Alpha of the Ranch

The Revelation pt. 2

Victoria stared at Oliver at a complete loss. Her brain seemed to be malfunctioning and refused to start. What was even happening right now?

“Umm, Victoria? You okay?”

Victoria blinked at Oliver. How long had she just been staring at him, not speaking? She wasn’t sure, but she still didn’t know what to say.

“I…I need to sit down.” she blurted out, suddenly feeling a little faint.

Oliver paled. “Okay. Okay, let's just-” but he stopped just as quickly as he started. Victoria had taken it upon herself to just sit back down on the ground she had fallen on previously. Sitting didn’t seem to help as much as she hoped, so she laid back looking up at the clear blue sky. It had darkened slightly, but there was still time until dusk fully fell. It felt like the terrifying moment earlier had lasted hours, but in reality it was probably only minutes.

“So…umm…I know that was a bit unexpected.”

Victoria snorted in response. “You could say that.” She took a deep breath before sitting up to face him again. Oliver had taken a seat as well, but stayed where he had stood, giving lots of space to Victoria. “I’m not even sure what questions I have besides, what the f**k?”

Oliver ran a hand through his hair as he looked at the ground. He wasn’t sure where to start or even what to say. This wasn’t at all how he planned to bring her into the fold. It was supposed to be gentle and slow, maybe even with a little love. Not abrupt and scary.

He looked up at her and opened his mouth to try to explain again, but shut it with a frown. The little red-brown wolf was still there and had eased its way closer to Victoria, gently nudging her. Victoria hadn’t forgotten about her brave companion, though she was still confused as to why it stuck around. Her hesitancy from earlier forgotten, Victoria reached out and gently stroked the head of the wolf. It closed its eyes and leaned its head onto her lap. Honestly, an animal companion was pretty helpful with the stress she was dealing with. The little wolf also seemed content to be by her side, but it did open its eyes every now and then to look over at Oliver, who watched it with a barely contained scowl.

“So, firstly I’d like to apologize.” Oliver started. He pulled his eyes away from the wolf and looked back at Victoria. She didn’t meet his eyes, instead preferring to interact with the stray in her lap. It annoyed Oliver, but if it kept her there long enough to listen to him he was willing to accept it. For now.

“I wasn’t trying to scare you earlier, Victoria. I hope you understand that.”

Victoria looked up at him. “I wouldn’t think you were trying to scare me, but it still happened.” She closed her eyes, trying to gather her thoughts. “What exactly happened Oliver? I didn’t go running for the hills because I was certain that thing…you…would have chased me and possibly even ripped me apart. And now? I don’t even know if my legs would work properly.”

Oliver closed his eyes with shame. He never wanted her to feel that way with him. And what was worse is that she was absolutely right. Had she run, his wolf would have immediately given chase. He wouldn’t have hurt her, of course, but he doubted that would be much comfort to her right now.

He opened his eyes and once again glared at the wolf next to her. It was openly watching him, though it hadn’t shifted from its position. A protective one Oliver noticed, which annoyed him. It was his fault after all.

Victoria looked down at the wolf as well. She didn’t understand what Oliver’s hostility towards it was. Sure it was a little odd, but honestly, between it and him she felt like the wolf was a safer choice.

“Him. He’s what happened.” Oliver spit out.

She looked up at him with confusion. “This wolf?” She glanced back down before gracing Oliver with a mildly annoyed look. “What did this little thing do besides act as a protector for me?” she said, aggravation lacing her words.

Oliver stood up abruptly and let out a frustrated growl that sounded very animal-like. Victoria recoiled from the sound.

“I’m sorry! He’s just all over you!” He huffed, barely containing himself. “I’m a werewolf just like the stories and movies and I partially shifted earlier which, I’ll have you know, I have only done when extremely angered, because I am very much in control of myself. But that little bastard is driving me insane!” He rapidly spewed. He pointed a finger towards Victoria, but she realized it was actually at the wolf. “Get away from her and stop with this innocent animal act!”

Victoria stared at Oliver with her mouth slightly open. Slowly, she stood up and held up both hands. “Okay,” She muttered. “Oliver, I think I should head back.”

Oliver looked up at her and she could see the heartbreak in his eyes. This wasn’t going at all as he’d planned. And honestly, it wasn’t going as Victoria foresaw either. She did not have “werewolf” on her first date bingo card.

“Victoria. I’m sorry. I mean it. I can explain much better as soon as he shifts!” Oliver growled the last word out.

“I just don’t think I’m in a great state to…” Victoria started, but the sound of cracking bones distracted her. She looked to her side and saw that the little brownish-red wolf she’d just been stroking and taking solace in was no longer there. Now stood a naked boy, no older than 16, with a dirt-covered face and angry scowl.

“Holy fuck.” Victoria said, before turning her back completely on him. She wasn’t sure where he’d come from, though she had an outlandish, not to be admitted idea, but she wasn’t about to stare at his naked body. That was absolutely a crime.

“Fine, Alpha,” came a snarky voice that had the just barely deepened tones of adolescence. “I’ve shifted. Is this supposed to help your explanation?”

Even though she wasn’t looking, Victoria could only imagine the look he had while using such a spiteful tone.

Oliver gave the boy a sneer, baring his teeth since Victoria wasn’t looking anyway. The pup was smart enough to not challenge him back, though he crossed his arms and looked impertinent. He cleared his throat.

“Actually, yes. See Victoria? This stray did help my point a little, though it wasn’t at all well timed. I’m a shifter. A werewolf shifter specifically, so I can change from being human to being a wolf. What you saw earlier was also me, but partially shifted. It isn’t something that happens often, I promise. I’m usually either like this,” He gestured to himself, but Victoria didn’t see it as her back was still turned. “Or in my wolf form. Either way, I promise you I’d never hurt you. I was just shocked when I saw you out here with an unidentified wolf and my emotions got the better of me.”

Oliver said all of this to Victoria’s back as she never turned around once. He wasn’t even sure if she actually heard him. For a few, incredibly long moments, he stared at her back and listened to her rapidly beating heart. It was painful and he was certain she would walk away from him any moment, but he kept hoping that she was strong enough to listen.

Finally, Victoria turned around again. She glanced at the boy who looked at her curiously before she looked away again. She pointed at him. “You need some f*****g clothes.” Her finger slid over to Oliver. “You need to answer a lot of questions.” Then she indicated herself, “And I need a strong drink.” before swiftly walking past the two of them and into the cabin.

Oliver glanced at the boy who smirked back at him. He couldn’t hold back the growl that left his throat. This was not at all how he planned to tell Victoria anything. He could only hope that telling her they were fated mates would go smoother.