Gabe's Mate

Shyla couldn't remember the first time it happened. The first time her innocence was shattered. The first time she tried to use makeup to cover up the black eye her father had given her. The first time she lied to her alpha and said she ran into a door. All she knew was that this had been her life for a very long time. Now here she was twenty years old forced to stay and deal with the abuse as they were both considered rouge after her father suddenly packed up their stuff and left the pack that had been their home. People were noticing and starting to ask too many questions she supposed.

As she lay on her bed she thought about her life. What the meaning of it was. Was this the purpose to her living, was to be someone's punching bag. She looked at the knife in her hand. Would anyone even notice she was gone? Just one cut and it could all be over. She thought it, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. She heard thumping coming up the stairs. Fear overtook her body. What had she done now? She couldn't think of anything. Yet the footsteps came. With every thud of her father's heavy boots, her heart grew heavier. The bedroom door opened with a bang. Her father stood before her with a look of disgust on his face.

"It would appear someone has been drawing attention to herself while she is at the market." Shyla looked at him confused. For once she didn't know what he was talking about. She always kept her head down. Never spoke to anyone.

"No, father. I never speak to anyone."

"Then why is Gabe asking about you?" She didn't even know Gabe, but she knew arguing with her father was no use. She remained silent. She knew the beating was coming. Denying knowing him would only fuel his anger and make it worse for her. He grabbed her long dark hair and yanked it.

"Answer me!" he roared. Shyla whimpered but remained silent.

"I'll teach you to draw attention to yourself." He screamed in her face and dragged her down the stairs by her hair.

Shyla lay in her bed dressing the wounds from her latest beating. She dabbed proxied on the cut above her eye and winced. It stung. More blood came from the gash. She had to get the bleeding to stop so she could apply bandages. She let a single tear fall down her cheek. What had she done to deserve this kind of pain? It was then and there that she decided she was going to run. She had already lost her pack thanks to her father so why did it matter if she left now. She couldn't take it anymore. All she wanted was to be loved. All she wanted was to be accepted. She looked at the clock on the wall. Her father would be asleep by now. It was now or never. She slipped down the winding staircase and out the back door. She turned back and looked back at the house that had been her home for so long. Remembering every kick and punch, every slamming door. She frowned as she turned away from the horrid life she had lived. She may be homeless now, but at least she would be away from this place.

She sat at the diner in town plotting where to go from here. She couldn't stay in town. If she did, he would surely find her and drag her back to that house kicking and screaming. A man sat across the table from her. His smile was warm and inviting. She looked up at him and her world stopped. Something about this man was intriguing. She was drawn to him. It was like she had known him her whole life. Her wolf screamed frantically in her mind "MATE" at the same time she thought she heard him whisper "Mate" but she couldn't be sure. She had pretty good hearing though giving she was a werewolf. Judging by his strong Arau so was he. A powerful one at that.

"And where are you going with such a small bag?" he asked in a warm tone.

"Anywhere but here," was her simple response.

"Where did you get that horrible cut above your eyes?" the stranger asked brushing her long black hair out of her eyes so he could get a better look at the gash on her head. He clicked his tongue.

"We better get you to a doctor."

"No, no doctors he will find me there." The stranger looked complex. Then realization struck him.

"Your father. He's the one who hurt you so badly?" She clapped her hands over her mouth. Why did she tell him that? All this time she was always able to keep their secret. Why now did she let that slip. He will kill her for telling anyone their little secret.

"You don't have to fear me, Shyla. I'm not going to hurt you. I'm not going to let him hurt you anymore either. Got a place to stay?" She shook her head. He bent down and picked up her bags.

"Come with me. I have a place for you. One where he won't be able to find you." She stood and followed the stranger out of the diner.

"By the way, my name is Gabe." She froze. This must be the Gabe her father was telling her about. He stopped and turned to look at her with a warm smile.

"Come on silly. It looks like it's going to start storming soon." She looked up at the angry black clouds looming just out of reach. She hurried forward and Gabe held open the truck door for her. On the way to where they were going, she took a moment to take in his tanned skin. His arms were lined with tattoos. His sandy blond hair was cropped short. His sharp jawline full lips and defined nose made her think he was very handsome. He had seafoam green eyes she could get lost in.

"So, you want to talk about it?" Gabe asked referring to the cut above her eye. She didn't want to tell him he was the reason for her beating so she stayed quiet.

"Well, we still need to get that looked at." She squirmed uncomfortably.

"Don't worry. No hospitals. I'll have the pack doctor come to the lake house where we will be." Shyla visibly relaxed into the seat. Gabe turned the truck and headed out of town. Shyla turned and took one last glance at the only home she had ever known and said goodbye to the past and hello to her future.

"For now, you won't be able to go into town for your safety. I will have one of my omegas go into town to do any shopping we need to be done." She looked at him puzzled. She had never lived inside a pack before, so she wasn't familiar with the term omega.

"What's an Omega." Gabe looked at her wondering how the best way to tell her what an omega was.

"Well, they are the lower rank in the pack. They aren't very strong, but they make their keep by working in the packhouse for me."

"So, they are servants?"

"Basically yes. In some packs, they are very mean to their omegas. If we visit other packs, you may notice that, but I do not treat mine badly. I make sure all members of my pack are taken care of." It finally dawned on Shyla what he was so saying.

"You're an alpha?" Gabe smiled.

"Yes, I am. When the time is right, I will introduce you to the rest of the pack."