Morana and Henry

LAKE

Everyone stands awkwardly as the woman continues to kiss Derrick. His eyes are wide, and his arms are out in surprise. Am I the only one wanting to throw down?

“Morana,” Lucy warns with a growl. “Off.”

Morana glares at Lucy as she climbs off Derrick. She’s very small for a she-wolf. I easily tower at least four inches over her.

Morana’s eyes are black and stand out against her solid-blonde hair. Her cheekbones are prominent, and her lips are plump. Her pale skin easily blends in with the snow. Her scent is an omega’s.

“You were supposed to stay at camp,” Derrick lectures, “where you can be protected.”

“But, Alpha,” Morana whines. “I missed you way too much all these days we were apart!”

“Lake, let’s get to bed…” Lucy says and faces me. My eyes are still planted on the girl curled around Derrick. He looks uncomfortable under my gaze but makes no move to peel Morana off him.

“Lake?” Morana looks at me. Her eyes fill with judgment as she looks me over head to toe. “This is the one you came all the way out here for?”

“Morana…,” Lucy growls and comes between us. “That’s enough.”

“You’ll be in my tent, Morana.” Derrick states simply. He avoids my eyes as Morana smiles widely and follows him.

I’m dumbfounded as Lucy waves her hand in my face. “Come on, let’s go to sleep.”

“Yeah…”

The next morning, the group readies everything for departure. Lynne is one of the first to be hooked up to supplies.

She scans the area as most members phase and help quicken the pace of getting out of here.

Lynne’s ear twitches as she sees Morana happily on the back of Derrick’s brilliant black wolf. They share eye contact briefly before Derrick’s wolf walks to the front with Lucy’s.

The snow has melted slightly and makes the trail easier to track through. Lynne easily pulls the supplies without hesitation. Her anger fuels her need to push forward.

The sun beams as there are no clouds in the sky. The tree branches look like fingers stretching across the canopy above us.

A few hours into the trek back, Morana walks her way to the back where Lynne is. Her hands are folded behind her back. I know she’s trying to look innocent, but she’s up to something.

She’s wearing a pale-gray winter coat with a pair of dark-wash jeans and snow boots. Her little black eyes beam up at my wolf. Just the sound of Morana’s feet crunching the snow is irritating.

“You must be Lake’s wolf.” Morana smiles gently. “Nice to meet you. I’m Morana. Rank omega.”

Lynne nods in acknowledgment and continues to look ahead, trying to keep the itch of wanting to rip this woman’s head off at bay.

“You’re so beautiful.” Morana walks beside Lynne and looks adoringly up at her. “I love how your muzzle and all your paws are white, while the rest is like a red tint. Almost like fire…”

My wolf holds in a growl as Morana runs her hands over Lynne’s rib cage. My wolf doesn’t like being touched without permission.

“I’ll see you later, mmkay?” Morana flashes one more smile before running back to Derrick’s wolf.

Lynne pulls the supplies through the front gate of camp and is unhooked by a nearby member. She stretches and yawns as everyone comes out to greet the rest of the team.

“Alpha, welcome back,” a boy says to Derrick’s wolf. A popsicle grin is planted on the boy’s face. The wolf wags his tail and gently licks his face clean.

“Henry.” Morana jumps off the cargo cart being pulled by Lucy’s wolf and hugs the young boy.

Lynne sniffs the air carefully and growls lightly. That boy has the smell of both Morana and Derrick.

My wolf walks into the tent assigned to me and shifts back to my form. My heart is jumping with anger and embarrassment.

I throw on a black T-shirt and pair of ripped jeans that have dirt stains at the bottoms. I manage to find a pair of black boots to slip on before coming back out of the tent.

Lucy bumps into me on my way to help unload the supplies.

“Lake…”

She knows that I know.

I shrug my shoulders. “Lucy, it’s fine. They make a good pair.”

As I lift the last box of food and water, Derrick appears in front of me and takes the box from my hands.

“We need to talk, Firefly,” he mutters.

“What’s there to talk about?” I ask nonchalantly. “Once I’m rested and well, I’ll be gone.”

~Just when my walls were coming down for you...~

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