Chapter One

The entire forest sounded as though it knew my thoughts. Not a single bird was chirping.  I kept my head down as I ran. I could hear them getting closer, they were closing in around me. “Faster!” I yelled at myself. I had to get away, to be caught would be like death. My paws dug into the soft ground throwing bits of mud behind me as I ran. I could feel them getting closer, run! Don’t stop. As I reached the clearing, a large grey wolf jumped in front of me, his lips curled back revealing his razor-sharp teeth.

            I ran forward towards the wolf, nothing would stop me, I would survive just like I always did. I leaped forward crashing into the snarling wolf. Teeth and fur were all I could see. He whimpered as I sank my teeth into his leg. I could taste the warm blood as it squirted into my mouth. He let out a pained whimper but kept fighting.

            The other wolves who were chasing me caught up. They stopped and stood watching the battle before them. We continued to bite and claw each other. As the other wolf lunged at me again, I ducked, and he sailed over me. As he landed trying to get his bearings, I jumped on him causing him to flip and land on his back. This was it, my chance. I lunged at him before he realized what was happening, I pinned him to the ground and held his throat with my teeth.

Someone grabbed me from behind. “Come on, you win, again. Now let him up.” The familiar voice was my Beta. He was always telling me to go easy on my warriors. As I stood up, I shifted into my human form, the anger evident on my face.

            “Why did you stop me? I wasn’t going to kill him!” I could feel my annoyance at being stopped before teaching this warrior a lesson.

            Barrett smiled knowing he was going to get an earful about this. “Ok, I know you wouldn’t but, I think the warriors need a break. He gestured at the tired-looking men standing behind him. They had all shifted and thrown on shorts. They were muddy and sweaty; they resembled a group of soldiers returning from battle. I rolled my eyes.

            “How can we be sure our territory is safe if I can still get away every time?” I snarled.

            “Myla, they are the best-trained warriors in the world. Now please, put some clothes on.”

I looked down realizing I was still stark naked. “Fine. Bunch of wimps.” All my warriors were looking down. “You would think they have never seen me naked before,” I rolled my eyes in annoyance as I pulled my sports bra over my head and slipped on a pair of shorts. I spun around looking at them, “You are all dismissed. You did good but, tomorrow, we will go over the places we need more work.” With that, I waved my hand to dismiss them. Turning back to Barrett, I caught him snickering. “Something funny?” I snap still annoyed that he interrupted my training exercise.

“Alpha, you need to go easy on them sometimes. They are the greatest warriors of any pack.”

“Yeah, I know but they are only the best because I have made them that way.” I knew he was right but, I couldn’t let him know that. Barrett and I have been best friends since we were pups. He is as loyal as they come. When I became Alpha of my pack, it was only natural that he become my Beta. “Tomorrow, we will only do 20 miles instead of the usual 30, that should give them a rest.”

“Man, I pity whoever it may be that is your mate. If you are this hard on your warriors, I can only imagine how you will be to the man the Moon Goddess made for you.” Barrett laughed as he shook his head.

“Says you!” I snapped back. “You found your mate and look; she is your boss!” I chuckle at the expression on his face. My friend Jade had always had such a huge crush on Barrett growing up. She had always seemed a bit jealous of our relationship. When we turned 18, many people thought Barrett would be my mate. I knew he wasn’t. It would have been too weird if he was. When we had gone to find Jade, like we always did, Barrett nearly lost his mind when he found her scent. ‘Mate,’ he had yelled and taken off to find the source of the scent. I had followed behind wanting to see who it was that he was tracking. When he stopped at Jade and they looked at each other, I couldn’t have been happier. They both shouted ‘Mate!’ before locking lips. I shook my head as I thought about that day. I was truly happy for them both. Jade had always been like a sister to me. Barrett knew she had always had a crush on him, he had always liked her too, so it was a perfect match when they ended up being mates. That was 3 years ago. They have been inseparable since.

Barrett’s voice brought me out of my thoughts. “You know, Jade and I, we are trying to have a pup.” He looked down as if he had just said something to insult me.

“That is amazing news!” I was genuinely happy for them. Barrett would be such an awesome dad and Jade is destined to be a mother.

Barrett’s face lit up. “Thank the Goddess you are happy for us, I was worried you would be,” his voice trailed off as though he was afraid to finish his thought.

“Jealous? You were afraid I would be jealous, right?” I shot him a warning glance.

“Well, it’s just that, you know, you are Alpha and well, you still haven’t found your mate.” I could feel the worry rolling off him in waves.

“Of course, I am not jealous! Finding my mate has never been a priority for me, you know that better than anyone.” I did want to find my mate but, I would never tell him that. I could just imagine what would happen. He would have any unmated males found and brought here to see if they could be my mate. The entire pack wanted me to find my mate. I think they secretly hoped it would mellow me out, make me a bit less intense and less interested in training. Boy, are they wrong. Finding my mate was not a high priority because I had more important duties to attend to. Leading my pack and making sure they were trained properly is at the top of my list. I said goodbye to Barret and headed up to the packhouse. Barrett heading away. Being my Beta and best friend, I had a house built within the pack lands for Jade and Barrett as a wedding gift. Being werewolves, we didn’t need to do the whole wedding ceremony thing. We marked and mated each other which was all we needed but, we liked to celebrate by having a “wedding”. It was just an excuse for a big party. Who doesn’t like a party?

When I reached the packhouse, I could hear the commotion from inside. “Her breasts look better than ever,” one guy said.

Another responded, “Don’t forget that ass!”

“Too bad Barrett missed his chance!” another chuckled.

I stood there, the anger pouring off me like waves crashing into the shore in a storm. I ripped open the door causing everyone to freeze. The silence which followed was deafening.

My eyes changed from their brilliant green to the freighting amber of my wolf and then back again. “Who are you talking about?” I asked through gritted teeth. Everyone in the room stayed silent. “Tell me!!” I roared loud enough to cause everyone present to bear their necks to me, a sign of submission amongst us wolves. I stalked forward as if I may kill each one. I grabbed the closest one, lifting him off the ground by his shirt. “Who are you talking about?” I demanded holding him off the ground.

“Um, ah, we were,” he dropped his head scared to speak. “We weren't talking about anyone,” he stammered.

I dropped him to the ground. “Why? Why do you keep going back to this?” I didn’t bother to hide my irritation. Of course, they said they weren't talking about anyone. They always did when I caught them talking about me. I stepped back from the wolf still on the floor, afraid to move. “Fine, have your fun,” I growled at them. Let’s see how much fun it is tomorrow when you do fifty miles!” I sneered as I turned to leave.

I headed up the stairs to my suite. I had the top floor of the packhouse all to myself. I slammed the door and stalked off towards my room. I stripped off my sweaty clothes and headed straight for the shower. A while later, I lay in my bed still angry but willing sleep to come.

Reiner’s POV

Why was this so difficult? I didn’t want some stupid whore in my bed. I wanted my mate. None of these whores would ever measure up to her, I was sure of it.

“Alpha, please.” She begged.

Man, I hate beggars. “No. Get out!” I roared using my alpha tone. The girl standing naked before me shook.  I could smell her fear as I watched her grab her clothes and bolt out the door. I slammed the door behind her. I would have to have a “chat” with my second tomorrow. I walked to my bed and ripped the sheets off. They smelled like whore. Going to my closet, I grabbed the extra set I kept there for these times. I threw them on the bed and set to work making it feel like my bed again. I fluffed up my pillows and plopped down. I yanked the covers up still fuming from tonight’s events. He would pay for this.

The next day, I threw on my favorite pair of basketball shorts before heading down to find my Beta. Chase was seated next to the window as always. He looked up and smiled seeing me walking towards him.

“Hey, did you get the gift I sent you?” he asked, a sly grin spread across his face.

“Yeah, I got it,” I said in a low tone.

“Well? How was it?” he asked looking hopeful.

“It was nothing. It didn’t happen. I had to change the sheets to get rid of the stink.” I glared at him.

He looked down, pushing his breakfast around the plate. “Sorry Alpha. A couple of the guys and I thought it was time you found someone to, you know. Have fun with?” He tried to look sincere. “Sydney came, um, highly recommended.” He winked at me hoping I would let it go.

As I took my seat, my breakfast was brought over. The girl bringing it nearly dropped it as she caught the look on my face. “Alpha, Beta,” she stammered, “Please let me know if there is anything I can do.” She flashed me a seductive smile.

“Thank you. You can go now.” I dismissed her without looking at her. These girls made me sick. Just because I am the Alpha and not mated, they think I will take one of them as my mate. Nope. I will not settle for just anyone. I know she is out there. I know she is just as fierce as I. Only she will satisfy me. My mate. My precious mate.