Alpha's Fire

Kicking and Screaming

Elena pushed on and on until the awful sounds of the clashing wolves faded into the distance. It was like listening to strangled birds dying. She had no idea which wolves had survived and she did not plan to find out - although she hoped it wasn't the young one who was barely out of puphood. 

She dashed through the trees, over rocks, her body one with the earth as she ran with mother nature. She was a blur of blonde fur that was gone before any creature could register that she was there. The forest was quiet and serene as she ran with nothing but the stars and moon to light her way. 

Elena slowed by a stream. 

Think that will do it, she snorted, panting before lapping up water,. It kissed her throat, cold and refreshing.

It isn't far enough Elena, we have to keep going. 

Elena could feels Prue's anxiety, she did not trust this Alpha. Her panic was like a bitter taste in her throat.

Elena was a proud wolf, self-assured and assertive. A master huntress. Top of the food chain. She did not fear anything. No-one could outrun her. So she was not worried in the slightest.

We will be fine Prue. We don't even know if they are alive.

She continued to drink but could feel Prue's thoughts whirling in the back of her mind, giving her a headache. She wasn't sure who Prue dreaded more - being in the clutches of the fierce Alpha who seemed so very cold or the rogue wolves who had attempted to shoot her. 

Elena did not see it the same way. He was a leader of a pack, a protector. He had saved them both by taking that arrow, although that did not make her trust any male wolf, let alone an Alpha. 

A soft sound came from behind them, like something moved nearby. Elena's head jerked up. She could see perfectly in the dark but there was nothing. She stayed calm and collected. 

Maybe a little further, she conceded. Prue didn't relax though. Her desperation to escape and put as much distance in between them was so overpowering she couldn't concentrate on anything else. 

Elena took off on another run, enjoying the cool summer breeze on her face. Her body sung with the forest as she ran. She could feel Prue's worries begin to ease too.

They ran until they began to hear the song of the early morning birds. Sunrise fast approaching. Elena found a cave at the edge of a lake to stop and rest at. It was like a glass mirror relaxing the sleeping sky. 

Safe, we are safe, she told Prue curling up. We can sleep until sunrise and then think about what we are going to do. 

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

Elena woke and it was already bright outside. She shifted back, taking a back seat as Prue grabbed her bag and pulled on some dark fighting leathers, leaving her long blonde hair to fall around her shoulders.

Prue emerged from the cave squinting at the bright sun shining in her eyes. She surveyed the area and couldn't believe how beautiful it was. 

The small lake was so clear she could see the fishes swimming at the bottom. It was surrounded by flowers of so many different colours, pink, purple, white and yellow. The green trees over hung the pebble beach at that sloped down into the water. It was so untouched. A garden created by Mother Nature herself. 

She took a step forward and almost screamed as someone span in front of her pinning her against the rocky cave entrance, his perfectly straight teeth bared. Furious grass-green eyes held her still. Henry.

Prue didn't see the others, making her think they had split up or worse. She gulped but she refused to go quietly. She was strong and would fight until her last breath. 

"You left me and my men to die," he growled down. His jaw clenching under his short dark beard. His hard body crushed into hers harder. It was suffocating.

"I owe you nothing," she spat back, baring her teeth.

"I offered you your freedom." He looked down his nose at her, disgusted. 

"You also threatened it," she sneered.

"You will come with me or you will be sent to a pack of the Elder's choosing. I will personally make sure you never see that cottage again if you try to run again."

"I am not a slave to be commanded," she said, struggling one of her arms free. Using rage to power her forward she drove her knuckles into his kidneys as hard as she could. 

He flinched and it gave her enough movement to get her other hand free enough to drive it straight up into his nose. Blood burst from it. 

A surge of satisfaction coursed through her as she used a foot to knock him off balance and slip away from his grasp, causing him to grunt in pain. 

She went to run but he had his hand on her shoulder, dragging her back. She twisted and turned her body around him. Hitting his legs from behind, sending him down to one knee. She made to dash away again, desperately wanting to escape. Henry snatched her leg and she hit the deck, smashing her forehead into a rock. Hot pain shot through her, making her feel dazed. He was on top of her pinning her arms down before she could react quick enough. 

God he was so fast. So strong, she thought to herself. She wanted to scream in frustration.

He growled at her so loud it felt like her whole body was vibrating. She could feel the blood gushing from her head, making her feeling sick. 

"Concede." he commanded. Their noses were almost touching, his blood dripping on her face. He smelt like metal.

Prue felt so dazed. Her head was spinning. But she knew he had got her... Again.

"Why me?" she asked horsely.

He was quiet. Just looking at her, like he was searching her eyes to figure out how dangerous a captured wild animal could be. 

"Because I needed someone who trusts the Elder's as much as I do."  

"I don't trust the Elders," She was whispering now.

"Neither do I," he replied slowly, gently.

"Oh..."

Henry released her and sat back, touching his nose delicately, scowling at the blood. 

"This is just like any other contract. The Elders tell me you have not failed to collect a single bounty. This should not any different." He was firm but his grass-green eyes seemed to soften. 

Prue was holding her head to stop the bleeding but he seemed sincere so she nodded once. Henry stood and offered a hand to help her, she did not take it. She did not want his help. Standing too quickly, she began to wobble, lightheaded.

Prue held her head in both hand as her legs began to sway and then buckled. She braced for the impact of the ground... But it never came. Instead warms hands gripped her arms. Prue stood still for a moment unable to take the pressure of her hands from her head like it was the only thing keeping it from thumping harder.

Henry continued to hold her upright until she dared to open her eyes, the pain becoming manageable. He was staring, disapproving. 

"Eugh, what?" She grunted.

"I didn't mean to," referring to her head.

Prue shrugged, "I punch you in the nose first, I wouldn't blame you if you did."

A questioning look in his grass-green eyes. She went on, "Oh please, Alpha's dish out a lot harsher punishments for a lot less."

"Not where I am from." His face was straight,  but Prue doubted his words, although she didn't say so. 

Maybe he is different, Elena nudged.. 

Absolutely power, corrupts absolutely. 

As you keep telling me. 

"So how long does it take to get to your home."

"No long, I can travel a lot faster than most. It is a type of special gift my family are blessed with."

Prue was skeptical and it must have shown because an almost smile tugged on Henry's face. Well it was not a scowl, so she would call it an almost-smile.

She crossed her arms and squinted letting out an over exaggerated sigh. "Oh. Please don't tell me you're you one of those weird packs that are more like cults? If you are going do try and make me one of those a grey robes and bless the mother ever five seconds then..."

He cut her off, "It isn't like that." Henry was again all business and unimpressed by her show. 

"Right, so how does it work?" She asked.

"I catch fire."

"Excuse me?" Prue went wide eyed. 

"It is like teleporting between pack members. We are linked as one, as long as they are a part of my pack I can go to them."

"What do you call it?" Not really believing Henry, but humouring him anyway.

"Fireflying."

"Of course you do."

"So how do I," she flourished her hands at herself, "with you."

"I have to hold you," no embarrassment, no feeling, he almost looked bored.

She scoffed, "Yeah of course you do. Let me guess the secret to making it work is a kiss." No reaction. " Okay. So a sense of humour isn't your strong suit."

Prue retrieved her bag from the cave, and approached the Alpha, "Right let's get this over with, I'd like to enjoy some of the summer, before it is over."

Henry closed the space between them. Still stoic. His tall frame towering over her. Their eyes met, her's a sea blue, his a grass-green. There was silence for a moment as Prue's loose blonde hair moved around her shoulders in the breeze, contrasting against her fitted fighting leathers.

She smiled sweetly. "How would the Alpha like to hold me?" A joke to make him uncomfortable. Still no reaction though. He broke eye contact long enough to grab her legs and hoist her around his hips. This time she was the one feeling uncomfortable. She swallowed, a little more intimate than she expected.

Elena almost purred.

Prue's body pressed against his, she could feel everything though his black cotton shirt. She did everything she could not do look him in the face. His was so strong. Tension built and it made her feel clammy and hot and like she wanted to run as far as she could from this man. 

Still though, she held her position and asked, "Does it hurt?"

He c****d his head, studying her reaction. "No, it is a little warm but is over in an instant."

And then it was like they had caught fire. Their two bodies burnt like a piece of paper in a fire, starting on the edge and workings its way in, burning hot and fast and then sizzling into nothing as flame ate everything in its path, leaving nothing in its wake. Prue felt a tingle on her skin, but it did not hurt. Just felt... Warm. Nice.

Everything went black for a moment and then it was like watching paper burning in reverse as they both appeared somewhere completely different.

And what Prue saw was not what she expected.