Chapter 15 – Grace

I groan, leaning against an oak tree as I try to think of where the hidden cave may be. An hour has already passed since I have mutilated that male who tried to rape me and I barely made it three kilometers away until the scent of dawn started blowing on the wind. Morning will be here soon and I will need to find a place to sleep for a few hours before I continue to race towards the lodge. But worry gnaws at me.

I haven’t seen Amelia after her cage was carried away before the event started. I wonder if she too has found a place to hide and stay safe to avoid the males. Looking up at the still full moon in the sky, I question whether or not I should go and find her, to bring her along with me to the lodge and keep both of us unmated. This would definitely anger her father to have both me winning the bet and his only child unmated. I think back to Amelia and I studying the map a week before The Run began, how we planned to follow the river and meet up eventually if we were separated at a cave within three days. We have until midnight tomorrow for the two of us to meet up. I curse, taking in my surroundings and realize that the cave we had decided to meet up at is about a ten minute walk back in the direction I came. I sigh, pushing off of the rock and make my way back towards the cave. I am thankful that it is still dark out and that most wolves prefer to travel and hunt in the day in order to see the dangers that lurk in the blue forest. It makes my traveling easier.

Sticking to the shadows of the trees, I retrace my steps towards the cave, having to walk away from the river and turn left in order to make it to my next hiding spot. I can see the sky above me brightening with the sun creeping up. Soon the wolves participating in this event will be waking up either to hunt prey and feed their new mate or to hunt a she-wolf to mate. I need to make it inside and mask my scent some how in order to stay safe. Relief fills me as soon as the cave entrance comes into view and I rush the last few feet of the journey. I am just about to duck under the ledge and make my way inside when the wind rushes past me, bringing me an all to familiar scent – Amelia’s scent.

I am ecstatic to know she is so close to me, that she made it to our rendezvous location before I am forced to let her fend for herself. Another gust of wind brings her scent close to me this time stronger and mixed with another’s scent – a male’s scent. I growl feeling my happiness turn into fear and anger for my friend. Without a second thought, I rush into the cave and throw my bag into the far corner, taking off my clothes before running out of the cave once more, shifting mid step into my silver wolf. I wince from the slight pain the shift causes but push forward and keeping down wind while the scent of decaying leaves in the fall air fills my nose making me want to sneeze.

I stay silent, remining myself that Amelia may be in danger right now. I have to get to her before the sun rises, take out the male and bring Amelia to safety. I promised Bryden that if Amelia and I met up during The Run, I would protect her and keep her long before the bet between the Alpha and I was made. The scent of the male - fresh forest on a winter's day – grows stronger the closer I get to the two. It intrigues me but the instinct to protect my Alpha and sworn sister overrides any thoughts I may have.

“Caden, let go.” I stop, my heart stopping for a split second as I realize this voice is Amelia’s. I can see the two wolves now through the branches and watch as she pulls at my hand, trying to free herself from the male’s grasp.

“I will when we get to the cave.” The male retort with his deep voice carrying a hint of exasperation as he pulls Amelia towards my direction. I suppress my growl, wanting to tear into this male for being so close to her and not releasing her like she demanded. Who does he thing he is. Amelia growls in response and I catch the male wince as he lets Amelia go. The scent of blood fills the air and my anger grows into furry at the thought of Amelia being injured. With out a second though I rush towards the male as he turns to reprimand Amelia, tackling him to the ground and placing my mouth around the back of his neck with my sharp teeth pressing against his fragile skin. One wrong move and I will end him. He twitches and I snarl, my one and only warning to the male that I will kill him if he tries anything. Amelia’s scent fills my nose before the soft touch of her hand is felt running through my fur. I stop snarling, allowing a quick glance her way to see if I can spot any wounds. Thankfully I don’t see anything not even a mark on her neck.

"Grace he isn't going to hurt me." My friend states in a whisper, laying her head against my shoulder. I blink, releasing the male’s neck from my hold but keep a paw pressed to the small of his back. My ears twitch, letting Amelia know that I am listening to her while I keep an eye for any strange movement the male might make.

"Grace, Caden has been helping me find you and keeping me safe from other wolves. You can trust him." She continues, her fingers still running through my fur. I eye the male suspiciously, removing my paw from his back before nodding to Amelia. I trust her judgement and now that I am slightly calmer I notice the wound on the male’s wrist where the scent of blood from early pools from. It seems my friend injured this male wolf in some way and pride swells inside me.

“I don’t think she trusts me yet.” The male states quietly, looking over his shoulder to Amelia. My lips curl back in a warning snarl and I remind the male that I am the one in control as I place my paw back onto the small of his back allowing my claws to slightly poke him.

“She is just protecting me. We are sworn sisters and to her you are a male that might claim me." Amelia states, rubbing the top of my head. I nod, agreeing with her words and the male lets out a sigh of defeat, turning his head to expose his neck to me in surrender. Shocked, I once again move my paw from his body as I allow Amelia to wrap her arms around my neck and hug me, placing her head on my shoulder.

[I trust him Grace.] Amelia send through our link, truth laced in her words. I pause for a moment, debating on if I should move or not and allow the male to get up.

[Are you sure Amelia? I don’t want him harming either of us.] I ask, sighing slightly while nuzzling my friend gently.

[He won’t hurt us. Trust me Grace.] She answers. I take a moment to let her words sink in before slowly backing away and sitting down just a foot away from the male. Taking a deep breath to calm my racing heart the male’s scent rushes into my body and my tail wags slightly. I could get used to his scent of a fresh forest on a winter's day.

"I'm Caden-" I growl when this male interrupts my thoughts as he stands, his body moving towards mine. My growl stops him in his tracks and he looks to Amelia for help but the blonde just shrugs helplessly. The male… Caden … will have to earn my trust before I allow him near me even if he smells delectable to me.

“I guess you are not in a trusting mood still Lady Silver." He mumbles sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. I huff, ignoring the fact he has given me a nickname and look at Amelia.

[Follow me, the cave we agreed to meet at is just ahead.] I link Her before standing and turning back in the direction I came from. I take a few steps forward as Amelia lets out a chuckle.

"She wants us to follow her to a cave." Amelia states to Caden with another chuckle. My ears twitch to the sound of the two wolves following behind me. They are quiet, their footsteps barely audible and I smile. At least Caden has some common sense not to make noise when traveling especially with day break being only minutes away.

[Tell him that I want to shift and put on clothes before he enters the cave.] I link Amelia as we grow closer to the cave entrance. She relays my message the moment I duck under the ledge and pad inside, the cool stone making me think that it would be nice to sleep here in wolf form to stay warm. I shift back into my skin form, quickly dress and lean against the stone wall behind me on the opposite side to the cave entrance.

[You can come in now.] I link Amelia once I am mentally prepared to face Caden. Their steps echo into the cave afterwards. Amelia comes into view first, her small form bounding towards me where she promptly throws her arms around my neck and hugs me tight.

“I am so glad I found you.” She whimpers out. I can sense the fear in her words and my heart cracks. We are sworn sisters being the only child in our respective family. With cruel fathers, Amelia and I trained side by side always protecting each other.

“I am glad you found me too. Do you still have the token on?” I whisper out, taking in her scent.

“I do but we haven’t run into any fae yet.” Relieved by her words, I tell her to get some rest on the mattress in the cave. Her eyes have dark circles around them and I can tell that the last few days have been hard on her. She complies thankfully, walking over to the mattress and climbing onto it. It doesn’t take long for Amelia to fall asleep and I smile, relieved that I can interrogate this male without my friend interrupting us. I need to make sure this wolf is safe and has no other ulterior motives for helping Amelia. Turning away from my sleeping friend, I look at the male who has been patiently waiting for Amelia and I to finish our reunion and nod. At least he is respectful.

"You said your name is Caden?” I ask, taking in his slightly disheveled appearance.

“Yes Ma’am.” He answers promptly. I sniff the air and notice he is speaking the truth. Good.

“Who are you Caden?" I demand, my sapphire eyes staring into his own as I allow the power in my blood to radiate off of me. I am weary of this unmated male, weary of how close he is with Amelia. I can see he is thinking over his words, probably in order not to anger me. Good, at least this male is smart.