Into the Arena

Chapter 12

PAIGE POV

So...I'm back up hiding in a tree again. Though, I don't feel quite as sneaky this time, but what else am I supposed to do? Just lay on the ground? What's my game plan supposed to be now, anyways?

I was supposed to be avoiding the Alpha, any wolf for the matter, but especially the Alpha. And who caught me? Of course, the Alpha did. And apparently I'm his mate, so basically my life is wholly and entirely over. 

Okay, so I managed to escape him, by the grace of God. And now I've been laying here for close to 24 hours, and I haven't heard a wolf of any kind in that entire time, which means he's having me intentionally left alone. The question would be: Why? 

"Alright," I said as I shifted back to my human form, and sat up on the branch I was perched on. The branch I had been laying on was sitting lowly on the tree, so I could easy jump down in my human form, the issue was...my clothes. I lost my bag, so I basically lost all of my supplies, which includes my clothes.

"If I jump down from this tree right now, my feet will probably freeze in that snow within 15 minutes flat. And then the rest of my body along with it." I sighed, there really was no way out of this. I'm basically a sitting duck, and the Alpha is probably content knowing that. 

I abruptly laughed out loud, and quietly murmured to myself, "This man managed to trap me up in a tree until he decides he wants to come get me." 

I sat silently in the snow, until suddenly an idea hit me.

"Oh right, I'm a damn werewolf." 

I shifted back into my wolf and jumped down off the tree and started to run towards to direction of the gate. If he's going to find me, he'll manage to find me, but at least I'll be near the gate for when it opens. At least if I stay near there I'll have a chance at getting away with my freedom. 

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Not long into my run to the gate I started to hear footsteps, or well, I heard the steps of another werewolf coming fast in my direction. Soon enough, a big black wolf appeared next to me during my run, and I decided to slow down to a stop. 

We both shifted, and I tried to ignore the fact we were both standing in front of each other naked, tried to ignore the fact that my wolf was howling in happiness that I hadn't tried to run from him.

His look was guarded, "You stopped." 

I glared up at him, "I'm not so naive to think I can outrun you." 

"You seemed to think you would be able to before," he smirked. I rolled my eyes.

I gave it a shot, so sue me." He smiled softly and took a step toward me holding out a hand. 

I looked at him skeptically, taking a step back. "What do you think you're doing? I stopped, I didn't submit and show you my throat or anything. And in case you're not brutally aware, we're both naked, so if you could just not get so close to me, that would be fantastic." 

Thankfully he took a step back, his smile growing further on his face, which made me wary. 

"Come back to the pack house with me then, I can get you some clothes," he gestured to my feet, which were getting number and number by the second, "and maybe some shoes." 

I let the thought settle in for a moment. I wanted to stay near the gate, so I could get out as soon as it opened, out and away from him. But he's standing right in front of me, the chance of me getting away are slim to none. And a new set of clothes would be...very welcome. 

"My mom always said not to go off with strangers," he looked startled. 

"I'm your mate-" I cut him off. 

"You're my mate, and Alpha, but I don't even know your name." His smile was back and he quickly approached me before I could protest. 

I was swooped up into his arms, a blush furiously spreading from my face to the rest of my body, he was basically carrying a bright red tomato. 

"My name, Paige Reynolds, is Kaden Rowe. Now, lets go home." 

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The pack house was empty when we got there, which was probably something Kaden had made sure of before he had even left to come and find me. He walked in the front door and exposed a large family room with couches and a TV, further beyond that was a large expansive Kitchen, which was clean as far as I could tell. He kept walking back further into the large cabin-like house, and there seemed to be a hidden corridor with doors on each side, a typical setup for pack houses. Assuming it was like all the others, the Alphas room should be at the very end, and it will be the most luxurious. 

"You know, I can walk by myself now. I'm in the house I can't run, and my feet can't get colder, so you can let me down." He kept walking, of course. 

"Or I can just keep carrying you for five more steps," he said opening the door, "and set you down on the bed." Which he did. 

I took a second to look around the room, and noted the big King sized bed I was on, which was in the center of the room, accompanied by two nightstands, one on each side with matching bedside lamps. There was another door to the right of the door we just walked through, which I presumed to be a bathroom. And there was a closet to my immediate right, which I saw had my backpack in it, as well as Kaden's clothes hanging up. 

He cleared his throat, calling my attention to his face. 

"Done scoping out our room, then? Find it all to your liking?" 

"It's fine," I eyed the bathroom door. 

"Um, before we fight about something else, I'm actually going to take a shower, because I feel as if I'm the embodiment of all the dirt that's out in that forest." 

He walked over to the closet and pulled out some very familiar looking materials, which turned out to be my clothes. 

"I had these washed, I figure trying to get you to wear something of mine would be an argument, but I know how you feel. You shower, change into some clean clothes. I'll go make you some food." 

He turned and opened the door to the corridor, leaving me awestruck by his kindness. 

He looked back at me and said, "Just try not to run before I make dinner, if you're going to leave me again at least do it with a full stomach." With that he turned away again and walked out the door, closing it behind him. 

Kaden wasn't turning out to be the monster I thought he would be, but what if it were all just some sort of game? Why would this Alpha be so kind, but another Alpha would kill my sister without a second thought. 

I shook my head and jolted towards the shower, whatever I needed to worry about, I could do it later, I was going to at least enjoy this shower and some good food.