Luca sat in the driver's seat as he concentrated on the road ahead. They had been driving for well over an hour. “You haven't told me where we're going.” Alissa shifted uncomfortably, readjusting the seat belt. “I know,” he said smugly, a small knowing look crossed his face. Alissa huffed in frustration, she was excited as a town zipped past them. She could smell the scene of the hundreds of people waft through the car vents.“Do humans ever shower?” Alissa asked as she wrinkled her nose. Luca let out a bark of laughter, “Unfortunately we can smell them, they don't have that sense of smell. You are used to wolf stink if you spent time with humans you'd soon get used to it,” he replied.“Are you used to it?” Alissa turned to look at him.“Pretty much, some of the packs I visited lived in much closer proximity to humans.”“Isn't that dangerous? Don't the humans wonder why wolves are roaming all the time?” Alissa asked.“Aren't you full of questions today?” Luca chuckled. “Some other p
Luca took a sip and let out a pleasant sigh, “Did you speak to Richard?” he asked.“Yes, he seemed unsure about teaching me, but he said if I prove myself he will,” she responded. “I don't really know how to prove myself apart from memorising all the information I can on the packs,” she said this more to herself than to Luca. “I'll speak to him. I've been so busy I should have spoken to him first before I sent you,” he said apologetically. Alissa shook her head, “Don't worry about it. It's just what Richard's like. He wants someone that will do it properly,” Alissa reasoned. Luca pursed his lips for a moment before his eyes softened. “You've changed,” he said gently. Alissa looked up at him, worry twisted her stomach. “Oh, it's not a bad thing,” he added quickly, “I like it.” He turned in his chair, his knees knocked into hers. “I worried what happened to you would make you timid, scared of everything.” Luca enclosed her hand into his and pulled her closer to him. “But you're the o
The three climbed back onto the boat, their limbs aching. Luca and Alissa sat at the back of the boat, their feet still in the water. Malachi passed them towels which they wrapped around their shoulders, Alissa hid under the towel as she took the wet t-shirt off wrapping the towel around her securely. Luca rested back, his arms stretched behind him supporting his weight. He sighed, gently kicking his feet around the water. Beads of moisture ran from his hair before he wiped them with the cream towel.She rested back in a similar manner to Luca, the sun peaking through a cloud drying her skin. It wasn’t a particularly warm day but the little bit of sunshine was welcome of the chill of the sea wind. “That was fun,” she mumbled partly to herself. “It was. It’s nice to get away sometimes.” She hummed a note of agreement. “Hungry?” Malachi asked from behind them as he bit into a sandwich, they both nodded accepting the parchment wrapped sandwiches. “Thanks,” Alissa said as she bit into
The sun had just dipped below the trees as the pair walked across the grass. Alissa was starving; she wished she'd taken up Luca's offer of stopping somewhere to eat on the way home. But she couldn't shake the uneasy feeling Malachi had given her. Questions raced through her head, was she in danger? Who from? The note burned in her pocket, she was desperate to be alone to read it. Luca grabbed her arm before they reached the house. “Alissa.” She turned around to find him looking uncomfortable. “Did I do something wrong?” he asked apprehensively. Alissa slipped her hand into his, “Luca-” A hand grabbed her arm and started dragging her away. “Alissa I have to speak to you” Michael was marching off gripping Alissa tightly. “Michael! I'm in the middle-!” she cried. “I'll speak to you later then,” Luca muttered over sadly before turning around.Alissa struggled against Michael's strong grip. “What are you doing? Michael! Get off!” she yelled at him, wriggling with all her might. “I'
Alissa rubbed sleep from her eyes as she watched the moon from her window, the soft glow basking her room in light and shadow, she had managed two hours of sleep. She sighed, resigning herself to the fact she wouldn't get any more. Alissa pulled her soft curls into a ponytail, before pulling a small multicoloured rucksack from her closet. She dug through the shoes when her hands rested on a pair of black walking boots. She dressed and pulled the boots on over her jeans, tugging at the red laces to tighten them around her feet. Her feet were silent over the soft green grass before she entered the trees, starting on a small trail that had been worn through centuries of feet walking through the trees. She followed the path for an hour before veering into the weeds and trees. The sun had just began to rise which she was thankful for. Alissa knew she would never find her destination while it was still dark. She took a sip of water as she leant against the trunk of a tree to allow the sun
Grass flew between them in a flurry as they called childish insults, laughter and squeals of delight echoing through the clearing. Alissa landed a clump of grass square in his face, she threw her arms in the air, “Goal!” she squealed laughing as he shook his head. Grass fell from his face and hair, he looked up at her. A mean grimace crossing his lips. “Uh oh.” She tried to get up still laughing but he grabbed her leg hanging on as she shook it trying to shake his grasp, both laughing. Alissa fell back onto the moss, Luca scrambled to pin her down. “Got you!” He flopped on top of her taking the breath from her lungs. “Can't. Your. Crushing.” He laughed as Alissa managed to push him off rolling onto his back.They both laid there breathless, laughter escaping every few breaths. “Luca,” Alissa panted, “You didn't do anything wrong yesterday. I had a lot on my mind.” She turned her head to look at him. His features brightened “I really enjoyed yesterday, it was really sweet of you to or
Alissa started running towards the house, concern and panic made her run faster. She reached Michael's room turning the brass doorknob. Entering, she found his bed lay unmade under the window. Oak shelves lay empty on the walls. She checked his closet and Jack was right, only a few items of clothing remained. Hangers lay empty, some had fallen to the floor. His draws lay open and empty. Alissa picked up a T-shirt from his clothes hamper, she gave it a quick whiff, her nose crinkling; it was filthy. Alissa left his room, t-shirt in hand. Jack and Luca had just climbed the stairs. “He's gone, we need to track him.” She looked to Luca, hoping he would make the order. What she wanted didn’t mean it would… “Please.” She handed Luca the t-shirt.“Blake and Henry, they're our best trackers,” Luca announced. “I’ll get them,” Jack said before running back down the stairs, his voice calling Blake's name becoming fainter as he made his way through the house. Blake's bedroom door opened “Some
She glared at Luca, how could he be so reckless? Luca pulled a bundle of leather straps from the side of the boot. He showed them to Alissa, “This is a lead and collar, humans use them for their dogs. You are going to be 'walking your dog'.” He handed them over before laying the back seats down in the car and jumping into the boot. Alissa looked at the two straps of leather, one the shorter of the two, had a buckle to attach it to itself. The longer strap had a hook. Luca shut the boot of the car behind him before he stripped off his clothes. Alissa peered in just as he finished his transformation. She opened the boot for him, “I don't like this,” she said as he jumped down. “Tough,” his voice came through to her head “Put the collar and the lead on me, then we can get going,” he said peering his amber eyes up to her. She complied and held the other end of the lead. “Have you got his scent?” Alissa mumbled. “Oh! In the car, there's another t-shirt.” Alissa reached in and put the c
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