Mate Forgotten

Chapter Five

It felt like hours that Liz was left sitting in the changing room, although she did not mind the peace, she could not help but worry about the conversation that was taking place down the hall. She stared out the small window at the sky and watched as the bright sky began to darken. A few stars were visible already but she could not see the moon from her position.

The door behind her creaked open. As Liz turned to face who was at the door she was shocked to find Ryan there. She smiled her usual smile but it quickly faded as she took in Ryan's expression. He looked lost. Scared. Liz walked to where he stood and let her fingertips graze his as they had done earlier. His mouth twisted into a weak smile.

Footsteps came down the corridor and Ryan turned to see who was coming. Noticing one of the bodyguards that had been at the meal, standing behind the old alpha opposite where Liz had sat. He strolled past Liz and Ryan, banging on the door a bit further down. Michele answered the door and without a word followed the bodyguard back down the corridor and out of sight. "It looks like the negotiations have almost finished," Liz commented. Ryan's face twisted again into an expression she did not know.

Another bodyguard, this time belonging to the dark alpha, came down the corridor. Liz's breath hitched in her throat. She had not liked the alpha’s questions or the way he had mocked her about her s****l history. The bodyguard's gaze fell on Liz… As he continued past her and banged on a door that snapped open to reveal Izak. Again they retreated down the corridor without a word. Liz let out a long breath she did not know she was holding and her whole body relaxed. The other two alpha's with the braids had been okay as far as potential 'buyers' go and she did not care which had traded for her.

Ryan turned back to face her. "Before you leave… I wanted to apologise for what was said at the meal. I have never heard alphas ask such personal questions. Even I felt uncomfortable." His face fell to the floor and Liz knew that he was thinking about his confession.

Liz grabbed his chin and pulled his face back to hers. "I will never forget what you did for me here. You have saved my life. I could have died here years ago. But you taught me. You helped me to survive. I always imagined that I would die in the arena in my 'freedom fight' but I didn't and that is because of you." Liz smiled warmly at her confidante. As their eyes locked on each other, Ryan slowly slid his eyes down to her lips. Liz bit at her bottom lip and Ryan's eyes became hungry.

Then footsteps came down the corridor snapping both of them from their trance. Two bodyguards came down the hall. Both belonged to the long-haired deep-voiced alpha. One came to a stop next to Ryan while the other pounded on the door to Karl's room. The bodyguard next to Ryan stared at Liz intently. "He took both of them?" Ryan asked.

The bodyguard just nodded his head and motioned for Liz to exit into the corridor. As she did Karl opened his door, his gaze flicking between Liz and Ryan. "Came to see me off did you both? Guess I should be touched really." Karl smirked.

Ryan shook his head. "Liz is going with you. The alpha must have negotiated for you both. Usually when the number of winners matches the number of alphas each goes home with one. I have never known an alpha to take two winners, he must have paid a fortune."

The bodyguard, who stood near Liz, grunted. She looked at him as he continued to stare intensely at her. "The two alphas at the end of the table are father and son. Their pack is so large that it is split into two regions, one ruled by the father and the other by the son. They are equal in power and dominance so no one bickers who they are ruled over which happens when a pack is split and a less dominant wolf starts to try to lead half of its people." The bodyguard explained, his eyes raking over Liz. "I wonder if your wolf is as dominant and vicious as you are." The guard asked as his hand travelled up to try and cup her face. When a growl of warning came from the other bodyguard he smiled and turned to walk down the corridor.

Karl, Ryan and Liz looked at each other and bowed their heads slightly in a polite goodbye before Liz and Karl walked down the corridor with the other bodyguard bringing up the rear. Going through a maze of corridors they finally came out into an open courtyard. The sky was now completely black with just the pinpricks of stars to light the night. As they were all werewolves the lack of light was not an issue.

The bodyguards led them through the courtyard and into a stable where two horses were tied. As they untied the horses Liz looked to Karl and said. "I don't know how to ride a horse." She meant it to be quiet enough for just him to hear but the sound of her voice echoed around the stable.

"Don't worry each of you will be with one of us. The alphas’ don't want to lose their new property before we get back to camp now do they." The same bodyguard who had spoken to her before explained. With that, they all left the stable and the two bodyguards mounted.

The talkative bodyguard offered his hand to Liz, but Karl lent up and grabbed it instead. "Thanks." He said as he pulled himself to the back of the horse. Liz turned to the other bodyguard who simply shrugged and offered his hand, flinging her on the back of his horse.

"Hold on to me so that you don't fall off." The bodyguard instructed as he flicked the reins lightly. Liz flung her arms around his stomach and held on tight. A small chuckle escaped his lips and he increased the horse's speed. They left the compound and rode off through the surrounding forest.

They rode for a long time, weaving through the trees and jumping over fallen branches. They eventually came to a wide-open field filled with carts, laden with linens and clothes, food, water; horses being saddled or brushed down and about 100 men who all seemed to be packing the last of what was probably their campsite. The two bodyguards rode to the far end of the sort of line that was being formed, coming to a halt.

Liz let go slightly of the guard that she had been clinging to. He looked over his shoulder and smiled, stifling a laugh. Liz punched him in the arm. "It is not funny." As the guard laughed harder not even trying to hide it, a new man approached the side of the horse and offered Liz his hand. As she studied his face she realised it was the young alpha. Liz took his hand as he helped her dismount the horse. A flicker of something crossed his face as her body slid down his for support until her feet touched the ground and he pulled away slightly.

"I hope my little brother took care of you," he said, flashing his brother a warning look to which he placatingly raised his hands in defence. His gaze fell back on Liz, his expression becoming unreadable. "You will ride with me the rest of the way. You cannot have a horse of your own as you are probably tired and will fall asleep on the way." His bodyguard brother chuckled lightly causing another flash of anger from the alpha.

"I cannot ride anyway, alpha. I do not know how." Liz said, her voice low and her eyes averted to avoid what she thought was probably a look of pity or sympathy. He grabbed her hand and pulled her to a readied horse as he jumped up he offered Liz his hand. Their eyes met and Liz's mouth suddenly became dry. She coughed to cover her sudden discomfort and quickly took the offered appendage. As he pulled her up, he did not sling her on the back as his brother had, but positioned her in front of him, his broad muscular chest pushed at her back and his trunk-like arms wrapped around her trapping her.

Liz's breath quickened slightly at the dominance that she could feel radiating from the colossus of a man surrounding her and his wolf. She could feel the alpha wolf inside him as if he was only just below the surface ready to take over any moment. "This way if you fall asleep you will not fall off." Liz swallowed hard and nodded slowly, trying to resist the shiver that wanted to run through her at the feeling of the young Alpha’s hot breath against the sensitive skin of her neck.

The male scent filled her lungs, the smell of oak, sun and dominance. Her stomach twisted and making her have to take a few deep breaths through her mouth to suppress her primal urges. She had never felt this before. It was like led and butterflies were pinging around her stomach and clouds had been placed in her head.

With a flick of the reins, the horse set off. The alpha growled loudly and then the rest of the caravan followed suit. With the swaying of the horse, Liz felt the muscle’s of the alpha bulge and shift, causing heat to rise in her. She pushed it down, not wanting to have to handle the alien feelings attached to the man surrounding her. As the ride continued, Liz tried to fight the siren call of sleep. Her lids felt heavy. She felt safe surrounded by the man she didn't even know. And as the darkness took over she drifted off to sleep.