Alissa peered in excitement through the window while Blake drove down the narrow path leading out of the woodland. She was desperate to catch her first glimpse of the town. Blake turned off the dirt track onto smooth tarmac road. Woodland turned to rolling fields, with cows grazing on the horizon. It looked better in the full sunlight. The lush green turned to fluorescent yellow as they passed rapeseed. She tried to take everything in. She rolled the window down a crack, letting the fresh air envelope the car; the air was no longer overpowered by pine. Her sensitive nose could now pick up animals, grass and pollen.“Remember, you need to blend in,” Blake growled, his face set stony as he glanced behind him to Alissa, his anger still clearly evident.“I know, I know, no going wolf on anyone,” she muttered nonchalantly. She was going to be fine. She was too excited to even care what Blake had to say, he was probably just trying to scare her. “It's not just that,” Michael pitched in fro
They entered back to the busy street, Alissa flinched with the increase of sound and colours. She felt Michael's hand between her shoulder blades again which allowed her to centre her nerves on his touch. “Are there any book shops?” Alissa thought to back to Luca's suggestion of her becoming the pack bookkeeper, and she wanted to know more about humans.“Yeah, this way.” Michael led her up the highstreet to a shop with black window sills and rows of books of all different sizes in the window. They entered the quiet shop, bookshelves housing books with different designed spines covering the walls. Signs hung over different areas 'romance', 'crime' and 'horror' were at the front of the shop, bookcases created walls further into the shop. “Anything in particular you're looking for?” Michael asked, Alissa ventured further into the shop, she saw the sign for 'History'.Alissa turned into the area and scanned the spines. There appeared to have been two human world wars as that topic feature
They parked back up within the barn, a few minutes walk from the clearing. The three of them grabbed a few bags each and followed the narrow dirt path. They climbed over low branches, logs and roots covered in moss. Finally they could see the large stone house as they left the tree line.The trio put their supplies away and Alissa grabbed a few bags of sweets from Michael's plastic bag before heading up the steps. She knocked before opening the big wooden door. She saw the lump under the covers stir as he sat up.Alissa produced one of the bags of sweets on the bed as she sat opposite Luca, crossing her legs. “Ah, I see you met Derek.” The edges of his lips turned upwards as he picked a stick of licorice. “What's his story, why is he so bad?” Luca chewed thoughtfully, “Nothing for you to worry about, we keep a close watch on him. How did you find being amongst so many humans?” he asked.“It wasn't too bad.” She didn't want to admit the panic she felt at first. “It's louder there, a
Alissa's huge form padded from behind the bed. Kristen's white wolf tackled her to the ground. Kristen's laughter floated into Alissa's head as their words became thoughts pushed to the other. Alissa huffed but started laughing too, she righted herself, pushing Kristen off her and managed to hold Kristen down. “Pinned you!” Kristen laughed struggling under Alissa's paws. She let go and made her way to the now yellow looking door. “Kristen! You didn't open the door!” Alissa pushed Kristen with her furry body in frustration.“Well you could have done it!” She argued back Alissa rose onto her hind paws so she could place both paws over the round door knob, trying to twist but her grip wasn't sufficient in her wolf form.Alissa huffed at Kristen “I can't do it!” “Let me try!” Kristen barged Alissa out the way as she also moved onto her hind legs to get to the doorknob but before her paws touched it. The doorknob twisted and the door creaked open. Kristen used her muzzle to pull the doo
Kristen got to the pale green front door. Felicity and Henry had recently done some work to their house. Yellow flowers now adorned the mantle around their front door creating an arch of yellow and green. The ivy stretching over the stone now had red roses climbing amongst the luscious green ivy, the colours contrasting perfectly. The nature weaving around the house accentuated with the moss all the buildings in their clearing had. Kristen pushed on the door which swung open, Kristen cackled as she quietly padded through the threshold.Alissa followed, her fur brushing against a small round table in the corner. A bouquet of purple and white flowers placed centrally on the small walnut surface. Kristen went right while Alissa went left, they could hear voices. Alissa rotated her ears to hear better. She quietly made her way through their kitchen, she could smell the bacon that they had eaten for breakfast. At the end of the kitchen she saw a plate, she sniffed up, on all four paws she
“Michael you ruined the plan!” Alissa cried in indignation. Michael laughed, “Not going to let two wolves have the upper hand.” He pounced on Alissa pinning her to the ground, the side table wobbled dangerously as Alissa knocked into it. Jack stood up as Kristen released him. The three wolves moved to the entrance hall, they looked back to see Jack taking his shirt off. The three looked in disgust. “What? These are nice clothes, I'm not ruining them!” Jack protested, Alissa huffed and looked away; she really didn't want to see Jack undressing. The three headed out of the house, a moment later Jack ran up behind them. “Can hear you now!” He nipped at Kristen's hind legs, she sped up giggling. Michael attempted to tackle Alissa again but she managed to dodge him and jumped back trying to land on him, she missed and they all laughed. They ran into the trees, branches breaking under their paws. They snapped at birds and caused a few bushes to burst with animals, birds, mice and badger
The day had arrived, Alissa woke early and headed straight downstairs. No-one was up yet, she sat in the sitting room wearing the maroon floaty blouse, black tailored trousers and black court shoes that Kristen had picked out for her. Luca was next to arrive, he looked so handsome in his dark grey suit, he sat next to Alissa, but neither of them spoke. Alissa fidgeted, her jitteriness evident.Luca placed his hand on her leg to stop it bouncing. “Alissa, today's going to go fine, stop panicking.”“I'm not,” she lied, noticing his hand hadn't moved from her leg. She removed his hand, lingering for a fraction too long before letting it go. She slipped off her shoes and crossed her legs on the sofa. “There.” She gestured to her legs making him smile.Jack and Kristen were next to arrive before Blake. Alissa sat up. “Blake, I'm sorry for what I said. Thank you for taking me into the human town.” She was sorry, but hadn't seen Blake since they had got back. Blake nodded, “Water under the
Luca finally appeared in the doorway, “The council are setting up in the dining room, they'll call when ready. Kristen could you make them some tea?” she nodded leaving the room. Alissa stood up moving towards Luca, “What happened?” she whispered.“He was arrogant, the council seemed displeased with him, but they need your story. He claimed no knowledge.” Luca leaned a little closer to her, “I was a little surprised they didn't speak to you first.” Alissa turned from him, her hands wringing again, her body quivered. Luca wrapped his arms around her in comfort. “Don't worry, you know what to say; the truth” he gave her a small squeeze before releasing her. Alissa pulled her hair over her shoulder, starting to play with it, twirling it in her fingers. A noise made her look up, the dark blonde haired man, Wade stood in front of them, “We are ready now.” Alissa looked to Luca, wanting advice, wanting permission wanting him to say she didn’t need to… anything. “You can come alone, or
Alissa nursed her baby, she cooed down to him, his perfect tiny fingers gripped at her finger while he suckled. “Aunty, where's daddy?” Peta entered the room and sat at Alissa's feet.“He's keeping you safe little one, he loves you so much, come here.” She shifted her baby so Peta could climb on her lap.He peered up to her questioning, “I want daddy.” Tears welled in his emerald eyes.Alissa curled his chin length hair around her fingers. “I know, darling, he has to do his job though, but he has to keep us safe doesn't he? Or he wouldn't be a good wolf.” A large tear fell from Peta's eye. The little one had been very clingy recently.Maybe it was the birth of her and Luca’s little bundle of jo
Alissa couldn’t help flicking her glance to Luca every now and then, it may have been a few days but she still felt he was going to disappear within a moments notice. He caught her eye and opened his arms, dragging her into his body as soon as she was in arms reach. “It’s all going to be alright,” he whispered.She sunk into him, everything felt so right, his arms, his heat, the pressure of him against her body. It was what she needed.“Be better when we’re back home too,” he reassured.Alissa nodded against him, nuzzling slightly. “I miss home,” she whispered.He rocked her gently, squeezing her against him. “Me too, I wish the investigation hadn’t taken so long but at least it’s a
Luca grasped Alissa’s hand tightly as Rufus lead them through the council building to the sitting room beside the meeting room where the Alphas were filing into. “I’ll be right with you,” Rufus directed to the Alphas before following Luca and Alissa in.“Do you have any idea what’s going on?” Luca asked.“I don’t, in truth. I wish to listen to them all regarding their concerns but… please, tell me what happened. I’ve heard Alissa’s perspective, I need yours.”Luca nodded, sitting the the cream sofa, tugging Alissa with him, not wanting to let her go. “From the beginning?” he asked to clarify.Rufus nodded, “Please.”
“I second that query, High Council.”Alissa frowned. A voice she knew so well permeating into her mind. She knew she was hearing wrong, knew that voice wasn’t real. It couldn’t be real… but it sounded so real.Gasps erupted around them, from everyone, not just the council. A ripple of surprise spread from everyone.Michael grabbed her hand and she almost had the confidence to look up but didn’t. She couldn’t look, she didn’t want to confirm or deny it was his voice. She didn’t want to know.“My land is not up for discussion, let alone on a day like this. But it is my land, High Council.”“Alpha Wuffaman,” High Council Vilkaman bre
The sun was warmer than it had been for months, the beginnings of spring poking through barren trees, dandelions budding within the dewy, luscious grass that looked inviting despite what the day was. Alphas, families, betas, and probably some others were sat, some on chairs, some on the grass, some had rolled up sleeping bags beneath them. It looked like any congregation when their packs came together but this felt very different. It felt wrong. It felt unjust.Alissa stood beside Michael on a slightly raised stage to the side, the white council house to their backs, the sun almost blinding them as it rose high above the trees. The council was assembled… All six of them were assembled (including Raoul much to her displeasure) at the front of the congregation. A congregation to mourn for her mate. Her pack, her nephew, her brother, her friends.
After getting changed, Alissa popped the wet, stained shirt on the arm of the sofa, unsure where to put it before sitting nervously. Her mind wasn’t really working properly, that was what it felt like. She felt she’d been given more information than she could process and arrange in her tired, dishevelled mind.There was a knock on the door and she was up off the sofa, taking long strides towards the door, “Yes, come in,” she called before she got to the door, wanting the door open.Michael stepped in, his hair as disheveled as his clothes. There were rings under his eyes and he looked just as bad as before he’d gone away… maybe worse. Alissa didn’t even give him time to look before she lunged at him, wrapping herself around him, clinging to his neck.&ldqu
Luca was vibrating, desperate to not let his anger out but he was finding it hard. Not knowing… Not having a clue what was going on. Angry Malachi had downed him, and he had no idea why.Alissa. Where was Alissa?“I’m going into the pack. I’m not sitting here like some prisoner,” Luca stated, a tiny rumbling growl through his words.“The pack member, Steve told us to stay here for safety,” Henry announced calmy.“He didn’t tell me.” Luca stood, he wasn’t some pup to be told to stay put. Fuck that.“I’ll be back soon,” he told the room, heading for the door.&ldq
He watched a car move away, just knowing Alissa was within. A feeling a safety moved over him… at least knowing Alissa was safe. He wasn’t safe though. A wolf body slammed him, sprawling him to the floor but he didn’t reach the floor, he kept falling… and falling.He was running through the woods, Aunty Dotty clinging to his arm as he kept moving, he was getting her to safety… he just knew that.Aunty Dotty slipped from his arm… she was safe with humans, a human ally, his vision shifted and changed, a new landscape before him, scents flooded his nose, he needed to keep going, keep moving. There was a scent he had to find. He panted, pushing himself to follow the scent. He hadn’t stopped, hadn’t slept. It was a vagrant’s scent he was hunting… although whether it wa
His hand fastened tighter over her mouth, preventing any breath to escape. She wriggled and struggled in his hold only for a panic to blind her as his other hand came up, his fingers pinching her nose.He was going to smother her.She stamped her feet down, struggled and fought with all her strength. She shook her head, desperate to get his hand dislodged enough for her to suck in a breath.She would not die today.Black crept into the edges of her vision so she struggled harder only for her head to spin from exertion with no oxygen. She stamped her foot down, landing squarely on his but it didn’t release his hold. He was infallible, regardless what she did nothing was working. She was running out of time. In a last ditch attempt, she threw her bo