Switched Fates

Prologue

Arabella's heart raced as she sprinted down the stairs to the prison cells. She prayed to the moon goddess that she wasn't too late. She knew her friend had been tortured and she knew that her mate had been responsible for it. She felt her mate's bond strangle her with his betrayal. It made her wolf Reykar howl in pain. No, not Valerie, it's all my fault! I was so stupid I shouldn't have contacted her! What have I done! 

She reached the bottom of the stairs and almost ran straight into the guards.

"Keys NOW!" She demanded her Alpha blood boiling inside her.
The guards hesitated, obviously waiting for permission from Alpha Leonard. A guard slowly reached into his pocket. Arabella didn't even hesitate. She ripped the pocket off the guard entirely with the keys wrapped in the fabric.
"You Bitch!" He spat, the other guard holding him back. "Alpha has permitted it, stand ground" he said.

She had never had any of the pack's respect, even as their Luna. The hierarchy had always been Alpha, the Alpha unit, generals, warriors and then everyone else. Herself included. She was strong enough to beat the best of them, but it didn't matter in this pack. Her mate and Alpha Leonard Barsen wouldn't stickup for her either. He never liked her, always saw her to be inferior to him. Just a trophy to provide him with his future heir. Something that she had not been able to do, despite wanting to be a mother, more than anything.

She swiftly and aggressively pushed open the cell door, and what she saw broke her heart. Her best friend of almost 10 years. Chained up against the wall, rags of what was left of her clothes hung off her. She was covered in scratches and bruises.  Blood was streaming from her head, covering her once beautiful long brown hair. It was now black with dry blood and matted in the dim light of the prison cell.

"Valerie!" Arabella cried as she grabbed her and held her in her arms.
"What did they do to you?! O I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." Pushing her hair aside and undoing her restraints.
"It is all over now" Arabella cried touching Valerie's face, wiping away her blood and tears.

"I can take you back to the Windrunners. You will be safe, you will recover from this." Arabella pleaded.

"They wouldn't do this to me and let me go..." Valerie responded, her voice breaking. It was painful for her to even speak. 

"I was able to arrange a trade..." Arabella answered.

"A trade?"

"Yes, you for the child. It will all be okay. He will be safe and looked after, he will grow up with our pack."

"No! He is just a baby! And he is the Wild Fang's only heir, their pack will be without a future Alpha." Valeria cried.

"It's not for you to decide, the agreement has been made. I will take you back." Arabella responded calmly knowing that this would be her friend's reaction. She had always been so kind and compassionate, putting everyone else's needs above her own. She wrapped her arms around Valerie, and assisted her to her feet.

She remembered the first time she saw Valerie. It was almost 10 years ago now. Arabella had run away at 12 years old. She was sick of her Luna training and wanted to start a new life. 

For some reason; fate, or just plain luck. The young Arabella snuck past the guards and made it out of the pack's territory. Deep in the forest she came across a large pond and a young girl. The girl had long loose curls that reached down to her waist, she was barefoot and waving her hands over the water. She looked to be the same age as her. Arabella called out to her, asking what she was doing. She remembers how she responded back so full of life and undisturbed by the interruption. Like she already knew who she was and that she was there. 

"Getting to know nature like my mother asked." She groaned, kicking up the water.

"Are you a wolf too?" Arabella asked, walking closer to her.