Kate.
Running is something I never thought I’d do, running from my pack is something I knew for sure I would never do. But things change, clearly. I couldn’t stop, I knew they were just a few miles behind me if they caught me they’d kill me. So I continued doing the one thing I promised myself all my life I wouldn’t, I ran.
I finally couldn’t run anymore, my hind legs were burning, my front left paw was bleeding from a stumble down a hill and I could feel the exhaustion seeping through my body. I paused lifting my head in the air and taking a long inhale trying to find the scent of Theo my pack’s best tracker. When I could no longer smell him I looked around, the trees where tall strong and oak the leaves crunchy from the sudden chill of fall that fell upon us in haste. Taking a deep breath to relax my body before I shifted, the cold nipped at my skin chilling me. I picked a tree that still had a nice full look to it and started to scale it using what little strength I had left in my body. Getting to a high enough branch I sat down with my back leaning on the trunk of the tree stretching my legs out in front of myself. Once I felt secure enough I closed my eyes thinking about how my once normal peaceful life changed so drastically.
Two days ago.
“Theo stop that tickles!” I yelled out before I started to laugh uncontrollably. He continued to tickle me until my mother walked into the room.
“Theodore Ashton Brink! You get off your sister this minute or I’ll call your father in here! You know how he is when it comes to her.” My mother’s voice got soft at the end of her scolding. We all knew how my father was, he didn’t let any male touch me including my brother and truthfully we had no idea why. It wasn’t always like that it had started when I turned fifteen. He wouldn’t let anything with a penis within two feet of me with the exception of himself and Alexander, mine and Theo’s eldest brother. Mumbling to himself Theo rolled off me laying down next to me on my bed and grabbing my hand. Theo was my best friend and the best big brother anyone could ever ask for. He never let anything hurt me and when something did he made sure to end the threat of it happening again.
“Katarina your father wants you in his office now, and he said to come alone.” I sighed and turned to look at Theo. He squeezed my hand and sent me a reassuring smile. When we went to his office it was because we did something wrong nothing pleasant ever happened there. Slowly sitting up I let go of Theo’s hand and started the walk downstairs to my father’s study.
Knocking twice I slowly entered the office shutting the door quietly behind me, I turned around clasping my hands behind my back with my head slightly bowed.
“Mom said you wanted to see me sir?” My voice was soft but clear my brothers always joked about me having the voice of an innocent angel they said it floated around the room and captivated people.
“Katarina honey look up you aren’t in trouble, come give me a hug I haven’t seen you all week” Looking up I couldn’t help but let out a giggle before running to my father and throwing myself in his lap wrapping my arms around him in the process. I loved my father, calling me a daddy’s girl would be an understatement my dad and Theo made up my world. Sure the rest of us were closer than the average family but without my daddy and Theo I don’t think I would be able to make it out of bed in the morning. When one was away for pack business the other had to stay otherwise I was completely unresponsive. We learned this right after my sixteenth birthday daddy had taken Theo with him to help another pack track a rogue that kidnapped the Alpha’s daughter. I understood the importance of the trip so I sucked it up and kissed them goodbye, they were gone for a week and a half. During that time my mother was pregnant with baby Ashlynn so Alexander stayed to make sure that we were safe and happy. But in the end I spent the time they were away in a bunker my father had built in my room encase of an attack, the problem that everyone had was that my father was the only other one with the code to open the door. Needless to say, my father agreed to make sure one or the other was there with me at all times. Looking back I was a bit dramatic but I had never been without them before, they were my safety net.
“So daddy did you enjoy Ireland?” I asked making myself comfortable in his lap, he chuckled. More than likely over the fact that his nineteen almost twenty year old daughter still acted like she was ten. I will admit it’s hard to believe at times that I’m that old. For one I look nothing like an average nineteen year old I barely stood at five feet, my body was slim but mature, the way I was around my father didn’t help. I still referred to him as daddy and acted like I was a little girl.
“It was nice, I missed you and your mom though”
“We missed you too, Ashlynn said a new word.”
“Really and what did she pick up this time?” My baby sister had a bit of a potty mouth for a three year old, she seemed to only pick up the words she wasn’t supposed to say.
“She called Alex a dick” I giggled at the memory Alex’s face had turned red from embarrassment when she called him that for stealing one of her cookies. Even my father chuckled at the thought.
“I brought you back some stuff pumpkin.” At that I jumped up and turned to him excitedly.
“What is it daddy?” He chuckled once more before hitting a button on the intercom.
“Jay bring in Kate’s first present before she decides to beat me to death in excitement” It was true I had a horrible habit of smacking my father’s shoulder when he surprised me.
After a few minutes Jay opened the door to my father’s study carrying something in his arms with a bow bigger than the thing itself, bending down he set it on the floor and a little bark was let out. I squealed and ran to it scooping it up. My father had gotten me a border collie.
“Oh my god! You finally got me a dog!” I was too busy petting and loving up on my new dog thinking of what to name her that I didn’t notice someone else enter the room.
“Daddy what do you think we should name her? Oh what about Jinxy? Do you think Theo will like her? Oh I hope so!” I was talking a mile a minute I had been wanting a dog since I was five years old but my father always said I didn’t need one since I basically had pet wolves. I was brought out of my thoughts of Theo liking little Jinxy with my father’s booming laughter.
“Daddy it is not polite to laugh at women” I scolded lightly.
“I’m sorry pumpkin, but I think you should put Jinxy down so that you can make a respectable introduction to the visiting Alpha.” I jumped with a small squeal when I noticed that there was in fact another person in the room. Setting Jinxy down she instantly ran through the cracked opened door. Wiping my hands on my jeans I stood up straight and looked up to the person in question. He was huge! Was my first thought, this man was easily six foot two, his chest was wide and muscled. He looked to have about twenty pounds on Alex and that said something! Taking a deep breath to school my features I stuck my hand out and introduced myself.
“Hello, my name is Katarina but you can call me Kate” looking up I noticed he had short blonde hair in a ‘I just rolled out of bed’ way and eyes that shined green he was quite handsome but something about this man already unnerved me.
“What a pleasure Katarina, I am Declan” He then proceeded to take my hand and place a kiss on it, sending a shiver down my spine and it wasn’t the good kind either. Looking back at my father after taking my hand away from this man I spoke in a soft whisper.
“Father may I please be excused? I would like to show Theo my present and I have plans with Arianna today.”
“What are you and Arianna doing today pumpkin?” Taking a deep breath knowing he was not going to like my answer, I met his eyes as I spoke in a strong yet soft voice.
“I am training.”
“What do you mean training! Katarina Alexandria Brink! You know I do not allow such a thing!” my father’s voice boomed off the walls creating an almost echoing effect making me want to cringe but I held my ground.
“Father I am not going to ask your permission for this, I have followed every rule that you have placed for me. I will do this for not only for myself, but my pack and future mate. This is my decision and I hope you understand that.” My father’s humorless laugh was startling to say the least he had never made a sound like that around me before.
“Katarina you will not make this an issue you will do as you are told. It is a foolish wish, what would you possibly need to train for? You will stay here under my protection until you mate then it will be his job to protect you. You will not fight me on this, do you understand?” Looking into his eyes I used a voice that very few had ever heard before, my voice was naturally soft but it had its advantages. I let my anger lace my next response it was mixing with a command.
“I will do this! I will learn to protect myself! I would understand if this was coming from Alexander or Theo for my safety during training but even Alex didn’t put up this much of a fight when Theo and I brought this up! You will not command me father!” I was breathing harshly by the time I had finished, it was rare for me to get angry and I had only used my power one other time in my life. By the time I had calmed down I noticed my father trying not to submit to my control.
“Theodore Ashton Brink get your ass down here now!” His shout surprised me, what could he possibly need Theo for? Theo came thrashing through the doorway looking around when he spotted me and practically tackled me to the ground holding me close while frantically checking me for injuries.
“Theo, I’m fine. I promise. Nothing is wrong.” My father growled when Theo still didn’t release me.
“Theodore what nonsense have you been putting into your sisters head? Training? You know I forbid it! And don’t think I didn’t smell you all over her when she came into here, what have I told you about being close to her!” My father was shaking slightly he was furious.
“She is my sister! I want to know that if something happens she can protect herself! She is the most important thing in my life and I need to know if something happens she will not do something stupid and get herself killed! Do you know nothing of Katarina? She does not kneel, she doesn’t submit! If something happened like an attack she would not cower in a corner behind someone she would stand and attack! She would fight with everything in her not only for herself but for everyone in this territory! Hell, probably even beyond that she is not some breakable doll like you want to believe she is the fiercest wolf in this pack including you!” Theo was shouting at our father but what he did in answer was uncalled for my father shifted and lunged. I saw it coming before he even left to the floor in his attack. I knocked Theo out of the way and shifted making my father land on me instead. I slammed into the floor making my ribs ache from the angle, not wanting to stay down I quickly jumped up when my father moved towards Theo. Growling I pinned my ears back standing in front of him making him stop short of his pursuit to reach my brother. My father went to jump over me to once again reach Theo I jumped up pushing him with everything in me backwards making him land with me on top of him. My father having enough took my paw in his mouth and crushing it until an audible ‘snap’ was heard making me howl in pain. He rolled us so he was once again on top he went to clamp is mouth around my neck to make me submit when I reached down and ripped into his shoulder growling. My wolf did not submit well, I had a hard time keeping her in check on a normal day. Today she was letting it be known that she would not cower under him anymore. My father went to more forcefully make me submit when my mother’s scream echoed throughout the house. Looking up to the doorway there stood my mother with her hands over her mouth sobbing loudly while trying to scream for my father to get off me. This distraction cost me greatly for my father started to get my throat in his mouth, growling I thrashed until I got the leverage to roll over so I was at the advantage, by this time my wolf was pushing me back trying to take control. She gained it when my mother let out another sob distracting me, she lunged grabbing onto the shoulder I had already skinned. Clamping down hard and shaking ripping a huge chuck of his shoulder off. Growling again when he went to move she aimed for his throat when a shouted “NO!” and a pulling on my shoulder helped me gain control falling off my father I shifted, backing up until I was against the wall shaking my head at what I had just done or really what I had almost done.
“I’m sorry! He was after Theo! I-I—I’m sorry! I I don’t know what happened!”
The next thing I know is I’m locked in a cell for attacking the Alpha, making my wolf snort at that fact. If it wasn’t for my mother I would have killed him. My own father, I was going to kill my daddy! This brought a whole new round of hysterics I mean he’s my daddy!
A while later I let exhaustion take over on the uncomfortable cot.
I jolted awake with a start my cell was being opened roughly by my father and that Declan guy.
“Daddy! Daddy I’m so sorry! I don’t know what happened!” I shout as I throw myself at my father. He regards me impassively like I'm no one of importance to him.
“Katrina, you remember Declan?” I pulled away and nodded shyly up at him, not understanding the importance of the man in question. Then remembering my countless hours of my mother teaching me how a woman must act I responded. “Yes, father I do.”
“There is a reason he is here, that reason is you.”
“What do you mean daddy?”
“Katarina, Declan is here to take you as his mate.”
I backed away slowly shaking my head, not understanding what he was saying. Declan wasn't my mate and I knew my father would never force me to mate with someone else. Right? I mean I attacked him earlier but he was my daddy and he still loved me, I still loved him even after everything. It isn't that uncommon for were children to get upset and let their anger take over their actions in fact it was uncommon for me to not have done so before now.
“But he isn't my mate, I don't understand.”
“Don't be silly, I know he isn't your mate, but he is powerful and will keep you safe. You will be the Luna of his pack and be taken care of like I always promised.”
“I can't do that daddy! You must understand I have someone that is literally the other piece of my soul somewhere out there! What if grandpa did that to you? What if you were told you could never have mom? What about Declan's true mate?”
How could he even suggest this? I have dreamed of my mate since I was a little girl, I knew he was out there and that he could be anywhere or anyone. I didn't care if he was some high and mighty alpha he was my mate and I would love him no less if he was a rouge roaming around for a past transgression, it didn't matter what he did before me it just matter what he did with and after me.
“Declan's true mate died not long after their meeting, he is in need of a new one. As for you, you couldn't have asked for a better person to mate with. This has been being worked out for a little over a year. He has been receiving updates about you and believes this is his best chance for a proper Luna for his pack. Katarina this is not up for discussion, you will return to your room and we will discuss your disobedience later after dinner. Is that understood?”
I bowed my head much to my wolfs displeasure.
“Yes father, if you would excuse me Alpha Declan I would like to retire to my room to freshen up.”
After that I rushed to my room and thought about what my father was telling me to do, and I knew I couldn't go through with it. Maybe he thought he had my best intentions in mind but he was wrong. I wasn't meant for this. With that in mind I started to pack my duffel bag that I used for small trips with Theo and Alex to visit other packs. Once it was full with the things I thought I needed I grabbed my wallet and check book and put it in the side pocket. I picked up the bag and grabbed my keys off of my night stand walking out of the room that I had known my whole life.
After clearing the stairs and the living room I hadn't realized that in the foyer my father and Alpha Declan were waiting. So when I bumped into my father's massive frame I almost fell back making me drop my bag next to me.
“Going somewhere pumpkin?” I looked up at my father, the man that I once thought would be impossible to leave. I couldn't help but think of Theo and how I would be leaving without even telling him goodbye, the tears threatened to spill.
“I'm leaving daddy, I can't do this. I can't just mate with someone that isn't meant for me.”
My once sweet voice was thick with unseen emotion.
“Katarina you listen to me and you pay very close attention to what I'm saying. If you refuse then you will be tracked and killed for going against the pack and an official Alpha command. So make your choice.”
Looking over at the Alpha that this was all about I could see the sick amusement on his smirking face, how could my father expect me to mate with someone that wasn't meant for me or that found amusement in the fact that someone’s entire world was being taken away from them without a choice? I thought about what Theo would do in my place, he would tell my father to 'Fuck off' and leave. But could I do that? Could I leave my pack and family? But the real question was could I choose to leave them for someone that I didn't know yet? Taking a deep breath I squared my shoulders and looked up at my father.
“I love you daddy, never forget that.” And then I shifted and bolted out of the foyer and into the kitchen not stopping when the glass sliding doors came to view. The last thing I heard before I left my childhood back yard was my father's enraged voice and my brother's concerned yell for me.
