Chapter 21 – Grace Watching Amelia sleep comfortable on the mattress, I let out a sad sigh. After my breakdown earlier while being held in Caden’s arms I realized just how serious the situation we are in has become. I cannot allow anyone to hurt her, to claim Amelia. I may have made a bet with her father but Amelia is my chosen Alpha. I the need to protect her over winning a bet is the most important thing to me right now. “She’ll be safe here, right?” I ask Caden, my eyes never leaving the girl I call my chosen sister. “Yes. There is only one way in and one way out. Besides, the moon flowers mask our scent.” He answers quietly. His words are reassuring and I place the note I had written explaining to Amelia the plan and to make it to the Fae if I do not return. The Fae will help her cross the forest safely. Standing, I turn to Caden with pleading eyes. I remember the first time I learned about Ragers, being stuck in the Alpha’s study wi
Chapter 22 – Caden ‘Fuck, there are more then the two from before.’ I think to my self, pissed off for not using the power in my blood and forcing a link between Grace and me. I should have insisted on one to make it easier to communicate, but that would mean revealing myself to her. I fear that if she were to find out who I truly am, she would hate me and never give me the time of day again. I keep a steady pace behind the six Ragers pursuing Grace, making sure to stay just far enough I go undetected – even so, it seems that the Ragers only have their mind set on Grace. This is good. Even if I can scent her fear, with the Ragers clueless to me following behind we can take care of them with ease. Thankfully, even with her fear Grace is sticking to the plan. She is racing through the trees like a flash of silver light and always staying far from the Ragers grasps. I wait patiently for her to bring them closer to the traps, any would be fine but I prefer
Chapter 23 – Grace Darkness. All that surrounds my heavy body is darkness and I welcome it like a good friend. Sleep is something I haven’t had enough of in the last few days. My mind is hazy, like a film thrown over my head. I wonder if I can slip back into the deep sleep from before, a sleep perfect for my tired body. “Shut your mouth you little bitch!” A voice shouts, cutting through the darkness. I groan, frustrated by the person interrupting my sleep. “I’ve claimed you so take it like the whore you’ll be.” I open my eyes to find the source of the voice, spying various she-wolves chained to the wall behind them, some naked and some clothed only in a shirt and panties. Finally, I find the culprit of the yelling - a male pinning a small blonde she-wolf down on the ground, her hands tied to a pole in front of her. I watch as he takes her from behind, his naked body covering her’s as he grunts, thrusting himself inside
Chapter 24 – Caden Groaning from the pain coursing through my body, my eyes slowly open to the emptiness of the forest. Sunlight filters through the leaves and I wonder just how long I have been out under the influence of the drug. “Caden?!” A voice calls out my name, the words muffled as if my head is under water. Holding my hand to my pounding head, my eyes widen in shock. Some time between passing out from the drug to waking up I must have shifted. “Caden?!” The voice calls again, this time louder. It seems whoever is looking for me is growing closer. Sitting up slowly, my ears pop and the sounds of the forest come to life clear as ever making me wince. I was not ready for the instance change in sound clarity. “Caden!” My name is called out a third time and I instantly recognize the voice just as the owner appears in front of me, pushing past a clump of bushes and looking around frantically. "A-Amelia!
Chapter 25 – Grace Time passed slowly being chained to the wall and Ragers came and went, raping a she-wolf for their own pleasure or seeing if they could taunt me into a reaction. My heart breaks when a she-wolf would scream in pain, their pleading and begging making it hard for me to stay still when all I want to do is come to their rescue. But I stay still. I have to protect the keys that will unlock our freedom from here. If the Ragers find out I have them, then we are screwed. The redhead from before catches my attention once more, her eyes going from me to where the keys are hidden. I shake my head no as now is not the time to escape with men walking in and out. I have a feeling nightfall will be soon and many will be falling asleep. I know the girls in here will be sore, barely able to move, and we will have to move during the night if we want a quick escape. With a sigh, I rest my head on my paws, doing my best to conserve energy. I do my best t
Chapter 26 – Caden The sun beats down on Amelia and I as we continue walking deeper into the forest. Hours have passed since we started our search for Grace and as we grow closer to the center where the lake sits, the less hope I have in finding her. With a sigh, I lean against a tree and take a deep breath. “The good news is we are growing closer to the lodge.” Amelia states sadly as she joins in leaning against the tree. “The bad news is we can’t find Grace.” I add, looking towards her. To think just days ago Amelia and I became friends looking for Grace in the first place, and now we are back to square one. With a sigh, I close my eyes and open my senses once more trying to get any trace scent of Grace or the wolf that took her. I just want that hint of mint and lavender I have grown attached to. Anything to find her and hold her tight. "Caden?" Amelia calls out softly, turning my attention to her. "You
Chapter 27 – Grace Holding my hand out, I watch as a Rager walks past our hiding spot, his greasy blonde hair slicked back and his dirty clothes indicating he has just returned. This wolf must have been on the night watch. The redhead and I look at each other and she points to the right side – the side this Rager came from – and mouths exit to me. I grin, turning just in time to watch the Rage disappear into a door way giving us a clear path to the exit. “Now is our chance. Stay silent but move fast.” I whisper to the other girls. Their nervousness floats in the air like a cloud but they all nod happily. We will be out of here soon. Counting down from three, I take a deep breath and pad into the hallway, keeping an eye on the room the Rager disappeared into while the redhead helps to guide the others to the exit. Every second that ticks down I prey to the Moon Goddess that no Ragers find us. It seems my prayers are answered as the last she-wolf disappea
Chapter 28 – Caden “Ragers made a base years ago in the lake.” Sunny’s cheery voice rings out beside my ear, the little pixie having grown tired of flying. “How did they manage that?” I ask, keeping to the path she had pointed out to us. We have been walking for twenty minutes since meeting the three pixies, the three of us focused on saving Grace – Silver Fur as Sunny puts it. The little creature has been sharing stories of how she and her troupe have traveled the world, always returning to the Goddess’ forest during the Run to gather magic. How she and her friends came to know Grace and Amelia and how Grace has saved the Fae Princess on more than one occasion. “No one knows. The Guardian of the lake never bothers them as usually they use boats to travel. But even it has been growing irritated by the lack of respect the Ragers have.” Sunny answers, kicking her little feet happily against my shoulder. I chuckle, her movements tickling m
Chapter 48 – Caden I watch Grace as she sleeps, the ring now placed on her left ring finger gleaming in what ever light filters in from the port hole. She clutches the blanket covered in our scent and I smile. This she-wolf is mine and I am hers. Letting out a soft sigh, I think about the future we will have, a future as King and Queen with pups of our own one day. But something bothers me. We have been able to avoid continuing the Run this time with all the new changes taking place the last six months, but now we have to plan for the next one that is supposed to take place in six months time. I have yet to find a substitute that will prevent senseless raping of she-wolves and allow the women of our nation a chance to actually find love like Grace and I did. We could probably use our engagement as an excuse to cancel the next one, but what about the one after that and the one after that. We need to find a permanent solution and soon. "Ca
Chapter 47 – Grace Staring down at Caden kneeling before me with the ring I have seen many times in portraits of his mother twinkling in the moon light, I feel tear welling in my eyes. To think six months ago I did not want to find a mate in the Run, did not want to have a partner unless it was someone I truly loved and here I am with a man I met in the Run that I want to be with for the rest of my life. "Grace.” His voice is husky, filled with emotions and I spy his eyes slowly growing glassy with tears. “Will you…” He trails off, taking a deep breath and closing his eyes for a moment. I can smell his nervousness in the air, hear the quickening of his heart beat and know that no matter what, I will always say yes to this man as long as he has the courage to ask. His emerald eyes open and stare into mine as love, love for me, is clearly displayed in those gem like eyes. "Grace, My Princess and the love of my life. Will y
Chapter 46 – Caden “You can open your eyes now.” I mumble out, my eyes never leaving Grace’s face as her eyes slowly open. I watch as her face goes from a smile to one of shock and disbelief as she takes in the crystal clear lake in front of us with a small sailboat bopping gently on the waves. "Is that a boat?" She gasps out in surprise, her head moving to look at me, then the boat, then back at me. I chuckle, wrapping my arms around her from behind and pull her towards my chest. Resting my head on her shoulder, I place a kiss on the crook of her neck where my mark will one day be. "Yes Grace, that is a boat." I whisper close to her ear, feeling her shiver. I can feel her excitement to climb onto and explore the boat, one that I have a feeling she will be spending a lot of time on. Goddess I love this woman so much. "Would my Princess like to take a cruise on Lady Silver?" I ask, moving to stand in front of Grace as I of
Chapter 45 – Grace "Damn it Grace just sit still already!" Amelia growls out as I turn to look at the clock to check the time for the umpteenth time. She takes my head in her hands and forces me to face the mirror once more, her blue eyes staring at me with annoyance as Brayden chuckles from the couch against the wall. “I’m sorry but he should have been here by now!” I state, slightly pouting as I wait for Caden to arrive. It has been exactly six months since Caden and I had our first date and the nation is celebrating not having to participate in the Run last week. As promised, many she-wolves were able to find their own mate as well as those who chose to absolve their bonds were able to do so with the Council’s help. A lot has chanced in the last six months from Caden and I falling in love, to Amelia being mated to Brayden and now two months pregnant with their first pup, to Karina, Zander and I helping Caleb with revising werewolf laws. Amelia and Br
Chapter 44 – Caden Staring at Grace before me her face pink with a blush, I can’t help but reach out and graze the back of my hand along her cheek. “Beautiful.” I whisper out, getting a shy smile as response from her. She mumbles a soft thank you and for a moment I enjoy this shy side of her. She has been a strong independent she-wolf before me since we met. Only shedding tears when needed. It has been rare to see her this shy. “Okay love birds, the banquet needs you to make an appearance Caden.” Karina interjects, coming to stand behind Grace. I roll my eyes at my sister before holding my hand out to Grace. “Shall we?” I ask, smiling as she places her hand in mine, Grace giving me an equally large smile. “We shall!” she giggles out, allowing me to lead her from her room in the medical ward and out the building. The music for the banquet can be heard from where we are and I slow my steps, not ready to deal
Chapter 43 – Grace Entering the medical ward once again, I slink my way towards my room and wonder if my nurse knew I had snuck out. I soon learn that yes, she indeed knew I snuck out, as I find her waiting for me in the middle of the room with a frown on her face. “There are clean clothes in the bathroom room for you. Shower and change.” She orders, her no-nonsense attitude making me regret worrying her. I nod, slowly walking around Karina and head into the open door of the bathroom. Shifting to my human side, I turn the handles to the small shower and step into the warm spray. My body is still not at peak strength and fighting Felix had taken a lot out of me. I groan in satisfaction as the hot water pelts against my sore body and lets my thoughts wander to Caden. With him now being the Alpha King, my life will change. I know I have feeling for him, that I want to date him and see where our relationship goes, but I also know that I will be under scruti
Chapter 42 – Caden The crowd around has dispersed once Grace chased after Felix. I can’t help but turn to look at my father’s body and let out a sigh. A funeral will need to be arranged for him as well as plans for my coronation. “I already called a few wolves to come take his body to the morgue.” Zander’s voice calls out softly, his hand patting my shoulder as he comes to stand next to me. I thank my best friend, realizing that we will also need to have an initiation ceremony to hand over the Beta title to him once we return to the Royal Pack. Caleb and Cody walk over to us, their faces lit with smiles as they pat me on the back. “You lucky dog!” Cody chuckles out, throwing his arm over my shoulder and pulling me into a side hug. “That silver she-wolf is one heck of a woman and you just declared your interest in her just like that? Should I start calling her ‘You’re Majesty’?” He continues laughing. I roll my eyes, a smi
Chapter 41 – Grace A scrawny tawny wolf tackles Caden, his jaws snapping at the man I love but Caden manages to doge it, even manages to hold back this scrawny wolf’s face from taking a bite from him. Furious, I find myself moving, my steps turning into a run and before I know it, I have shifted into my silver wolf and tackling the intruder away from my Caden. The wolf rolls harshly onto the ground as I stand protectively between him and Caden, my fury boiling at the coward that tackled the newly named Alpha King from behind. Something tells me this is that cousin Caden mentioned a few days ago. The tawny wolf regains his footing, shakes out the dirt and dust from his fur before turning to growl at me. He is frustrated I interfered but so what, he is the one that attacked Caden without a challenge. I watch his every move, waiting to see when he will attack and I don’t have to wait too long. With clear intentions of where he is going to strike, I dodge
Chapter 40 – Caden The early morning sun filters in to the room, waking me from my sleep. I smile as I take a deep breath, the air being filled with the scent of lavender and mint. Curled into my side, Grace sleeps soundly in my arms and I can’t help but stare at her serene face, her eyelids fluttering as she dreams. We have survived the Run and now I have a date to plan for the two of us. I smile, thinking about how I plan to romance the she-wolf in my arms, to show her a side of me that I have dreamed of giving a woman. She see’s me as Caden, the friend she made in the Run and not as Prince Caden, the man who will rule all the wolves in the world. Making sure that Grace is sound asleep, I slowly untangle her from my and slide off the bed. As much as I would love to stay curled up beside her, I have something that needs to be done. [Zander, is everyone ready?] I ask, linking my Beta. [Yes Alpha, we are all in place ready to commence the