Alpha Draven POV
What had they done to my mate? My beautiful little mate. I had gone to the dungeon to see the prisoners. I wanted to go before I was called away, but the war of the packs would not wait for me. I had ordered the prisoner they found living in a cave, to be taken care of instead, my guards had tortured, raped, beaten, whipped, and impregnated my mate before beating her to cause miscarriage. How had my guards, wolves I trusted ever thought I would order them to do that?
When I returned, I headed into the prison. I wanted to finally set the innocents free. When I opened the door, the scent of blood and sex was so thick, that I was nearly sick. Among the horrid smell, came the sweet scent of sage and lavender. Mate! My wolf purred. I could feel her nearby. I came to a cell that disgusted me. There was blood everywhere, a bloody dirt-covered mattress lay in the corner. I froze when I realized her scent was mixed in with the blood and filth in this cell. My wolf howled as I raced down the line of prison cells. I came to a door that was locked from the inside. I heard the sounds of a whip cracking, followed by the screams of a girl. Not just any girl, my mate! They were whipping my mate! She is dying! I could feel her life force fading. I broke down the door using my Alpha strength. I gagged at the sight. My guards, who I trusted to protect my people including anyone imprisoned, whipping a tiny skinny girl. She hung there, blood-spattered everywhere.
“You keep getting pregnant! Then you bite one of us? This is your punishment! We would never let you keep one of our babies!” They all froze when they saw me.
“Alpha Draven, we were not told you had returned.” One of them, a taller wolf said. I could hear the fear in his voice.
I circled them dangerously. “How many times did you touch her?” I snarled.
“I don’t know,” one of them stuttered.
“I heard you tell her she was being punished for being pregnant. Did you Impregnant her?” I needed to know what they had done to her.
The first guard laughed, “Don’t worry Alpha, she has been pregnant a bunch of times. There is no worry of her babies running around, we have made sure she miscarries every time.” He laughed as if I would find this funny. “Alpha, we tortured her for her crimes. I even took her virginity. She bled for a while after that. I really fucked her good.” He smiled. “If you want, we can take her down and you could have a go.”
“What crimes was she convicted of?” I asked. Still watching them.
“I don’t know. I thought this was Lydia the wolf who poisoned your food.”
“Wrong! I killed her! Even if it was Lydia, there is no excuse for raping and torturing any living creature! How many of you touched her?” I growled.
“I um,” the guard stuttered.
“How many?” I thundered my eyes turning pitch black.
“Just the four of us.” Stammered the one holding the rope.
“You four are the only ones who raped her, beat her, and caused her miscarriages?” I was trying to keep my voice even.
“Yes, Alpha,” they all said.
Without another word, I pulled out my sword. I killed each one. They had no right to hurt a prisoner. Not to mention, they hurt my mate.
I ripped the chains holding her, off. She was limp, I ran out, with her in my arms, yelling for a doctor. When I got outside, she squeezed her eyes shut tighter. At least she is alive.
I ran to the pack doctor. He looked shocked to see me holding a tiny girl who appeared dead.
“Bring her this way,” he opened the door to a room. There was a bed in the center.
I set her down on it. “Please, you have to save her.”
“Who is she?” he asked.
“I don’t know, but she is my mate.”
It was touch and go for a long time with her. Her wolf was weak but alive. She had been held in that jail, beaten and raped, for so long. I thought for sure I would lose her. I had her moved to my quarters in the packhouse. I had a room prepared for her. I would sit with her, holding her hand. She was so frail. I still had to attend to my duties so I couldn’t always be with her; I would go to her room every chance I had.
As the days turned into weeks, she got stronger. Her wounds from her whipping had healed, but some of the deeper ones still needed a bit more time. I made sure she received a sponge bath when needed. I was surprised when the doctor performed an internal examination and that he believed she would still be able to carry pups.
A month had passed. She had gotten better yet; she did not wake up. I sat at my desk trying to think of ways to help her.
“Alpha, our Luna is out here. She collapsed and is in the fetal position. I think my uniform scared her.”
She is awake? How did she get outside? I raced from my office to where the guard was. Lying on the ground, in a tiny little ball, was my mate.
“Are you ok?” I tried. She didn’t look at me. I carefully scooped her up. She was holding her body so tightly, that I thought she would freeze that way.
I carried her back to the packhouse. I put her gently on the bed. She held on tighter to herself. I could hear her sniffle.
I didn’t know what to do. I wanted to hold her, to comfort her. I wanted to tell her I had killed the men who had done this to her. I wanted to tell her she is my mate, that I wanted her. I wanted to get to know her. I wanted to build a life with her. I had been waiting for her for so long. I was not a virgin, but none of them meant anything to me.
I sat in the chair next to her bed. She was awake. I could hear her sniffling. I sat quietly. I wanted to touch her, I wanted her to know I would never hurt her.
I must have dozed off at some point. I woke up to someone watching me. I looked around. I noticed a green eye watching me from under the blanket. I didn’t move. I didn’t say anything. She watched me for a few more minutes. I sat still; I would wait for as long as it takes for her to trust me. She slid the blanket down the tiniest little bit. I nearly gasped when I saw both eyes. One was a deep emerald color. The other was a deep sapphire blue. She slid the blanket down a bit more. I knew she was beautiful, but I had no idea just how beautiful she really is. I slid back in my chair a little. She jumped and pulled the blanket up over her head.
Damn, why did I move? I decided to try to speak to her. I had already scared her. “It’s ok. I promise I won’t hurt you.” I made my face as gentle as I possibly could. I wasn’t called the Alpha of war for no reason. I saw a green eye peer out from under the banket.
I held out my hand. “See? I won’t hurt you.” She recoiled at my outstretched hand. I folded my hands, dropping them in my lap. I sat still. “I have an idea, how about I sit still. I promise I won’t move. You can come out, you can investigate me if you get scared, I will leave.
She watched my face; I had the feeling she was deciding if she should believe me. I watched as she slowly slid the blanket down. She had both eyes watching my every move. Slowly, she slid the blanket down a bit more. I still didn’t move. I was barely breathing. She got brave and slid the blanket down to her feet. She slipped her legs over the edge of the bed. She stood up. Her legs shook as she stood. She tripped; it took everything in me not to reach to catch her. She regained her balance, she watched me carefully. I could hear her heartbeat racing as she tried to decide to stay or run. She must have decided I would catch her. She took a finger, poking my face, I felt the tingles from her touch. She must have felt them too because she pulled her hand away.
“It’s ok, I promise. I will not hurt you.”
She had a confused look on her face. She looked at me and then at her finger.
“It’s ok, you feel the tingles because I am your mate.”
She froze, watching me as though I was going to hurt her at any second, she reached out again. This time, she rubbed my cheek with her hand. I wanted to sink into her touch. I wanted to rub my face against her hand. Instead, I stayed still.
She took her hand back. She looked at me as if trying to decide if I was telling the truth.
“Did you feel the tingles too?”
She shook her head yes.
“Do I smell good to you?”
Once again, she nodded a yes.
Do you want to keep investigating me?”
Yes, she nodded once more.
I stayed still as she continued to touch me. I nearly lost control when she sniffed my neck. I stifled a moan as her breath flowed over my marking spot, where I hoped her mark would be.
She reached for my hand. I didn’t know what she was doing. She pulled it to her face, she inhaled my scent. I wanted to pull her to me, to hold her and get lost in her. I pushed those thoughts away. She put my hand on her face. She closed her eyes as she slid my hand up and down her cheek. She opened her eyes and watched me. She let go of my hand, I sat still with my hand suspended in the air. She looked at my hand, then at me. She poked my hand before placing her cheek against my palm. She then pointed to me and back at my hand.
“You want me to rub your cheek?” I asked praying I wasn’t imagining it.
She slowly nodded yes. I did as she asked. She closed her eyes enjoying my hand on her face. I stayed still gently moving my hand on her cheek.
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She decided that was enough. She put my hand back in my lap. She stood there watching me. She picked up my hand again; She interlaced her fingers with mine; I let her hold my hand. She sat like this for a few minutes. When she let go, I watched as she pulled the blanket off the bed. She took a pillow and dropped it on the blanket. She made what looked like a little nest. She picked up my hand and pulled on it. “You want me to get up?” She nodded yes. I stood up. I didn’t want to move unless she wanted me to. She pulled me toward the bed. I was confused as to what she was doing. She pushed me towards the bed again, and when my legs hit the mattress, she turned me to face her. I looked at her trying to figure out what she was thinking. Without warning, she pushed me back onto the bed. “Whoa!” Shit, I looked at her; she was frozen in place. I had scared her. “I’m sorry, you scared me.” She giggled. It was the most beautiful sound I had ever heard. I stayed sitting on the edge of the
I settled into my chair. I was so tired. It had been a long night. I finally fell into a deep sleep. I awoke in the morning to find I couldn’t move. To my surprise, Aura had curled up in my lap and gone to sleep. Maybe I had a breakthrough with her. I gently picked her up. I walked over to the bed, gently putting her down. I needed to change. I checked to make sure she was still sleeping. When I was sure, I kissed her gently on the temple before heading to my room. The last 24 hours had been a whirlwind. As I stepped into my room, I didn’t notice the black heels on the floor. I walked to my closet as a voice called to me. “Draven, where have you been? I missed you.” Dahlia’s voice echoed through my ears. “What are you doing here? I told you, I found my mate. I don’t need you anymore.” I growled. “Draven don’t be like that. Everyone knows Alphas can reject their mates easily and take another one. I know you love what I do to you.” She reached out putting her hand on my chest, she tr
She took my hand giving it a tug. I followed her. We walked for about an hour. We came upon a road I recognized. It was one that led to my packhouse. She stopped by a drainage ditch. I looked across, noticing the grocery store my pack owned. This particular store had started losing a case or two of canned goods every so often. I had assumed they had simply been miscounted.She crossed the street heading for the grocery store. I followed her in. The cashier tried to greet me but, I shook my head no. He went back to watching Aura. She reached in the pocket of the dirty tattered shorts she had on. To my surprise, she pulled out two twenty-dollar bills. She stuck them in the hand of the confused cashier.“Miss, would you like to buy something?”She shook her head no. He tried to hand the money back to her. She closed his fingers over the money before pushing his hand back.The cashier looked at me questioningly. It clicked what she was doing, I couldn’t help the chuckle which escaped me.
I was so confused. I thought for a second. “Ok, Aura, you can get in.” She took a few steps forward before stepping over the edge of the tub. She lowered herself carefully into the warm water. I handed her the soap. She sniffed it and handed it back. She looked at me waiting. I rolled up my sleeves, “Ok, you ready?” I asked. She nodded. After I had washed her body and hair, I helped her out of the tub. I wrapped a fuzzy towel around her. She picked up the brush from the edge of my sink. She handed it to me. She sat down on the floor, I sat behind her. I brushed through her long silky hair. She had used my soap, my scent on her made my wolf a bit calmer. I braided her hair for her. When I was finished, I stood up. She followed. I had a large shelf in my room of books my father had given me. She noticed it in the corner. She looked at me then back. Her face alight. ‘Would you like to have one?” I asked noticing her excitement.She nodded yes.“You can take whichever one you want.” She s
Delmor arrived after Jed left. "Delmor, I need you to take notes on what is said here today. I need to be sure I have all the information needed before I start ordering death for those involved in hurting Aura." Aura woke up when I said her name. She came to me, climbing on my lap, I could feel her trembling. At least she was comfortable enough with me to seek me out if she was scared. When I smiled at her, she started wrapping herself around me. We waited, I was growing impatient when there was a knock on the door. "Come in!" I growled. I hated to be kept waiting. The door opened as the infamous Gretta stepped into my office.I felt Aura’s heartbeat pick up when she laid eyes on Gretta, but she didn’t tremble.Gretta looked nervous. “Please, have a seat.” I offered. Aura was still curled up in my lap. Delmor sat to the right, and Gretta to the left.“You are Gretta?” I already knew the answer.“Yes. Alpha.” She kept looking at Aura who was currently hiding her face in my neck.I as
The next morning, Aura was once again curled up sleeping in my lap. I didn't want to move but I needed the bathroom. "Aura, Aura wake up." I gently shook her shoulder. She opened her eyes. To my surprise, she didn't get scared when she realized my hand was on her shoulder. She looked around, stretching. She stood up letting me get up. I told her I would be back in a minute. She watched me walk out the door. I came back a few minutes later, but she was gone. Panic set in as I looked for her. I checked the closet, the floorboards, and all the spots I thought she would hide. She was not in this room. I linked my guards asking if anyone had seen her. No one had. I was getting really worried now. I started down the hall, I opened every door whether it went to a closet, bathroom, whatever, I had to find her. My heartbeat picked up every time a room was empty. I got to the door to my bedroom, I didn't think she would be in there. I looked in quickly before shutting the door again. I stopped.
"I missed you," Her tiny little voice said. I didn't hear her voice very often. It was like a treat when I did. She looked up at me, a huge smile plastered to her face. Her smile melted away, replaced with a look of confusion; she asked "you like Aura?" she watched my face for any sign of anger."I like Aura, I love Aura." I looked deeply into her eyes. She smiled as she turned her head away. I could see her cheeks turning red.I didn't want her to think I was staring so I picked up my book. I turned to the page my bookmark was on, I pretended to start reading but the book was pulled from my hands. I looked up knowing who had taken it. She stood there, I could see the fear in her eyes but there was something else there too. She had left my pillow on the bed. I rested my hands on my lap. I didn't know what she was doing but I knew how much courage it was taking for her. Ever so slowly, she leaned towards me. I still didn't move. She rested her hand on the arm of my chair, leaning cl
I lunged forward, shifting instantly. I grabbed the attacker bringing it to the ground. Its lifeless body landed with a sickening thud. I looked at Aura, I expected to see blood. The only blood was around her mouth. She was spitting and trying to wipe it off with her paws. "I shifted back, are you hurt?" I knew I sounded frantic.She shifted, "not mine," she said holding out her arms showing me she wasn't injured. I looked at the wolf lying on the ground. Its throat was ripped open. I knew I hadn't done that. I looked back to Aura. She watched me trying to decide if I was mad. I sent my emotion through the bond. She smiled before jumping into my arms as she realized how proud I am. When I finally let go, I looked at the dead wolf. "What was it doing here?" I couldn't figure out how a wolf had gotten onto my territory, past all of my security, and made it in here to attack Aura and me. Aura stared at it as if it may jump up and attack again. The wolf was at least double her size, yet