The Last Female Alphas

FEELS LIKE HOME 1

Ray POV:

I partially woke up feeling the warmth wrapped around me like a cocoon. It makes me feel safe. It’s strange to feel safe in this pack. That’s when I noticed the handsome stranger is still holding me. Looking at him closely, I realized it was Blaze. He is the only one I know who is related to Nicholas and is not cruel. At least I believe he is not cruel. Why do I believe that I have no clue?

Blaze is still holding me protectively, but we are not in the pack lands anymore. I see granite peaks closer to us and glacial peaks up ahead in the distance. I am still not completely myself; I lose consciousness again before someone notices I have woken up.

It’s the early hours of the night, and the moon is peaking through the clouds when I wake up again. There is so much greenery and tranquility around us. I nuzzled closer to Blaze’s chest, seeking his warmth and comfort. I inhaled his beautiful calming scent. I should be afraid of him, but I am not. He killed his brother for me. He protected me, and if he is carrying me like this, I don’t think he will kill me. This seems unnecessary, like going through a lot of trouble just to kill someone. We are on some bridge now, and he completely freezes when I move. What’s with him? I see the crystal blue water below us. But before I can say something, I am fast asleep again.

I dream of the beautiful gray beast in the meadow with yellow wildflowers running alongside a huge red wolf. The red wolf looks up at me but keeps playing with the gray wolf. The red wolf towers over the gray beast, but I don’t think he minds it much. He is playfully nipping the red wolf’s hind legs. The dream dissolves in the silent darkness. I slowly slipped into a dreamless sleep again.

When I come back to my senses again, we are at a campsite. I smell rabbit stew; I am starving, but I am too tired to move. The warmth from the body-hugging me calms me enough to fall asleep again. I woke up again in the night. Nina is sitting next to me, she is crying. I heard someone talking to her.

“Don’t worry Nina, she will be OK.” Who are they talking about? I stay still eavesdropping on their private conversation.

“What if Ray hates me? I didn’t do enough for her. She saved me and I couldn’t even fight for her.” Well, I do not hate her. She did more than most for me. Why are they so stressed about what I would think? What’s going on, and where are they taking me? They are at least better than the pack if I am still alive, so who cares?

“I just hope she lets him explain and doesn’t hate all of us, without explanation,” Nina whispers in between sobs.

“I know, do you think she remembers them?” The guy next to her asked slowly. Who should I remember?

“We won’t know until she wakes up. I don’t think she remembered anything when we were on pack lands, or she would have fought harder for them.” Nina explained slowly.

Well, now I am more confused. Who should I remember, and why are they even helping me if they are afraid of me? I was lost in my musings when others got back. I think something happened to the girl who was with them; she was shaking. Oh! God, that’s a tiger. A real-life tiger is with her, she is sleeping beside a huge tiger. I am so excited that I want to touch his fur. I hope he lets me touch it. The gray beast comes back to me and lies down. I am not even slightly afraid of him. He looks like a giant teddy bear snuggling next to me. I should be afraid; the beast looks just like Simon and Nicholas's wolf but bigger. Why am I feeling warmth and comfort in his presence instead of terror? I don’t think anyone realized I was awake. The beast licks my face and sits next to me, falling asleep. It’s so warm and comfortable, it feels like I have a personal heater. I fall back asleep again. I really need to eat something next time I wake up. I am so hungry.

When I wake up again, I am in a small, comfortable cottage. It’s a bit old and rustic but comfortable and warm, nonetheless. There is a small fire burning in the corner. It’s a stone fireplace, the hearth looks hand-crafted with small flowers and moon patterns on top. There is a small writing table in the corner with some books and a quill; next to it is an old wooden bookcase with old worn-out leather-covered books. There is a small dining table and kitchen in the corner. There is an iron chandelier with candles above the small wooden sofa; it has fur blankets folded and placed together for a cold day facing the fireplace. It looks like a loveseat. I blush thinking about the prospect of future use. Hunting knives and bows are decorated on the wall. They are all in different designs and shapes, they look handcrafted. I am sleeping on the only bed in the room, and I am covered with my blue comforter and fur, someone is holding my hand.

That’s when I noticed the large man on the rocking chair holding my hand. He has the darkest black hair and broad shoulders with a huge tattoo on his arm. I am staring at the giant tattoo; it has tribal symbols and some story design. I saw wolves and a small girl in the intricate pattern of a tattoo. I so want to touch it but don’t want to wake him up. I wish I could ask him about this one day. I slowly got up and removed his arm and went looking for the washroom. The space is so small that it’s easy to find. There is a small mirror with a wooden frame adorned with the same flowery design. They are beautiful to touch.

My reflection stares back at me through the mirror. I look better than I ever had. My wounds have healed, and my bruises have reduced. I still have purple and yellow marks from the healed bruise, but I look a little well-rested.

I walked back to the room and started looking around. I go to the stone fireplace, which looks warm and inviting. I trace the design around the stone fireplace. I trace a woman who I have never seen before, looking up at the moon and the beast looking at her from the distance.