Love Among Shadows

by Smokey Moment

  Trinity saw Blake and Osimi leave, and split off in different directions. She could see Sheeba waiting on her mate. Sheeba was an omega wolf, the lowest ranking wolf. Most omega females had to accept males that were rejected by higher ranked females. But not Sheeba. Osimi was a high-ranking royal beta. He was sexy and charismatic. Trinity wished she would have met him first. It was apparent Legend was not interested. But Osimi was taken. She was continuing to shun Blakes advances and although he was a beta, he wasn’t from royalty.

  Trinity stood up and walked quickly inside her cabin. She could see Blake heading her way. He was becoming cocky. He had the attention of the king. Even Darr was going out of his way to make Blake comfortable. If he was going to be chosen as the new leader or allowed to replace Darr, then Darr wanted to be in his good graces. His new found power did little to soften Trinity. She was still running from him. Still avoiding him like the plague. But there was something commanding in his walk. Trinity looked back. She walked in their home then shut the door and watched as he charged towards it.

  Trinity put her bolt on and took a step back. Her door came crashing in. “Get out,” she yelled. Blake shut the door. The shattered frame, caused the door to hang open. “Are you insane? Get out now Blake,” she yelled. Blake walked slowly towards her. He looked her over. Like a lion sizing up its meal. Trinity could see he had changed. He had always been forthcoming with his affections of her, but never so aggressively. She never feared him. But something told her this night was different.

  “Are you aware of our societies views on mating,” he said in a low, taunting tone. Trinity continued to walk backwards until her back was against the wall. She had no escape, and she feared instigating an attack. He was always reasonable with her, if a bit annoying. “What are you talking about,” she asked. She knew the answer. She had been schooled on centuries of tradition by an elder female within their pack.

  What he spoke of was something of the past. A time when the males forced the females to be mated whether they wanted to or not. It was their birthright to either court the woman or force her hand. Trinity held her hands up to keep him back. “Just go. You know this wrong. I will never love you,” she said. Blake’s eyes glowed. His heat rose steadily. The look in his eyes was unrecognizable.

  Trinity felt locked into a test of wills. Her desire to be with another man and his refusal to take no for an answer. Blake looked down then back up to her slowly. His eyes foiled his plan. Trinity took off for her stairs. Blake jump the first four and grabbed her by the ankle. Trinity was much stronger than her 5’7 lean frame let on. Even for a werewolf, she was strong. He could feel she would not be easy to take down. One kick from her powerful leg, and Blake was on his back three steps down to the floor. He jumped up and ran up the steps, heavy on her trail. Trinity made a low whine sound as fear set in. She ran into her bathroom then realized her error. The window was too narrow to get through. She turned and closed the door. Blake never slowed.

  The door burst off the hinges. Blake stopped and stared in defiance. He didn’t understand why Trinity fought a union with him so hard. He was aware that she had seen him meeting with the king on several occasions. His stock in their village had gone up. Several of the beta females who were already interested, took more care to catch his eye. He was now a wanted man yet he his attention was on one woman. And she still didn’t get it.

  “He doesn’t want you. And you will forget about him,” he said, as he walked towards her. “Never,” she replied. “Okay. Then you leave me no choice,” he said, as he plunged forward, knocking her to the ground. Trinity shrieked as she fought him. She was strong but she was no match for him. Blake was 6’0, 180 pounds of lean muscle and difficult to handle. He wasted no time forcing her to stay down as she tried to get back up. “Let me go,” she shouted, pushing his face away from hers. Blake tried to force his mouth onto hers, tearing her pants at the seams, as she bit him on his arm. Blake grit his teeth, then clinched his jaw.

  “Stop,” he cautioned, as he snatched her underwear off. Trinity thrashed her legs then suddenly stopped when he entered her. She turned her head away from his and stared at the grey stone colored wall. Her contempt for him now hatred. Blake had her locked down, his large hands holding her hips as he pushed deeper inside her. Trinity stopped moving. She stopped all sound. Her tears were all she had left. The harder she fought the more pain he caused and she wanted it over soon. There was no one to save her. The women of Cedar Falls did not support her, in her hatred of him. They didn’t understand why she denied him. He was handsome. He was physically powerful. He would make a good mate. He could provide and hunt. Their life was simple. Made easy by the men.

  She was a female. Her only job was to breed. The males did everything else. And with offspring she would be the ruling queen of his life. They didn’t understand why she was making things difficult. Why she couldn’t move on from what seemed like an inflated crush. Trinity stared off. She wanted to choose him and she wanted more time. Being with him wasn’t completely off the table. She just needed time getting past what she truly wanted which was Legend.

  Blake had her by the hair, holding her head where he wanted it. He kissed her face, then moved down to her neck. He vowed to himself to never be brutal with her again. He had conquered her. But it wasn’t the way he saw them coming together. If he had only waited, time could have changed their paths and brought them together.

  Trinity closed her eyes. Blake moaned and kissed her neck, as he buried his nose into her fold. He believed Trinity was in denial about her needs. In denial about her chances with Legend. She should have been in heat like the others. He had waited. She was old enough. It was time.

  “I will make you a good husband,” he whispered in her ear. Trinity turned from him. Blake moved inside her slowly. He wasn’t a brutal man. It wasn’t about the conquest. It was about getting her to surrender. But Trinity was still defiant. Blake could feel the tension. It wasn’t as easy as he had been told. “You can have anything. Go anywhere. All I ask is that you allow me to care for you,” he asked. Trinity stared deeply in his eyes. It was the first time she looked at him. He wasn’t sure what to make of her look. She shook her head slowly then turned away again.

  Blake regretted forcing himself on her. But it was too late to turn back. And so, he held her head and pounded her relentlessly. He grunted and moaned, as his breath blew down across her breast. Trinity could feel his sweat. His smell was getting to her. And now that he was inside her, she could feel his heat. Blake grunted loudly and released himself, grabbing her head and pulling her hair hard. Trinity winced from the pain. Blake collapsed on her and lay motionless. His breathing still at a frenzied pace. His breaths began to slow. He turned his head towards her cheek and kissed her, then collapsed back into her neck. Trinity opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling. Years of history proved the old ways of mating accurate.

  Her anger at him was slowly disappearing. She was surprised. She felt bonded to him. She didn’t believe Praya, the eldest female in the village, when she told stories of the males chasing and mating the females they selected. It seemed barbaric. Unfair. But Praya assured her it was the natural way for them. Abandoned only when they began educating themselves through human media. The reason human technology was shunned. But it was too late. And a revolution was born. The women of their world wanted to select their mates not be selected. It was too late for Trinity. She had been selected and now mated with no say so whatsoever. Praya had warned her of such a thing. She was told that she would be unable to bring him harm. Unable to think bad thoughts. And Praya was right. Trinity had no more hatred.

  T

  he sound of crickets chirping made the evening come to life. The nocturnal insects could be heard all around. Phoebe stood in her doorway waiting on Griff to return from work and watching her sister. Valentina sat on the porch. Waiting. Hoping. Praying. Phoebe looked out in the distance. She too hoped Legend would show up. He usually did. Phoebe liked him. She thought her sister
was lucky to have found him. He was very masculine yet he seemed like silly putty in Valentina’s hands.

  There was something mysterious and vulnerable about him. The way he looked at her. The way he tried to stare at her without being caught. Phoebe had caught him several times. It was endearing. Their bond was intense. He was a man of few words. He was not open to deep conversations with anyone except Valentina. Phoebe thought of him as shy. But she was sure there was more to his intensity. His eyes spoke of a man who had been on a life changing journey. He was amazing to watch. Phoebe could see why Valentina was so taken with him. But he was gone. Phoebe was angered at his disregard for Valentina. It wasn’t fair. He had her sister so excited about her new love interest. And now, he had her so sad.

  ******

  Phoebe and Griff lay in the bed. Griff snored then turned on his side when Phoebe kicked his leg. She turned on her side. Valentina was still on the porch. She stared into the darkness. Legend had not returned as promised. He had been at her house every day over the last week and was now a no show.

  Phoebe moved slowly. She eased from under the covers and walked quietly to her bedroom door. The door creaked lightly as she opened it. She walked through the house, making her way to her front door. Valentina sat on the porch, her arms crossed, looking cold and uncomfortable. The night air was crisp. The sweater she found in Phoebe’s dresser was not thick enough. Phoebe shook her head.

  “Come in. He’s probably busy. Come in and get some sleep. Sitting there holding vigil, will not make him show up any sooner,” she cautioned. Valentina sniffled. She ignored her sister. She was hurt and didn’t want to talk about it. She only knew she wanted to wait for him. Phoebe sighed. She opened her door and stepped out. She wanted to change the subject because she could see that Valentina was not trying to hear her.

  “Oh wow. Nice night. It’s cool, but not too bad,” she said, as she closed her thick terrycloth robe and folded her arms in an effort to warm herself. Phoebe sat down next to her sister. She looked across the road at her neighbor’s house. She lived on a secluded road, in a small town just outside of Anchorage. A town small but much more city like than where Valentina lived. She had neighbors. And the roads around her were busy. Valentina was in a much more rural setting.

  Valentina originally liked the accommodations. She felt at home. But she wasn’t comfortable any longer. She wanted to be wherever Legend was. Something in her felt empty. Valentina didn’t understand. She was completely unaware of the power of his touch that day had done. She was marked. And she would forever be drawn to him. And he to her.

  “Mrs. Jenkins makes apple pies and sells them every Saturday. She sets her stand up and people come from all over to buy them. Sometimes she makes pumpkin and cherry pie. We have first dibs on everything. Why don’t you come in and watch tv with me. Tomorrow we can go downtown and shop. Then get pies when we get back home. It will take your mind off of him,” she said. “No, it won’t,” Valentina replied, looking straight ahead. She was frozen. Unable to move until she knew he was fine. It didn’t make sense. “On second thought… TV sounds great,” she said, in a melancholy tone.

  Phoebe put her arms around her. “He’ll be back Tee. No telling what he has going on. He had a life before you. You have to give a man time to prepare for you. To clean house. Or whatever he needs to do in order to be free. You know what I’m saying. It’s okay,” she advised. Valentina nodded. She agreed. He seemed to be a man whose life was full. He didn’t seem like the type that would be sitting around twirling his thumbs.

  “Come on. I’ll make us some tea. There a new episode of Igniting the Flame, coming on tonight. It should be good,” Phoebe said, as the women went inside.

  Answers

  T

  he unmistakable sound of water was near. Valentina ran towards it. Her point of view had changed. She was low to the ground. Her vision pronounced in the darkness. She could hear muffled whines. The sounds were animal like. Valentina slowed. The source of the strange cries was near. She could hear chanting and voices appeared to speak inside her head.

  Valentina emerged from the brush. Men and women stood around in nothing but beaded jewelry and elaborate headdress. Legend stood in the middle. His naked and powerful body looked symbolic. He held a baby in one arm as he held his other hand out, welcoming her. Valentina stared then walked slowly between the large gathering of people. She walked up to Legend. He kneeled down and showed her a beautiful baby. A boy. The baby immediately stopped crying at the site of her. It was unclothed with black smudges drawn in strange symbols on his head. His body was covered with thick hairs on his arms and legs. Legend touched the top of head. Valentina realized she was in the form of a dog. She wanted to scream out. She seemed trapped inside something strange. Something unnatural. This wasn’t her body. The child he held couldn’t be her baby. She attempted to scream again. Soon she realized the only sounds she could make were whimpers. She looked down at her paws and realized she was an enormous wolf and at that moment a bright light blinded her.

  “Uhh,” Valentina blurted, as she jolted awake. Phoebe clicked on the light and walked in. “Are you alright? You screamed,” she said, a slight hint of panic in her voice. “Yes. I think so. I was having a nightmare. But there was something I remember. Something about myself. Remember when I told you I ran from the man that was standing in my doorway,” she said. Phoebe nodded. She gave her sister her undivided attention. Valentina was sweating and appeared to be frazzled. She took her time to speak. Phoebe sat on the bed and placed her hand on top of hers.

  “Yes. What about it?” she asked. Valentina paused. “The way I ran. It was amazingly fast. My speed was record breaking. And I jumped over things. Faster than what a person can normally run,” she said. Phoebe let out a quick chuckle. Valentina narrowed her eyes. She looked disappointed. Phoebe cleared her throat. She felt bad. She didn’t want her sister to think she didn’t believe her. She wanted to support her. But this was a strange claim and especially coming from a person who is otherwise stable.

  “What do you mean? You felt as though you were going really fast? How fast” she said. Valentina looked intensely at her. “No! Not felt. I was. Are you listening to me? I need you to believe me. Come on Phee, you know me. I don’t make shit up. I ran faster than anyone can run. Any man. Any animal. Really!” she repeated.

  Phoebe leaned back. Her eyes bulged. She sighed then looked away. Valentina needed professional help. Someone to talk to. It was obvious to Phoebe that her sister suffered greatly from all the trauma. And she was convinced that she was having a nervous breakdown.

  “I’m trying. Really, I am. But what your saying doesn’t make sense. It’s not humanly possible,” she said. Valentina stood up and stormed to the door. She opened it and walked down the steps. She zipped her sweater up and looked back at Phoebe. She turned forward then glanced over at a small wooded area to her right. “Watch this,” she said. Valentina took a deep breath then took off.

  Phoebe gasped. She watched as her sister moved with astonishingly fast speeds. “Griff!” she yelled, then ran towards the woods after Valentina. She could see Valentina running deeper. “Griff!” she shouted again. Valentina turned around and ran back. Phoebe’s mouth dropped open. She ran to her. She wasn’t sure what she had just witnessed. It wasn’t possible. Valentina slowed then stopped several feet from Phoebe.

  “Oh my god. What in the world…How are you able to run like that? That’s not…It…It’s not possible,” she stuttered. Her mind trying to make sense of it all. “I know. And the weird thing is I didn’t remember until the dream. I just remembered. Something’s happening to me,” she said. Phoebe shook uncontrollably. She wasn’t sure she wanted Griff to know. She still hadn’t comprehended it. And Griff was a realist. This would have him questioning his own mind.

  “Don’t tell Griff. I don’t want anyone to know. I don’t know what’s going on. Not yet. Let me wrap my head around this,” she said. Phoebe nodded. “I love you. You always have my bac
k,” Valentina said, as she hugged her and held on tight. Her sister was more than a sister. She was her best friend. Her confidant. The one who stood with her against the world.

  “I’m sorry I doubted you. Whatever you want to do I got you. If we are keeping this a secret. Then, it will be one. Between us. Whatever you need…I’m here.”

  Valentina and Phoebe walked back to the house and closed the door. It was a long night. The women were mentally exhausted. Valentina was emotionally and spiritually beat. They turned the television on and tried to forget what had just happened. Valentina could feel the tension. Phoebe was in shock and wasn’t saying much. She normally had an opinion about everything. But what she saw was impossible and neither one of them was ready to discuss it.

  “You thirsty?” Phoebe asked. “Yeah,” Valentina replied humbly. She hoped Phoebe was okay. Her sister liked a nice quiet and normal life. Valentina was starting to feel her presence was bringing unwanted drama to her home. But something was brewing inside. She felt different. She had more energy. She felt stronger. Her body had changed. She felt hot and at night, she was kicking the covers off. Nothing made sense.

  “Here you go,” Phoebe said, handing her sister a cup of hot cocoa. She put small marshmallows on top. It brought back memories of their childhood. “Thanks Phee,” she said, as she took a sip. They sat watching tv, still in disbelief and trying to get back to a normal mental state. Little did they know, that was just the beginning.