MARKED BY HIS WOLF

Asha

  Ever since I was sixteen, every attempt at attending the mating night was a failure. Damon would strictly forbid me from leaving the house, telling me I wasn't ready yet.

  Even when mother would try to protest, telling him my wolf had already awakened, he would shut her up, stating he knew what was best for me.

   He only wanted to claim me, of course.

   For the past six years, I never joined the others when it was the mating night. I was either reading, or doing some crocheting. With time, I even grew to dread the mating night.

  I just didn't want anything to do with it. My Mother's second chance 'mate' wasn't exactly the nicest to her, so it was a no no for me.

    Speaking of the mating night.

   Why the fuck am I lying on a bed of rustling leaves, surrounded by a canopy of trees, half blocking the  moonlight? I'm a hundred percent sure I was at home, trying to escape then I blacked out.

  How did i get here?

  The breeze hits my skin, sending an almost sickening chill into my bones.

  Howls rip through the air, far and near. Even so, I can hear the ground shaking with the mad number of hooves that gallop the ground.

    "What the heck?" I stagger to my feet, "Where am I?"

  Another howl rips through the air, and two wolves breeze past me, nuzzling at each other.

  It suddenly clicks. I'm at the mating ground.

   I'm not supposed to be here. I'm supposed to have left this place a long time ago.

   Not knowing what else to do, I take to my heels, running to wherever my head leads.

   My skin is riddled with goosebumps from the cold. Each slam of my feet on the ground sends a jolt of pain into my brain.

   Of course, the fool, whoever he is, that decided to dump me here took away my shoes!

   Who even put me here in the first place?

  I keep running wherever I think might be safe, and run into a couple who are seriously in the middle of their business. The lady is crouched on all fours, while the guy keeps slamming into her hard.

   I quickly turn away from there, my heart racing, my cheeks flooding with heat.

   "Don't these people know what it is to have a room?" I mutter under my breath.

  My breath is now choppy, each painful drag I take in as breath hits my lungs like icicles stabbing them.

   I run for a while until I can't take it anymore, and I slam into the ground.

   "What a nice evening to be outside," I grit my teeth, panting as I look around.

  Out of nowhere, a slender black wolf skids to a halt in front of me, sending my heart freezing with terror. Golden eyes stare back at me, searching my soul.

   I clutch my chest, shaking my head, "Just go away. I'm not the fucking one for you," I snap, feeling the irritation creep into my skin.

   It stands there for a while, before it trots away from the spot I'm sprawled on.

   "Fuck you all," I whisper, forcing myself to stand up again.

    I have to get out of here. It will only be a matter of time before Damon's absence is noticed. I might as well use this medium to run away from this cursed place.

    My legs are burning badly, each step I take makes it worse. Still, I force myself to take off. I can't be here, I just have to leave.

   I'm still in the middle of my escapade, when a wolf brushes past me. As if struck by realization, it suddenly comes to a halt, and whips around to face me.

  What the–

  It's a massive red wolf, with burning red eyes like flames. I instantly recognize him. Roger, Damon's best friend.

   In an instant, he shifts back to his human self.

  "Asha? Is that you dear?" He narrows his eyes, searching my face.

   I hiss, "Well, yes."

   "Where's your stepfather? I didn't see him at the gathering. Also, I thought he didn't allow you attend mating nights?"

    I wipe my nose, thinking of the best reply to give him.

He comes closer, looking me over, "Are those scratches? Did he do something to you?"

    I freeze at his questions, and my eyes subconsciously drop to my hands.

   I've never really interacted with Roger, but I can tell from the few times we've spoken to each other, that he's a good man.

      I purse my lips, still deciding if I should tell him what had happened earlier.

  "What's the matter?"

  I clear my throat, "H- he tried to rape me," I finally reply his questions.

   His eyes almost pop out of his sockets, "He did what?"

  I nod, "He asked me to let him claim me tonight, and when I refused, he tried to force himself on me.."

   "So?"

   "I hit him with a vase, and I think he's dead," I rush over my words, taking a step back to see what his reaction will be like.

     He stands there for a while, looking horrified. After what seems like eternity he speaks up, "You have to leave this pack dear. If anyone finds out you did that to him, they'll try killing you."

   My eyes light up at his comment, and warmth instantly floods my heart. I didn't think he would take the news in this way, especially since Damon was his best friend.

   "You have to leave. Go!"

  A twig snaps in that moment, catching our attention, and we both turn to see who it is.

   Raphael, the Alpha's son has been standing there, eavesdropping.

  My heart instantly leaps to my throat.

   "Wait until the Alpha hears  you killed your father, just because of a minor issue," he shifts back to his wolf form, and sprints back into the woods.

   "Leave from here Asha. I'll take care of him, but make sure you get away from the borders of this place!"

   I nod, my legs trembling with worry, and fear.

  He places his hands on my head, "The moon goddess be with you."

    He then pushes me forward, "Run!"

  I take off again, my heart pounding erratically in my chest.

  That Raphael, son of a bitch!

  The howls keep snapping through the air, filling my chest with more sense of dread of what might happen if I'm caught.

  I don't know where I'm going, but I'm leaving this place– for good.