CHOSEN BY THE ALPHA KING

CHAPTER THREE

I sat enthralled as Blake revealed his rich history spanning over three hundred years. He described growing up the son of poor farmers scraping out a meager living on harsh rural land. When a large grey wolf bit the teenaged Blake during a full harvest moon, he transformed unwillingly into a horror from myth come alive.

Terrified of discovery and what he had become, Blake fled into the mountain forests living feral as beast more than man. There he encountered scattered werewolf packs struggling to control their monstrous natures. Through dominance battles during lunar convergences Blake defeated each rogue Alpha to absorb their small packs, slowly building his unified Silver Moon Clan focused on balancing humanity and wolf.

As centuries passed Blake’s Imperial bloodline gift manifested, granting him immortal existence so long as he continued shifting into lupine form. He ceased physically aging though his spirit grew ever more ancient and wolf-wild. With firm leadership the Silver Clan prospered safely isolated, avoiding dangerous encounters with the outside world. Until the night a newly turned she-wolf stumbled unwittingly into their territory, fragile and afraid...

“You, my little mate.” Blake smiled tenderly, brushing his knuckles along my jawline in intimate familiarity. “Fate orchestrated our union across space and time itself. For only an Alpha pair can rule a werewolf pack. My lone bachelor chieftain status could continue no longer with you destined now as my bonded Queen.”

My pulse still quickened when Blake spoke possessively of our preordained mating, the mystical soul-bond linking his raw bestial heart to mine in eternal romance. As Luna I was his destined partner to produce heirs, govern pack social welfare, even rule jointly in wartime. And bound in moonlit passion each full lunar rebirth...

As if reading my thoughts, Blake pulled my willing body flush to his for lingering kisses until I sighed breathlessly. Then he drew back, his quicksilver eyes serious again.

“There remains much you must learn about assuming your role as Alpha Female. Our traditions, relationships and pack connections which flow through spirit and scent during hunts and moon run madness. You are the lone civilized creature who must nurture understanding between wolf and man.”

I bit my lip anxiously. Blake described the Luna role as the living bridge between human and animal natures among the pack, comforting the young while tempering hot aggressive bloodlust threatening harmony.

“You place immense trust in me even after so short a time,” I worried aloud. “I’m just newly turned myself, more fledgling than adept teacher of taming fierce beasts!”

Barking a laugh, Blake stroked my wind-tousled curls. “Ever my skeptic little she-wolf! Trust your intuitive wolf instincts already emerging. And I shall make certain you receive more...intimate...guidance whenever required.”

The seductive promise in his words made me blush hotly. Mystic immortal werewolf warrior he may be, yet Blake was still first and foremost wholly male in his elemental desires for me. Desires my own recently awakened appetite craved with equal fervor...

Clearing my throat in embarrassment, I redirected us to less dangerous territory. “Tell me about ruling pack justice with Simon and Meghan. She mentioned disputes I must help resolve?”

Sobering, Blake nodded. “Our kind dwells outside normal human laws, so the trinity Alpha council governs all internal affairs. Combat duels, border incursions with rival changeling dynasties, or...” Here he scowled menacingly. “Forbidden bite assaults on unwilling mortals which expose us all to gravest risks of violent purges.”

I shuddered at the reference to my own traumatic turning, then squared my shoulders determinedly. As Luna I must champion morality and compassion to balance the aggression of Alphas issuing battlefield decrees. Though the looming responsibility seemed towering compared to insignificant Zara-the-librarian of mere weeks prior.

Sensing my anxiety, Blake cupped my face between both hands. “Fret not, I shall remain ever by your side through all that comes. Our immortal lifespans flow together as long as we both shall live.” He sealed that sacred vow with ardent kisses until trembling I curled into his solid warmth, believing anything was possible with my fated beloved wolf mate guarding me.

Later I lay drowsily cradled against his broad chest as Blake pointed out constellations of the autumn night sky. His deep voice wove lyrical tales about ancients who were changed forever into heavenly stars by the moon’s strange magic. My eyelids grew heavy despite determined efforts to stay awake, lulled by steady heartbeats and my lover’s mesmerizing narration.

Rousing slowly I gradually realized daylight had come. I remained wrapped snugly in Blake’s arms but we were now sheltered inside the grand canopy bed of his master suite, sunlight streaming brightly through open windows. My Alpha mate observed me awakening through half-lidded contented eyes, his fingers lazily combing through my hair.

“Welcome back, star dreamer,” he smiled.

I flushed, mortified realizing Blake must have carried my exhausted sleeping self home last night without my even noticing! He chuckled at my chagrin, rolling us nimbly until his imposing frame leaned over me, muscular and gorgeously nude against the sheets.

“Rest well this morning, my alluring little she-wolf,” Blake murmured, desire already roughening his dulcet tones. “Once the sun sets tonight I begin your run preparations in earnest. The full moon arrives in two days hence...and we shall need all that time for proper training.”

With that titillating promise he proceeded to demonstrate just what manner of Luna instruction he intended. Soon even my enhanced lycan recovery abilities proved inadequate to withstand such rapturous demands from the Alpha wolf determined to keep me securely bound by passion’s sweetest bonds...

I awoke some hours later, pleasantly sated and sore in all the right places. Stretching luxuriously beneath the twisted bed sheets, I reached for Blake, seeking his comforting warmth. Finding only cool empty space, I sat up in confusion.

Had Alpha pack business called him away? Sliding from the bed I padded naked through the silent cottage rooms searching for my mate. Everything remained neatly in place except Blake's clothing and dagger missing from the great room. Unease prickled my skin. Where had he gone without a word?

I was debating whether to call Meghan for guidance when the front door burst violently open. Blake strode in supporting a battered young man, blood saturating their shirts. My cry of alarm died seeing the stranger’s face clearly — it was Ryan, a sweet omega wolf from the pack!

"Fetch my healer's kit,” Blake ordered tersely, laying Ryan down. I rushed to obey, grabbing blankets and water as well. The bleeding gashes marring Ryan’s chest and arms appeared more messy than fatal, but pain glazed his eyes.

"What happened?" I asked, joining Blake in cleaning and dressing the wounds.

"Border skirmish,” he bit out grimly. “Rogues have grown brazen poaching deer near our south peripheries. I arrived only in time to spare Ryan more grievous injury by driving them off." Blake’s fury was palpable, the Alpha wolf raging beneath his skin at the assault on a vulnerable pack member.

Once I had Ryan resting peacefully with healing poultices applied, Blake grasped my shoulders almost roughly, his moon-silver gaze boring intensely into mine. “Stay inside with windows barred until I return. Danger still lurks in these woods.”

I nodded mutely. With a fierce kiss he spun on his heel and was gone, a lethal blur of vengeful action. Hours crept by endlessly until finally I detected Blake’s woodsy scent precede his soundless arrival. I flew into his arms, relieved and alarmed by the blood spatter darkening his skin.

“Hush now, it’s done,” he soothed, cradling me close. “The rogues who attacked Ryan will never trouble us again. Swift pack justice was served.” His ruthless words left no doubt the aggressors were dead by Blake’s own clawed hand — Alpha retribution for threatening what was his to protect.

Exhausted emotionally I simply clung wordlessly to him. I was only beginning to comprehend what brutal burdens leadership demanded from my mate. Guarding territory, disciplining transgressions, and executing those who violated our ancient codes — Blake safeguarded the Silver Clan against bloodthirsty enemies who would show no quarter. He was both warden and warrior awake when others slumbered. My noble wolf king...

Later after Blake had bathed, I carefully dressed the ugly gashes marring his broad back and shoulders — wounds sustained shields Ryan from the rogues’ vicious assault. Though Blake minimized the deep cuts, I recognized with building despair that not all had been the enemy’s blood staining his body.

Applying a healing poultice, my eyes filled with stinging tears at the brutality my love endured as Alpha protector. And I now stood helplessly complicit as his Luna mate in this endless cycle of territorial violence and moon mad cravings out here in the borderland forests. Perhaps I was never destined to tame the primal fury that ruled werewolf hearts after all...

Sensing my distress, Blake captured my wrist, raising haunted eyes that had witnessed centuries of such senseless brutality between rival packs. “Wolves have always fought to expand range and power. But you were born to run free of the burdens burdening my spirit, little she-wolf. Do not take them onto yourself.”

When I opened my mouth to argue, Blake drew me down astride him with passionate intent, refusing further quarrel. And I willingly lost myself in the temporary oblivion of his heated desires for me. Yet afterwards I stared awake long into the darkness, haunted by how ferociously the noble heart of my immortal lover was shackled still to the endless warring violence of his kind...