Little Wolf

First night - Nikolai

I was in my office with Mikhail, my Beta. My right-hand man. I glared at him. Tall and muscular, he possessed a strong and commanding presence, his physical stature reflecting his dominant position within the pack. His deep-set blue eyes had a piercing gaze that could be intimidating yet also captivating, revealing the depths of his passion and determination. His dark hair falls in unruly waves, and his hair hints at an untamed nature, mirroring his status as a wolf.

I downed the vodka on my desk and then threw it against the wall. “It’s been 2 days since Tatiana was taken. I f*****g failed twice, Mikhail.” My eyes shifted to the stuffed white wolf pup sitting in its honorary position on my desk, solid white aside from the black socks and black-tipped ears, the sound of a girl’s laughter ringing in my ears. “f*****g find her!”

My head snapped up as I got a link from the patrol. Mikhail pushed to his feet, having got the same link. “What did they say?”

Mikhail holds up a finger and I snarl at him. He flicks a look at me. “Patrol has been following a female for the past two hours. They swear they keep catching Tati’s scent and that of those f*****g pups who follow her, but they can’t get a visual. They are about two hours out. On foot, human form”

I slammed my hand on my desk, shattering the glass top. “Why the f**k didn’t they just f*****g stop her? Two f*****g hours!!” I was furious. I wanted her brought home immediately, not in two f*****g hours.

Mikhail sighed, linking his mate to order new glass for the desk. “The report is that the woman looks battered and rough. They didn’t want to scare her. They are new to patrol, just ranked up.”

I snarled, “They are not doing their f*****g job. Who the f**k is in charge of this team?”

Mikhail’s eyes burn. “Alexsey is. He’s one who waited to report it in.” He paused and then looked at me before he said. “She looks like she has a pup with her”

My jaw clenched, and my eyes flashed silver. “A pup? Are you f*****g kidding me?”

“No, they said a pup.” He responded.

“Is she injured? Is the pup injured? Why the f**k is she alone?” I demanded.

“They didn’t say.” He shook his head.

“So they don’t know s**t, but have left a lone female, possibly beaten, possibly with a child to run for two f*****g hours?” I snarled.

“Yes,” he looked just as pissed as I was.

“What the actual fuck.” I shook my head and then nodded to Mikhail. He sent out a mass link to the warriors to bring her back immediately. “Fuckers,” I muttered under my breath. I paced back and forth a moment, grabbed my desk and threw it across the room. I stormed over to the balcony, and took a running leap, shifting mid-leap into my black wolf. Landing in the courtyard, I raced into the woods, trying to calm myself.

As soon as the link came, I ordered the warriors to go get her. I couldn’t help it. She had been gone for 2 days. I sensed my cousins reaching my side. The twin wolves were nearly identical, a mixture of brown and silver. We reached the clearing where the woman was, and I caught a faint scent and my heart clenched. I liked the twins to stay. I’d go to the woman.

The twins sat, and I padded forward, keeping my nose low, inhaling the scent, a hint of honey mixed with raspberries. As I drew closer, I saw the outline of a small figure huddled beneath a large hollow tree stump, cradling something in his arms. I crept forward, slowly approaching the woman.

She looked up, her eyes wide, and she gasped, “Please, don’t hurt us.” My eyes narrowed, and I growled at the smell. I padded over to a tree across the clearing, shifting, grabbing a pair of shorts we kept stashed around the territory. Holy f**k, was it her? My pretty little wolf? Had my heart just walked back into my life after being missing for 3 years?

This young woman was utterly terrified, and it wasn’t just from my pack’s reputation, I think far worse had happened to her. She doesn’t seem to remember me, which is disturbing since I helped raise her. Once I have her convinced she’s safe, I carry her home. I’m struggling to keep control. My pretty little wolf has been through hell from the looks of her.

Her loud cry of fear when Boris got near her made me enraged. I moved to her side, so I touched her. I looked over her head to Mikhail, who was also watching her closely. He pulled out his phone and music filled the room. Her favorite song. I knew he did it so she’d relax. The girl had always had music going, it just seemed like it was part of her soul.

I carried her to the couch, so Boris could stitch her up. From what I could see, there wasn’t an inch of her that had been bruised, cut, or scared. It was a horrific sight, I saw. Boris is a trained combat doctor, but he is the best I have. Right then, I was thankful for his gentle and calm touch. For now, I was staying near her as much as she would allow me, it was instinct driving me to be with her, keeping her safe.

The twins lounged on the couch watching us. I caught them sending me a mind link but ignored it. I didn’t need the two fuckers teasing me. They knew. I didn’t need them to tell me. I will not lose her again. I nearly lost it when Boris wanted to carry her to the bathroom. Mikhail told me that he had clothes set out for her. I carried her to the bathroom, leaving her inside, then stepped back.

Boris returned to the living room, where Mikhail and I were half-pacing. He took a seat across from them, crossing his arms.

“Who the hell did this?” he demanded.

“That is what I would like to know,” I replied harshly.

“I’m guessing this has something to do with the pack’s war with Gavriil the piss ant,” Boris speculated.

“Da, that is a safe assumption,” confirmed Mikhail.

“And what role does that girl play in all of this? How did she end up with your little Tatiana?” Boris inquired.

“I’m not sure,” I admitted.

“But you’re going to find out,” Boris asserted.

“Damn right, I am,” I replied firmly.

“And if it’s what I think it is…” Boris trailed off.

“Ubit’ ikh vsekh,” Nikolai finished. Kill them all

“Yes, they will all die,” Boris confirmed. “Da, they will,” I agreed.

I had changed, she took her shower and then headed back down. There was something off. She didn’t remember me, the twins, or Mikhail, her uncle. I’m determined to get to the bottom of this.

I caught sight of her looking small and terrified, my blanket still clutched tightly around her tiny body. It took all my control not to scoop her in my arms.