Half-Blooded | The Dark Child Prophecy Series [✔️]

Chapter 53: Running

I fidgeted, not ready to go out into the wilderness to be surrounded by strange wolves. I wrought my hands together, popping my knuckles and fingers one by one. My mother would have scolded me for the bad habit. I unlaced my fingers and then smoothed the fabric of my dress along my sides. I glanced at the full-length mirror off to my left again, checking my appearance. My bare feet felt cold on the wooden floor, and I reminded myself the grass wouldn't be much warmer as the last of the spring chill held firm. I looked back out the window, watching the wolves assemble. My eyes unfocused for a moment, catching my own reflection in the glass. I pressed one hand against the window pane, letting its coolness creep up my arm and through my body in one quick shiver.

You can do this, Seren. Just answer his call, change, and run, I tried to tell myself. But even my mind didn't find it overly motivating.

"You remember the ceremony?" Thomas asked from behind me. I quickly dropped my hand back to my side and looked at him over my shoulder. I looked back at the gathering Pack members and nodded.

"Yes. Jason chooses the direction for the run and the hunt, and then he will give his summoning howl. He mentally calls the one he chooses to approach him. I walk out, bow, and then change at his command to show my submission to his dominance, but that I'm also his mate who meets his influence with my own," I answered, my voice soft.

"Good. Remember, you can't drop back behind beta ranks. Stay ahead of Alpha Kipling and his she-alpha. Maria will be just behind them. Technically, they will all be looking to Jason to set the pace, but he will be attuned to your needs. You aren't required to be a part of the actual hunt, but you will be expected to greet Jason when he returns from it."

I nodded slowly. "Are you going to be there?"

"Yes. I will be behind Maria with my eyes on She-Alpha Hunt. Jason has ordered that Canaan and Peter trail Alpha Page. And Daniel has been made aware of Alpha Bellamy's comments from last night. If you feel threatened, you signal us."

My chin bobbed up and down again slowly. I watched as Jason walked out onto the stone patio and the gathered pack members began to make noises of excitement, finally joined by their alpha. He was only wearing pants, his body contoured by the bright moonlight from the clear sky.

I watched as Jason went a few more steps away from the pack and turned his back to the crowd. He began to circle slowly, smelling the wind. I held my breath, waiting for him to settle on a path within the thick trees surrounding the whole back of the property. I swallowed, fighting the urge to gulp.

His head tipped back and he howled. The assembled pack all joined in. As soon as I inhaled, I felt Jason's pull across our bond. I felt my name being called across the connection and it pulled at my very soul. With another deep inhale, I pushed the glass French doors open and stepped out onto the stone. Cool wind brushed against me, threatening to make me shiver again. I walked forward with my head held high as the wolves began to turn and look at me, some becoming silent in their surprise. They cleared the way and I felt like I was parting my own Biblical Red Sea. Jason's song continued, still joined by others. He let his last note end when I pushed past the Bellamy couple and Silvia Hunt's council to come before him. My eyes met his and he smiled his real smile.

I bent my knees slowly, dipping in an elegant curtsy without breaking eye contact. When I rose back up to my full height, I exhaled slowly as I pulled my dress off my right shoulder and then my left. The white gown slowly dropped down my body until I was left bare with it pooled around my feet. I inhaled another draft of cool breeze as the wolf within my body rebelled in my chest, and I closed my eyes before I could let the pain of changing blind me.

I shivered and melted down onto all fours seamlessly, my paws touching the grass. I heard the soft gasps and whispers from behind me. I looked up at Jason with a flip of my tail. He was smiling still.