Chapter 2 Grace
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.