His Disguised Mate - Burgov Series II

4. Autumn

"So is everything ready for the road?" - my brother asked his Beta, looking at the SUV that was being packed with my bags, but of course avoiding eye contact with me.

"Yes, everything was cleared out from her room…"

"Just as I was never here." - I cut in crossing my arms.

My brother finally looked at me and held my gaze, but then looked away and shook his head disapprovingly. Rod then glanced at his sleazy Beta and gave him a head sign to get into the car.

"Autie, you have to keep an open mind. Alpha Robert is a good man, he'll treat you right." - he tried to persuade me. But I was past the point of believing him.

"That's great. If only I could get a grip of my gagging reflex whenever he's near." - I rolled my eyes.

"Don't be a baby, we all make sacrifices for the good of the Pack."

"I know, but somehow I don't see you bedding a fifty-year-old." - I hissed with a glare that made him look away.

"He's not fifty."

"But close enough. Have you even for a second thought about my happiness? I wasn't asking for much, but someone who read about the Cold War, and not lived through it, doesn't seem like too much of a challenge."

Rod was looking me straight in the eyes, and I didn't see even an ounce of shame or regret over the fate he was serving me. That's official, he cares only about his precious Pack, not his sisters, and i was a blind fool to not see it sooner.

"You'll learn to love him. Once he marks you things will be different." - my brother oh so thoughtfully assured me. Just when I thought he couldn't lose more in my eyes, he pulls out this s**t. What the f**k is that supposed to even mean?! It's like saying to the cow she'll learn to like her butcher. That's… all kinds of wrong.

I watched Rod in disbelief, and shook my head before I turned and without another word, without a proper goodbye to him or even our mother, who like always was standing there emotionlessly with pursed lips. She probably came here just to make it look good for the Pack, because it's been years since she showed me any motherly affection.

I climbed to the back seat and slammed the door so hard, I was surprised the windows hadn't cracked. Just to make the point. Not that they care.

Gage joined me with the sly smile on his weasel-like face, and I could feel his eyes on me through the rear view mirror. But I wouldn't give him the satisfaction to gloat over my miserable fate. Especially since he's not aware that the one with a bad day would be him not me.

"Ready to meet your prince, Autie?" - Gage asked, but I pretended to not hear him.

The car started slowly moving and I took the Pack lands in for the last time. This is the place I grew up in, and never before step foot out of it. The place I called home for so long.

But it's hard to think that way about this Pack, when they send me away like a broode mare, born and raised to satisfy men.

Well, not anymore.

I know that Rod might have used the first candidate who popped into his head just to get rid of me. After all, he always claimed I was the most troublesome out of all our sisters, but to punish me in this way… that's just despicable.

"Cheer up, princess. You'd live in a nice Pack, in a nice home. Giving some to the Alpha isn't a big price for that." - Gage said when we were going through the woodsy road. I know he thinks he's so smart and funny that I wouldn't catch on to the subtle mockery in his tone, but he's so wrong.

"So why won't you do it… oh, wait. I forgot, no one wants you." - I said back not even taking my eyes off the window.

This was crucial. He didn't know it yet, but I needed to be aware of my surroundings. Thanks to Fifi's help yesterday I had enough time to study the road we'll be crossing and I know I have a really small window that I can't miss.

Dear Goddess, Fifi… I just hope Rod wouldn't make her step into my place by the old Alpha's side. But I have hope, he always had a soft heart for her.

The landscape behind the window started changing and we were currently driving up the mountain. It's almost time.

I pressed the backpack closer to my chest, knowing fully well, that if my stunt won't somehow kill me, then losing this might. Of course, it's a shame I will have to make it work with literally what's on me, but the prospect of having everything by the side of someone who only makes me nauseated with both his personality and outside appeal, makes it slightly better. And after years of forming me to the certain vision my brother has of me, I finally had enough, and even the hardest reality that awaits me, is worth it. At least for once in my life I will call the shots, and that kind of freedom is something worth fighting for.

Gage was vigorously turning right and left to cross the narrow and slippery roads, going slower than before. That's the place I was waiting for. I looked outside the window at the steep drop just outside the door and a surge of adrenaline flew through my bloodstream.

It's now or never.

I either take my life back from the men who don't really care if I'm happy, if the outcome brings profits to them, or stay obediently and watch the life I could have had pass me by.

With every last bit of strength and determination resting in me, I caught the handle and quickly pulled at it twice, opening doors of still moving vehicle. Without even looking back I threw myself out, and prayed to the Goddess to help me live through it somehow.

The first impact on the rocky surface of the mountain drop wasn't so bad. Yes, it hurt, but I expected nothing less. Hearing screeching of the tires, and Gage shouting my name, I pushed my wolf to the front and shifted as fast as I could. My brown-gray she-wolf would have better chances at surviving the fall than I do.

With the last effort, before the gravity started rolling me down, I caught in my jaw the backpack I was clutching to my chest the entire ride, and started cushioning the inevitable fall with my paws, sides and every other body part that could help me survive this.

I was well aware that four out of five falls down this mountain would most likely end in a very painful death. But this was the only place, I was sure Gage wouldn't immediately jump right after me, too afraid for his own life. I had to take my chances. It's better to die a free woman, than to live my life in unhappy s*****y, even if with a nicer name.

The sharp cut on my right front paw was a first really painful injury, but the fall brought many more. My head started throbbing from the amount of times I hit a rock or tree. Then my she-wolf cried out in pain, almost losing my precious cargo, when an unfortunate step on a slippery rock sprained my left hint paw. I could feel the blood dripping from my sides, from the number of times I hit a tree or stabbed myself over a sharp branch.

But the worst one came, when I finally landed on the ground below and a big boulder that must've collapsed with me, crashed into my hint right leg, trapping me in place. I was sure that the sharp, excruciating pain that spread through my body, came from the broken or even crushed femur. But at least I was still breathing, and as for my injuries… well I'm a werewolf, they would heal. Eventually. At least that's what I hope for, because if Rod finds me here, all of this would be for nothing.

I shifted back into my human self, and even though the damage was already done, the smaller size of my human body allowed me to free my trapped leg. I didn't even want to acknowledge the pain and amount of blood covering my body. I felt every inch of my muscles and skin aching and viciously pulsating, like tiny red lights signalizing I've reached my limits. I could feel the metalic taste in my mouth, so most likely I had an international bleeding too.

And here I was, battered by my fall, naked and alone in the woods in the early October. Yeah, I may not have thought this through.

I pressed my aching back to the tree bark, and I immediately winced. I took a few deep breaths to give my body a few seconds to adjust. Reaching for the backpack, I noticed one of my fingers was sticking under the very odd angle. I clenched my jaw and with the swift pull of my other hand, I set the fractured joint, on its rightful place. I couldn't help the scream that escaped my lips, and the pain from my index finger was almost the last drop to make me pass out.

But I can't give up now. Everything I did and went through would be for nothing.

With trembling and bloodied hands, I started opening my backpack. First I took out the sweats and hoodie and a roll of bandage. With much greater effort than I thought I pulled the pants on my hips, and then started tightly wrapping the bandage around my chest. When I was planning this, it was supposed to hide my breasts, but who would have known it would come in handy with dealing with fractured or at least badly beaten ribs.

It took me forever to put it in place, and by the end I haven't had any control over the tears streaming down my face. But when my body was covered, I reached for the hunting knife I had hidden in the backpack. If it wasn't for my stupid conscience, I could have used it to end Gage's worthless life, at least that way I wouldn't be barely alive now. But I'm not a killer, and that's a shame.

I took the blade out of its sheath and took a look at my reflection in the shining steel. f**k, I looked worse than I hoped. My whole face was swelling and a few painful bruises started forming. But at least I was almost unrecognizable. Almost. Just one last thing.

I pulled on one of my long light brown strands, and with a help from my knife I cut it short, a few inches from my scalp. The first one was the hardest, but the experience was unexpectedly freeing, like I was cutting all my ties to the past and rasing like phoenix from the ashes.

After a few minutes and with a pile of my hair on the ground, I was finally done. I put my knife back in my backpack and took a small bottle from the inside. I poured the content all over my clothes, and even though the stench made me want to throw up, I could see the light in that tunnel. Then with great effort I tried to stand up. Unsuccessfully.

My broken leg made it impossible for me to walk, and if I didn't want to fall prey to a mountain lion or any other predator, I had to find shelter. And fast.

I started crawling away, deeper into the woods. It felt like forever, and the pain was getting more and more unbearable, but I had to keep going, I couldn't let them find me now. Not after everything I did to escape.

My clumsy walk brought me to a small clearing, where on the other side of the meadow stood an old and run down hunting cottage. But to me, this meant survival and it sure felt like someone was watching over me.

"Thank you." - I whispered into the darkening skies to whoever was listening.

I crawled to the small cottage with a new determination in me, and just when I closed the crooked door behind me and found myself in the dingiest space smelling like rotten wood and mold, I collapsed right there on the floor hoping I would have a few hours to heal, before anyone would find me.