Only Mine

Chapter 8: Be Happy With Another

"Alexa!" I hear voices call. "River!" Another voice calls. I stay locked eyes with the dead buck when the two Lycans come. I don't move, pain wracks my body and I feel it lower in my body. I whine, and River mimics me. We were both in pain.
Why River?
It was a mistake. I'm so sorry Alexa.
I love you. I was gonna come back to you.
Don't. I'll be fine. I know there is someone who is for you. It's never going to be me.
River... Its hurting. The baby.
No. No. No.
I can't be losing it. I can't.
His eyes water and I know I am. But there wasn't blood or anything.
I made it easier. I took the pain and everything.
Echo, why? Why is my life this way?
You have you're mate waiting. This child and River's wasn't meant to be.
Oh how I wished it was. I truly wanted to finally be a mother but then again... I haven't lived my life yet.
But River was right, there was someone I had. His name was Rhys Donati, and he was coming for me soon enough. I struggle to rise and when I do, I help River up. We walk together towards Tyler and Dallas. River is the first to shift back. "What happened to her?" Tyler growls and I sit, leaning against the tree. "I rejected her. I can't have her. And neither can you. She has someone waiting for her. Who, I don't know." River says, his breath coming in pants. I shift and stay against the tree, "It's Rhys Donati. He's the Amalfi Coast Pack's heir. I was to be mated and married to him but I ran from him. I'm his when he arrives." I say and the look Tyler and River give me says they aren't pleased. "You won't be. You're protected by the RedHills and the BloodiedPeaks. He can't take you." River says. "As of today, I'm stepping down as Alpha." He says and shifts, loping off. Tyler tries to touch me but I back up and shift. I shake my head at him and run off. I run to where I know I am stuck between the Four. BloodiedPeak to the South, RedRock to the North, CrescentValley to the east, and ShadowedLake to the west. I knew I was welcomed to the CrescentValleys and the ShadowedLakes. I shake out my fur and roll in the neutral land border. I knew it was a risk smelling like the border, as other packs will think I'm a rogue. But I was known around the packs, I wouldn't be attacked. I trot to the CrescentValley pack border, which was a steam. I jump over the stream and am immediately met by two wolves. One is a large green-eyed black wolf and the other is golden, light gray and white with dark golden amber eyes.
Who are you? The black one growls.
Alexa Sinclair.
Come right away, Ms. Sinclair. The black one snaps.
Come then. The golden one says.
I follow after them, nervously looking between the dark pines.
You're safe. The golden one says and I stand straight.
Hurry up. The black one growls and I speed up until I'm running beside him. He reels back when I glance at him.
Stay there. He commands and I freeze.
Echo what's going on?
Lex, you're changing. And it's not me.
I'm scared. I haven't had a change in months.
This one isn't me. Someone is changing you.
I feel my muscles tense and I start shaking. I feel myself growing, taller and longer. I fall down, my muzzle aching. I open my mouth and feel my teeth coming out, being replaced by sharper and longer ones. My eyes roll to the back of my skull, and I give in to the change.

I stand up and shake out my fur. I was snow white without a single mark of any other color. I look at the golden wolf. It's eyes were huge and he was stuck in place. He was my height now and it seems as I was a few inches off when we first met. I had to look up almost a whole foot to see him eye-to-eye now. The black wolf returns and I see he's still larger. A lot larger. He was almost 6' from the tip of his ears. His shoulder is where my ear tips would touch. My shoulder would generally be 3'5" but now it was a lot taller.
Come on. The black one says and disappears into the trees. I follow after him, my ears flicking whenever the pine branches would touch my ear tips. I get annoyed and bite the branch, ripping it off the tree. The moonlight hits my eyes and the black wolf backs up.
She can't be. He says lowly and I tilt my head.
Can't be what? I ask.
You are not a natural shifter. You're something else. The black wolf says.
I ignore his comment and duck my head.
Lex, he's right.
About?
You're not normal. You're not a normal shifter nor a Lycan. This has to do with Fenrir being here. I think his direct line is shifting.
I look like the wolves who attacked us the other night.
That's what it seems you've become. A direwolf.
Impossible.
Very much possible. If the wolves who attacked were direwolves, that means Fenrir is here.
What am I? His fighter or something?
I don't know. I believe so. You are exactly the size of the one that killed Ash.
Don't bring that up. Please.
Gotcha. But I'm telling you. There's something about this pack that has me on edge.
Why?
I'm not sure, Lex. But be careful.
I feel a burning ache start low in my belly and its flames slowly lick upwards. The black wolf instantly turns his head and the golden wolf rubs his head against my hip. My hindquarters bunch and I move slightly. They walk beside me, making sure their fur is in contact with mine. I rear up playfully and they both react. Before, anything I did the black wolf would ignore. I paw playfully at him and the golden one pushes against my muzzle. I see lights ahead and my eyes shine with interest. It was an expensive looking log cabin sitting alone surrounded by the pines. I playfully run around like a pup, the snow sticking to my fur. The golden wolf follows me and pounces but I easily dodge him. The black wolf barks lowly and motions with his large head for us to come back. I spring over to him and butt my head against his. He nips at my ear and I jump back.
Come on. He says, walks up to the door and shifts. The golden wolf and I follow his actions. They let me in and I shake my head.