New Age Werewolf Series Book 2: Hunter's Daughter, Alpha's Mate

Part 25: Girl's Best Friend

Damn it, girl! Come on, they're not far! I nudged her forward, trying to get closer to the lake and as far away from that kill zone as possible. She was right, it was an ideal ambush site, and if she had full wolf senses, she would have recognized vamps and spilled blood right away. 

I barked loud and howled, startling her, but I didn't care.

We're not far, alpha! We're here. Gordon barked, not a quarter mile away.

"God, I hope those are your people!" Lani breathed, moving quickly. "Wait--I don't wanna know, I really don't!"

No, you don't, I growled. You really don't.

Finally, we reached the lake, but we needed to travel on rocks to get to safety. She was still in the woods technically. I slowed my pace, more relaxed but watchful. I didn't smell anything but the pack hiding in the woods now. We came upon a cliff and she sat. I sat with her, and waited, but couldn't help but admire the view. She even laid on me for awhile. We sat there watching ships go in and out, and I got to just revel in her scent, her soft voice when she spoke of her father and mother, her childhood with Didi, and luckily indecision on whether to run to Canada or New York. Suddenly her watch beeped, and she sighed, sitting up.

"God, I'm going to miss you so much." Her voice was sad, depressed. "I--it's been hard, you know? I miss Dad so much, more than I can ever express or say. I don't understand it, either. Why did he have to throw himself and Kincaid? And why did he say that to Kyros, of all people?" 

I whined softly in reply.

"Your choice." She swallowed hard. "What choice?" She sniffed. "I'm alone! Okay, maybe he prepared me but I'd rather he be here, I don't care how old I am!" She began to sob, and I circled her, licked her tears, let her cry into my fur. As she hugged me, I realized what her father meant: it was my choice now, whether this feud or prejudice against less than full breeds went on  because I was alpha as soon as my father went over the side. I could change the laws of our pack, which would change a lot for the northeastern territories.

But even as my trained anger began to subside, and prejudice along with it, I saw that hers was intact. She believed I didn't wish her well. She believed that I was a "frenemy." The thought of the word made me wince. I deserved it, though. My behavior had been terrible. She cried herself to sleep, leaving me alone with my thoughts. If only I'd known--

The watch she wore played music this time. "God, I slept half an hour!" She sat up startled, looking around. She wiped her face self consciously. "I am so sorry, Kyros! I wet your fur and everything!"

I licked her face, it was all I could do. I'd freak her out if I changed, not to mention be stark naked.

"I've gotta go." She was sad, but I could hear that tone of resolve. She stood up, looking at me. "One more." She was about to bend down, but I came up on my hind legs and we hugged, making her laugh and kiss my nose, scratch behind my ears, stroke my sides. I had to let her  go, besides there was business to take care of. "I'm going to miss you soooooo much. It's going to be hard to face him after being with you. You're much nicer, and almost better looking, and believe me, he's...really something." She laughed at her own joke. She kissed my nose, and left, heading for civilization and back to the boat.

I watched her until she was out of sight, lost in the lights of the streets. I was going to tail her if only for her own good. With an exhaled growl I headed back into the forest and changed to human form. My pack emerged and followed suit, tossing me a pair of gym shoes and sweats.

"Okay, what is going on?"

We all looked to see a vampire standing in the distance. He was older.  Within seconds more came out of the darkness.

"Hello, Xander." I said simply.

"We made a treaty--"

"Yes, these are your hunting grounds," I said. "But my mate has no knowledge of our treaties. I have been tracking her and just caught up to her. You know I had to keep her safe."

"Safe as a dog guarding his bone!" one of the vampires joked, others did, too.

"I saw her first!" one of the younger vamps said. "Pure blood, nice meaty legs and arms. I think she's an athlete, not one of those anorexic all lean and bone types that hardly yield a decent meal!"

My eyes lit before I could stop them. "Enough!"

"That's not nice, Vince." Xander chastised, then looked at me apologetically. "He's young, and those were just words." He gave his coven a warning look, then me again. "When are you going to bring her to heel?" he asked. "This brings Hunger Games to a whole new level with her traipsing about."

"Soon, but she is leaving this territory, so she is none of your concern." I took a deep breath. "How about I send you a nice supply from the blood bank. Winter is coming."

Alex quirked a brow. "Done." 

I turned to leave and the pack followed. I definitely had to track her, if only to keep her safe from the supernatural world she only read about.