Alpha Caleb and the Blessed Wolf

13.

NIKITA

I was physically and emotionally exhausted. Every cracking of my bones hurt to shift and my muscles ached. It had been a week since I had been shot and although the witch Izmelda had helped me heal, the remnants of the injury remained. Shifters usually heal quickly but wolfsbane and silver can be painful and lethal if it hits vital organs. I was lucky it didn't kill me but wolfsbane blood poisoning was not an easy thing to recover from even with the help of magic.

"Asshole pack run by an even bigger assholes." I thought trying to keep pace with Ryker.

The dull ache was turning into an incessant pain. Despite the pain though, I had almost forgotten how good it felt to run as a wolf again, free and exhilarating. I couldn't help thinking about the forest surrounding my pack borders, the smell of the leaves, the feel of fertile soil underfoot and the meadow that smelt like jasmine when the flowers blossomed in spring.

I prayed I would see it again. For years I wanted nothing more than to leave and explore the world but now the thought of not being able to return home was another stab to the heart.

The grass isn't always greener on the other side. We had to stay vigilant. These woods were nothing like the ones back home. Decrepit, gnarley trees, broken branches and the stench of rot and decay surrounded us. As Ryker had said we were definitely into rogue territory now that was certain.

Rogues were those who were packless often from war or had been exiled for crimes or simply relinquished control and let their wolf take over their humanity and gone feral. Usually that would happen as result of rejection or inability to cope with losing a mate. As pups we were taught to fear rogues almost as much as Obsidian Blood pack.

Unpredictable and dangerous.

The thought of becoming a rogue now didn't sound like such a bad idea if it would save me from becoming a prisoner to Prince Caleb. It would be all too easy to retreat into nothingness, become pure wolf letting those basic primal instincts take control of my consciousness, at least then I wouldn't have to feel the hopelessness I feel right now. I could feel my wolf whimper at my heartache.

My wolf form had always been the alpha type, intimidating, strong and runs on the basic urges of a wild beast. How she was part of me I could never understand. In wolf form I felt fierce. Just below the surface there was an indescribable power waiting to be tapped into but never able to. I was forbidden to shift near the town only at the furthest site, the old outpost and would always have my parents, uncle Nathaniel or the Gamma's with me so I would be alerted if someone was coming close.

Ryker must have sensed me starting to tire out. His dark brown wolf with flecks of light brown slowed nudging me with his snout.

"You ok?" He mind linked.

"I'm fine"

His eyes glanced at me concern flittering through the mind link. Clenching my jaw tight I focused my eyes straight ahead. I had to keep pushing on. Had to be stronger for my parents, for my pack and for myself. I had to persevere.

We had run in silence for a little while longer. The sun was now setting low on the horizon, the days were getting shorter and the cold chill in the air turned frigid, I could feel the sharp whip of icey air even in wolf form.

"We are making good ground." Ryker mindlinked, "We should shift back and rest."

"Thank the Goddess!" I replied.

"There's a river up ahead, we can stop for a bit."

Once we arrived at the rivers edge I was desperate for a drink. A thin layer of ice covered the river, cracking the surface with my claws I gulped down the freezing cold water. Once done I ducked behind a tree and shifted back to human. Shivering at the loss of fur to keep me warm and reached into the bag still strapped to my leg. Pulling out the clothes Izmelda had packed, they were old and baggy on my small frame but at least they were warm. After dressing quickly I practically collapsed to the ground my legs felt like jelly. Ryker emerged looking every bit the handsome wild viking. His wavy golden hair hanging loose by his shoulders I enjoyed a perfect view of his toned abs before he pulled on a hoodie.

"The rogue scent is thick in this part" snapping me out of my trance, "we won't be able to take them as human's." Worry laced Ryker's voice as he spoke.

"We won't be able to take them as wolves either if we are exhausted." I replied. "How much further?"

"The eastern patrol is probably another half day trek. We should find a hideout and rest for the night.

Urgh!! Seriously the witch couldn't have conjured us a freakin car or something, hell even teleported our arses straight where we needed to go. I dug a stick in the dirt doodling nothing's, my mind once again off with the fairies thinking about all the cool things I would do as a witch. An apple flying close to my face interrupted me.

"Hey watch it!"

"I called your name 3 times already."

Oops.

We silently ate not realising how hungry I was til now. My leg was still throbbing a bit but was slowly recovering.

"Do you think your Uncle's pack will help us?" I asked.

"Shadow Claw have been allies with Moonstone for years. Their Alpha is really old, he was friends with your grandparents before they were killed before we were born. When I trained there I felt like part of the pack, their allegiance with Moonstone runs deep or maybe it's their hatred for Obsidian that has held the Alliance for so long."

"Why do they hate Obsidian Blood pack as much as ours does?"

"I don't know the specifics but Alpha Raymond only had one child, a daughter. Apparently she was stolen by Alpha Marcus and forcely marked. They say he wanted an Alpha female to make his blood line the strongest. To use the heirs she produced to rule both supernatural and human worlds."

There was a pause letting the words settle into my brain.

"So put an Alpha female from Shadow claw and Alpha Marcus from Obsidian together you get...... Prince Caleb?" My brows furrowed as I put the pieces together.

Fucking fantastic! This guy is strong as hell, super dangerous, and all round Alpha male. I am so screwed. I am so f*****g screwed.

"Is that why you think he wants me?" I whispered hugging my legs to my chest. "Am I the Blessed wolf because I survived death as a baby and am one of these rare Alpha blooded females?"

Ryker sighed "I think so. Alpha Marcus wants nothing but power, to be the true king of the supernaturals and declare war on the humans. The stories I've heard about the packs they have eliminated or the ones forced under their rule aren't pleasant. Any attempt at usurping his power has ended in the brutal deaths of many Alpha's. They might have come for you to continue their strong lineage."

"Prince Caleb will use me just to breed with?" I whispered a shiver ran down my spine.

"There is a reason why the laws of mate claiming exist. No one under the age of 18 is allowed to be told they're mated to or be marked by someone already of age without consequence. It's to stop a child being claimed before the mate bond is formed. There have been false claims in the past; claims for land, blackmail or revenge, for desire. I think what's happening now with you and the Prince is one of these false claims."

"What do you mean?"

"I've been thinking about this situation a lot since you told me. Obsidian Blood pack wants power right, maybe they were coming for you with the excuse you're a 'blessed wolf'. Catching your parents and making Moonstone pack submit was just an extra bonus. When you ran Prince Caleb had to come up with another idea." I stared at him waiting for him to continue even though I knew what was coming next.

"What better way to entice you to submit than claiming you're his mate. He was hoping you would stop running long enough for him to catch and claim you before you could find your true mate at 18."

I felt sick. I wanted to puke. Nothing prepared me for the feeling of my gut plummeting. How stupid could I have been believing that monster. I am such an i***t. There was no way the moon Goddess would have paired me with someone like him. That would be some sick joke.

Slugging his thick tree trunk arm over my shoulders Ryker tucked me in against his chest. "Hey, don't worry I'll always be here to protect you."

"Hmph, thanks" I trust Ry with my life. I burried myself under his arm for comfort and warmth, turning my face into his warm body.

"I know we have been running heaps but with the way you look and smell right now they might think WE are the rogues." I said pretending to pinch my nose and gag, waving my hand to waft away the stink. He took a big sniff of himself then the air and his large hand gripped my shoulder.

"Nikita it isn't me." He mindlinked, "stay still don't give away that we have sensed them."

"s**t" I replied staying frozen, rooted to the spot.

Within seconds a loud howl erupted from behind us almost signalling their imminent attack.