The Lone Wolf's Reluctant Mate

DANIELLE (Age 14)

FOUR YEARS AGO

I’m frozen in place, my eyes wide with terror. The Savage Wolves have decimated my pack in just a few hours, leaving my life in ruins.

Those who dared to resist are either dead or dying. The bodies of my loved ones are strewn among them.

I try to look away from the gruesome sight of my father’s and older brother’s bodies, but I can’t.

Ryan, the leader of the Savage Wolves, has ordered the remaining members of my pack to be rounded up. The young and healthy are separated from the old and sick.

We’re forced to watch as he executes those he deems unworthy.

“Your pack is no more. The Wolf Claw Pack has been wiped out. The only pack that matters now is the Savage Wolves pack. You have a choice,” he announces.

“Pledge your loyalty to me and my pack, and you will live. Refuse, and you will be banished, left to fend for yourselves as rogues.

“Those who join us will serve as omegas, obeying our every command.”

A few of Ryan’s wolves snicker. Their clothes are torn and stained with the blood of my packmates. They look at us with contempt.

One of them locks eyes with me, licking his lips in a suggestive manner. I’m only fourteen, but I understand what he wants.

I shudder and grip my best friend Rory’s hand for comfort.

He squeezes my hand back, grounding me, and I refocus on Ryan.

“If you work hard and prove your worth, you may earn a place among my warriors. It’s a tough path, only the best get to join my ranks.

“If you choose not to join us, leave now, taking nothing with you.”

I watch as my packmates contemplate their options. It’s a difficult decision.

Becoming a rogue is a fate feared by all wolves. Hated by packs, forced to wander, never allowed to settle. But is it worse than staying with the Savage Wolves?

The thought of serving those who murdered my family and friends sickens me. I glance at Ryan’s wolves and shudder at the thought of being their servant.

The wolf who had been leering at me earlier catches my eye again. He mouths the word “MINE” at me.

Any lingering doubts about my decision vanish. I choose the life of a rogue.

I whisper to Rory, “I’m leaving.”

He nods in agreement. “Me too. As soon as Ryan gives the word, we run. I don’t trust him.”

“Have you made your decision?” Ryan asks.

We nod.

“Those who wish to stay, join my warriors. The rest of you, stay put.”

I watch as most of the survivors join Ryan’s warriors. Only five of us remain. Besides Rory and me, there are the beta’s two youngest sons, Henry and Rob, and the alpha’s daughter, Alison.

“No, Alison, you’re staying,” Ryan commands.

“No!” Henry protests.

“It’s okay, Henry, just go,” Alison pleads.

“No, not without you. I won’t leave you with these monsters. We leave together.”

Ryan looks bored. “Are you leaving or staying?”

“We’re leaving, but together.”

“You’re brave, which would be admirable if it weren’t so foolish.”

He signals one of his warriors, who strides over to Henry. He grabs him, twists his neck, and we hear a snap. Alison screams.

Rob charges at them, seeking revenge for his brother.

“Now,” Rory whispers in my ear. “While they’re distracted.”

I nod and we sprint toward the trees, Rory keeping pace with me.

Ryan yells, “Stop them! I had planned a hunt, but you’re not playing by the rules. You may have a head start, but my wolves will find you and kill you. No one escapes.”

It’s clear he never intended to let any of us go.

We don’t stop, we keep running, knowing our survival depends on reaching the forest before Ryan’s wolves can catch us.

Our only advantage is our familiarity with this terrain. If we can reach the trees, we can lose them in the forest.

From there, we can make our way to the nearest human town where we’ll be safe. Ryan’s wolves wouldn’t dare risk exposure by hunting us there.

I’ve never been to a human town before; our pack doesn’t mingle with humans.

I’ve always been curious about humans. I’ve always wanted to see what they’re like. Now, I’m going to get my chance.

We keep running, my heart pounding, my lungs gasping for air, but we maintain a relentless pace, knowing that slowing down even for a moment could mean our deaths.

For the first ten minutes, we can hear Ryan’s wolves behind us, howling and laughing as they chase us through the forest.

They’re confident they’ll catch us. A couple of teenage wolves are no match for warriors. But we know this forest better than anyone, the best paths and trails, the places where roots can trip the unwary.

As the trees get denser and the terrain more difficult to navigate, they slow down, and we manage to pull ahead.

The deeper we go into the forest, the more distance we put between us and the Savage Wolves.

After thirty minutes, we reach a river. Rory dives in without hesitation, and I follow suit. We swim to the other side, but instead of getting out, we swim north, keeping our heads down and staying close to the bank.

***

An hour later, Rory decides it’s safe to leave the river. We climb out and start walking through a part of the forest I’ve never been to before.

I’m cold and exhausted. My clothes are soaked and chafing against my skin. But none of that will matter if we can reach the human town before Ryan’s warriors find us.

We haven’t seen or heard any signs of them since we entered the river. I hope we’ve managed to lose them.

“I don’t think it’s far now,” Rory tells me.

“How do you know?”

“My father used to bring me here. He had a friend in town we used to visit.”

“A human?” I ask, intrigued.

“No, not a human. He didn’t know any humans. His friend was a lone wolf.”

“A rogue!”

“No, he wasn’t a rogue. He wouldn’t harm anyone. He was a lone wolf who had lost his pack, just like us.”

I fight back tears. He’s right. My entire family is dead, and my pack has been killed or enslaved. How am I any different from this friend of Rory’s?

“I’m sorry,” I manage to whisper.

He turns and hugs me. “Don’t be. We both need to adjust to our new reality. I’m hoping Harry can help us. He’s our only hope of survival.

“Even if we manage to evade Ryan and his wolves, we’ll need help to live among humans. I just hope his friendship with my dad will convince him to take us in.”

It’s a slim hope. Not many wolves would. Our own alpha used to turn away lone wolves who sought sanctuary with our pack.

We emerge from the forest and start following a paved road. Gradually, the trees and fields give way to houses as we reach the outskirts of the human town.

Rory leads us through the suburbs to a single-story house. “We’re here. I hope he’s home,” he says nervously, before walking up the path and knocking on the door.

A tall, gray-haired man opens the door. I can tell right away that he’s a wolf like us.

“Rory, I wasn’t expecting you. Is your dad with you?” he asks, looking around.

“No, uh, no…” Rory trails off, unable to find the words to explain what’s happened.

I gather my courage. “Our pack was destroyed by the Savage Wolves. Our parents are dead. We…managed to escape, but we think they’re still after us.” I break down, overwhelmed by exhaustion and grief.

“You need a place to stay,” he guesses, opening the door wider. “Come in. You don’t want to be seen out here.”

“You’ll help us?” Rory asks.

“Your dad was a good man,” he says, his voice filled with a quiet respect. “He was there for me when I needed it. The least I can do is return the favor to his son.”

He guides us into a cozy living room, motioning toward a plush sofa. I gratefully sink into the cushions, relieved to finally rest without the constant threat of danger looming over us.

“Are you guys hungry?” he asks, his eyes soft with concern. “I can whip up something for us to eat. After that, we can figure out our next move.”

Rory nods, gratitude etching lines into his young face. “Thanks,” he says, his voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t know what we would’ve done without you.”

He waves off the thanks with a casual flick of his hand. “Don’t mention it. This world isn’t kind to lone wolves, especially pups. But don’t worry, I think I have a plan to keep you both safe.”