by Terra Wolf
Emma looked around, watching everyone celebrate Galen and Kate's mating. They really seemed happy about it, humans and wolves alike seemed joyous and welcoming.
Their quiet discussion was interrupted when a small group came over and pulled Kate away. Kate tried to include Emma, to get her to go dance with them and join the festivities, but Emma shook them off. She ushered Kate off with them, but wasn't ready to join the crowd herself just yet.
She watched Kate get pulled into the group, watched her trying to learn their dances and move to the rhythms of their drums around the fire, but soon her eyes were drawn to the edge of the crowd.
Galen and Elam stood together, watching the merriment and talking to each other.
Emma watched as the brothers embraced, Elam slapping Galen on his back in hearty congratulations.
The men broke apart, and Emma saw the sheer joy on Galen's face as he turned to watch his new mate integrate herself with his people.
He looked happy, smitten even, as his eyes followed Kate.
Emma felt suddenly very alone.
She felt a tug on her attentions, like she was being watched as well.
Her eyes searched the crowd, scanning people who were strangers to her before yesterday, and she zeroed in on the stare she felt burning into her.
Elam.
She wasn't in the mood.
His face was washed in shadows, but she was almost certain he was the one watching her so hard she could feel it.
"Oh, come on. Surely this pack has had strangers here before. Surely they weren't so far from civilization that two female newcomers could draw this much attention from the two top dogs. This place is crawling with hot chicks." Emma said to herself. "OK, maybe not crawling, but..."
Emma looked around.
The females she saw were unnaturally attractive, but there weren't very many of them. And most were older, her parent's generation. Most of the females their age were clumped around Kate, and very few females ran around with the youngest of the pack.
Emma spotted a few young females, probably six to twelve years old, and a few really young ones on the hips of some of the others, but by far, maybe by a 4-to-1 ratio, this place was crawling with males.
Weird.
She looked back towards Elam, the pull of being watched still strong.
He moved then, or the flames from the fire did, but suddenly his face was no longer hidden in shadow.
Her eyes locked with his, and she had to remind herself to breathe.
Damn, he was breathtaking.
Kate's words when she spoke about mating with Galen rolled in her mind as she met Elam's gaze over the fire.
Remnants of the visions she'd had last night, sitting right here when Elam had sat down beside her, touching her, filled her mind with flashes of the two of them locked together in passion made her flush. She was glad she could blame it on the fire if need be.
No! She would not fall like Kate had, into the arms of the first hot male to catch her attention here. No matter how his mere presence affected her by making her stomach roll with slow, sensuous butterflies, and no matter how she felt the urge to clench her thighs tight against each other for some kind of relief.
She was going home in a year, just as she arrived, unattached.
Their stare was broken when Elam suddenly stood taller, turning his head away from staring at her, and looking past her, over her shoulder instead.
Slowly, everyone around the bonfire stopped dancing, and turned to join Elam in staring behind her.
The drums slowed and then stopped, and then someone gasped the word, "Thomas."
The words, "The Alpha!" also started to hit her ears, and Emma turned to look behind her, to see what had caused the sudden end to the celebration.
A large, regal wolf was making its way down from the biggest cabin, toward the celebration.
Ziva followed close behind, not looking happy. In fact, she looked rather pissed.
From her expression, and the surprised mutterings around her about Thomas, the Alpha, Emma figured that Ziva wasn't happy that Thomas was joining the crowd.
Thomas's wolf form was large, with deep brown fur that reminded Emma of a Chow dog, and as the wolf aimed for one of the large picnic tables, and shifted into his human form, Emma heard Elam's voice just beside her ear. Damn he was quiet when he walked.
"Our wolf forms are stronger than our human forms, especially as we age and come closer to death. The wolf is the easiest form for Thomas to inhabit right now."
She nodded her understanding, and watched as Elam and Galen's father shed his wolf form, and became human.
It was beautiful to watch, the shifting. Now that it didn't come as a complete surprise, she watched his shift with less scared, more appreciative eyes.
He stood tall, bracing one thigh against the table, just in case, but not sitting on one of its benches.
He looked old but still strong, his deep brown wolf fur shifting into grey hair, as he gathered his strength to address the crowd.
"We have had an exciting couple of days," he started, his voice gaining strength as a spoke.
"I'm sorry I couldn't join you all last night, I'm feeling a bit stronger today. I wanted to welcome both Emma and Kate. Emma, it is good to have you here. Your mother has been gone a long time, but she was often in my mind. Kate, I hear congratulations are in order. I welcome you as part of our pack, as Galen's mate. I was starting to wonder about that boy."
Mutters of laughter broke out around them at Thomas's teasing, and continued as Thomas added, "Now, if we could only get Elam to see the light, as well."
Emma's eyes shot to Elam, and she found his gaze already on her.
"Before I cross over from this world and into the next, I want to know who will carry this pack onward."
Ziva started to interrupt, to speak to Thomas, and he mumbled something quiet, but stern in her direction, and then turned back to his pack.
"I have two sons. Therefore, nothing is assured. Of course there will be a challenge. That is how it is done. And I wish it to be soon, so I may pass on with that knowledge. Now, if you will excuse me, my strength in this form is fading, and I wish to save it for the challenge. I know either of my sons will lead this pack well, and of course, if anyone else wants to challenge, that is your choice. It will be as it is supposed to be."
And with that, Thomas shifted back into his wolf form, and with Ziva's help, headed back up the hill.
Nine
"What does that mean?" Emma addressed the question to Elam, standing beside her.
"It means there will be a challenge for Alpha after all. I was hoping there wouldn't be. Everyone knows Galen will be Alpha. The official pack rules say the spot is open to anyone, and any discontented wolf can challenge for the spot at any time. Traditionally, though, our pack has been happy to pass the Alpha position down along the blood line.
Even though we are both Thomas's sons, Galen is Thomas's blood. I'm an adopted son, my bloodline is unknown since I was found alone in the woods.
Galen has been groomed for Alpha since he was born. I personally have no interest in being Alpha, so I hoped that when Thomas passed on, Galen would take up the reins. Unless another wolf wanted to challenge him for it, the position would be his.
But Thomas has spoken. There will be a challenge. Galen and I will fight for the title, along with any other wolf who wants to take part.
Have you never shifted, Emma?"
Emma was surprised by his sudden change in topic, and it took her a second to address his question.
"Me? Shifted? What do you mean? Turned into a wolf? No. Why do you ask me that?"
"Your mother was Alpha, for a while. Humans, and non-shifting half-breeds can not challenge, but if you could shift, you could also challenge for Alpha."
"I didn't even know about my mother until yesterday. I'm grateful I've never shifted, it would have scared the shit out of me. Turning into a werewolf all of a sudden, out of nowhere? No, I've never...
Is that even possible?"
"You are a little old, but yes. It is usually known by the end of the second decade. With a wolf mother and a human father, you could go either way. Some shift early and often, as a kid. Others are triggered by the hormone changes of puberty. But if you haven't shifted by say twenty, it probably won't ever happen. Being raised human, with no knowledge of us, could definitely put you behind. You have heard about females in a group eventually being on their periods at the same time?"
"Oh yes, periods syncing up is pretty common, especially in the dorms."
"It can be kind of like that. If you are the only female, your schedule is your own. But get two or more together, over time, and they eventually get on the same schedule. It can be like that with shifting as well. If you have the ability, but no knowledge of who you are, or no other wolf hormones in the air, you could stay as you are. Here, with not only the bloodline, but the knowledge, and the proximity of other wolves, their hormones..."
"Are you saying I could still shift?"
"It is possible. A few cycles of the moon should tell."
"I'm still adjusting to all of this. Learning that my mother was a werewolf is a huge adjustment. I'm surprised I didn't run off screaming into the woods when I saw Galen shift. Then to learn that mom held the highest honor of Alpha, and then abandoned her pack for some unknown reason is also huge. Then I learn that some are happy I am here, and some, like Ziva, are not. You add Kate mating with Galen on the first damn night, and now you are telling me I could still shift, and if so, could find myself challenging for Alpha of a pack I didn't know existed until yesterday? I think I need a drink."
"You're not old enough to drink." Elam said it with a teasing grin.
"I'm old enough to tie myself to a wolf pack forever, by having sex, like Kate just did. I'm old enough to run the damn place if I shifted and won a challenge, but I'm not old enough for a drink?"
His laughter warmed some hidden place in her heart, and she elbowed him hard in his side when she realized he was only teasing her.
And she immediately regretted the touch.
Flashes like the ones she saw last night flipped through her mind again. And again, she saw herself entwined with Elam in varying private and passionate positions.
Her breathing quickened, her skin flushed pink, almost as if she was really there with him. Really wrapping her legs around his waist and tugging his mouth down to meld with hers. Really tilting her head back and welcoming his bite as he impaled her with both his hard cock and his sharp, pointed teeth at the same time, marking her as his the same way Kate had been marked.
The pictures faded and she found herself staring into Elam's eyes instead.
He was watching her again, his brow furrowed in concentration. His nostrils flared as if he could smell the heated change in her body, the warmth now flooding her thighs.
"Your mother could do that, as well." Elam's words got her complete attention.
"Do what?"
"See the future. Know what was to come."
"How do you know that I saw anything?"
"I wasn't here yet when your mother was Alpha. Galen had just been born, when she left. It was right after Reine conceived you, and they hadn't found me yet, taken me in, but I have heard the whispered stories. How she looked when the possible paths were playing out in her mind. We have free will, nothing is set in stone, but some things are more probable than other things. I've heard that Reine had the gift of sight, and it seems that you do as well."
Emma just stared at him, trying to file away yet another tidbit of information about her mother.
"Does that happen to you often? Seeing?" Elam asked.
"No. Only twice ever."
"What possible paths did you see?"
"I saw only one thing, the same thing both times. And I highly doubt it was the future. Just my, I don't know, my stressed mind from everything here happening so fast."
"You saw only one path? Not the playing out of two?"
"I don't know what I saw. I mean, I know what I saw, I just don't know that it means anything."
"The way you looked at me...The way your scent changed...I can guess. You saw what I know to be true, didn't you? You and I? I didn't want to scare you off, but now I don't think that matters. You are to be my mate. My wolf told me it was to be when I first saw you trudging up here with Henry and Kate. You and I are to be one."
"No. You can't be my destiny, I don't believe in destiny. And I'm only here for a year."
"You said you've only 'seen' twice. When was the first time?"
Emma didn't want to answer him, but she knew from the look on his face that he already knew the answer to that question.
"Last night."
"The only two times you have ever 'seen' were the only two times we've ever touched?"
Her jaw stiffened with resolve, not answering him.
"Well then, let's see what happens when I do this."
With that, Elam leaned in and kissed her.
Emma had been kissed before, but never like this.
Elam's hands gripped her face between them, aiming her mouth just right before pressing his lips against hers.
She felt her lips part, inviting him in before her mind could rebel, but he didn't slide his tongue deep just yet.
He ignored her open mouth, concentrating instead on her plump lips. He teased them with the tip of his tongue. He bit her lower lip, causing a shock of electric heat to flow from the bite, shooting need from her lips to the very core of her.
He sucked her bottom lip into his mouth, the drawing and sucking on her lip forcing her eyes to close and her tongue to slide out, seeking his.
She heard him gasp as her tongue found his, and he pulled her tighter, one hand sliding behind her head, pressing her mouth more firmly against his, as his other hand dropped to her back, pressing her body against him.
She relished the differences, her soft curves against his hard plains. His demanding to her exploring.
She loved that he stood above her by inches. She usually had to aim her lips an inch or two lower, being taller or at most, equal to her boyfriends. Not so with Elam.
Elam stood taller than her, folding her into his arms, forcing her to aim her mouth upward to meet his skillful kisses.
She'd never known that feeling before, that feeling of being warmly enveloped by a taller, stronger male. She never would have guessed at the primal needs this kind of kiss would release.
She gave herself up to the feelings, glad to give up control, to let someone stronger take over for once.
He broke the kiss, nibbling once again on her lips as they broke apart.
Her mind hadn't fully recovered, she was still lost in the feelings Elam triggered when she heard words laughingly muttered nearby.
"It seems Father may get his wish to see us both mated before his passing, after all."
The voice was Galen's and he gave his brother a hearty slap on the back as he walked by them, aiming himself toward his own mate, who'd gone back to dancing around the fire with the other females after their father's announcement.
"I wish you two the same happiness I know I've found with Kate." He grinned as he walked by them, stepping between them and the still raging bonfire.
"See you at the challenge, my brother."
Ten
Emma was unsure of what to expect at tonight's challenge, but her heart was racing as she settled into a spot beside Kate to watch.
The entire pack was all gathered in a clearing deep in the woods, just days after Thomas announced the challenge. The typography made for a perfect, natural coliseum, where the two men stood together below, in the empty space, and all of the observers stood and sat in the higher ground. Wolves and humans alike found friends to sit with and settled in for the challenge that would tell them who their next leader would be.
Emma watched the brothers, standing together below the crowd. They looked at ease, comfortable, not like brothers about to fight for position.
Emma could tell from the look Ziva had given her when she sat down beside Kate, that Ziva was not thrilled by her presence, but Kate had called her over here, and insisted her best friend sit here, with them, on the highest rise.
Emma could feel Ziva's resentment burying into her back as she leaned in and spoke with Kate. She tried to ignore the eyes between her shoulder blades as she asked Kate for information.
"So, what all is involved in a challenge for Alpha?"
Kate said, "I'm not completely sure. Galen was pretty tight lipped about the whole thing."
"Can't they just vote? Like humans do, for President and such?"
Ziva's snort was heard behind Emma as her question reached the Alpha mate's ears.
Emma turned behind her to address Ziva, but Thomas patted Ziva's hand, calming her down as he faced Emma to respond.
"They will fight. First in human form, and then as wolves, until there is a winner. No one else wanted to challenge, so it will just be Galen against Elam."
"What if one of them doesn't want to fight? Is there a forfeit or something?"
Emma knew Elam wasn't interested in becoming Alpha, so surely there was a way to bow out? She figured Thomas was well aware of the situation, but he had called for a challenge all the same, so she didn't really want to ask straight out, 'what if the challenge is thrown?'
"No. No one steps up to a challenge and then does not give their best. To be beaten rightfully has honor. To not try one's best does not."
"To be beaten rightfully? How is that determined, exactly? Is there a point system? Or a knockout, like in boxing?"
"Every challenge is different. No two have ever ended the same. But there has always been a clear winner."
"It's not a last-one-standing situation, right? I mean going as far as a fight-to-the-death, or anything?"
