Chapter 4 Caden

[Make sure you bring a mate, or else.] My father links me, a warning hidden in his voice causing me to clench the steering wheel tighter as I leave the safety of my pack. The magic of the barrier hiding us from view passes over me, reminding me that my secret must be kept hidden when I drive through the human towns. I cannot let anyone know I am a werewolf until I reach The Run.

I hate the condescending tone my father uses towards me knowing that he sees me as nothing but a useless wolf even if I carry the same Alpha blood as he does, especially considering my mother was also a pure blooded Alpha wolf when she was alive. I stop the truck as soon as I am a safe distance inside neutral territory and away from the pack line, taking a deep breath before my anger can slip through into the mind link. The last thing I need is an argument with my father while still just in reach to be pulled back and beaten.

[Yes sir, I understand.] I reply courtly once calm enough to communicate with this man. My body shakes with anger and rage as I role down the window to allow the familiar scent of trees, dirt and foliage to calm me. An angry wolf at The Run is a dangerous wolf and I have witnessed one to many deaths caused by a stupid Theta or Warrior instigating a pissed off Alpha or Beta to look tough in front of the she-wolves until blood is splattered and screams of panic resounds around the clearing. Where co-ordinators would have to separate the Alphas and Betas from the lesser wolves and sedate them for the safety of others. I have been one of these wolves once upon a time when Felix had one of his cronies instigate me on my third trip to The Run and the drugs used on me kept me weak for the whole week. I did not want to be put in that situation again.

I continue to take deep breaths, thinking about my sister and my kind mother as my anger slowly dissipates. I remind myself that this time things will be different. That in a few days I will no longer need to deal with Gregory – my father – anymore once I make it to the Lodge in seven days. That with my pack situated in the norther part of Ontario nothing will attack them until I get back from The Run. My eyes flicker to the dash board and I press harder on the gas after realising I may be late. Just another two hours on this road and I will reach the destination where The Run will take place.

The Run has been around since the original pack was created. The first Alpha King and leader of all wolves around the world created this event when she-wolves were created and in limited supplies to the population of werewolves. The species needed to survive and the strongest genes needed to be passed down, hence The Run and the claiming of a mate. After the success of the first run, the tradition carried down. Something about taking a female by force seemed like the ultimate manly thing to do and during those time periods where the male had to be strong and their offspring stronger to survive made sense at the time. Unfortunately, this meant mateless wolves from around the world are forced to come to the Moon Goddess's Forest twice a year to find a mate when the moon is full and the colour is a deep blue, almost sapphire, because of the magic in the air.

I wish I did not have to go but if I did not find a mate this week then I would be forced to step down as the heir to my pack and let Felix take it. This will be a mistake and the down word spiral he would create will be catastrophic to say the least. My grip on the wheel tightens even more as I clench my jaw. I will not let Felix steal my birthright; I will do everything to keep his power hungry hands away from my pack and away from the pack bank account. I know Felix will ruin my pack and all werewolves will crumble under his reign if he were to become Heir.

With a frustrated growl I pull to the curb and get out, kicking a nearby tree as I let out my pent up anger. Anger at my father for continuing to force pack mates to The Run. Anger at the abuse the she-wolves face every day. Angry that I can do nothing until I take over and get rid of my Father.

After a few minutes of angrily attacking the sturdy tree till it was nothing but fire wood, I stop, clenching and unclenching my fists until my breathing evens and I crack my neck. Stretching slightly, I walk back to my truck and drive away. I might as well get this done and over with and get back to my pack with a mate in tow. Maybe after the shock of being claimed I can win her heart and give her a chance to see that I am actually a good man. That I will never harm her the way my father harmed my mother until she commits suicide to leave me.

Who am I trying to fool though? If I had to force myself onto a she wolf then I already harmed her.