Wolf on the Rise

Chapter 3: Angel.

Chapter 3: Angel.

Stella's eyelids fluttered open, revealing an angel hovering over her. The beautiful stranger's eyes were a shimmering ocean blue, framed by blonde hair that fanned out like a halo. Stella's first thought was sharp, certain. I must've died.

“Is this heaven?" she whispered, her voice thin.

“Ah, no." A wry smile touched the woman's lips. “You're at my house." She chuckled.

“Thank God." Holden's sentence rushed out.

Stella strained to sit up, her muscles aching with dull fatigue. She leaned against a pillowed headboard as her eyes scanned the simple bedroom.

The angel stood near Stella, while Holden sat hunched in a chair near a window. Through the glass, the green of the forest confirmed that they were still in, or near, the small mountain town.

The door creaked open, and Abdiel stepped inside. He brushed a kiss on the angel's cheek, then crossed his arms over his chest.

“I knew Stella would make it," Abdiel grinned, a satisfied smirk playing on his face. “I told you Danielle could get her going."

“Stella isn't a car," Danielle retorted, her laugh light and musical.

“Where—" Stella began.

“We're at Abdiel's house," Holden answered, as if reading her mind. “This is Abdiel's wife, Danielle. She saved your life."

“You saved my life?" Stella's gaze flicked between the couple.

“Abdiel drove like hell to get you here, so it wasn't all me." Danielle playfully nudged a slim shoulder into her husband's chest.

“Thank you, both." Stella's brow wrinkled as she looked down at her hand. No shimmering silver web. What happened? Wolves never got sick… then again, she had no wolf. What bullshit. She wasn't ready to face that.

“Someone poisoned you." Holden's voice was a low, dangerous growl.

The words sent a ripple of unease through her. That couldn't be it. No one gained anything from her death.

“You were poisoned with a mushroom called Silver Buttons," Danielle stated, her ocean-blue eyes holding Stella's gaze. “In wolf shifters, it mostly makes them unable to change into their wolf form, but you were given too much. An overdose can cause death."

Stella's eyes darted around the room. The shock that someone might've been sabotaging her shift was second only to the realization that this conversation was happening in front of humans. A chill crept up her spine.

“You can't—"

“Let me stop you there." Danielle held up a hand. “I'm an Ancient, Stella. I have lived in these mountains before they were mountains." The woman tossed a cascade of blonde hair over her shoulder.

Stella had heard of Ancients. They were humans altered by magic before time was time. They existed no longer in the human world, but not in the wolf's domain either.

“I thought all the Ancients were killed. They were witches." Stella pushed off the sheet that covered her.

“Not all." Danielle offered a shrug, a hint of wisdom in her gaze. “I'm under the protection of the Banks Pack."

Stella's eyes shot at the two men, a wave of suspicion making her glare.

“I—" Holden began.

“I'm a wolf shapeshifter with the Banks pack," Abdiel stated.

Stella rubbed her forehead. She wasn't sure if it was the poison or just straight-up, normal confusion. She'd been certain Abdiel was human. He didn't smell like a wolf, but then again, all she could ever smell was Holden's delicious cologne that consumed her senses.

“I knew you were a wolf shifter." Holden's voice was lower now, a confession. “I knew even when I ordered pie."

“With f*****g cheese on it." Stella felt a hot spike of anger ignite in her gut. He lied to her!

For three months!

“No need to cuss, Flower," Holden murmured. “It's not polite."

Yes, there was his old man side. He often said that a woman cussing a blue streak wasn't polite.

“Well, how about this for polite?" She snagged her boots, shoving her feet into them with unnecessary force. “You're a lying sack of shit."

“Stella, for the record, you've been lying about being human for three months," Holden pointed out.

“Screw your record." She zipped up the side of the shoe with a sharp flick of her wrist. “And I did that to protect you."

Dick.

Stella wanted to cuss at him for never telling her he knew she was a wolf, but then his words hit her. Okay, well… she did pretend to be human for the last three months. She wasn't sure which of them was more of a liar.

Still, she'd blame Holden. He had big shoulders. He could carry the weight of being a giant asshole.

Irritated, she rose, but the world spun. Holden's arms caught her, his big frame moving with grace.

“Go slow," he murmured into her ear, his breath warm on her skin.

“I'm mad at you."

“Yes." He sighed. “And I'm sure it won't be the last time."

Stella tugged herself out of his embrace. Even if she liked the warmth, she'd maintain her anger. She sat back on the bed. Holden slipped next to her, perching on the mattress, a reminder that she was happier with him around, even if she was furious that he lied to her.

“I know who you are," Abdiel said after a moment, his voice losing its casual tone. “Everyone in Banks Pack knows about Stella Rose of Aten Pack. You are the virgin daughter of Alpha Robert."

“Yeah, well, I've heard of the Banks pack," Stella retorted. God, she'd just survived poison, and she was in no mood to talk about wolf politics with a human in the room and an Ancient, but still—that looked like it was about to happen. “Specifically," Stella's voice dripped with annoyance, “I know of Jefferson Noble, who is trying to buy me. You can tell your Alpha I'm not for sale."

“It simply made sense," Abdiel shrugged. “Word is out that Aten is poor."

Stella dropped her eyes to her hands, tracing the lines on her palm.

“Is that true?" Holden murmured. His question was soft, almost hesitant.

“The mansion is all we have left." Stella shrugged, the weight of the words pressing on her. “The pack is bankrupt. Many members have married into richer packs and moved on from the mountains." She wasn't embarrassed by the truth. It was more like deep sadness. They had so little, and what the pack members brought in, her aunt squandered as if it were her last day alive.

“Aten is one of the oldest packs around. No one wants to see it end. If you marry the Alpha of Banks, you will give a new and untried pack position and status. The wolves will unite under you and Jefferson." Danielle's expression was serene, as if it all made perfect sense. “Mr. Noble will give Aten money. Tale as old as time."

And it did make sense. It was simply that Stella wouldn't do it.

“I'll never marry Jefferson Noble." Stella's gaze locked with Holden's. “Because I love a human."