CHOSEN BY THE ALPHA KING

CHAPTER TWO

I awoke the next morning wrapped blissfully in Blake’s strong embrace, the memories of our passionate first union playing vividly through my thoughts. As Alpha leader of the Silver Moon pack, Blake had bonded and claimed me as his mate for all time last night. And I had surrendered completely, body and soul, to his raw conquering possession.

I stirred slowly, still reveling in the warm languor of shared afterglow. But my movement made Blake instantly alert. Propping himself up on one elbow he gazed down at me, mussed sable hair falling across his forehead and eyes glowing bright with wolven intensity. Even first thing in the morning he was magnetically gorgeous.

"Good morning, my little she-wolf,” he grinned wolfishly. “I trust you slept well after the pleasant exertions of last eve?"

"Very well, my mate," I purred, nipping his chin playfully. Hearing me call Blake ‘mate’ made his mercury eyes flare with scintillating pleasure. His hand curved down to cup my hip possessively beneath the blankets, fingers teasing along sensitive skin in distracting patterns. Desire already reignited hotly within me from his talented touch.

“Insatiable female,” Blake laughed when I wriggled closer, seeking more. With a lusty growl he rolled both our bodies until I was pinned beneath his considerable strength, vulnerable to his sensual exploration. Blake’s impressive form exuded dominant power and virile grace as he once more claimed my softness to ease our awakened hunger.

Afterwards I lay cradled against his chest, marveling again at the mystical mate-bond between us. It was more than ordinary love or passion. A tangible energy flowed continuously from his spirit to mine, an unbreakable supernatural tether linking wolf to wolf. I knew with soul-deep certainty that I would never want another man's arms but his.

"I can hear your thoughts running wild as always, little she-wolf," Blake murmured, his acute lupine hearing catching my elevated pulse. "Speak them aloud so I may ease what troubles you."

I twisted around to face him. "I was thinking about our...profound connection since last night. I’ve become your mate in truth, bound to the pack as your Luna Queen. It still overwhelms me. I barely know anything about you, Blake!”

Propping himself against the carved headboard, his stormcloud eyes turned solemn.

“You deserve those answers from me now.” He exhaled slowly. "I was born here in these very woods over three centuries ago. The bite transformed me into one of the early original werewolves. I learned to control the savage beast within, grew powerful until I could unite scattered packs as the first Alpha Supreme."

My mouth dropped in shock. Blake was over three hundred years old! An immortal supernatural being who appeared only in his vigorous prime.

Sensing my stunned reaction Blake simply nodded. “The Alpha gift allows me greater strength and fortitude than ordinary dominants. I cannot be killed by ordinary means. And the Luna bond will extend your own lifespan considerably, though you may yet be vulnerable during early turns.”

I shook my head in overwhelmed disbelief. This morning I had awakened secure in Blake’s arms without a care, believing the biggest surprise behind me was the wild passion we shared. Only to now learn my lover and soulbonded mate was a werewolf Ancient requiring mythic safeguards. It was almost too much to grasp.

Pulling me gently back into his embrace, Blake rubbed calming circles across my wooden spine. "Do not worry so, little she-wolf. You are under my protection now. I swear no harm will come to you again."

His solemn promise was punctuated by two short howls signaling visitors. Simon and Meg, Blake’s Beta seconds-in-command, waited respectfully just outside the cottage doors. With an annoyed grunt Blake called permission to enter, then set about dressing in loose forest-hued clothing.

“We will resume this conversation later,” he commanded, his tone brokering no argument. “For now you require proper introductions to the pack ranks as their Alpha Female. There are certain lupine traditions to uphold."

The Beta pair grinned at me in friendly fashion as we emerged to greet them. But beneath the surface joy I detected a lingering wildness reflected in their wolf-amber eyes. These were not simple humans either. A darker predatory glint watched me from within Meg's gentle hazel gaze, an echo of the beast ever-present just below her skin. They too were ancient beings who ran on moonlight and primal fire.

Yet I had no chance to question them further as Blake ushered us outside into the main pack gathering grounds. There I came face to face with the Silver Moon clan comprising at least fifty strong athletic men and women of varying ages along with their exuberant wolf cubs. They instantly crowded forward to meet their new Lady Alpha, the Luna mate of their revered leader...

I stood awkwardly before the sprawling Silver Moon pack, acutely aware I was the sole focus of over fifty sets of curious Lycan eyes. The pack members crowded eagerly closer to inspect their new Lady Alpha—Blake’s destined mate and therefore their future Queen.

Meghan stepped forward to make introductions, sensing my discomfort. “Welcome, sisters and brothers! This is Zara, she who our Alpha leader and Father Wolf has taken at last for his true bride. We celebrate her arrival this day!”

A great cheer rose up as the pack swarmed to offer vigorous handshakes, backslaps, and words of greeting. The chaotic welcome was filled with genuine warmth yet tinged by a predatory undercurrent in their wolf-bright eyes. These were not mere humans I now lived amongst but supernatural beasts inhabiting fleshly bodies.

I glanced uncertainly at Blake standing protectively nearby. His stern expression relaxed into an encouraging nod and smile. Playing his royal role, he began working the crowd, giving orders and receiving reports on pack business. Yet his scintillating gaze remained ever attentive on me.

“It’s always nerve-wracking to meet everyone at first,” Meg soothed, linking her arm through mine companionably. “I remember well my early days here too. But you’ll soon settle in with new friends and duties befitting our Alpha Female.”

“Duties?” I asked worriedly, playing with the flower garland a small girl had placed around my neck in greeting.

Meg laughed, the sound rippling musically. “Leading the she-wolves on full moon runs, overseeing new cub training, coordinating hunts and gatherings. The Luna directs social workings so Blake may focus on security and strategic matters. We shall mentor you.”

Before I could respond, little Luna—aptly named—tugged at my sleeve. “Teach me to run as swift as wind when I hunt!” the girl-cub pleaded eagerly up at me. Behind her more children gathered, yipping and pantomiming wolfish stalking games.

I stared blankly at their expectant faces. How could I teach these innocent ones? My own turning had occurred barely a moon ago! Sensing my reluctance, Simon intervened to lead the pups away towards play with assurances their training would come soon enough. I sighed in relief.

By afternoon’s end I felt overwhelmed by so many names and faces, so much I needed to learn about Silver Moon traditions. As the new rank hierachy filtered away, only the Beta pair and a few elderly council members remained conversing privately with Blake. I lingered awkwardly along the forest edge, watching sunset broker a burnt orange peace across the valley.

Strong arms wrapped firmly around me from behind as Blake settled his chin atop my head. Our bodies fit together with primal familiarity now. “You did well today, little she-wolf. I know ’twas no easy thing being presented so abruptly before the entire gathering. You handles their frenzied energy with natural grace.”

I tilted my face up towards his. “I confess it was intimidating and strange at first, with so very much I don’t yet understand about your...our...culture.”

Blake nodded somberly. “I forget how new you still are to this transformed second life, this fang and fur existence. We have much to discuss, you and I.” Scooping me up effortlessly in his arms, he carried me towards the secluded glen where our passionate relationship first kindled. A perfect place to speak privately of secrets, new and old...

Shadows slowly enveloped the woods as silver moonlight poured lustrously over the hidden forest hollow. Blake lit a small campfire, then drew me down alongside him on a fur pallet. Warm flickering light illuminated his angled face, casting shadows that only intensified his lycan wildness. He had never appeared more devastatingly beautiful or dangerously non-human.

Taking a fortifying breath, I turned fully to him. “You said you would tell me your full history, help me understand this eternal supernatural world I’m now part of...and bound to you within.”

A log snapped explosively in the fire. Blake’s thundercloud eyes glowed, his voice dropping into mesmerizing soft tones as he began spinning marvelous stories from across the long centuries of his neverending life and the secrets of ancient wolf magic...