One True Alpha

Chapter 19

As we approached the clearing on neutral territory Preston Sprinter was already there with several of his juvenile wolves. A shorter and lean wolf with a mess of brown hair that had red tones throughout. His smile was bright as he came to greet us. I knew he could smell Terrance on me as his nose wrinkled a bit. My own wrinkled with the scent of one of Ironclaw's former omega she-wolves hit my own. His skin was caked in her scent which I appreciated. She went to a good male. A timid thing that stayed well within our borders. It did not surprise me that Preston hadn't smelled her out on our territory before the Moon Blessing Festival.

"You must be the lucky Canyon Creek male that my friend here was able to swipe up," Preston said as he put his hand out to Terrance. I elbowed him roughly before he took the Bronze Fur Heir's hand. "Do you know which male has kissed my mate," he asked gruffly as I blushed. Preston looked embarrassed for me and a bit taken aback. "I can't say that I do, your gonna have to ask around ya own pack for that bit," he said as he gave me a questioning look. "I'm sorry," I said to him.

"Where is your mate? Are you not concerned about other males," Terrance asked as I elbowed him again. "Listen, 'ere Eastern boy. I trust my Lily and my pack. Unlike the Eastern packs, we take to what is ours and only what is ours to take. They'll keep her safe, none of them would even think about stealing away my Luna," Preston said as his wolf surfaced. "The fact that you question the integrity of your pack's wolves is of more concern to me," Preston added. I could feel Terrance's fur rise as he started to lift a lip. "You asked the question, don't lift lip when you don't like the answer," I scolded, grabbing his jaw as I glared at him. I could feel my wolves bristle, if he lifted a lip at me, they would show him Ironclaw's wrath. He already insulted their respect for mates, they would not feel bad about spilling some blood. Terrance grumbled but smoothed his fur out and walked away.

"He'll be a handful. I'm glad you have that Blackwood male with you," Preston whispered close to my ear. "I'll keep my distance real good for ya, Iris. Fer yur sanity. Wouldn't like ta see ya cry because I took 'im down a few notches," Preston said as he winked at me playfully. "I appreciate that, Preston. I really do," I said sarcastically.

"Geez he really coated you didn't he," Preston said as he sniffed me again. I could feel the blood flooding into my cheeks. Preston's wolf surfaced as I looked into his eyes. He didn't like an unmarked female so close to the skin side. Especially with Preston's own neck unmarked by his mate. I could see the red-brown spreading over the green in his hazel eyes. His wolf had never looked at me like that, it surprised me. "I did tha same to my Lily before I left her. Nothin' to be embarrassed abou," he said, coughing into his hand. "But I'll probably push you in the mud at least once, cheese n' crackers he coated you."

"I just never had a male have that kind of power over my emotions. I wouldn't ever let a male do that before," I said feeling a little embarrassed at my lack of control. "Psh, we're wolves. Ya can't tell me your fur isn't happy that her skin smells like your boy there," Preston commented. "I see her eyeing me behind those emerald greens of yours. She doesn't want any unmarked male near her at all. I'm sure ya see mine as well," he said. I couldn't help but agree with him. I enjoyed smelling like Terrance and knew he had a healthy coating of my scent on him as well.

"All righ' since Ironclaw led the last group, I get to lead this group. So ev'one gather 'round," Preston called out as all the wolves gathered. I felt Terrance wrap his arm around my waist and hold me tightly. I felt my face turn red as Preston chuckled a bit before setting down our strategy for this hunt. It wasn't long before we were back in our fur and ready to hunt.

My wolf was happy to be in fur again. Her stomach rumbled at the thought of bringing down our deer. Her irritation at the males in her company was displayed as she snapped at both of them.