Page 3 of Fearful Mate

Lola

“You need to accept the decree of your Alpha.Silas knows what is best,” my mother says, a frown marring her features, the same one I see when I look in the mirror.

“I don’t want to be mated to someone who isn’t my fated mate.Not to mention I don’t even know him,” I retort.“You’re my mother, you’re supposed to support me.”

“This isn’t about you and me, Lola,” she says with a sigh.“This is about our pack, the Thorn Pack.The Alpha has decided we need to join with another pack and for that to work, you need to mate with the beta from the Crescent Pack.”

“That isn’t his choice to make.”

“But it is.As long as you remain part of the Thorn Pack, you will obey your Alpha.”

“Then I’ll leave,” I say angrily.

I turn on my heel and walk through the house we have shared my entire life.In my room, I grab a duffle from my cupboard and start stuffing my belongings into it.

“Lola,” my mother says from the doorway.“If you do this, if you cost the Thorn Pack the opportunity to merge with the Crescent Pack, you will be excommunicated for life.You will be a lone wolf.No home, no pack.”She huffs.“You know we are a dying breed, dire wolves.We need to grow our numbers, and this is how we will do it.”

“At my expense,” I retort.“If Silas was so concerned with the dwindling number of dire wolves, he wouldn’t have rejected his fated mate.He wouldn’t have rejected and damn near killed me.And if you loved me at all, you would leave with me instead of trying to force me into this.”

I sling my duffle over my shoulder, my decision already made.I will not remain here only to be used as a pawn in pack politics.I stayed after Silas rejected me even though it hurt just to breathe, but I’m done now.The Thorn Pack has no regard for my feelings or my well-being beyond what I can offer them.

I have no idea where I am headed but I would rather be a stray, a nomad, and an outcast than live another day among my own kind to be used.Silas damn near killed me with his rejection two years ago, and everyone simply chooses to act like it never happened.It happened.I felt it.It broke me in a way I am not quite sure can ever be repaired and I won’t stand to be hurt anymore.

I jump in my old white Volkswagen and drive away from the only home I’ve ever known, leaving behind my only living family member.I don’t look back, choosing not to let my mother see the tears streaming down my face.She wouldn’t care even if she did see.She has always been “pack first.”

It hurts that she has chosen the pack above me, her own daughter, her only child, even if I knew she would do it.I drive five miles away from the pack compound before pulling over and allowing my emotions to fully escape.Wracking sobs shake my entire body as I sit beside a stretch of road in the dark.My wolf whimpers deep in the recesses of my mind.

But we both know I have made the right decision for us even if it hurts like a bitch.

After fifteen minutes, I finally have my emotions back under control to the point where I can continue my journey.This is the start of my new life, and I fully intend on embracing it.

****

On my first day awayfrom the Thron Pack, I heard the same rumor I have been hearing for years.Deep in the mountains, on the outskirts of the forest is a small town called Katu Falls.It’s not the town that has grabbed my interest but the pack said to be residing in the heart of the forest.People say the Katu Pack take in wolves that have no pack, the outcasts, those deemed not good enough to be part of a pack.Wolves like me.

I don’t even consider that it may be a tall tale, I simply take off in that direction.For all my professions of being fine on my own, I already miss the camaraderie of pack life.I feel lonely and if the Katu Pack can offer me that, I know I need to take the chance.

It takes four days for me to reach my destination.I stop in town for dinner at a quaint little diner before booking a room at the local bed-and-breakfast that overlooks the town square.It’s like something from a TV show.Everyone knows each other and waves and smiles as they cross paths.My heart warms and I know I could easily build a life here where the sense of community is so thick it wraps around me like a warm, fluffy blanket, even though I am an outsider.

I leave my car in town and make the trek through the forest to where the pack compound is rumored to be located.The air is cool against my heated skin, helping to calm my frayed nerves.I know the Katu Pack is well known for taking in wolves who no longer have anywhere to go, but what if they don’t want me?I have very few talents to offer a growing pack.The thing that worries me the most is knowing that not all shifters take kindly to those outside their species.It’s why I booked the room and left my car in town.I may need somewhere to return to when—if—this pack sends me away.

Taking a deep breath, I step out of the relative comfort the treeline offers me and walk toward the perimeter wall with my head held high.

A large man with long, dark hair appears out of nowhere and I almost turn and run away.

“Hello,” he says, his voice deep.“How can I help you today?”

His calm demeanor throws me for a loop.If a stranger had approached the Thorn Pack on foot, there would be absolute anarchy as everyone lost their minds.

“Is this the Katu Pack?”I ask, trying to keep my voice even and my nerves from showing.

“Yes, it is,” he replies with a smile.

“Then I would like to speak to your Alpha.”

“Regarding?”he asks with a raised brow, keeping his smile in place.

“I would like to join his pack.”

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