Mine, Forever Mine

Chapter 30: The Shadows

Alexa
I freeze at the sound of the piercing howl. "Alexa." Brayden says and I rest my hand over his. I stand and look out the window. A single wolf is near the light and I meet its glowing eyes. It's teeth are bared and soon other eyes glow. I look over my shoulder and they look at me intently. "It's my pack. They're here to bring me home." I say. "But you are home." Brayden growls and I lower my eyes. I don't reply but open the door and step out. I shift and bark a challenge. Briar steps forth, a snarl coming from her.
I challenge you for the rank of Alpha Female.
She growls and I dip my head, my blood singing.
Bring it on.
I smell Brayden behind me and I focus on Briar. She snarls and I growl loudly. Fear flashes in her eyes for a moment then hatred shines brightly.
Briar!
Kane snaps and bites her cheek.
Kane!
She snarls and bites his neck. He blinks at me and I run forward. I sink my fangs into her throat and her blood sprays onto my face. I don't let go, even though her cries make me want to keep on longer.
Alexa, let her go.
Brayden?
Yep now let her go.
She challenged me. I can't. I won't.
Alexa, please. Release her.
He says, with power backing his words. My eyes look to him and he nods. I submit to him and let go. She falls to a heap at my paws and whines, licking at my jaws. I snarl and she backs away. Kaye looks at me in fear and I stand tall.
Alexa?
Kane.
Liam wasn't lying.
About?
You've changed.
I look at my pack and growl. They lower down, all but Kane. Luke and Dec stand closer together and I glare at them.
This isn't you.
Yes it is. My power and wolf have matured.
No. You lost yourself.
I'm powerful. A true Alpha.
Yet you submit to a cougar?
My mate.
He looks at me and shakes his head. He barks and the pack disappears into the trees. He stays staring at me.
I'm not going anywhere without you.
He trots off into the trees and I look up at Brayden. I rub my face into the snow to try and remove the blood. "Alexa, what happened?" He asks and I shift back. "Let's go inside." I say quietly, taking his hand, and pulling him inside. Blaez and Diana walk in after us. Cas shuts the door behind them and we occupy our previous locations. "Explain." Brayden says. "She challenged me. I accepted. I won." I say, my voice low. "There was something else with that black wolf. Tell." He growls. "My brother Kane. He said I've changed." I say, my eyes downcast. "I was never the white wolf I am now. I was a solid black wolf with black eyes. I matured into the Alpha I am now, and with it came my change. I'm solid white with bright green eyes." I explain, my heart racing. "Well, it's late. We should all be headed to bed." Brayden says and Cas stands up. "I'm gonna run on to the pack house." He turns to me, "Your pack won't attack me, right?" I shake my head, "I showed dominance. You're all under my protection. Briar's hurt, she won't try anything." He nods and shifts. I open the door for him and he runs off. Blaez and Diana look at Brayden. "Follow me." He says and leads them down the hallway. I go up stairs to get ready for bed. I change into shorts and one of Brayden's shirts and put my hair into a ponytail. I brush my teeth to rid of the taste of blood. I crawl under the sheets and feel myself getting hotter.
I'm trying to help, but I can't control this one.
I know Echo. I don't blame you.
Soon I feel a warm body climbs in behind me and curls around me. They wrap their arm around my waist and pull me against them. They nuzzle my neck and I bite my lip. "You do know all rooms are soundproof right?" He says and I stay still. "You smell so good." He says against my neck. "Like what?" I ask. "Like warm vanilla, and a winter forest with a hint of spiciness. Strange, yet addicting." He says and I turn. I lay my head over his heart, and let the rhythm put me to sleep.

I wake up at three in the morning to my body burning. I try to get out of Brayden's grasp, to no avail. Brayden's eyes open and I squeeze mine shut. "Hey, are you okay?" He asks and I shake my head quickly. He grabs my chin and lifts my face. He presses a gentle kiss to my lips and I wrap my arms around his neck to pull him closer. He pulls me onto him then rolls us over and I pepper kisses over his face. His fingers dig into my hips and I bite his bottom lip. He growls lowly and I whimper. "I just love when you do that." He whispers. "Do what?" I whisper back. "When you whimper every time I growl." His arms moved possessively around me, eliciting a low moan from somewhere in the back of my throat. That just spurred him on. Brayden's mouth trailed down the column of my throat, leaving hot, wet kisses, and nipping playfully as he went. When the nipping started, I was done for. I maneuvered myself into a better position to give him a taste of what he was doing to me. I went to work on his neck with my mouth while running my hands down his chest, and then around and up his back. He tugged me as close as he could get me with a quick jerking movement, and then pulled at my hair to tip my head back. Brayden worked his mouth across my collar bone, first one side, then the other, and back up my neck until he was nipping at the lobe of my ear.
His hot breaths there were sending waves of heat all through me before he spoke. "Alexa, we need to cool it, or..." I nod, and he lays beside me. "Your scent is taking me on this high, and I don't think I want to come down." He murmurs and wraps an arm around me. I lay my head in the crook of his neck and he lays his head over mine. "I love you." He says. "I love you too." I whisper and fall asleep, finally happy and content but I knew it would be short-lived.