War Dog: The Lord of Wolves Series.

Chapter 8: Opening up

It's been an awkward 5 days from the incident of the Wild Wood pack. Apollo has been around more but hasn't claimed us as his pack nor has he claimed me but the mate bond drives us to be close to each other even though he hasn't made it official he definitely lets the other males know I am off limits and with the wolf tendencies I have had to break up a few fights.

Apollo had said he would like to learn more of a world he wasn't allowed too so we've started rehabilitating him in a sense teaching him of the Moon Mother and our traditions and in return he's started teaching some of our pack guardians of the intense training he's went through in his time with the military, he and my father along with the elders fear the retaliation of Myles so we've been preparing and with that said I am not allowed outside of the pack territory without Apollo or another guardian...but most of the time it's Apollo which I'm not complaining except I get so bored with nothing to do after my studies.

Sitting up on the snow covered roof looking over the woods my breath coming out in a fog in the crisp winter air the silence was welcoming and calming which is why I jumped slightly when Apollo sits behind me with his legs on either side of me he moved with stealth silence all the time it was unnerving sometimes. Resting his chin on my head opening his jacket and pulls me into his warmth and scent affection was new to him and he hesitates to touch me when people around until a young male shows interest and sends his hackles in a raise but when it's just us he does things like this...it seems to me that the military utilized the battle and fighting spirit of the wolf and man amplifying it pulling it to the surface and making sure it's the only thing he knows until he met me his mate pulling the humanity and compassionate side out even if he only shows it to me. He's a quiet man and always has been since he's first came too Maine out of the blue rogues usually show signs they're interested in a area looking and watching to see the nature of the packs and area before settling in but not Apollo he just showed up one day at the lumber yard.

"Apollo." The moment I said his name his tense body relaxes some. "Yes?" He answers in his rough quiet voice.

"What brought you here?" My question makes him hesitant to answer when he takes a deep breath pulling his chin from my head I can feel him looking at me.

"At first it was because of the vast wilds and secluded area's but now... I don't know... When I met you I felt this strange draw to you... My military instincts told me to run because we can't and don't get attached but I can't the pull to you won't let me." Apollo only opens up this much to me when we're alone so I keep quiet and let him speak but what he's speaking of is his mate bond to me it just grew stronger when I became of age, I've learned Apollo is 26 years old and as no memories of pack life only the military with 40 other male wolves the reason he told me this was because I asked about the photo I found in his shack.

"Can I ask what happened? To your team I mean?" I tilt my head back to look at him I won't push but I was curious and wanted to know more about him. Looking at me with his golden eye, again he was hesitant but he answers.

"One day our leader came into our barracks and woke us all up telling us to gather our gear that we had to leave that's when the explosions started our base was under attack by who I don't know once we were geared up we walk out to a scene we were all too familiar with... A war zone guards were killed along with doctors by men dressed head to toe in black with no insignia and no scent we tried to push them back the numbers were too many then Apollo-25 was shot in the shoulder he fell to the ground snarling and screaming in pain that it burned but we've dealt with silver before and have a high tolerance to it but this was different. We had no choice but to escape they overwhelmed us... Once out we separated to get them off our tail... I don't know if they're alive or dead." He finishes with a huff then looks back down at me. "That was 5 years ago." He finishes as he was searching my face for something.

"You must have been so alone." I tell him turning around sitting on my knees looking at him moving his hair from his face.

"It was a slight adjustment but nothing I couldn't handle." Apollo says leaning slightly into my touch as he places a hand on my cheek leaning in but stops himself and pulls away causing a stabbing feeling in my heart before my stubbornness gets the best of me and I lunge forward wrapping my arms around his neck and placing my lips against his. Apollo makes a surprised sound titling back slightly from my sudden weight then wrapping his arms around me. I couldn't help it my body and soul craved him so much that it was driving me nuts.

Laying me on my back his lips locked with mine my body heats up upon feeling his hand slide down my side to my hip gripping the hem of my jeans tugging slightly I feel his claws against my skin making me more excited as I slide my hands up into his shirt, across well fit and toned stomach, my finger tips tracing scars on his skin as they work their up to his chest. We're interrupted by the howls of the pack as they return from the hunt snapping us back to reality, panting softly has we look at each other his canines receded back into his mouth and he gets up pulling me to my feet then looking up at the sky darkening sky when the snow fall began to get heavier. "Should go inside... Its getting late." He says taking my hand and helps me through the window. Before squeezing through himself and stands next to me when his stomach growls looking at him with a surprised look then I scowl at him. "You didn't eat today...did you?" I ask him folding my arms tapping my arm with a finger. Apollo runs his hand through his hair and looks away. "I didn't have time." He mutters softly letting his hand drop to his side and I grab it pulling him along down the stairs to the main floor laughter and talking got louder as we walk to the feast hall reaching the door he suddenly stops and I couldn't pull anymore looking back at him with concern he looks at the door with a distrust and weary stare. I know why he hasn't ate... He's not use to having meals with a pack and probably feels out of place. "Hey." I call out to him making him blink then looking at me instead of the door stepping up to him wrapping my arms around him I nuzzle his chest placing my ear against his chest and listen to his heart calm down.

"It's going to be okay. Trust me? Please?" I ask looking up at him I couldn't ask him to trust the whole pack in only 5 days of being with us.

His body relaxes some and nods. "Okay." He answers simply then I take his hand again and we walk through the doors slowly as we make our through to the buffet table the room slowly grew quiet and eyes fell on us this makes Apollo's hand tighten around mine and he puts me where eyes couldn't see me which makes some of the pack members stiffen as their next Luna is hidden from them this upsets them, stopping I look around Apollo at everyone. "Aye! Mind your business!" I huff at them a lot of them look away and go back to their conversation with another huff and some relaxing from Apollo we make it to the buffet table and I pile our plates full then lead him to a secluded table with his back against the wall, we weren't alone for long before Holly dashes up and sits with us but Apollo has been around Holly before so he was okay with her. "Eat up big boy!" She says pointing at his plate that he was picking at but his attention was on the younger wolves who make quick glances at me and Apollo. Since I am technically unclaimed as a mate and of age the wolf nature of them is stirring their primal urges not too mention whoever becomes my mate is Alpha so those who seek that seat are taking interest. Apollo let's out a low menacing growl as one of the young wolves stands up then walk over to us and of course it's Mitchum he's had his eye on me since his family joined our pack that was when we were in middle school, he very well could be the next Beta or Alpha if he had it his way. He leans on the table ignoring Apollo completely as he looks at me he's tall but stands just little shorter then Apollo, his hair is long and coal black, and he had chocolate brown eyes. "Alessia. I was wondering if you wanted to get out of the pack house tomorrow for a while? We could go into town and do whatever you want and with me going you'll be safe." Mitchum says with a bright and easy going smile this makes Apollo snap his canines. "She already has plans." Apollo says suddenly dead eyeing Mitchum with murderous rage.

"She does?" He questions raising a brow at him with a smirk.

"I do?" Is what I say just as surprised as everyone else at the table and close enough to hear.

Apollo sits back in his chair folding his arms locking his eyes with Mitchum. "MY mate Alessia and I are going to her favorite stores tomorrow." He says flatly showing some canines at Mitchum. I blush deeply at Apollo's words then glance Mitchum who held an amused smirk on his face lifting off the table.

"Oh well maybe next time." He says walking off.

Watching him go then looking at Apollo who began eating with a angry scowl on his face. Holly and I try to ease the tension but he stays silent as he ate.

Walking to my room once I told Apollo goodnight I take a deep breathe letting it out slowly then getting ready for bed I was brushing my teeth when there was a knock on the door I was surprised to see Apollo but what was more surprising was the light blush and shy look on his face. "I'm...tired of the nightmares...when I sleep...near you...I don't have them...can I sleep with you?" He asks softly looking at the floor. So cute! Is what I say in my mind before stepping back and allowing him in the room. "Yes sure." I say around my toothbrush and closing the door then walking back to the bathroom finishing up then walk over to him as he stands in the middle of my room looking at me. "Uh I can get a blow up mattress if that would mak..." He cuts me off with a kiss then picking me up and settle on my full size bed has he holds me close taking a deep breathe then letting it out slowly in a calm manner closing his eye. My face is heated with a blush as I look at his face it wasn't long before he fell into a deep sleep watching him for a moment playing with his sandy colored hair I fall to asleep myself enveloped in his scent and warmth.