My Fated Mate

19. FOLLOWING ALPHA (PART 1)

POV (ABELIA)

My eyes squinted through the darkness as I held up my cell phone and tried to read the titles.  "The Full Moon Trilogy,"  "The Tale of Teeth and Claws," and what was this... "Blood or Fang?"  What the hell?  I rubbed my eyes as my fingers traced over the titles of the leather bound books.  This would never do.  I needed a book that explained exactly what it meant to be a werewolf.  Not this young adult fantasy garbage.  Why in the world did Ashfork even have this drivel in their library.  Oh, wait, for the human students. 

I groaned, as I pull up my hood and continued my search in another wing.  I needed to hurry.  After Aurora went silent I went to check to see if boys were still in the showers, and oddly enough they were, however it did not mean they would be there for long.  If I was going to follow them I certainly needed to be there when they left. 

"Ahhh... here we go."  I said out loud, as I quickly covered my mouth and looked around, to make sure no one heard me.  I still was not a hundred percent sure I was alone.  Ever since I had entered the library I kept feeling like someone else was there, but the spooky blue fox fire lights dancing around above my head could be the reason for that.  Seriously, the people who designed this school really wanted it to feel like a haunted house at night.  Quickly I shook the thought from my head and carefully pulled out the old red leather book, which whined as I tried to yank it free. 

"Come on, I don't have all....night."  I said through my teeth, as the book finally gave way.  I stumbled backwards and landed on the floor, while the book fell open at my feet to a chapter called, "Fated Mates."  I felt a smile on my face as I picked up the book and began to flip.  "The Wolf,"  "Your First Change,"  "Dead Moon Nights."  Yes, this was exactly what I was looking for.  As I closed the book I caught a glimpse of the cover.  "The Moon's Creation"   By Alabaster Holloway.  

"Thank you Mr. Holloway."  I said, as I placed the book in my bag and made my way to exit, and back to the boy's locker rooms.  I had never stolen anything before in my life but there was no way I was going to go out in the world as a secret werewolf without some knowledge.  Having Aurora asleep at the wheel had put me in dire straits, and since the coven was not an option I would need to go it alone. 

The moment I rounded the bend towards the locker rooms, I quickly jumped back and spun on my heels.  I let out a shallow breath as I bit my lip, and slowly looked behind the corner.  There were two of them.  A blonde hair werewolf boy and a red headed one.  They were dressed in matching black t-shirts and black track pants with a white stripe down either leg.  But what caught my eye were the metal dog tags that hung from around their necks.  They were warriors, top class, and those tags looked familiar. 

"What did you hear?"  The blonde hair werewolf boy said, as he looked at the red headed one.   

"I'm not telling you, so stop asking.  He might hear us."  The red headed wolf hissed under his breath, as he rubbed his neck.  I could see what looked like a big bruise was starting to form.  Someone had chocked him and I had a guess who. 

"You two knock it off."  A dark haired werewolf boy snapped, as he eyed the red headed one.  "Are you ok Bryan?"  He reached out to touch him but Bryan batted his hand away. 

"I don't want to talk about it."  He said, as he started to walk towards the exit. 

"Go with him Thomas.  I will wait for Alec." The dark haired werewolf said. 

"Richard, we need to talk about this."  Thomas said, as he looked at Richard with a worried expression.  "He is off his rocker.  Did you see what he did to Bryan?"  He whispered out, causing Richard to hit the back of his head. 

"I said, go Thomas. "  Richard growled, as I felt a shutter go down my back.  His eyes were glowing brown and Thomas' blue ones were doing it to.  

"Fine.  But, this is all our problem and we need him to be our Alpha.  So do what you can to fix it, Beta."  

I watched as Thomas raced after Bryan, leaving Richard alone in the hall.  From my little hiding spot it was clear something was very wrong with these werewolves.  Richard, was running his hands through his hair and pacing about as he shook his head.  Then as if a button had been flipped he stopped and leaned confidently against the wall.  What was he doing?  As I strained my neck to see what he was up too, I quickly found myself scurrying like a rodent back to my spot.   

Suddenly, the doors to the locker room swung open revealing a dark curly haired werewolf boy.  He stumbled about like he was drunk and placed his hands on the wall to steady himself, as the screaming and crying of a young girl echoed behind him.  What had just happened? 

"Why did you do that?"  Richard said, as he eyed Alec with a note of  irritation which Alec returned back.

"Leave me alone."  He growled, but he suddenly lost his footing and I watched as Richard reached out and grabbed him. 

"You know she will never believe you.  She is going to get herself killed."  Richard said, as I looked towards the door and wonder who they could be talking about.

“She will be fine.  The only one who would want her life, will watch over her because her blood has always been on his hands.”  Alec said, as he rested his head on Richard's shoulder. 

"Alec, what is going on with you?"  Richard said, as he patted the big bad Alpha's head. 

"I'm tired Richard.  Lets go.  We need to leave before Arthur gets wise to all of this and sends warriors out looking for us."  Slowly, Alec removed himself from Richard and then reached out and touched the dog tags around Richard's neck. "You don't need these anymore."  He said, as he yanked down hard on the tags, causing the chain to break.  It rattled to the floor as Richard smiled at Alec and the two walked out of the school. 

Once, they were outside I knew I only had a few minutes to reach them.  If they were taking a car, I would have to sneak aboard it, if that were even possible.  I felt my adrenaline going as I darted out from behind the corner I had been hiding behind, but I stopped when I came to the locker room door.  I could hear the girl crying inside and I needed to make sure she was not about to come out and spot me.  After a few seconds of nothing I  made a break for the exit.  Yet, the moment I passed the dog tags I found myself compelled to pick them up and put them in my bag.  There was so much I needed to learn and just maybe following them would teach me things the books could not. 

The moment I was outside I soon understood the gravity of what I was about to do.  I pulled on the hood of the hoodie, I had taken from some girl's locker.  I was grateful it was completely black and smelled like it had been recently washed.  The last thing I needed was smelling like body odor in a car full of werewolves with sensitive noses.  Moon bath or not, if I stunk even I would smell it.  

Quickly, I took off into the shadows of the trees, cars, and anything I could find.  I felt like a bandit of the night and I was surprised that through all my running I was not panting or out of breath.  I had never been one for exercise or crazy hikes in the forest, like Jasmine, I was a book worm.  I lived for a chair in front of the fire place or a shady tree on a sunny day.  Oh Satan, I sounded like cat.  Either way, this new found energy in my bones was making me move faster and more precise then I ever had in my life. 

"Are we taking the jeep?"  Thomas said, as he looked at Alec who shook his head. 

"Leave it for Annabell.  She will be able to drive soon.  I want her to have it."  Alec said, as he looked back at the school, causing moonlight to fall on his face.  My breath hitched in my chest, this was Jasmine's Alpha?  I could not help but be impressed.  During the entire day I had never been able to get a good look at him.  I only saw a back or a furry beast, however now I could some how understand why she had fallen for him.  He was handsome, no that was not right.  Victor was handsome, Alec was regal.  From his chiseled jaw, to his messy black curls everything about him radiated power and confidence.  And then there were those eyes.  In the moonlight his blue eyes glowed like they were made of silver and I could not help but think how perfectly my golden ones matched his.  

"We are taking my car."  Richard said, as he reached under the wheel and pulled out a black box with a red blinking light on it.

"You have got to be kidding?"  Bryan said, as I watched Richard throw the box to the ground causing it to smash into a million little pieces. 

"A tracking device?" Thomas said, as Alec walked over and began to pound his feet on the pieces. 

"If you don't think there is one on each of our cars you are crazy.  Arthur owns us."  Richard said. 

"Not anymore."  

Alec's voice was deep and there was a slight hint of pleasure in it.  The boys nodded their heads with smirks on each of their faces as they quickly began to get into the car.  I raised my head to moon and squeezed my eyes shut as I took a deep breath, and then took off running.  It was a black ranger rover, which meant it had a big trunk. I did not need a lot of room but I needed it to be unlocked.  The moment they were all in the car would be too late and the trunk would lock automatically and I would be left with no way to follow them.  

The moment my fingers hit the button to open the trunk I prayed it was unlocked.  As it made a slight click sound I let out a sigh of relief and quickly raised the back just enough so I could hopped inside.  Once in a wave of relief hit me, until I realized I had no way to close the damn thing.  I could hear the guys talking, I need to figure something.  For if I did not, the moment Richard started the car it would send out an alarm that the trunk was open and he was bound to look inside to see what was going on. Carefully, I reached my hand to the outside of the trunk door and pulled down and then quickly snatched my hand back. The moment it shut and I heard it click in place I cradled my hand.  I had scrapped the skin but thankfully there was no blood.  

"I'm hungry."  

Thomas said, as he leaned back causing the black leather to squeak.  I had to cover my mouth, for I could see his mess of blonde hair right above my head.  Richard's car had a slanted back trunk, which only gave me a very small place to hid and if Thomas turned his head just a little bit he would see me.  There were only a few articles of clothing and some loose papers of the floor.  Quietly I grabbed the clothes and covered myself with them, so I looked like a pile of dirty laundry as the boys began to talk about their growling stomachs.  Mine too was starting to make little rumblings. 

"Chicken, beef, or..."  

"Knock it off Thomas."  Alec growled, as he rested his head against the window. 

"We should get some food Alec.  We all turned today, you twice,  and I know you can hear them back there." 

Bryan and Thomas were making whimpering sounds that made me have to stifle a laugh. 

"Very well.  But after dinner I need you guys to stop acting like this."  Alec groaned, as Thomas and Bryan high fived each other, while Richard started the car.  

The bumping and rattling of laying down in the back of Richard's trunk was starting to make me queasy and so, to distract myself form my nausea,  I tried to listen to what the guys were saying.  After ten minutes I was beginning to understand them all a little bit better, except for one.  Richard was the Beta, and from the sound of it he came from a wealthy family.  Thomas was always making fun of him for it and Thomas was a hunter, while Bryan was the Gamma?  I still had no idea what any of this meant, but if I was going to be their shadow I would need to some how figure it all out.  

The moment the car stopped it had been a little over 30 minutes and my stomach no longer care about food.  Once the guys began to open the car doors I quickly hopped out of the trunk and timed my closing of the trunk with one of their doors.  Suddenly, a wave of nausea hit me and I stumbled on the gravel road as I made my way to the bushes and let it all out.  I clutched my chest as my knees went weak, and I crumpled to the ground.  As I sat there in the dark, I pulled out my cell phone to see what time it was.  

"Midnight, the witching hour."  I laughed, as I slowly pulled myself to my feet and dusted off my burgundy track pants that were two sizes too big.  I had, had to take a hair tie and tie them up so they would not fall down on me and allow everyone to see my under garments. 

"Ugh, where am I?"  I groaned, as I looked around and saw that I appeared to be in front of a diner in the middle of the woods?  Was this a werewolf thing?  As I wiped my mouth, I heard my stomach let out a growl.  

"You can't be serious.  They are in there.  I can't."  But, the smell of pancakes, french toast, and what might be fried butter, hit my nose causing all rational thoughts to go out of my head.  Quickly, I tucked my hair into my hoodie, since white blonde hair is kind of hard to miss, and I did not want those werewolf boys having any flashbacks to a stupid little witch yelling at them in their wolf forms. 

As I walked up the wooden steps of the diner I felt something was off about this place.  The red and yellow neon sign read "ROL's DINER,"  which did not seem like a bad name.  But, as I got closer I realized there were darken out letters on the sign and it did not read ROL's DINER, it read GROWL's DINER.  The moment I opened the door and the tiny bell rang, signaling a new customer, I felt a large number of eyes hit me.  The ones that stared at me the longest belonged to the group of four I had just had the privilege of tailgating with. 

"Hey love.  Dining in, or dining out?"  A young freckle faced woman in a yellow dress with a red waitress sash said to me, as she pull out a pad from her pocket and licked the tip of a pencil that had been behind her ear.  She gave me a warm smile but I could tell she was looking at my clothes. 

"You alright, sweetheart?"  She said, as she reached out for me, causing me to jump.  From the moment I walked in my eyes had been glued to the four boys, and they were eyeing me now too.  

"I'm... fine."  I said, as I tore my gaze from them and smiled up at her. 

"Alright, if you say so."  The waitress said. 

"Betty!  Burgers!  Counter!"  

"Oh darn it.  That would be Bruno.  You wait right here and I will be back in a second."  She said, as she took off towards the counter.  "Bruno you big off.  Could you not see that little pup there? "  

I watched as a burly man in a white t-shirt with a grease stain on his shirt, rubbed his chin and looked over the counter at me. 

"What wrong with her?" 

"I don't know.  But look at her.  Skin and bones and those clothes, dear Moon Goddess.  Thats a run away, if ever I saw one."  Betty said, causing me to look down at my feet, 

"Well, what is she running from?  It can't be my cooking."  Bruno said, with a grin that caused Betty to slap his hand as she reached over and picked up the burgers.  

"Oh, you are so infuriating.  How the Moon Goddess thought we were a good fit is beyond me."  Betty said as she walked over to where the boys were.  "Here you go loves.  Four double decker howl burgers, with extra everything.  Except for onion, tomatoes, lettuce, and anything that grows in the ground."  She said, with a frown. 

"Thanks Betty!  You are the best."  Thomas said, as he snatched up his burger. 

"Yeah, never had anything better." Bryan mumbled out, as he slammed the burger into his mouth. 

"Is this really what we are eating?"  Richard said, as he picked up a fork and poked at the burger, as Alec just rested his arms back on the red leather booth.  He looked so out of place and I wondered if he felt that way. It was hard not to watch him, the way his eyes roamed the room as if he were looking for something.  I soon found myself doing the same thing but when I looked back I felt a chill go down my spin.  His blue eyes were staring right at me.  I quickly pulled my hood down over my eyes and turned away. 

"What is hun?"  Betty said, as she watch Alec sit up causing the boys to look over at me.  I could feel their eyes and it was like I was on fire. 

"Whose that girl?" Alec said. 

"Oh her?  I don't know, but I think she is a run away.  Poor thing.  I can't get a scent on her."  Betty said, which instantly caught the boys attention. 

"What do you mean?"  Alec said, as his eyes never left me. 

"I can't tell what she is."  Betty said in a whisper, but I heard it.  Quickly, I turned around and noticed they were all staring at me.  But before I could move the bell rang at the counter causing everyone to wake up. 

"I'll be right back with your fries."  Betty said, as she returned to the counter. 

"You don't know what she is?"  Bruno said, causing me to start to ring my hands. This had been a bad idea.  I should have never left the trunk.  I started to back away from the door, but before I could Bruno shouted. 

"Where you going?  Get over here kid!"  His big gruff voice caused me to shake, but there was no way I was going anywhere near him.  Slowly, I slide my feet back until my right hand could touch the door.  I was getting out of here.  I did not need food.  Quickly, I turned on my heals to run and ran right into a very hard warm wall.  I shook my head and took a few steps back to see what I had hit and what I saw made my blood run cold.  They were big, much bigger than the boys, and each one of them were wearing dog tags.  I stumbled backwards and felt Betty grab my arm. 

"My goodness, you are a jumpy little thing."  She said, as she pulled me behind her.  "How can I help Arthur's Warriors this evening?"  Betty said, as Bruno let out a growl. 

"You're not welcome here."  Bruno barked, causing the four werewolf men in suits to scan the room and land on the boys.  

"Prince Alec, Richard, Thomas, Bryan, it is time to go back to the pack now.  Arthur has demanded it."  One of the warriors said, as he took a step forward.  Betty smiled at them, as she whisper to me.  

"Go get behind the counter sweetheart, this might get a little messy."  I nodded my head and hurried behind the counter, as I heard three chair scratch the floor. 

"You can tell Arthur to bite my ass!"  Thomas growled. 

"We only answer to one Alpha, and that is Alpha Alec Holloway!"  Bryan growled, as Richard cracked his neck from side to side. 

"Gentlemen, lets all be civil and let our claws doing the talking."  Richard said, as he c****d his head at them, as his eyes glowed.  This was terrifying.  I gripped the counter and bit my lip as Alec finally stood up.  I watched as he pushed in his chair and looked at the warriors as if they were ants. 

"Prince Alec, the Alpha wants you back and you will be coming with us."  The warrior laughed.  Wait, why were they laughing?  Did that think he was weak?  I carefully raised my head to see what was going on. as I felt a big mass behind me. 

"Your thinking the same thing aren't you."  Bruno said, as he crossed his arms.  I looked up at him as he rubbed his chin. 

"Why do they think he is weak?"  I whispered out, as Alec took slow measured steps towards the warriors. 

"Because he has always made them think that."  Bruno said, as he placed a finger to his lips.  "Hush now, you're about to get quite a show." 

I could only nod my head and watch, as Alec finally stopped and looked to his boys and raised his hand.  Instantly, they took a step back and bowed to him. 

"You trying to show off mutt!"  A warrior barked, as another started to shout.

"Yeah, know your place pup!"  

Yet, Alec seemed unfazed, which only irritated them more and it was clear this was not going to end quietly.

"Bryan, Thomas!  You fools wish to follow this dog!  I thought I trained you better then this!"  I could hear Thomas growl.

"You know nothing!"  Thomas snarled, as Bryan glared with green glowing eyes at the warriors. 

"All I know is Arthur said to bring you boy back, but he never said anything about unharmed."  The warrior snickered, but before he could say much more I heard a disgusting c***k sound that caused my blood to freeze in my veins. The fall of a dead body hitting the ground is neither soft nor loud, it is just a thud.  A lifeless thud that makes you realize at the end of the day we are all just flesh, bone, muscle and it can all be ripped apart with just a flick of a hand. 

"What the hell!"  One of the warriors shouted as he looked at Alec, who was looking at his blood soaked hand, as if he had something sticky on his fingers.  He had ripped the warriors throat clean out and it was now laying at his feet.  The blood that was pooling around the wound was pointless, at least that was the look Alec was giving it.  He took a step back so as not to dirty his shoes and then looked up at the warriors. 

"You can tell my brother the only reason he is Alpha is because I chose never to challenge him."