Chapter 9
1126 Words
Kristi
Even in wolf form my skin had a lingering soft tingle from the contact with my mate. Something was different about him now. I couldn’t place my finger on it, but there was just something… different. It was like he had grown into his purpose. In the hospital he seemed somewhat lost, but not anymore. He radiated an inner confidence and peace now.
The soft cushioned floor of the forest became less damp and more compact as I stepped into the familiar clearing where I used to train with Gabriel and the vision of his mangled body flashed through my mind. I picked up my pace, not wanting to linger in this spot. If only I felt truly rid of him. I had felt that way before today. I thought my father ran him off for good. But if he could come back, could that male he had brought that day to be my mate? I didn’t know that male's name or even what he looked like, so how was I to know?
My wolf ducked under the low pine boughs which lined the edge of the woods nearest the pack house and I found myself on the familiar path to the bunkhouse, thankful for the strange calmness it provided. Although that all ended when I nuzzled the door aside and found my bunk empty. I gave a low growl as I looked over at two young warriors sitting on their bunks, looking exhausted. They had probably been helping to move those without homes into the packhouse while I was gone. It would be no small task.
“Your things were moved for you, Alpha.” The youngest signed. His name was Anthony. He had a mop of blonde hair that never looked like it had met a comb. The boy was overly attached to his mother which annoyed me and made me unable to even show a hint of kindness as I abruptly turned and left. I needed to find Marcus. I had told that as*hole already that I wouldn’t be sleeping in there. Obviously, my lecture about insubordination wasn’t successful. I just wanted to shift, shower, and change, but I had no idea where my clothes were.
The pack house was buzzing with activity. Pack members were coming and going through the back door and I was thankful to see the pups relaxed enough to be playing games in the grass. I was envious of their resiliency.
I nodded my gratitude to the woman who held the door open for me and then walked through the entire downstairs looking for Marcus or Darius but found neither. Just pack members who kept bowing their heads to me. It was so awkward.
Finally losing my patience, I linked Marcus.
Where the hell are you, and where are all of my things? I demanded.
They are in your old childhood room next to Rose’s. He replied.
I stopped for a moment, my right paw frozen on the first step. How had I forgotten? I made my way up the stairs and headed across the hall, standing outside the oddly familiar room. It had been so long since I used it. Even when I would come to see Rose, I would sleep in her bed with her. I kept clothes in her drawers. My old bedroom door stood slightly ajar and I walked in, anticipating a thick layer of dust and cobwebs to liter the scene, but it smelled fresh. The small twin bed had been recently made, and the air smelled of pine from the cleaning agents. I pushed the door shut with my shoulder and shifted. The tingling sensation of my mate felt stronger now and made me not want to shower just in case it went away, but I needed to. I opened several drawers before finding an old pair of shorts and an oversized shirt which I slipped on and then rifled through the drawers some more, grabbing a pair of jeans and a sweater for after I washed. I headed out of the room and over to the bathroom down the hall. It was the one Rose used. Her scent still lingered and it calmed me. After locking the bathroom door, I turned on the hot water, let it run, and closed the pink shower curtain. Pulling my shirt over my head and catching a glimpse of my torso in the mirror, I froze. My body looked different. I felt taller, which I assumed was from the weight of my father no longer looming over my head, but I was wrong. I had definitely grown. My muscles were also more defined. Happiness washed over me. I truly looked like an Alpha. I was much larger than my mother, the pack Luna, had ever been. I could do this.
Steam started filling the room, a clear indication the hot water had made its way through the pipes and I removed my shorts and stepped into the shower.
After getting clean and dressed, I linked Marcus again.
Where are you?
I’m in the kitchen.
I didn’t respond, just made my way down the stairs. The atmosphere seemed light and joyful which was such a stark contrast to the still evident scent of smoke from the houses burned during the raid.
Walking into the kitchen, I saw Marcus, leaning up against the counter with a plate of food balanced on his chest as he shoveled the contents into his mouth. I raised a brow at him.
“You eat like a pig.” I signed.
He laughed and a few small pieces of what I now realized was apple pie came flying out of his mouth onto the plate again, making my stomach lurch and I frowned. He set the plate on the counter and grabbed a napkin, wiped his mouth, and then crumpled it in his hand, relaxing back against the hard surface again.
I headed for the coffee pot, grabbing a mug from the cupboard over top and filling it almost to the brim, then took a long sip before walking to the island that separated my new Beta and myself and set it down.
“We need to go over finances and supplies, especially food.”
“I did that while you were… wherever you were. I also took care of the rogue. Or at least what was left of it. Was that the man you used to train with?” He signed.
I nodded my head in response.
“Any loose pieces?”
I wanted to answer the question right away, but I wasn’t sure how. I waited a long time, drinking coffee and thinking. To my surprise, Marcus remained patient, just waiting.
“I don’t know.” I admitted finally.
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