Chapter 4 Escape

I break through the trees and to my great relief, I see a gate in front of me.

I take a moment to catch my breath and I remember what Juno said. "What did she mean?".

My gaze drops and I see Caden leaning against the gates with his arms crossed, as if he was waiting for me.

"I told you. No one in, no one out."

Shit. I make an attempt to turn around and run again, but Juno blocks me, panting hard.

"You were supposed to be faster than that Juno, she never should have gotten this far."

Caden pulls me against him, restraining me.

"I'm sorry, sir. I underestimated her." Juno said, hanging her head in shame.

"Get back to the pack. Let the others know I have her.

"Right away." Juno ducks her head in a quick bow. She glares at me before taking off at a run back to the manor.

"Hey. It's not her fault you know." I said feeling somewhat pity for her.

"You escaped right under her nose."

"Technically, she caught me and I ran again. After all, Caden, I'm not easy to catch."

I stomp Caden's foot and twist out of his grasp. I nearly make a run for it, but he grabs hold of my shirt with a breathless laugh.

"Nice try."

I wrestle against him but he catches my wrist, pinning it near my head as he backs me up against the gate.

"As much as I enjoy the prospect of getting to tame you, this is getting old, Moriah."

"Bite me."

His lips curls into a devilish smile, baring teeth that suddenly appear quite sharp.

"Just say please."

The words come out rough, his teeth lightly grazing the shell of my ear.

"You want to see headstrong? I'll show you headstrong."

I lean back with all my strength and slam my head against Caden's.

"Agh!" he said with pain and anger in his voice.

We both stumble apart from one another, clutching our throbbing skulls. Flashing a brilliant grin, I take off at full speed, sprinting down the road. But suddenly, with no explanation, I feel my self slowing down.

"What's happening?"

Completely out of control, I come to a full stop. I could feel an invisible weight on me, forcing my knees to bend.

"That was pretty good, I have to admit. That's one hard head you have there." He chuckles then became serious.

"But I'm tired of games. Kneel, Moriah. Submit."

Caden's eyes glow gold as he steps towards me, and I can now see the raw, animal power in him.

I feel his command to my core and my knees nearly buckle.

"What's going on? What is this?"

"As your Alpha, I have the right, and ability to make you do my bidding. I don't like to use this power, but you leave me no choice."

The same animal instincts which have always protected me are now demanding I kneel to this man.

Though it's not a word I have used before, it comes easily to my mind now: Alpha.

Caden's power is overwhelming, burning and freezing all at once, liquid fire licking through my body.

"Kneel, Moriah."

I drop to my knees, my entire body trembling beneath his influence as black spots appear before my eyes.

When I open my eyes, Caden is peering down at me, his arms crossed over his chest.

"Rise and shine."

His hand comes to my shoulder. Even through my shirt, I feel his touch like a flame.

"We done here? Good."

Intensity pours off of Caden as he leads me towards the house, his grip on me like iron.

"Great. Just what I need, the damn lights are on."

"What does that mean?" I ask with uncertainty, but he gave me no response.

As I'm marched into the center of the entry hall, I come face to face with the entire pack, wide awake and pissed.

"Raphael's daughter has a lot to answer for tonight." Erik said.

Stepping out of the crowd is Juno, her expression as cool as ever.

"You have to learn how things run around here, girl. This your behavior has to stop, for real."

Juno said pointing her fingers at me, raising to her full height. "I hereby challenge you to a troid, Moriah."

The wolves around me whisper. I feel Caden tense behind me.

"A what?"

"A duel. One woman comes out on top, the other submits."

"And why would I agree to that?"

"Because you're not going to earn anyone's respect otherwise."

"Well maybe I don't want your respect."

"That's a coward's response."

I feel dozens of glaring eyes seering into me, waiting for my response. Caden's gaze burns into my back.

I'm confused on what I should do. If I back down now, I'll make more enemies than I already have.

I stretch out and fake a theatrical yawn.

"Fine. You want to act like cavemen? I guess we can find time to play around."

"Play around? How dare you–" Erik said with anger.

"Look, I'm just saying if you want a fight we shouldn't waste time talking about it. It's boring."

"Boring? Damn. Glad you have a little backbone. But I'm not going easy on you." Juno replied

I lower myself into a crouch expectantly, lifting my fists in a fighting position.

"That's enough!" Caden commanded

The pack listens to Caden's command seamlessly and without question. He steps in front of me.

"Hey I can handle myself."

Caden ignores me and moves through the crowd. They part before him, heads bowed before his domineering presence.

"Juno you're not going to fight her."

"But sir I..."

"No." Caden's cuts her off

Then Caden turns to me with a slow, predatory smile.

"She'll fight me instead."