The Run [Blue Moon Saga Book 1]

The soft breeze rolls past me ruffling the heavy gown dawned on my small frame as I stare out into the field of moon flowers. The forest is alive with the sound of the creatures of the night. Quiet but still expressing the life it held within. A soft touch moves my attention to the long golden hair tied with a ribbon as a smile graces my lips. Finally he is mine. The full blue moon illuminates the sky as I lean in to kiss the man I love...

My eyes quickly open as the dream still fresh in my memory haunts me. The gown that women wore with the corset boddice and flowing layers of fabric is something from a long, long time ago. One that I would normally see in movies or costume period drams. I sigh, thinking how I have been having these dreams since turning eighteen two years ago. How a woman and a man would appear under the moonlight and silently display their love. How the woman in my dreams has my silver hair that flows down to her knees and the man with long golden hair always tied out of his way. I wonder what these dreams mean and if it has something to do with The Run.

I can't help but to turn my head towards the window beside me. The moon staring back down at me as if mocking me. It's as if the Moon Goddess is watching what I am doing knowing that it will soon be the week of the blue moon, the week for The Run. I hated it, dreaded it. An event created over a thousand years when the first werewolves were created by the Goddess herself. An event for wolves to run through a forest and be claimed and mated. But the truth is its just a way to approve of rape under the disguise of mating and growing a pack's strength.

In a few days I will be sent to the Moon Goddess' forest when the full moon turns a brilliant hue of blue. But the truth is I did not want to run through a forest of wolves, the females dodging males as they run for their freedom. I did not want to be forcefully claimed like my mother was. Never knowing if the male that took me as his mate - a male who just finished rapping me in the Moon Goddess' forest - is going to be good to me and will give me a life of pure happiness or will abuse me and create an even worse hell than I already live in.

I want a chance to fall in love. I want to go on dates and build a future with someone deserving. I want a male who would bashfully smile at me before leaning in for my first kiss and holding me close for the rest of our life. I want my life to be mine and to have love that would last forever.

"Grace?" I snap out of my thoughts of self-pity and turn to look at all the wolves in the room, realizing that the Alpha is directing his statement to me. His eyes held annoyance at the fact I had stopped paying attention to him. If a male had done this, it would have been fine. But I am a female. I have to sit quietly and listen to the males as best as I can in this pack.

"Sorry, I dozed off." It isn't a lie since snores from other wolves – male wolves- echoed the quiet room in this long meeting that the Alpha, the Beta - my father- and the Theta –our third in command- called forth for the mate-less wolves eighteen or older in Silver Birch to remind them that they will be taking part in The Run and the rules we are to follow.

"As I was saying, The Run is filled with multiple threats." My father continues, sending me a glare. I suppress the snarl rising in my throat and try my best to pay attention as the other wolves snicker behind me.

"Eli the head of the Vampire Coven in that area already alerted every Alpha that rogue fledglings have escaped before being welcomed into the coven and will be hunting for fresh blood to drink. He asked us to pass this message along to our members so when you all are in the forest keep your eyes alert." He announces, a frown on his face as he looks to the Alpha. Closing my eyes for a moment, I think back to my father ranting on about Vampires and how they should be killed still in one of his drunken stupor. Vampires were once our mortal enemy as they were created by the Sun God out of boredom. It led to the goddess creating us wolves to keep the Vampires in check and protect the balance between supernatural and the mundane world. Wars raged on for years with many lives being lost. The most tragic event being the Salem Witch Hunt where anyone deemed unnatural by the scared humans were hunted and killed whether they were Vampires, Witches, Werewolves, Fae or Human.

It wasn't until a temporary treaty was signed over one-hundred years ago. Things still happen between our two species that cause much uproar – including the Vampires instigating the humans to cause a war for the Vampires to enjoy an endless buffet – but we have been able to keep our races hidden from the humans thanks to the treaty. Unfortunately for us with the Fledgling escaping there will be some trouble ahead. Fledglings especially rogue ones, poses a threat to both our species. This year's event would be even more dangerous with Fledglings running wild at night. All species will need to keep an eye out for them just in case they escape and make their way to a human city. We do not need a repeat of the Salem Witch Hunt scare.

"Let's not forget about the faeries that live in the Moon Goddess' forest either. If you run into one stay still and listen to them until an opportunity to escape arises. Faeries are known to teleport wolves into traps or into the arms of un-mated rogues like the Raggers if you anger or upset them in any way." Mitchel the Theta continues the warning making those around me nervous while I scoff and roll my eyes. Faeries - or Fairies as humans call them - are known to cause trouble for Werewolves, Vampires and Witches. They are mischievous and childish and come in many forms from Human like fae, to pixies, to halflings. If you angered one at all it would spell your doom. I am lucky that I never had a problem with them. A coven of faeries lived just outside my grandfather's pack – Ocean Heart – in Newfoundland. I grew up learning from the Fae and even met their Princess many times due to their close bond with Ocean Heart. I remember running into the woods one day out of boredom and stumbling into Pixies, their butterfly like wings mesmerizing me as a pup. To me the Fae are my friends, and after a year of friendship the Princess had given me a token when I turned eleven; a gold earring I wear in my cartilage that is inscribed with a Fae charm of protection. They even gave my friend Amelia the same token as she too came to befriend the Fae during her visits to the pack with me as pups when her father wanted my friend out of the way. I will be safe from the Fae hidden in the forest when I enter The Run. I just hope that Amelia has managed to find a way not to be sent into the Goddess' forest with me this year.

Thinking about Amelia, I look around the room, the desks lining the hall like a class room filled with three wolves each as I try to find my friend. To my surprise, I find her missing from the meeting and my I wonder if her father has her locked away before we are meant to leave for the event. Goddess knows how much he dislikes her free-spirited attitude and the fact she fell in love with someone before entering The Run.

"Now I have one main point to finish this meeting. Many of you pups have expressed your dislike to The Run" The Alpha states his voice causing my attention back to the front of the room where I find his gaze landing on me.

"But it is a tradition since the first Werewolves were created by our beloved Moon Goddess." He continues with his tone holding no room to dispute him.

"Either you wolves go willingly to The Run or we will force a shift on you and cage you till it's time for the event to start and the chase to be mated is in full swing." His eyes stay glued to my sapphire ones, his brow raised as if waiting for me to object him. To the top ranking wolves I am a nuisance, the one she-wolf that always voices my opinion about this barbaric event made to make females submit to a male and bow down to the rules set by their new mate and their packs. I can't help the snarl that rise past my lips as I hold his stare with my own. Hate and disgust radiating off of me in waves as I stand abruptly and slam my fist to the table in front of me, a crack forming down the center and I am thankful to be the only one sitting here.

"Who do you think you are?" I ask with rage seeping out of me. I can feel my blood boiling as I continue to stare at my Alpha.

"Do you think you have the right to play with our lives like some puppet master?" Firing another question, I watch as his calm eyes narrow into slits and a warning growl escapes his lips. I have just challenged his words.

"I am your Alpha, Grace. What I say goes." He states eerily calm.

"Yes, you are the Alpha for now but we wolves deserve a chance to find love on our own. Not be sent to this barbaric event." I shout out, my body shaking as the power of an Alpha boils inside me. I can see my Alpha slowly growing displeased by my outburst, by my challenging his words. I know he wants to skin me alive now, to make an example of me, but he wont harm me with The Run being close to happening. I catch my father glaring at me, his own fuming rage barely being controlled as I embarrass him in this meeting.

"You will do as I say Grace." The Alpha bellows out, his anger imbued in his words.

"I will not! I am a woman of the twenty first century and demand the right to choose my own path." I declare, wanting to rip the man before me to shreds.

"Grace Harvest sit down!" The Alpha yells at me with a command in his voice. The hushed whispers quiet down till only a pin drop can be heard as the tension between the Alpha and I thickens to the point it can be sliced with a knife. Being born with alpha blood from my mother - the only daughter to two powerful alpha wolves - gives me the ability to be on par with any regular alpha I meet. I can withstand any command as long as I do not see an alpha wolf before me as my Alpha and can even challenge them if I so desire due to their disrespect. The only exception being the Alpha King.

"I will not sit down." I state calmly, crossing my arms over my chest.

"I am the heir to the Beta position of Silver Birch as well as the best warrior in this pack and I demand the same respect as one of the top ranking." My voice is clear as I speak my words, no wolf daring to refute me. They all know that I am just below the Theta in terms of power. I am the best warrior this pack had seen and Mitchel always requests me for missions involving taking down rogues or transporting the Alpha and Amelia to other packs for meetings and treaty signings. My father and the Alpha snarl at me, Mitchel just letting out a scoff as he leans against the wall. My rage is growing with every breath, my claws extending from what once were my nails. The Alpha and the rest of the wolves can feel the challenge as I slowly begin to walk towards the wolf my eyes are locked onto. My feet stop just mere meters from him, enough room to attack the Alpha before me but also enough to keep space between us. I can see the thoughts swirling behind his eyes as he calculates a way to get out of this challenge, one I will gladly issue if it weren't for the fact his daughter is my chosen sister; a sister that I consider my Alpha and will follow her command without a second thought.

"If you want to be treated like any top ranked wolf in this pack then go to The Run and win your freedom." His voice is strained as the Alpha holds in his boiling rage and peaks my interests.

"If you can make it to the lodge by the end of the week where I will be waiting then I will no longer send wolves who do not want to participate to The Run and will give everyone a choice." It is an offer I could never refuse since this gave everyone a choice. Made she-wolves an equal in this one topic and will give them a chance to reject going to this event. Every wolf in this room stares wide eyed at the Alpha and I, disbelief making the smirk on my face grow. I know that my father is not happy with this arrangement - this bet – but since his Alpha spoke it he will have to obey.

"Fine, I accept this bet but if I win my father and you will also have to step down for Amelia and I." I uncross my arms and wait for the Alpha to speak. He knows the chances of me winner is high. I see him think things over, his eyes glossing over as the Alpha links someone, most likely Amelia, before nodding and stretching his right hand to me. Before I can hold out my hand to shake his and confirm the bet the scent of an omega reaches my nose. My body turns on reflex to dodge but I am not fast enough as a needle is shoved into my shoulder, the liquid inside entering my blood stream and acting fast. My bones begin the snap as a forced shift is placed upon me, fur sprouting through my skin agonizingly until I am left on the floor in a ball of pain.

"I accept your terms and I'll be waiting for you at the lodge Grace. Make it there un-mated and free and you win the bet, but if you do get mated by the time you make it to the lodge then I continue forcing wolves to go." The Alpha states as he prowls towards me, his posture already triumphant when he comes to a stop before my frame as omegas carefully carry my silver furred body to a cage that will hold me until The Run.

"Until then, enjoy the Run." His voice is menacing and I growl with the anger still coursing through my body at the realization that an Omega had snuck up on me. This must be who the Alpha had mind linked seconds earlier. He must have given a few Omegas sprays to conceal their scent in case a powerful wolf spoke out of line. Go figure he had a plan set.

Soon darkness creeps along my vision as the pain of the forced shift causes me to fall into the dark slumber of unconsciousness.

I lament as I stare out the large window in my father's office watching pack members run back and forth as they ready themselves for The Run. I hate the idea of The Run. It's barbaric ways of claiming a mate one I regret my ancestors to agreeing to. Growing up I remember watching males bringing home she-wolves and vowing that I would not rape an innocent and instead find someone on my own terms and fall in love. But as the next Alpha to my pack I have to take a mate this time or face losing my title as heir and watch my power hungry cousin take my place instead.

Losing my title if I do not bring home a mate is something my father has been threatening me with for the last six months since the last time The Run came around.

"Remember Caden, you are the Heir to this Pack. Every wolf counts on you to claim a mate and produce the next round of heirs and pups. Do you understand?" My father's voice commands my attention and I find myself looking away from the window and facing him with a stoic expression. The man screams Alpha with the way he walks as if everything and everyone are beneath him, including his own son. I know his question is rhetorical and answering him will lead to a beating that will leave me unable to participate in The Run and consequently loose my position as his heir. His eyes look in my direction while I give a slight nod as a response, eyes down casted. It is pathetic to think I have to be this submissive to my father but anything I say will be viewed as challenging his authority and I know I need to play possum in order to take the pack from him forcefully when he least expects it.

"Good. You may leave." With a final nod of respect to my father, I silently leave the room and make my way down the corridors to the garage where my truck waits praying I can leave before I run into anyone in my pack.

"Hey Caden, going to get a mate this time around or am I finally going take the spot of Alpha from you." I bristle at the voice of a weasel as I look to my cousin Felix. The lanky five-foot-nine man with greasy black hair has a thin arm wrapped around a terrified girl. Linda's face is hidden behind her long blonde hair but the shadows created by her locks can not hide the fact her face is thin and bruised from years of abuse and how she covers it with a layer of makeup to try and hide the black and blue spots left from fists. Her efforts in trying to hide the dark circles under her eyes, bruises on her cheeks and the split lip that looks painful even from where I stand is in vain as I can see them clear as day.

"Unfortunately I have to take a mate the old fashion way." I glare at the man as I start placing items into my truck.

"But I will treat her with respect, kindness and dignity unlike how you treat Linda." I growl out, narrowing my eyes at Felix as I throw my last bag into my truck. Linda flinches at the loud sound, shrinking farther into herself. I can't help the guilt at scaring the poor girl accidentally as I give her an apologetic look before turning to study the man who shares part of my DNA. As the only son to my late Aunt, Felix takes after the man who I used to call Uncle until he killed my Aunt in a fit of rage.

"What do you mean Cade I treat Linda fine, don't I baby?" I watch as Linda's eyes gloss over with more fear then I have ever seen on a she-wolf while she nods her head slightly, pressing herself to her forced mate to appease him.

She is malnourished with bones poking through the thin transparent material that should have been her skin. Skin that barely had any clothing covering her with bruises, scars and healing cuts on once what was full supple tanned skin. I remember meeting her years ago in her original pack. How full of life and dreams that a young girl at six-teen usually has. Now she is just a shell of fear and anxiety.

When I become Alpha the first thing I am going to do is send Felix on a mission to supply the food storages for winter. I can already see the trap laid out as he aims for the biggest buck he finds, his eyes glazing over with the bragging he would do when he returns to the pack. The antler rack he would mount on his walls with pride and then the shock when his eyes sees the red blossom from his chest and the realization he would bleed out and die in seconds because of a single silver bullet that was accidentally shot. I will enjoy knowing this scum died in an accident. Enjoy knowing his mate will be free and happy to do as she pleases. I would even send her back to her original pack and back to her family with enough money to live comfortably alone if she chooses.

"See, I treat her right." Felix gloats, digging his nails into her shoulder and snapping me from my day dream that I pray will be the future. I watch as Linda forces her spine to straighten, disgust flashing briefly on her face before her eyes meet mine with a question.

[Will you really force a Mate?] She asks through a link as Felix is distracted by an Omega with a thin waist and ample chest.

[No I would rather not and the truth is I have a plan. Can you hold out for another week?] My response brings a sparkle to her eyes and she nods quickly. With a small smile I turn to my cousin and growl at his obvious disrespect to me. I hate that this weasel ignores my presence most of the time and acts as if he is the next in line for the Alpha position.

"Don't do anything stupid while I'm gone Felix, I don't want to deal with the after math in the end." I warn, my six-foot-two giving Linda a hug that I hope shows her everything will turn out for the better, frowning at the whimper of pain the light pressure brings, before I turn and walk to the driver side of my truck and climb into the cabin . I catch Linda's hopeful gaze in the mirror before giving her a small nod and driving away. I have to help her.

I remember the year Felix claimed her. We had just turned eighteen at the time and it was our first time entering The Run. At the time I was naïve. Felix and I were like brothers since childhood, always playing and training together. He was my best friend and we swore that we would not force a mate together just before leaving for the event. Then we entered the forest and everything went downhill fast. Felix caught the scent of Linda. The youngest daughter of the Beta of Greywind – a pack in Texas - and his instincts to mate someone stronger or of similar strength took over. By the time I managed to get to him it was too late. Linda had a bloody mate mark on the crook of her neck and Felix was grinning as he mercilessly raped her into submission.

It wasn't until that seven days of The Run had passed and we were resting at the lodge that I learned that my so called father put the idea of Felix being Alpha into his head if Felix took a mate and I did not by the age of twenty-four. That was the day I lost a brother, a cousin and a best friend. That was the day Linda started being abused and my hate for The Run deepened.

With a sigh I put my truck into drive and begin the journey to the Goddess' Forest where the event will be held. I just hope that maybe this year I could find someone who would date me before we mate.

It was wistful thinking but it is the only hope I have right now.

The steady hum of an engine wakes me up from the solid darkness of sleep. The drugs that had my limbs numbed and weakened slowly fades from my system. With each passing minute I am able to move just a little bit of my body at a time starting with my tail, then my paws until finally I am able to have full control of my body with just a little sluggishness in my limbs. I let out a long growl filled with anger as I think about the little trick the Alpha pulled with the Omega, pissed at the man that is supposed to lead our pack and pissed at myself for letting my guard down.

I should have been on high alert even within Silver Birch as I am an eye sore to the Alpha. A she-wolf with an opinion is not one many males want to keep around.

The humming under my paws alerted me to the situation. I lay in a small cage barely big enough to for me to move around in wolf form but would be perfect for me in human form if it weren't for the drugs keeping me from shifting. Another cage is situated right against my own but due to the tarp that covers mine and keeps me safe from most of the harsh elements I can not make out the occupant beside me. With a deep breath I focus on scenting the air to figure out who else fought against going to The Run until the scent of strawberries and pine -the familiar scent of Amelia, daughter to the Alpha of my pack – hits my nose. I think I now know why Amelia wasn't at the meeting. I think sadly as I stretch my limbs, happy to be drug free. I want to see if Amelia is okay, if she was beaten by her father before being caged but I am stuck inside my own prison and can barely see past the tarp, I am left to focus on my own stiff body at the moment.

It is pathetic really.

The fact that they would cage a grown woman just to prove a point in the era we call the twenty-first century where women have rights disgusts me. Unfortunately, due to the way the packs are ruled by the Alpha King, I have no choice but to comply with the patriotic ways of werewolf society. What I would give just to be human. To be able to live a more normal and free life. Even being a rogue would be a better option than being part of a pack as rogues only show up to the event if they want to.

Taking a deep breath to calm my anger many scents rush into my nose and a smirk spreads on my muzzle with the realization of us being in the outskirts of my pack near the edge of the border; outside of it to be exact. If I can knock this cage onto the ground, I will be set free and given a chance to run away and hide from the event that would take place soon for mateless wolves. With that thought in mind I crouch, focusing on the center of the bars and leap forward, feeling triumphant until I touched the metal that greet me and howl with pain.

Silver.

Of course the bars would be silver; it sadly is the Kryptonite to us werewolves. Silver is the only way to keep us locked inside the stupid cages or to harm us in any way, even kill us sadly. Many Hunters who know of the supernatural races use silver to harm us and even kill us for rewards. It is something we feared – vampires, witch, fae and werewolves alike.

With a whimper I stand, shaking my fur out as the scent of burnt skin fills my sense. Quietly I pad towards the spot I awoke in and sit in the center, waiting for when my cage will be opened, most likely at the start of The Run. Judging by the moon, tomorrow night will be when it takes place, sooner then I hoped but sadly, it will happen no matter what.

[Amelia?] I call out through the link, trying to reach my best friend. I wait, receiving nothing but silence and worry gnaws at me.

[Amelia can you hear me?] I ask a little more frantic while looking towards her cage. Sounds of someone stirring beside me brings a slight relief and I wonder if the dosage of drugs injected into her was higher than the ones I receive.

[Grace?] Her voice is weak, barely audible through the link, but Amelia soon reaches out and I am relieved. Thank the Goddess she did not overdose on the drugs.

[Amelia, are you okay?] I ask, hearing a slight whimper in response.

[No. Alpha sent Bryden away on a suicide mission. I haven't eaten anything in days.] She answers, her voice slowly growing quieter. I suppress a growl, wanting to sink my teeth into the man that fathered her more than ever. Bryden is the man Amelia loves, the man she wants to mate with. The fact the Alpha would separate them all because he wants his daughter to be claimed the old fashion way is disgusting.

[Go back to sleep then Amelia. Try to conserve as much energy as you can for now.] I coo to the she-wolf, wanting to curl around her and help take away her pain.

[Okay Grace.] she meekly agrees before silence settles between us. I listen until my friend falls back asleep and sigh, sending a prayer to the Moon Goddess to help Amelia metabolize the drugs before we reach the event. Hopefully she can get some form of food when we arrive or else Amelia will be in trouble.

I let out a small huff of breath I curl up into a ball and think of what I can do to win the bet and keep Amelia safe, watching the scene change through the small opening between where the tarp doesn't those damned silver bars. Looking out the bars of the cage I take in the night sky and take a deep breath. I know just by looking out towards the night sky with an almost full moon I had slept for a day, maybe two. It is easy to tell with the fresh scent of rain that still lingered in the air - rain that was forecasted the night of the meeting to be arriving by Tuesday morning. The night quickly give way to morning as time passes; the indigo sky coming alive with the hues of gold, orange, red, pink and violet as the sun claimed its glory.

The Run waits for me silently to join in a few hours now and if I want to win the bet with the Alpha, then I would have to rest and save my strength. So I let the safety of sleep surround my mind willingly as whoever drives the truck carted me to the worst event ever.

One that may even change my life and fate if I allow it to.