The Big Bad Wolf Mate

I had gotten up early to pack my things and have breakfast with Bronson before I left for Georgia.

"Are you sure you don't want me to go with you?"

"No thank you, Bronson. I need to do this alone."

"You know, there's no harm in asking for help, especially in your state."

I looked at him with confusion but nodded my head anyway. He had no idea what had happened to me or the fact that he was completely right. That if I had just asked for help, none of this would have happened.

"I'll work on that." I said as I stood up and grabbed my backpack before slinging it over my shoulder.

He walked me to the door then pulled me into a hug and I couldn't make myself return it. Ever since Bishop tried to reject me, my heart still hadn't healed, and I wasn't sure it ever would.

My entire demeanor had changed, my once lively attitude was replaced with a flat affect and my empathetic nature had been reduced to a realistic view. Nothing mattered anymore except staying alive and protecting myself. I was angry and I wasn't about to sit around and let everything I had ever worked for get taken away from me.

He released me from his hold as I stepped out the door then turned around and said "Thank you. For everything."

He smiled and waved as I set off to see what fate had in store for me. I walked for a day before I got tired and stopped for a quick snack. The wind picked up and my nose was filled with the familiar scent of my cousin's pack. Although I was still miles away from the border I could tell I was getting close and the fear that someone would see me passing made me apprehensive.

I had to travel extremely close to their property on my way to my father's pack but I had to be careful and undetected. After I rested a while I decided to shift and run the rest of the way until I got within a few miles of the Silver Paw pack.

My wolf was on edge ever since we left Bronson's and her emotions had me confused. She was whimpering and I finally realized why, we were so close to our mate that at any moment we could spot him and I wasn't sure I was ready for that again. I didn't know how I would react if I saw him or if he saw me so I pushed her to run faster to avoid any kind of interaction.

Once we reached the falls, I shifted back and got dressed. I found the main road that ran along the furthest edge of the property and stayed close to the trees. I had worn all dark clothes to blend in and the sun had just set so it would be harder for me to be spotted. My body was tingling from the closeness of our other half and I was terrified that if he saw me he would finish what he started weeks ago. I hurried as fast as I could and once I was past the North gate, I shifted again and ran the rest of the way.

It took me two days to get there but when I finally reached my father's border I found the abandoned shack that Mik, Kam and I used to play in as kids. It was still livable but it lacked running water and electricity, which I wouldn't be needing. I placed my things on the floor and curled up on the old mattress drifting off to sleep. I needed my rest before I approached Anderson.

When the morning sun peered through the small kitchen window lighting the room with a brilliant glow, I opened my eyes and could feel the animal awakening inside me. This was it, it was now or never, time to show my father’s pack what I was capable of and that no matter what I would always protect them.

I stretched my limbs as I lifted myself off the bed and quickly changed into my clothes. I needed to find Anderson before he started his rounds, I didn't want to let anymore time pass before I confronted him. Once I was dressed I headed out the door and straight for the pack house. So much had changed since I left and I wasn't liking what I was seeing.

The atmosphere was bleak, the land was bare and there was no sign of life anywhere to be seen. I figured that Anderson would make my people suffer but I was hoping that it wasn't true. I heard voices coming from around the corner and I hid behind a tree as they passed by.

Three women were talking about their harsh working conditions and how things weren't going to get any better once Anderson was officially named the Alpha. They spoke about how horrible my parents were being treated and that as soon as he took over he was going to banish them too if he didn't kill them before that.

My anger had reached an all time high and the sooner I found that jerk the better. I waited for them to pass before I continued towards the town center hoping that someone would find me before I got there. I passed several of my old pack members and the whispers began.

When I finally reached the middle of the pack grounds I stopped a young warrior and said "Tell that asshole Anderson that I would like to see him."

"And just who the hell are you?" He said getting in my face.

My wolf let out a warning growl as I said, "Ember Watson."

He ran off towards the pack house as people started gathering around me, talking to each other as I stood on the dirt ground waiting for that sly bastard himself to show up. I was anxious but I wasn't going to back down, not now, not ever. Every cell in my body began to move making my muscles twitch with anticipation when I saw him walking towards me with a grin on his face.

"Hello Sweetheart. I knew you would come back to me."

"I told you I would never come back to you and you will never be my mate or the Alpha of this pack."

He stepped closer to me making my wolf extremely irritated and I was afraid she would attack too soon.

"Too late, I already am. So tell me, why are you here?"

"I...Ember Watson...challenge you...Anderson Barren...for the position of Alpha of the White Claw pack."

There were gasps and gracious cries all around me making me feel a sudden wave of pride rise in my chest. These people were counting on me to save them from this horrible leader and I fully intended on doing just that.

"I accept your challenge. Meet me tomorrow morning on the pack training grounds." He said through clenched teeth before he turned and walked away.

"NO!" I said making him stop in his tracks. "Why wait until tomorrow? Fight me now, right here, in front of everyone. If you are as good as you say you are, you will have no trouble showing them."

He smiled and said "Whatever you wish, sweetheart. It will be so nice to finally taste your blood." He leaned in close to me and whispered "I told you I would kill you if you ever stepped foot on my property again and I intend to keep that promise."

I laughed and said "A fight to the death, I like it."

He started taking off his suit jacket, followed by his shirt and handed them to a busty blonde standing to his left, no doubt his future Luna. Then he unbuckled his belt and stood there with his bare chest gleaming in the sun. Not wanting to give anyone a show, I shifted into my newly transformed wolf and shook out my fur as everyone in the crowd watched the shit-show about to unfold.

How could she leave Bronson and not hug him? I hope her heart starts to soften soon.

I predict nothing but disaster coming from this interaction!

Holy shit! She challenged Anderson. What in the hell was she thinking?