“What?”
The sound of Lizzy laughing, had her spinning in her seat to glare at her, before she felt the vehicle move again.
Amber woods was truly stunning, the silver birch trees forming almost a processional entrance, pine trees clustered together with oak, ancient woodland, unseen and untouched by outsiders. They passed several wooden cabins, solidly built. She noticed the solar panels on the roof, understanding the need for a more ecological existence, in tune with nature. The road eventually came to a traditional closure, reminding her of an old fashioned village green appearance, with four large houses surrounding it. The pack vehicle came to stop and Connor jumped out, opening the door for his Alpha.
“Fuckin hell, have we stepped into an alternate reality here, kind of like the wolf mafia?” she grumbled.
Luke was laughing hard now, as he switched off the engine.
“Oh my little Brianna, I am so going to enjoy seeing how you integrate back into the pack again”
“For the last time I am telling you both, I am not here to integrate, postulate or fornicate, I am here to do my job!” she yelled.
A rush of air whipped her hair around her face as her door was pulled open. Marcus unclipped her seatbelt, picked her out the seat and placed her gently on her feet. My legs work fine! she wanted to scream.
“Fornicate, now there’s a word I am getting to know better with you baby”
Letting out a frustrated growl she stormed to the back of the vehicle to empty her bags out the back. Lizzy joined her, smirking.
“Ok what?”
“Hell Bri your snappy today!”
“Lizzy, less than 24 hours ago I was getting wasted on whiskey and beer, enjoying my freedom. Fast forward, I’m tired, hungry and frustrated, that bloody alpha has got my normal senses upside down. I need to focus Lizzie, I need to give my best to this case, the pack is relying on us and I intend to return what they have lost as soon as I can”
Lizzy put her bags down, watching the male’s deep in conversation at the pack vehicle. Her eyes roamed over Connor appreciatively. His eyes flicked to hers and rewarded her with a dazzling grin just for her. Feeling like someone caught with their hands in the cookie jar she focused her attention back to Brianna.
“You always give 100% Brianna, you just need rest, lots of food and sex”
“Sex?”
“Yes lighten up, a good roll in the hay will iron out those muscles and calm your mind, and your hunky alpha over there can provide it, other than that, you will have to rely on your two fingered friend”
“Lizzy! For god’s sake does your mind ever go anywhere else apart from in the gutter?”
Of course she just laughed and Brianna knew she was not going to win this one. Picking up her bags they went to join everyone at the front. Marcus watched every single step she made, the closer she got the more aroused she got. Her damn wolf was practically drooling the little traitor. His eyes widened, before a wide grin settled on his face. Taking two of her bags off her, he spoke to the group.
“The large two storey house over there is the pack house, where everyone tends to congregate, right now we have the females and pups staying in there for obvious reasons. Next to that is the alpha house”
Brianna looked up at the beautiful wood and stone built building, the porch to the front expansive and homely, the gardens well maintained and green.
“You like what you see Brianna?” Marcus smoothly asked
“It’s beautiful, how old is it?”
“One hundred and ten years old, when the pack was first formed by my father. The houses you saw on your way in are for the mated wolves. Many of our wolves work in the town with the local business and others help around here to maintain everything”
Marcus had been practically holding his breath the entire time they drove deep into the clearing. It was really important to him to see how his mate reacted and he especially wanted her to love the alpha house, after all she would be living there with him, even if she was still trying to fight the mating call.
“Next to that is the Betas house and this one here is the guest house”
Brianna looked up at the huge log cabin, over one level.
“Alpha!”
They all turned to the approaching male. His large frame running over to them, the impact of his body weight thudding loudly against the ground. A scar ran across his cheek, more prominent with his shaved blond hair. Brianna’s wolf bristled, standing to attention.
“My alpha, Anna is missing”
“What? When did this happen?” Marcus shouted.
“She had gone to retrieve some more clothes from her house to bring back to the pack house but never returned, I have enforcers out tracking”
“Damn it Rhett, how that fuck did that happen your head enforcer, you were left in charge!” Marcus yelled.
Rhett averted his eyes, head bowed.
“I am sorry alpha, no females have been unguarded, I don’t know how she disappeared, but I am doing everything in my power to get her back”
Brianna watched the head enforcer with keen interest, he seemed genuinely concerned for Anna and his submission to his alpha was unquestionable, but her wolf had different ideas. Her hackles were raised and she was still, guarded. Pushing her wolf back, Brianna decided to be practical rather than analytical.
“Can we help?”
She had stepped around Marcus and looked up at Rhett. For the first time his gaze moved to hers, scanning her form. A low rumble vibrated in the air. Marcus had moved in front of her, a warning to the enforcer. Brianna did honestly believe that she was in some sort of alternate mafia wolf world now, so much testosterone, was it always like this in her pack? She could not remember and right now she did not want to remember, she was a tracker and good at what she did, so to hell with bloody dominance.
“Marcus, Luke and I can help it’s what we do and even though I have every faith in your pack, maybe you should let us use our skills right now”
He had dropped her bags, arms were folded tight against his chest, a masculine posture, long legs wide in fighting stance. Stop imaging those legs in different positions Bri, for god’s sake will you focus! She was mentally chastising herself, for what good it would do, her body and her wolf just betrayed her every time.
“No, not you, I want you in sight Brianna”
Rhett relaxed a little, hands clasped behind his back.
“Skills? You are from Lunar security?”
“Yes, this is Luke and Lizzy. Look we are wasting time here, I can help track, that’s why you got us up here, so let us do that, now”
Standing with her hands on her hips everyone looked to her. Marcus took her hand and led her away from the group, to the side of the guest house.
“Bri, I don’t want you tracking yet, another female has gone missing, that’s four of them and I would never forgive myself if something happened to you, to my mate. Let my enforcers track today, Luke can join them. Hopefully she will be found by then but if not then we can reassess tomorrow”
She felt as if she had been mentally slapped.
“What? You have the best tracker in the country at your disposal and you want me to sit with my feet up whilst there is a female wolf, your pack member, lost somewhere out there?!! I don’t think so Marcus. Now let me help!”
Marcus pulled her into his arms, grabbing her hair in a firm grip, in male ownership, before kissing her firmly, his tongue dove into her mouth, exploring every inch. Brianna was taken off guard, but the sensations he was creating in her were delicious and wicked. Her hands seemed to have a life of their own as they wrapped around his neck. Marcus groaned, pressing his body even harder against her, his cock was aching and full. Hell if he could just plunge into her heated core and take what was his, find release in her sweet body. He gasped as he felt her hands grab his hair and tug. The little minx, was trying to take control here? Oh not going to happen my sexy little mate. Marcus nipped her bottom lip in punishment, the gentle gasp breaki
ng the kiss.
“Very naughty Baby, you will not win this game, you will submit to me in the bedroom, taking what I give you until your voice is raw from screaming my name”
“Oh I don’t think so caveman, that is one battle you won’t win, this is one wolf that does not submit to anyone”
Marcus chuckled gently as he nuzzled her neck, their own private universe right here, the world forgotten. Brazenly, she cupped his aching shaft, his lips bit gently on her neck. Brianna whimpered at the contact before hearing Lizzy laughing in the background, bringing her world back into focus after being so sensually tipped on its axis. Stepping out of his embrace, she licked her lips, turning on her heel as she spoke to him over her shoulder.
“We should get back and I am going to track Marcus, you may think that you can dominate me in the bedroom but out here I am in charge, get used to it alpha”
Marcus watched the sway of her hips as she walked away. His mate was one sassy woman and he was already one step closer to being inside her, mating her, being the other half to his wolfs soul. He felt it in their kiss and god the feel of her hands cupping him was sweet torture. He really did not want her tracking but knew he had to win her trust, even if it meant his wolf was kicking the crap out of him for not trying her to the bed, to protect what’s there’s. Growling low in his chest, he marched after her, before his lust filled brain melted.
“Wait, did you just call me caveman?” he asked incredulously.
His answer was the husky sound of her laugh as she re-joined the group. He was so going to enjoy taming her.
Despite his protests his beautiful mate was having none of it and demanded that she track with his enforcers. Marcus sent out a quick message to them so that they knew who would be helping them and to protect his mate. The pack had responded with congratulations and swore to keep her safe.
Brianna stripped her clothing behind the guest house before crouching down to shift. After nearly sixty years she still hated the instant pain that occurred as her bones dislocated and reformed, muscles stretched and limbs became furry legs. Panting, she stretched her wolf form, testing the muscles. Satisfied she padded around to the waiting group, Luke had already shifted, the huge blond wolf in warrior mode, ready for action. She felt the energy shift and a wonderful cocooning sensation embraced her, pine and sandalwood soothed her. Twitching her nose she followed the scent until she was standing in front of Marcus, his scent was even more enticing in wolf form. He was still in human form and his eyes were wide as she approached. Sniffing again she could feel the heat of his arousal, the flames licking out toward her encouragingly. He crouched down to be eye level with her, his gaze in awe.
“You stay close to my enforcers, they will protect you and keep you safe, you are truly beautiful, Brianna”.
Gently he rubbed her ears and she lolled her tongue pushing her muzzle into the palm of his hand. Marcus caught his breath as he saw the stunning she wolf round the corner, she was small for a wolf, but her glossy black coat and blue eyes were such a sharp contrast. He could see the dominant wolf lurking behind her gaze. Letting his alpha wolf step forward he stared into her eyes. The wolf huffed as if she was laughing before turning and racing with Luke into the woods.
“I will be at the pack house, keep me updated” he said to Connor.
Lizzy watched the alpha walk away, the scent of arousal was pungent. She was so looking forward to seeing how this played out with Brianna. Rolling her eyes, she picked up her friends discarded bags only to feel a hand wrap around them. Tilting her head, she smiled up at Connor who had practically never left her side since she met him, not that she was complaining, her wolf was yapping loudly in her head in appreciation.
“Let me get those, you get yourself inside the sun is going down and it gets colder at night here”
Lizzy nodded her head in thanks, her speech had obviously taken a holiday because right now all she could think of was how she could stay warm at night. Maybe Brianna was right and her mind lived in the gutter, or maybe this is what it felt like to find the other half to your soul. Either way, she knew that she wanted Connor in her life, but it could never be, nobody wants a cursed wolf, she had known that for many years.
7
The dense woodland was challenging for her to run in, it had been a long time since she had been this free in such a natural landscape and her wolf relished the challenge. Usually, she would have to drive to the nearest forest, and stay off the beaten track to get this type of workout. Her legs ate up the distance, paws pressing into the fallen leaves that carpeted the ground. Glancing to her right she saw Luke nose to the ground, keeping pace with her. Ahead of her and to her left were five wolves, all pack enforcers. When the lead wolf slowed she dropped her speed. His dark brown fur long and smooth. Turning his head to the enforcer wolves he nodded for them to go right and left. Some silent communication passed between them and in that moment Brianna so wished she was part of the pack just so she knew what the hell they were saying to each other. Fortunately, she could communicate with Luke, it was company policy that in wolf and human form you had to be able to telepathically communicate with your partner. As Lunar Security was almost like a pack, it had been easy to establish the connection with him.
You think they are splitting up? She asked
Looks like it, it’s probably a good idea, this area is vast Bri, we could be here for months! Have you picked anything up yet?
No not yet just usual vegetation but I’m not giving up.
I know beautiful
Luke! If Marcus hears you calling me that he will nail your hide to the alpha house as a warning to everyone and get pups do play pin the tail on the wolf.
I know bri only jesting with you, believe me I am not getting in between a male wolf who is claiming his mate
Will you stop with the mate thing?
A whine had them both turning to the brown wolf. He nodded ahead and Brianna got the message loud and clear. Head down she followed deeper into the forest. It was becoming dusk and her eyes adjusted effortlessly. Jumping over a log she planted her paws firmly in the ground, the dirt oozing up into the pads. Sniffing the air she could detect something really faint, the wind changed pushing the aroma downwind toward her. Even though it was distant that same distinctive sulphur smell shot down her nose, in wolf form it was even more nauseating. Looking ahead Luke and the enforcer were about a mile away. It was the wrong direction, she knew it. Acting on instinct she turned and followed the smell. It became stronger as she trotted toward it, the dense vegetation breaking out to a large glacier valley. Her paws stopped at the edge, looking down in the cavernous valley. Tilting her head she filtered out the background noise, the wind was harsh here but underneath that she could hear an almost indistinguishable whimper. Sniffing the air again, she could detect the bitterness of fear. She could get down in wolf form but she would have to be very careful. Her descent was precarious, there were times when she felt her heart slam against her chest as she slipped on loose rock. Half way down she could make out the naked form of a woman with long red hair, curled in a ball on a ledge.
Brianna! Where the hell are you?
I’ve found her Luke I’m west of here, down in a valley
I’m coming, I’ll tell the others.
She managed to jump the small distance to the ledge, the action had the female wolf jump back. Oh shit no, don’t move. Brianna was not pack so the woman did not know what the hell she was saying. Going against all her better judgement, she dropped to the ground and let the change take over her. The woman pushed her back to the wall eyeing the stranger. When the shift was complete, Brianna placed her hands up in a placating manner, her tone soft.
“Anna?”
The woman nodded her head, still assessing the threat.
“I am Brianna, your alpha sent me to track you and the other women, I mean you no harm”
Brianna did a quick scan of her injuries, noticing the misshapen ankle and some cuts and bruises.
�
�He said he was coming back for me”
“Who?”
“I don’t know, I don’t recognise his scent, but he did not seem full blooded wolf to me. He tried to stab me with a needle but I shifted and ran and slipped down here, I think my ankle is broken”
“I think you are right Anna, can you shift?”
“I don’t know I have been too afraid to try in case he was still up there”
Brianna looked up to the top of the valley.
“Trust me he is not there, but we need to move fast to get you back, it’s dark now and you never know what is in the shadows, so I need you to try and shift”
The redhead nodded, climbing to her knees, wincing in pain. Brianna watched as a shimmer surrounded her but the wolf did not surface, probably fear. She gently placed her hand on Anna’s arm, pushing her alpha energy to her.
“Now try”
A shimmer continued to glow until in its place was a small red wolf. Nodding, Brianna shifted back to her wolf. Pointing with her muzzle to where she wanted her to go Anna went ahead of her as they took the treacherous path back up.
Brianna? I’m at the top of the ledge waiting
Ok on our way up, she’s injured but I had her shift so she can heal faster and get her back quicker
Ok
Her paws hurt from the sharp rock cutting into them, just as she winced at another piercing jab, her paw slipped and she lost her balance. Desperately she tried to scrabble with her legs, rolling fast, she hit a broken tree branch, the ragged end piercing her side. The pain was instant and she gasped to catch her breath, gritting her teeth she pulled herself off. Anna had turned to help. She did not want her more afraid at anything else so she just nodded for her to keep going, ignoring the pain and the short sharp breaths she was having to take. She had never been more relieved when she saw a pack of wolves waiting. Clambering up she pushed at Anna for the last part, managing to get her up to safety. Gritting her teeth she pushed herself up, collapsing on the ground on her belly.
You are injured Brianna
No shit Sherlock, I’m also thirsty, tired and hungry and you know I don’t do them in any order so let’s get back.
Alpha Scent (Amber Woods Shifters) Page 5
