The Alphas Hidden Mate

Chapter 14

Anika's POV

I was finally in the open. I couldn't bear to see Serena have to go through that pain. Though, it was necessary for me to finally take control. She knew that it would get better with each time, and that the first time was the worse. That is why she wasn't too afraid. I would never let anything hurt my human counterpart, she is an important human. Just as I am an important wolf.

I stretched my legs, warming up my dormant muscles. I knew Seiko and Crace were anxiously awaiting me so I howled at the Moon to announce that the shift was complete. I could not mind link with Crace, only Seiko and seeing as Seiko was the one in control now, he would not know what I mean if I said I was okay. You see, the human and wolf counterpart are two completely different entities - souls or spirits, you could say, We lay dormant in our human counterpart until they turn 16 at which time, we awaken and are present in their mind. Until the human shifts, we are only in the furthermost part of their mind. We are - as you humans you would say - on the backburner, waiting. When the humans shift, they must allow us to completely take control. Their mind is still there, but they are now on the backburner. They now must wait until we allow them to take control again. Another thing is, that the humans can not decide when to take control back. They must wait until we are ready. They could tell us that they want control back, but because they aren't in control, they can't do anything about it. It is the wolf who decides when it is time to relenquish control and allow the human to come back. 

That is how the way of the wolf works in our world. It is the way of nature.

I stepped out from behind the tree and shook my fur. Seiko emerged from his position too. 

Greetings Seiko I said to him through our link. Seiko looked at me in awe. He paused for a moment before he came towards me. He walked with a sense of regal air. He was assessing me. I stood my ground and held my head up high, unhindered by his caution. He was an Alpha, of course. Eventually, he came to a stop in front of me after circling me slowly.

Greeting Anika. It is nice to meet you, finally He said, meeting my eyes.

Yes, though I must ask, you could tell I was coming, couldn't you? I asked me, conveying a sense of knowing. 

Yes, I knew you were close. I was restless for days, waiting. I must say though, you are definitely worth the wait. 

I'm sure I am... I answered. Seiko circled me, and I stood proud and unashamed of how unique I was. 

You are a unique wolf, Anika. No wolf has shown your abilities or had the fur like you in quite some time. He mused, looking at me with high regard. 

That is true. I said, simply. Seiko huffed and we circled each other, never breaking eye contact. This was custom when wolves met each other, especially mates. How else would we trust each other and know that we aren't at risk of harm? We came to a stop shortly, pleased. 

Walk with me? Seiko asked, tilting his head. The wind caused his white alabaster fur to stir a little and his scent wafted around me. It was intoxicating. I narrowed my eyes at him, unsure. What? You aren't scared, are you? He teased, a - dare I say - wolfish grin on his face. I just rolled my eyes at him and shook my fur, unfazed.

Okay I said, nodding my head at him to lead the way. We began to roam the forest aimlessly. Though, we would be able to find our way back without any difficulty. 

So tell me Anika, what is your secret? Seiko asked me, keeping his head forward. The breeze ruffled my fur, making the colour shimmer from the sun and wind. My ears peaked up and turned in the direction of the noises that surrounded us. I scanned the forest with my sharp sense of wolf sight. Somehow, I had this feeling we were being watched. My fur bristled and I stood alert, sniffing the air and turned my head left and right, trying to see what was out there. 

Seiko noticed my change in behaviour. What is it, Anika? What is wrong? He asked, distressed and worried. I didn't look at him and kept scanning the forest.

Don't you sense something, Seiko? I asked him, raising an eyebrow.

Seiko suddenly stood to attention too. He scanned the forest with me and sniffed the air. Are you sure? He asked me, wary.

I'm sure. I have this sense that something is out there, watching us? I said to him, uneasy. I was not scared, just cautious. 

I don't see anything...Seiko assured me. It didn't help. I knew something was out there. I tensed and growled a little. The sound reverberated throughout my entire body. It was a warning to whoever was out there. Feeling content enough that my warning was clear, I relaxed a little. However, I did not realise how powerful my warning was. Seiko had cowered a little and whimpered. 

I am sorry Seiko I apologised to him and he straightened and shook his fur, as if pretending it didn't bother him.

Don't worry. Something must really be out there if you're that worked up. He said, worried.

Yes and it is not a friendly presence either. Something dark lurks in these woods Seiko. It pains me to say this but I fear that Serena's safe haven is no longer...well...safe. 

GABRIELLA'S POV

I went in the direction that was pointed out to me, on a mission to find Crace. How in the world could an Alpha hide from anyone? He's the damn Alpha. It is very unlikely he would have gone somewhere unnoticed. Our pack is huge, so many of us roam the territory. So can someone please explain to me how the hell I was having such difficulty to locate him! 

I wanted to scream in frustration. If I am to be Luna, this can not happen. A Luna knows where her Alpha is at all times. Nothing happens between them without the other knowing. It's how it has always been. In case something happens to one of them. Though, all of this was a moot point because once I'm Luna, the Alpha will be killed in cold blood and that will be the end of it. 

I managed to track his whereabouts up to a forest and I paused at the entrance. Something about this forest made me feel...uneasy. It seemed the sun shone brighter and was peaceful...I loathed it immediately. Nothing in this world should ever be like this. The world was a dark and twisted place. I entered the forest slowly and carefully. As I approached a clearing, I heard voices and I quickly hid my presence behind a tree. I didn't recognise the voice but I heard Crace's name and I narrowed my eyes, suspicious. What the hell was going on? I heard footsteps walking away and I waited a few minutes before following. I hid behind another tree as the clearing in the forest was in front of me and the footsteps had stopped. I heard more voices and I pressed my back against the tree, waiting. After a few minutes, footsteps came towards me and I quickly moved from the tree to another nearby. I listened carefully and then I heard footsteps padding away from me. I finally took a peek from around the tree. 

I immediately recognised the scent of Crace and sure enough, there he was...well, there was Seiko. Crace was in wolf form. However, I did not recognise the wolf he was with. The wolf was magnificent. Her fur was a silver that shimmered in the breeze and her eyes were a steel blue that complemented her fur. To my knowledge, there had never been a wolf that was the colour of silver steel and had steel blue eyes to match. Though, to be fair, I never paid that much attention to Lycan History. 

As Seiko and the she-wolf padded away from the clearing, I felt a zap of jealousy and anger course through me. Who was this she-wolf and why was Seiko with her? I would get to the bottom of this...or I will most certainly die trying...he would make sure of it.

SERENA'S POV

After an hour of letting Anika take control, she eventually gave it back to me. She padded over to our tree and just before we shifted back, I asked her something.

What did you and Seiko talk about? I asked her. She gave me a secretive, wry smile. 

Nothing that concerns you yet She replied with. I frowned at that and eventually shifted back into my human form. It was not as painful as shifting into wolf form but it still was no picnic. I put my clothes back on before emerging. Crace was already sitting on our log. His brown hair was a little messy, somehow he still managed to look gorgeous. How? That was all I had to say. How did I - a mess of a human - end up with the most perfect man to exist, an Alpha as well?! 

"Hi" I said, shyly as I sat next to him. He chuckled and grabbed my hand. 

"Well, hello there" He said. I nuzzled my head on his neck and breathed in the scent of him.

"Hmmm" I hummed, thinking. The wind had stilled a little and the air became a little cooler as the sun began to set. The forest symphony began to quiet as well, the noises of the day going to sleep while the night orchestra began to warm up.

"What you thinking about, my Queen?" He asked, rubbing a thumb along my hand in comforting strokes.

"Did you ask Seiko what he spoke about to Anika?" I asked him, looking up at him. He frowned.

"I did..."He said, slowly. I pulled back from a little, excited.

"And..." I prompted him. I don't like how Anika was keeping a secret from me already. I trusted her because well...she is my wolf and she wouldn't do anything to hurt me. Though, I resented that she wouldn't tell me a thing from the hour spent with Seiko.

"All he said was 'You'll find out soon enough' in a very mysterious way. He usually tells me everything." He said, frowning deeper. Worry lines formed on his forehead, and I traced them with my finger.

"Anika was the same too. She said 'Nothing that concerns yet' in a similar mysterious way." I groaned, frustrated. 

"Oh well, according to Seiko, we will find out shortly." He sighed. The chill in the air announced that the sun had finally set. 

"I guess." I said, snuggling into him. An owl hooted in the distance and crickets began to chirp in their burrows. 

"Ready to go?" Crace asked, giving me an amused smile as a yawn escaped my mouth. I nodded. Even though Anika had been in control, the walk she went on had also tired me out. That and the shifting as well. "The first shift always takes a lot out of the person." Crace said, voicing my thoughts. 

"Mmmhmm" I said, sleepily. I felt my eyelids droop. The sounds of the forest lulling me into a sleep. If I could sleep in the forest, I would. I always find myself most comfortable here, it was more of a home than my little cottage on the outskirt of the territory.

"Come on, let's go back." He said, picking me up bridal style and we began the journey home.

When we had reached the cottage, night had truly fallen and stars began to shine and twinkle. The sounds of the pack had quieted, everyone had gone home. The odd sound here and there of some people, littered the streets and the sounds of clubs and bars leaking out through the doors and windows, were the only noises left to be heard in the night.

Crace entered the cottage through the back door and made his way to the bedroom, me still snuggled in his arms. As I thought about it, I realised his arms was one of the safest places for me. The forest was the only other safe place. Crace placed me on my bed and tucked me in.

"Night, my princess" He murmured to me and I smiled sleepily. He went to leave but I grabbed his arm to stop him. He looked at me, confused.

"Stay. Please" I said to him. He paused for a moment, debating before finally, getting into the bed with him. He wrapped an arm around me and I felt safe, once more. I eventually dozed off with him as the thoughts of today wandered around my mind.