Chapter 3 Grace

"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.