Bark Or Bite

Chapter 8

"Maximus, you're taking this too far." I try reasoning with him. He woke up around five this morning, dragging me along with him. His pack showed up outside around midnight. He made them watch the perimeter, making sure everything was safe.

"No, actually I'm not Hannah. There's a reason for some vampire to be snooping around here. He would not risk his life if there wasn't." He has a point.

"I don't know, but at least take a break." He sighs and sits next to me on the couch. He rests his head on my shoulder.

"You're exhausted." I feel bad for him. All of this for me.

"I am not. I'll do anything for you. I'm willing to die for your safety." He sighs and closes his eyes. I stroke his hair, then minutes later, he's asleep.

I feel beyond guilty. Just looking at his face makes me disgusted with myself. His innocent, loving, kind soul is being tricked by my cunning, evil, dark one. He's working his hardest just to keep me safe. I have to tell him. Just not yet.

Maximus wakes up twenty minutes later, not even realizing he'd fallen asleep.

"How long was I out?" He sits straight up.

"Not long. Go back to sleep." I try to think.

"No. There's work to be done." He stands from the couch, kisses my forehead, and walks out of the door to join his pack.

I stand up and slowly walk to the door. "Maximus." I call out. He sprints over.

"Yes, beautiful?" He doesn't make it any easier by being so sweet.

"I know who the vampire in my room was." I watch as his face turns from soft to hard.

"What." His teeth grind.

"I know him. Before I found out I was a werewolf, or about you, or anything, I was in love." His eyes are full of fire. I take a step back, not sure of what he would do.

He storms off, chest pumped, growling. The door is about to slam, but Cameron catches it.

"What's up with him?" He is dressed in dark jeans and a blue T-shirt.

"I told him that I knew who was in my house." His mouth hangs open.

"When did you get here?" I ask.

"About ten minutes ago, but Alpha John was filling me in. Max is on his way. Now tell me how you know this guy." He crosses his arms.

"His name is Ian. I'm in love with him, or was. I don't really know anymore." I slump to the ground and put my head on my knees. Cam sits next to me.

"You didn't know he was a vampire did you?" He puts his arm around my shoulder, pulling me towards him.

"No, I didn't. Even if I knew, I didn't know I was a werewolf." I feel my face get red.

"Hannah, it's okay. You didn't know. Its gonna work itself out. You just have to let Maximus cool down. He's not mad at you, he's just territorial. He'll get over it." I look in his face. He smiles at me.

I wrap him in a hug. "Thanks Cam."

He smiles. "You're welcome."

Cam stands up and helps me up afterwards. He gives me a pat on the shoulder, then leaves to find Max. I hug my body tight.

I can see Maximus' pack leaving. I guess they'd heard the news. A couple minutes later it's just me, Cam, and Max. Mom and Dad left to go to the store. Grandpa John had returned home.

"Wanna watch a movie?" Cam asks. Him and Max were sitting on the couch.

"Sure." I sit in the middle. Cam puts his arm around me.

Ten minutes into American Sniper, I am already zoned out.

"Hannah." I hear Max calling my name.

"Huh?" My head jerks towards him.

"Snap out of it. Listen, you're too pretty and too wonderful to be sitting here feeling sorry for yourself. If the guys in your life wanna be jerks, let them. All that means is Cam and I get more time with you." He smiles at me.

"Let's go have fun." He looks at me, then to Cam.

Before I can intervene, Cam throws me over his shoulder and carries me out of the house.

"At least let me get my car keys!" I scream to his back.

"We're werewolves darling, we don't need cars." Max answers me.

A couple yards away from the house, Cam sets me on my feet.
"Try to keep up." He smirks at me before him and Max sprint towards the woods. I sprint after them.

After catching up, I take the lead.

"Stop in about one thousand." I heard him say.

I run quickly, veins pumping, pulse racing. It's great.

One thousand yards later, I stop. I look off into the distance to see a stream. It has clear, cool water flowing through rocky terrain.

I gasp. I feel two hands on my back, and then I'm being hurtled into the freezing water.

"Aaaah!" I scream. I hear Cam and Max laughing behind me. I growl at the both of them.

"Calm down Alpha." Max laughs at me.

I crawl out of the water and sit on a nearby boulder.

"This water can only be seen by wolves." Cameron tells me.

"It's got some kind of spell on it. Back in the days when humans weren't common in this area, both vampires and werewolves wanted this land. The witches stepped in, put a curse on the land. If you're a wolf, you can see the water." He sits next to me to stare at the beautiful stream.

"Why can't vampires see it?" I ask him.

"Well, at the time the leader of the Taurus Coven's daughter was in love with a wolf. Her father forbid the love. She cursed the land, creating a magical stream. She would sit out here, waiting for him. He couldn't come near her or the Coven would kill him. So he would splash the water from the other end of the stream. He was letting her know that he hadn't given up on their love." He looks in my eyes.

"That's a beautiful story."

"It really is. Love is strong."

"Speaking of love, it's late and fart face won't be too happy when he returns home and his mate is gone." Max interrupts. I hadn't realized how late it had gotten.

"Come on. Let's go." We stand up together.

******************************

As soon as we walk in the door, a loud, aggressive growl comes from the corner. Cam is thrown swiftly into the wall. Max jumps in after him. I freak out. Who would be in my house and why would they want to hurt Max and Cam?

I feel my body get hot. My mouth ripples open, a deep growl escapes my chest. My teeth sharpen in my mouth, my heart beats faster and faster. I feel a rage burst out of my chest as I want to protect Max and Cam. I feel my insides burst and my senses sharpen. My growl gets louder, as I bark fiercely.

The intruder instantly drops Max and Cam. They both stand up, alert, looking at me differently, mouths open. I breathe heavily, making out the faces in the room. Max, Cam, and Maximus. Then it hits me.

I shifted. I am officially Alpha.

Thank you for reading!
The picture is Max.

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