeling both of them stiffen. I knew this information must be shocking even for a normal wolf as a rule to the Breeder is that the Alpha is forbidden to take part in producing pups. Soon I spill the details of four months ago and what the Doctor and Sam did to me. I found myself situated in Tate’s lap unbeknownst to me of when I was moved, my hands clutching his shirt as I slowly take in his scent that seems to calm my nerves.
“I’m going to-“ He begins saying through clenched teeth, his hands tightening their hold around my pregnant body.
“Take Laina to your house and get her settled and clean. Then we contact the Council and deal with this situation the right way. You know you can’t slaughter the pack till they give you the go ahead.” Eeva cuts her brother off, giving him a warning glare that I catch from the corner of my tear filled eyes. This time I stiffen and I pull away from Tate to look him in the eye, fear for those I care being at the hands of his mercy taking hold.
“Not everyone is bad. Some of the warriors refused to take part in it and others helped me escape. Like my cousin and his mate, the one warrior who guarded me and his half-brother and sister-in-law. You can’t kill them all.” Even I could tell I am begging with my desperate attempt at trying to protect those I care about, but I had to beg. I couldn’t let the innocent die because of my escape. Tate relaxes against me, pulling my head to rest on his shoulder and playing with my hair.
“Make a list of who were good to you and the other breeders that you know of and they can join the pack in the end. Wolves with families will be left alone. The warriors who love partaking
in the breeding will die and so will Samuel - that’s a promise Laina.” I feel his arms tighten around me. For once in a long, long time I felt safe. I felt protected and the thought of letting this male who seems to have more mood swings than I - a pregnant woman- has in a day protect me seems to be something I can consider.
“Now let’s get you home and relaxed. You need a good rest with what you've been through.” He adds, pulling away and smiling at me the most amazing smile ever. I couldn’t help but be engrossed by Tate while I nod agreeing with him.
“Okay.” I smile back shyly hearing him chuckle at my reaction, letting me slide out of the booth as he takes my bags and begins to lead me out of the Dinner; one hand places protectively at the small of my back. Maybe being his mate isn’t such a bad thing after all.
“Wait, take these.” Once again I hadn’t noticed Eeva slip away but she held out a bag with boxes inside and I smelt the delicious treats. She truly is an angel sent to help me in my time of need.
“Tomorrow we can go shopping if you want.” She adds and for once I was happy to have come here.
“Can it wait till I get her settled in?” Tate asks, his eyes going between me and his sister. I see a tinge of jealousy in his voice and try my best to stifle my laughter but fail as giggles erupt from my mouth.
“Sure, get some rest Laina.” I hug my Eeva, new friend, and follow Tate out the door towards a black jeep; getting into the passenger side and letting him drive me to where ever ‘home’ is. The prospect of belonging to a pack once again filling me with a sense of security I lost in Pinepaw.
