Current day : Katie’s 18th birthday
I wake with a gasp, my fingers curling into my blanket. Always the same damn nightmares. I roll over on my futon couch bed in my little cabin and look out my window. Since that horrid night I have thrived on my own. Using my wolf to hunt and run, to gather things I can from the wilderness and Mother Nature herself. I like it this way, as a rogue and not being completely accepted to any packs I’m not seen as friendly much. I can go into the small village outside the pack of Red River. But I make my stops short and quick, only ever to Helen’s or put gas in my beat up tissue box car. At this point I’m not sure if I can blame anyone for not wanting me around, that fateful night left my face permanently scarred. Wolf healing helped a lot of it but I still have part my hair missing by my left brow and by my hair line. It’s hideous and most time I wear a scarf around my head to hide it. Or most of it.
Standing up off my little futon bed I raise it back into a couch and arrange the pillows and fold my blanket. I don’t have much in this little cabin. Only a fridge, my bed/couch, and a fireplace to cook my foods. Most might think I’m crazy as there is more modern technology but I prefer it this way. After years of being out with nothing this little home has become my everything. I stretch and start my chores for the day going out and tending my gardens and flowers, packing all the plants I can sell in neat bags and boxes. I have to make my trip out to Helen, the shopkeeper. She gives me a good percentage of money back for the plants I sell to her. Occasionally I can find a nicer things to sell but it’s hard to find things as a rouge loner.
After my chores I load everything in my car and take off to town, it’s a bit of a drive but it doesn’t take to long. In about 30 minutes I have reached the small village with the cobblestone path. I follow down it and head to Helen’s little shop. She is one of the few people I will even talk to, and only because she has proven herself to me. As I pull in I park by the side door and pull at my scarf to make sure it’s covering everything. Keeping my head down I make my way inside and great Helen.
“Hello dear! Always good to see you!” She says as soon as she sees me enter, she walks over to give me a hug.
“How have you been? You missed your drop off last week.” She reminds me
“I’m okay Helen I reply, I have extras for you this week, just tell Toby to lock my car up when he’s done unloading it please” I ask her.
“Of course Katie, you know Toby knows the drill.” She replies and waves at her grandson to tell him to go unload my car. Toby is a good young man who cares deeply for his grandma. He’s here almost everyday helping her with everything she cannot get done.
As he goes to leave the store I smell the air, it smells so good in here today. I tell Helen I’m going to look around for a couple things and she goes back to manning the front of the shop. As I walk around that wonderful scent gets stronger but I can’t seem to find the candle it belongs to. My wolf is also on edge but I force Gypsy back, now is not the time. Gathering the rest of my things I head to the front to check out.
“Hey Helen, did you get some new candles for the shop?” I ask.
“We didn’t hun, could be the food from the festive.” She replies.
“What festive? I didn’t hear of anything”
“Of course you wouldn’t girl, you aren’t around enough.” She winks and teases me.
Huffing I grumble an “okay” as she pack my items.
“It’s for the upcoming Alpha, he’s come of age to take the roll as Alpha but he’s in search of his mate.”
“Oh. Well I don’t want to stay long then.” I joke with her. Gathering my bags in my hands and juggling my keys free I wave goodbye as I walk out.
“Take care, Katie” Helen calls behind me.
Shuffling out to my car I stand in front of it and try to wiggle the right key into my free hand, the keys slip and fall straight to the ground.
“Oh, come on” I mumbled, shifting the food to bend down and grab the keys. When my eyes land on dark boots headed my direction. Looking up I see a man with brown hair and grayish eyes walking up to me, he’s wearing worn jeans and a plain black tee. He smiles at me and I put my head down ignoring him.
“Need a hand?” He offers
“ No I just dropped my keys, I’m okay.” I politely deny him but he’s already reaching for my keys on the ground. Turning he unlocks my car and pops the trunk of my car. Turning around his curly ear length hair bounces slightly, his shoulders broad and muscular.. why am I think about his muscles.. and why did that smell follow him. Getting flustered I turn quickly putting my groceries and other items in my trunk. Turning and keeping my head down.
“Keys please,” I ask, waiting
“Not even gonna say thank you or ask my name?” He teases
“Okay,” rolling my eyes, “ thank you, even though I denied it.” I tease back and walk forward grabbing my keys from his hand quickly, And walking towards the driver door.
“It’s Jax” he says, sounding a little annoyed.
Looking at him and taking him in. His brown hair curling slightly at the ends near his ears and the nape his neck. His gray eyes that have hints of blue to them. His tall and masculine frame would be intimidating to anyone, but for some reason I wasn’t scared. I knew he wouldn’t hurt me. Forcing a smile I look at him for a short moment longer.
“Thanks Jax” I mumble and turn to get in my car. Then I drive off and head home. Leaving that handsome stranger behind.
“Jax’s POV”Today my family and I, Luna Tonya and Alpha Timothy the current Aplha and Luna of Red River pack, are visiting a small village outside the pack house. This village is farther than the rest and is the last stop before we go back home. We came because last week was my 18th birthday, and we had week long celebrations to attend to. This gave me the chance to meet more pack members and to learn more about the role of Alpha. Although I must say I’m pretty spent with it. Not wanting to be around the crowds of women throwing themselves to their knees, and the men that wanted to be my next in command, I decided I was going to sneak off today. I drove myself on my motorcycle so that way I could do what I wanted. Parking it near the center of town my mother, father, and I great people. Everyone is throwing themselves at us and being overly nice, so when no one is looking and I get the chance to sneak off I do. Ducking into an alley way I make my way around the town, walking and looki
“Katie’s POV” When I got home I decided to go for a run with my wolf, Gypsy, leaving my clothes neatly folded by my door for when I return I take off towards the side of the house. Walking into the trees, my paws sinking into the dirt under them I feel a sense of calm come over me. Running alone with my wolf is the only thing in this world that makes me feel free, and I’m never alone when I have her. We are two of the same, she has protected me and kept me safe for years when we were alone. Fighting off other rouges and unmated crazy driven males, tracking the scent of my heats. I’m beyond lucky to have survived the horrible life I was dealt, but now I’m just happy to have found some sort of a home, some sort of piece for my broken soul. Starting to pick up my pace I run from my little cabin, being miles away from everybody and secluded i don’t have to worry about running into many people. If I do it’s typically wolfs from town out on runs, and they make sure to stay away from my are
Standing next to the river I am finishing gathering the fish I have tossed onto the bay, completely naked the air breezes past my bits making a chill go through me. Quickening my pace I gather the fish that I caught onto the rope i put it through their mouths and loop it through the gills of the catfish. Glancing around I feel like something is coming, not dangerous but something is going to happen kind of feeling. Another breeze across the rippling blue river sends another chill down my body, I have better shift into Gypsy before I end up sick. Tying the rope into a tight not i shift back into Gypsy and take the rope into our mouth. The catfish dangling as the rope gets pulled up, swings back and forth slightly, the smell of fish hitting my nose making it crinkle some. As much as I come her to fish I swear the smell of fish will always get to me, but it does make a pretty good meal. Ignoring it like always I trot back towards the path leading to my cabin. Happy with my big catch toda
“Katie’s POV” Runnning towards that smell my heart is beating faster, my fear is slipping into the back of my mind. The anticipation creeping into me. Then I see him, skidding to a hault paws digging deep into the dirt. I look at him and his wolf form. His wolf twice the size of mine and intimidating. My wolf is a bit bigger than most too, but his is huge. His massive black paws, and his shimmering black coat reminding me of dark nights chilly nights. The sky so dark the stars look like glitter shimmering through its cracks. Bringing a mixture of wonder and curiosity. Two grey eyes, look to me. Shining like polished steel with hints of dull blues, so simple. But so captivating. He lowers his head and ears and takes a step forward, not sure what he’s suppose to do. His head slightly tilting looking at me. I shake out my coat and the trance I was in, and nod my head back down the path to the cabin. The fish in my mouth that I was carrying swaying back and forth. Realizing what I’m get
“Katie’s POV” “We should talk” I say. He looks at me and smiles and my heart flips upside down in my chest. “We definitely should talk, hell I don’t even know your name yet” he teases me. “My names Katie,” I reply sheepishly, resuming my cooking and preparing the potatoes and carrots I’ll make with fish. Feeling heat rise to the back my neck, “I’m sorry,” I go on, “I’m not exactly use to many people actually wanting to talk to me, and I really wasn’t paying much attention earlier..” I mumble, cutting potatoes a little more aggressive than needed. “You know,” I start rambling again, “I didn’t think the Moon Goddess was going to bless me with a mate. Or to even have a mate that would consider talking to me or having me in eye sight, especially after..” I motion up. A frown on my face and my heart feeling crushed at the words. I know it naught not be true but better to prepare myself. Cutting more I don’t know what else to say. Suddenly his hand is on mine, the tingles like electri
“Katies POV” After finishing our plates, I clear them off in my small trash can tucked under my sink. The clinking of the dishes echoing in the silence of the small cabin. Placing the plates into the sink I turn around and look at Jax, he’s staring at me waiting for me to start talking. The silence stretching further into the night like millions of stars that cover the sky. Taking a deep breath and sighing I walk back over to the table and take a seat across from Jax, him watching my every move like I would somehow magically disappear. Scooting in the chair it squeaks across the plain wood floor, anticipation making the air thick and hard to breathe. He reaches his hand across the table and grabs mine, giving it a squeeze and soothingly running his thumb across the top my hand. Tingles shoot up my arm at his touch, like a gun receiving it’s power to shoot. I look him in the face, his stunning stone grey eyes captivating me. Taking a deep breath and letting his touch calm me some I st
“Katie’s POV” His words sink into my bones like a flood overtaking it’s surroundings, submerging me into its coldness. I realize just how much my life will change if I accept him. Everything I’ve worked for and done will be lost in the wind behind me. My breath stops coming and I feel myself get dizzy, my breath catching in my lungs like breeze in a sail. “Hey Katie, hey,” I hear a voice talking to me but My vision is blurry and my surroundings are fogged. I can’t make sense of this right now. Leaving my home.. I cant. “Katie, baby, it’s okay breath.” Jax is now infront of me and looking at me with such concern. Like a little girl who broke her dolly. “Katie you don’t have to come if you don’t want to, but I really really want to start my life with you by my side.” He says softly, staring at my face. His brows are scrunched tight together again, his face holding so much worry and concern that I might just say no. My heart tugs in pain at the thought of letting him walk, but also a
“Jax’s POV” I woke early, rays of sunlight streaming through the light grey curtains, Katie clinging to my side. Her leg is over mine and her arm is draped around my torso, holding me by her side. After everything she has been through I don’t blame her for holding so tightly. To lose everything.. I couldn’t imagine the pain. How could this beautiful girl have such a haunting past. To go from one day being a princess to the next being a rogue, my finger brush long locks of her ashy brown hair from her face. So much she had to endure, and at such a young age. This gorgeous girl has more strength than a thousand warriors could fathom, my hand trails from her long hair letting it fall and slip through my fingers. This all captivating girl has captured my love, I can’t let her slip away. I watch her sleep, her face suddenly scrunching in worry. I can feel fear through our bond, and so much pain.. it’s not strong as when we mate and mark, but I can still feel her. Rubbing my thumb gently a