Alpha's Blinded Mate

18 and Counting

"Who was that?" Aunt Mika asked

"No one. A guy saw me walking from the packhouse and offered me a ride. Just a ride."

"Oh, is that all? I bet you offered something in return, you little slut. You're just like your mother; you know that"

" Do not talk about my mother that way," I snapped back for the first time ever. My mother was a soft spot for me; no one was allowed to disrespect her, even if it cost me.

She approached me slowly and said, "who do you think you are talking to?" I hear her reach for something, so I immediately put up my hands to cover my face. I felt something wet, then a sharp pain on both of my wrists. Sh*t, she cut me. I couldn't tell how deep the wound was, but I know for sure it was one s***h, and if my arms were not where they were, it would have been my face.

"Get this mess cleaned up, and no need for dinner. Looking at you made me lose my appetite. Oh, and that goes for you too. I am sure you are not hungry."

In all honestly, I was starving. I can't remember when the last time I was able to eat their leftovers. I wasn't allowed to make my own meal and could only eat what they left behind, and I felt like my stomach would turn inside out. BUT! Tomorrow, no, tonight at midnight, that all changes. I am almost out of here. I think to myself while holding both wrists. I hope I did not get any blood on my shirt, this is the only thing I have to wear, and I am sure they wouldn't be so happy if I showed up bloodied.

I head to the bathroom downstairs to examine myself; luckily, I do not have any significant damage. Nothing a little stitch glue couldn't fix. I whip out my first aid and begin my repair, or so I call it. I have had too many "repairs" to count and have never seen the pack doctor, so I got pretty good at this. Now, time to wash my clothes and underwear. Since I was not allowed to use the washer, I had to use the sink and a bar of soap; hey, it works. Standing there scrubbing away, I start to cry, wondering if I would be welcome anywhere else or if I found my mate could he love somebody as pathetic as myself. Probably not, but I won't end it until nothing is left. I promised myself that from the beginning. Be strong like your mother until the end. I drift in that thought and head straight to bed.

"Nina... Nina... It would be best if you listened to me. Your 18th birthday is here, and your wolf is here waiting. Trust her with everything and never turn away from her. She will always protect and love you. She is your gift to the moon and the key to unlocking what the goddess has given. You must find your mate, and she will..."

Beep... Beep... Beep...

"Wake up, Nina. Nina, wake up. It's your birthday, and I want to meet you finally."

Ugh, another meaningless dream, but this time it was about my... BIRTHDAY!!! It's my birthday!!! I am 18, oh my goddess, I'm 18. I turn my head towards my chair, where I placed my runaway backpack, and feel overjoyed. Wait, who woke me up this morning?

"Hi Nina, my name is Aurora. I am you, and you are me. Together we can be anything!

"What a cool name Aurora. So you're my wolf?"

"Yes, and I am a piece of your soul. Without you, I am nothing but an empty shell. I have seen your past through your memories, and I know life has been hard, but I am here now, and after the next full moon, I will never let anything else happen to you. I promise." I could not help but cry when I heard her soothing voice. It reminds me so much of my mothers. I could not help but be happy. We talk a bit longer, getting to know each other better when Aurora reminds me.

"Nina, it's time for the ritual." I jump out of bed and get ready. I was excited to show Aurora the ritual firsthand. To be one with her and share our thanks to our Goddess was such a blessing and one I wasn't really sure would ever happen. As soon as I reached my ritual spot, I took a deep breath to feel everything around me. I could smell the fresh pine trees, feel the warm breeze around my body and flow through my hair. I could hear the animals as they moved in unity. Everything felt enhanced. I could feel Aurora's muscles and lungs open and close. I could feel the wind in her fur; it all joyfully made me laugh. I felt terrific for the first time in forever.

Aurora and I begin singing and dancing in the old language. It was incredible; it felt like we were entering another reality while in our trance.

"nauhata rahum, nauhata rahum, perri perri tei..."

"Someone's coming," Aurora said

How did she hear that?

"Mate!" She screamed in my head

"What? How can you... Aurora, this doesn't make sense. I don't smell anything."

"I can feel him. Be calm and still your body. Close your eyes and feel him, Nina" I close my eyes and stand quietly, taking deep breaths. A sudden chill overcomes me, and my heart rate begins to speed up. I open my mouth and exhale from the wave of nerves crawling up my spine.

"I can feel him," I whisper. I could feel his anxiety. What was he nervous about.? Where was he? Who was he? " So many questions, but the biggest one was, could he also feel me, and if so, why wasn't he running to me? My thought began to chase the rabbit down the rabbit hole when I realized that we had been out here longer than we should have been. Aurora, we have to head back before Aunt wakes up."

We arrived, tiptoed to the kitchen, cooking a quick breakfast, and headed upstairs to avoid any trouble. A while passes, and I hear a knock at my door. I could feel Aurora tense up and growl.

Knock Knock Knock

"Coming" I could smell my uncle behind the door.

"Open up. I want to wish my niece a very happy birthday since you're a woman now." I pause and respond with a shaking voice.

"Sorry, I would hate to open it right now. It's a mess in here, and I am cramping all over the place, so I would hate for you to see that." I think of the best lie I could give.

"Well, as a man, I really don't mind, considering how I've waited a long time for today, but I'm running out of time. Make sure to clean up well, princess. If you're bleeding, it means you're of age to bear pups, my sweet angel. Your aunt and I are heading out for pack duties, but I will come and check on you again later. You know, to make sure your body is okay".

Ugh, the sound of his voice makes me want to puke. As soon as I was sure he was no longer by my door, I hurried and showered because I knew the Beta would be here soon, and I could not wait. One, because I never had a real friend, and two, because I was going to work. I do my best when doing my hair. When you can't see, you rely on feeling most of the time, and I made sure my hair felt as tamed as possible. Once I finished, I grabbed my backpack and headed downstairs, expecting to be home alone when my aunt met me at the bottom of the stairs. Aurora begins to growl again.

"If it isn't a lady and the tramp. What are you so happy about? Oh, right, it's your birthday. Well, no one gives a sh*t. Look, I need you to be on your best behavior tonight at the packhouse. There is the mating ceremony, and any peep out of you, and I mean anything... means the basement do you understand? She grabs me by my cheeks.

"Yes, ma'am"

"Great! Happy birthday my great Niece." she slams the door and leaves.

I head straight to the kitchen, knowing that they ate everything again, but that's okay. Maybe I can have some bread from work. Or perhaps I could cook myself something there. I'm so excited I can't wait. I hear the clock in the hall strike at 7 am, I run outside and close the door shut behind me, taking a deep breath as an almost free woman. While sitting outside to wait on Beta Don I realize that about 30 minutes pass.

"Maybe something came up and he's late." Aurora tries to soothe my anxiety.

"Sorry Aurora, I wish that were the case but this is something you will eventually get used to. I'm sure this was just one big joke to him and I walked right into it." Very funny picking on the blind girl but today, nothing will get me down.

"Well, Aurora, time for a hike. If we leave now, we should be able to get there right on time." I take off using my cane as a guide, but I feel slower than usual. Maybe it's because of Aurora or because I haven't eaten in a while, but I needed to focus on getting to work. I did not want to miss my chance because of some prank.

Halfway through, I could feel my legs turning to jello, and my arms felt like weights, but the good news is I could hear people not too far off. I must be close. However, it became harder to breathe, and I felt my body giving out. Now is not the time I have to get to the packhouse. I fell to the ground gasping for air; then, I slipped into complete darkness.