Cursed Alpha mates

You're not a cub anymore

James had been casting concerned looks over the table all night. He wanted to know why his mate had run home earlier this evening. He wants to hold her, sooth her and caress every part of her body. But he can't and it's killing him. With his parents present it seems wrong for him to behave in such a way with her. Clara was like his twin sister, they'd grown up as siblings. Even if he did think she was beautiful before he knew she was his mate, it could never have been a pairing. It just felt wrong. Hunter paces back and forth becoming agitated and restless with James' thoughts. His wolf was right before them, they should be intertwined and yet James continues to stop them.

Clara had spent most of the night avoiding James' eye contact. She yearned for his touch, his taste, it hurt her to keep the distance between them. Doubts had been planted in her mind earlier, why had she come across so many other scents on her duties today. Clara trusted her wolf but River is hungry, the pull of a mate is irresistible and having let River take control could have been dangerous. It was hard enough sitting across from James, River had done nothing but pant and whine all evening. The Luna presents Clara with a Birthday cake, candles lit, the family begins to sing. As Clara goes to blow out the candles she can't help but look up at James. "Make a wish" she reminds her self.

In the Suntra house there was a tradition for everyone's birthday, gifts, games and cake. Clara's birthday was no exception. She'd had a long 24 hours and wanted nothing more than to go to bed. But James' glances had made her unable to rest. As wonderful of a night she'd had with her family, there was a craving to share his bed again. Clara shakes her head pushing back the thoughts of this morning, now was not the time or place to think about that. 'May we shift before our time to rest?' River's request made Clara feel uneasy, was it safe to shift when packs across the regions were here.

It didn't take much convincing, the more she shifted the easier it would become, Clara knew she had to be on top of her game now. James was her mate, the soon to be Alpha, this meant that she was in line to be the next Luna. Lunas needed to be as powerful as their Alpha's, it's what kept the packs strong. If Clara shies away from her future duties, it could leave the Suntra pack in trouble. She's not a cub anymore, no more excuses.

Her cries could have been heard for miles, the shift was just as difficult as yesterday. The pain was less but the shift itself was unbearable. River shakes her coat, feeling the ground under her paws. She inhales deeply the fresh pine air and stretches her limbs. Cautious, she's aware she's likely to cross paths with other wolves with the town being busy. It was her main priority to protect her and Clara. River begins to run at an ungodly speed the warm breeze flowing through her fur. Climbing boulders, jumping between trees, she eventually finds herself at the waters edge. Panting, she drinks from the bed of water. A snapping of twigs makes River's ears flex. Spinning around quickly, she allows a slow growl to escape her. Until the breeze hits her face guiding his scent towards her. The smell of wild berries and pomegranate. She was safe, James' black coat emerges from the tree line.

"I was ready to bite your head off, Hunter" River huffs, allowing herself to relax.

"You wouldn't dare attack the future alpha, and your mate" Hunter's low growls are not of hostility. He approaches, circling River.

Panting involuntarily, their wolves are able to see each other again. Rubbing on one another River licks around her mates ears, the bond between them clear. Thudding in the distance stops their greeting. Heavy paws heading in their direction. Both Hunter and River stand still, assessing. There's more than one wolf, the thuds indicate at least ten. Hunter stands infront of River and begins nudging her back into the tree line. "We're under strict orders to not start any fights, there are too many and it's a risk I'm not willing to take" Hunter was protective over his mate, he may be strong and the future Alpha but it would be stupidity to find out who the unnamed wolves are. Friends or foes.

River and Hunter pick up their pace quickly, running as quickly as they can through the woods. The excitement of their first run together urging them to move faster. The dynamic between them is seamless, they move as one. In the corner of River's eye she catches a glimpse of another white coat gliding through the woods. Her pace slows, forgetting her positioning, Hunter bumps into the back of her, there's no time to stop. Whoever she saw was long gone now, she wants to turn back and find him. Unheard whispers pushing her to follow. Hunter's nudges are what stop her from making a U-turn. Her mate knows what's best for her.

James hands Clara her clothes, she shakes as she tries to change, her body tender. He helps her slide her dress back and embraces her, inhaling her scent. He runs his fingers through her messy hair, he likes the way she looks. Pulling away he can't help but look into her brilliant eyes and dares to place his lips on hers. Clara couldn't be anymore happy, she'd been wishing for James all day and the thought of going to bed alone after last night had been painful. "Stay with me" she whispers. James wants to but he fears their parents will notice another night of her not being in bed, his mother was already suspicious.

"We can't, my beautiful she wolf" he strokes her hair more. Her brows furrow.

"We're not cubs anymore James, if we want to share a bed we can. We're mates!" He growls at himself and runs a hand through his dark hair. There was a battle within him, and he couldn't decide which side he should be on.

"I want to, more than anything but it feels wrong"

"I feel wrong?" Clara and River were deeply offended.

"That's not what I said!" His hair rubbing becomes more aggressive. They were bickering like they used to. Funnily enough, to James, this seemed more normal than them being mates.

"That was the undertone of what you said" Clara folds her arms, no longer wishing him to touch her. Her mate outstretches his fingers and brushes them on her flushed cheeks. She wants to protest and turn away but her wolf purrs with delight at every touch.

"It isn't what I meant. You can understand what I mean though? One day we're expecting to behave like family and the next mates. It's an abrupt transition and introducing each other as lovers to our pack is a big change" James pulls her in closer again. Nibbling at her ear. Clara wants to be angry at him but she can't. She loves his touch and empathises with the situation.

"But we have to work out how we'll navigate our situation" She rubs circles with her fingers tips on his bare chest.

"After the event. A week today we will announce our status and we'll work from there. But until then we need to stay focussed on our duties for the pack. For Suntra" Clara wants to roll her eyes, her adopted brother had always taken his role as a diplomat seriously. For the first time, she disliked his loyalties.

"For Suntra" a half whisper escapes her lips.

For the last half of their conversation, Clara hadn't realised until it was too late, River's attention had been on the tree line. Waiting. Someone had been watching them but any air of them was gone now.