Mated After Redemption {Alpha Mate's Series}

The dead leaves under my feet crunched as I ran. It was hard to keep track of time here in the woods. I sighed as I realized I hadn't taken my watch along with me on my flight from home. I wasn't aware of how much time had passed. Certainly can't be minutes, half an hour, hours? It was hard to tell. I was strong and if I grew tired, my wolf, Kiara would take over and keep me going for hours, but I was almost regretting the decision I had made. I wondered how my Mum and Father would feel when they found out I was missing. Or more, I ran away. The canopy of trees above shielded me from the hot rays of the sun. I felt thirsty. There was a little brook in an almost symmetrical clearing in front of me. Letting out a tired breath, I decided to get a drink. Scooping up some of the water in my palm, I took a drink. It was cool and refreshing so I took more. It tasted like heaven, soothing my parched throat. My stomach rumbled and I realized I was hungry. Rooting in the small backpack I had managed to carry with me, I discovered I had only a few Chocolate bars left. If I didn't get out of these woods soon, my wolf would have to hunt animals. I wrinkled my nose at the thought. I hated eating in my wolf form. Unwrapping the chocolate bar, I was about to take a huge bite when something moved out of the corner of my eye. I turned slowly, my eyes zoning in on the direction of the movement. It was just a deer lying under the shade of a tree a few yards off. I searched through my backpack for a short arrow and when I didn't see any, I shook my head, deciding to just let it go. I had woken up this morning with a sense of foreboding. I could hear the sounds of activity in our house. . . more activity than was normal. Something was brewing. I had felt it and I didn't like it. My mum had come into my room. "Good morning, Leanor love. Beautiful day isn't it?" She said with a wide smile, twirling and giving me a peck on the cheek. My eyes narrowed. My mum, Elsie Lake, was usually so. . . regal and formal. She was the Luna of the pack and always acted the part. Since I was little, she had always reminded me more times than I could count of duty, poise, and deportment. Her suppressed excitement made me suspicious. I got out of bed slowly, looking at her. "What's going on, Mum? Are you and Father shipping me off somewhere far away?" Her smile dropped which only affirmed my assumption. " Of course not dear." She replied but her eyes shifted as she said it. "It's time for you to get up. Make yourself pretty. We are going to have an important guest." "Important guest?" My eyes crinkled and I had groaned. It was normal to have guests in our pack and as the Alpha's daughter, I was always made to welcome each one of them. What wasn't normal was I always knew who was coming. If my parents didn't notify me, Master Vincent would always. "Ariana and Leila will help you get ready." She had replied, heading towards the door. "Mum, you're avoiding the question. Mum!" But she was gone. Seconds later, Ariana and Leila walked in, bathing me and dressing me in a golden, strapless, shimmery gown. By the time they were done, I could hardly recognize the dark-haired beauty who stared at me in the mirror. Food and drinks arrived on a platter and I was urged to eat them. Moments later, my father walked into my room with his entourage of guards. Leila and Ariana stood up immediately, nearly upsetting the tray of food on my lap. I didn't blame them though. Six feet tall with a long white waist-length beard, hard muscles, and piercing blue eyes, I had to admit my Father was an imposing figure. There was an aura of power around him. No surprise there. He was the Alpha of our pack, the Black Diamond pack. It was one of the most feared and respected werewolf packs. He ruled justly but with an iron fist. Only a few close to him-myself inclusive- knew how kind and loving he was. But Dad's eyes held this emotion I couldn't decipher. The only thing he said was. "Eleanor, behave. Please." He walked up to me and raised my chin gently to look at him. "Do you understand?" He asked, his blue eyes staring intently into mine which were perfect replicas of his. I didn't reply though and Father might have seen the curiosity in my eyes as he only patted me on the shoulder and left. I went out of my room and a sight met my eyes. Garlands of flowers hung in intricate patterns on the walls of my home. I could smell the aroma of a dozen tempting dishes coming from the kitchen area. There was a soft, red carpet spread in the hall. My footsteps were muffled as I stepped on it. Going outside, I could see other signs of activity. Lights, decorations, and flowers were being put up. It was certainly more than making me welcome a guest. My heart sank. I didn't want my suspicions proved right. Luckily, my eyes had landed on Alastair. He was sitting under the shade of a tree, a sad look on his face. "Alastair" I had called. His eyes lit up when he saw me. "You look amazing, Eleanor." he stood up, sliding his arms across my shoulder and I smacked him. I took his hand in both of mine. "What's going on, Alastair? You're my friend and we swore never to hide anything from each other." I mumbled looking up at him. "William Knight is on his way here," replied Alastair. "William..." I trailed off, trying to remember where I had heard that name. "Yes, William. The Alpha of the Red Moon pack and your intended husband." "And you didn't tell me?" I had yelled with tears streaming down my face but at that moment I didn't care. Alistar motioned for me to reduce my voice. I had already attracted some curious stares. He took my arm and led me into the garden where there was some degree of privacy. He held my arms in his big, strong arms and looked at me. "Are you sure you don't want to get married to William?" He had questioned and even though I had an idea of what my best friend wanted to do, I nodded. And that nod was the only thing Alastair needed because the next minute we arrived at the forest path that bordered my home. I had changed out of my beautiful but ridiculously long dress and had worn more practical-looking jeans, a hoodie, and sneakers. I put up my hood. "Eleanor?" The voice came from behind us. Alistair and I shot frightened glances at each other as we slowly turned. It was Vincent Rudolph, my father's friend, and Beta. He was like a father to me but I wasn't sure he would excuse my behavior. "Don't want the mighty William, child?" he had asked, his fingers making quotation marks in the air when he said the word mighty. I shook my head. "Go then. I won't stop you." I opened my mouth to speak. "I won't tell your father either. You know where to go, right?" "Yes, I do. I've been exploring these woods since I was little." Giving a hug to Alistair and Vincent, I ran into the woods. I glanced back one last time at them but they had gone. *** The sound of twigs snapping interrupted my reverie. I shot to my feet and ran on my heart pounding. The pack guards were probably still after me. Even if they caught me, I hoped that I wouldn't get Alistair and Vincent into trouble. Father would never forgive me for making him a fool in front of not only his pack but the Red Moon pack. The forest floor sloped downwards. I was descending the hill now. The toe of my sneakers got caught in the root of some plants. I fought to regain my balance and screamed as I felt myself falling. Vaguely, I heard a thud as my head hit something hard. "Ouch" I banged the backpack against my leg in frustration. It was almost useless to me now. I considered leaving it behind, but then it may give someone a clue as to where I was headed. I was getting weak and spent. Kiara urged me to let her take over. Her need to take over and protect our human form was intense. But letting her take control would swamp all my rational thoughts. The last time I had allowed her to take control, I had run free and wild for days reveling in the speed, strength, and power of my wolf. I wanted to return to my pack after a few days. I was pretty sure Vincent had not bargained for my long absence. The longer I stayed away, the more the chances of getting him and Alistair in trouble increased. 'Let us run through these woods.' Kiara said in my mind. 'I can move much faster. We need to hunt also.' No, Kiara. She fell silent. But I could feel her assurance that I would soon get tired and allow her to take control. I was determined not to let that happen. Resigned, I closed my eyes and let Kiara take over. I felt myself change. Exhilarated at being allowed to take control Kiara began to run, her pace quickening at each bound. Kiara suddenly saw a rabbit running a few paces in front of us. She ran faster. I tried to control her pace, but she ran even faster than I thought possible. The need to hunt eclipsed all considerations of safety. Her feet barely seemed to touch the ground. The scenery passed by in a blur. Suddenly, I heard a loud snap. Seconds later I felt white hot pain shoot through me. As I drifted into unconsciousness, I realized the snap I had heard was a part of my body breaking.