Chapter 17 – Grace

The soft breeze rolls past me ruffling the heavy gown dawned on my small frame as I stare out into the field of moon flowers. The Blue forest is our safe haven from them, from the wolves that want us dead. I sigh, looking towards the man I am in love with, his gold hair now cut short just like my silver hair. Easier to hide. I wonder as I watch him skin our kill, the hide to be made into a blanket for the winter if we will ever be left alone to fulfill our destiny…

My eyes open slowly as the dream fades away. It is the same woman and man from before and I wonder who it is that has been sending them to me. I haven’t dreamt of the Lady from long ago since the Alpha caged me, happy to not be interrupted by them. But now I wonder if they will start again. A strong yet gentle arm is wrapped around me and the warmth from the body makes me feel calm and comfortable. I smile, thinking that I could get used to the scent of the forest in winter mingling with my mint and lavender.

“Okay you cuddle bugs, the sun is setting and its time to move!” Amelia calls out, making me open my eyes to glare at her. The arm around me tightens and a face is buried into my hair and in this moment I become fully awake as I realize that I am in the arms of a male.

"I don't want to go to school mom." A deep voice mumbles out, his chest rumbling underneath me. My eyes widen as I realize I am laying on Caden, my silver hair sprawled out along his chest and a blush creeps along my face. I have never been this close to a male before. Taking a deep breath, I calm my beating heart and turn my head just enough to catch sight of his sleeping face and notice the stubble growing along his chin. I cannot deny how handsome Caden is and ignore the fluttering in my stomach.

“Its a good thing that school gets put on hold during the week of The Run." I state chuckling and watch as his eyes, emerald, green like the forest in summer, look into my sapphire ones in confusion before they widen as he notices our position.

“Hi." He whispers sheepishly, a blush forming on his cheeks. I smile, letting out a giggle as he sends me a shy smile.

"Hi." I reply back, getting off of him slowly so as not to put all my weight onto one spot and hurt Caden and standing to my feet. I stretch, my sore muscles feeling refreshed after the much needed sleep. Maybe having Caden with Amelia and I is a great thing; I can sleep knowing a male’s scent is protecting us from others.

“How far do you recon we have travel in the forest?” Amelia asks as I scurry over to my bag to take out some food. Taking a bite of the jerky, I think for a moment and try to visualize the map we were forced to study as pups.

“I would say we should reach the lodge in another two days, three if we run into more fledglings and other wolves.” I answer as soon as I realize that this cave is closest to the halfway point.

“That’s not bad. I am guessing we are avoiding the middle?” Caden asks as he sits up, his voice gruff with sleep as he rubs his eyes.

“Yes. Most of the traps are in the middle with some being deadly. There are also the Fae to consider and the lake.” Amelia answers this time and I smile. We both have decided long ago we would take the longer path around the edges of the forest after coming to the river. Whether that means we meet with each other or not, the edge of the Goddess’ forest is the best path for those not wanting to be claimed while also making it to the lodge at minimum six days. Since tonight is the third night of The Run, we still have four more nights of the moon being blue. Meaning I have four more nights to make it to the lodge unmated to win the bet. If I am not there before the sun rises then Amelia’s father will win and all wolves will be forced to go to The Run in the future.

The three of us slink out of the cave unnoticed, Amelia and I deciding to be on either side of Caden with him between us. We were lucky that most wolves have gone through the middle, giving Caden and I time to get to know one another.

“So you have a half sister?” I ask, stepping onto a fallen log that lays across a narrow part of the river. Two hours have passed since we left the cave and other than for a few she-wolves that are traveling at night as well, we haven’t come across anyone else.

“Yeah. She was born just before my mom passed away to one of the pack whores. My father was pissed that the she-wolf gave birth to my sister and killed her mother in anger.” Caden confesses. I frown, thinking about how unfair it is being a she-wolf. Our lives are held at the mercy of a male and at any moment we may lose it.

“What happened to your mother if you don’t mind me asking.” I whisper quietly, seeing the sadness in his emerald green eyes.

“He beat her to death as well. I was fifteen at the time and she was tired of the abuse. I guess walking into their room after negotiating a treaty to find him buried deep in one of her so called friends was the straw the broke her.” The sadness in his eyes turn to anger and I watch as his fists clench. I think back to my own mother and what the ladies of the pack told me about her. She died giving birth to me, her body weak from the beatings received from my father. How she had spent a short four years of misery with my father before I took her life.

“I am sorry.” Is all I manage to squeak out after awkward silence settled between us far longer then needed.

“You remind me of her.” He chuckles out, his green eyes looking into my sapphire ones. My mouth opens to say something but the sound of a long slow howl causes a shiver to run down my spine. Our foot steps pause and Amelia moves closer to me, our eyes meeting for a brief moment. Taking a deep breath, I open my senses feeling Caden shift closer to the two of us as I try to locate the source of the howl. When I do I instantly realize how fucked we are.

“We need to move, now!” I state with urgency, taking Amelia’s hand and veering to the right.

“What did you find?” Caden asks, his eyes scanning the trees as we rush forward. Our initial idea of traveling on the edge of the forest is gone, the wolves I scented made sure of that. They were spread out an equal distance slowly moving towards the centre of the forest and in our direct path. If we did not find a pace to hide soon, Amelia and I would be in trouble.

“Three wolves heading towards us. All are male and from their similar scents I would say rogue from the same band.” I answer quietly. I think about where we can hide and how to mask out scents.”

“How far away?” Amelia inquires, her eyes also scanning the trees while her hand tightens its grasp in mine.

“Twenty minutes out but I believe they are in their fur form.” Amelia takes the lead as she tells me to heighten my senses and see if I can find their intent. Caden looks at us in confusion but I ignore his gaze and close my eyes. I trust Amelia to guide me safely while I allow my senses to expand and I search for the three wolves. I see them in my mind, their forms a blur but their intent is clear. These wolves radiate pure hunt and lust. I shiver, my steps faltering and I feel strong arms keeping me from tripping while I continue to assess the males tracking us. One howls, forcing me to open my eyes as I look to my companions.

“We need to shift.” I state, dropping my bag from my shoulders and stripping, not caring is Caden can see my naked body. Amelia follows my lead with Caden pausing before removing his clothes as well.

“What did you see?” Amelia ask.

“Ragers and they are tracking us Amelia.” She gasps, quickly stuffing her clothing into her pack while I do the same for mine. I know we will be unable to communicate with Caden in our fur form but our survival depends on us shifting.

“There should be a small creek that leads to a lake. It’s closer to the middle of the forest but there is a cave behind a waterfall not many know about.” Caden says. I am shocked at this knowledge, knowing about the waterfall but not that there is a cave behind it. If we are lucky, the Ragers may not know about this.

“You lead the way then. Amelia I want you to stay close to Caden.” I order, cutting off any of her protests when I zip my bag shut and shift. Amelia sighs before accepting my order and soon her blonde wolf stands before me. A golden wolf nudges my shoulder and I turn to see the familiar emerald green eyes of Caden staring at me. I walk towards him, pushing my snout into his flank to memorize his scent in case we are separated, then motion for the male to take the lead. He surprised me by burying his face into the crook of my neck, his breath brushing against my fur before backing away and yipping. Picking up his pack in his teeth, he trots away into the trees and Amelia follows with her pack in her grasp. I falter for a moment; my heart fluttering and I realize I just may lose the bet if I allow this golden haired wolf to get closer to me. Shaking my fur, I pick up my pack and catch up to the two wolves.

True to Caden’s words, he leads us to a creek just a ten minute run to the east from the center of the forest. Thankful for the water flowing down stream we all pad into the cool stream and continue trotting away from our pursuers.

I pray to the Goddess that we make it to safety before the Ragers can catch up to us.