I eased myself off the bike and brushed my hands over my ass, kneading out the knots from the long ride. As discreetly as I could, I sniffed at myself to make sure there was no odor from the wetness between my legs. Thankfully, the versipelli seemed to be doing its job.
I made eye contact with four of the pack who were making their way to a crevasse at the base of the cliff, and exchanged a silent greeting. Setting off after them, I noticed Connor was still sitting astride his motorcycle. I shot him a quizzical look. “Are you coming?”
I just need a minute. His words echoed in my head. The awkward embarrassment emanating from him was palpable.
It took me a second to figure it out. The realization that Connor was trying to hide his arousal thrilled me. I couldn’t help but look down at the straining bulge between his legs. I felt the corners of my mouth curling up with satisfaction. He was turned on. By me?
“I’ll see you up there,” I giggled, quickly turning away so he couldn’t read my thoughts. But I still felt his embarrassment blooming as I strode away.
I followed the others into the tight crevasse, climbing the roughly hewn steps until I emerged at the edge of the Caldron. It was a circular plateau, about a hundred feet across, with steep, uneven, rocky walls all around. The tops of countless spruces and pines encircled the jagged rim, watching over the gathering within. Those already there congregated in small groups around the perimeter, having already paid their respects to the Alpha and the other pack elders. The freshly fallen snow in the center remained pristine, almost glowing from the moon and stars above.
The four males in front of me rubbed themselves against the Alpha in turn. They each dipped their heads submissively, allowing him to rest his chin on top of them, before holding them in a tight embrace. The respect and affection between them all filled the air. They repeated the greeting with the Alpha’s mate, the White Queen, an Emeritus Alpha herself. I stood back, allowing the six of them to reunite in peace, until finally, the four moved off to take their places at the edge of the circle.
Lupe. The Alpha’s voice was deep and smooth in my head as his bright amber eyes met mine. I immediately felt the warmth of his welcome, and smiled in return.
Alpha Michael was an enormous man, easily standing six and a half feet tall. When I rubbed the side of my face against him, I was met by the muscles of his broad chest. His strong arms enveloped me, and I felt him kiss the top of my head. He inhaled my scent, and I sensed his energy shift slightly from love and protection to curiosity, with a hint of arousal.
The Alpha gripped my shoulders and pushed me back half a step to look into my eyes. Is that old Medicine Man at it again?
Yes, I blushed up at him.
Hmm, his deep voice chuckled. The corners of his mouth curled up to match his amusement, the grey whiskers of his beard bristling. Fortuitous timing, Lupe. This promises to be quite the hunt tonight. He twisted my shoulders towards the White Queen and released his grip.
“Lupe, it’s so good to see you,” she beamed and swallowed me up in a tight hug. She was so petite and elegant, the strength and unselfconsciousness of her embrace was surprising. I bowed my head and respectfully caressed my temple against her high cheekbone.
She held my face in her hands and stared into my eyes. I could see the amber of mine reflecting in the piercing blue of hers. Her nose wrinkled and her lips spread into a warm, understanding smile as her voice whispered in my head, Oh, Lupe. The versipelli won’t work if you masturbate in it.
My cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She always knew everything that was going on with us, without fail. But it was always with love and understanding. We exchanged a knowing giggle, and she pressed her forehead to mine, her long, flaxen hair blowing against my face.
“Will you be joining the hunt tonight, Lupe?” the Alpha interrupted gently.
I looked up at him, keeping hold of the White Queen’s hand. “Do you really think I should?”
“There hasn’t been a female participant in the hunt for over a hundred years,” the White Queen frowned. “I should know. It was me.”
“Not since Elizabeth,” the Alpha went on, stroking a loose strand of the White Queen’s hair behind her ear. “has a female been worthy of it. That is, until you, Lupe.”
“It’s so important that you join the hunt, Lupe.” The White Queen pressed herself into her mate’s side. “The younger females of this pack need to see more for themselves than just breeding for these boys.” She looked around the Caldron at the growing crowd.
I followed her gaze around the circle and caught sight of Connor. He was talking to a group of young males on the far side. They were joking and laughing, and beating their chests. Then I realized, he hadn’t paid his respects to the Alpha. He had gone straight over to big note himself with his friends first.
I caught his eye across the snow. What the fuck are you doing? Get over here!
Connor flashed me that arrogant grin of his, then shifted his gaze slightly to meet Alpha Michael’s over my shoulder. I watched on in horror as he dipped his eyes for half a second, then turned his back on us, continuing on with his friends. I spun on my heel to face the Alpha, mortified that my friend would behave so disrespectfully to the pack’s leader. Words, thoughts failed me.
“It’s more than just a positive role model we’re looking for, Lupe,” the Alpha sighed. “If the White Stag of Lycanthus is to be felled tonight, without you…” His eyes darted over toward Connor. “It’ll be him.”
The White Queen’s eyes met mine. I don’t need to tell you how hard we’ve worked to unite the Nine Packs. You know better than anyone, don’t you, Lupe?
I was overcome with sorrow. The memory of my parents and my brothers came flooding back. The fatal conflict with the Great Pack of Wisconsin had borne too high a toll on both sides. None higher than for my own family.
“Leadership is much more than just strength, Lupe,” the Alpha observed wisely. “It requires a respect that boy does not yet have.”
I stared up at the Alpha, his eyes blazing with intensity. Of course I’ll join the hunt, Alpha Michael.
Their energy instantly transformed into intense relief. They ushered me on with another hug so they could continue to greet the rest of the pack. I moved around the outside of the circle, taking up a position away from Connor and his gang. I was so angry with him. I hated the way he behaved in front of others, always showing off.
If he wasn’t so damn sexy.
“Lupe!” an excited squeal came from my left. It was Scarlet and Suzie, my closest friends. We hugged and kissed, and rubbed our faces all over each other. It was so great to see them.
“Alpha Michael and Elizabeth want me to join the hunt tonight,” I whispered to them amongst the growing crowd.
“Oh my God! Are you going to do it?”
“You so should!” Scarlet cried, a little too loudly.
“Of course,” I shushed her. “The Alpha asked me to.”
They both hugged me tightly, giggling with excited anticipation. We continued chatting, catching up on everything since the last time we had been together. Others spoke in hushed tones around the edge of the Caldron, waiting for the last of the pack to arrive. There were over two hundred of us in total, plus the handful of visitors.
The energy in the Caldron shifted as we gradually realized the Alpha and the other pack elders were ready to begin, and we all fell silent. Alpha Michael took up his position on top of the domed, rocky outcrop, overlooking the base of the Caldron. The White Queen stood just behind him, to his right. The other Emeritus Alphas, former pack leaders themselves, settled into their places on the ledge behind, and very importantly, beneath the current Alpha. While the visiting Alphas from the other eight packs assembled in a gallery on the opposite side of the Caldron to observe the ceremony.
I got a chill down my spine. I was tingling with excitement, looking forward to what Alpha Michael had to say. He looked over us all, and I felt his pride. He was so very proud of us. He was the lead
er of the largest pack of werewolves in North America. And for all he knew, this would be his last night as the Alpha.
“Welcome, my friends,” he spoke to us in a deep, booming voice. “Hmm, my family,” he corrected, causing a bristling of positive energy to swirl around the Caldron. “Too rarely does the Great Pack of New York gather in its entirety. But I must say, it is such a pleasure when we do.
“As you all know, every fifteen years on this night, the first moon after the snow falls, the White Stag of Lycanthus crosses our territory. And it is this extraordinary event that determines the leadership of our pack. Any of you worthy to lead the Great Pack of New York must prove yourselves equal to the task by bringing down the White Stag, and returning its head to the Caldron before the sun rises.
“No easy feat,” the Alpha boomed. “None has been worthy in the last four hunts. I have been this pack’s leader for seventy-five years. Most of you have known no other Alpha. He snorted a laugh and looked back at the White Queen, and the other three Emeritus Alphas behind her. “I’m so very tired.”
The pack around the edge of the Caldron all chuckled knowingly. The White Queen had been the Alpha for thirty years before Alpha Michael, one hundred five years ago. And the other three old men behind her had each served multiple terms. The White Stag of Lycanthus was elusive, for sure.
When we've quieted down, Alpha Michael continued, gesturing at the gallery behind the rest of the pack. “I would also like to welcome the Alphas of the other eight packs: the Great Pack of Alaska; the Great Pack of British Colombia, the Great Pack of Wisconsin;…” The energy around the Caldron fell dark at the mention of their name. Too many of us had lost family and friends a decade earlier, and for many, the blood was still bitter.
“And the Great Pack of Montana;…” Again the energy shifted, first to confusion, then happiness.
Scarlet touched the back of my hand, bringing her skin into contact with mine. Oh my God, Lupe! They’re a Great Pack now. They have more than a hundred members. We exchanged a smile, and noted the pride radiating from the Montana Alpha behind us.
“The Pack of Washington; the Pack of Michigan; the Pack of Oregon; and the Pack of Kentucky.” Each of the Alphas nodded appreciatively to Alpha Michael as he mentioned them in turn.
“Over many hard centuries we have managed to forge a lasting peace with each other. I am so very humbled that you have each honored us with your presence on such an occasion. The transfer of leadership of our packs is something that affects us all.”
The Alpha’s speech went on, impressing upon us all the monumental importance of maintaining the peace between the Nine Packs. There were those among us that could not forgive, and there were those of us who just did not care. I looked over at Connor, and I could tell he wasn’t interested in the words of an outgoing Alpha. He was eager to make his own mark, whatever that may be.
His wisdom exhausted, the Alpha announced the beginning of the hunt. “For those who believe themselves worthy to lead the Great Pack of New York, present yourselves.”
I looked over at Connor, and he already had his jacket off and was peeling off his grey t-shirt. The rest of the idiots in his gang were similarly stripping off, blocking my view of his naked torso. The four older males I had followed into the Caldron earlier were also disrobing, along with maybe thirty others. No other females though, I noticed, were preparing to join the hunt.
I felt Scarlet’s fingers on the back of my hand again. Lupe, are you going to do it? I was filled with dread and self-doubt, and I really didn’t want to do it. Lupe, you have to. The Alpha asked you.
I looked Scarlet in the eyes. She was nervous for me, but she was entirely supportive. And worst of all, she was right. There was no disobeying the Alpha. I looked up at him on his domed outcrop. Both he and his mate were staring at me, willing me to undress and step forward into the circle.
Then Connor caught my eye to the left. He was strutting out into the centre of the Caldron, buck naked and way too self-assured. He was gorgeous though. His muscular frame was finely chiseled, as if by Michelangelo himself. And the way his ass moved when he walked, bouncing like a ripe peach. I just wanted to bite it. I felt my teeth clenching at the thought. Scarlet and Suzie giggled beside me, no doubt having the same thoughts themselves. Every female in the pack was thinking the same thing.
Connor stood in the middle of the clearing, staring up at the Alpha, beaming confidence. Gradually, the other contenders made their way into the circle to join him. And I knew, there was no more stalling. I had to make my move.
I shrugged off my leather jacket and handed it to Scarlet. Almost instantly, I felt the energy of the Pack lift. Not since the White Queen herself, over a hundred years ago, had a female stepped inside the circle. Most of us knew it only as a legend. And now everyone was thrilled to finally see it for themselves.
You think you’ve got what it takes, big girl? Connor’s voice echoed in my head. I looked up at him, surprised that he’d been able to telepathically communicate with me without touch or eye contact. But I dismissed it as the magic of the Caldron, and continued removing my boots, trying not to let his taunt get to me.
Keeping my mind clear, I glared at him impassively as he watched me undress. I peeled down my leggings first. I felt his arousal grow, then snorted a laugh when I saw it. His cock lengthened between his thighs, becoming thicker. But he was unashamed.
I crossed my arms and pulled my burgundy tank top up over my head. My confidence was at its strongest at that moment. I knew how fantastic my tits looked in my black E-cup, and I had my two best friends with me. I savored the moment, and held Connor’s gaze as his magnificent cock slowly arced up toward me.
The back of Scarlet’s hand subtly brushed my hip. Lupe, you have to keep going. Everybody’s staring.
I broke Connor’s gaze and noticed that the entire Pack was fixated on me. You could have heard a pin drop. I snorted a small laugh to myself and unclasped my bra, shrugging out of the straps and letting it fall to the snow at my feet. The cold air and the excitement tightened my nipples in a heartbeat.
Connor’s beautiful cock pointed straight up into the air, showing me that sexy, little seam underneath the engorged head. Surely a pair of naked breasts, even as nice as mine, couldn’t turn him on that much. But still, the other naked males in the circle were each sporting erections of their own as they watched me.
It was when I pulled down my panties that I realized what all the fuss was about. The scent from between my legs was unmistakable. I stepped out of them and looked back at Connor, my own cheeks tingling. I saw his nostrils flare slightly, and even heard the sniff. His cock twitched, and a devilish smile spread across his face.
It’ll be okay, Lupe, Suzie’s fingers on my forearm assured.
There was nothing for it now. My arousal had broken the banks of the versipelli, and my secret was out. With my head held high, I strode forward into the circle.
I fell onto my hands as soon as I was inside the circle, transforming into my wolf form before my front paws hit the snow. Immediately I was overcome with the heightened senses that this powerful body gave me. My already superhuman sense of smell and hearing increased exponentially. Even my sight improved, bringing more clarity and light to the darkness.
The other males in the circle with me transformed into wolves. Most of them were grey. There were a few browns, a red and two small whites, the White Queen’s grandsons. I was the only black wolf among them. Connor’s coat was brown, with flecks of honey blond. He was the biggest of them all, easily two hundred fifty pounds. I should know, we were the same size. Most of the others though struggled to crack the deuce. And the White Queen’s boys, like her, were almost as small as regular wolves.
But Connor was such an impressive creature.
We stood nose to nose, eyeing each other, waiting to see who would look away first. We were both grinning at each other, enjoying the challenge.
But suddenly, my concentration was broken by one of the youn
ger members of his gang, obviously overwhelmed by my scent, trying to mount me. I felt his dick flicking around my hind legs as he tried to tighten his grip on my back.
I reared up and twisted, loosening his hold on me. Snarling wildly, I snapped around and locked my jaws around the side of his neck. He squealed and yelped as I used my weight to drive him into the thin layer of snow. Growling, I gouged him into the ground and pushed him out toward the edge of the circle. He squirmed submissively onto his back, pawing helplessly at my shoulders, but I didn’t stop until I had shoved him well past the perimeter.
The taste of his blood only fuelled my rage. When I did finally release him, I continued to stand over him, snarling aggressively. He cowered a moment, before transforming back into human form and holding his throat.
I left him whimpering in a heap, as did the other pack members. It was up to the Alpha now, as to what would happen to him. I had hurt him badly though. The blood trail travelled a full thirty feet back into the middle of the circle.
Howling Passion (Paranormal Alpha Werewolf Shifter Romance) Page 2
