Dusk was beginning to settle over the lands as the five of us quietly made our way out of the hidden entrance of the safe house.
We dared not to breathe a word yet. We still weren't sure who could be out here. We were all donned in darker colored outdoor gear, hiking boots, and each of us had a small survival pack consisting of a fire starter, small snacks, water bottles, knives, twine, first aid kits, and flashlights with extra batteries.
We'd be travelling in wolf form for most of the way, but we wanted to be prepared in case we spent the night out in the woods.
We each swiftly undressed and put our clothes into our packs before shifting.
King Ruben had given me an earthy-tasting concoction before we left that would allow me to temporarily mind-link the group until we could do the initiation.
He had hinted that if Valen and I would just complete the mating ritual that it wouldn't matter, but he shut his mouth very quickly when he saw the glare I was giving him.
I looked around, my new eyes adjusting to the light. Sienna was bouncing around in my head. She didn't like confined spaces and was ecstatic to be out for an undetermined amount of time tonight.
I glanced over at Valen and found him already watching me with a playful expression. Sienna, on the other hand, was literally drooling over Orion's shiny black coat and piercing red eyes.
"Let me take control for the night. Orion and I need to get closer," she basically panted at me.
"Yeah, how about no. Tonight is a mission night. There will be other nights for you two to run and frolic."
She growled at me and I sighed. As annoying as she could be, I could understand her frustrations. She wanted to be close to her mate.
By now, a mated pair usually let's their wolves take control for a night so they can grow closer and make the bond stronger.
I was the one holding up the process, so I couldn't blame Sienna for being a little resentful toward me. I bet Orion was giving Valen hell, too.
"You bet he is." Valen's voice rang clearly through my mind. I whipped my head over to him in horror. He snorted at my humiliated expression.
"You forgot to put your walls up," he explained. I cringed.
"Sorry, it's been a while."
"If you two lovebirds are done over there," came Von's voice, "then we should really get going."
Artemis snickered at his side, and I growled at her playfully. She just flipped her tail at me in return. Aislinn gently bumped my shoulder as she passed by and sent me a wink. I rolled my eyes.
It was decided that Von and Artemis would take point and lead us through the woods, while Aislinn, Valen, and I would take up the rear. We stepped up in formation.
"Ready?" Von asked.
"Ready," we replied in unison.
He let out a huff and shot off toward the trees. We wasted no time in following. Artemis caught up to him quickly, and ran gracefully by his side.
They looked so regal together, his chestnut brown fur matched the darker parts on her ears and tail, but otherwise her light blonde fur was a stark contrast to his.
They were incredibly in sync with each other as they ran. Their movements were fluid and graceful, but also careful and well timed.
You'd think they'd known each other a lifetime already.
I stopped admiring them and glanced at Aislinn. She wasn't a warrior, and I was worried a big run like this might be hard on her small frame, but determination marred her features.
She wanted to be here just as bad as we did. She had snuck into my room before we left and thanked me for including her on the mission.
She said she had wanted to do more to help, not just sit back and serve people. I had hugged her and told her she deserved it. When we have completed the mission, I promised her Valen and I would teach her some self-defense moves.
Finally, my eyes wandered to Valen. The moonlight would break through the tree line every now and again and shine brilliantly off of his black fur.
The only way you'd know he was coming was because of his eyes. He was stealthy and practiced out here, his muscles rippling with every stride he took.
He had no issue keeping up with me and I noticed that, like Von and Artemis, his body would adjust with mine the more we travelled. It was like we were partaking in a sophisticated dance that I couldn't remember having ever learned.
"It's the bond, you dummy," Sienna told me.
I just rolled my eyes at her. Clearly, she still wasn't very happy with me.
As we continued to run, a strange feeling began to settle over me. I was sure there was no one else out here; there'd be no way we would miss the scent, but it felt like we were being stalked.
I had to fight the urge to constantly look over my shoulder. Shadows danced along my peripheral vision, which only heightened my suspicions. I shook it off. Maybe stress was manifesting from the attack. I just needed to stay alert.
Von's pace began to change, and he angled his body to the right.
"There should be a lake coming up soon, we can stop and look around there."
We ran for a few more minutes before an enormous lake appeared before us. The bank stretched out on either side for miles and it seemed coming through the forest was the only way to get here.
Steep rock walls rounded the lake on three sides, cliffs rising high above the water. At the opposite end from us, a beautiful waterfall cascaded down the stone and dropped into the depths below. I cocked my head to the side.
"Think there's a cave behind that waterfall?" I asked Valen. He turned his gaze to the direction I was looking.
"Its possible, we'll mention it to Von and check it out. This would be an ideal place to hide out. It's pretty much in the middle of no where." I nodded as we followed the other three down to the water.
Blackness had taken over the sky, so I knew we had been running for at least a couple of hours. We stopped on the bank by the water and shifted back to human form, before dressing and taking a long drink.
"So, what are you thinking?" I asked Von as I swiped my sleeve against my mouth.
"I'm thinking we check for anything that we can either build at or set up camp in. Under overgrown foliage, in the ground, in trees. Nothing really is too far out there, as long as it's hidden and large enough to handle at least seven to ten wolves at a time."
"Why that many?"
"Well, for starters, there's all of us and the King and Queen. I'm sure some of the top warriors will be trusted with the information once we've questioned them all. Oh, and father let me know that his Beta is returning in two days time."
"Um, what? There's been a pack Beta this whole time and I'm just now hearing about it?"
I looked at the twins incredulously.
"Well, it didn't really ever come up in conversation, but yes. His name is Anton. He's been overseas visiting family for the last few months in Italy. He lost his mate last year, so father permitted him leave time."
"Okay, well that makes sense. I had just assumed one of you two were the Beta."
Valen chuckled at me.
"We acted on his part while he was gone, but we are heirs. We can't take on the position officially until we know which one of us will be king," he explained to me.
"Will he know where to find us? Has anyone informed him of what happened?" Aislinn chimed in.
Valen nodded.
"Word was sent to him the night of the attack. He left a few weeks early in order to get back quickly."
I saw a flush cross Aislinn's cheeks for just a moment. Did she have a crush on the Beta? I raised an eyebrow at her, but she just turned away.
"We should probably get started with the search," Artemis hinted gently.
"You're right. Aislinn, you'll be with us," Von stated. "Valen and Indigo, you go and check out the western perimeter of the lake. We'll rendezvous at the waterfall on the other side."
We broke into our respective groups and began our trek. Valen and I began our search closer to the tree line, looking for anything that would serve as a hiding spot.
There wasn't much, the foliage wasn't overgrown here and the trees were too spaced out to give good cover. Our first bit of searching was done in silence, until Valen cleared his throat to get my attention. I turned to him.
"Do you want to talk about what happened?"
Pain and guilt pierced at my heart. I clutched my chest and took three deep breaths through my nose.
"I don't want to, no. But I probably should."
Valen took my hand and guided me over to a large rock by the bank of the lake. We sat and he waited for me to continue. I turned my gaze toward the lake.
"I couldn't save her. She was all I ever had, and I failed her," I whispered.
A sob was building in my throat, and I swallowed hard. Valen's hand untangled from mine and moved to my back.
"You couldn't have known what was going to happen."
"But I did! Artemis warned me. I should have made sure she was with me at all times. Or at least made sure someone I knew and trusted was with her. She was already at a disadvantage being so weak. I failed her, Valen. I'll never get the chance to tell her I'm sorry."
Tears began to leak down my face. He pulled me into his arms and stroked my hair as I silently cried. A few minutes later, he pulled back and faced me.
"Indigo, what happened with that wolf?" I flinched at his question. I'd been avoiding thinking about it at all. What I had done, had scared me.
"I...I lost control." I looked down at my hands in shame.
"I wanted him to hurt because I was hurt. I didn't want any possibility of survival. I wanted him dead. Rage took over me. It was like I wasn't fully in control of my actions and someone else was pulling the strings. But I could see and sense everything going on. Almost like a double side to my personality. Does that make sense?" Valen was silent for a moment.
"I can't tell you that it makes sense to me, because I can't experience the things you do. I can tell you that I understand what you were feeling, though. For our kind, the need to exact revenge can be very overwhelming. It's something you'll need to work harder than most of us to control." I looked back up into his eyes.
"Just know, that I will be here every step of the way. I won't let you lose yourself like that again. You can always count on me."
His gaze held no judgement, only concern and love. I leaned in and pressed my lips to his, electricity igniting the moment our skin connected.
His hands tangled in my wild hair and my arms wrapped around his neck. I shifted and maneuvered until I was straddling his lap. He pulled me closer into his body and my breathing hitched.
My heart was pounding wildly as I moved my hands to tangle them in his hair as well. I tugged on the strands and elicited a low groan from him. When his lips parted, our tongues connected and danced along each other.
Too soon, I pulled back and laid my forehead against his. Our breathing was heavy, our hearts racing in tandem.
"Maybe I should make you emotional more often," Valen whispered in my ear, his voice husky.
I pulled back and laughed, slapping him on the chest. I carefully pried myself off of him, and offered a hand to help him up. He took it gratefully, and adjusted a little as we began walking again. I smiled to myself.
"Where should we look next?" I asked him.
"Anywhere, my ideas haven't led to anything as of yet."
"Well, that's true. I say we go straight for the water fall. You up for another run?"
"Anything to see you naked," he replied with a grin on his face.
I smacked at his chest again. "Perv!"
He laughed at my red face before we quickly stripped down and shifted.
He nodded toward me when he was ready and we took off together in the direction of the waterfall.
Author's Note:
I promise things will kick back up! We have to get through the boring events for a second. Who is this mysterious Beta? Why didn't anyone say anything about him before? Are you excited to meet him, or wary of a new wolf in the picture?
Please don't forget to comment and vote!
Xoxo,
CrimsynIris