Alpha's Pregnant Mate

2 - Childhood Dreams and Sunshine

“What did they want?” Cole asked stepping up next to me as we watched the male and the tiny female leave. She may be small, but she was a force to be reckoned with. In fact, she was the males bodyguard. Highly trained. How did he know? Because she was his sister.

“Family visit?” Cole continued when he didn’t answer.

It was not a friendly family visit. His sister was here because it was her duty as head of the high council’s guard. And his pack was in trouble. Actually, it was just him who was in trouble.

A pack leader was supposed to have a mate. Someone who he could run his pack with. As equals, but somehow he didn’t get that memo, when he became alpha of West Lake Pack six years ago.

He did everything to make this pack thrive. His wolves were trained fighters. They got little to no problems with humans. They stay away from his territory. They had ways to keep them in line without killing them. Bodies piling up in the woods would sure as hell lead a lot more into their territory. He was careful, but apparently, that was not enough for the high council.

“I am not sure how long I can hold them off,” Ethan said with a shake of his head, “they will interfere if I don’t come up with a solution for the mate problem.”

“Problem?” Cole chuckled, “I wish I had that kind of problem, but as I am just a beta, my leash, I will not have the luxury of getting a mate. Unless you die.”

He raised a brow at his second in command. “You talk too much!”

“Yes, alpha,” he chuckled. Cole has always been the talkative kind of guy. Lighthearted and without a care in the world. That’s on the surface. Ethan knew better though because they grew up in the same environment. Cold. Loveless. Cruel.

“You still need a woman though,” Cole added with a casual shrug, “I mean you could just choose one. Pretend she’s your mate and be done with it.”

If only it was that easy. The council would test the bond a wolf apparently shared with his mate. Ethan wasn’t too keen on them putting their noses where they don't belong.

“What about Rebecca?” Cole continued, “you were a thing, weren’t you? I bet she would be thrilled to be your queen.”

“No!” He and the She-Wolf were a fling. She was willing and he needed to spend the night with someone.

Before Cole could say anything else a howl echoed through the woods surrounding them. It meant that someone passed the borders. Someone who was not supposed to be here.

A lazy smile crept over Ethan's lips at the looming thrill of a chase. He usually wouldn’t interfere unless his soldier would call for him, warning him of potential danger. But the howl just meant a human wandered too far off their usual hiking routes.

“What are you doing?” His beta asked as he started undressing, getting ready to shift.

“I’m going for a run! Make sure to check on the elders. I promised I would stop by!”

“Aw, man,” he complained, “that’s boring alpha crap.”

“It’s important to make them feel needed in our community! Do it or you’re on cleaning duty for the next three months!”

Like a little boy, Cole rolled his eyes and stomped his foot a little before he gave in and followed my command.

He nodded satisfied when his beta bowed his head in submission, right before he let go of the binds that reigned in his inner beast. It was a strange kind of magic that took over his body—painlessly bending bones and shaping muscle into a new form. Fur, thick and like a new type of armor sprung from his skin. The wolf shook his body as four paws hit the ground.

“Show off,” he heard Cole mutter, but Ethan didn’t turn around he started trotting in the general direction of where the howl first erupted from. After that, he would follow his heightened senses.

He loved the freedom he felt when he was able to run as a wolf. He was still responsible for his pack, but all the human-like politics of his world didn’t bother him anymore. He wasn’t human in these moments. He was a wolf. Driven by instinct. Excited by the power that coursed through his veins. Empowered by the freedom he struggled for.

A smaller wolf joined him. One of his soldiers. The female sprinted fast, trying to keep up with him. She was ambitious and he knew she wouldn't give up, so he took mercy on her and slowed down. Feeling for the connection he had to all his wolves.

“What do we have?” he asked, when she plopped down on the wet soil, her tongue hanging out her muzzle panting wildly.

“Human girl. She lost her way, I’m sure. Looks like she’s been out here for a while though. These humans have no sense of direction. I almost feel sorry for them,” she said, “we directed her back north.”

“Thank you,” he didn’t stay. He kept running to check on the human. We couldn’t have anyone starving this close to our border. They would send out a search party and dogs. Both were a risk to his pack. And if he had to bring her home myself.

Ethan lifted his nose into the air sniffing for something unfamiliar. For something that didn’t belong in his forest. And that’s when it hit him. Hard enough to make him stumble and almost lose my footing.

The scent of childhood dreams and sunshine on an early spring morning fills his nostrils. He’s sucking it in as if it could be his lifeline.

He followed it. The scent was so vivid, he could almost see it, like a thin, blue veil guiding his path straight to his prey.

It has been raining last night, and the wet soil and leaves intensify the smells of autumn. The forest slowly died, putting itself to rest before the harsh winter months.

Lila should have known better than to walk into the woods at this time of year. A raincoat was nice to have, but after three days out here and endless rain it seems, she felt sick and cold.

On top of all that she was hungry, tired, and scared. She heard noises all around her. Animals circling her. She could tell they were no small mammals like rabbits or birds. No. These things were massive and smart. On a primal basis, she knew they were hunting her.

Every now and then she would hear soft snarls in the night. A howl here and there. Her heartbeat would speed up every single time. The thumping in her chest would keep her up and rob her of much-needed sleep.

But was there an alternative? Going back? No way. Even if she wanted to, she had long lost her way. She roughly knew that she was headed west, but she could be wrong for all the knew. She would be okay if she managed to find some food in the next couple of days. And maybe it would stop raining for just one night, so she had a chance to dry up.

Lila has always been a fighter and she would fight through this too. She would make it to the other side of these woods, find a job and raise her baby all by herself. Instinctively she rubs her belly. That is if her baby would make it through this. She knew that she needed to eat. Maybe it would have been smart to pack some vitamins or at least something that would keep the baby strong and alive.

Women had brought children into this world for millions of years. No matter their situation, the weather, or their health. If they could do it, so could Lila.

Unless she wasn’t eaten by some bear first. “One obstacle at a time, Lila,” she reminded herself and peeked around the tree she was hiding behind. She had no idea if she had been here before or not. Everything just looked the same by now. Golden leaves on the ground. Brown tree trunks and grey skies above.

She heard it before she saw the giant brown wolf, hectically sniffing the air. He was following a trail and the trail lead him right to her. She had two choices, wait until it would stumble upon her or run as fast as her legs would carry her. Both options were pretty damn stupid. She had never seen such a giant animal. The wolf was almost as big as a bear. But that’s what these woods were famous for. Huge and… rather beautiful wolves.

Her fingers curled into the rough bark of the tree she was hiding behind as she watched the wolf stop, he had stopped at a spot only a few feet away from her. A strange humming sound escaped the animal's throat she he rubbed his huge head in the dirt.

She should probably be scared of him, but for some reason, she thought that he was cute. Beautiful and cute. Somewhere in the back of her head, she registered that this wasn’t her neighbor’s golden retriever. This was a wild animal. Big enough to kill her without an effort. It was a predator and its golden eyes suddenly focused on her. She could see him zoom in on her, fix her with his stare.

“Mate!” the familiar voice in his head almost screamed at him when he finally found the source of the scent that was driving him crazy.

Her hazel eyes were wide as she realized who she was staring at. No, what she was staring at. She didn’t understand what he was and as the seconds ticked by she finally came to her senses and retreat from him. But running won’t do her much good.