Chapter 4 Caden

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.