The Creole Wolf Queen

3. Running

Orion

I awoke to the sounds of singing. A song that seemed all to familiar yet foreign. I looked at the time, 5am. The clock couldn’t be right. Who in goddess’s name wakes up this early. I roll over to access my space. Finding an empty spot to my left, but a lump on the far side of the bed. What the hell happened last night?

Think Orion think. I remember our meeting, dinner and the shower. But what happened after seemed a blur. Cairo had to know. We did take a wife, or should I say we were taken as husbands. I reach over to shake him awake. He jumps up startled.

“Hey man, what the hell?” He asks rubbing his eyes and soft up. I look him dead in the face. Trying to will him into a coherent state.

“What do you remember last night after dinner? I know we were in the shower with her but what else?” He looks at me like I’m stupid. Now is not the time for games why can’t I remember my actions.

“Are you kidding me? You can’t be serious. We took her in the shower I worked my magic. Then we intensely broke her back in. I’m surprised she isn’t still asleep.” He says as he gets up. Annoyed at having his rest broken, he walks into the bathroom. I get up and follow. There I find her. My mate Erica. Somehow she looks even more stunning than yesterday. I think hard again trying to remember and it all flows back to me.

*flashback*

“Oh goddess yes. Don’t stop baby please just like that.” I look down at her body writhing under mine. Waves of pleasure casting a red hue on her chocolate cheeks. She looked amazing, that wild mane of hair falling back onto her pillows.

“f**k you feel so good. I could do this all night.” I say burying my head into her neck inhaling her intoxicating fragrance. Then it happened, she marked me. Sinking her teeth into my flesh, making my eyes cloud with stars. I couldn’t resist and returned her bite with my own. Pleasure erupting in the pit of my stomach. I couldn’t hold back any longer, spilling my seed inside of her. She was right there with me. Letting out a moan that sounded like pure music.

*end of flashback*

I came back to reality to see her kissing Cairo. They pulled apart only for her to walk over to me. My heart set ablaze at the anticipation of her touch. I knew the mating thing was a quick process as you find your person and are tied together forever. But I never heard of that feeling intensifying every minute.

I leaned down to grab her into my arms. Pressing my lips to hers as she fought for dominance with our tongues. My hands instinctively grabbing her ass. Normally I’d feel jealous at her even looking at someone else, but with her I felt as though we were all connected. I no longer saw Cairo as competition but as a member of my team. A team tasked with loving and protecting this woman in my arms. I gently sat her down and made eye contact as she started to speak.

“I know it’s early but this is our first task of the day. Our pack run is at 6. It is now 5:25. We have 10 minutes to get ready and be at the trail.” Wear something comfortable.” She says patting us on the shoulder. With that she walks back into the room.

“Man she is something else. I don’t even feel the desire to put her in her place.” Cairo says. What is with him and the need to just say everything he thinks. Sometimes plans are best left unspoken.

I quickly wash my face and brush my teeth. Headed out into the room to throw some shorts on. I refuse to wear a shirt. I hate the feel of cloth sticking to the sweat on my skin. I notice a shoe box on the daybed. I turn as I hear someone speaking.

“I got y’all shoes to run in. I don’t think you’d want to mess up the ones you had on yesterday.” I put them on wondering how they fit so well. But there is no time for questions. We head out the room and the house. Jogging towards the trail. Well she jogged, we somehow had to break into a sprint to keep up with her. We were at least a foot taller, yet her strides seemed twice as long as ours.

Erica

We made it to the trail clearing. Pack members showing up shortly after us. Our run was a light one. Only 5 miles today. We usually ran 10. As a way to keep up our stamina. I looked at my members everyone accounted for. But of course we had the ones that hated running. They’ll learn.

“Ok y’all this one is gonna be short. 5 miles and then I have an amazing breakfast planned for us. Along with a special surprise. Keep up the faster we run the faster we finish. Remember heads and chests up.” I say as I take off. Hearing the footfalls behind me being music to my ears.

We ran for a while. It was second nature to me. I couldn’t imagine anything else. I could hear heavy breathing but that was normal. Running is a tedious activity. It can be both draining and therapeutic.

“Keep up people we’re almost there. Only one mile to go. Let’s finish strong.” I saw as I see the pack house up ahead. I could hear the pace picking up as the others saw it as well. Let’s make it fun so we finish with a new record.

“Ok pack whoever beats me, will get first dibs on the new training equipment I’m having delivered. Specifically the water massage bed. Who’s gonna take it? And I promise you I’m not gonna go easy.” I say kicking up my jog to a run. I could hear the pace quicken with each breath.

“It’s mine. I promise I’m not losing that great deal.” Monica said trying to catch up to me.

“In your dreams.” Dillon said quickly passing her.

I picked up my pace even faster my breath never wavering in frequency. I definitely couldn’t let him win. Not because I was competitive but for the sake of the pack. Dillon was a sore winner. We’d hear about this for weeks if he won.

We had about 100 meters left. The final circuit if you’d like. I really put on the jets. Beating my own record as I bound up the pack house steps. I would say it was a humble victory but as I turned around I saw I was 50 meter in front of everyone. They were all still in their own race. I was happy to see it.

Dillon came in second, tied with Cairo. Maria and Orion were next. The rest of the pack followed closely after. Little did they know the real surprise I had in store.

“Of course you won. You’re such a show off. Can’t let anyone else shine.” Dillon said complaining. I reminded myself to put him in his place later.

“First off big baby. If you’d actually apply yourself while running maybe you’d be better. Notice how you’re the only one out of breath? Maybe if you’d spend less time running your mouth and more time actually breathing you’d be able to beat me.” I say completely honest.

The pack gathered around listening for me to speak again. Some of the guys laughing at my exchange with Dillon. I was so happy to tell them the great news. I’m sure they would be happy as well. We renovated the training gym and this was gonna be spectacular.

“Ok y’all so I know I said whoever beat me would get first dibs on the water massage bed. Well I lied.” I say smiling. I could see some faces drop and heard huffs of irritation.

“So you really had us sprinting only for it not to lead to anything? Some leader you are.” Dillon said getting up. He had a couple she wolves agree with him.

“First off watch your tone. Secondly I never said it wouldn’t lead to anything. I just said you wouldn’t get first dibs. Now if you allow me to finish. No one gets first dibs on the bed because of this.” I say as I open the doors to the training facility. Exposing the line of all the waterbeds and massage equipment that would aid in recovery.

“See it isn’t just one bed we have 20. And 15 massage cocoons. And even more massage chairs and devices. Plus a 20 person hot tub. Well two of those actually. Now shut up and get inside before I change my mind. And be in the dining hall in two hours for breakfast.” I tell them as I move out of the way. Hearing a chorus of “yes ma’am” from the wolves. Making sure to hold Cairo and Orion back. I had a special surprise for them. And it wasn’t here.

“You two are coming with me.” I tell them as I start walking.

“Bug I wanted, no I needed to be in that hot tub.” Cairo said throwing a fit. When will he learn? I turn around stopping him in his tracks.

“Oh baby don’t question me. Why would I want you in that hot tub with all of those sweaty women? My surprise is way better.” I say grabbing his hand and pulling him close. Making sure our lips almost touched because turning back around.

I took a few steps before I was swept off my feet. I was now hanging over the shoulder of Cairo. And with a smack to my ass he started walking back to my room. They are gonna love the new arrangements. I had a plumber come install a new jacuzzi tub big enough for three people.

We made it up to my room and they put me down. I walked into the bathroom and saw the bath was already drawn. I had one of the housekeepers fill the tub with hot water and my favorite bubble bath. I stripped out of my clothing and climb in. Letting out a sigh of relief from the warmth soothing my muscles.

“Come here and see what I have for you both. You might wanna take your shoes off though.” I could hear them walking to the bathroom. Both stopping in their tracks as the saw me. Covered in bubbles leaning back on the headrest of the tub.

“Damn.” Orion said staring at me. Cairo just looking speechless.

“Don’t just watch me get in. I want you to join me. Please.” I say looking at my mates. Motioning for them to come closer. They wasted no time stripping. Cairo practically jumping in the tub. Sinking down into the bubbles like a child. Orion was quick to get in as well closing his eyes as he let the warmth take over. We all relaxed enjoying the jets as they massaged our muscles.

About an hour later we got dressed for breakfast. Walking down the stairs I overheard a conversation between two members. I don’t usually snoop but my name was said so I needed to hear.

“Who does that b***h Erica think she is? She’s always trying to tell someone what they need to do better. She needs to get her head out of her ass if she thinks she’s so perfect. Let’s not forget she was the one that led the pack into battle. A battle that caused my mate to lose his life. He would still be here if she hadn’t been so dead set on proving her dominance. And now I’m left to raise my son all alone. My mate didn’t even get to know I was expecting. If I see that asshole I’m going to punch her in the face.” What I heard would have made me angry if it was anyone else. But I understood her pain. I did get a little ahead of myself, but I was not the reason her mate died. He was. And I covered it up because she didn’t need to know his betrayal. Especially when she was expecting a pup. I needed to tell her now. And tell her the whole story.

The story of why we had to make a pact with two other packs. The reason why I’m getting married in the first place. I made my presence known and I needed to get this situation under control before even more casualties were had.

“Jessie. Watch what you say and who you say it to. Better yet watch who you talk about. I need to see you in my office now. And I won’t ask you again. Or would you like to punch me first?” I say as I turn to head to my office. Leaving my mates to find breakfast themselves. I could hear her scoff, but she followed me.

I walked down the hall into my office, Jessie hot on my heels. I knew what I needed to do. And this wasn’t something that I wanted the elders involved in. The more people that knew, was more people that would bring danger. I sat at my desk and motioned for her to sit as well.

“I am only going to allow this once. I know and I understand you pain. So right here and right now is your one time pass to speak your mind. After you are done I will speak and you will listen. And you aren’t going to like what I say.” I tell her looking her in the eyes. Anger filling them as we sat.

“You are the reason my son will grow up without a father. It’s your fault my mate is dead. It’s all your fault that my family will never be whole. You are why I will die from a broken heart. Why I’m stuck in a too small home trying to raise a baby on my own. I hate you and I can’t believe you’re sitting here so smugly.” She said tears welling in her eyes. I know how she felt I really do.

“I understand and I am truly sorry about what you are dealing with. I will reach out to the elders on your behalf to get you some resources to ease the pressure. But I need you to know. Your mate’s death is not and never was on my hands. I know it’s hard to hear but it truly was all his fault. I’m so sorry.” I say. I watch as her face turns even angrier.

“How could it have been his fault. You wanted the battle. It’s all you. I can’t believe you’d lie on him.” She said. Tears welling and spilling over.

“Let me tell you please. It won’t be easy to hear at all. But your mate betrayed our pack in the worst way possible.” I say speaking the truth.

“If he betrayed us, why didn’t you bring it to the elders? Why say he was killed in action? You’re lying to cover your ass.” She said standing to walk away.

“Because you and your pup would have been killed. Either by the elders or the enemy. Your mate died trying to save you both. He knew and he wanted me to give you that box. The one that showed up on your doorstep. I’m sure you haven’t opened it. Because it says it was from me. You may have even thrown it out. But everything you need is in that box.” I tell her. Not having the heart to be angry.

“What do you mean? You are talking in circles.if what you said was true just say it. Stop trying to sugarcoat things.” She yelled. Getting angry just from the thought.

“Jessie. We went to battle because your mate, Dominic was a spy. He was giving private information about the elders and the alphas to the king of the River Bend pack. He was a member and soldier for them. I know before you two were welcomed into our pack you were a runaway from the abuse you endured in your home pack. You met him on your way here. Where you fell in love and were mated. Dominic was sent here to infiltrate our pack and steal information and resources that would lead to River Bend taking over.

“I know he told you he was escaping his pack as well. So you bonded even more over that. But in reality he lied. And in the end he lied on you too. He said you knew everything that he was doing and you were here to help him. This angered the Elders. They wanted you dead because we could not afford such losses.”

“While yes it’s true I wanted to lead the battle if we went to war, I however did not initiate one. Levi, alpha of River Bend, did. He initiated the war by doing the unthinkable, he killed children of our pack while they were on a field trip. Those babies never got a chance to grow up. So yes I wanted the battle but not the war..