The Rogue Duchess

Stop Running

                                                                    Kealamauloa

I knew that this exact moment was karma for every she-wolf I slept with that wasn’t her and every time I lied and said I didn’t want a mate to cover up my loneliness. When the pack begged to go running at sunrise during vacation, I thought they’d finally gone mad. We alternate pack runs between midnight and sunrise back home. Being a wolf on an island is difficult and you don’t want to be in the jungle when the hikers or scientists start arriving.  I would’ve thought vacation meant we get to relax, but they were adamant about their morning run, and they couldn’t make a pack decision without my say so. Not wanting to ruin the guys day, I was going to suggest that we go a bit later so they could all rest, but Keahi chimed in demanding we go now.

    It was odd, inner wolves tend to be night owls and Keahi was no exception to that rule. He had been pacing around in my mind since we got to Atlanta last night. I didn’t understand why he was so antsy. Hunters aren’t allowed in neutral zones because they’re heavily populated with innocent humans that could get caught in the crossfire. Now I get it, he sensed our mate’s wolf before I could sense her presence.

     Her wolf was so beautiful, and she was a surprisingly large wolf. Usually she-wolves are smaller than male wolves. But my girl’s wolf was bigger than my younger sister and gamma Hokulani’s and she was about the size or slightly bigger than Caiden’s wolf. She was smaller than Keahi, but there was no way she was an omega. Even more mesmerizing than her stature, her wolf’s coat was pure silver, not a dull grey, my girl had silver fur. There three rare wolf types within werewolf society: white wolves, silver wolves, and dire wolves.

    White wolves are thought of as royalty in the werewolf kingdom even though the werewolf monarchy was decommissioned and replaced with the alpha summit. White wolves can use magic like witches and they’re immune to wolfsbane. However, they are much more susceptible to the effects of silver. The werewolf monarchy was decommissioned so that white wolves could go into hiding to protect them from extinction. As members of the royal family they were constantly targeted by the elder council of witches. Witches are the original magic bearers and they hate all other magical beings that they see as shoddy imitations of them.

    The next rare wolf type is silver wolves, known as the armored dragons of the werewolf world. Silver wolves are not to be confused with common grey wolves. That shiny metallic coat silver wolves have is unmistakable. The reason silver wolves are referred to as the “armored dragons” of werewolves is because their coats can turn into silver armor that covers them from tail to snout. This special form is a fourth phase unique to silver wolves and it’s called templar form. While in templar form silver wolves are also immune to magical attacks like the dragons of old were. If not for the increased sensitivity to wolfsbane, silver wolves would be a perfect unmovable object.

    Where silver wolves are an unmovable object, the final rare wolves can be thought of as an unstoppable force. Dire wolves are second to no one in terms of sheer physical power. Dire wolves are born with their connection to their inner wolf unlocked. They can shift into their wolf before the age of thirteen, and they’re able to shift into bipedal beast form as early as sixteen. Dire wolves hold two additional form no other wolf possesses. The blood moon form, which is only accessible during the week of a new moon, it’s usable in beast or wolf form. The dire wolf enters a vampiric state, but instead of draining blood they’re able to drain their prey’s life force to maintain homeostasis in states of extreme crisis. The other form is called Fenrir or hell wolf form. When a dire wolf is under extreme duress, they can channel their anger or other powerful emotions into an all-consuming fire that encapsulates their wolf form and they’re able to use those flames as a weapon against their foes. Silver and wolfsbane do not have a lethal effect on them, the only way to kill a dire wolf is to kill their mate.

    Since dire wolves are so powerful, they’re not known to be successful as pack members. A normal alpha wolf is going to be weaker than a dire wolf regardless of where they rank in the pack. That doesn’t bode well for dire wolves because it means they can resist and refuse alpha commands which causes dissension in the pack. Maintaining pack hierarchy and order is integral to keeping the werewolf world as peaceful as possible. Whether the alpha in question is an alpha male or a lunar alpha is of no importance. All alphas are genetically programmed to be dominant and assert their dominance. Dissension in the pack will easily lead to infighting and unnecessary wars. To prevent this the alpha summit decreed all dire wolves should be confirmed by a trusted witch and that they must be put to death upon confirmation. I am an alpha wolf that just so happens to be a dire wolf, so I thought my mate was running because she sensed what I am. I don’t know how she managed to mind link me since we’re not yet mated and she’s not one of my pack members yet, but I heard her pain-stricken voice, and her wolf’s cries in my head.

    “I’m sorry, but I can’t.” she said.

    “Mate isn’t scared of us.” said Keahi in a happier tone than I expected.

    “I know, something is scaring our girl away from us,” I paused, “do you know what this means Keahi?” I asked.

    “We’re finding mate again and bringing her home?” Keahi asked nervously. My wolf is the embodiment of my soul so he’s a part of me, but we have different personalities in some regards. One thing that’s different about Keahi is that this wolf is emotional, and he shows it. I can’t blame him for being nervous I spent the last four years saying I didn’t want our mate. But now that I saw her wolf, I knew she was everything I needed and wanted for the rest of my life.

    “Hell yeah! Keahi that’s exactly what this means.” I replied. With my confirmation Keahi who is still at the reins let out the loudest howl I’ve ever heard in my life. There’s no way my mate didn’t hear it as she drove away and that was sure to bring all forty of the guys running to me. Sure, enough the familiar sound of paws hitting the ground came within seconds of our howl. I knew it was my favorite red wolf leading the charge. The guys were probably a few minutes behind when Caiden’s wolf Dax appeared in front of me.

    “What’s going on mate?” he asks through the mind link.

    “I found her Caiden, I finally found her!” I replied. Dax tilted his head to the side and then his pupils went wide with realization and he started looking around.

    “Where’s the luna bruv?” he asked excitedly.

    “She ran from us, somethings got her so scared she won’t come near me, and it’s not my condition.” I stated trying to withhold my sadness. Dax let out an involuntary growl at the mention of his future luna being scared or in danger.

    “With your permission I’ll mind link the tracers that’re with us to start the search right now.” He stated. Caiden was the best friend and beta a wolf could ask for; I love this man like the brother I wish I had. I’ll do whatever it takes to find you and keep you safe my sweet silver girl. Nothing is going to stop me from getting to properly love you now that I’ve finally found you. I’ll fight anyone and anything to keep you next to me for the rest of our lives.

    Within a few more minutes the entirety of the UMPH was in the clearing where Caiden and I were, we hadn’t shifted back yet. A few of the guys were carrying our clothes so that we could, and once we did the rest of the guys followed suit.

    “Alpha what happened?” asked Dante one of the pack deltas. The other guys all looked at me with questioning gazes.

    “I met your future luna and she…” I was interrupted by the immense howling and cheers. While I was happy, they were happy for me, I don’t like being interrupted.

“Let me finish,” I said in my alpha voice and they nodded in submission, “she ran from me and I want her found something has her running scared. I’m not sure what’s gone on in her life, but if she was willing to be without her mate it has to be severe.” I pointed to the trail she used to run away from me, I could’ve caught her, but I wanted a clean scent trail for the trackers. Who knows, maybe she wants me to chase and find her to prove how much I want her?

                                                                                #

                                                                            Sarahi

When Jade leaves for her runs I usually go back to sleep, but I wasn’t tired anymore. I just want Jade to come home, I don’t feel safe when she’s not around. Jade Silver is more than my best friend she’s my lifesaver and the closest thing I have to family.  Unlike the world of witches, hybrids or half-bloods as we’re often referred to aren’t illegal in vampire society. We’re just looked down on as lesser vampires. So, when I needed help there wasn’t a single vampire that was going to come to my rescue.

    When I ran away that final time, sunlight be damned, I knew my death was imminent. I pushed my broken body to the max. I wasn’t expecting to run into a young rogue wolf in that goddess forsaken forest that surrounded my prison. I had been through hell myself, but she looked like she lived there. She looked at me with eyes devoid of life, her green right eye lacked warmth and her left eye was a haunting ice-cold white silver color. It truly looked like death rested in her irises. She looked at me like she was evaluating my soul, she then looked at my captor that was ripping through the trees screaming about how he’d beat me to death for running away again. I saw something in the little wolf’s eyes ignite and she raised her hand and something I never would’ve imagined happened, she…

    “RAHI WE HAVE A PROBLEM!” Jade comes screaming through the front door. She interrupted my thoughts about the day we met with instantaneous worry. Jade is a lot of things, but the kind of person to panic without reason isn’t one of them. Please tell me she didn’t run into hunters or witches; I don’t want to move again. Jade comes crashing into my room, she’s a sweaty mess and she’s been crying. Jade? Crying? Hell must be about to take over Earth because this isn’t like her at all.

    “I met my mate in the forest today.” Jade said through tears. I don’t mean to be that person, but now I’m mad. I walked over and smacked her arm as hard as I could.

    “Ow Sarahi what the hell?” Jade exclaims rubbing her arm.

    “Did you run from him?” I asked trying not to lose my temper. The mate bond is sacred and Jade deserved to be happy, but she thinks pushing everyone away is going to keep them safe. She also has this ridiculous delusion that she’s a burden. When she's is nothing short of a blessing from the goddesses themselves.

    “Of course, I did! I couldn’t stay he would get hurt!” Jade exclaimed with her head hanging low. I had to take a deep breath because I’m trying not to slap her again. I know she hides her scent whenever we leave the house. This whole time I thought it was for the hunters, werewolves that hate rogues and witches. Now it’s clicking that she’s been hiding from her mate.

    “Describe him.” I said trying to not let my fangs loose.

    “I only saw his wolf.” Jade replies with her head still hanging low.

    “Did I stutter mocha mami?” I asked with a threatening tone.

    “He was an insanely huge beautiful black wolf, his coat was glossy, he was so muscular, and he made Mercury look like a gamma wolf.” Jade said as she lifted her head up, whether she’s realized it or not she has a glowing smile on her face.

    “What else?” I asked.

    “His wolf has gorgeous aqua blue ocean eyes and get this he’s an alpha wolf.” Jade stated with pride enveloping her aura. She’s already in love with him, now to prove my point. Selene help me live through this.

    “He sounds tantalizing, since you don’t want him, I’ll volunteer to let him mount me.” Both of Jade’s eyes went white silver as did her afro letting me know Mercury took over and she’s pissed.

    “You’re not touching my mate! I’ll kill you!” Mercury snarled in her alpha voice. She looked like she was ready to pounce on me, since she hasn't Jade must be internally fighting for my life. Her claws and fangs were out, I'm a half-vampire, but even if I was a full vampire I would want no parts of a fight with a lunar alpha. If you think male alpha werewolves are strong you haven’t met the ferocity that is a lunar alpha. You combine that with Jade being a sage, the most powerful kind of witch to exist, and you have a hot bowl of death noodle soup.

            “Mercury, I don’t want your mate relax your claws please! I swear I don’t want your mate! I’m trying to make Jade get it together. The moon goddess made you mates for a reason; you need each other help me get her to stop running from him!” I snapped, I didn’t mean to let my fangs come out, but I was livid.

    “Some of us will never get to be with our mates and yours was right in front of you and you let him go? Are you crazy?” I yelled accusatorily.

    “No, I’m not crazy! You know why I can’t go to him!” Jade snaps back. Mercury must’ve given Jade back the reins because her green iris has returned.

    “The moon goddess always equally yokes mates, there’s no way she mated you to a wolf that couldn’t handle you and whatever comes with you.” I stated, I know I hit a nail in the coffin because something flashed in her eyes.

    “Jade Silver what are you thinking about?” I asked quizzically.

                                                                       Jade

When Sarahi mentioned mates being equally yoked, I couldn’t help, but to think about my mate. He was no normal alpha wolf, I’ve only ever heard rumors about the existence of his kind, but the aura of his is undeniable. My mate is a dire wolf, and I should be scared, but that just makes me want him more. I know Sarahi just asked me what I’m thinking about, but best friend or not there are some topics that are off limits even with her, this is one of them.

    He’s an alpha wolf and a dire wolf, typically dire wolves get killed when they’re confirmed by a witch or they go rogue to save their lives. He didn’t smell like a rogue wolf which means he’s in command of a pack. The only way that’s even remotely possible is if he learned to keep his aura from radiating his full power when he’s not around his pack. Which means the alpha summit has no idea he’s a dire wolf otherwise they’d start a war to kill him and take over his territory. I’ll be damned if they touch my mate, he’s mine!

    “Jade why are you growling at me it was just a question loca!” Sarahi exclaims.

    I didn’t realize I went back into attack mode, stupid mate bond I’m acting like a psycho already. I can’t help it; werewolves are territorial by nature and very possessive over their mates. It’s multiplied by tenfold when the werewolf in question is an alpha wolf, I’m honestly concerned. I’ve never heard of two alpha wolves being mated together and for good reason, Mercury doesn’t know what submissive means, we’re either going to mesh or have constant dominance spats.

    “Sorry Sarahi the mention of someone touching our mate has Mercury on edge.” I lied.

    “Hey! Don’t go blaming me when you’re the one that’s ready to draw blood!” Mercury yells.

    “Will you hush Mercury I needed a reasonable cover!” I spat back.

    “DID YOU JUST TRY TO COMMAND ME TO BE SILENT?” Mercury growls at me letting her alpha tone out. Here we go with the nonsense, even when it’s me she’s ready to fight the second that you tell her to do anything.

    “You growl at me one more time and I’m locking you in the cage and cutting off your mana supply so you can’t access our mate’s wolf.” I replied. Mercury may be my wolf, but I’m the sage witch and lunar alpha and I wear the pants in this cohabitation.

    “Y-you wouldn’t.” Mercury whines. I almost felt bad, I know how much she loves feeling his wolf, but Mercury needs to be put in her place sometimes.

“In the words of Tobe, try Jesus not me.” I deadpanned. With that reply Mercury whines in my head again she walks to the back of my mind and starts pacing in a circle before lying down.

    “I’m taking a nap, because I want to, not because you threatened me.” Mercury grumbles before shutting her eyes.

    “No matter how many times I watch you mind link with your wolf I’ll never get used to werewolves having two beings living in one body.” Sarahi says in mild bewilderment. To werewolves this is perfectly normal. As I reflect on it, I recall that vampires don’t have an inner bat like we have inner wolves. So, the concept of telepathic communication between inner wolves and their humans must be strange to outsiders.

    “Don’t hate because werewolves are more intricate than vampires batty.” I say teasingly while I stick my tongue out, which earns an eyeroll from Rahi.

    “Anyway, we have work at midnight I’m going to sleep, wake me up at ten.” Sarahi says while she gets back in bed. I take that as my cue to leave her room and head to the bathroom I need a shower I smell like outside. I make my way to the bathroom, strip out of my clothes, and enjoy the steaming water hitting my skin. I resolve in mind that after work I’ll find my mate and give us a chance, I’m going to stop running.