Spellbound Mate
Chapter 1 Escape

I woke from a restless sleep to see we were still driving. I looked at Aunt Diedra and asked “Where are we?” She said east of Portland. I just shrugged. I have no clue where that is..I mean, I know it’s in Oregon..and there’s one in Maine..but the furthest I had driven was to school and back. “Where are we going?” I asked her. Your grandmother owned a shoppe in Takoda, Washington. Your mom and I were the only ones who know..knew..about it. Now you and I are..” she whispers. “What kind of shoppe?” I asked her. “And why did we have to sneak away?” She sighed. “You know why, Althea. Your father is dead. Your step-brother murdered him and took the Alpha title. And he won’t stop there. You would have been next.” I said “What? Why would Michael kill me?” She started to cry. She said you are rightfully the next Alpha. Your father’s power will only pass to you when you turn 18. Michael knows it and wants you dead to keep that from happening. We will be fine. I have already emailed Alpha Roman of Sioux River pack to ask asylum there.

. Luckily, your grandmother was well loved by pack and townspeople, alike, so that should help open some doors for us. It will be an adventure for us..and a good way for you to build your magic and perfect your potions. The shoppe was a magic shoppe. Grandma specialized in potions and tonics. Healing herbs.. things of that nature. We will arrange for Auburn to run, as soon as we stop. But you must stay out of sight of people, Althea! You are the last red wolf and touched by the moon. All your powers will awaken on your 18th birthday and we must train you, so you are prepared. I promised your father, honey and all we have left is each other. I love you…you know that, right Munchkin? I looked at her and said “I love you, Aunt Dee” and laid my seat back as I put my headphones in to try and calm my mind. My name is Althea Dawson. My mom died four years ago when we were attacked by rogue wolves hired to target the Luna of our pack. No one ever knew who sent them..or why. My father fell apart and I moved to my Aunt Dee’s cottage because my father knew I needed to learn and practice my craft. I’m seventeen. My birthday is in two months. I shifted into my wolf, Auburn, when I was fourteen and my dad said she must have come early to help heal my broken heart. My mom was my best friend. I lost my heart that day..my mother died, but my dad was just as gone. There’s not much to me. I’m only 5 feet tall with green eyes and waist length curly and unruly red hair. I am a witch/wolf hybrid and my wolf is the last known red wolf since my father is dead.

My father took a second chance mate..a chosen.. two years ago. Her name is Dorothy and she is a truly nasty person. She came into the marriage with two children..both older than me. Her daughter,Lisa, isn’t bad but I seldom saw her. She mated the gamma from LunaHeart pack last year. But her son..Michael..I don’t like him. He is arrogant, and crass..so cruel. He’s evil incarnate and I was always a little afraid to be alone with him. Our pack, the GoldenMoon, has been led by the Gold family for five generations. And now, it isn’t. I pray the Moon Goddess protects my people until I can set things to rights! I hear my father’s voice.. looking around I seem to be standing in a room of white..I see a man walking towards me and realize it’s my dad! I run at him and wrap my arms around him..I breathe him in..always loving his scent of brandy and leather. It always reminds me of the years spent in his office, just hanging out with him.

He sits down holding me in his lap..and says, I don’t have much time. I’m sorry I left you like I did…it was my time and now I can be with your mom. The time of GoldenMoon is done. As we speak, that upstart is changing the name. But that’s not why I am here. This is a talk we would have had on your 18th birthday, but..well, here we are. You are a powerful witch. More powerful than you know. And all your powers will awaken but more than that, you are a powerful wolf. You must always..always..control Auburn. She’s a redhead with a fiery temper..so much like her human counterpart, he winks at me..but you must never let her go into a rage. She is strong. So strong and if she lost herself to blind rage, she could annihilate an entire pack. It is the primary reason I made sure you nurtured your relationship with her. She loves you as deeply as you love her. “She’s my best friend “ I whispered. I know munchkin..I know. Our wolves are our Goddess given assurance we are never alone. You will meet your mate soon. I need you to keep an open mind and heart. He has had a rough go of it and isn’t sure he wants a mate. That will change..but you need patience! I looked at my dad and deadpanned “Well..go figure! I always wanted my mate..wanted the love you and mama have. And I get an indecisive crotch who doesn’t want me. Yep…life right on track!” He chuckles and said stop being dramatic! Now, listen and learn all that your Aunt Diedre teaches you. Do not allow your powers to overwhelm you..meditate daily and when your temper does get away from you again..and it will, my little redheaded firecracker..you take that anger and turn it to something constructive! Your mother and I will be very disappointed if you burn the world down. He smirks. You will face many things in the next few years..some bad and you must be ready. You are a born leader and when the time comes, I have no doubt you will take up the mantle and do me proud! You will not only absorb your mother’s powers on your birthday, but my Alpha mantle will settle into your heart. I said “great …a double whammy” and he laughs. Always so dramatic, munchkin. I must go now..but your mom and I will see you on your birthday. At least, one more time. Go with Goddess, my most precious girl. Remember, you are loved more than you know and always let your light shine!

I hear my aunt calling my name and I pop up and look around. I must look a fright because Aunt Dee said what is it? What’s wrong? I fell into her arms and sobbed like my heart would come out of my chest. She just wrapped me in her arms and held on tight. When I felt more in control…I told her about my talk with my dad…how I would get to see both my parents on my birthday..possibly for the last time. And she said he was right in telling me they had had a plan in place since my mom died because it will make training me easier, if I am doing it to make them proud! Then she said…”and no…you cannot turn your mate into a slug just because he has issues.” I laughed and said “stay out of my head!” Then I realized we were sitting outside a diner and my stomach growled..she laughed and said let’s eat! We walked into the diner and sat. I ordered a chocolate milkshake with a cheeseburger and fries. I love fries. Fries should be served with every meal! Aunt Dee ordered coffee and an eggwhite omelette. Yuck! After our food arrived, Aunt Dee said you can take over driving now. We are heading north and about four hours out.. Just stay on the interstate until you see the exit sign for Takoda and wake me, I will direct you to the shoppe. I received an email back from Alpha Roman accepting our asylum request. You will have to join his pack and I will swear fealty. We have to be in his office at nine in the morning…

. As we stepped from the diner she said..renounce the pack now. I don’t want Michael to feel the bond snap close to Sioux River Pack. So I said “I, Althea Gold renounce my oath and fealty to the GoldenMoon Pack of Sierra Madre” and I felt the breath leave my chest and hit my knees.

At GoldenMoon, Michael felt the snap of the bond and screamed at his beta “Find that little bitch and bring her to me. NOW!”

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