The True Alpha {2}

Chapter 15

Skye

I stretched my tired limbs as I rose from the bed I had fallen asleep in the night before. My limbs still ached from the fight two days prior. People were being extra cautious around me after Nathan's declaration that I wasn't a real alpha. I threw the blankets away from my legs and stood up, looking around me as I did.

All of my friends were still sleeping around me. I smiled as I saw the four young werewolves, grateful that Kelly had agreed they should join our clan. My heart swelled with gratitude as I looked at each of my friends in turn. I'm so lucky to have such amazing friends. I thought happily.

Suddenly I realized that I wasn't the only one who was awake. Dark blue eyes blinked sleepily at me as River slowly sat up and stood to join me. I smiled at him shyly and he grinned back. He gestured silently with his hand to the door. I nodded and held up a finger to tell him to give me a minute. River waited patiently while I raced into the bathroom and quickly changed into jeans and a pale green t-shirt.

River was sitting on his bed wearing a navy blue sweatshirt, jeans, and sneakers. I thrust my combat boots on and headed towards the door. River stood and followed me out, silent as a shadow.

I crept silently through the shadows that lined the halls of the Bear Claw Pack's camp and led River to the main entrance. As I pushed open the doors and stepped into the forest I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, tilting my head back so that the pale light of dawn warmed my face.

River's hand closed around mine as he stood silently by my side. We started this routine yesterday morning, the fresh air helps clear my head when everything seems fogged. I was fighting panic yesterday morning when River woke up and led me outside to clear my mind. I thought happily how lucky I was to have him in my life, he's so kind to everyone.

A purr rumbled in my throat as we stood in a comfortable silence. I opened my eyes to watch as the sun rose high in the sky. The sky was a beautiful mix of reds and oranges, with a little bit of blue beginning to show as the sun's rays chased away the last of the darkness of night.

I stayed still as River stepped behind me and wrapped his arms around me. I relaxed in his embrace, being here with him feels more natural than anything else in the world. In my head Buttercup was purring contentedly. She likes River too, I know why. I don't think it's possible for anyone to dislike River.

River purred as he crouched down and shifted. I smiled and did the same, tapping his nose lightly with one paw before taking off through the trees. The only thing that clears my mind more than fresh air, is running through the trees. I purred as I heard River's pounding pawsteps just behind me. I dodged nimbly through the thick trunks as I raced towards the river that runs through Laura's territory.

I let out a yowl of delight as I reached the river and plunged in paddling my paws in the current until I was swimming strongly in the center. River skidded to a halt at the edge of the river bank gazing at me as I continued to play in the water. I purred as water streamed through my fur and whiskers. River purred and wound himself around me as I clambered out onto the bank beside him.

I pushed my muzzle into the soft, warm, fur on his shoulder and purred happily. River licked my ear lightly and then lay down on the pebbles and stretched out in the sunlight. I curled up beside him and leaned against his strong flank. Joy flooded through my veins and I purred harder as River wrapped his tail around me, pulling me closer.

We lay like that for a little while, but soon we knew that we had to return to camp before the others started worrying about where we'd gone. Nathan had been keeping a rather pointed eye on me and the rest of my friends since our return. I sighed and stood up nosing River's ear slightly. He stood up beside me and started walking towards the camp.

I darted forward to stand at his side. We walked back to camp at a steady pace and my breath caught in my throat every time our fur brushed. River glanced at me from the corner of his eye and then twined his tail with mine. I gulped but didn't pull away. It felt... right.

River purred when I didn't move away and we walked the rest of the way to camp just like that.

***

Just before leaving the edge of the trees to head back into the Bear Claw Pack's camp RIver and I stopped to shift back into our human forms.

I sighed as I looked at the entrance. "I guess we should go back in and get ready for the rest of the day."

River frowned slightly. "I wish we could just stay out here, just the two of us."

"I know." I replied softly. I shivered as a sudden gust of wind blew across us, chilling me to my bones. I was still wet from my swim in the river.

River looked at me with concern in his eyes as he pulled off his sweatshirt and wrapped it around me.

My mouth dropped open in shock. "Y-you don't have to do that!" I gasped.

River smiled slightly and shrugged. "I know. But I wanted to." He was standing there in a plain black shirt and I suddenly dropped my gaze realizing that I'd been staring. My face flushed and I stared at my feet awkwardly.

River gently cupped my cheek in his strong hand and lifted my face to meet his gaze. My face burned as his eyes wandered over it. I suddenly felt more self-conscious then I ever had before.

He frowned, his forehead creasing as if he were thinking hard about something. He relaxed as if he had known the answer all along and leaned forward slowly until our faces were mere inches apart. My breath caught in my chest. What is he doing? Buttercup seemed plenty happy to let whatever was going to happen happen, so I decided to let it. Besides, River really is amazing.

River pressed his lips to mine, slowly, hesitantly, as if he were unsure of himself. When I didn't pull away he smiled softly against my lips.

"I love you." He whispered.