The Mute Wolf

Chapter 8

My father plonked me back down on the grass behind a tree and held me by the shoulders.
"What the bloody hell was that? I tell you to stay away from the prince and what do you do? Chuck fruit at him?" My father bellowed. A small laugh escaped my mouth which only made him madder. "Damn it Ember! I'm trying to protect you. You've made me look like an idiot in front of Alpha Bokkan and his pack. Not to mention how stupid I must have looked swooping you up and carrying you across the field in front of everyone. You've humiliated me beyond belief!" He yapped with a disappointed tone. He checked to see if the coast was clear before he walked me back to where Alpha Bokkan stood, now being the new guardian of my heels. Ares was no where to be seen.
"Quite the daughter you've got there Raine." Alpha Bokkan sneered.
"That's Alpha Raine to you buddy." I corrected him and my father let out a huge sigh. If father has to call him by his proper title then he should expect the same back. He was just being plain rude now. The alpha looked down at me with his dark, slightly squinted eyes then smiled slightly. That wasn't creepy at all. There was something almost familiar in his eyes but I couldn't think for the life of me what.
"What a show! I shouldn't have expected anything less from a pup of yours." Rex Redwood's voice echoed in the air behind us. My father spun around quickly as though preparing for an attack.
"It's no concern of yours, Redwood." He replied bitterly and this made Rex smile. He looked over to me, taking me in with his old eyes and nodded.
"She's a fine looking gal Raine. Careful you don't lose her." Rex winked strolling away. A look of defeat crossed my fathers face as he looked into my eyes. I forgot how hard this must be for him, too.
"Don't worry sweetness, I'll protect you from the mean old guy." One of the young males belonging to Alpha Bokkan purred into my ear.
"I'd rather eat slugs." I told him moving away. Didn't look like this pretty boy was used to getting told no.

An announcement was made that it was time for the females to line up on the other side of the marquee. My father placed his hand on my back and ushered me into my shoes, edging me forward. I walked as slowly as I could as I watched all around me as young girls, some excited, some terrified all making their way to the other side.
"I don't want to do this." I told my father suddenly feeling nervous. He tried to reassure me but it didn't work. I was made to stand on the end of a line that was soon building with young girls, all shapes, sizes and colours. One by one our names would be called and we would step forward into the middle to see if we would be claimed by our mates. I began to sweat as I glanced back to where my father was standing next to a few of the other alphas and shot him a worried glance. He smiled awkwardly and nodded. Like that helped. I could see off into the distance as the males stood eagerly in front of us, ready to claim their mates. Amongst them, the prince towered over them all, casting his eyes menacingly down the line of women, until he got to me. He advanced to the end of the male huddle and stood watching me fiercely. My breathing became unsteady and I turned to face my father again, he too saw the prince peering across at me and a look of terror crossed his face. Surely this hulk of a man that I had accidentally thrown fruit at wasn't going to try and pick me. Judging from the size of him, nobody else would stand a chance. If he picked me, I was doomed. My breath began to catch once again in my throat as a million thoughts rushed through my brain. My limbs started to feel heavy and it was getting harder and harder to breathe. The redhead next to me noticed and asked if I was okay. When I didn't answer she placed her dainty hand on my shoulder and asked again. Others began to stare as I struggled to suck in air and a sharp pain hit my chest like lightening, forcing me to my knees. I felt my fathers embrace as he rushed to my side and held me in position.
"Da... Daddy." I choked breathless, tears streaming down my face. One thing you should know about me is that I never cry. Ever. That's why my father was giving me the look he was giving me now. He knew I was serious. Then, after a few moments, I felt my eyes grow heavy and close shut; his voice echoing my name as I lost consciousness.
                               
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