CHOSEN BY THE ALPHA KING

CHAPTER 4

I sat pensively watching the moon wax fuller night by night. Though only newly turned myself, the celestial rhythms of the lunar cycle now gripped me physically and mentally. An electric anxiety thrummed through my veins as moon magic stirred the wolf spirit inhabiting my soul.

In two days the orb would reach its luminous peak, triggering our involuntary transformation into savage beasts. The very thought left me unsettled. Thus far Blake had kept me safely secluded within the vast range of Silver Clan territory during my fragile early changes. But tomorrow night we traveled beyond the borders so I might run freely through undisclosed forest ranges according to tradition.

As Alpha guardian, my mate intended to guide me through this intense lunar rite unseen by human eyes. Yet rogue threats lurked constantly and I remained untested at controlling my feral wolf form amidst outside elements. Apprehension gnawed at my confidence like a living thing.

Sensing my turmoil, Blake pulled me into his lap before the crackling hearthfire, massaging the tension from my shoulders. “You have grown much in skill and self-restraint these few moon cycles, little she-wolf. Have faith in your abilities against the primal chaos straining for release when we Change.”

I bit my lip uncertainly. “What if I cannot master the wolf once she breaks free and rampages unchecked? I would never forgive myself for accidentally harming innocents...or you.”

Blake tilted my chin up, mercury gaze radiating strength and trust. "You shall not fail because I will be there to restrain the beast if necessary until you regain control.” He brushed his mouth teasingly over mine. “Have I not already proven most adept at taming wild creatures?”

His suggestive innuendo coaxed a small smile in response. None could contest the formidable power and uncompromising will of my Alpha mate, whose commanding presence and raw sensuality enthralled wolfkin and woman alike beneath the full moon’s seductive spell...

At twilight the next evening we left pack borders behind, venturing farther than ever I had previously wandered in this ancient forested realm now my adopted home. Blake maintained a ground-eating lope, his preternatural stamina and tirelessness allowing no pause. Though I lacked his centuries of endurance, my lycan gifts kept pace steadily.

We traveled beneath the rising moon through valleys and over ridges with no sign of humanity’s existence, only unspoiled wilderness. Across silver streams and through stands of black oak trees we ran, the very air alive with earthy smells and nocturnal sounds. For one golden hour I almost believed we two were the only living creatures left upon the entire planet.

Eventually we reached a grassy bluff surrounded by sheltered rock outcroppings. Below us stretched pristine ruby-hued canyons and forests untouched for millennia. Shooting me a sly wolfish grin, Blake shrugged off his clothing, gloriously nude. “No place remains more perfectly remote on this darkest lunar eve. Let us revel in savage abandon!”

With those words he dropped to all fours, body contorting violently as cracking bones reshaped his proud form into the embodiment of lupine might. Dark fur rippled across straining muscles and hands curled into deadly claws. muzzle elongating into vicious snapping fangs. Seconds later Blake the man was gone, leaving an enormous timber wolf with ice blue eyes watching me intently.

I hesitated only a moment before disrobing quickly to stand bare under the moon’s waxing glow. Already I could feel my wolf spirit rising inside, clawing hungrily for freedom. As trembling racked my slender frame, I closed my eyes and surrendered completely. Bones cracked, tendons tore, creamy skin splitting to birth glossy black fur. The pain was unimaginable, yet seductive as raw power flooded my limbs.

When the agony finally passed, I awkwardly stumbled about on four legs, overcome by a dizzying rush of sensory information. Smells, sounds, night colors all registered to newly lupine eyes with dazzling clarity. Somewhere in the distance another wolf called, this one tawny gold and female. She appealed to my most fundamental wild essence in ways I scarcely comprehended...

An urgent nudge at my flank broke the trance. Blake stood there, massive hybrid form epitomizing lethal grace and ancient bestial majesty. He chuffed reassuringly, licking my muzzle in tender wolfish affection before turning towards the canyons. With a rallying howl he bounded awayswiftly. Shaking off lingering human constraints, I raced joyously after my mate into liberated abandon.

That night we hunted flaming-eyed deer through virgin forests untouched by mortal hands. We chased falling stars and fought playfully over a downed buck’s marrowed leg bones. Endlessly we raced alongside crystalline streams, paws kicking up plumes of diamond spray.

Sometime before dawn we finally collapsed exhausted upon a stony outcrop beneath the fading autumn constellations. Curled together nose-to-tail, I drifted into dreaming amidst wood smoke wolf fur andAlpha musk lullabies...

Rousing slowly I eventually noted daylight filtering through the forest canopy in hazy columns. Beneath me fern fronds and crushed leaves poked uncomfortably into tender skin. With a start I realized we had Changed back into human form, lying unclothed and exposed atop the lone hillside.

Hastily I shook Blake awake. He grinned unrepentantly, obviously sharing none of my shy discomfort at our buck nakedness. Pulling me down for scorching kisses, he ignored my muffled protests. “Come, is this not the perfect way to greet the glorious dawn after our splendid midnight run, she-wolf mine?”

Surrendering to his irresistible passion, I laughed with newly awakened delight in my dual nature...and the powerful eternal mate fate had gifted me. Perhaps navigating the mysteries of the lycan world would not prove so very daunting after all with my beloved Alpha wolf forever by my side...