Malia's POV

I knew I had to start heading back when I heard the purr of a car engine approaching from a few miles away. You could practically hear how expensive it was just from the noises coming from the car. I knew it had to be him, the infamous Alpha everyone was fussing over. There was nothing around this areas for miles, no one would have the need to come back here. I would know, I've spent that last week scavenging and trying to memorize the territory.

I looked to the west, the direction the car was coming from. The talk mountains stood in the distance, almost taunting me to run to them. All I had to do was run. I could escape the pack and the Alpha's rein. No one was around, no one was here to stop me. I could have freedom, all I had to do was be more carful next time, to not get caught.

I didn't. I didn't but I could've. I headed back east, instead of heading west. If I would've ran, it would have been a sign or disrespect to both the Alpha and the pack. They would hunt me down if they wanted, kill me as they pleased. Also, the beta probably already gave the Alpha the news that I was here.

I reached the pack house just as a sleek, matte black car pulled into the driveway. I pulled on my ripped black jeans and a maroon t-shirt Blaire gave me. I my outfit off with my leather ankle boots and shrugged on my leather jacket. I felt inadequate to be able to wear such nice clothing.

My plan was to avoid the Alpha for as long as I possible could. Well, pretty much avoid everyone for that matter. I walked out the front door was immediately overwhelmed by all the people. I've always hated crowds, hell, I even hated groups of people more than three, counting myself. Most of them were surrounding the car, exchanging greeting and hugs. I couldn't see the Alpha, there were to many people. I wanted to know what the man looked like, so he would be easier to avoid. The men were practically drooling over his car while the girls were gawking over him and whispering to each other.

"Isn't that the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta?" Of course he would have a nice car, rubbing all of his riches.

" I don't know about his car, but I would love to take a ride on him." The blonde I met in the kitchen whispered to her group of similar friends. They all giggle annoyingly and shamelessly eye raped him. I ignored their crude comments and made my way to the back yard. There were tables spread all around the yard, at least a hundred.

Hundreds of people were talking and straightening the chairs to make them look perfect. Children were running in between the tables and trees, laughing without a care in the world. I walked around all the commotion with my head towards the ground and leaned up against a thick trunk of an older elm.

I concealed myself the best I could in the shadow of the tree, waiting for him to come to me.

It was almost as if we were playing a game of of hide and seek. He was it and I was determined to win.

Orion's POV

I was dying to stand up and stretch my sore legs. My wolf was giving me a headache, complaining on how I haven't let him run in a while. Pain in my ass.

My wolf replied back to me in my head. I rolled my eyes and got out of my car. Instantly, my pack members swarmed me. My parents came to hug me first. My father,the previous alpha shook my hand and gave me a firm pat on the back. My mother, the Luna gave me a warm embrace. I had come up empty handed again, no signs of of mate anywhere. That's why my mother was still the Luna of my pack. I have been leaving my territory in search of my mate for three years now. Mates were supposed to find each other soon after their first shift, maybe and very rarely, a year after. I'm now twenty-one. It has been five years since I've shifted. I should have found her by now. My pack members greeted me one by one. They were waiting for their new Luna to come home, too. They again threw a 'welcome home' party for me again. I was in no mood to party or socialize. I would have to see all the couples and mated wolfs and to be honest, I'm jealous.

My parents noticed my slight attitude change and gave me a pity smile. They both knew how much I wanted my mate but I was starting to lose hope in finding her. If I don't find her until I am twenty-two, I have to mate with the highest ranking female, other than my sister, from my pack. Speaking of which, I heard her a couple feet away from me.

" I don't know about his car, but I would love to take a ride on him." I shivered in disgust. Rachel was the head female warrior to my amazement. No offense but I was surprised to see that managed to obtain the high ranked position. I've seen her tend to her face and makeup more then her training, but who am I to judge that. She showed off her body more than I appreciated but at least she is confident with herself. If she can fight, then she can fight, no matter what she does of what she looks. Although, it was attitude that she has that gets me. Any chance she could get, she'd make the crudest comments. Rachel distracted everyone, regardless of their ranking or age and that will always get under my skin.

I didn't want to make anyone upset so I complied and followed everyone into the backyard of the pack house. I smiled tightly at my pack and quickly scoped out my Beta. He has his arms wrapped around his mates waist and they were laughing, smiling at her other lovingly.

"Where's the female rouge you were telling me about?" I asked, looking around but all I saw were familiar faces. He started looking around too, his eyebrows were pressed together in confusion.

"I'm not sure. She tends to stick to herself. I rarely ever see her." I nodded my head and pat his shoulder in thanks.

Random members here and there would come and talk to me about random things. I knew everyone's names, from eldest the the youngest member. I wandered around, ate some food and thanked everyone I could. I eventually came back to Caspian and Blaire. They were talking about perimeter watches with some of the warriors. The rouge count was getting to high and they were afraid that some would start attacking soon. I liked to keep my pack more on the peaceful side but when it came down to a fight, we were trained to win. As I was about to add something, a sweet smell hit my nose. I inhaled it again, this time more deeply. I went a little dazed and my wolf was going crazy. The scent was a little stale, meaning it was at least an hour old. I excused myself and started to follow it. Just as it started to get stronger, Rebecca popped out of no where. My wolf growled in my head and I became agitated. I sighed.

"What do you want,Rebecca?" I asked as nicely as I could.

" I was wondering," She started trailing her fingers up my chest and tried to unbutton my shirt. I grabbed her wrist gently and pulled them away.

"No, Rebecca." She pouted, she looked like a fish. She was about to say something but I walked away, trying to find the scent again. Every time I picked it up, Rebecca would walk by in front of me, covering up the trail with her scent. I was getting angry and frustrated. I could feel my wolf getting closer to the edge, just about to shift. It was a nice party but I wasn't really into it anyway. I ran into the woods, trying to calm my wolf before he got out of control. Where was it coming from?

Malia's POV

I felt my anxiety levels rise as more people began arriving in the yard. I was to overwhelmed so I started walking back to house. I just wanted to shut myself in my room and get away from everyone. It was too much, I felt unsafe, I was way outnumbered. This pack was way bigger than mine, more people that could have the chance to hit me. I felt even more panicked at the thought and quickened my pace, not really paying attention to where I was going. I just needed to get out of here. I felt two hands grabbed to shoulders and I spun around quickly to be met with Miss.Bimbo. Her claw like nails were ripping into my shoulders. I yanked myself out of her grasp.

"Listen here, Bitch." She growled at me."Orion is mine. I am supposed to mate with him. I am supposed to be Luna and I won't let some pathetic rouge get in my way!" She screamed. "The only reason why I trained was to become the top female and his mate. You will not get in the way and ruin it. Got it? He's mine!"

Her yelling was causing me to panic more. I could feel an anxiety attack starting and I ran. I ran into the woods and clutched my chest. I was heaving heavily and my heart was out of control. I stumbled through the woods, occasionally getting snagged on a tree root or tripping over sticks. My vision was dotted with black from the lack of oxygen. I could hear my dad yelling, echoing in my mind. My scars seemed to burn as my mind replayed the memories. I backed up into a tree and slid down it. I wrapped my arms around my legs and put my head in my knees. I was shaking and praying for it to stop.

I heard a stick snap and my head shot up. The area around me was dark and gave off a creepy vibe. The crickets stopped chirping at once. I started to panic even worse, afraid something was going to leap out of the dark and grab me. I curled myself into a tighter ball.

Two hands grabbed me gently from behind and sparks erupted on my skin. I yelped and scrammed away from the person. I thought it was my father, probably using the shock collar or taser again. The man screamed dominance and seemed to demand attention. 'It's father.' I thought. My vision was still blurry but I caught a head of black hair. 'It is father.' I cried out and pushed myself against another tree while he stood in font of me now. I could here him talking. I could here what he was saying but I could make out his voice.'That's not father.'

I began calming down and I could hear his voice clearer now.

"It's okay. I'm sorry. I didn't know that I would scare you." He started to walk towards me but I shuffled up the tree to get away. He stopped and a pained expression crossed his face.

"Are you okay?" I nodded. I glanced warily at him and gasped quietly.

The man was very tall, a little taller than Caspian. He had long,tousled jet black hair and sea green eyes. He had a chiseled jaw and plump lips. He softly smiled at he and crouched down in font of me.

"I'm Orion, Alpha of the Mountain Ridge pack." I immediately lowered my eyes in fear and respect. Father never let me look him in the face. I kept my gaze on his chest. I could see his lean muscles through his shirt and that made him even more intimidating.

Then I smelled it. A mix of cedar and pine trees with a hint of Axe dark temptation.

"Mate." he whispered.

'Mate.' My wolf confirmed. Then I ran.

It was the one thing I did best.