The Alpha's Queen

Chapter 23: A Place of Refuge

Devany

Shifting back into my human form, I pulled my clothes out of the backpack Beckett had packed for me and changed quickly, eager to explore the area with him. If someone had been able to explain accurately to me as a human what it was like to run through the woods as a wolf, I would never have considered any other option than attempting my first shift, regardless of age.

Once I knew what I was missing, going back to being just a human would be like going back to a half life, and regardless of what became of me during the Mate Run, coming here was worth it. For the first time, I felt like I belonged. Not just among the people, but in my own skin.

"Devany? You okay?"

Beckett's voice washed over me like a caress, and not some romantic, gentle one like a hand against a cheek. No, it was more like his tongue between my legs, sending shivers down my spine with every syllable. The effect he had on me had intensified after our night in the woods. I wondered if it would fade when we finally gave into our desire completely, or more likely, it would light a fire that couldn't be put out. The thought should scare me more than it did.

I gripped the tree, took a deep breath, and stepped into view with a shaky smile pasted on my face. He'd been leaning against another tree, the back of his head resting against the bark and his eyes closed, but the moment he heard me approach, his eyelids raised to reveal eyes still glimmering with wolf magic. And something else. Something that made me want to forget about exploring anything but this man's body.

Good god, woman. Get a hold of yourself.

"Ready. So, what is it you wanted me to see? The entire trail has been breathtaking. I can't imagine anything better."

"Oh, just wait."

He took my hand and pulled me up the hill. A giddy thrill went through me. This felt so natural. Us together like this. I could get used to feeling his hand in mine.

Alarms thundered in my head. Alarms thundered in my head as the ghost of the girl I used to be whispered a warning that men couldn't be trusted, souring my happiness. Becoming wrapped up in the idea of romance was a quick way to end up alone and pregnant. It was why I had never given myself to anyone, and though Beckett seemed different, I imagined most did at the beginning.

I pretended to stumble and pulled my hand free to catch myself. Beckett reached for me, but I pushed him off with a forced laugh, calling myself clumsy before resuming our walk with my arms folded over my chest. His body tensed as his eyes swept over me, and any hope that I had fooled him faded.

Instead of asking me what happened, he pointed toward a patch of blue sky that was visible beneath the pines. "It's just over the hill."

With less pep in my step than before, I ran up the hill, calves burning. It was steeper than it looked. What was so easy with four legs proved a challenge with only two, though I was well aware that just a few weeks ago, I would have been winded before I made it halfway.

"Holy–" I halted on the crest of the hill, hands flat on my thighs as I tried to catch my breath. Not from the run, but from the rush of pure awe that assailed me as I took in the sight before me.

"I told you."

Before us stretched a cliff that jutted out over nothing but blue sky and mist. A few scraggly trees grew along its edges, their roots struggling to find purchase in the thin rocky soil, but in the center of it all were nearly a dozen steaming pools of water, rimmed not in the same gray stone as the mountain but in iridescent crystal.

Walking to one pool, I lowered my hand into the water, and a small moan escaped me. The temperature was perfect, and the moment the water touched my skin, every ache in my body faded.

A tingling sensation spread across the top of my hand, and I snatched it out. Three minor scratches I didn't know I had were healing, turning from red to pink to white and then disappearing entirely.

"What is this place?"

Detritus crunched beneath Beckett's feet as he approached me. Making it obvious that he was leaving space between us on purpose, he answered, "We call them the Moon Pools."

"How original."

Lips twitching, he shrugged. "The moon is at the center of everything we do, and her light has blessed these springs. I'm sure we could have come up with something more fanciful, but in my experience, the truth is simple. It doesn't need decoration."

What could I say to that? I wandered between the pools, stopping to admire each one, careful not to get too close to the edge. My eyesight might have improved drastically as a wolf, but even I couldn't see through the thick clouds. One wrong move, and I would fall.

"It's kind of sad."

"What is?"

"That these are on the Blue Mountain lands. I'm sure they hoard this for themselves."

His eyes followed me as I moved, every one of his muscles bunched in readiness. "They would, if they could, but the law forbids it. Things like this that have been blessed by the goddess must be available to all the packs. The trail we followed is Council land. No pack owns it, and it's accessible from the road."

Warmth coursed through me. Not much about the Council had impressed me after learning about their sexist practices and nearly being auctioned off to the highest bidder, but this was actually reasonable. And good for everyone.

"Devany, I didn't bring you here just because it's beautiful, or just to teach you more about wolves."

"Oh." I flicked a bit of water at him. "Why did you bring me here?"

"So you would know how to find this place." His blue eyes hardened to ice chips. "If you're wounded during the mate run, or if you can't escape...someone persistent, then you can come here. You can be healed, and this is neutral territory. To harm another wolf here is punishable by death."

I shrugged, even as my mouth went dry. "That's good to know, but I'm not worried."

"You should be."

"Why? I can't be forced to mate with someone, right?"

"No, but–"

"Then it'll be fine. You're going to be right there with me. You told me you had arranged the separation from Pria, and you would be running too."

"I'll be running, and I know that the goddess will–" He swallowed whatever he'd been about to say, then shook his head. "Things get heated during the run. Those that find their mates often consummate their bond then and there."

My cheeks grew warm. "Oh. I mean, that's not the worst thing."

His brow arched, and he almost looked amused. Just for a second before slipping back into his serious mask. "It usually sets off a chain reaction, and those that don't find mates take out their frustrations with each other. Most of the time, it's all consensual, but when a pack like the Blue Mountain is hosting, sometimes they look the other way."

Rage simmered inside of me, and I wished for nothing more than to drive my fist into Jack's smug face. "It'll be fine. You'll be with me."

"That's just it. I won't be." The muscle in his jaw flexed so hard I thought it would snap. "Males and females start in opposite positions. When the run begins, I'll be on the other side of the mountain from you."