Night and Day: The Alpha Nomad

Meeting Damon

Night -

The rain in this new territory was soothing but dampened the surrounding scents, which made sleeping out in the open dangerous. I didn’t mind the danger, since I was comforted by the rain and I knew my strength could handle most threats. The pitter patter of the raindrops hitting the damp, softened leaf-covered ground lulled me into a trance, and painful memories flooded my thoughts. It used to storm regularly back home, but after the night my parents were killed a ten year drought began. But I try not to think about those ten years with my uncle.

The clearing that I decided to hunker down in for the night was lovely. There was a small crescent-shaped pond with lush vegetation surrounding it, perfect for a makeshift bed. I dozed off under the gentle shower with soft rumbles of thunder soothing me into a deeper state of relaxation. It felt so natural that I never wanted to leave this wooded territory. I’d never felt more at home than anywhere else, even at my previous home.

When I left my home, which was several states away, I became a rogue in hopes of finding some missing piece of myself. Ever since my parents’ murder I never felt whole and felt rejected by my previous pack, despite being the Alpha and Luna’s daughter. I overheard talk of the Beta overthrowing my right to inherit my parent’s rank as Luna, so the best course of action would be to leave before I found myself buried next to my parents.

Rustling in the wilderness surrounding the glade disrupted my tranquility. Normally I selected a more secluded area to camp for the night, but I was so exhausted from traveling and the rain made me unusually drowsy. I could not sense or smell what might be approaching me, but my hair stood on edge and I prepared for a fight. When it came to my fight-or-flight sense I wasn’t afraid to hold my own and defend myself. I’ve been in my fair share of fights with members of the previous territories I’ve traveled through. Many of them were weary of rogues and would fight them off their lands.

The approaching intruders slowed down as they neared the tranquil glade. A low growl escaped my lips in a poor attempt to discourage anyone from disturbing my privacy. I am typically shifted when I settle down for the night in order to defend myself or quickly flee from an area if needed. Plus I wouldn’t want anyone to sneak up on me in the nude, since I left my pack back in another territory where I was chased off. My pitch black fur also gives me camouflage in most wooded areas at night, and since I travel so extensively, and often to the point of exhaustion, I would prefer to be fully furred if some creature, or human, discovers my camp while I slumber.

The rain eased up to a point where I caught a whiff of wet wolves. I wasn’t sure I was ready to encounter another combative pack after my last encounter. I was still recovering from the wounds the last pack inflicted on me.

“Crescent Pond is just beyond this grove of Aspens, we can get some water there,” a strong voice called out.

I shivered and blushed, despite being shifted, and thought to myself: that voice is oddly soothing, but I shouldn’t let my guard down…

He emerged from the trees as the moon materialized through the rain clouds. It almost seemed as if a moonbeam shined on him like a spot light which caused his deep red fur to look luminous and shined from the raindrops that covered his body. This handsome wolf evoked a new sensation within me which I had never experienced before. Part of me wished to run away from this feeling , but another part of me wished to approach him loftily and investigate this newcomer who invaded my camp.

He appeared alert and initially unaware of my presence despite our proximity. The dampness must still be distorting our sense of smell, and although the wind seemed calm but I must be downwind from him if he is unable to detect my presence. He looked for the source of the disturbance but gazed right past me. My chest tightened, however I did not falter. I did not approach as I appeared to be frozen in place and unable to command my limbs to move one way or the other. It was like he put some sort of spell on me.

“There is something here, I am unsure what or who it may be,” he alerted his companions.

“We need to be careful while we are out here, this is hunting season. Hunters love to hide in these woods while their scents are masked by the weather,” a female voice sounded alarmed and scared.

I nearly let an unexpected growl out. I could not explain why I wanted to growl at the females voice, perhaps it was her mere mention of hunters. Hunters were a bane of my existence and should I ever encounter one I would slaughter it without second thought.

“Don’t be such a pup, that is part of the exhilaration of running in the rain. The unexpected,” an arrogant male exclaimed as he emerged from the woods. “Besides I bet it is just another deer like the last one we startled, maybe we could bring this one home so the Omegas can prepare it for the Feast.”

The red male raised his nose to the sky as the wind shifted slightly, “it’s not a deer, or other prey. It’s a wolf…”

“The next pack isn’t anywhere close by, and I haven’t heard of any rogues in the area from the perimeter patrol. Who could have managed to break our boundaries without alerting one of our members?” The female questioned as she paced between me and the red male.

“Day, I think your senses are misleading you, I can’t smell or sense any one nearby,” the silvery male commented with an arrogant laugh.

“I think it is your senses that are off, you nearly ran full speed into that deer back there,” the female cackled, then stiffened as she caught my scent. “Damon, I smell it too. And it is very close, but where is it?”

I lowered myself closer to the ground in a bramble patch. As much as I wanted to investigate this Damon Red Wolf, I refused to be caught. As if the Moon Goddess heard my thoughts, the moonlight shifted towards me and my hiding spot. Even though my pitch black fur worked in near darkness, I knew my rain laden fur would betray my hiding place. I shimmered in the moonlight like a diamond radiating brilliant light from its faucets.

Damon looked towards the source of the shimmering grass.

“Stay here while I investigate.” He ordered the others.

I could tell he was young, probably close to my own age, nearly 20. He shifted to human form as he approached, which caused my cheeks to flare intensely. His fit physique would have been hard for any female to resist, but it was the nudity which created my flushed complexion. I had not seen a nude male form in many moons, especially one so close. I was still young when I left my pack and was unable to find my mate since leaving them.

“I can see how you hid from us so well. Your coat is as dark as the night sky,” Damon observed as he crouched down near my refuge. “You don’t have to hide, I promise not to bite hard,” he grinned jokingly. “And you don’t need to stay in your wolf form. It might be easier to talk if you shifted. I promise I’ll turn away if you are apprehensive about shifting around strangers.”

I uncharacteristically whimpered pathetically like a hurt animal, which I didn’t mean to do audibly. Goddess, I wanted to flee once I realized he could hear me I was so embarrassed. Damon sat down across from me and held his hand out like he was trying to befriend a terrified animal. I felt strangely comfortable with him but his packmates still made me nervous. In my years as a rogue I’ve turned shy and fearful. I eyed the companions hesitantly and remained tense.

In a volume I’m sure only he and I could hear Damon whispered, “I won’t push it, I understand your hesitation. I promise nothing will happen to you if you decide to come out of your shell, but maybe I will have to return without my friends before you agree to show me your beautiful face. Although I think your wolf is already beautiful, to be quite honest.” This comment made me even more coy and timid. “There is something about you that makes me want to know more about you and my wolf is telling me to stay, but I will leave if you want me to.”

I fought a silent battle internally. I wanted so badly to get to know this handsome wolf, but I didn’t want to enter a pack where I was unwanted again. Who was this female with Damon, was she his mate? If she was why is he so interested in getting to know a complete stranger? I also wanted to shrink away and run into the woods far enough where I wouldn’t be found by the other members of the pack.

I was still exhausted and didn’t think I had the energy to travel much farther. I noticed the female begin to approach and a low rumbling growl emerged from my mouth. Damon put his hand up to stop his friend from nearing us.

“I will take the hint, but will return soon. Next time I will be alone so maybe you’ll be more willing to break down that impenetrable wall you’ve built.” Damon rose which made me turn my head so not to stare of his perfectly chiseled body, but his deep red locks shining in the moonbeams made this feat difficult. “Let’s take off, I don’t think this one will be a threat to us. Besides we need to return with a bounty for the Feast.” To me he added, “Be weary of the hunters in this area, my friend is right when she said they like to come out during the rainy season. It masks their scent and makes it easier for them to sneak up on an unsuspecting wolf. We are their most prized trophies, and I would hate to find you without your beautiful head or think of you stuffed in a trophy room. You are too beautiful to die at the hands of a human.”

With that he shifted back into his wolf, and the trio loped off.