The Lone Wolf's Reluctant Mate

DANIELLE

In less than a week, we find ourselves on the road, heading toward our new home.

Harry’s place is too close to our old pack lands, making it unsafe for us to stay there. So, he’s arranged for us to live with his friend, Charlie.

Charlie’s place is at the other end of the country, far enough that Ryan won’t be able to track us down.

He runs a sanctuary for orphaned wolves, nestled in the mountains, far from any wolf packs, with only a small human town nearby.

Survival means we’ll have to blend into the human world.

The journey spans two days.

Rory is unusually quiet throughout the trip. The cheerful, carefree teenager I know is replaced by a wolf who’s seen too much and has little to say.

I’m not doing much better. I’m trying to stay strong, but when I’m alone, the tears just won’t stop. I won’t let myself break, though. I won’t let Ryan win.

“We’re almost there,” Harry breaks the silence. “Another hour and we’ll be there. Charlie’s a good guy. He knows what it’s like to lose family, to lose your pack.

“But don’t mistake his kindness for weakness,” he cautions. “He’ll expect you to work hard, to study, and to make the most of the opportunity he’s giving you.”

I nod. “I want to work. I won’t let Ryan ruin me like he ruined my family.”

“We both will,” Rory chimes in.

I smile at him and squeeze his hand. At least we have each other.

***

We drive through a quaint, old-fashioned town, leaving it behind in a matter of minutes as we venture deeper into the forest.

The road narrows, and we begin a slow climb up the mountain. Eventually, we turn onto a dirt track that leads to a clearing with a large wooden lodge at its center.

“We’re here. Let’s grab your bags and I’ll introduce you to Charlie.”

As we step out of the car, the lodge door swings open, and a large, dark-haired wolf bounds out.

“Harry, it’s been too long,” he says, pulling Harry into a hug.

“Far too long, old friend. But I’m glad to be here.”

“And these are the young ones you saved?”

“Meet Rory and Danielle. Their pack was wiped out by Ryan and his Savage Wolves.”

“I’ve heard about that mad wolf and the havoc he’s wreaking. You’re both welcome here. This is a safe haven for you. There are twenty other young wolves living here, orphans like you. We’re like a pack. We look out for each other. But remember, if you start a fight, if you hurt another pup, you’re out,” he warns, his gaze steady.

“We won’t cause any trouble,” I assure him.

Rory nods in agreement.

Charlie seems satisfied with our response. “Good. I expect you to work hard and make the most of this opportunity. It’s pointless for me to save you from Ryan if you don’t. You can build a new life here, have a career, go to university.”

For the first time in over a week, I smile. “I want that. I won’t let Ryan win.”

“Then come in,” Charlie says, leading us toward the lodge.

“We’ll get you settled, introduce you to the other pups, and then we can talk about enrolling you in the local high school.

It’s mostly humans, but you’ll be able to take the classes you need to graduate and get into a shifter-friendly university. If that’s what you want, of course.”

“That’s exactly what I want.”

This life may not be what I expected or chose, but I’m determined to make the most of it.

PRESENT DAY

The final day of school is here, and I’m eager to bid it farewell.

Black Vale Academy hasn’t been all bad, but I’ve always felt like an outsider. I’m not sure a werewolf can ever truly blend in with humans, but I’ve given it my best shot.

I’ve dedicated the past four years to my studies, keeping a low profile, and ensuring I get the grades to secure a spot at Linton University.

I want to make Charlie proud. He’s been my guardian and my friend for the past four years, and I owe him everything. When the acceptance letter from the university arrived, I think he was even more thrilled than I was.

I’ll miss Charlie, and the pups. The lodge will always be my safe haven, a place I can return to, but I need to carve out my own path in life.

When the bell finally rings, signaling the end of the day, I spring to my feet and make a beeline for the door. I bid my classmates farewell for the last time before heading back to the lodge.

Upon arrival, I spot a massive banner hanging above the doorway that reads “Congratulations Danielle.” A small blonde girl peers out the window, her face filled with anticipation.

Leave it to Millie to turn this into a celebration.

She’s only thirteen. She came to the lodge two years ago, the sole survivor when her pack was annihilated by the Savage Wolves.

Ryan has escalated his attacks on the packs since he obliterated mine.

She was traumatized by the experience and didn’t utter a word for the first three weeks, but gradually she began to open up and adjust to life with us. Now she’s a typical teenager, most of the time.

“Hey, Millie,” I greet her as I walk through the door. “This looks amazing. Did you do it all yourself?”

“Charlie helped, and so did some of the younger pups. They’re all excited about the party.”

“Party? I thought it was just a family dinner.”

“It is a dinner, but we can turn it into a party too!”

I pull her into a hug. “Of course we can.”

“I just wish you didn’t have to leave so soon. Charlie says it will be weeks before term starts at Linton, but you’re leaving now.”

“I need to find a place to live, and I’ll have to work this summer. There aren’t any well-paying jobs around here, but there will be plenty in Linton.”

She pouts but doesn’t say anything more.

“Danielle,” Charlie says as he walks into the room. “You need to get ready. I’ll be serving dinner in less than an hour, and I have a surprise for you that you won’t want to miss.”

“What surprise?”

“If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise.”

“Okay, give me twenty minutes to freshen up.”

***

For my last night at the lodge, I decide to dress up a bit. I choose my only fancy clothes, a sparkly gold tank top, which I pair with black jeans.

There isn’t much need for party clothes in the mountains. There’s nowhere to wear them even if I had the money to buy glamorous outfits.

I make my way downstairs and find everyone in the dining room waiting for me. As I glance around the room, I see that Rory is here.

He left the lodge to go traveling a year ago, and apart from a few postcards, we hadn’t heard from him since. I’ve missed him so much.

His dark-brown hair has grown long, and he’s sporting a beard. He’s dressed casually in a shirt and jeans, and I notice newly formed muscles ripple underneath his shirt.

“Wow, Rory, you came!” I exclaim, pulling him into a hug.

“I wouldn’t miss your going away party, Dani.”

I beam at him. As much as I love all the wolves at the lodge, he’s my true family. We’ve shared so much together, and I’ve missed being able to confide in him.

“Anyway, I wanted to take you to Linton. I know a guy there who can help you get settled. He’s found you a place to stay.”

“That’s fantastic.” I didn’t want to admit it, but I’ve been nervous about going to Linton. If Rory takes me, I won’t have to do everything by myself, and we’d get the opportunity to spend some time alone together.

“I can’t stay long. I have a job lined up in the north, but I can at least make sure you get there safely.”

“Are we going to get started then?” Eddie, one of the younger pups, asks impatiently. “Charlie has made STEAK!”

I smile at him. “Of course. We don’t want it going cold.”

Eddie has only been here for a couple of months. Charlie found him alone and starving in the forest. He’s still getting used to having regular meals.

We walk into the dining room, where Millie has again worked her magic. The room is covered in balloons and banners, and glitter is strewn across the white tablecloth.

“It looks beautiful, Millie.”

“She’s been working on decorating the lodge all afternoon,” Charlie says, smiling affectionately at her.

“I wanted it to be special.”

“It is, thank you,” I tell her, pulling her into a hug.

“Can we start now?” Eddie whines.

“Don’t be so impatient. This is Dani’s special night,” Charlie admonishes him.

Eddie immediately looks chastened.

“You’re fine, Eddie,” I tell him. “Let’s sit down and tuck into this beautiful meal.”

He grins at me and quickly takes a seat. Before anyone else has sat down, he starts shoveling food into his mouth.

“I’m trying to teach him manners, but it is a losing battle!” Charlie sighs.

“You’ll get there. You did with us.”

He chuckles. “Manners weren’t your problem.”

I’m going to miss him and the pups. I don’t want to think about what would have happened to Rory and me if Charlie hadn’t taken us in. I’ll always be grateful to this amazing man for everything he’s done for us.

***

The next morning, we rise before dawn, and Rory loads all my luggage into his car.

Charlie and the pups have woken up early to say goodbye.

“Thanks for everything, Charlie. You’ve made the last few years happy ones.”

“You’re welcome, kid. It’s been a pleasure watching you grow into such a strong and caring wolf. I don’t know how I’m going to cope without your help with the younger pups, but I’m glad you’re making something of your life and have this chance to go to Linton. We will all miss you.”

“I will miss you too, but I’ll be back at Christmas. I wouldn’t miss Christmas at the lodge.” I hug him. “This place is always going to be home.”

I say goodbye to each of the wolf pups, and finally, it’s Millie’s turn. “I’m going to miss you so much, Mills, but it won’t be long until I’m back.”

“Christmas is five months away.”

“It will pass quickly,” I promise her.

“We better go. It’s a long way to Linton,” Rory says softly.

Charlie shakes Rory’s hand. “Good to see you again, Rory. Don’t be a stranger.”

“I won’t. You might see me at Christmas as well.”

“We would like that.”

We get into the car and drive away.

“I will miss them.”

“Of course you will, but there’s a whole world out there for you to experience.”

“The way you’ve been doing?”

“Exactly.”