Mistress of Blood and Fur

Chapter 13 - Arrow

Grace

When I wake up, I realize that Onyx and Fox have gone down to town. I feel disappointed. I walk in circles near my hut before I decide that I shouldn’t waste today. I have always been used to being alone. What’s happening to me? I can’t be looking for Fox’s and Onyx’s company. Dash seems to be missing in action, as well, and I wonder if he only pushes himself toward me when Onyx is around. A competition.

“Will they take long?” I ask Alpha Kele in the martial arts training room. The place is still nearly empty, except for two young wolves training. One is annihilating the punching bag, which we call Mr. Strong, and the other one is working on his agility through gymnastics. I want to take the mat with an opponent, but I’ll have to make do with what is here.

“They should take around five to six hours. It depends on what they’re planning to do aside from buying groceries. I think Fox wants to download some stuff and both can get hungry along the way.”

I sigh. I’m the one feeling a little hungry at the thought of Fox being away for a long time. He has spoiled me with his recipes. My parents can both cook and my brothers hunt, but I haven’t eaten anything quite like what he has brought to the table. I know Onyx wants to give it a try, and I’d probably take anything from him.

“Do any of the women get sent to buy groceries?”

“I can tell you would have wanted to go down with the boys,” the pack leader says, smiling. He is a kind man, and I wonder if we ever have anything in common aside from the fact that I seem to be developing a second sensory power. Maybe I’ll get a chance to ask questions today.

“Yes, I would love to have gone down. I’m happy here, Alpha, don’t get me wrong but I’m also bored. So bored.”

“Have you decided on a mate yet? I know it’s a lot of pressure now that wolves no longer operate as before.”

“I don’t mind it. I hate the idea of smelling someone and just finding out that they’re my mate even if I don’t like them. If that were the case, I would have already left Opium Hills. My father’s first wife was supposedly his mate but he didn’t really know because his father had been drugging him to put his wolf under. My mother would probably kick a forced mate in the balls.”

Alpha Kele laughs at that.

“So, you haven’t? I noticed that you have been spending a lot of time with three wolves. Don’t worry. I won’t campaign for my son. Your Great-Aunt Domino made me promise that you get to choose. The women in your family have always been given that kind of power.”

Power. Mm.

“Alpha, did you go through a ritual to become the chief of Opium Hills? How were you chosen? Was it as simple as a son passing on the power to his son?”

It may be my imagination but his lips seem to have turned pale against his brown skin.

“No. It’s not that simple. The new Alpha should have at least two sensory powers. I’m still having a difficult time finding anyone who will replace me.”

“Onyx?” I ask, my palms turning clammy at the thought that I may be betraying him by asking about him behind his back. But I want to know more about him, and I doubt he’ll tell me more about the chief’s requirements.

“He’s a strong wolf, Grace. He’s the best fighter I know, but he has mastered one sensory power so far. Scent. I’m not that worried, though, because he has always felt forced whenever he’s asked to visit. He -,” Alpha Kele falters, his eyes boring into mine as he realizes that he has said too much.

“I’m sorry if I’ve been asking too many questions, Alpha,” I say, nodding my head to show respect and a little bit of shame, which I barely feel anyway.

“It’s alright, Grace. You just may be the one to change his mind. He seems happy with you. Maybe you can make him stay. Again, I’m not asking you to choose him. I don’t and can’t have that kind of influence over you.”

“You can choose him now, Grace,” Greta urges. “We want him. Don’t we? We want him now.”

Lust stirs in me whenever I remember his fingers between my legs. Of course, I want him, but I want more from a mate.

“Don’t tell me you’re looking for love, little Grace.”

“Of course, I am. Look at my Dad and Mom and how they found each other through their trials.”

I realize that Alpha Kele is still a few inches away from me, and he’s now watching me thoughtfully.

“Your wolf is new, isn’t she?” he asks, and I know then that he has more senses that even Onyx can ever guess.

I nod.

“Some wolves are like arrows, zipping into one direction no matter what. Their ancestors detected mates, turning wild in their presence. But you – you’re more powerful than that, Grace. The hierarchy here in Opium Hills isn’t straight as an arrow, either. It’s unpredictable. It deviates. I can sense that you’re like that, Grace.”

“You’re not as innocent as you think you are,” Greta accuses.

**

After lunch, I find a wolf about my age to spar with. Tobias is slim and is only a few inches taller than me at around 5 feet 8. He’s strong, though, which isn’t a surprise because he’s a wolf. We jump up and down with our hands clenched in front of us. I may be female, but it doesn’t look like Tobias is going to let me go off easily. That’s why I like the fact that I’ve found him.

He takes a swing for my face and I dodge his fist. I shudder inwardly, wondering what it would have been like if that fist connected to my face. I can feel his frustration. He’s competitive like I am. Good. I am patient, though, and I want to see his best shots.

Tobias moves backward and forward like in a dance. Then, he gives me a side kick. It hits me on the shoulder, and I stagger a little. My arms flail a little but I quickly steady myself. He’s not joking around, but I am not, either. I swing at him but he dodges. My shoulder feel like falling apart when I attempt another punch. Change tactics. I jog up and down, gaining momentum. Then, I give him a side kick using my left foot.. It hits him on the chest but he doesn’t fall. I shift my weight to the other side, and gives him a side kick with my right foot this time. I connect to the same spot I hit earlier, and he falls.

Yes!

He falls.

Some wolves hoot and there’s some applause. Tobias gets up and shakes my hand, smiling.

“You did a great job, Grace.”

I give him a hug, grateful for his sportsmanship. I’ve heard that my mother had to deal with evil witches when she was training to become a witch assassin.

“It’s my turn now.”

I turn to see Dash, who gives me a broad grin. He is wearing his gi, ready to fight. I notice the black belt. The last time I was here, I saw Onyx with a black belt, too. I never had formal lessons. So, I don’t know what level I should be in now. Tobias is a green.

“Really? Are you trying to avenge all male wolves, Dash?”

“Let’s see what happens,” he says with a smirk.

He joins me on the mat. I think that the whole thing will go the way it did with Tobias, with the punches and kicks but it doesn’t. Dash lunges for me, and flips me until I feel my back hit the mat gently, the whole move supported by his arms. He places his knees on either side of my body and puts his face close to mine.

“Dash?” I ask, a little alarmed. There are several other wolves in the training room, but he blocks the rest of them with his body. To my shame, I feel a delicious shiver because of his nearness.

“Kiss him,” Greta urges.

“No.”

“Choose me, Grace,” he breathes. “I know you can feel a connection between us.”

“Of course, she feels a connection, asshole. Your face is too close to hers. Get off her, right now!”

I’d know that voice anywhere. It’s Onyx. He’s standing by the doorway, his face stormy. I know he’s shooting daggers at Dash with his eyes, but how much of that is directed at me, too? I try to get up, but Dash stubbornly keeps his weight hovering over me. With a sudden burst of energy, I knee his stomach and he doubles over.

“I -I’m sorry,” I say, as I scramble, but he easily recovers and hops on his feet.

“Make a choice, Grace, or one or both of us we’ll be thrown out of here,” Dash says.

“She doesn’t have to make a choice now,” Onyx counters, his eyes locking with mine. He’s saying the right things to make me swoon, but the words coming from his mind heats me up.

“You’re mine, Grace Sloane.”