Raised Among Alphas

75 - Last Night

Alora POV 

Silas and Thana played the whole walk back to the main diner. They were chasing each other's tails and pushing their snouts into each other's ribs. They missed each other, that much was obvious. 

My wolf and Kasthor's have always had a strong connection. Maybe because we grew up together. Maybe because he was our mentor in a lot of ways. Whatever it was, they evidently enjoyed their time together.

As we reached the main entrance, my wolf picked one of the spare robes that were hung by the door and walked behind a screen wall set up by the corner that provided some privacy to those who wanted it to shift back without exposing their naked bodies. 

I realized most of my pack members had seen me shift more times than I could count. And I had never used the privacy screens before, but tonight with a full house, it felt only proper to do so. 

Of course, Kasthor didn't care and he shifted back at the main door, sliding into his chosen robe, grinning as his eyes landed on his mate. 

"Hello, gorgeous" I heard him say to Valerie as I was putting on the cotton robe I grabbed. 

Then I felt my mate close. Ithax came to the back of the screen where I was getting dressed to hug me tight. One of his hands tangled in my hair while the other rested in my lower back pulling me closer to him. 

His lips kidnapped mine and through our link, I could sense his wolf missed me, even if we were only apart for less than an hour. His wolf was also trying to get rid of Kasthor's scent on me. Of course, he didn't say it, but from the way he kept touching me, his own scent was claiming me. 

"There are people around" I mind-linked him, reminding him of our audience as our kiss began to intensify and I felt his blood rushing to places meant to be private. 

"Tonight I won't let you sleep," He said back, his wolf purring. 

"You better keep that promise." I challenged him escaping from his grip and finding my way back to the main table. 

Ithax quickly caught up to me and hugged my waist walking by my side. 

"Now that we are all here, I'd like to propose a toast... for the future." Jathred stood from his chair, lifting his glass. He released his Alpha aura catching the attention of all the wolves in the building. 

"For my Terror, may your days in the Forest shape you into the wonderful Luna I know you'll be. For you and your mate, I wish you wisdom and strength. And even though it isn't mine to give, you both have my blessing." Jathred saluted both me and my mate with a nod of his head, before continuing. 

"For my brother, Kasthor, may you lead with your heart. Always remember who you are and what matters the most. For you and your mate, I wish you happiness and peace. I will miss you every day, but being an Alpha is what you were born to be." This time, Jathred turned to Kasthor, who kept a stoic guard beside his mate, Valerie. 

"And for our allies, I wish you well on your journeys back. May you have a safe travel. Thank you all for responding to my call and know that whenever you need help, the Grassland Pack is in your debt. Cheers!" He finished his toast addressing the room for which everyone responded by howling, clapping, or bowing their heads in respect. 

We all toasted with him bringing our drinks up, the clinking of glasses mixed with the joy of the attendees.

This moment... this... I'll miss. The power of unity. 

———————

"Is our last night here. Do you want to go for a run?" Ithax, asked me in a whisper as Sophie and I finally managed to put baby Theus in his crib without him waking up again. 

He is a tough puppy, the second our arms leave him he wakes up determined to stay close to us. We put him down and picked him up at least six times before he finally gave up. 

I realized that Theus would be our only pup. He is the closest I'll ever be to experiencing maternity, and I really can't stay away from him. Every moment is more precious than the last. With each passing day, he outgrows his little clothes, a reminder of how fast time flies. So keeping him asleep in our arms is never an issue. It is more of a welcomed opportunity, but tonight we needed to have everything ready and sorted out for our departure tomorrow. 

Sophie wants to do a final run to our Elders cabin to exchange some books and history scripts, and Ithax and I have to ensure everything is properly arranged for our leave. 

Since Dolus and Thana haven't had any real chances to be together, a night run through the Desert seems like a great idea. Most of our pack members are ready and all of our things are packed. I guess we could escape for a little while.

"I know a place I've been wanting to show you," I told him finding his hand, intertwining my fingers with his. 

"I'll follow you," He told me smiling from ear to ear. 

I bet his wolf was overjoyed to finally go on a private run with his mate. I know so because that's exactly how my wolf was feeling. Thana had our blood racing with her excitement. 

The second we walked out the front door of the pack house we shifted to our wolves. Dolus being the magnificent beast that I had already seen a couple of times before, seemed somewhat different now. He was relaxed, not in a combat stance, but completely free of heavy burdens. He was... happy. 

Before going on our run, our wolves took a moment to sniff and lick each other. Dolus doing most of the licking and Thana fully embracing the feeling. She felt a peculiar power that came from being groomed by her mate. 

Once their little ritual was over, Thana took off into the Desert, Dolus flanking her close by. Every now and then she would push him or cut him off playfully, earning a couple of grouchy growls from the big Alpha. 

It didn't take us too long to get to where we wanted. Twenty minutes into our slow run we reached the entrance of the limestone caves I once told Ithax about. 

I hadn't been in this place in a really long time, but I knew the path like the back of my hand. 

The limestone caves have several entrances but only one leads to the heart of the cave, the rest are dead ends. And, if you don't know the way you can get lost easily in the limestone maze. 

The first time I was here my father showed me the way in. I felt a tug in my heart just from his memory. It has been so long since I stopped for a full minute to think of him. The greatest man who ever lived. I miss him. The way he used to braid my hair. How he took me in his wolf's back on long runs through the Desert. 

"You have to know your land to know who you are my Sassy Terror."  That's what he always used to say to me when we traveled around our territory. 

Dolus lifted Thana's face with his snout, sensing her melancholy. I shook off the memories and motioned him to follow me through the mineralized caves.

Everything was dark, the air smelled like salt and copper. I made sure Ithax was following us close so he wouldn't take a wrong turn. Sometimes the caves were wide enough to fit both of our wolves walking side by side, but at other turns the walls closed in only allowing one wolf at a time. 

I could feel my mate's rising distress. Something about the darkness, or the not knowing the place had him on edge. 

"Don't worry. I know the way." I told him to reassure him there was nothing to be worried about. 

"Something feels off." He said. I'm sure he's just feeling anxious or claustrophobic.

"We are almost there." 

Once we reach the heart of the cave the space opens up, there's even an underground natural spring we can swim in. That would relax him. I know we were almost there. I could tell by the faint luminescence at a distance, glowing stronger as we got closer.