by Tamara White
“It’s beautiful,” I sigh watching the soft waves of the branches in the night.
“Cam, Jason and Mitch will meet us here in about five minutes. They’re just creating a slight distraction for us,” Pete says grinning.
“What kind of distraction?” I ask cautiously. Anything that has Pete grinning that wickedly cannot be good.
“Let’s just say it’s best if you don’t know. That way, you have plausible deniability,” Nate says just as devious.
Okay then I’m just going to leave it. If they say plausible deniability, then I’m not going to ask more. I turn to look for the others and just about faint when I turn back.
Pete, Nate and Jonnie are stripping!
“Sorry!” I gasp turning back around, clenching my eyes shut. I should have known they would need to undress to shift but it just didn’t enter my mind. They should have warned me!
Any time I went out with Dad’s wolf he shifted behind trees, far from me. These guys I guess don’t really have anything to be embarrassed about. From what I saw, not that I saw much, they are one hundred percent, gorgeous. Toned bodies, all smooth. Jonnie and Pete have tattoos which makes me want to grab another peek to see what they are. I’ve always been fascinated with tattoos but Dad said I can’t get one until I’m eighteen.
“Oh, come on Dani, I don’t mind if you watch,” Pete says chuckling followed by the sound of a slap.
“Dude! Stop fucking slapping me up the side of the head!”
“Stop being rude to our mate. She doesn’t need to hear that shit!” Nate responds angrily.
While they’re arguing, I’m blushing thoroughly embarrassed. Mitch, Jason and Cam walk around the back of the house catching me trying not to peek on the others.
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had sex, but for some reason, being around all these boys makes me flustered and embarrassed. That’s never happened before.
When the others reach me, they watch me, clearly wondering what happened to cause me to blush so much.
“Don’t even ask,” I say stopping any of them from questioning me. “Just shift. I’ll close my eyes and one of you can nudge me when you’re done.”
When someone nudges me, the last thing I expect to see is a beautiful cream coloured wolf at my side. Maybe I should have watched them shift so I knew who is who?
A beautiful shaggy wolf comes loping over to my side. His coat is exquisite. The russet colour going well with the black markings on his back and tail. I squat down to see if I can figure out who it is when he licks my face, then nips my hand.
“So, you must be Pete,” I laugh as he pounces on the cream one wagging his tail like an excited puppy.
I look closer at the cream one realizing it must be Nate as he pushes Pete off him snapping at his tail. Yep, definitely Nate.
A black wolf approaches me, watching for signs of hesitation. He’s huge! Compared to the others, he would be considered as unnatural.
All wolves resemble their natural counterparts in the world but not this one. He’s at least three inches higher and fully black with a small marking on his chest. It’s very intimidating.
When he finally stops in front of me, I look into his eyes knowing this must be Cam. The marking on his chest must be because of his tattoo though I’d never heard of it presenting in wolf form before. One of the many things to add to my list of never ending questions. Now it’s got me wondering if the marking on Pete is his tattoos?
Two wolves approach and I know immediately that they’re Jonnie and Mitchell. They are pretty much a matching pair with stunning grey coats. Mitchell is the darker of the two with shading around his face and ears, whilst Jonnie is lighter and a more natural colour you would see on wolves in the wild. The tips of his ears, tails and feet all have darker shading. I don’t know how I know which one is which, but my wolf seems confident that I’ve chosen the right person for wolf.
The thing that leaves me confused though is, I don’t see any distinguishing markings on Jonnie that could be tattoos. I was sure I saw tattoos on his arms. I take a closer look and on the inside of his forearms I notice markings snaking up the underside of each arm. He has tattoos on both arms then. Cool!
That’s just leaves the white wolf. Jason’s wolf is absolutely striking. His coat is such a pure white that if there was snow around right now, all you would see, is his amber eyes. He has no markings and the only thing that separates him from the others, is he stands taller. Not as in height but he has a confidence that radiates from an Alpha, just like Cam. It’s the same kind of power I feel being around Tim and Walter. The others radiate a soft brushing of power but not as much as Jason or Cam does.
“Okay guys, how do you want to do this?”
We really should have communicated more before they shifted. Unlike with my father, I can’t exactly sense their wolves’ intentions. Dad’s wolf and I were always able to communicate to an extent but looking at the six wolves in front of me, I’m stumped.
Cam walks to my side to stand with me while the others take off. I take off after them assuming Cam’s staying back with me in case I get lost on the pack land. If that happens though, I’ll never live it down. Even as a human, my nose should be able to get me out of these woods.
Running through the forest is absolutely amazing! I’m free and nothing can stop me, until Pete bowls me over. I get up laughing and tackle him to the ground holding my own much better than he probably assumed I would. I had to learn how to wrestle with wolves just in case I ever got caught and right now, I’m glad my father had the foresight to teach me all this.
Walter and Monique may think self-defence was the worst thing he could have taught me, but if it comes down to defending my life, then I’m glad I can. Words however, are so not my thing.
We stop at a small stream and they all circle me, rubbing against my legs, marking me with their scent. Cam stiffens and takes off at a run with the others chasing after him. I follow, glad that they aren’t running full speed otherwise I may not have been able to keep up. As we get closer I smell the doe they’re hunting. It’s already bleeding which is probably what Cam smelt in the first place.
They slow to a stop, staring in the direction the scent of blood is coming from. I see four deer grazing on a grassy hill, completely oblivious to the death they’re about to face. Pete howls, causing them to scatter. We all take off after them. I follow behind but hesitate not wanting to be the one to take down a wounded deer.
When I catch up to them, Nate and Cam are circling the wounded deer waiting for something, but I don’t know what.
Pete comes over nudging my side and I still have no clue what he wants. He tilts his head as if it should be obvious before huffing.
“Pete, I don’t speak wolf. You could be saying ‘I’m wearing pink underwear,’ and I still couldn’t understand,” I say holding back a laugh.
Pete makes a gagging sound which I assume is laughter, either that or he’s got a hairball. Once he stops, he walks behind me and I watch as he shifts back to human.
“You’re such a funny girl Dani but I guarantee I don’t have pink underwear. I prefer going commando,” he smirks, while I do everything in my power to not glance down. Instead, I take the high ground, facing the others before responding.
“Whatever you say. Now can you tell me what the hell you were saying?”
“We were saying, the kill is yours if you want it,” he says, pressing up behind me.
‘Don’t react Dani. It’s just a penis. You’ve been around penises before. It’s natural.’
“I can’t. Hunting is one thing. I love chasing my prey but my human side is too strong to overpower the need to hunt. She isn’t strong enough to make me want to eat Bambi,” I explain with a grimace.
“Oh, shit! I’m sorry we just assumed when you said you hunted that you joined in on the kill. You know you really should have said something,” Pete says into my ear.
Damn him for making a normal conversation give me the shivers.
“Sorry, I forget we barely know each other. The way we interact, It just feels natural between us,” I tell him watching as Nate and Cam let the deer go.
“Alright we won’t hunt tonight, just chase. Are your feet okay? Do you want shoes?” he asks concerned.
“I’m fine. Besides I love feeling the dirt between my toes as we run.”
I wait a moment for him to shift and when he rubs his head under my hand, I try hard not to sigh. His fur is so silky that it makes me want to wrap myself around him and go to sleep.
***
We run for an hour chasing the herd of deer that we find in the back of the woods. The others each go off individually to hunt I assume, but I don’t really want to think about that right now.
It’s not until we’re within hearing distance do I realize they’ve led me back to the house. When we get there, I squeeze my eyes shut while they all shift.
“Look at her! She’s shy,” Pete says loudly or what feels loud enough for the whole pack to hear.
“I am not! How would you guys feel if I just started stripping whenever I please?!” It takes a moment for that comment to sink in. When I realize how that sounded, I flame and stomp my feet at their laughter.
“You know what I mean!” I shout while trying not to turn around.
Jason comes into view and thankfully he’s full clothed. “Sorry Dani, but you’re going to have to get used to it. We’re wolves. We shift and we don’t like wasting our clothing so you’re going to be seeing a lot more of it.
There’s nothing sexual about it, it’s just a necessity so we don’t ruin our clothing when we shift. Just because the packs have money and our own clothing designers doesn’t mean we’re wasteful. Besides, it gets expensive if we keep buying the materials to make new clothes. It would also draw attention to us,” he explains leading me towards the door of the house making sure I don’t see the others getting dressed.
“Okay, but it won’t happen overnight. I never saw my dad shift and I intended to keep it that way. With you guys though it’s different. My wolf wants me to look and that makes me not want to look. You know what I mean?”
“Yeah, I’m pretty sure that’s from being away from the pack for so long. Hopefully, once you settle in and get used to us, it will become second nature and won’t bother you as much. Now, we still have to talk but we all have showers after a run. Laura would kill us if we slept in the sheets covered in mud so why don’t you go do whatever it is girls do before going to bed. We’ll come to your room soon to talk,” he says softly nudging me through the door.
“Fine, but if you try to chicken out, I’ll find you. All of you.”
Chapter 15
What the hell is taking them so long? I’ve been in here an hour and have already showered, dressed, brushed my teeth, blow dried my hair, yet they still haven’t showed up.
I open the door preparing to go hunt these chicken shits down and almost walk straight into Pete.
“Whoa there, firecracker. You really got to stop throwing yourself at me. People are going to get the wrong idea.”
“Ha! Ha! Very funny. I was looking for you. Figured you guys would chicken out of coming to me so I was coming to get you,” I tell him, stepping back so he can come in.
“Nah, we wouldn’t do that to you. The others are still getting dressed though so unless you want to hunt them down for a quick peek, we’re better off waiting here,” he says throwing himself on my bed.
I pace by the door while waiting for the others. I just want this conversation over with. I’ve been pondering over what it could mean that all my mates are Alphas but all I come up with is bad theories.
Finally, they show up all relaxed while my stomach is cramping from the anxiety. I resist the urge to scream at them to tell me what it is.
“Dani, can you stop pacing? It’s nothing bad, we just didn’t want to drop a bombshell on you when you had to deal with everyone at the party,” Pete says, grabbing me by the hand, leading me back to the bed. He sits me down, taking a seat beside me, placing his hand firmly on my knee to stop me fidgeting.
“Easy for you to say. You guys know whatever the hell it is, but me, I’m in the dark. It could be any number of things and seeing as I only know the basics of the pack so far, there are infinite possibilities.”
“Alright, just promise not to overreact. Most of this is rumor so I don’t know how much is true, if any of it is,” Jason says watching me patiently.
“Okay I understand, just please tell me,” I beg him.
“So a bit of explanation about our kind is needed to explain everything. No one knows where exactly we came from but it was said we originated from our natural counterparts. There, we were left to our own devices, hunting and killing without remorse. It’s said that was when the first Alpha Queen, Malina, was chosen. She was given instructions on how to lead us, how to operate as a pack, and what must be done to find her equal counterpart, her mate. We aren’t sure by who, but she was told the trials that must be undertaken and all eligible mates must compete for their right to rule with her. Only the strongest and smartest would survive.
There’s a prophecy or vision that Malina was also aware of. It informed her about the importance of a future Alpha Pair that would save their race when it was dying.
The reason we were shocked, as well as your grandparents, was because according to what we’ve been told, the woman who would compete as Alpha Queen would have Alpha Mates competing for her. When the trials finished, she would choose, changing our fate and saving us.
This is the first time more than one Alpha has been a mate to Alpha Queen.”
Seriously? ‘Oh sure Dani don’t worry. I promise it’s not bad.’ I can’t believe them! How is this not bad? That means I have to choose the right person to save the world. Just fucking great!
“You okay?” Mitchell asks hesitantly.
I can’t open my mouth to answer. I think I’m in shock. How the hell can I save their race when I don’t know the first thing about it?
Finally finding my voice, I remember my newest mates. None of them are Alphas, I think. “Wait. What about my other four mates that were chosen today then? Does that mean they’re automatically out of the running because they’re not alphas?”
“None of them are your real mates. Stephen is from my father’s pack. He’s the son to my father’s second in command. I bet he only said he was your mate because he knew how important it was to get in with a chance. It would make them proud,” Pete says slightly disgusted.
“Trey’s in it for the same thing. His father could be forcing him or my dad has brainwashed him to kill you. Either way I won’t be letting him get too close to you,” Cam says to me, a look of determination flashing across his face.
“Okay then, what about Jake and Rick? And did anyone find it odd that they didn’t mention what pack they were from?” I ask watching as smirks are shared around.
“Well, um, don’t get mad but it was Dad’s idea. Jake and Rick are two enforcers from our pack. Dad figured others may step up so he wanted to make sure you would be safe,” Nate responds looking guilty as hell. So he should. They could’ve told me.
“And you didn’t think to say something before I was offered to the pack? Jeez way to be honest.”
To say I’m frustrated is an understatement. Why wouldn’t they just tell me rather than leave me up there in front of the pack, embarrassed being on display. It’s mean.
“Sorry Dani but we were only told before we came to get you. We got distracted by everything. We’re really sorry,” Mitchell says softly.
Damn him being so sweet and shy. How can I be mad at them now?
“Fine, but in future you tell me, okay? No keeping me in the dark, waiting for some random surprise to pop out of nowhere. I barely know anything about the packs. Which brings me to my other reason for wanting you here tonight.
Tell me everything about each pack and my grandparents. I want to be prepared for what comes next.”
“Okay
that’s fair. The first thing we should tell you is that we’re more like wolves than humans. So, make sure if you see behavior that’s pretty out there, like fighting and such, don’t interfere or object,” Jason says to me, moving to sit on my other side. Pete gets up from the bed, taking the seat Jason vacated while Cam takes his place on the bed. What is this? Musical chairs?
“Show as much respect as you can to anyone while being firm. You can’t let them walk all over you, though at the same time, if you let them get away with stuff, they’ll never respect you as Alpha,” Cam explains, rubbing his thumb over my hand.
When did we start holding hands?
“Sure, I understand both of those based on what I’ve already seen. Anything else? Is there a hierarchy to the packs? Like say Cam’s dad’s pack then Pete’s, then Jason? Or is it just same level kind of thing?”
“Yes, there is. So Nate’s is first, then mine, then Pete’s, then Jonnie and Mitchells, then Cam’s,” Jason explains leaving me confused. Surely Cam’s would be highest?
“That doesn’t make much sense to me? Shouldn’t Cam’s be higher ranking what with his father being Alpha King?” I ask them.
“Usually it would however, it’s been the same rank system the past twenty years almost. Power for each pack individually isn’t just strength. It relies on you being able to provide jobs, provide income, feed them, have hunting land, have property. Dad has all of that here. Most of the others have most of those things but are weaker in others.
Cam’s pack has strength, but not unity. Pete’s pack has jobs and land but not much strength. Jonnie and Mitchell have no way of providing hunting grounds.
Jason’s has all of the same things as mine, he’s just unable to adequately distribute it evenly,” Nate says firing off descriptions of each of their packs.
For once since being here, I’m finally feeling like I’m starting to understand the pack.
“Hey, this is probably nowhere near relevant but can you guys tell me what that cage was that Monique mentioned earlier and why isolation was such a big punishment to have Sarah so frightened?” I ask extremely curious to know. I guessed the cage was some kind of punishment device. I just want to know why.
