Mate

                                                                   ~Jane~

"Jane, Hunny wake up." My mom said trying to wake me up. 

"Mom?" I asked tiredly, trying to wake myself up. 

"Jane, you need to get up." She said with concern in her voice

Rubbing my eyes as I was sitting up in my bed, I looked at her. She looked worried about something as she sat on my bed. 

"Mom, what's wrong?" I asked trying not to sound worried. 

Without a word she reached out and took my hand in hers. Thinking to myself I wondered what was going on. 

"Mom?" I asked. 

Just then my bedroom door opened, and when I looked. It was my dad walking into the room. When he stepped in he turned his back to us and closed the door not saying a word. 

"Dad?" I asked. 

He then turned around and walked to the other side of the bed taking a seat. 

"Dad, what's going on?" I asked hoping he will give me some answers. 

He was silent for a moment as he gathered his thoughts, he took my hand in his and looked at me. Seeing the way both my parents were looking at me is something I haven't seen in a very long time. This sense of fear and worry in them bought back a memory I have tried not to think about. 

                                                       ~Three years ago~

It was the day my sister Sara was turning seventeen, which meant she was going to take her wolf form and would be allowed to find her mate. Waking up that morning I walked out of my room and was walking down the stairs leading to the kitchen. When I walked into the room I saw both my parents and sister sitting at the table. I was like they were talking about something but then stopped as they saw me walk in. 

"What's going on?" I asked feeling worried. 

Sara looked over to me for a second without saying a word, then looked back to mom and dad before standing up from her chair and walking over to me. Getting down on her knees in front of me and then wrapped her arms around me bringing me closer to her as she held on to me tightly. 

"Sara, is something wrong?" I asked. 

"It's nothing to worry yourself about little sis, I promise everything will be okay." She said pulling away looking me in the eyes trying to give me her best smile. 

But there was something in her eyes, she looked worried about something but I didn't understand what could be wrong. 

"Are you sure Sara, I feel like something is wrong?" I said I wanted to know what was going on. 

"It's okay Jane, hey how about you and I go do something together. We can play a game or watch some tv, whatever you want to do we will do just the two of us. How does that sound." She said. 

"Okay, Sara," I said giving her a nod. 

Standing up she took my hand in her's and we headed out of the kitchen, I took a quick look over at my parents as they continued to sit there at the table. Tears were coming from my mom, I wish they would tell me what was going on. Why are mom and dad so sad I wondered. Sara and I walked up the stairs and headed for her room, opening the bedroom door we walked in and I took a seat on the floor. 

Sara walked over to her closet grabbed a board game and walked back over and took a seat across from me. 

"Sara, what's wrong with mom and dad? why are they so sad today? Shouldn't they be happy, it's your birthday. You will be getting your wolf tonight, though they would be excited to see that. I know I can't wait." I said. It was true, it would be the first time I get to see something like this and it was happening to my big sister. After her wolf takes over she will be able to find her mate, it will be someone really special someone who our great Goddess has chosen for her to be with. 

I would think our parents and she would be more excited about something like this, I'm sure she has always dreamt of this day coming. She must have wondered who her mate would be after tonight. But I don't understand why they aren't more excited or getting everything ready for tonight. Something isn't right. I wonder if something has happened. 

"I know you are worried about something being wrong Jane, that's what makes you so special. I want you to understand whatever happens I want you to stay strong no matter what." Sara said. 

I was confused, what is she talking about. Why does she want me to stay strong no matter what happens? Is something bad going to happen or something I wondered? Nothing right now was making sense and it scared me. I didn't want something to happen to my family. 

"Hey, you don't need to worry Jane. It's all going to be okay." Sara said trying to assure me. 

Pulling the game out of its box she sat it down on the floor in front of us and started to get all the pieces together so we could play the game. I knew she was only doing all of this to help keep my mind off of what was going on. I didn't need her to protect me from whatever it was, but I also knew I would never pass up a chance to hang out with my big sister. I loved spending time with her, she has always been there for me. I loved moments like these with her. 

After playing for a few hours, Sara gathered up the pieces and put the game back in its box. We both stood up, she walked over to her closet putting the game back in there. Taking my hand in her's we walked out of her room and headed back down the stairs. 

"Want to watch a little tv before dinner?" Sara asked looking down at me. 

"Okay," I said nodding my head at her. 

Making our way into the living room, and grabbing the tv remote we both took a seat on the couch together. I moved closer to her, turned it on she found a movie we both could watch. Any time I'm with my big sister I would always feel at ease, I loved spending time with her. I never wanted this day to end.

After the movie has ended she put another on for us, I knew she was only just trying to pass the time. But it was more than that I knew she was trying to focus on something other than what was bothering her. I still wish someone would tell me what was going on but no one would tell me anything. 

As it started to get dark outside, our dad came into the living room. "Girls dinner is ready," Dad said to Sara and me. 

Turning off the tv we walked into the kitchen together taking our seats next to each other at the table. Mom and dad handed us our plates then they both took their seats across from Sara and me. 

We sat there in silents, no one speaking a word to each other. I knew something really must be wrong. We never sat here in silents before, Every night we would sit together and talk. Sometimes we would even laugh together as a family, mostly because my dad would tell us something funny. It's always been the best way to end the day, just our family being ourselves always having a good time. But today there was none of it. No speaking, no laughing nothing. 

"Mom, Dad," I said trying not to sound worried. 

"Yes, Jane." Mom said looking over at me. 

"What's going on? you, dad, and Sara have been acting strange today. We never sit here in silents at dinner. What are you worried about? I want to understand. I'm old enough to know." I said. I know I'm only twelve but I'm not some baby I should know what's going on. I can take it. 

"Jane honey." Dad started to say but then was interrupted by banging coming from our front door. 

It was in that instance all the color in both my parent's and Sara's faces was gone as they looked at each other. Did they know who was at the door, I didn't understand. They looked scared about something. 

After a few seconds, the person standing outside started to bang on the door again, in the spite of fear for who it was my dad stood up from his chair walked out of the kitchen, and headed towards the living room for the front door. 

"Mom who is it?" I asked trying not to sound scared. She looked over to me for a second then looked back over to Sara without saying a word. 

"Sara?" I asked, hoping she could tell me something. But just like mom, she wouldn't say a word to me. 

With another bang on the door from the person outside, it was then Sara looked away from mom and looked right at me. "I love you, Jane," Sara said. With that, she stood up from her chair and headed out of the kitchen going toward dad. 

"Dad, is it him?" I could hear Sara say to dad. 

Who is this him she spoke and why was he here at our home? I wondered trying to make sense of what was going on since no one is telling me anything. And now there is someone here banging on our door for some reason. 

I couldn't just sit here anymore, I wanted to know who this was. Standing up from my chair I was about to walk out of the kitchen. But then my mom grabbed my hand pulling me back. 

"Jane, please say here. You don't need to see this." Mom said looking me in the eyes. She had tears rolling down her face. She was scared, I have never seen her like this before. Something bad was going to happen and she didn't want me to see it. But I had to, I can't just stand back and allow something to happen to my family. I might not look strong enough to handle it but there was something inside me that wouldn't allow me to stand here. 

It's then I could hear a man's voice coming from outside the front door yelling. "Let me in." He said as he continued to slam his fist against the door. 

"Sara, who is at the door? what do they want?" I asked as I walked into the living room when I looked. I saw both Sara and dad are just standing there next to the door staring at it. I didn't understand why our dad was just standing there and allowing this man to continue slamming his fist against our dad demanding that he lets him in our home. 

"Sara?" I said I couldn't help but sound scared when I spoke her name as I tried again to get her attention. 

Turning her head to look in my direction from where I stood behind her. When I looked into her eyes she had tears running down her face. I have never seen her like this before in my life, this fear in her it was like I could feel everything she was feeling at this moment. Wiping away the tears from her face she then walked over to me and got on her knees in front of me. 

"Jane, you should go to your room. You shouldn't be here for what's about to happen. I need you to stay safe." Sara said. 

"No Sara, I'm not leaving. I can't just hide, you're my big sister Sara. What's happening why is there a man here?" I said. 

"Everything is going to be okay Jane. I wish this didn't have to happen, but it's just how things are. I pray to the Goddess when you are older something like this won't happen to you." Sara said. 

"What do you mean? What's happening?" I asked confused. 

"You will let me in, or I will force myself in. That's an order, open this damn door, Foster." The man yelled from outside.  

"Jane, I love you so much. I wish we had more time, I have always been there for you but I will have to leave now. I won't be back. You're my baby sister, I have tried so hard to always keep you protected. Always remember that Jane, you might not understand this now but someday when the time comes in your life you will learn you are the most special person I have ever known. There is strength inside you, and if you wait till the right time it will protect you. I ask you to listen to that voice inside you and you need to trust it. It's the only way." Sara said as she tried to hold back to tears forming in her eyes as she looked me in the eyes. 

"Please Sara I don't want you to leave, why do you need to leave. I don't understand, please you can't leave me. You can't leave our family, what about mom and dad." I said with tears forming in my eyes. 

"I know this is hard for you to understand Jane, I hope you never have to go through this when you get older. No matter what happens to me, I promise I will do everything I can to keep you safe. I won't let anything happen to you." Sara said with tears streaming down her face again. 

"I'm coming into this house." The man yelled from outside, and just then the door slammed open. As the man entered our home, Sara then stood up in that instance. With her hand, she pushed me behind her. At first, I couldn't make out who came into our home, but when I got the chance I moved my head a little to the side to take a look at who it was. 

When I got a look at who this man was, it was then I could see it was Alpha Zander. I didn't know much about him, but what I did know is he was ruthless and everyone in our pack was afraid of him. 

As he walked into our home, he took a quick look around. He looked over to where our father was standing, he stepped forward towards him and looked him in the eyes. "You think this is a game, Foster." He said with anger in his voice as he spoke to our dad. And just then he swung his arm forward punching our dad in the face bringing him to the floor. 

"I am your Alpha, you will not disrespect me. You do what I say, that's it. You understand me." He said looking at our dad on the ground. When I looked over at my dad, I could see anger in his eyes as he looked at Zander. 

"Dad?" Sara said as she tried to rush over to where dad was. 

At the sound of Sara's voice, Zander then turned his head and look right at her from where she stood. "Aww there you are beautiful, I have waited a long time for this." He said with a smirk on his face as he continued to look at my sister. 

"Zander." She said his name with discussion, but there was also a bit of fear in her voice. 

"You know why I'm here Sara, so why don't we make things easier and you don't try to fight this and come with me now. Or I will drag you out of this house with forces, and believe me beautiful it won't be pretty. And if you do try to fight me and if it comes to me doing that it will just make it worst for you, especially when I get you into my bedroom. And believe me, I like it rough. So if you don't want to find out the punishment I have planned for you I suggest you don't fight me." He said as he look her up and down with a smile on his face. 

"Please, Zander you don't have to do this." Our dad said as he started to pick himself off the ground. 

"I am the Alpha of this pack, what I say goes. And as Alpha, I have chosen your daughter to become my next mate. I intend to do just that, nothing you say will change that. If I wish to take her as mine then she will be mine. She will accept me as her mate, and will willingly give her body to me under the full moon as we seal our bond to one another. And if there is ever a hint of disloyalty towards me, then she will be punished in any way I see fit." He said looking right at Sara as he spoke. 

"You can't take our daughter away, please Zander. Don't do this." Dad said begging Zander not to do this. 

"Must I remind you who is Alpha again Foster? You will not speak to me like this or I will teach you a valuable lesson. You will stand down, that's an order." He said using his Alpha voice towards our dad as he looked him in the eyes. 

"Please Zander, Stop," Sara said firmly to him. 

"That was unexpected hearing from you, Ms. Foster, the way you just spoke to me like that. Not just that but speaking like that to your Alpha and soon-to-be Mate, I'm very impressed and that's not easy to do. You will become a fun little mate to have indeed, but here's the thing Ms. Foster. Even though I am impressed with how you spoke out to me like that without permission. I intend to teach you some manners when you become mine, the things I will do to you if you ever speak out like that again. You will soon regret your outburst towards me, you will learn your place while you are with me. Ever do something like that again then you better, believe me, you will be punished. You understand me, Ms. Foster." He said as he started to walk over towards her. 

"I will come with you, just don't hurt my family." She said, I could see she was trying to hold back the tears. She was trying so hard to stay strong as he was now standing in front of her. 

"You accept to become mine, body and all Ms. Foster? You will do as I say when I say it?" He asked as he brought his hand up to her cheek giving it a stroke with his thumb. 

At the touch of his hand on her, there was so much fear in her. I can see she wanted to pull away from him but thought it would be best not to anger him so she stayed still and allowed him to touch her the way he wanted. 

"I want your word Ms. Foster, I want to hear you say you belong to me. That your body will belong to me and only to me." He said with a smirk on his face as he continued to touch her face with his thumb. 

"Yes Zander, I will become your Mate. I will willingly give you my body, I accept you in the name of our Goddess." She said, not able to hold back anymore she allowed the tears to come. 

With a smile from the words she spoke to him, "Good, you are to belong to me, Sara Foster. We will mate tonight under the full moon as you take your first form into your wolf. You will obey me in all things. You understand." He said to her, when I took a look at him from behind my sister I'm not sure what I saw but there was so much evil coming from him. And it scared me. 

Just as he grabbed her hand in his and started to pull her away from me, at that moment. "Please don't do this." I could hear mom's voice coming from behind me as she finally stepped into the living room. 

Zander stopped in his track as he glanced over to where she stood. Giving her a smile he then let go of Sara's hand and turned to face her. Just then dad run over to mom as fast as he could and held her in his arms. As he prepared to protect her from Zander. 

"Zander please don't," Sara spoke out to him stopping him from walking toward our mom and dad. 

"Not worth it, I got what I wanted. We are leaving now." Zander said taking Sara's hand in his again as they made their way towards the front door about to leave. 

I can't let this man take my big sister away from me, I can't lose her. I needed her. He's a monster he shouldn't be allowed to do this, he can tear our family apart. Not sure what came over me but I couldn't stop the words from slipping.

"Sara, please you don't have to do this. You can't leave our family." I said raising my voice for them to hear me, making Zander stop just before he walked outside the door with Sara. 

"You are brave to speak out like that little one," Zander said as he turned his head to look me in the eyes. But when I looked over at my sister for a second she looked at me shaking her head. 

"You sure do have some strength in you little one, I like it. But the thing is you're not special, you will not speak to me like that." Zander said. 

"Sara," I said. 

"Please let me say goodbye to my sister," Sara asked looking at Zander for approval. 

"I will allow it, but just this once. After this, you will not be allowed to see nor be allowed to speak to anyone." He said allowing her to say goodbye. Letting her hand go from his he continued to stand there in the door frame watching Sara walk over to me. 

Getting down on her knees in front of me, she looked me in the eyes taking my hands in hers. "Jane you need to understand this is something I have to do, I don't have a choice in the matter. And one day you might have the chance to get away from this place, remember when I told you to listen and trust the voice inside you." Sara said. 

"Yes, but what does that have to do with anything. I don't understand Sara, I need you to stay so you can help me understand." I said with tears forming in my eyes. 

"I promise you, someday it will all make sense Jane. The day will come when that voice in you will speak, it will help and guide you when you need it the most. That's what makes you so special Jane, you are different in so many amazing ways. There is power in you, even though you can't see it or feel it doesn't mean it's not there I have always seen it. When you get older and start your path it might seem hard, and you might not understand why you are feeling the way you feel but I promise it will all work out in the end. Unfortunately, this is mine, this is the path I must take. Never forget your strength Jane, I love you so much, little sister." She said wrapping her arms around me and pulling me into a hug. 

"Alright you have said your goodbye, let's go we are wasting presses time. The moon is being to reach its peak, and I'm ready to take you under the full moon." Zander said from behind Sara. 

Taking one last look at me, Sara looked over to our parents as they continued to stand there watching Sara starting to stand up from the floor. "I love you, mom and dad," Sara whispered to them. Then headed back over to where Zander stood. 

With one last look at me, Zander then closed the door behind him taking my sister Sara with him. That was the last time I ever saw or heard from her, and with each passing day, gets harder to think about that night.