Crossroads

The king can do no wrong

Song : The Kills - Future Starts Slow

I sat there, between two big oak trees, with my head held high, posture relaxed and teeth shut firmly inside my jaw. My wolf was on a higher alert due to the strangers that approached us but she understood that I was the one in charge at the moment and she trusted my judgment. We had achieved a great level of balance, it was quite uncommon for a wolf of my age or any wolf for that matter, without the training that others had to endure but it was something that came naturally to us. My father was quite proud of us, he said that my wolf was an old soul and her strength was not to be underestimated. My siblings shared his thoughts to an extent.

  The wolves came charging through the forest, standing still, five feet from me and snapping their teeth, letting me know of their intentions, warning me not to move. I stood my ground, not moving but not submitting either. Yes, I was a trespasser in their land and they oozed hostility and dominance but they were not more than me. My wolf sensed that and she refused to give an inch. Enforcers, with powerful bone structure and shiny grey and white coats but they were not my pack and even then, my genes were above their own in the hierarchy of our society. I just wanted to explain my situation and be on my way.

A more powerful presence came from behind me and my wolf stood alert, sniffing the air, trying to categorize this new player. We sensed raw power in the most primal way and I fought not to let my emotions overwhelm me. Eyeing the wolves before me who had stopped snapping at me but had their attention divided between me and the wolf behind, I turned my body to him sideways, keeping the others in the corner of my eye.

What I saw, took my breath away for a moment. In front of me, stood an excellent specimen of what a male wolf should be. His coat was brown with specks of black along his back and top of his head, legs powerful and strong to support his large stature, bushy tail that was in front of his legs as he was mimicking my posture. What was breathtaking were his eyes, deep brown with gold and green that were looking at me with a stern expression, a touch of aggression and...amusement?

 Not wanting to show that I lost my concentration but at the same time not willing to lose my ground, I dipped my head towards him, acknowledging his high status but remained still, looking at his face but not directly his eyes. It could be considered a challenge and I was certain that I would lose. I would fight but I would lose.

He huffed, clearly not pleased but at least he didn't growl or show his teeth. He studied me more carefully, sniffing the air towards me and his eyes lighted up for a second. He started circling me, as to get a better look. It made me a little nervous, the way he eyed me, assessing me like a predator does its prey but I remained calm, waiting to see what will he do. If he attacked me, I would avoid him and run. I was lean and fast, my body designed for speed and quick attacks with stamina that surpassed   most males.

He stopped in front of his pack mates, casted his eyes upon me and then took me completely by surprise when he started shifting. He made it look effortless, where there was a wolf, now stood a tall man with impressive broad shoulders, strong lean legs, dark-brown hair and eyes that fixated solely on me.

"Shift", a simple order comes from him, with a tone that depicts that he is not to be disobeyed. I keep my eyes on his face, not wanting to see the rest of his body that stands nude for all to see.

I don't want to shift in front of all these strange male wolfs and confront them naked. I know nudity is common amongst our kind but they are not my pack or family and I have spent too much of my time with humans in the last years as to have fallen out of habit. I know we can't communicate in any other way except our human forms but I'm still reluctant. I try to make him understand that by looking and tipping my head at the other wolfs with a suspicious eye and then back at him.

His lips turn a little at their corner, a ghost of a smirk and his eyes shine a little. He studies me for a minute, then turns his head and communicates with the others in their pack link. The enforcers back away, behind the trees and his attention is on me again.

"I will not ask you again, shift" his voice booms and this time I have no choice but to comply.

I plead my wolf to help me shift as quickly as possible as to not embarrass myself in front of this man. I don't want to seem weak in his eyes for some reason, my pride cannot take it.Thankfully, my wolf agrees and gives an extra boost so I return to myself in less the time it took me before. Not bad but still not good enough.

Once I turn, I sit up straight and look directly in his eyes. To his credit, he keeps his stare into mine. I take initiative and decide to speak first as to solve this matter as quickly as possible.

'I apologize for entering your territory without warning. I have been a guest of your pack for the last four years as I am studying in the college nearby. I mean no harm to any of yours." I say this with a steady voice, trying to make him see the truth in my words.

He continues to study me with a face that gives away nothing. I wait while he thinks his next words.

'What is your name?" he inquiries.

"Vivian Hamilton, from the Eastern packs".

"Which pack exactly?" he asks with a heavy tone.

"Alpha Atkinson's, The Rider's" I answer his questions without changing my tempo. He still gives me nothing to figure his mood. My wolf is strangely alert and waiting.

"So that explains why you were ready to make a run for it?" he surprises me with this. He has knowledge of my pack's strength, our speed and quick responses are known amongst the high wolves of every pack. That and the fact that he picked it up from me when I thought that my intentions were well hidden. Who is this wolf? He is not the Alpha, I met him when I first came here and no change in power has occurred during my stay. He is in his late twenties from what I can gather and the Alpha is a little older than him so he is not his son for sure. A beta? His aura is powerful, too much for a beta. I decide to answer truthfully.

"I knew that I didn't state my presence in advance and I wanted to avoid any more complications. I needed the exertion of a run and I acted on impulse. Encountering four strange male wolves in the wild, doesn't always have a good outcome for a she wolf. I was ready to act in order to protect myself with the means that I had. I will not apologize for that", I finished my speech, hardening my eyes, to show him that I will use the gifts my nature has provided me for my survival. All the male wolves I have known, have tried to assert their power over she-wolves, in their eyes they are all kings in comparison to a female because we lack in physical strength. What they fail to realize is that strength is not only found in muscles and a sharp mind and tongue is as lethal as the claws in their paws.

"I didn't expect an apology for that. I was merely stating the facts.' He continues to observe me and I suddenly recall that we are still very much naked. I subconsciously bring my hands in front of my breasts and I get the opposite result of what I was going for. I attract his attention to my body. My hair is long but not long enough and my hands drive his eyes to my chest. His eyes blaze but it's fleeting. A little growl comes from him but his composure remains the same.

A gasp escapes me when he is suddenly in front of me. He holds me with his stare as his mouth opens and I wait for his words.

"Your identity was confirmed." I suppose one of the other wolves who was overhearing our conversation,checked their records." I will let you leave but consider this as a first and last warning. Do not indulge your compulsions again without permission. Are we clear?"

'I understand" I say looking straight into his shinny eyes.

'Good .Only one more thing and you are free to go" as he says this, he leans into my neck and inhales my neck. I 'm stunned by his action, staying absolutely frozen on the spot as his own unique smell attacks my senses. My mind goes on overdrive as I realize that he is a potential mate.