The Runaway Breeder

Chapter 5

Early in the morning, I wake up with sleep-filled eyes, taking in the blurry surroundings. For a moment, I panic, thinking that I am in the wrong house. Before long, the events of the previous day flood into my mind. Taking deep, calming breaths, I push the covers of of me and stand, stretching my sore body. I must have cleaned a little too hard last night to be so sore and drained. Looking around the room, I frown and wonder if today Abby can help me find some decorations that will make this prison a little more bearable. With her arriving today with my belongings, I have a feeling she will take me shopping and I plan to use the pack credit card to my advantage. If I am to be a Breeder, then I will make Sam’s wallet bleed for this in-humane role.

Sighing yet again, I stumble out of my bedroom and make my way downstairs into the kitchen deciding breakfast will be a great idea. I already know what I want and take out some ingredients for my classic comfort food—banana-chocolate chip pancakes. I figure Abby will want to eat with me, and boy, can that girl pack down food like it’s nothing! So, I triple my usual recipe and happily allow my mind to focus on this task at hand then my impending breeding.

As soon as the pancakes are done and the stovetop is turned off, I hear the doorbell ring with a visitor's arrival; I make my way over to the front of the house, opening the blue wooden door to see Abby standing there accompanied by four Warriors. The giant, burly Warriors are each holding a bag and boxes with “Laina’s stuff” written on them in black Sharpie.

“Morning, girl. Do I smell.. pancakes?” Abby grins as she pulls me in for a long hug. The Warriors head inside, taking my things up the stairs. I tell them to leave everything in the master bedroom before ordering them all to leave. As soon as they leave, Abby winks and holds a tote bag out to me. I can’t help the grateful smile I send her way as I take the bag and look inside, happy to see my phone charger, wallet, and other essentials that a Breeder isn’t allowed to have. I’m so happy that my friend snuck these in for me.

“Thank you, Abby,” I whisper. The two of us head into the kitchen, where a heaping stack of pancakes awaits us. We gather some plates and utensils and begin to dig into the scrumptious breakfast and catch up. Abby goes on about the gossip around the pack, thankfully steering clear of mentioning any rumours about me. It felt normal to be in the kitchen with my best friend, scarfing down comfort food and chatting like regular teenagers. Abby offers to clear the table and load the dishwasher while I head upstairs to get changed. Looking through the boxes and bags in my room, I manage to find a pair of leggings and a comfy cropped hoodie to wear with black sneakers and my purse. Fully dressed, I make my way to the foot of the stairs, where Abby waits.

“So, I have the go ahead to take you shopping without an escort.” Abby explains, holding out a black card to me, one I take happily.

“It’s the pack card. Make Sam regret making you a Breeder.” She states with anger in her eyes. I thank her, tucking the card into my purse as we leave the cottage, Abby glaring at the warriors that try to stop me and ordering them to back off. I already know the first stop on our shopping trip and that is the closest sports store for my home gym equipment. I plan to buy the most expensive items I can and then work my way with Abby down the list. I plan to save shopping for pups last as right now I need to feel normalcy.

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“That’s all for shopping.” Abby exclaims. We left the cottage around eleven in the morning to make it to the nearest mall. Much to Abby’s protest and thinking I am insane for wanting a home gym, I had her stop at the nearest sports store after pointing out that I will need to stay in shape for my new role and she quietly agreed with me. I made sure to take my time testing the equipment before ordering the most expensive models, I could practically see dollar signs in the poor clerks eyes as I paid for everything and Abby signed for delivery. After that, Abby dragged me from store to store, some being clothing, some furniture, some a paint shop that promised to deliver my chosen colours within the hour. Every other store we went to promised me the rest of the furniture would be delivers to the pack house where it will then be promptly brought to my cottage curtesy of a few Omegas and Warriors. Despite the thrill of shopping, I can’t help the sadness that creeps in thinking that the first house I’ll ever decorate is the prison of the Breeder’s cottage.

“Now, it’s time to get home to all the paint waiting for you to paint each wall.” I can tell Abby is trying to stay cheerful, but her words are really starting to annoy me. She sounds more formal than friendly. I know my job as a Breeder means that Abby will have a say in what I will have to do as the Beta Female of the pack, and smiling around her soon becomes harder and harder. It felt like each sentence she said throughout the day became more and more insensitive. At one point, she told me, “Just choose a damned crib and let's go!” seemingly because it wouldn’t matter what I chose anyway. The baby will be whisked away from me as soon as they’re able to eat baby food. I guess my mood must have shown as I spot Abby roll her eyes at me while we climb into her car.

“It’s going to be fine. Besides, I hear that Max is your first Warrior, and knowing him, he won’t do anything with you. He’s saving himself for when he finds his mate.” Now, Abby’s words do reassure me to some degree. Everyone knows that Max is an honest wolf. He grew up with the notion of “saving himself” for his mate, and, to this day, he’s still a virgin. Part of me hopes he doesn’t find his mate until I figure out what to do, but maybe, just maybe, I might be his mate. The only hope of getting me out of this situation is if one of the Warriors meant to breed with me is my mate.