Alpha's Blood (Book One)

Carter's Protection

  It stormed that night, resulting in Arrow's battle to be postponed. Carter didn't like his pack fighting in the rain and mud due to the risk of further injury. Sage, however, enjoyed the rain and she found herself moving about in the storm, heading towards the meadow she was comfortable in. She was relived Arrow was back with her but now she grew worried her brother would open his mouth about the packs way of life. He was sleeping now, and the moon was high in the sky, hidden by dark clouds that cried out. Her pelt was soaked and weighed down on her body as she sat down in the meadow but between the shouts of thunder, she heard pawsteps behind her. Not one set but many. Turning her head to see who had followed her, she felt a groan escape her lips. Astrid, her little bestie, Vestia, and Raven inched closer to her, slowly surrounding Sage.
   "What do you want Astrid?" Sage's voice didn't sound like her own, no wisdom was in it. Only exhaustion and anger.
   "Carter brags about his newest pack member being his best wolf. I told you about getting to close to my mate."
  "He's not your mate yet, leave Sage alone. He's just trying to get to know her." Raven spoke up through the winds of the storm, trying to stop Astrid.
  The golden shewolf scoffed before turning to Sage with rage in her eyes.
  "What makes you so special?" She pressed her nose to Sage's, a growl erupting from her.
   "I'm just a wolf, Astrid. And he is mainly trying to understand why I'm here and what happened to me." Sage felt the fire burning inside her, but she needed to control her inner storm. There were so many things Sage could do to this bitch, but it wouldn't be smart if she did.
   "Well, whatever the reason, I'm going to punish you. He's mine." Her words made her teeth snap as she lunged at Sage, her teeth catching the young female by the shoulder. Pain moved through her body as she tried to release the grip of the shewolf but failed as Vestia launched herself as well and hit Sage's other shoulder. She felt teeth sinking deeper and deeper into her flesh and soon she felt Astrid's teeth grinding against her shoulder bone. Rage swirled within the ginger shewolf but she dared not show this female her powers. Instead, she planned to ruin her like she had with Aurora. Swinging her head around she head butted Vestia before yanking herself free of Astrid. The pain made her want to cower but she used the pain to fuel her energy. She backed up a few feet from them, watching their moves as they stalked towards her. Astrid was a coward if she had to use another wolf to help her bring down a pup. She needed to weaken them both if she had any chance. Her eyes searched the area for any way to give off a surprise attack, but the rain made her vision blurry and hard for her to see. Behind her, Sage heard the cracking of tree roots and trees threatening to fall. This wasn't good and Sage couldn't use her flames in a drenching storm like this. The flaming colored female turned back toward Vestia and Astrid, her eyes shining with rage and fear all at once. She charged them, her paws sinking into the muddy ground and just as the two prepared to attack, Sage leaped off to the right and jumped off the side of a tree, turning her body so she landed behind them. As fast as she could, she rushed forward and took Vestia's leg in her mouth, her teeth sinking deep into her bone. Jerking her head, the sound of a crack and then a howl of pain made her release. Sage had broken Vestia's leg. The female hit the ground and looked back at Sage with hatred before looking at an angrier Astrid. They locked eyes for a moment before Astrid ran towards Sage, her teeth bared and ready to sink into the flaming female. Sage saw this coming and dodged the attack, but was too slow because of the mud. Pain erupted from Sage's side, where Astrid had got a hold of her skin. Before Sage could swivel around and try to get back at the golden female, cracking echoed around them and the dark shape of a tree shook before them. It's form grew larger and larger before they realized it was falling. Astrid yelped, and ran back towards the camp leaving Sage and Vestia behind. Coward. Sage rushed forward and even in the fear of the moment grabbed Vestia's scruff and pulled with what energy she had left, dragging the shewolf away from the danger. Within seconds of dragging her away from the falling tree, it landed right where Vestia had laid.
   "You..you saved me! Even though I attacked you, but why?" Vestia's voice trembled with sadness and confusion.
  "No one gets left behind when I'm in charge." Sage let the wolf go and started grooming the wound on her leg before starting to drag her back to the camp, where an angry Carter and Astrid stood.
   "See! She attacked me and Vestia! She's trying to end this pack!" Astrid's voice rang amongst the wolves, whispers erupted from others who were awake. Carter snapped his jaws at Astrid telling her to hush before moving closer to Sage and Vestia, who now both laid in the mud tired and injured.
   "Sage, what happened?"
   "I will admit I went to the meadow to watch the storm, its peaceful, but when I turned around Astrid, Vestia, and Raven came up to me. Astrid and Vestia attacked but Raven tried to stop them. During the battle a tree fell, and yes I broke Vestia's leg but only to save my own hide, but I dragged her away from her own death." Sage remembered now that Raven had not left with them, and her eyes wandered the area before landing on the female. It seems she left during the battle at some point.
   "Vestia, is this true?" Carters voice was cold and seething with anger.
  "Yes, Alpha." Her eyes were to the ground and her body shook with fear.
   "I will deal with Vestia and Astrid in the morning. Sage, go see the medic and have her clean your wounds." Carter moved over and placed an affectionate lick on Sage's forehead before turning towards his pack. "Sage is under my protection. If she is attacked again, those involved will be exiled."
   Sage sighed and forced her tired body to stand, her paws dragging her to the medics den, only to be stopped by Astrid.
   "Mark my words, I will kill you Sage." Her words were drowned out by the storm around them, and soon Carter's growl. Warmth filled Sage as she felt the alpha move to stand over her, his belly rubbing against Sage's back.
   "I don't care who your parents are, Princess, but you harm Sage again, I will kill you!" His words boomed around them like the thunder itself relayed his message. Astrid lowered herself to the ground, her tail tucking in a show of submission. When he was satisfied, Carter swung his head to look at Sage, his body still over hers in protection.
   "I'm sorry they did this. Let me make it up to you, and ask you to join me in my den tonight for rest and food." His eyes were pleading for her to say yes to his proposal and so Sage nodded before pulling herself out from under him. She dipped her head, and headed into the medics den to get herself patched up.

   The paste felt weird on Sage's shoulders as she walked towards the alpha's den. The scent of Carter and Gabe made her smile a bit and she made her way through the hanging vines. Inside, she noticed them sitting by a large boar, the scent of its blood fresh. So they waited for her to come back before eating, how kind. Sage walked over to Carter and sat beside him, his eyes shining with joy that she came.
   "Please, take the first bite."
   "But you're the alpha, not me." Sage have him a look of confusion.
   "And you are my beloved guest. Now eat darling." She smiled at his persistence and bent down to take a few bites of the warm meat, her tail wagging behind her as she ate. Soon, she felt Carter and Gabe eat with her, his tail moving to overlap hers and land to the ground. The feeling of his tail over hers, and now his shoulder pressing against hers, gave it all away.
   Carter liked her, and not just as a friend.