Stronger As One

New Beginnings

Howling burned in my ears. My mother was holding me close as we hid behind a large fallen tree. She had tears on the rims of her eyes and she held a hand over my mouth. I wanted to ask her what was happening.. why we were hiding. 

We had gone out for a small walk through the woods behind our home. The sun was high up but a cool breeze dulled the temperature. 

The howls grew louder and the sound of thuds vibrated the ground, I pressed myself further against my mothers side. My heart was beating so fast.. whats going on? My mother hugged me, burying her face in my hair.

"Love.. when I tell you too.. You run.. okay? Can you promise me that?" My mothers voice shook

I nodded my head quickly, my eyes started watering as the sound was now completely surrounding us. 

My mother let go of me and shifted into her beautiful white wolf. She licked my cheek before jumping over the log. The sound of snarls filled the forest and I heard the sounds of whimpering. 

RUN!! my mothers voice filled my head. I pushed myself off the ground and ran. 

I ran.. and ran.. and ran... and ran...

I awoke with a jolt. Pain erupted through my body and I let out a yell. My body was restrained down, and the lights halted my vision. I thrashed around, panic setting in.

" Get the doctor! He's awake!" I heard a voice

My eyes were adjusting but I didn't stop moving. My whole body ached, I didn't like being trapped, and I have no clue what the hell happened! 

I tried to shift but something was stopping me. 

Dustin breathe. I need to you to stop or you'll further injure yourself. my inner wolf spoke. 

I took a couple deep breathes and still my movement. I surveyed the room and saw I was in an infirmary. My arms and legs were bound down and iv's stuck from my arm. A door to my right opened and my eyes flashed to it. A man in a white coat entered trailed by the... Luna? From that pack?

"Hmm. It's good to see you're finally awake. Can you tell me your name?" The doctor spoke as he checked the different machines.

"Dustin."

" Well, then. Nice to meet you Dustin. I'm Dr Bennett, and you've obviously met Rosalyn, the Luna. " He gestured to her.

I narrowed my eyes, I never learned her name before.

"Why am I here?" I asked

The Dr looked toward Rosalyn, She glanced back before turning her attention to me. " Well.. it seems not all of the pack was aware of your visit. Some of the patrol wolves discovered you moving through our territory.. they attacked you. Thankfully though the Alpha managed to step in before anyone was... Uh, well you and the two other wolves are currently here being cared for. You seem to have done quit a number on those guards."

I blinked my eyes quickly, images of running from the pack house.. being tackled by another wolf.. blood. I looked away from the two, feeling suddenly.. guilty.

"I'm sorry." I spoke softly.

"Please don't be. We should have been more careful about warning everyone that an outside wolf was on property. How are you feeling?" The Luna sat at the edge of the bed, while the doctor started removing the different IV's. 

"Uh.. not the best. Everything is sore, but I think I can move about." I responded

"That's great to hear! How about we finally have that chat with the Alpha and you can explain your sudden departure?" 

I nodded and carefully rose from the bed after the Dr finished. The Luna told me a change of clothes were waiting for me in the bathroom. I quickly changed out of the gowns and slowly followed behind her. 

The infirmary was a small building on their property, it held a handful of rooms and had few patients. The walk back to the pack house would have taken just a minute or so but due to my state it took five. Rosalyn didn't seem to mind which I was thankful for.

" Please don't try and run again, especially now.. you're not in the right state to bolt." Rosalyn said softly as she opened the back door for me. 

I nodded and quickly walked inside. The Alpha was lounging on a couch in the family room, when he saw us he immediately stood up.

" Good to see you up and moving after the little tussle that happened." The Alpha laughed. " I'm shocked you managed to injure two of my trained patrol wolves! Please take a seat. Thank you for bringing him here my Luna." 

Rosalyn Kissed the Alpha gently and smiled toward him before heading down a hall. I slowly walked over and sat across from the Alpha.

" So finally good to have a name for your face, Dustin is it?" I nodded quickly " Good good. So would you mind telling me why you ran off?"

I rubbed my arms. " I'm not ready to tell you the reason, but know it has to do with a previous pack."

The alpha nodded his head " I see... I have a proposition for you. I do not like knowing that there are two pack less wolves in this town.. especially two young pack less wolves. It is incredibly dangerous and could cause many problems. You also displayed incredible skill in fighting which is rare for a wolf like you." 

I interjected " What do you mean, a wolf like me?" I narrowed my eyes, and grew tense.

The Alpha put his hands up in a defensive manor. " Do you not know? The natural nature of a wolf can be seen through the color of their fur. Darker the wolf the more... dominant they are. The light the wolf the more submissive.. and you being a white wolf.. Which personally I never knew existed... means you are the most submissive of them all.. but you fought. And you fought.. extremely well. Its not common."

I slouched back against the couch. This is completely new to me.. I'm a submissive wolf? Why is my fur color so special?

"Anyways.. I would like to invite you and that other wolf to join this pack. We will offer protection and I would like to have you trained."

Join a pack.. leave my father behind? I mean.. ever since.. well he's different now. He never cared after all of that so it wouldn't matter. 

"Ill join." I replied.

The Alpha jumped to his feet. " That's great! We will initiate you into the pack and have you join the bond tonight. In the mean time please rest. There's a guest room down the hall, it has a red door, you can use that until we give you a permanent place. The ritual tonight is simple, it will also help you learn your pack mates and you will meet the future Alpha of this pack.. also my son.. tonight as well. If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask. I look forward to you joining and once you have we will speak to the other she wolf in town." 

I nodded my head slowly before walking off down the hall. The red door stood out and I quickly opened it and slipped inside. It was simple with a kind bed in the center, a desk under a corner and a small closet. I flopped onto the bed and stared at the ceiling. 

Tonight I will be doing something I never imagined. I will join a pack.. I hope my mother won't be upset. Am I making the right decision? An image of her face flashed through my mind, she wore a soft smile, her hair high in a soft bun. Tears formed in my eyes, I turned over and hugged one of the soft pillows. 

Sobs wracked through my body as I held it tight.