Luna’s Soul

Intruders

Once Gabriel reached the end of the dirt road that led to the western border of the pack, he shifted.

His bones cracked, his joints shifting. He felt his feet elongate as he took a leap and landed effortlessly down on the forest floor on four paws instead of two feet.

And then he was running.

It was exhilarating, and he never got tired of it. His muscles tensed and flexed as they pounded against the earth, the soft moss and leaves and mud filling the space between his toes. The morning air combing through his mohogany coat felt like kisses against his skin. His strides kicked up all kinds of glorious, earthy smells— and his wolf was enchanted by them as always, grateful to be let out of his cage.

He let out a pleased howl before mind-linking his Beta.

Inbound. About 10 miles from the border.

It took only a second for Tobias to respond.

Waiting on you, Alpha.

As he ran, he couldn’t help but let his mind wander to his beautiful new mate.

The mate bond was everything he’d ever been told it was; in fact it was more intense than he’d ever imagined before.

His wolf was nervous. He wanted to get back to his mate— he wanted to mark her. He wanted to sink his teeth into the soft spot below her ear and claim her as his— daring any wolf to harm her. He wanted to mate her— make love to her and cover her in his scent so no one dared raise a hand to her.

His wolf whined in his head, imagining Lily sitting defenseless at home with rogues lurking around the borders. The anxiety was heightened because she was human— she had no healing abilities, so strength or speed to keep her safe.

Gabriel shook his head, his jowls flapping. He had to focus on the task at hand— he had to find out why rogues were sniffing around his territory, looking for a way in on the boarder near his home. That was the first step to protecting his mate.

It didn’t take long before Gabriel started to pick up the scents of the rogues. Rogues smelled different than pack wolves— they had a wild, gamey smell.. like livestock. He could also smell decay— dead flesh.

Tobias came into view then, his sleek black wolf in a regal sitting position in the clearing. Behind him were three other foot solidiers. To his left were a pile of canine bodies— a muddy brown wolf carcass, one with grey, scraggly fur, and a reddish brown. The throats had been ripped almost completely out— and judging by the fresh blood on the muzzles of his soldiers, it was easy to guess how.

Tobias and the soldiers behind him all croached, barring their necks to him in respect as the heavy thud of his paws approached.

Alpha, Tobias greeted.

Gabriel dipped his head in their direction, telling them to be at ease as he walked around the clearing, sniffing the trails of blood and flesh around the bodies.

We caught them and dispatched them about thirty minutes before I called you. They were easy kills— young and untrained.

Gabriel lifted his muzzle from the blood he was sniffing, and looked at Tobias questioningly.

No young rogue would wander into my territory of their own accord. They would be too skittish. They would have caught scent miles before reaching the border, Gabriel told him.

That’s why I believe this was not random, Alpha. Someone sent them here for something— paid them off or made them promises. There had to be incentive.

Gabriel huffed. Rogues were dangerous, but they weren’t stupid— especially not young wolves like these. Gabriel knew they didn’t plan this alone.

Gabriel padded over to examine the wolves laying dead at the hands of his Beta. They were all legs— lanky and skinny— scruffy around the necks, and not grown into their adult coats. Young. Maybe fifteen or sixteen years old— new to their wolves.

He used his nose to nudge their necks to the sides, searching for any signs of a mate mark from what was left of their throats. Their necks were void of any mate markings. Unmated was good— no retaliation from a fated mate.

Wolves could smell their mates when they reached sixteen years old, and they phased for the first time at thirteen. After the first phase, it took about four years for them to grow into their wolves— which told him these wolves were no older than seventeen.

Gabriel turned back to Tobias.

I want to send out two recon groups. Ten men per grouping. I want to cover five miles outside of the west and east border today— check for any rogue camps. I want North and South covered tomorrow.

Tobias bowed his head. I’ll send the order.

I want double security on our borders. Every road in and out of pack land, and scouts in the forest for the next week. I don’t trust this, Tobias. I want to be apprised on locations of our scouts and recon groups every two hours. If you find another one— bring them to me. Alive.

Tobias nodded, barring his neck again in submission. The wolves behind him followed suit.

How is your guest, Alpha Gabriel?

Tobias’s question had him c*****g his head to the side. He almost scolded Tobias for asking this through the mind link, where the other soldiers nearby could hear— but he decided against it. His question was discreet enough that he was unconcerned.

However, he was concerned with Lily, and his question reminded him of the fact that his mate was home without him. His wolf whined, thinking about how long the ten mile run back home would take.

Work in progress, Tobias. But I should be returning. Clean this up— I don’t want it scaring any pack members. Tell the pack to keep their she-wolves and pups indoors and not to let them wander until I say otherwise. It’s not safe.

Tobias nodded. I’ll report in two hours, Alpha.

And with that, Gabriel gave one last look and sniff at the dead wolf carcasses before turning on his paws and running back home.

His wolf crooned at the thought of seeing Lily again soon.