The Direwolf Amongst the Werewolves

Ch 4

As I gazed upwards, I noticed a tall, bronzed, muscular figure making its way toward me with deliberate steps. SolSkin purred, 'Well, hello, hello, hello,' in a low, almost hypnotic tone. 'He went from resembling a stork to transforming into a truly impressive specimen,' she remarked. In my mind's eye, I could vividly picture SolSkin licking her lips with anticipation as the striking figure, resembling a powerful wolf, drew closer to us.

"Sup, Phis. How are you?" I say to him smiling my cheeky grin. When he chuckled his whole frame vibrated. "I'm good. Glad you still feel comfortable calling me that nickname from when we were kids." He smiles at me. It's intoxicating. Julie looks from me up to him and back down to me looking flabbergasted. "H...How do you know Alpha Memphis?" I look at her trying to come up with a reason why I don't feel the need to use his title. Should I reveal that as pups I had made him and his bothers submit to my wolf? That I was the boss. As if he could read my thoughts, "Oh, well Freya here used to wrestle my brothers and me as kids when her folks would visit my pack." Julie turned her whole body to glare at me like I was a complete monster all wide-eyed and mouth agape. "You, she, Freya. This gentle Freya. She wrestled you.?" *snort* 'bwahaha, oh bless that little pup. If she only knew. You're as gentle as a bull in a china shop. Hahaha,' SolSkin was rolling about laughing like a hyena again.

Memphis looks at me, I can feel the heat of my blush hitting my ears. Instead of walking away, he plops right next to us looking devilish. "Oh yes. Freya here used to beat us poor boys up all the time." I rolled my eyes hard. "Julie, don't believe him. He's a prankster and probably deserved those beatings. Besides, I can't remember beating you up thus it didn't happen." I state matter-of-factly. Looking at Memphis sprawled out sunbathing like a turtle, I leaned towards his ear smiling to myself, 'oh ima get you back now.' I made sure to lean in close so my warm breath would hit his ear "Nah, I didn't beat you up. I just made you submit and you liked it." I hissed into his ear.

That man shot up so fast and so red looking at me like I had just stolen his cookie. With a deep chuckle from him, I knew it wasn't him anymore but his wolf Malachi. His usual warm honey-colored eyes transformed into bright golden pools as he gazed at me. In a low, rumbling voice, Malachi purred, "Oh, my dearest Freya. If you were to tackle me right here, I would happily submit to you." His words were filled with passion as he allowed his Alpha aura to emanate, drawing curious glances from those around us.

All eyes were watching us closely. Coach, spotting us called us over to the team huddle. Julie hopped up and headed to the coach. Memphis extended his arm, offering me his hand. With a gentle tug, he pulled me to my feet, drawing me into his embrace. Despite his comforting presence, I could still sense Malachi's lingering energy. Leaning his towering 6'5" frame down to meet my 5'7" stature, he whispered softly into my ear, "I will always have your back, Alpha Freya," before placing a tender kiss on my cheek. With a swift bound, he rejoined his team, leaving me standing there, filled with a mix of emotions.

Coach gave me a side-eye. "Thank you for joining us, Freya." I blushed deeply and looked down. Why did I feel guilty? I didn't do anything wrong. Memphis started it and of course, couldn't finish it, that wasn't nor isn't my fault or problem. 'I'll get you back. You just wait Memphis.' I noted to myself. "Righty, sorry kiddos." Coach started saying, making us all focus on him and quieting down. "Plans have been changed. The track races were canceled and it is just the cross-country race today." There were several whines among the team members. "uhem. Also, unfortunately, anyone who isn't a junior or higher cannot participate in the cross-country course today. This means; Freya, Dylan, and Jocelyn will be our only runners qualified to race today." I look towards the coach trying to read his face, but it's hopeless. That man has the face of a stone troll. NO emotion at all.

I noticed Memphis kept looking over to me and my group. I saw him counting all the younger kids we had with us today. 'What's he up to?' I wondered. "Hey, Coach!" Coach Daniels looked at me questionably. "Yes?" "I'ma hit the latrine real quick. That cool?" He nodded his approval. I turned and headed to the locker rooms, passing Memphis along the way. I dragged my nail lightly across his back feeling him shudder when I did it. "Follow." I breathed out to him.

As soon as I passed his massive body I could feel him behind me like a shadow. I felt his brothers wolves Maximus (Matthew) and Major (Maverick) follow their brother and Alpha, who followed me like a bee to honey. Of course, I was going to give a fellow ally a heads-up of what Dad spoke about before getting here. I also happened to cross paths with team captains of Dark Whispers (Rachel) and Eagle Feathers (Dakota). Once around the corner away from our teams and coaches I came to a stop and pivoted to face them.

They formed a semi-circle naturally. It was Dark Whispers captain Rachel to speak first. "Freya, what is it? Why have you summoned us all here? I have a team strategy to prep." SolSkin bristled at her tone. Rachel wasn't an Alpha but she was the daughter of very strong Gammas. Dakota turned to me and then looked at Rachel, "Maybe, she knows what we do not? Maybe, it has something to do with why younger pups who can't shift are not allowed to race today?" I liked Dakota, he was the upcoming Alpha for his pack. He is very level-headed and protective. Also an amazing ally and friend. I often sat with him and Memphis at the Alpha meeting my dad would take me too.

I nodded to him with appreciation of acknowledgment. "Righty, to the point. Dad... I mean Alpha Jeremy from Cypress Bay Pack, had mentioned to me about the increased activity of rouges surrounding the Lilac Falls Pack. He was concerned about the pups attending the meet because they cannot shift just yet, which would make the prime targets if there was an attack." I tell them in a hushed voice. "Is that why you brought at least three highly skilled warriors with you?" Maverick asked looking at me, while Rachel and Dakota looked astonished. "YOU, you brought WARRIORS to another pack!!! Are you stupid?" Rachel all but screamed. SolSkin was very near the surface. She did not like the implication of being called stupid. "No, no. Not warriors. They are chaperones. So yea. No rules broken. Coach Daniels can't handle all of us as there are 13 of us on the team." I tell them as I struggle with SolSkin. "Just wanted to give my current and future allies a heads up, before we all take a trek through the woods. As you all know wolf packs take the protection of their pups very seriously. There are many pups here today from all over, and they all will need protecting if things do go south." Dakota's wolf SkinWalker surfaced just enough to agree that pups' safety is the primary concern. I understood his wolf concern, he too had younger siblings here with him today. With all of us in agreement, we headed back out to our groups just as we heard the whistle to the starting line blow.