Dark Wolf Series

Chapter 7

"I have a special necklace." I said, cooly. "How did you mask your's?" I questioned.

"My scent was masked by some healers from the pack I was visiting. My sister moved to a different country to be with her mate. I was more of a guinea pig, so to speak." He chuckled.

"Why is your scent still masked then?" He asked, glancing at me.

"I have my reasons." I muttered.

He nodded and hummed but didn't question more which I was glad. "I just have to say, your wolf is pretty impressive." He expressed.

I smiled, brightly. "Why, thank you." I chuckled.

We came out of the tree lines into the back garden of the packhouse. There was a group stood around the back door. We walked over, everyone spun around and stared at us.

"Amaris, where have you been?" Lucas shrilled. I rolled my eyes and glared at him. "I was with Ezra." I shrugged.

Rhydian pushed his way to the front and growled. Everyone stared at him, he looked just as confused as the rest. "What's up, Rhyd?" Ezra asked.

Rhydian shook his head before answering, "You were supposed to come straight to me when you arrived." He glared. Ezra nodded, "Sorry, I saw Amaris and got sidetracked." He confessed.

"Nice chatting with you again, sis." He winked. "Now I know who you are." He chuckled. Lucas and Rhydian looked at us confused. "Yeah, I still think you're a pup." I smirked. He playfully bowed at me before turning to Rhydian. "Come on, Alpha." He rolled his eyes.

Lucas dismissed everyone and beckoned me to a nearby bench. "Why did you run off?" He questioned. I sighed and flopped down on the bench.

Do I tell him I heard their conversation? Or do I keep quiet? I'm so confused, my head hurts.

"I just needed some air. I'm a little overwhelmed." I whispered. Lucas nodded his head and gazed into the distance. I looked at him. I know him well enough to know he wants to say something.

"Spit it out" I groaned. He jumped slightly, "What do you mean?" He muttered.

"Lucas, I've known you forever. I know when you want to say something." I rolled my eyes, giggling slightly. He took a deep breath then twisted around so he was facing me.

"Why was Rhydian able to calm you?" He awkwardly asked. I stared at him. What a stupid question to ask when he knows excatly what Rhydian is doing.

I rolled my eyes and snorted. "He didn't, I have learned to control myself." I lied... "When I felt myself changing, I focused on my happy place." I lied again.

Someone should give me an award for 'the best lies made up on the spot.' I chuckled to myself.

"I'm just going to pretend I believe you." He said, sarcastically.

"Thanks." I replied, just as sarcastic. "I know you'll tell me eventually what's going on." He smiled.

I nodded, rolling my eyes then sighed. "Anyway, how do you know Ezra?" He asked.

"I don't... not really." I shrugged, "I met him at the airport. Only I didn't know he is a wolf and vice versa." I explained.

"Do you wear your necklace all the time?" He questioned, staring in the distance. I peered at him, trying to figure out his sudden interest with my necklace.

"I do. I don't ever take it off." I replied, coldly.

"I get it, I do." He sighed then turned to look at me. "But... don't you ever want to find your mate?" He asked, scanning my eyes. I sighed and leaned back.

"No. I don't." I whispered. "I'd never know if it was real or fake." I breathed out, heavily.

"I guess." He murmured. "Sorry, I just want you to be happy." He smiled, sadly at me.

"I know, I will be." I sighed. "I have you lot." I playfully shoved his shoulder. He wrapped his arm around me, pulling me into his side.2

"That you do." He grinned, resting his head on mine. I linked my arm through his and sighed contentedly.

"Hey Luc, do you have any photos from your wedding?" I asked. He nodded his head, excitedly. "I do!" He jumped up. He held his hand out to me, "Come for dinner and I'll show you." I took his hand and stood up, I smiled and we headed towards his house.

Lucas pulled his phone out of his pocket, pressed some buttons then put it away. "Pasta bake still your fave?" He questioned.

"Of course!" I happily exclaimed. I was already looking forward to a home cooked meal with family.

Chapter 12

I spent the evening yesterday with Lucas and Elijah and it was the best couple of hours I have had in a while. Elijah and Lucas are total opposites, Lucas is always on edge and wants things done here and now unlike Elijah, he's so laid back and has a wicked sense of humour. Their wedding photos were absolutely stunning, Lucas looked so happy. I'm gutted I missed it.

I stretched out in bed and groaned. Tristan and Georgie did an amazing job of my bedroom, they replaced pretty much everything. I rolled over and grabbed my phone from the side table. I unlocked it then promptly screwed my eyes shut as the light blinded me. I let my eyes adjust before I looked properly at it.

There was a text from Ria and Lucas. I opened Ria's first...

Ria Roo xo - Do you want to have a pamper day ready for tomorrow? xx

Me - Um, yeah that'll be... nice. Xx

Ria Roo xo - Well get ready. I'll be at yours soon or we can meet at the packhouse xx

Me - Packhouse, 1 hour. See you soon <3

A day of pampering... Yay. I guess she means well but I have never been into that face mask, manicure and pedicure shit... I mean when we shift, it would ruin our nails, what's the point? I sighed then opened Lucas' text...

Lucas - Thank you for coming home. I love you Amaris xxx

Me - I love you xxx

I dropped my phone onto my bed then buried my head under the cover and groaned. My dad's funeral is tomorrow and I'm not looking forward to it at all. I don't know how I'm going to keep calm. I'm expected to say a eulogy and I don't know what to say or if I can even do it without breaking down.

I kicked the quilt cover off me and dragged myself out of bed. I headed into the bathroom, turned the shower on then did my business while I waited for the shower to heat up.

I glanced in the mirror before splashing water on my face. The mirror was all steamy from the shower, I childishly wrote my name into the mirror then chuckled to myself. As a pup, I remember going around every window in our house, breathing against the glass to make it fog and writing my name. I loved leaving my mark everywhere.

I stepped into the shower, wincing because of the heat... I turned the temperature down a little and relaxed under the water. I leaned my head back, closed my eyes and let the water stream down my face.

I need to think of something to say at my dad's funeral... When it comes to putting feelings into words, I suck! How am I supposed to say how I feel when half the time, I have no idea. I could talk about how great he was... But everyone already knows that. Even if I manage to think of something to say, how do I stand in front of these people, the people I let down. They won't have respect for me nor do I blame them.

'Calm down, Amaris.' Aurora warned.

I growled and clenched my fists into balls. I let my dad down, I let my pack down, I let all my friends down. That she-wolf was right... My dad died, thinking I didn't care.

My body started shaking violently, I tried calming myself but I was failing. The more I thought about what I'd done, the angrier I became. I leaned forward, placing my palms against the cool tiles, dropping my head down, closing my eyes and taking long, deep breaths.

Soon, my breaths became laboured and heavy. My eyes snapped open, a burning sensation spread throughout my body. I spun around and screamed. A high pitched, deafening scream. My fists collided with the glass in the shower, shattering it. A loud, threatening growl erupted from deep inside me, causing a power surge to flow from me. It was happening, the Dark Wolf was taking over. With the little self-control I had left, I slid down the tiles, pulling my knees to my chest and waited for the inevitable. 1

"Amaris, come on. Open your eyes." A voice soothed.

I couldn't work out who was speaking, or what was going on. The last thing I remember, I was in the shower...

No, no, no... I lost control, again. I blinked my eyes a few times adjusting to the darkness. Wait?! Darkness, where am I?

"Please." There's that voice again.

"Where am I?" I choked out, barely audible. My throat was scratchy and my head was killing. I tried sitting up but was gently pulled back against a hard surface. Everything was hazy, I concentrated on my senses and was hit by Rhydian's scent. I panicked and turned my head sideways, peeking up. My eyes went wide, I glanced down, I had a towel wrapped around my body. I gripped my necklace and breathed out in relief before looking back up at Rhydian.

He gazed back down at me, his face was full of concern and a little... fear? "What happened? Where are we?" I whispered, staring back at him.

"I think we need to... talk." He hesitated. I furrowed my brows at him and I swear I felt him shiver.

"I don't want to talk. Why am I here?" I asked, "Why are you here?" I monotoned, glaring at him.

He took a deep breath, "That's what we need to talk about." I sighed and turned my head forward. I tried sitting up again, only to be pulled back down. "It's best if you stay here." He deadpanned, snaking his arm across my stomach. I glanced down, taking in a sharp intake of breath, the tingles and shocks pulsed through my body.

"I have it under control." I huffed, throwing myself back against his chest. He grunted but kept his hand on me. I can't focus on anything with his stupid hand giving me stupid fake tingles. I groaned and screwed my eyes shut.

"Ok... talk." I scoffed.

"Why can I bring you back from whatever happens to you?" He questioned.

Chapter 13

"Why can I bring you back from whatever happens to you?" He questioned.

My eyes went wide and I froze. Does he not know what a mate bond does?! I'm so confused. Maybe I should reveal myself, just take my necklace off and let him sense me.

'Not yet. Find out what he was talking to Lucas about.' Aurora suggested. That is a good idea, not one I was expecting, especially from my wolf who was ready to give Rhydian the benefit of the doubt.

"I don't know what you mean," I replied nonchalantly, with my eyes fixed on the wall opposite us.

"No one else could get through to you." He exclaimed. "What happens to you? Why do you go all... dark?" He faltered.

I sighed and reluctantly rested my head against his chest. I felt him stiffen but quickly relax. "Didn't my dad tell you?" I whispered. I thought he would have done, especially when he gave the Alpha position to him.

"No. All your dad said was you were different." He explained, "But that could have meant anything."