Chapter 3- Grace
The steady hum of an engine wakes me up from the solid darkness. The drugs that had my limbs numbed and weakened slowly fade from my system and with each passing minute I am able to move just a little more until I am able to fully move again. With full control over my body once more, I let out a long growl filled with anger. I know just by looking out towards the night sky with an almost full moon I had slept for a day, maybe two, it is easy to tell with the fresh scent of rain that still lingered in the air. Rain that was forecasted on the news to happen on Tuesday. The meeting was Sunday night. The humming under my paws alerted me to the situation. I lay in a small cage barely big enough to for me to move around in wolf form, let alone my human form. Another cage is situated right against my own but due to the tarp that covers mine and kept me safe from most of the harsh elements, I can not make out the occupant beside me. With a deep breath I focus on scenting the air to figure out who else fought against going to The Run until the scent of strawberries and pine -the familiar scent of Amelia, daughter to the Alpha of my pack – hits my nose. Guess she didn't want to participate either. I think as I stretch my limbs, happy to be drug free. I hate that I can not move freely in this cage to properly move my stiff limbs. It is pathetic really. The fact that they would cage a grown woman just to prove a point in the era we call the twenty-first century where women have rights disgusts me. But due to the way the packs are ruled by the Alpha King, I have no choice but to comply with the patriotic ways of werewolf society. What I would give just to be human. To be able to live a more normal and free life. Even being a rogue would be a better option than being part of a pack as rogues only show up to the event if they want to. Taking a deep breath to calm my anger many scents rush into my nose and a smirk spreads on my muzzle with the realization of us being in the outskirts of my pack near the edge of the border; outside of it to be exact. If I can knock this cage onto the ground, I will be set free and given a chance to run away and hide from the event that would take place soon for mateless wolves. With that thought in mind I crouch, focusing on the center of the bars and leap forward, feeling triumphant until I touched the metal that greet me and howl with pain. Silver. Of course the bars would be silver; it sadly is the Kryptonite to us werewolves. Silver is the only way to keep us locked inside the stupid cages or to harm us in any way, even kill us sadly. Many Hunters who know of the supernatural races use silver to harm us and even kill us for rewards. It is something we feared – vampires, witch, fae and werewolves alike. With a whimper I stand, shaking my fur out as the scent of burnt skin fills my sense. Quietly I pad towards the spot I awoke in and sit in the center, waiting for when my cage will be opened, most likely at the start of The Run. Judging by the moon, tomorrow night will be when it takes place, sooner then I hoped but sadly, it will happen no matter what. I let out a small huff of breath and curl up into a ball, watching the scene change through those damned silver bars. The night quickly give way to morning as time passes; the indigo sky coming alive with the hues of gold, orange, red, pink and violet as the sun claimed its glory. The Run waited for me silently to join in a few hours now and if I want to win that bet with the Alpha, then I would have to rest and save my strength. So I let the safety of sleep surround my mind as whoever drove the truck carted me to the worst event ever. One that may even change my life and fate if I allow it to.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