His Territory

Chapter 1

Aspen's POV

I breathed in the smoke coming form the bonfire. I closed my eyes, inhaling it deep. I could hear the banging of drums to my left, and a guitar being strum to my left. Through the corner of my eye I could see the shadows of people dancing, flickering in the darkness.

I opened my eyes. I could see my friends Sierra shining at the front of a group of women, wearing her feathered leather top that came to just above her navel, and a small, torn skirt. We all dressed like that, mainly tanned hides form our kills, accessorising with wooden beads, feathers, and paint we made from the berries that grew in the forest.

That was how I looked today. I had lines of dark red paint coming down from my forehead, over my left eye and down to my chin. As daughter of the alpha, I had paint in elaborate designs covering my arms, hands and lower legs. It was a sign of our ranking, and my mother was dressed similarly.

The beating of the drums increased, and I took another breath of the sweet smoke. They were waiting for me. I smiled to myself, I stoop up and danced around the group of drummer. People began to clap as I shimmed my hips through the crowds. I turned on my heel and took a breath. I focused don my heart beat, on my inner self, and felt the familiar sense of calm. I let the air out and seamlessly became my wolf self. I second later and I turned again, took a breath in and glided back to being human. I continued this for a few minutes as people cheered. It was my greatest gift. My family always taught me about the importance of being connected to the truest parts of yourself. I was now so in tune with myself that I could glide back and forth between forms in a matter of seconds. I felt as easy as breathing.

I caught Sierra's eye as she continued to dance to my side, and smirked. Someone threw a handful of plants into the fire causing it to burst up higher in violet flames. I could never tire of this. It may come from tradition, from showing our respect for our ancestors, but it would be hard to argue it didn't bring the pack closer together.

I could see my father smiling. I knew it would be time to sleep soon. I wasn't on patrol tonight so I began to plan for later tonight, whether I would sleep as a wolf or human. I tended to always opt for wolf. It was just easier - I was warm, alert, and honest, just more more. I would spend my whole life as a wolf if I could.

I curled up under the tree. I could see a larger wolf trotting over to me. It was a dark chocolate brown with bright yellow eyes. I smiled inwardly.

Running off so soon?

I shook my head.

Speak for yourself, River. You spent the evening lying around. If you didn't notice, I was entertaining the pack.

H settled down besides me.

Of course I did.

I could almost hear him smirking. River has been a friend of mine for years. For a while I even thought we might be mates. Unless he's a late bloomer, I find that unlikely now. I'm only 17, so won't know who my mate is for another year. He, however, is 18, so if it were me I think he would have said so.

Hush now, you. Time to sleep.

I rolled over and got closer to him. For warmth only - obviously.

River nuzzled into my side.

Night, Aspen.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Cole's POV

I looked back at myself in the mirror and smirked. I knew I looked good. I straightened my tie on my dark suit, and ran my fingers through my hair. It was no surprise why girls were always chasing me.

I turned on my heel and strode out the room. I walked down the glass panelled corridor of the 14th floor. I had to admit it was an impressive building we had moved into since my father became alpha. Apparently we used to live in some hovel in the mountains until my father had changed things. Now we had one of the largest scientific research centres on the ground floor, a fully functioning hospital along with 3D tissue printing for injured pack members. We even had a working finance business in stocks and shares to keep the income high. There were plenty of rumours that we got out money from working as mercenary's for government, but that was only half the story.

I walked down the hallway till I reached the elevator. I could hear the retina scanner running, and the door opened. I pressed the button with 12 on, our dining floor, noticing as I did so the button scanning my fingerprint.

I stepped out of the elevator, and could see through another set of glass doors, my father sat in a similar suit at a mahogany table. His brow was furrowed, and he was staring intently at a pile of papers in front of him.

"Father." I said, taking a seat opposite him.

My father continued to stare intently.

"Cole," he said.

He didn't look up.

I sighed and got to my feet. It didn't look like there would be much talking tonight.

"You're on patrol tonight, Cole," he said monotonously.

I sighed. I hated patrol, though as next in line for alpha I didn't have much choice.

"Yes, alpha" I replied.

He looked up from his papers for the first time that evening. "Be careful, Cole. Those Ambersky lot have been doing another one of their devil-worshipping rituals again, probably sacrificed a few children whilst they were at."

"Why do you worry?" I asked cautiously. "They're a bunch of tribal freaks and witches."

My father chuckled. "That may be so, but they're a savage lot, not right in the head. Never underestimate how little it takes for a man to kill."

I turned and left, returning to my room on the 14th floor, where my family lived. It was only me, my father and my mother. I closed the door firmly behind me and took a deep breath, leaning against the door.

I gripped the sides of the doorframe, my knuckles turning white.

Come on, you useless piece of shit.

I started to think about all the times my father had looked down on me. Every fight I'd ever had. Anything to make me angry.

I began to shake and the anger starts to take over, but it still wasn't enough. Another ten minutes passed and I continued to seethe.

Come on.

I gritted my teeth and summoned the deepest parts of anger and hatred I had within me. I felt it begin to spread through my chest and down my limbs, feeling them starting to change.

I growled in pain. I could felt each of my bones beginning to break, my muscles tearing.

My body unwillingly lurched forward, every part of me resisting. The last of my skin tore away, leaving a wolf in its place.

I growled and felt an uncontrollable howl escape through my teeth.

Finally