Escaping Fate

AVA

My whole life flashes before my eyes as Alpha James waits for David to speak before punishing me. What can I do? My body is too weak to do much of anything.

David watches me, looking thoughtful. And the man who is supposed to be my mate allows my father to hold me by my face with no reaction. I guess he thinks I’m too weak to be his mate.

My brother has a huge smile on his face, fully enjoying watching this play out, watching his weak slave sister being made an example of. Rage starts to fill me as everyone laughs, whispers, or smirks at my torment.

“Yes, Alpha James. I wish to be with her,” David says, his words a dagger directed at Alpha Black. He stares angrily at my father, his arms crossed over his well-built chest, his head held high.

“That can’t be!” my brother yells, standing beside my father and Alpha Black. “You’re picking a slave as your chosen mate. She’s worth nothing!”

“Why does it matter who I wish to take as my mate?” David says. “Wouldn’t it be better for the alpha’s family if she were taken away? I made up my mind when I returned yesterday.

“I know you all smell me on her. I took her as mine last night.”

My brother looks at me in disgust, and Alpha Black’s eyes become completely black.

“You wish to ruin your name and place among the pack?” Crystal chimes in from beside her mate behind my father. “You’re our head Hunter and one of our best fighters, but want a weak slave as your mate?”

My father releases my face and I drop to the floor. Within seconds he’s grabbed hold of my hair and is holding me up as if to show everyone what happens when you’re a problem.

“Alpha James,” David says. “You asked if I wanted her. I have never done anything against you or this pack. I just wish for her to be the one who bears my pups.

“You may not see her worth, but I do. The girl cares for everything in this pack—cooks, cleans, farms, tends to everyone’s needs, and cares for our pups with nothing but love.

“I took her so I can make sure it’s known that I want her. She can hate me for her whole life for all I care—I know I would for what transpired last night. But I stand here, Alpha, telling you I want this wolf as my own.”

His eyes begin to gloss over as he holds back tears.

“No! I can’t be anyone’s mate,” I say, pushing myself out my father’s grasp.

Everyone murmurs, scared of my father’s expression. As expected, he slaps me with all his might, knocking me to the ground. My mouth bleeding from the slap, I look at him for a moment and get back up.

I feel David’s hand snake behind me to support me.

“I, Ava Blood, renounce the blood that runs through me,” I say coldly as David watches in horror. “I am no longer the alpha’s daughter. I reject this pack as mine.” Alpha Black stares at me as if he wants to speak.

“Who do you think you are without my blood?” my father says. “If you do this you’ll be banished from this pack and become a rogue.”

I ignore my father and turn to face David.

“Head Hunter David, I cannot be your mate. I’m not fit to bear children with what I am. Your bloodline needs to remain strong, and all I’ll do is weaken it.” I put on a small smile and bow my head to him.

My eyes lock angrily onto Alpha Black’s, and I step closer to him as everyone watches in shock.

I have never spoken out against an alpha, or anyone for that matter. But I’m tired of this life. If it kills me, so be it. My life isn’t much worth living.

“Alpha Black, I do not wish to be your mate. I reject you. I will not share a bed with you, I will not bear you any children. I, Ava Blood, reject Alpha Black as my fated mate for as long as I shall live.”

I look him dead in the eyes. His men have surrounded me in case I attack.

“Well, little wolf, you must not know a thing about me if you think I’d accept your rejection,” he says boldly, his hand rubbing the blood off my mouth.

“You may not accept it, but the bond will break,” I say as he grabs my waist, pulling me to him.

“Do you want me to break your fingers? Get your hands off me!” I say, letting out a growl.

He chuckles. “Try and leave now.”

I scan his face for a weakness.

After a moment, he moves his hand to the small of my back, and I take the opportunity to use what little weight I have and knock him to the ground. I grab his hand and pin it under him, nearly breaking it.

His men rush to his aid as my father laughs.

“Stand down! No one is to harm her,” Alpha Black orders, his eyes staring into mine playfully. I release his hand and growl low at him, showing my canines. He stays under me and searches my face as if trying to read me.

“Now, how about you calm down and show your mate that you’re a wolf worth loving, because right now you seem like a weak, used dog. You have alpha blood in you, yet allow lowly men to have their way with you.”

He runs his hand down my back, smiling. “I’ll forgive this as you didn’t know who your mate was, but don’t do it again.”

“Let me make this clear. The Moon Goddess may have paired us, but I don’t want a pathetic alpha who can be tackled by a tiny she-wolf—and whose beta is mated to a she-wolf I want to kill where she stands.

“Now, go do as you wish and continue your life as if we’ve never met.” My voice becomes louder. “I’ve felt you for years, sleeping with she-wolves every few nights. You never cared then for me to be loving!”

He lies under me, looking pissed off, wanting to hurt me like everyone else.

“How dare you speak to the alpha like that!” my sister yells, grabbing my arm, but before she can slap me, I flip her onto her back and bare my teeth at her, growling.

I pin her body under mine and jam my knee into her thigh. There’s an audible crack. Hands wrap around me, pulling me off her.

“I’ve had enough!” I cry, as David pulls me to his chest. “I do not care what blood you have in you. This pack has been nothing but torture my whole life.

“Every day you all hurl abuse at me, and I take it so I won’t be killed. But I am done being a weak wolf! The next person to try and touch me will be killed!”

My alpha blood is coming in handy, making the other wolves bow their heads at my commanding tone.

“Calm down, Ava. You’re going to get yourself killed. Please just breathe, no one will hurt you if you’re mine,” David says, holding me to his chest.

I look at him, wanting to kill him for what he did to me—but I won’t. I can sense his love for me. Although it’s fucked up, he wanted to claim me so no one would hurt me.

He pulls my face to his and kisses me roughly. My hands are pinned against his stomach, preventing me from pushing him off. I take a deep breath of his scent to make sure I remember it.

A growl booms through the halls. “Get your hands off my mate!”

David looks at me, worry filling his eyes. He knows he can’t fight Alpha Black, though. He may be strong, but he’s no match for an alpha.

“As I said, I’m not your mate. I will do as I please for the first time in my life,” I say with a twisted smile, my voice coming off sweet.

“Don’t look for me,” I whisper in David’s ear so only he hears me. He immediately knows what I mean and shakes his head.

I look around for the best escape route, and lock my eyes on the kitchen, just to my right.

David kisses me again, holding me tight to him as he slowly backs me away from the crowd. Panic overtakes the room as Alpha Black begins to shift, preparing to attack.

I push David off and make my run for it. David lies on the ground, keeping everyone back so I can make an escape.

I jump through the window glass and roll onto the ground. I can hear yelling and growls behind me, so I shift as fast as I can. Alpha Black is right behind me.

He growls, trying to get me to submit, but I don’t even turn around, just start running as quick as my legs will take me, darting left and right to avoid trees.

The pack is not too far behind me, and catching up fast. I can tell David is doing his best to lead them in the wrong direction, but without getting himself killed.

Using my tiny frame to my advantage, I hide and shift back, then climb a tree, making sure to keep my body covered by the foliage.

I do the best I can to mask my scent, and since there’s no breeze, this makes it much easier.

The pack runs past, not noticing me in the tree. Carefully holding on to branches so I don’t fall, I make my way through the treetops as quietly as possible.

I make my way through the forest, staying high and covered as I watch them scramble below me, trying to find me and catch me.

When I finally jump past our borders, I look back at what was supposed to be my family and my mate. They’re staring around and growling.

“Goodbye, Red Claw,” I say through the mind-link, cutting my ties and officially becoming a lone wolf. I sever the link so no one can answer me and continue to climb through the trees.

After I make it a safe distance, I lay my body against the trunk of a tree and think over what I just did. I have nothing now, but it’s kind of exciting to be free.

I’m not a rogue, because I wasn’t banished. Not like it matters, though.

“Lyra, where are we?” I think as I observe the area around me. It must not be a huge forest since I can hear the city nearby, people talking and cars honking.

“From what I can sense, we’re headed toward neutral lands. I can feel the humans and vampires around. We must be prepared to hide within the city for a while and live as a human,” she says, pacing back and forth.

When night comes, I climb down the tree to find something to cover my body, when I see two people swimming in a small lake, naked. I sneak toward them, watching to ensure they don’t notice me.

They start playing, splashing one another, and I take the opportunity to grab their clothes and rush to a nearby bush.

My hair is a mess from the day’s events, so I do my best to quickly tame it by rebraiding it down both sides of my head. I slip on a blue lace dress with small pink flowers embroidered on it.

It smells heavily of perfume and barely covers my breasts. I dust off the dirt off my feet and put on the stranger’s gold and tan gladiator sandals. They’re two sizes too big for me.

I hear rustling behind me in the woods and take this as my cue to leave. I can’t allow anything to sneak up on me.

I exit the forest and follow a trail back to the city. There’s a few people walking around on the trails, but no one appears to think twice of me being there, which is the best thing I could have hoped for.

Once inside the city, I make my way past all the people, running away from everything I’ve ever known. I find myself standing before a club, music blaring, people in a line waiting to get in.

I’m debating whether or not to enter when a young woman grabs my arm, her eyes pleading for me to follow her.

“Hey sis, I’m sorry I’m late. Alec was talking my ear off,” she says playfully, her green eyes not leaving mine.

Her curly black hair falls from a high bun onto her lightly tanned face. She’s covered in freckles and has full, rosy lips.

“It’s fine. You’re here now,” I say, playing along with her. I force a smile onto my face, and she gestures with her head to a man watching us.

“Let’s get you home before the boys miss us.” She guides me away from the crowd.

We walk for a few minutes before she stops and turns to me, looking conflicted.

“I’m Mara. You must not be from around here?” She shifts her weight nervously as she waits for my answer.

“No, I just arrived tonight. I don’t even know where ‘here’ is. I just know it’s neutral land…mostly.”

“You’re in Coral City,” Mara says. “It’s a small neutral place, but monitored by the Blood Moon Pack. The alpha owns most of the city and doesn’t like rogues here. You need to make your way through this area fast.”

“I’ll keep going on my journey once the sun rises. I’ve been running for hours and just need a break for a few moments. Thank you for helping me, though,” I say with a small smile on my face.

“Where are you going? I can help you get there. My brother runs a small bed and breakfast, and I can get you a night there for free.” Mara looks away from me, a flat expression on her face. “I want to leave this place too.”

Her eyes find mine again. “That man? He wanted you. I saw him follow you for a while. Either someone from wherever you’re from followed you, or this guy wanted to take advantage.”

“I don’t know who that man was, but he isn’t from my pack lands. I did sense someone watching me on my way through the forest, though. When I was getting dressed.”

I shrug. “I don’t know where I’m going really. I just want to make it to a place I can fend for myself and blend in.”

“Come, let’s get you a place to stay for the night,” she says. “But in the morning, I need to meet with you about what you’re going to do.”

I watch her turn and walk away, wondering if I should really trust this girl. I don’t know her, she doesn’t know me, and I don’t know if that man was even following me. She could be setting me up.

“Ava, we can’t trust this. It’s best if we make a run for it before she turns and sees us gone,” Lyra barks.

“I was just thinking that. Our scent is covered, but we need to find a place to lie low for the night.” I feel Lyra sprinting away from the area.

I take off quietly, not wanting to alert the girl that I’m running away.

But it only takes her a few seconds to realize I’m not following her. I can hear her shouting and looking for me and can tell she’s linking someone that I’ve run off.

I watch her from a hiding spot a few blocks away. Someone meets up with her, and they look like they’re discussing where to search for me when I feel someone watching me.

I turn around and see a man, about five eleven, with dark blue hair, pale skin, and red eyes. The wind starts to blow, and I know what he is. Vampire.

He watches me curiously but covertly, trying not to draw the wolves’ attention.

He motions me to follow him. When I peer around the corner, the two wolves are still there, arguing, so I come out of my hiding spot slowly, watching him for when to move.

Once I get to him, he wraps his leather jacket around me and places his arm around my shoulder, covering my scent. He stays quiet and slowly walks me to an apartment complex nearby.

Still silent, he lets us into his apartment and walks into the kitchen, where he pours me a glass of water and himself a cup of blood and sets them down on the table.

He sits across from me, his eyes searching me, assessing my injuries.

He finally breaks the silence. “Those wolves are part of the Blood Moon Pack. They’re rogue hunters. This may be neutral land, but their alpha torments rogues.”

He places his hand on mine. “I don’t know why you came here, but you must run once you’re healed.”

“I’m sorry that I’m a bother to you,” I say. “I didn’t know where I was. I escaped my pack and landed here and made my way to the city because I knew it was neutral.”

I’m trying to hold back tears at the mess I’ve landed in. “It shouldn’t be long before I’m healed…maybe a few days. Thank you.”

“Don’t worry about bothering me. I followed you when I saw you walk off with the wolf girl. I know our kinds may not get along, but I could see you were injured, which means you’re running or being hunted.

“I won’t ask you about it so you don’t have to relive it, but can you tell me where you come from?” He sips from his cup one-handed, his other hand still lending comfort to mine.

“It’s fine, but it’s probably easier to just tell you my story. My name’s Ava Blood, and I come from the Red Claw Pack. I’m the alpha and luna’s third child. My whole life I’ve been abused by them and the pack for being born.

“I was beaten or tortured for anything that happened. But today was the last straw. I met my fated mate, the alpha of Treetop, and he complained about something I couldn’t control.

“The warrior wolves were training and came into the home and made it smell of wolf. He only said something because a wolf had his hands on me. I guess it was jealousy, but he wanted me to be punished.”

He sits back in his chair, processing everything I just said. I take a deep breath and continue.

“It was either fight and run, be killed by my father, or be force mated with someone I’d rejected. But the worst part is, if my mate had even taken a second to look at me, he would have noticed I was hurt.

“Even after a wolf admitted to forcing himself on me to make me his, my mate just looked at me like I should be punished. I was raped and my mate wanted me to be punished for it.”

Tears are running down my face. My heart’s racing and I can’t catch my breath. The man gets up and kneels on the floor in front of me, then places his hands on my face.

“My name is Abel Crest,” he says, wiping my tears. “I’m a second in my coven. I will not allow anyone to harm you as long as you’re here in my care.

“I don’t know how you survived as long as you did—I can’t imagine what you’ve endured over the years—but you’re safe now. The Blood Moon Pack won’t be able to sense you here.”

ABEL

My mind races seeing this tiny, abused girl sitting in front of me, her face buried in her hands, breaking down. I kneel on the ground in front of her, holding her in my arms, trying to comfort her.

How am I supposed to do that, though? Her own pack abused its future luna. You can see all the scars on her hands and legs. Wolves usually have more morals than to hurt their own.

She can’t be much older than nineteen and looks severely underweight for a wolf. Her cheeks and eyes are sunken in, and her arms are so thin you could easily break them.

When she ran she must have fought hard, because she had dried blood on her mouth and the side of her head. Her body should have healed by now, though. Maybe it’s because she’s so frail that it hasn’t.

“No one is going to hurt you here,” I muster up the courage to say. She shakes her head. I can’t fault her for not believing me, though. She’s been through a lot in the last twenty-four hours.

After about an hour of crying, she settles and falls asleep curled up in a ball in an armchair.

Her beautiful long red hair is falling out of its messy braids, so I brush it back and put in into a ponytail to get it out her face, trying my best to not wake her. She needs her rest.

I study her as she sleeps. She looks so fragile, like any wrong move and she would break. It’s horrible to see someone in this state. I don’t think she even realizes how she looks.

Her face has freckles across her nose, and her skin barely has any color to it, which is rare for a wolf. She has a unique look—ginger hair, lavender eyes, pale skin.

I get up and grab a rag, wetting it a little. I fill a small bowl with water and bring some soap into the living room. She hasn’t moved since falling asleep.

I sit back in front of her and slowly clean the blood off her head, wiping it all away, then pricking my finger and putting my blood on her cut to heal it faster.

I place a bandage on her head and start wiping the dried blood off her mouth and neck.

Once her face is fully clean, I start to wipe her legs down, getting the mud off them. I gently take her sandals off and place them by the door, chuckling quietly. They were so big she must have stolen them.

After cleaning her off, I carry her to my room and place her in my bed. I remove her clothes and put her in one of my shirts—it’s so big it fits like a dress on her.

She has no undergarments on, but I do my best to not look at her body. I don’t want to make her uncomfortable or scared of me. I put a pair of my boxers on her, but have to tie them on the side to fit her.

I put socks on her feet—which feel like blocks of ice—and gently place my gray comforter over her body. I watch as she smiles in her sleep and turns onto her side.

“Warm,” she whispers in her sleep. Something we all take for granted, she finds amazing. I sit there until she gets comfortable, then get up to call my leader.

I crack the bedroom door to hear if Ava needs me, then make my way back to my living room and pull my phone out of the drawer under the old television. But before I can dial my phone, I hear something outside the apartment.

I place my ear to the door and hear talking—it’s the two wolves from earlier, and they’ve picked up another rogue’s scent nearby. They dash away down the alley.

I continue calling my leader, and after a few rings he picks up.

“Abel, what do you need at this hour? Shouldn’t you be sleeping?” His voice is low and groggy.

“Boss, I know you told me not to get involved with the wolves, just study them. But I saved one. She was injured and they were luring her into a trap. The girl would have died.” I kept my voice at a whisper to not wake her.

“She should be healed in a few hours,” he snaps. “Send her away once she wakes. We can’t risk anyone knowing you’re there.”

“Boss, I can’t. She won’t heal. Her wolf is severely injured, and she’s very weak. She’s not in a healthy enough state for her wolf to heal her. I had to use my blood on her head wound. The girl is small, and young—”

My voice cracks. My boss has never been one for caring about the wolves, but I just can’t allow her to die for nothing.

“Why would you do that?” he said, his voice getting louder. “You’re risking everything for a creature that will rip you to shreds once she’s healthy.”

I take a deep breath and glance back at the room, hoping he’s wrong. I know wolves hate vampires, but she doesn’t seem like that kind of wolf.

“Abel, I know you have a good heart. If you think she’s worth saving, I’ll give you the benefit of doubt. But once she’s healed, she needs to meet with us.”

And just like that, he hangs up. I hide my phone back in its spot and lie on the couch and fall asleep.