Running from the Mate Bond Book 1: Ella
Автор
Eleanor Moon
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2,0M
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Chapter 1: The First Shift
ELLA
“Ready for the most painful night of your life?”
Cecile smirks, circling me for what feels like the hundredth time tonight.
“Shut up,” I mutter, nervously smoothing my hands over the delicate fabric of my mother’s wedding gown.
Cecile laughs softly. “Relax, El. I’m just teasing,” she says, flashing me a mischievous grin. "You look beautiful," she adds, pulling me into a quick hug before heading out to the garden.
Tonight, I turn eighteen—and tradition dictates that I wear white for the full moon ceremony before my first shift.
I honestly didn’t think I’d have anything to wear. Money has been tight lately, and I didn’t want to ask for a new dress. I almost cried this morning when Aunt Trudy surprised me with my mother’s gown—admitting she had been refitting it for me in secret.
I’m glad she kept it. Wearing this makes me feel like a piece of my mother is still here with me.
“Are you ready?”
Uncle John steps into the hallway and holds his arm out for me. His expression softens as he takes me in. Nostalgia and bittersweet joy cross his face.
“You look just like your Mom, sweetheart,” he murmurs, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead.
A sad smile tugs at my lips as I slip my arm through his and let him guide me outside.
The garden is bathed in soft moonlight, and my family is gathered in a wide circle around the ceremonial fire. Their hushed voices fall silent when we approach, their attention shifting entirely to me.
Uncle John smiles at me reassuringly. “I’ll be guiding you through it,” he says, squeezing my hand one last time before stepping aside.
Aunt Trudy and Cecile beam at me as I take my place between them. I’m glad I was born in July, looking forward to my first run on a hot summer night.
My brother Jake shoots me a crooked grin while Cecile’s younger brothers, the twins, bounce with excitement. I’m the first of the children in our family to turn eighteen, and I know all of them are longing for their own wolf.
Anticipation courses through me as I glance around the circle. This is the moment I’ve waited for my whole life. My wolf has always been a quiet presence in my mind, her voice soothing me on sleepless nights when I missed my parents the most.
I can’t wait to let her out and run free under the full moon...
I close my eyes as a strange energy floods my veins. My body begins to vibrate, my heart pounding as my wolf stirs restlessly beneath my skin.
I take a deep breath, ready to embrace the shift. Then I turn my back to my family, letting the dress slip from my shoulders.
My pulse quickens, energy humming through my veins—hot and electric. My body trembles, my vision blurring, before a sharp, searing pain tears through me. Bones crack and shift, the sound terrifying, the pain unbearable.
I cry out, falling to my knees.
“Keep breathing, Ella. It won’t take long,” Uncle John calls from behind me.
I can’t answer. A scorching pain burns through my veins, and I struggle to breathe, my throat tightening. When I finally manage to open my mouth, only a growl escapes.
Suddenly, the world comes alive around me in ways I’ve never known. The garden breathes beneath the moonlight, and I can even hear the tiniest whisper of leaves, the wind rushing through the wildflowers.
Cecile lets out a soft gasp. “You’re so beautiful,” she exclaims.
I turn toward my family, my tail wagging behind me. Their expressions light up with pride and joy. Aunt Trudy wipes at her cheeks while Uncle John grins from ear to ear. “That’s my girl! Good job, Ella!”
Jake steps forward, looking me over. “Not bad, sis.”
“Do you want to go for your first run?” Aunt Trudy asks, her voice trembling with emotion.
Normally, a pack run would be held to welcome my wolf, but Uncle John left the warrior ranks after my parents died, and since we don’t live on pack grounds anymore, he didn’t want to ask the alpha for a full ceremony.
Honestly, I don’t mind. The thought of everyone watching me shift for the first time makes my skin crawl, and I’m excited to share this moment with just my wolf.
I wag my tail eagerly and nod.
“Go,” Uncle John says gently. “Have fun, sweetheart.”
I take one last look at them before turning toward the forest.
The instant I start running, something inside me ignites. Freedom. Power. I feel incredible, and I’m fast—faster than I ever imagined.
The wind tears through my fur as I weave between trees, the world blurring past me, the feel of my paws hitting the earth making my heart soar with every stride.
I don’t know where I’m going until the trees part, revealing the lake.
The moonlight dances across its surface, silver and serene. For a moment, I just stand there, breathless, gazing up at the sky—gratitude swelling in my chest.
I move closer to the water’s edge and catch my reflection. A small brown wolf stares back at me. Nothing extraordinary—in fact, I’m smaller than most wolves. Still, I feel beautiful. Strong. Whole.
A pale patch on my paw catches my eye—a crescent shape, white against brown fur. I tilt my head, studying it. That’s strange…But I like it.
Before I can think more about it, a sound cuts through my thoughts, skimming across the surface of the lake. My ears twitch toward it instinctively.
Laughter drifts through the stillness, catching my wolf’s attention. A group of people is gathered on the opposite shore, their voices echoing across the still lake. My first instinct is to retreat, my wolf already taking a cautious step back.
But then I smell it. A scent so powerful it steals my breath away.
My heart skips a beat. Oh God… Is that my mate?
I raise my nose, drinking in the scent—
Sweet. Musky. Irresistibly male.
Completely intoxicating.
The bond wraps around me, warm and electric, settling deep in my chest. Every instinct inside me sharpens at once as I inhale deeply.
There’s no mistaking it.
My mate.
The person meant for me.
The realization slams into me so hard my breath catches. My pulse races, my entire body buzzing.
I can’t believe I already found him…
Excitement floods through me, my paws moving instinctively toward the sounds.
A group of high-ranked wolves comes into view across the water, beautiful girls draped around them, swaying to the music, their flirtatious laughter carrying easily through the night air.
I stare in astonishment as Connor, the alpha of our pack, steps closer to the lake, moonlight spilling across his broad shoulders.
The mate bond snaps tight inside my chest the second my eyes land on him, warm and undeniable.
I freeze instantly.
No. This can’t be happening.
I blink hard, trying to make sense of the sight before me.
Even from a distance, his presence is overwhelming—powerful, commanding.
Dark hair brushes against his forehead while his blue eyes sweep lazily over the wolves around him.
He looks every inch the Alpha he is. Strong. Handsome. Untouchable.
My head spins, my heart pounding uncontrollably against my chest.
This can’t be true… There has to be some kind of mistake.
Connor?
The alpha of our pack?
Surely he can’t be my fated mate.
