Chapter 4

She did it, what a clever thing she is he reassured his wolf. We will need to be careful when we finally approach her.

/Until then we watch/ Hydra replied, she must be kept safe, too much depends on her. The protective instinct was already so strong for a girl he had never been closer than thirty metres to. He observed Caleb dusting himself down roughly. Even from this distance he could see his shirt was covered in blood and dirt and that a dark aura surrounded him.

Even though they were of a similar size and physical build there was cruelty embedded into his future, Hydra could sense it. Not all wolves are equal Hydra noted, he is a weakling in a giant’s form.

Perhaps his wolf was too strong for his personality, it can happen where the controlling link human and wolf is broken. /Not everyone has a superior, fabulously intelligent wolf like you/ Hydra pointed out.

His face moved a fraction at his wolfs wit and nodded in agreement. /We had better be on guard at this this ball now/, Hydra grumbled, she can’t risk being alone around these savages.

A small nod in agreement and a heavy sigh escaped his lips.

The White Forest contingent were stationed a few miles away at a nearby manor, eagerly awaiting the ball. Although feared by the smaller packs such as Five Lakes, all were obedient to their overall rule. Their influence spread across the valleys and was unchallenged after years of warfare and death. Damage to reputation had occurred with the death of Luna Grace but nobody would ever dare question their authority.

He couldn’t help his thoughts flitting between wondering what she would be wearing tomorrow and if the Fates had really been correct about her potential. He had never had to consult them before, but he’d run out of options, much longer on the fringes and the foul taint of a Rogue would soon envelope him and he’d never feel whole again. His dark eyes flashed with purple, setting off a ruggedly handsome complexion full of dark notes.

Unruly black hair that rumpled across him in waves down to his ears, a strong, straight nose and jet-black eyebrows that framed his face. His build was so tall and imposing he could pass for just another tree in the forest, his thick thighs encased in black hunting trousers and leather boots. Tall and wide-shouldered with a severity about him that would force most men to cower before trying to tackle him. He looked constantly stern but that was what hardship does to a man.

Will she fear us if we meet, he contemplated, we can’t leave her vulnerable to that psychopath tomorrow even if the White Forest Beta’s are there.

Hydra balked at the idea /we’ve come this far…it’s our duty/ and with that thought he tipped his black cloak over his head, the heavy fabric wrapping around his large shoulders as he headed back through the forest in silence. The tall trees he had used to steady his grip during the fight flung back into their shape as he released them sending cones and leaves cascading to the ground like rainfall.

****

Caleb meanwhile was using every curse word he had ever heard as he pulled himself together. His mossy eyes had angry flashes of silver running through them and one his large arms had ripped through the sleeve seam of shirt in the struggle. He looked a mess and all those at training were stood around staring at him.

“Teaching them the cheap tricks are we Beta Dawes?” he growled at Helena’s father who had come over to check on him.

“Apologies for this happening Alpha Caleb, I trust you are uninjured?”

“Of course, she’s just a girl!” he snapped angrily “I was expecting a sparring session, not trickery!”

“Perhaps she was afraid and instinct took over?” Beta Dawes suggested warily, trying not to let the pride he felt for Helena’s victory seep into his facial expression. “You are a large and talented opponent for her to take on and she had already been sparring for several hours?”

“Whatever, she better watch her step,” Caleb muttered as she pushed past Beta Dawes and the others, if Jack thought he was getting near her tomorrow he had another thing coming. Helena was the only thing in his mind now. Alle, Caleb’s wolf howled in rage, how dare they be so disrespected. Caleb remembered the impact of his face upon her jaw and he realised that was the only time he had ever touched her bare skin.

Rubbing his clenched fist, her defiance and lack of respect angered him beyond all reason, Alle was a whirling ball of fury in his mind, /you can have anything you want, why would she not bow to us? We are future Alpha, we are going to make Five Lakes infamous and yet she won’t even look at us with respect!/

Caleb grunted as he strode towards the packhouse, he had a meeting about the party arrangements and needed to get cleaned up and knock back another drink. One thing he knew for certain, she wouldn’t be leaving without him taking what he wanted. White Forest Pack who cares Alle snarled, /if they get her in less than perfect condition what are they going to do? They’re just full of rumours, chances are the guy who bought her will kill her anyway so what does it matter what we do./ The possibility made Alle snicker giddily.

My father won’t like it Caleb pondered.

/Fuck the old man, his times ending/ Alle snarled, /it’s time to take what’s ours./

His wolf filled Caleb’s head with images of what could be if he grabbed a tight handful of those chocolate curls when she least expected. If he slammed his mouth against hers, she wouldn’t resist then, she’d give in, of course she would, and she would end up begging him in that sweet voice of hers, whether to stop or carry on he didn’t really care, he just wanted to win.

/Why waste such a chance/ Alle whispered cunningly. /The other girls in town aren’t a challenge for us anymore. Those legs can’t run if they’re in the air… /

Caleb growled, wiped more blood from his face and barged past his concerned looking Beta’s as he made his way up through the oak-roomed packhouse to his suite and took a shower. His nose would heal but what he planned to do that tease would last a lifetime as hot water washed the dirt from his muscular body, eyes still flashing angrily with silver shards as Alle continued playing out scenarios in his mind.

Jack laughed when he saw Caleb’s nose as he strode into the Packhouse dining room. The large wooden table was covered in large rolls of paper mood boards their mother had organised for the ball. Jack held out a whisky and whistled as he sized up Caleb’s nose. “Another hour and that will be gone but you got hit good there!” and clapped Caleb on the back with affection.

“Helena," Caleb replied flatly, knocking back his drink and smarting as the rim touched his sore nose. Shifter healing would remove the injury but his dented pride was proving tougher as Alle’s taunts lingered. “You want to catch a look at my ribs before they heal too. I'm black and blue right now, think she broke a couple to be honest," lifting up his t-shirt for Jack to examine.

“Jesus…what a bitch," eyes widening as he took in the watercolour splashes of colour across his ribcage.

“You still game for tomorrow night – give her some payback?”

“Hell yeah bro,” Jack replied with a dirty laugh. He pointed to the ball’s floorplan. “See these tables, they’re going to back out closest to the woods, soon as she’s over there I’m on it. Dancing, boozing, nobody will notice a thing. Tree cover will take care of any noise.”

“Appreciate it…damn I can’t believe she got me.”