Chapter 17
Three of Zurk’s concubines dressed Rain in a shimmering gown of forest green with silver trim and styled her hair into a tight bun with golden curls spiraling from the back, then painted her lips red and added color to her cheeks. She looked elegant, more beautiful than ever before in fact, but her insides were churning.
“You don’t seem happy,” one of them commented. “This should be a joyous day. You are the first one Zurk has chosen for the union tree.”
Rain wanted to tear that little girl’s head off, but she remained placid and subdued, almost in a trance. Her whole world had been shattered twice now. At least she had a nice long visit with her mother, Tillia. It brought her a brief moment of happiness to be reunited with her family.
She felt dead inside without Thane. She knew that she lost a soul mate and a man she loved with every molecule of her beating heart.
They escorted Rain to the west end of the village where the union tree stood. Villagers had gathered and Zurk seemed all too thrilled about this day. A nefarious grin crossed his aquiline features. He wore the red-and-gold ceremonial robes of the joining. Yolta was beside him, holding onto a crooked staff that had the bronze head of a wolf on the tip. He appeared more reserved, wearing only a simple tunic of gray.
The pack elder raised his staff, hushed the crowd, and said a few words. It was all garbled to Rain, and she did not listen to any of it. Zurk drug Rain by the arm and stood at the base of the massive tree. “You’re truly a breathtaking sight, my sweet,” he whispered in her ear. “But I can’t help but notice your smile is gone. I promise you the biggest smile of your life in a few short minutes.” He gripped his crotch for a second, and Rain glanced down to see the swell beneath his robe. “I can’t wait to taste you again.”
Yolta motioned for them to proceed around the tree, the circle of life, then suddenly paused. All heads turned as a wolf with black fur skidded out into the open and sprinted toward Arran, who was standing near his brother, Zurk. The wolf playfully knocked Arran from his feet and began licking his face.
“Toria!” Arran shouted. “Thank the heavens, girl.” He embraced her tightly, and she shifted in his arms. She laid into him with a sloppy kiss. “How?” Arran asked, barely able to speak with a tongue running in his mouth. “I saw you fall from the cliff.”
“Thane,” she declared in an even voice. She helped Arran to his feet and approached Zurk. “There is a challenger coming, and I think it is safe to say he is angry. You may want to leave.”
Zurk laughed boisterously. “A challenger for alpha? You have gone mad, Toria. There is no one else that could...” He paused in mid-thought, watching the behemoth shadow of a creature emerge from the forest. On all fours it stood twice as tall as any other wolf any of them had seen—its face was wide as two bears, and shiny gray flanks were layered in muscle. Each long stride the mythical creature claimed seemed to be taken with a definite purpose.
Yolta pointed with his staff. “The Great Gray Wolf has returned to claim the throne,” he proclaimed over the noise of the pack. “The prophecy is true.”
* * * *
At about that time Zurk’s erection faded, and he felt a warm dribble of urine trickle down his inner thigh. He could never defend his alpha status against this monster—the gray wolf. All of his hopes and aspirations quickly faded, and the only thing he cared for was his own survival. He had to get his ass out of here and fast.
Yolta lowered his bearded chin to Zurk. “Boy,” he whispered. “Now would be a fine time to run.” He considered his words briefly then tore out of his robe in a split second, shifted, and dashed into the Daribu Forest to disappear into the great beyond.
* * * *
Rander and Arran glanced at each other. “Will you stay?” Arran asked his brother. “It seems as though things are going to change around here.”
Rander shrugged his shoulders. “He may prove a worthy beast to serve. And it’s not Zurk, thank the heavens. I will let time decide.”
“Who knows,” Arran agreed. “Maybe this will be a good thing.”
“Zurk won’t last three days out there alone.”
“Yea, he will come crawling back and beg for forgiveness. I have no doubt about that.”
“That will be a day worth waiting for.”
* * * *
With an uplifted heart, her spirit soaring, Rain ran directly to the gray wolf. She cupped his broad chin and looked squarely into his silver eyes. “You came for me,” she whispered. His massive head lowered and his wide snout pushed her dress flat against her pubic mound. He inhaled deeply, flaring his nostrils against the folds of her pussy. His breath, hot and wet, started her womanly juices flowing. The wolf in her couldn’t wait to be taken by this gray wolf. “That’s it,” she purred. “You remember me, boy. I am all yours.” She rubbed him between the ears as he licked her tears away.
He shifted and cradled her in his arms, lifting her from the ground. “Even in death I would find you, my love.” His lips swept down to claim the she-wolf briefly. “Where is Zurk?” he questioned.
“He heard your challenge and fled. You are the alpha of Clear Water. I doubt he will be back anytime soon.” Rain glanced around, seeing that none of Zurk’s concubines were coming forward to greet their leader. They were all huddled in a group at the far end of the village. “Normally all the she-wolves would be all over the new alpha. They are scared of you, Thane.”
“It does not matter. I came for only one.” His silver eyes gazed deeply into her own, and there was a silent understanding that he would never leave her...never. She knew that she found her life mate, a partner to explore the forest with, and maybe one day they could create a few pups of their own.
* * * *
Part man, part vampire, part werewolf, Thane Ragnirak found his new home—in the Daribu forest with the she-wolf of his dreams. Jarna would soon become only a distant memory.
“Let’s see how fast you are,” Rain said, stripping off her dress. She shifted and began rolling her tail suggestively, raising her hips flirtatiously.
Thane smiled. He could play this game for eternity. He would find that beautiful woman, chase her down, and discover what it felt like to make love to a wolf. He shifted and she ran.
This was going to be an adventure.
THE END
ALEXISMARTIN28.COM
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
She was raised in Illinois, a rural town just east of the Mississippi River, and now resides in Missouri--the Show Me State. Alexis enjoys reading and writing, having fun and exercising. All things at the lake are fine by her. She also loves hearing from her readers. Ask her a question or share a random thought. Her email is always open. See her web site at www.Alexismartin28.com.
Also by Alexis Martin
Siren Allure: The Outer Rim
Siren Allure: Bad Lands
Siren Allure: Flight to Avalon
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
Last Knight of Jarna (Siren Publishing Allure) Page 11
