Her Mates (Wolf Trials Book 1) Read online

  Her Mates

  Wolf Trials

  Book 1

  By Tamara White

  © 2017 Tamara White

  All rights reserved.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Epilogue

  Prologue

  Oh god! I should have stayed inside. Why didn’t she hide? She was supposed to hide!

  “Promise me you’ll keep her away from the packs. Don’t let them hurt her like they hurt us. She needs training, she needs to be prepared. When the trials begin, she needs to have her mates beside her, ready to rule. When the time’s right, explain her part in the future of our race. She’s the only hope we have for a better future,” my wife begs me. She’s dying, and yet she still begs for the safety of our daughter.

  I did the best I could against so many wolves but some got through, and I wasn’t fast enough to save her. She hid our child in the floor that leads to the basement. The floor that she now lay dying on. It’s a panic room we had custom built in case this day ever came. I should have known she’d want to fight rather than hide. It’s who she is.

  “I promise, my love, she will want for nothing and be raised with all the love I have. When the time’s right, I will tell her who she is. She will make you proud,” I say with all the determination a husband and father can give. I will not let her down.

  “Remember what the Seer said. She will need to be hidden until her 17th birthday, then you must take her to one of the packs. She will find her mates and have a choice to make. Her choice will determine the future of our race. Only Danielle can lead them. If she dies before mating, all is lost.”

  “I know, my love.” I kiss her gently, feeling her heart stop. My world feels like it’s dying, but I still have Danielle. She will never know who her mother was or how much she loved her. It’s a secret I have to keep until the time is right. If I tell her before, it will bring the world down around us. I need her strong for what’s about to come.

  I reach in, entering the code to get my baby girl out of there, and see her in her bassinet calmly sleeping. Thank God, she’s okay.

  I look down at her sleeping form and know I will do everything to get her ready. She may face the pack trials, but I’ll be damned if she will go unprotected.

  Chapter 1

  The first day at a new school is always hard. I hate moving, but it’s necessary for us to survive. Dad told me a few weeks ago we’d have to move again, so I said my goodbyes and started the inevitable packing.

  We never stay in one place for long, always moving around. It happened a lot growing up. When I turned seven, my father had no choice but to tell me the truth. My father’s a werewolf, I am too. I can’t shift yet, I have all the other abilities that come with being a wolf, such as enhanced strength, senses of smell, sight, and hearing. I just haven’t physically connected with my wolf yet.

  It should have happened fourteen months ago, but for some reason it didn’t. Our 16th birthday is when we shift for the first time. My father stayed up all night with me but nothing happened. We thought maybe I was a late bloomer and it would happen on my 17th but, again, nothing.

  From what my father has told me, some wolves may not shift until meeting their mates, though it’s rare these days. Maybe it will happen then, who knows? Besides, it’s not like I meet many werewolves since we’re hiding from the other packs.

  Dad was supposed to drop me off today. Unfortunately though, he had to go into work early as part of their procedure for training new staff. He works at the ranger’s station up on the mountain. They say it takes a while for them to learn their way around, but my Dad’s advantage of being a wolf helps him track better than humans. Finding a job as a ranger was his best way of surviving while being on the run from the packs.

  Most packs own a large piece of land, which have plenty of animals to hunt. We need the meat to survive, or we become weak. Dad mainly eats raw steaks from the butcher to keep a low profile. Having the ranger job though gives him the chance to hunt in the national parks and cover it up. I still eat steak, but I prefer mine a little more on the cooked side. Besides, hunting is not exactly something that I do often. It would be bad for a human to come across me hunting, covered in blood, whereas if my dad hunts as a wolf, it’s natural.

  Our first hunt together, I enjoyed the kill so much that I wanted to keep going. Being a human though while my father was a wolf, made me feel like an imposter. We still hunt together, I just prefer hunting alone now.

  I walk into the administration building where a short, grey-haired, older woman sits doing a crossword puzzle. She places her pen down when she hears the door shut behind me, “Hello dear. What can I help you with?”

  At least she’s nice, some of the secretaries are so rude. As if I’m the one inconveniencing them by showing up to school.

  “Yeah hi! Today’s my first day. I’m here to pick up my schedule. My dad called earlier to let you know he would be unable to make it.”

  She smiles softly just the way you would expect to see from your grandmother. Warm and comforting. “What’s your name, dear?”

  I blush slightly, ‘Duh, Dani, she needs your name to find your schedule.’ “Uh Danielle Jackson, sorry. I should have said that to begin with.”

  She smiles up at me, “Ah, Danielle, I remember now. Just a moment, dear, I’ll grab your schedule and a map. Do you need me to call someone down to give you a tour and show you to your locker?”

  As much as I want to know where to go, I don’t want them to call someone out to help. It’s embarrassing enough being the new girl. “No, thank you. I’ll be okay.” The school may be bigger than I’m used to, but I’ll manage.

  The town is relatively small compared to if we were to go someplace huge like Washington, but still bigger than the rural towns we’ve been in the past.

  “Okay, dear, have a seat. I’ll just be a minute,” she says, walking to the other desk, beginning to dig through paperwork. I could be here for hours, judging by the stack of papers scattered about.

  I take a seat next to the door, pulling out my phone to send my dad a text letting him know I’m okay.

  We message each other at least once a day to make sure the other is safe. One day, I didn’t hear from him and went to his work to find him being held by four wolves.

  They’d drugged his coffee at the station and were beating him for information on my mother. Apparently, they didn’t know she was dead. I busted in, effectively saving the day, but Dad was furious. He thought I took an unnecessary risk by saving him. I knew, even though he was mad, it was the right thing to do.

  Hey, Dad. Everything’s okay. I’m in the office now waiting for my schedule. I’ll see you after school.

  My father replies almost instantly, letting me know he was waiting for my text. I t
hink if he hadn’t heard from me within 10 minutes, he would have called the school to ensure I got here. If they had no answers, he would charge in trying to save me from whatever threat there was.

  Okay, sweetheart. Hope you have a good day. Call me if you need me xx.

  I smile at his “xx’s.” At my last school, there was a lot of texting between myself and friends, so I would send him texts with emojis or abbreviations. One time I sent a text with an “xx” at the end, and he has continued doing it since. At first it was making fun of me, but when I explained what it was, he stuck to it.

  It’s been five minutes of watching the secretary try to find my stuff, I’m about to give up and just wing it. I mean, seriously, how unorganized is she that she can’t find a map? I get up to see if she wants my help, when someone slams the door open. It barely misses hitting me in the face, and that’s only because my reflexes are so good. If I’d been human, I’d be passed out cold on the floor.

  “Yo, Mrs. D., I got detention again,” says a deep, male voice.

  Discreetly glancing at him from the corner of my eyes, I have to stop myself from drooling. He’s wearing a football jersey, tight pants, and clutching a helmet under his arm. Damn, he’s hot!

  ‘No! You’re not allowed to get attached Dani.’

  There’s no harm in smelling him, though. I inhale his scent and immediately tense. My wolf, however, perks up when the scent of fresh mint registers.

  He’s a wolf. I fight the urge to flee and keep as still as I can. I know other wolves can’t smell that I’m a wolf, but I still worry about the day one will.

  “Just a second Pete, then I’ll deal with you,” the secretary, or Mrs. D. as he called her, says, having finally found my paperwork.

  Pete seems to notice me standing here and looks at me strangely. Oh God, please don’t let him know what I am.

  “Hi. Sorry, I didn’t hit you, did I? I thought the room was empty,” he says, looking at the door and back to me as if he knows it should have hit me.

  “No, I moved at the same time you opened it. Guess I was lucky,” I say, forcing a smile that probably looks more like a grimace. I’m too skittish being in the room with another wolf. All my training says defend myself, but I can’t exactly beat the crap out of a student, then walk away from the secretary as if nothing happened. She’d think I was insane.

  What do I do? Do I call Dad? If I do, it’ll mean we’ll have to move again and I’m tired of moving. I just want to settle down.

  He’s studying me, perplexed as if he knows something about me is off. If he wasn’t a wolf, I’d be interested in him, but there’s no way that’s happening. He’s way out of my league, wolf or not.

  I’m an average girl with curves. Yeah, a stick figure body with hips, ass, and boobs. It’s so hard buying clothes that fit me right without being too tight or too baggy. I keep hoping I’ll grow into my body, but I think I’m cursed to be this hideous.

  My hair’s bland, almost bright orange in color. Dad once tried to convince me to dye it, but it didn’t work. The dye just washed out in the shower. Most girls have a heart shaped face. Me? I got stuck with a round-shaped face. Yep, my face looks like a circle, add on some green eyes, a small nose and thin lips, glue on some straight ginger hair. Now look at it. Yep that’s me.

  I’m definitely cursed.

  Whereas this guy, wow! Strong, muscled arms and legs highlighted by his footy gear. Short, blond hair framing a face of perfection. His bright blue eyes and plump lips are made to be kissed. Why, God, do you make people we can’t have, so irresistible?

  ‘No, Dani, you can’t be attracted to a wolf.’ I chide myself. Who knows how long until I cave? Surely it won’t be bad if I get one kiss? Especially if he doesn’t know what I am.

  The secretary coughs, grabbing my attention. She’s holding out my schedule and map “Here you go, dear. I wrote your locker number and combination on your schedule for you. If you get lost, just knock on one of the classroom doors and one of the teachers will be happy to tell you where to go.”

  Thanking her, I walk out the room as fast as I can, praying I don’t get lost on the first day of school. I leave all thoughts of Pete behind, hoping I can have an uneventful day.

  All the lockers are numbered, so it doesn’t take me long to find mine. I’m putting away my books when I hear voices talking and laughing. Students should already be in class, so maybe it’s a couple of faculty members?

  I finish putting the stuff in my locker just as Pete and two girls come into view. Damn. I just want him because I haven’t been around other wolves. That’s all this is. I shouldn’t feel jealousy at all.

  Slamming my locker closed, I run away before they reach me. I don’t want more exposure with wolves then I need to.

  I’m almost to the door of my first class, when someone grabs my arm, pulling me back. I immediately go on the offensive and punch them in the face, before crouching into a defensive stance my dad taught me.

  Pete’s staring at me while holding the left side of his face. He’s looks impressed and confused, by what I’ve done. “Oh, I’m so sorry.”

  Oh crap. I’m going to die on my first day of school. He doesn’t look angry yet, but Dad said it only takes a split second for them to snap.

  “Jeez calm down. I can smell your fear from here. I’m not going to hurt you,” he grumbles, looking irritated not angry. For safety’s sake, I don’t loosen my stance. I need to be ready.

  Where are the girls he had with him? I look around quickly, trying to find them. Boy, did I screw up. I shouldn’t have taken my eyes off him. He wraps his arms around me from behind and sniffs my neck before I have time to react. Dad is going to be so furious I let my guard down.

  “Please just make it quick.” I close my eyes and hope Dad will be okay without me. I’m shocked when I hear him moan before he lets go of me. I open my eyes and see he’s backed up a few steps staring at me confused.

  “Do you know who I am? What you are?” he asks tilting his head, puzzled.

  “I know you’re a wolf. Why aren’t you trying to kill me?” I tilt my head, staring at him. After everything my father has said about them killing me on sight, I’m a little surprised he’s not. He blanches, gawking at me shocked.

  “What?! Why would I kill you?” He looks so confused that I think he would kill me on sight. Maybe his pack doesn’t know about my mother and father? “I would never hurt you. You’re my mate.”

  His mate?! What? I don’t feel any connection. Dad always explained mating as a sacred connection between two wolves. When you meet your mate, it will feel like the stars aligned to bring you together. I haven’t felt anything other than a slight attraction to Pete. Though that might have more to do with how hot he is. It’s more chemical than mystical.

  I bet he would look amazing as a wolf. What am I doing fantasizing about a wolf? I need to get out of here.

  We hear laughter echoing down the hall and I take my chance, making a run for it when he glances behind him for the source of the sound.

  I run straight home and lock the doors of our little unit. It took me a good twenty minutes, but I needed to get out of there.

  I need to talk to Dad.

  I know it’s my first day but I had to leave school. I met a wolf. He said I was his mate. What do I do? Do we leave?

  While I wait for my dad to text me back, I run through the house closing the windows, locking them just in case. If everything’s locked, it will give me a head start so I can grab the gun.

  In my room, I pull out my small revolver out and place it on the bed ready for anyone that comes for me. The quiet of the house causes me to jump when my phone buzzes.

  Hey honey, I’ll be home soon but it will be ok. I knew we were moving to a town with wolves. I’ll explain everything once I’m home.

  Sitting on my bed, I read the message over and over, trying to make sense of it. Dad knew there were wolves here? Why didn’t he tell me? Better yet, why would he send me to school without telling m
e if he knew I would meet one?

  None of this is making any sense.

  Chapter 2

  “Dani?” Dad calls closing the front door.

  “Yeah, I’m in the kitchen,” I call to back to him, stirring my spaghetti sauce.

  Dad usually makes dinner, but I thought I would give it a try. So far, it’s going okay. I don’t think I should try anything more complex than spaghetti though. Besides, being in the kitchen puts me close to the gun, should a wolf break in. We have three scattered around the unit, packed with pure silver bullets.

  “What’s this? You’re cooking?”

  “Jeez, Dad, don’t sound so surprised. I thought this was going to be a long conversation, so the last thing we would want to do after, would be to cook dinner. Though you may have to cook anyway,” I say wrinkling my nose from the smell. I don’t know why, but it doesn’t smell right. None of my cooking ever does. Maybe I add too much salt?

  “Sorry, I just figured you would be hiding in your room, cradling a gun, or be packing by now,” Dad says as he throws his jacket over the chair.

  My dad is pretty well built considering his age. A lot of people see us and wonder if I’m adopted purely because of how different we look.

  My father is 6’2”, has green eyes and sandy hair. He’s says I’m as beautiful as my mother, but when I look at her pictures, I just don’t see it. My mom was a petite woman with beautiful, red hair and dark green eyes. I must have lucked out on the good genes.

  “No, I figured you’d be home pretty quick, so I didn’t bother.”

  “Alright, Dani. Turn off whatever it is you’re making and meet me in the lounge. I’m just going to get changed,” he says grabbing his jacket, slinging it over his shoulder on his way out.

  I turn everything off and tidy up quickly before nervously sitting on the couch. I’m both excited and terrified of what he has to say. The only thing I know about my mom’s death, was that wolves attacked us in our house when I was a baby. Dad told me that I could never trust them, which is why Dad had me learn how to defend myself.