A Warrior's Fury

Chapter 2

My alarm clock rings at 7 AM and I groggily get out of bed and go into my bathroom for a hot shower. I sigh as I let the warm water run over my body and lather sandalwood and citrus shower oil onto my skin, and scrub off the remaining dirt from last night. I massage my rose shampoo and conditioner into my scalp and enjoy the warmth and safety of my little morning routine. Midway through my shower, I hear a knock at my bathroom door. I smell it's Marius and tell him to just come it. It's not as if he hasn't seen me naked before. He waits outside the shower curtain and I ask him if he needs anything.

"I just wanted to apologize for what happened last night. I came on too strong and I'm afraid I made a dent in our friendship. Can you forgive me?"

I'm baffled by his apology. I didn't know this bothered him so much. "Of course I forgive you! You're my friend and sometimes feelings are confusing. Don't worry about it."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course!"

I turn off the shower and reach for my towel to dry myself off, except it isn't there. I must have forgotten to take it with me. I curse my own stupidity and walk out of the shower to grab a dry towel from the closet. Marius is still there, watching me as I wrap the towel around my body. My dark blonde hair is damp and clings to my body. His eyes turn a shade darker, the muscles in his arms tense and I'm fairly sure a certain something twitched behind his jeans' zipper. Seeing his reaction to my appearance sends a pang of desire through my core and I feel my nether regions begin to throb. I have to get out of here before I make a stupid, impulsive decision. 

Marius' voice is coarse when he speaks up. "I could help you with that, you know". Without a word, I walk out of the bathroom and into my bedroom, trying to cool myself down. Marius follows me in there. "If not forever, maybe just for once, to see how it feels with you".

"Marius, I told you no. You need to go and I need to get dressed. Please, go, before we do something we shouldn't." At that, Marius seems to regain his wits and dashes out of my bedroom. I head back in the shower and set the temperature to 'freezing cold' in order to cool myself down, before getting dressed and heading downstairs for breakfast. I don't understand why Marius has this effect on me when he's not my mate. This isn't supposed to happen. I know wolves are hyper-s****l creatures, but we also all know it's disrespectful to one's mate to sleep with another wolf. 

I enter the living room and see Marius is already there. He's staring straight ahead and seems to be deep in thought. I leave him be for now and get my breakfast, eggs benedict with avocado toast, and a nice hot cup of tea. I sit down on the couch and strike up a conversation with Dennis, the soon-to-be gamma of the pack. 

"Are you almost ready for the big ceremony?"

"I can't wait, Annie. It's been a long time coming! How are you feeling?"

"Nervous as hell, obviously, but also excited. I can't wait to lead this pack with you and Marius. It's going to be awesome!"

Dennis turns to Marius. "Are you okay, bro? You look a little pale."

"I'm fine, just thinking things over before our big moment."

"Cool, let me know if you need anything, yeah? Wouldn't want you to crop things up."

He plops down next to Marius, slings an arm around his neck, and plants a kiss on his cheek. Marius looks at him in shock and bursts out laughing along with me. Dennis always knows how to break the tension, which is what makes him a great gamma. Dennis and his wolf Tiberius are super reliable. I'd trust him with my life at a second's notice. 

"Man, Dennis, I've been thinking lately that maybe I should just choose a mate and get that whole business over and done with. It seems easier than waiting and saving myself for my fated mate, you know? Who knows if she ever even shows up?"

"What are you talking about? There will be so many wolves here from different packs this afternoon, your mate might be among them. Don't just give up on finding your fated mate. I know not everyone is as lucky as Daisy and I, but I'm sure she's out there. Don't give up your second half just because it's easier."

Dennis and Daisy, the two lovebirds in the packhouse. They were lucky to find each other when Dennis turned 18. Daisy was a waitress in the village but moved to the packhouse after she mated with Dennis. They are adorable together and I'm secretly just a tad bit jealous of them. Still, I'll hold on to the idea that I'm a 'badass, independent woman who don't need no man' and carry on with my daily, badass (hey, I never said it wasn't true) activities as the future beta of this Blue Lake pack. 

After breakfast, Maggie cleans up after us and we head to Marius' office to discuss the final few things for the ceremony. We practice our lines for the blood oath and hug each other for support and encouragement. Finally, alpha James steps into the office with a proud smile on his face as he asks us if we're ready. 

Hand in hand, we walk down the stairs to the main hall of the packhouse. I squeeze Marius' hands as we walk up to the podium. Marius takes his alpha oath and I watch in awe as the powers of alpha James flow into Marius and wipe away a little tear as the two share a father-and-son hug. As the main part of the alpha ceremony finishes, I realize I'm up next.