Finding Course

4

Katherine.

After nightfall, we decided to go for a run. I had a little liquid courage coursing through my veins, and I surprised myself at how excited I was. Sophia and I stashed our clothes near our tent and quickly shifted into our wolf forms. Her fur was such a dark brown that in the night it looked black. It was actually quite similar to my own chocolate colored fur. It was easy to recognize Kristy and Charlie's neutral tones, and Jack and Ian's dark coloring. Turning the corner I immediately knew the wolf in front of me was Zane. He was large, as Alphas typically are, and his green eyes had been replaced by the trademark red of an Alpha. We stood a few feet apart, and his pupils dilated to the point where only a thin band of color remained around them.

I started to turn to join Sophia but his low growl stopped me. I looked back to him again in question, wondering if I'd done something his wolf didn't like. I was starting to get irritated with myself for feeling like I was walking on eggshells around him. I knew we were territorial by nature, especially males, but I hadn't done anything besides stare back at him. What was his deal?

I got the feeling Jack said something to him through their link because all of a sudden he trotted over to him. Sophia sent me a questioning look, but I just followed the group.

'What was that about?' she asked me.

'I have absolutely no idea.' We ran as a group, moving through the trees on trails that snaked through the forest. The feeling was relieving, and my wolf was glad to let off some steam. Being able to run freely through the woods with a pack was euphoric. The landscape alone was a completely new experience for my wolf. Charlie was the first to catch the scent of another animal, a rabbit. He, Sophia, and Ian chased after the it. Kristy found a place to rest near the others, and Jack was patrolling the area as the faithful beta. Of course that left me with Zane once again glaring at me.

'Have I done something wrong?' I asked him through our link with an irritated edge to my voice. There I went again blurting out the first thing that came to mind.

'No.' was all he said, and turned his head away. Well then, I guess that was my answer. He sat looking around the area we'd stopped to rest at, and the growls of Charlie, Sophia, and Ian could be heard close by. I didn't have anything else to say to him, so I moved on. I decided to explore the area. I passed by Kristy lounging, and walked towards the three enjoying their fresh kill. I could see the worn trails that weaved through the trees, and began to wonder just how many years they'd been coming to this same place. How many generations had ran these same trails? The moonlight gave off a blue glow, providing plenty of light. I found a comfortable spot, and sat down to take in the view. Alaska was beautiful, there was no denying that. But it was also a little scary with all the unknown. So much about my time in Bettam had been a completely new experience, a learning curve of a new way of life, and it was a lot to digest. Jack interrupted my thoughts and lay down in a playful lump at my feet.

'Aren't you supposed to be patrolling?' I asked.

'I did. I'm not allowed a break?' His playful voice challenged.

'I suppose so. Your grumpy Alpha doesn't seem to think so,' I couldn't help but say. He let out what I imagined was a laugh of some sorts and looked in the direction of the others.

'I know it might not seem like it, but he does have fun every once in a while. He's just giving you a hard time. It's in his nature.' I snorted at his explanation. 'There's always more to the story, Katherine,' his voice fell serious at the last part. It was the first time since I'd met him that the light, casual tone was absent from his voice. I tilted my head and looked at him with curious eyes. Before I had a chance to respond, Zane's voice chimed through all of our minds to head back. Jack stood and ushered me back to the group without another word. Maybe Jack had a point, maybe he didn't. I didn't know. But, I did know I wanted to have a good weekend and I wasn't going to let a moody Alpha ruin that.