New Life: New Beginnings

Kane POV

How long have I been running? I don't remember. However, I can't stop now. I have to keep going. I have to get as far away from there as possible.

My paws pound on the forest floor as I dash around a tree and over a fallen log. With each step, my legs cramp a little more, but I can't pay attention to it now. I have to get away.

With sheer determination in my eyes, I focus my attention on the terrain ahead. My escape almost came to a crashing halt a few minutes ago when I took my eyes off of the path ahead and I almost slammed into a tree trunk. Good thing my wolf has good reflexes.

I still can't believe that I could be this stupid. What was I thinking?

Oh, yeah. I was hoping that when my mate turned 18 and could finally sense my presence that he would love me and claim me. What a joke?

I've known since my 18th birthday, which has been two years now, that the one person that I've hated for these last few years is my mate. However, being the coward that I am, I didn't tell him. Well, it didn't help that he would continuously tease and belittle me.

Plus, I didn't have enough courage to walk up to the alpha's son and announce that he is my mate. Everyone would have laughed at me, so I kept my mouth shut.

However, I never would have expected what happened a few days ago. My heart aches just thinking about it. No. I have to forget. I have to move on.

My wolf whines. Even though my mate didn't mark me, my wolf already knows who our true mate is and still wants him. However, that will never happen now.

Ugh... I have to keep going.

As I dash over a crest of a hill, my eyes suddenly lock onto the glow through the trees on the horizon. Yes. I have finally made it to a big city. They should have a bus station here and I can go as far as the bus will take me. Now, I just have to blend in with the humans and not be discovered. I can do this.

I suddenly have a spring in my step, and with a renewed energy, I bolt ahead. I should be able to make it to town before morning. All I need to do is to find something to eat and a place to clean up. Then I will start my new life.

***

I settle down into the back seat on the bus. For the first time in the last two years, I finally have hope. My heart still aches, and my wolf still wants to go back to our pack, but I know that that isn't possible now. However, I'm sure that my father is looking for me, and that is why I have to get as far away from my pack as possible.

I'm sure that my father has tried to contact other packs, but I can't have them find out my real name. From now on, Kane is gone. He died the moment I left my pack.

The only person that is left is the new one that I have created. Welcome to my new life, Blake.

I sigh as I turn my head and look out the window. There are so many uncertainties about the future, but I can't let that control my life. For once, I need to live for myself. Not for my parents. Not for my mate. Not for the family name. No. I will only live for myself now.

I hope the Moon Goddess is on my side now. If she is, she will guide me to the place that I need to be and to a place where I can heal. Someday, I will be 100% again. Only then, I will be able to come out of hiding, but not before.

I don't even know if there are werewolves where I'm going. My father has never talked about this area before. Well, it is rather far from my pack, but my pack has never dealt with any werewolf packs in this area. So, I can only assume that there isn't any out this direction, which is why I'm heading there. From now on, I will live as a human.

I have gone to college for a couple years. However, now, I won't be going back, which surprisingly, I'm fine with that. Well, I'm sure the fact that my mate is starting there this next semester is helping with me not wanting to go there.

Ugh... I have to stop thinking about him.

As the bus begins to move and head down the road, I continue to watch the scenery as it slowly begins to blur past, and for the first time in my life, I think about what I want to do with my life. I have nothing holding me back now.

First thing is that I have to get a job, and then I can maybe think about going back to college. Is there even a college around this area? I'm sure there is. I will have to look into it when I get there.

As I continue to think about the possibilities, my eyelids slowly close and sleep quickly consumes me.

***

"Hey. Sir. You need to wake up. We are at the end of the line."

What? Someone nudges my shoulder as my eyes slowly flicker open. Oh, my body is stiff. How long have I been sleeping?

SHIT!! Did I miss my stop?

I whip my head up and look at the bus driver. "Where are we? I was supposed to get off...."

The older gentleman smiles and interrupts me. "You looked so tired that I didn't want to wake you. Even now, I let you sleep on the bus for several hours, but it is time for me to go home. You need to get off now. I have gotten your bag out from the luggage compartment and put it next to the bus."

Wait! I missed my stop. I don't even know where I am.

I don't know what to say. However, my mind seems to suddenly begin working as I mumble, "Is there even any place to find a job here or eat? I don't even know where I'm going to sleep tonight."

The bus driver gently begins to pat my shoulder, as he softly replies, "Don't worry about that. You can come with me to the pack house, and we will figure things out. I'll talk to the alpha and see if he will let you stay with us."

Did he just say pack house and alpha?

For the first time after waking up, I finally look at the bus driver's face. This is the first time in years that I'm actually met with a warm a smile. The few grey hairs that are scattered around his dark brown hair seem to give him an air of experience, but also a sense of wisdom.

As I continue to stare blankly at the bus driver and think about what I should do, the bus driver gently grabs my arm and chimes, "Let's go. It is about supper time and if we don't get there on time, those rascals may eat everything."

I still don't know what is going on, but I don't protest. I let the older gentleman pull me out of my seat and guide me out of the bus.

We grab my one bag, and he guides me to a car in the parking lot next to the bus station. I still don't know what is going on, but the thought of having a meal at a pack house warms my heart.

An image of me when I was younger suddenly pops into my mind. I was only about 10 at the time and I had gone to another pack for several weeks to visit my aunt and uncle along with my cousins. I was so excited to finally be back home and with my parents, that I went running into the pack house. I didn't care that it was mealtime.

When I dashed through the doors and into the dining hall, I was met with my mother's joyous smile and her open arms. I ran across the room and threw myself into her arms. Her soft voice happily hummed, "Welcome home, baby. I've missed you so much."

Within seconds, my father was also hugging me and my mother. His warm voice whispering in my ear, "Welcome back, son."

My father was never a person for a lot of words, but I felt so loved in that moment. I never wanted to leave that spot.

As I get into the vehicle, a lone tear slides down my face as the realization finally hits me. I will never see my parents again.

The older gentleman gets into the driver's seat, and as he starts the vehicle, he softly chimes, "By the way, I'm Gus. I don't know what you have gone through, but clearly you are running from something or someone. I hope that you aren't too mad at me, but that is why I let you sleep through the whole bus route. You looked so tired, and I can only imagine that you have been running for a while."

I slowly nod my head as I look down at my lap. How can he figure that out? Do I look that bad?

I softly reply, "I'm Blake."

The vehicle begins to move, and I shift my eyes to look out the window.

Gus continues, "I have already linked with the pack and asked for you to take shelter with us. I just can't let someone so innocent and pure suffer. Plus, you are an omega, and it isn't safe to have you roaming around without a pack."

Shit. I didn't even think about that.

Another lone tear slides down my cheek as I bite my lower lip and hum, "hmm."

As we pull out of the parking lot and head down the road, Gus lightly pats my arm. "Don't worry. Our alpha is actually an omega. His mate was killed in a fight a few years ago. We have always been hiding thus the reason why many of us have jobs in neighboring towns. We have also learned how to hide our scent, so other werewolves can't detect us. They think that we are just another human."

Oh, so that is why I didn't realize that he is a werewolf.

I continue to stare out the window as Gus continues. "Our alpha, Wyatt, is excited to meet you. Besides our alpha, all other omegas are female. You will be the first male omega that he has ever met."

I nod my head. Well besides my best friend Ben, who is also a male omega, this will be the first time that I'll be meeting another male omega too. However, I'm not that excited. My heart is still aching, and now my body is too.

Right now, I just want to eat, take a bath and get some rest.

As I watch the scenery whiz past, I can't help but to wonder if they will let me stay. I have nowhere else to go and Gus even said that the pack stays hidden. Would they allow me to stay hidden there too?

Is this where the Moon Goddess wants me to be?

Kane POV

Fear slowly begins to consume me as my mind won't stop asking question after question. Will they like me? Are they a peaceful pack? Will they really let me stay?

Then my mind slowly turns to darker questions. Will they make me work like a slave? Shoot. Will they try to sexually assault me? NO!! I'M STILL A VIRGIN! They can't do that.

Shoot. I still haven't had my first kiss. I have been waiting for my mate, but that won't ever happen now. He has already claimed and mated with the alpha's daughter from another pack. Oh, I have to stop thinking about this.

I'm sure that everything that I'm thinking about surely won't happen. I need to have faith in the Moon Goddess.

Gus stops the car in front of a huge house. No. This isn't a house. It is a freaking mansion. A very huge mansion. What kind of pack is this?

I lean forward in my seat as my mouth drops open. You could probably fit all the buildings that my pack has in this mansion and still have room for buildings from other packs.

A soft chuckle fills the vehicle. However, I can't tear my eyes off of the mansion. I can see more buildings behind it and to the side of it that are also big, but not as big as this building.

Gus softly chimes, "It is a pretty big house. I guess I should have warned you."

With my eyes still on the mansion, I slowly nod my head. I don't even know what to say. What do you say to something like this?

Gus nudges my shoulder. "Come on. We have to get in there before the meal starts or those darn rascals will eat everything and leave us nothing."

He opens the driver's door and gets out. However, I'm still in a daze. I somehow manage to open the passenger door and get out of the vehicle, but my mouth doesn't seem to want to work. I silently follow Gus to the mansion.

He opens the door and allows me to go first. I still don't know where I'm going and I stop right inside the door as I mumble, "Thank you."

Gus smiles and steps into the entryway as he closes the door behind him.

I think I have left my confidence in the car. However, I have never been in a situation like this before.

My hands begin to sweat and tremble. I hope everything is going to be all right.

Gus walks past me and further into the mansion. I slightly lower my head and follow right behind him. I don't want to get lost in here. I don't think I would ever be able to find my way out.

Within a few steps, we walk into what looks like a living room, but it could also pass a game room with all the video game consoles, cartridges, and gaming chairs. Well, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to tell that they like playing video games.

A small smile quickly spreads across my face, but it quickly disappears as we walk further into the house as we get closer and closer to voices. Wait. Are they arguing about something? Shoot. Does this mean that they are a pack of warriors? My father once told me that packs who are born to be warriors often fight over the simplest things.

Would I fit in with a pack of warriors? Oh, I don't know if this is a good idea or not.

I grab the hem of my shirt and begin to fidget with it.

Gus lightly pats my shoulder. "Blake, calm down. We aren't going to do anything to you. We are a peaceful pack. Granted, we are a secret and a very well-hidden pack, but we are peaceful. I wouldn't be surprised that you have never even heard of us before."

I glance down the hall towards the growing loud voices and slowly shake my head. "My father never mentioned anything about any packs in this area. I went to a human high school and college, so of course, they didn't mention anything about any werewolves being here either."

A small smile appears on Gus' face. "What did you learn about this area in school?"

I think for a bit. What did I learn about this area? Was it good in farming? Think Kane. It isn't that hard of a question.

Wait! I remember!

I suddenly pop my head up and chime, "Business. This area has some of the biggest and most powerful companies in the country. The teachers also told us that they were all human businesses."

Gus chuckles and shakes his head. "Well, you are partially right. We have some of the biggest and most powerful companies in the country located in this area, but those big companies are all owned and operated by werewolves. Our alpha, Wyatt, along with the previous alpha, Wyatt's father, own and run those companies."

I tilt my head and ask, "Then why are some of the pack working elsewhere, like you are working as a bus driver?"

Gus pats my arm a little harder. "Not all of us are cut out for working in an office. Plus, I have an alternative reason for being a bus driver."

An alternative reason. What is it?

Confused, I mumble, "What?"

He looks forward towards a large set of double doors and chimes, "You can call me the gate keeper."

The gate keeper? What is that supposed to mean?

Before I ask, Gus strides forward and grabs the door handle. "We are here. Now the younger ones can be a little rowdy, so don't be surprised."

I nod my head. "Okay."

Gus pulls open the door and the loud noise instantly stops, and the room becomes completely quiet.

This is it.

Gus steps into the dining hall. I hesitate for a moment and take a deep breath.

After a few moments, I tentatively step into the dining hall and slowly scan the room. Dang. That is a lot of werewolves. It would take at least three of my pack to equal the number of werewolves in this room right now.

My knees begin to wobble as I take a few small steps to get closer to Gus. He is the only person that I know, and he has been so kind to me.

Gus clears his throat and announces, "Everyone, this is Blake. I don't need to tell you much. Most of you can tell already, but for the ones who can't yet, I will tell you that he has had to leave his pack."

Before Gus can continue, a cute guy steps forward and begins walking towards us. "I have agreed to let Blake stay here, so please make him feel welcome. Also, since he is the only other male omega that I've met, he will be staying with me to make sure that no one does anything to harm him. Do you understand?"

Everyone in the room instantly yells, "Yes, Alpha."

Did I call him cute? He isn't just cute, but he is also beautiful. I thought my friend, Ben, is the only beautiful guy, but I'm mistaken. Wyatt is stunning and he isn't even my mate. Well, Ben isn't my mate either and I think he is beautiful too.

Wyatt smiles at me as he strides towards me. If Gus hadn't told me that he is an omega, I would believe that he is truly an alpha, albeit a short alpha, but I would still think that he is an alpha.

I couldn't help but to wish that I could be like him. People only have to take one look at me, and they immediately know that I'm an omega. I wouldn't know what I will do if people look at me and think that I'm an alpha. Oh, that is asking for too much, but maybe I can get him to help me look like a beta instead. I definitely think that I can get the confidence to give off a beta aura.

As I'm lost in thought, Wyatt marches up to me and engulfs me in a hug.

This is so different than my pack. I have friends, yes, but to get such a warm welcome is something new to me. My pack reserves greetings like this for a select few, and I'm not one of them even though my older brother is part of that select few. I'm sure that it is because he will be the pack's next beta and following in our dad's footsteps. I don't follow in anyone's footsteps, especially now.

Ugh... I need to stop thinking about this.

I tentatively wrap my arms around Wyatt and whisper, "Thank you, alpha Wyatt."

Wyatt hugs me even tighter and whispers, "Not a problem. Us male omegas have to stick together."

Well, he does have a point. I, however, want to play it safe and make sure not to make waves. If it helps that the alpha is willing to protect me, then I'm not going to argue or disagree. Plus, I can't explain it, but I already feel like I'm part of the family. I don't know how, but I do.

Wyatt lets go of me and takes a step back as he chimes, "Blake, you will be sitting at the head table with me. Are you hungry?"

Before I can even respond, my stomach answers for me with a loud growl, which instantly has Wyatt and Gus chuckling. I quickly put my hand on my stomach and lower my head, as I mumble, "Sorry."

Wyatt shakes his head and chimes, "Don't be. Now, let's get you fed, before your stomach starts talking even louder."

I simply nod my head and follow Wyatt as he turns around and heads towards his table at the end of the room. Oh, I can't believe that my stomach growled like that. This is so embarrassing.

Kane POV

What have I gotten myself into? I follow Wyatt to his area of the mansion. I don't even know where my bag is.

Shortly after I sat down for the meal, one of the pack members took my bag. She said that she would put it in my room, but I don't know where that is. Now, I'm following Wyatt through the various halls, which feels more like a maze than a house. Wyatt did tell me as soon as we met that omega males need to stick together, but what does that really mean?

Wait. Does that mean that I have to sleep in the same room as Wyatt? I have never shared a bed with anyone. I have been planning on doing that only with my mate. Dang. Why did I have to think about him?

With my head lowered, I bite my bottom lip as I try to keep my tears from forming yet again. Over the past few days, I think that I have cried enough for that idiot. I know that my wolf is yearning for him, but he is no longer my mate. Well, technically, he could be, but I'm not going to go back and fight for him. I'm not stupid. I know when there is a fight that I can't win. Plus, he has already claimed that girl. My wolf could feel the pain and the betrayal when he claimed her. Luckily, I was already far enough away from my pack that I didn't need to run full speed anymore. I didn't stop running though, but the pain was too much to be able to continue running at full speed. I slowed down to a walk and bore through the pain until it had lesson and I could resume running full speed again.

Wyatt slows down and stands beside me as we continue to walk through the halls. However, he doesn't say anything. Does he know what I'm going through?

Suddenly, Gus' words at the bus station come flooding back to me. How does he know that I'm running away from something? I could have just been going to visit family. He didn't know. However, the look in his eye almost makes me think that maybe he did know, but how.

As my lip begins to tremble and the tears well up in my eyes threatening to spill over, Wyatt puts his arm around my shoulder and pulls me tight against him. "Don't worry, Blake. I don't plan on doing anything bad to you. I just want to protect you. A male omega is very rare, and you have had such a rough time lately."

How does he know? Did I say something and not remember?

Wyatt softly chimes, "There are many things that make our pack special and in time, hopefully, you will learn to accept them. However, tonight isn't the time to discuss them. I first want to get you comfortable and then tomorrow we can talk about whether you would like to stay in our pack. If you decide to stay, which I hope you do, then we can discuss what your role will be, but for now you need to sleep."

Why do I have a feeling that there is a reason why this pack is hidden?

I slowly nod my head.

Wyatt gently rubs my arm as he continues to keep his arm wrapped around me. "Good. I have put you in the room right next to mine which is located in the alpha section of the house. There are guards that are constantly around me 24/7, even if you don't notice them, and that section of the house has a group of security guards along with security codes to be able to enter. I will show you how to enter and give you the codes, so you can come and go freely. No one other than us are allowed in that section of the house, unless we request someone.

If you are wondering why, it is so when I go into heat, I have a safe place to stay until it is over. Since my mate has passed away, I still have my heat and unfortunately, I wasn't aware of that little fact until it happened. That first time was rather scary even being the alpha of the pack."

I nod. However, my curiosity wins as I softly mumble, "How can you be an omega, but the alpha of the pack. I didn't think that that was possible."

A chuckle escapes Wyatt's mouth. "Well, that is one of the differences with our pack. I'll go into more detail tomorrow, but for now, you need to rest." He pauses for a moment and then adds, "Stop crying over him. He is stupid if he believes that that girl is his mate. He is still too young to understand the difference between lust and the mate bond. It is better that you are rid of him now. We will take good care of you here."

What? How does he know? I haven't said anything to anyone, and I'm not linked with the pack for me to accidentally tell them. No. There has to be something more.

When, I was linked to my old pack, no one was able to read my mind like this.

Wyatt scolds, "Don't worry about it tonight. I will tell you everything soon."

He pulls me down a smaller corridor towards a small flat screen built into the wall on the right side of a steel door, while one guard is standing to the left side of the door. If I was in a bank, I would think that the bank's vault is behind the door, but that isn't the case.

As we approach the door, Wyatt pulls me to the flat screen. I also notice that my bag is laying in the corner. Oh, so they didn't actually take it to my room, but that is fine with me.

Wyatt releases his hold on my shoulder and steps up to the small flat screen. "This is a two-step system. You first have to place your hand on the screen and then you have to punch in the right security code. The only other person that has access to this area is my beta, Ford. You haven't met him yet. He is away doing some pack business, but he will be back soon."

I silently stand and watch as Wyatt presses his hand on the flat screen. Within seconds, his name flashes across the top of the screen. He then removes his hand, and a keypad appears. Wyatt enters in a code.

Click. Click. Click.

Shoot. How many locks are on the door? Well, at least I know that I will be safe when I have my heat. Wait. I haven't had a heat yet. Why haven't I? Is it because my mate was so much younger than me?

Wyatt picks up my bag and then puts a hand on my back as the guard opens the door. Wyatt softly chimes, "Let's go inside and I'll show you around."

As soon as we are inside, Wyatt stops right inside the door. He looks over his shoulder and waits for the door to close.

Click. Click. Click.

When he is sure that all the locks are once again locked, he smiles and turns his attention towards me. "Let's first get you in the system so you can come and go as you please."

He hands me my bag and then walks to a picture that is hanging on the wall near the door. He slides his finger under the picture and suddenly the picture swings open.

I watch in awe. My old pack doesn't have anything like this. With my father being the pack's beta, I would have known about things like this. The only thing that we have that is remotely close to this is the security for the safe room in case we are attacked.

Wyatt chuckles as he starts typing onto another flat screen that is hidden behind the picture. "Don't worry. Our safe room has security too, but not quite like this. This is only reserved for things that are of utmost important, and I guess I qualify in that area."

He finishes typing and slowly turns around. "And now, you do too. Come over here and let the system scan your hand. Then we will set your passcode."

This is too much to take in. However, I don't complain, and I step closer to Wyatt. He gently takes my hand and presses it on the flat screen. After a few moments, my name, Blake, flashes across the screen.

Wyatt releases my hand as I continue to stare at the screen.

Wyatt turns his head towards me and asks, "Do you have any preference for a five-digit security number?"

I stop and think for a moment, but nothing comes to mind. I slowly shake my head.

Wyatt turns his attention back towards the screen. "That's all right. We don't want it to be anything that is too easy to figure out, so how about I just pick one."

Wyatt types a number on the flat screen. When he is done, he turns back towards me and smiles. "I have selected 22020. It means 2 omegas and 2020 being the year that we met. Can you remember that?"

A small smile spreads across my face as I nod my head. "Yes. I think I can remember that."

Wyatt turns back towards the flat screen and types a few more things before he steps back and swings the picture back into place.

I silently wait and watch Wyatt. For someone who is an omega, he is confident and sure of himself. I have said it once already when I first heard about him, but I can't stop myself from thinking of it again. I wish that I could be like him. I don't care if I have the aura of an alpha like he has. I just want to be able to be confident and sure of myself. I don't like the fact that I have hidden so many things from my family and friends. Only Ben knows of some of my struggles. He is the only one that knows that I have found my mate two years ago and have kept quiet about it waiting for the day that my mate turns 18 and comes to find me on his own.

My heart suddenly aches once again. Why did I have to think about him?

Wyatt gently grabs my arm and pulls me further down the hall. "My area is like a small apartment inside the house. I have everything here so when I'm having my heat, I don't need to leave for anything. I have my own kitchen along with my own washing machine and dryer, so I wash my own clothes. In addition, I have a small fitness room too, so I can still exercise when I'm locked in here."

He takes me down the hall and we pass a few doors. He points his finger to the door on the right and chimes, "That is the fitness room, while the room across the hall is my office. Our bedrooms are at the other end of the apartment. Oh, don't worry. We each have our own bathroom attached to our own bedrooms. The kitchen and the living room is in the middle with the laundry room just off to the side of the kitchen."

I let Wyatt pull me down the hall as I nod. Well at least the apartment is simple enough that I don't think that I'll get lost here. I know that I will most certainly get lost in the mansion these first couple of weeks as I try to navigate around. I know that Wyatt keeps calling it a house, but it isn't anything like a house. It is just too big to be called a house.

When we walk into the living room and the kitchen area, my mouth nearly falls onto the floor. Shoot. I spoke too soon. The living room is huge, and it isn't just a living room. It also appears to be a game room too. In addition, it opens to a dining room area where I can see the kitchen through the door. Oh, my. From the little that I can see, the kitchen looks huge too. I should have known better than to think that Wyatt's room would be like any other normal area. Nothing in this mansion is normal.

Wyatt softly chuckles as he chimes, "Come. I'll show you to your room and you can take a bath. I'll go look to see if I have any additional clothes that will fit you."

Once again, I simply nod my head. Will I ever get used to this?