Chapter 8 – Caden

“Please! Some one help me!” A voice screams out just to my right, causing my foot to pause mid step. I want to turn, to rush over and help the woman that is begging but before I can move, the sounds of clothes being ripped and the groan of a male follow shortly after her plea. I close my eyes and try to force the rage simmering from within. A woman, an innocent woman, is being raped and I am helpless to save her all because the mating process has begun and his mark will be on her soon. I hate this, hate not being able to save this poor she-wolf from her fate as her heat will soon follow and the man that just raped her will do it again and again until she is pregnant with his pup. With a silent prayer that this new mate of hers will treat her right, I continue walking, heading towards the river and away from the scene behind me.

It’s been an hour since the males were released into the forest and all around me the sounds of consensual sex mixed with the nightmarish sounds of rape have sounded. Some girls I have been able to save, scaring the males away with the power of my blood, and giving the she-wolves a hint of where to go if they need a safe path to the lodge. For those with their sweet hearts, I leave them be. They already know what they want so there is no point in me interfering. My mind has been set on finding Lady Silver as I slowly make my way towards the river, deciding that if I can make it there, I can rest before continuing my search. I am intrigued by her silver fur, a colour only seen every couple of centuries like my own golden fur. Its rare, and rare means wanted.

Suddenly, I find myself face first on the ground, a snarling wolf above me with their sharp teeth just above my neck. Taking a shaky breath, I allow my body to go limp and try my best to be as submissive as possible or risk who ever it is tearing me apart.

“I am not your enemy.” My words are quiet, low and soothing as I try my best to stay calm and not appear as a threat. I am only given a warning growl as the wolf above me presses her paws harder into my back, causing me to wince when I feel her claws poking through the fabric of my shirt and into my skin. I will just have to wait it out and see what happens. Resigned to my fate, I close my eyes and allow the wolf to decide if I am a threat or not. This seems to be the right move as I feel their paw slowly becoming gentler until their weight is off my body but they still stand above me, growling when I would move slightly.

“Can I sit up please?” I ask after what feels like an hour has passed. I wait for their answer, their growling subsiding as they shift their weight from paw to paw, most likely debating on if I can be trusted or not. Then, the wolf begins to back away and I sigh with relief. Slowly and making sure my movements are visible to the wolf, I bring my body into a sitting position, making sure to come face to face with the wolf that managed to blind side me. Standing across from me three feet away is a blonde she-wolf, her fur gently blowing in the wind. I chuckle, realizing why she is weary of me when I smell her scent and realize she is mateless still.

“Don’t worry hun, I have no intentions of claiming a mate.” I reassure, slowly sliding my back pack off of my back so as not to startle her.

“Would you like a shirt to change into?” I ask, motioning to my bag. The she-wolf eyes me, not sure if she should trust me. To my relief though, the slowly nods her head and with her watching me intently ready to pounce if I betray her, I pull out a long sleeve shirt from my bag and hold the black fabric out for her to take. With a warning look that I assume is a ‘Don’t move or else’ warning, she gingerly takes the shirt from my hand and trots behind a large birch tree. I stay where I am, not wanting to feel the sharp teeth of a scared she-wolf ripping through my neck and wait for her to approach me. I don’t have to wait long as a petite blond haired, blue eyed woman comes our, my black shirt falling to her knees and covering everything thankfully.

“Thank you.” Her voice surprises me. I expected a quiet voice with her height but instead I am hit with a power that tells me this she-wolf is of high rank.

“Don’t worry about it.” I chuckle out, pushing off the ground and standing, holding my hand out for her to take.

“Caden Wolfrain from Wœlf Haven and future Alpha." Introducing myself, I smile as the she-wolf takes my hand in hers with a firm grip, a small smile on her face as she shakes it.

"Amelia Farefield from Silver Birch. Also future Alpha.” The she-wolf Amelia replies, letting go of my hand to lean against a tree.

“Sorry about tackling you earlier. I thought you were up to something because I caught you staring at my beta Grace Harvest at the clearing earlier. I am actually looking for her.” She continues, her eyes still watching me with some weariness. I smile sheepishly, trying to figure out who she is talking about.

“What does this Grace Harvest look like?” I ask, running a hand through my hair and yawning. I needed sleep soon but I have a feeling if I move now, Amelia will definitely try to rip me apart.

"She is the silver wolf that ran into the forest first. She actually made a bet with my father and I want to help her. He forced my boyfriend on a scouting mission most likely intending to kill him and forced me to come here in hopes of his only daughter being raped and mated." She answers, pushing a strand of hair out of her face and behind her left ear where a single gold earing sits. Her weary eyes look exhausted and holding unshed tears and it takes everything in me not to hug the girl. Unfortunately, her story is like many others here and I sigh, looking to the moon and seeing how far it has settled.

“My father gave me an ultimatum. Find and bring home a mate or lose my title to my misogynistic, incompetent cousin.” Amelia nods at my statement, one many males most likely have been threatened with into coming to this event if they too are unwilling to rape a she-wolf, before she turns and looks in the direction the river is with a knowing smile.

“You want Grace, don’t you.” She states, catching me off guard.

“What do you mean?” I ask, confused by her words.

“I seen the way you looked at her. You were intrigued and there was something in your eyes that reminded me of my mate.” I sigh, taking a moment to think about how I feel about Lady Silver. She intrigued me when I laid my eyes on her and to be honest, I wouldn’t mind seeing if I can build something with her in the future.

“Yes. I wont force her to mate with me, but I am interested in her and want to ask her out when she makes it out unmatted.” I answer honestly reassuring her that I will not hurt her friend. Her weariness towards me becoming friendly and I sight. It seems my honesty is the right answer.

“I think she will like that. Most men try to claim her, even within our pack. You’ll be the first to actually treat her with respect.” I smile at Amelia’s approval, shocked with how this Alpha wolf trusts me so fast, especially with someone she calls her Beta.

“Anyways, Grace is our best swimmer. She most likely headed towards the river first chance she got.” Without hesitation, Amelia takes my hand and I have just enough time to grab my back pack before this small she-wolf pulls me along behind her. To think someone barely reaching five foot five has this much strength. I smile though, realizing I have gained an ally and this one is willing to bring me one step closer to getting to know Lady Silver.

Grace Harvest, I can’t wait to meet you.