BLOOD RUN

Being a Batiste came with expectations that I had no interest in adopting. Our bloodline was deep-rooted here in New Orleans, Louisiana long ago. Peering out at the old barn once I returned home sent shivers down my spine. The old echoes of a returned night owl echoed into the night notifying my family of my untimely arrival.

I returned to collect my grandmother's lockbox that contained my inheritance. My mom begged me to stay for a few weeks since my last deployment really did a number on me. I stood staring at the frozen pond before entering my childhood home. The floors still creaked at my every step.

"Margaux Ann Batiste! I know you weren't trying to slither in the back door without greeting your mama" my mother, Claudette called out. "Hey, ma," I replied. "Welcome home, baby! Let's feed you and get you rested before tomorrow's festivities begin" my mother said embracing me. "Mama, I don't want to participate. You all chose to join the pack whilst I feel their rituals are barbaric" I replied. "We joined the pack. The Luna was excited to hear that I had a daughter participating in the Blood Moon Run this year" my mom cheered. "I don't care what they think of me" I replied agitated. "You're twenty-six years old. Some brute should be warming your bed at night" my mom purred. "Mom!" I exclaimed running up the curvy staircase.

My old pack was disbanded after the tyrannical Alpha performed treasonous acts that our pack paid for in blood. Now, most of us joined another pack while a very few became lone wolves like me.

"Are you sneaking out?" I heard my brother, Devin asks. "I wouldn't call it that as I am a grown-up" I replied. "Are you trying to get away?" my oldest brother, Aiden asked. "Come with me!" I begged. "We can't and you shouldn't. There's a bunch of crazies out there tonight" Aiden said. "Don't ever underestimate me big brother" I replied. "We would never do that. The Blood Moon Run festivities are vicious. Neither of us wants to see you hurt before or during" Aiden said. "What are you two talking about? Didn't mom tell you?" I asked already knowing the answer. "Huh?" Devin asked. "I'm not staying here. Grandma left me something in her safety deposit box. That's what I'm headed to pick up. I'm leaving after the festivities, but I'll only be a spectator" I confessed. "That's too bad but we understand. At least wait until morning and we will go with you" Aiden replied. "Okay" I replied knowing as soon as they walked away, I was going to make a run for it.

I made it to my destination quickly! Once I opened the safety deposit box it revealed a mysterious little black book and brown paper box with an eighteen-carat gold Egyptian Revival Scarab Bracelet that looked to be much older than a century. I was afraid of lifting as they would fall apart. I grabbed everything and left.

"What's going on, gorgeous?" a stranger said reeking of alcohol. "Let me go!" I growled. "You are a lone wolf. No one would miss you" he growled.

There were at least five more rogues all wanting a piece of me in more ways than one. I was attacked by all five at once, but it didn't last long as they were flung away from me like rag dolls.

"Are you okay?" Aiden asked coming to my rescue. "I could've handled them" I hissed. "You were taking too long. They could've killed you!" Devin said angrily. "But they didn't!" I growled. "Your stubbornness could have gotten us all killed!" Aiden shouted. "Please don't tell mama. She will take my inheritance" I sighed. "On one condition" Devin replied. "What?" I asked. "You have to compete in the Blood Moon Run," Devin said. "Fine!" I agreed.

Next morning...

"Rise and shine. Let's go" Aiden demanded. "Good morning to you too," I said walking out of the bathroom. "Margaux, we can't be late" Devin warned. "Coming!" I shouted pulling my hair up.

We pulled up to iron gates where we were escorted in. Aiden stopped in front of what looked to be a fortress and we got out of his truck.

"Hello, Claudette!" a beautiful she-wolf said embracing my mother. "Luna Evie! It's so good to see you again. This is my daughter, Margaux. She just made it home from the human war" my mother bragged. "Pleasure to meet you, Luna," I said bowing. "You are absolutely breathtaking," Luna Evie replied. "Thank you, Luna" I blushed.

Our attention was diverted to the nearby stage where competing werewolves were. I hesitantly walked toward the stage contemplating bolting.

"That's him!" my mom whispered. "Who?" I asked dumbfounded. "Jaxon will be announced Alpha of Red Eagle Pack by the end of the blood games. If he is unimpressed, they won't admit you and they may possibly exile you from ever coming back" my mama added. "I'll be sure to turn on the charm" I sarcastically said.

Truthfully, I didn't care if I was exiled. I'm competitive and I was going to do my best either way.

"Stay out of my way, Omega," Jaxon said snapping me out of my thoughts. "As long as you don't get in mine" I scoffed. "You don't belong here" he hissed. "Great, because I didn't want to be here" I hissed. "Why are you here?" Jaxon growled. "Because I lost a bet" I replied. "You're going to get killed" he simply said walking away.

The first challenge included a thirty-mile run immediately followed by a blindfolded gallop through the woods after being doused with wolfsbane. We had to rely strictly on our human side which was easy enough for me until I heard an agonizing scream. I removed my blindfold and ran to the side of the culprit like a selfless idiot.

"Why are you helping me? You'll lose" the unidentified male said to me. "It's okay. Never leave a man behind, right?" I asked helping him stand to his feet. "Thank you..." he trailed off as we continued on the mission. "Margaux" I replied. "Nice to meet you, Margaux. I'm Rex" he said hobbling on his injured leg. "Let's finish this" I replied.

Later that night...

"You nearly blew the challenge coming back for me," Rex said. "But I didn't and neither did you," I said shrugging my shoulders. "Yeah, we did okay" he smiled. "Hey!" a cheery onlooker said. "Margaux, this is Brandy," Rex said. "It's nice to meet you" Brandy waved. "Ditto," I said dusting off my clothes. "I know something that could help with that" Brandy sneakily said. "I may be a wolf, but it's doesn't mean I need to smell like one in human form" I scoffed. "Well, let's go for a swim" Brandy said giving Rex a knowing look.

We made it to a nearby nut well-hidden lake.

"Are you going to get in?" Brandy asked jogging toward the secluded lake. "Why isn't everyone here?" I asked. "It's like our little secret" Brandy said stripping naked.

I followed suit and covered myself from Rex's eyes.

"No need to cover yourself. I could've graded you if you liked" Rex laughed. "You're an idiot" I said laughing.

I dipped my head under the water hoping I could get some of the grime out. When I came up both Rex and Brandy were staring at me.

"Is something on my face?" I panicked. "Nothing is on your face. You just..." Brandy calmly said looking at Rex. "You look so much like her..." Rex said. "Like whom?" I asked confused. "Lady LeBlanc" Brandy replied. "I must see this Lady LeBlanc" I replied using my best French accent making them laugh before we heard other voices.

Unfortunately, it was Jaxon and his dumb friends stripping naked.

"I see Jaxon has your attention, pervert" Rex whispered in my ear. "UGH! He told me that he hopes I get killed out here" I replied. "He didn't say that" Rex said in disbelief. "Seriously!" I rebutted. "Too bad because he's headed this way," Brandy said blushing. "What are you guys doing here?" he asked eyeing Rex. "I was just being a gentleman, but I'll be taking these two back to the campsite now," Rex said starting to swim away. "YOU. STAY." Jaxon commanded of me.

Of course, Brandy and Rex smiled as they treaded water away from me.

"Why do you want to leave so bad?" Jaxon asked while his friends kept their distance. "Pack life has always been horrible. I want to be free" I answered honestly.

Jaxon left me in the middle of the lake like I had said or done something wrong.

"You are coming?" Brandy called out. "I thought you two left" I replied pulling my pants on. "We wanted to make sure you were okay" Rex replied. "Let's go" I simply said.

Unable to turn my brain off, I tossed and turned until found something to occupy my time. I pulled out the little black book I retrieved from my safety deposit box and began to read. At first, I didn't notice that each page had Forever Shall They Reign - Batiste-Leblanc. The secrets it held shined a light on Jaxon's reactions toward me. Even if the book revealed secrets that weren't true, I still felt that it deserved the chance to be entertained.

"WHAT THE..." Jaxon started to say before I placed my hand over his mouth. "Shhh...I just had to ask you a question" I whispered. "Why are you straddling me?" he asked sounding offended, but his growing manhood said otherwise. "Can you get that under control?" I asked. "I'm a werewolf and there's a she-wolf straddling me in MY tent in the middle of the night. Deal with it" he said cockily. "Your little situation down there is the least of my worries" I started. "There's nothing little about my situation" he dryly replied. "Apparently, both of our families have been intertwined dating all the way back to the origin of the werewolf. It was allegedly broken when your bloodline grew jealous of mine. Your family drew first blood ever since that bond has been broken" I stated. "So?" he asked. "My family was cast out and demoted in rank. We have suffered!" I whispered yelled. "I know and I care, A LOT," he said quickly flipping me on my back. "Why would you care? And the hell is Lady Leblanc?" I angrily asked. "I care because my mate is a Batiste, and my great grandmother is Lady Leblanc. Our bloodline is so intertwined that you favor her. In fact, you're wearing her bracelet" he said inhaling my scent. "NO!" I whisper yelled. "Yes," he simply replied pressing against me. "I feel nothing for you!" I exclaimed. "Your wolf feels it even if its stubborn human side wants to ignore it like mine," he said kissing my neck.

I let out an involuntary moan pissing myself off.

"Move!" I demanded. "I know you don't want me to and nor do I want to. I don't want this, but I do. My father would never accept you as my mate" he sighed. "After this competition, I'm out of here anyway" I confidently said. "I'll fight for you" he said slipping his hands in my tights.

AGAIN, I let out a moan as I wriggled around his talented fingers.

"NO! I'm leaving!" I contested. "Sure, you are" he growled sinking his teeth in my neck. "You marked me!" I cried knowing there was no way I could leave now. "MINE" he growled ripping my panties.

I wanted him and he knew it. I never would have expected to indulge in an adventurous sexual rollercoaster with Future Alpha Jaxon all night. The next morning, we agreed to finish the competition and present me as the future Luna.

Next day...

"You ready?" Jaxon asked pulling me toward the winner's circle. "Yes," I nervously replied.

I can't believe I won. The $20,000 I was awarded went to my family. I no longer wanted to leave even when the current Alpha cursed me and Jaxon's union. Jaxon's mother was ecstatic with our pairing. We would restore my family's good name if that were the last thing I did.

“Do you know that little guy?” Jaxon whispered in my ear. “No, but I feel safe with him watching over us,” I replied looking up into the extravagant eyes of the owl that kept me safe during the trials.