Chapter 3 - The Renaissance of the Alpha
I followed Eldric in silence along the path, my legs trembling with every step. Worried about what he would discover about me when entering the pack, I tried to push my fears aside.
"Stop thinking nonsense," he reprimanded me as he glanced at me for a second. I shook my head, trying to push everything away, but it was impossible.
"I wish I could be as confident as you," his eyes landed on me.
"Why do you call me 'sir' so much?" He approached, placing his hands on my waist.
"Because that's how it has to be," I smiled.
"But not when we're alone." His hand trailed up my arm, heading toward my neck, and a soft laugh escaped my throat.
"This is still new, and I don't know what to expect." His fingers held my chin, and he stared at me sternly.
"Do you still think I won't protect you?" that mere thought triggered anger in his eyes.
"It's not that..."
"Then what is it? Don't you believe the moon has given you a reliable mate?" He stepped away, irritated, and I tried to follow him.
"No, it's not that," I spoke in supplication. "It's just that you still don't know anything about me and yet you continue to defend me." He turned to face me. "I'm afraid you might give up because I've already accepted you into my heart." I was sincere, and it seemed to calm him.
"Understand one thing, Rachel." His hand was again on my nape, and my face was extremely close to his. "I don't usually defy the decrees of our supreme being. If she believes you're the best choice for me, then so be it." He claimed my mouth with possession, and I felt something inside me expand. "When I say we'll resolve everything that's happening, I hope you believe me." He stepped back, leaving me trembling and overwhelmed by his dominance.
"What are you?" I asked more to myself than to him, but he turned to assess me.
"Do you want to know my position within the pack?" He smiled.
"Yes, I want to know how much danger you're in." He began to laugh and extended his hand to me. I grabbed it the very next second, and he held me in his arms, making me feel safe in a new way.
"From what I understand, one of the superiors is pursuing you." Eldric slowly stroked my back in a long, continuous motion.
"He never had any affection for me, but since I..." I swallowed hard.
"Since your maturity was declared, he desires you." A loud growl vibrated in his chest, making my inner wolf want to merge with him.
"I don't want to go back, Eldric. Let's leave here; he might kill you." A glint of challenge intensified in my mate, and he gave me another kiss.
"I want to see him try." His response was not what I expected.
Again, his hand cradled my face, and Eldric demanded that I look at him. There, I was sure that no matter what I said, he believed he could handle anything.
I leaned in his direction and kissed his lips softly, trying to find out if my initiative would upset him in any way.
"We're almost there," he whispered, his lips still brushing against mine. The tension in the air was palpable, and each breath felt like a fragile thread about to break. "If we continue like this, I'll have to claim you at the top of this hill."
I stared at him as his eyes remained closed, trying to understand what he was planning, but something inside me already knew. The electricity between us was undeniable, a burning desire that blazed like a wild flame.
"Make me yours. Show me what it truly means to be claimed," I pleaded in a whisper, letting my defenses fall completely. I wanted him, wanted to feel his possession, wanted him to take me as his own, completely.
Eldric opened his predatory eyes, and the look on his face made me tremble with anticipation. His hand plunged into my hair, exposing my neck to him. Every inch of my skin tingled when his mouth found my neck, biting slowly, marking me as his.
"I want to lay you on a soft bed," he continued, his voice hoarse with desire, "and savor every part of your body the way you deserve. I want to possess your entire body so that you never forget that you have me now."
I moaned at his words, my need for him growing with each passing second. I wanted him more than I had ever wanted anything else.
"I don't want it to be there," I said urgently, my body craving him. "I want it to be here, where there's only you and me."
He looked at me intensely, his eyes revealing an uncontrollable fire, but then, he let me go abruptly, leaving me terrified with the sudden void between us.
"I've done it..." I began to protest, but he silenced my lips with his index finger.
"I just need to find a place," the urgency in his voice was palpable, and I could feel his determination to find a suitable place for what we both intensely desired. Eldric surveyed the landscape around us, searching for a location that could provide us with the privacy and passion we craved.
While he examined the surroundings, I tookthe opportunity to catch my breath, but the burning need still simmered within me. Every inch of my body tingled in anticipation of his touch, his kisses, his possession.
Finally, his eyes found a suitable spot, a small clearing hidden among the trees, bathed in the silvery light of the moon. It was the perfect setting for our mutual surrender.
Eldric took my hand and led me there with purposeful steps. My heart pounded in my chest, and my skin prickled with anticipation.
When we reached the clearing, Eldric looked at me with intensity, his eyes roaming over my body as if he wanted to memorize every curve, every detail. He knew that this moment was special, a deep claim of our connection.
He gently guided me to the soft ground of the clearing and laid over me, kissing me with devotion. Every touch, every caress, was filled with love and lust, an explosion of emotion that consumed us.
He knew how to make me yearn for his touch, and with care, his hands began to unveil my body. Kneeling, he helped me sit up and asked me to raise my arms. Slowly, he pulled the shirt covering my body, his gaze filled with desire.
"Beautiful..." he whispered hoarsely, shifting his attention back to my mouth. He laid us down again and, with care, descended his lips over my body, making me quiver with his tender yet demanding caresses.
"I want you to remember me every time you close your eyes," he murmured, his lips trailing from my neck to my breasts, sucking on them eagerly, making me moan louder than I thought possible.
"When your mind plays tricks on you, making you think you're alone, remember us, in the middle of the forest, under the moonlight," he continued advancing down my body, dragging his lips over my belly until he reached my groin.
I stared at him, not understanding what he would do next, but his eyes were clouded with desire, injecting even more confidence in our choice.
"I promise I'll protect you from every danger that crosses our path, and I'll keep you under my constant watch, so that not even in your dreams will you feel fear." I lost my breath when his lips met my core, and I felt surrendered to his words, accepting that it couldn't be any other way. I was his, and he was mine.
His tongue explored my folds eagerly, devouring me and setting everything within me on fire. In a matter of minutes, I exploded into tiny pieces inside his mouth.
"You might feel a little pain, but I promise it will end soon," he whispered in my ear, and I felt him position himself at my entrance.
His member pressed against my opening, and fear gripped me, but Eldric soon resumed kissing my face and mouth, dispelling my worry.
"I promise you'll enjoy it once you get used to it." I nodded in agreement and felt his invasion, losing my breath in the process.
His kisses were meant to diminish any pain I might feel, his hands caressing me to calm the intrusion.
"I'm fine," I said softly. "Don't worry." I held his face with both hands and kissed him, encouraging him to continue. Soon, his movements became faster, and the pain I initially felt was replaced by a new wave of pleasure, even more powerful than the previous one.
We moaned together as our bodies desperately sought release.
Eldric lay down beside me and pulled me to his chest. "Since you don't want to go with me to the pack," he seemed to weigh his options, "I'll go early tomorrow to sort things out. Go to your home, gather everything you need, and meet me here again." I looked at him and smiled.
"Thank you," I said, kissing his chest.
"I'll take you to my house right after that and introduce you slowly until you feel comfortable." I agreed, knowing it wouldn't be easy.
I fell asleep nestled in his chest, protected from everything and everyone.
My skin prickled with the cold breeze cutting through the air. I looked around and realized I was alone.
I contemplated my human form, which would disappear within an hour. This was my fate: during the full moon, I was neither wolf nor human, just a fragile being with no connection to any race.
I headed to the creek and plunged in, seeking to wash away the remnants of the night. The cold water sent shivers down my skin, bringing back memories of his tender and gentle touch. His whispers had mesmerized me, and I felt no discomfort in sharing my innocence with him.
As the sun rose, I returned to my lupine form, tapping into my most primal instincts.
It was time to move forward; I would only go to fetch my belongings and then come back here, waiting for Eldric to pick me up and start the life the Moon had promised me.
Without lingering further, I ran back to the pack, hiding among the trees. My lighter fur occasionally gave away my presence, but over time, I had learned to use the trees to my advantage.
As I approached the place where I slept, I was surprised by three wolves waiting for me, their noses wrinkling as they approached.
"Darkood is after you, Evergreen," one of them growled, sending a warning signal.
"I'm leaving the pack, I won't be long," I tried to sound strong, avoiding trembling in front of them.
"If you're here, it means you're still under his command," the brown-gold wolf barked.
"I... I..." there was no escape from my fate. I should have known he would be waiting for me here.
I followed the three wolves, and I noticed that several pack members had gathered in the center of the area. Among them were the most respected members of our group.
My paws trembled with fear on the hard ground, and I was terrified. Maybe this was the moment I had tried to avoid the night before. Perhaps this was the end of my suffering.
"Evergreen..." he sang as he approached, becoming still immediately afterward. "Where have you been?" He roared loudly, startling everyone present.
"I..."
"Have you given yourself to another male?" Now, his voice was deadly, and I cowered on the ground, trying to avoid the pain that would surely come.
It was impossible that they couldn't smell me. I was in my most fertile period and had mated with my mate. My body was evidence of everything I had done.
"I... I didn't..." he lunged at me, biting my neck harder than before, causing my blood to splatter on the ground. I groaned in pain and curled up even more, watching him walk around me, attracting even more attention from those passing by.
"This ungrateful one dared to disrespect our pack," growls and barks began to emerge in the air. "As if the suffering her parents caused our people wasn't enough, now she lowers herself even more by giving herself to a rogue wolf."
My ears caught the sound of paws pounding forcefully on the ground, and voices grew louder with each word he spoke.
"We took care of this daughter of the Moon, sheltered her, even when we were told to abandon her in the forest to face her own destiny," he approached me again, placing his forehead against mine, forcing my head down, testing me to defy his power. "And now, is this what we receive in return? Is this the payment for letting her live?" He hit his forehead against mine and stepped back, walking around me once more. "What should we do?"
"Death, expulsion, harlot..." words began to appear from all sides.
Tears were already bathing my face. Despair flowed through my pores.
"Death would be too quick a punishment for her sins, don't you think?" He laughed mockingly, while many supported his decision. "We have two options, Evergreen... Stand up to hear them!"
I tried to recompose myself, wishing I could dig a hole to hide in. With my head still lowered, I felt a strong bite on my ribcage, making me howl in pain. I looked up and stared at him.
"Your options are banishment, without taking anything from our pack, or becoming a slave and entertainment for the males without mates." His eyes gleamed with perversity. That had always been his desire, to turn me into a sexual object for his pleasure.
A harsh voice infiltrated the heated meeting. "Who gave you the authority to dictate what the members of MY pack should do?" My heart raced when I saw Eldric enter the pack with authority and confidence.
I didn't understand what he was talking about. How could the pack be his? Who was he after all?
"Who...?" I saw the shock on Sebastian's face as the gray wolf approached. He was almost twice my size, and his stature surpassed Sebastian's and all the pack members. "Eldric..." he whispered, and the newcomer wolf puffed up even more.
Eldric took confident and purposeful steps, entering the circle formed around me, focusing solely on me.
"Release my mate..." All voices fell silent, and everyone moved away from me.
"This wolf is a deserter, she got involved with a rogue male. She's worthless in our pack," accused Sebastian, and I lowered my head, afraid to approach him.
"I didn't know I was a rogue." Eldric stood by my side and observed everyone who remained there. "I claimed her. I made her mine!" His growl was loud enough to make everyone tremble.
With my head still lowered, I watched the reactions of the wolves around me. No one questioned the authority of the one who spoke, but Sebastian was fidgeting restlessly.
"Eldric, I think we should talk so I can inform you about what's been happening in our pack. You've been absent for a long time, and it would be interesting..."
"Call me Alpha, Darkood." I was in shock when I heard him utter those words. I looked at him, but he didn't return my gaze, just stared at Sebastian, waiting for him to say something.
"Of course, sir, of course," he quickly corrected himself. "Nevertheless, I insist we have a conversation."
Eldric's eyes returned to me intriguingly, and I felt safe again. He examined the wounds I had, and his expression turned deadly.
"Rachel, come," he ended the conversation and began walking away from the circle, where some wolves were already going their own way.
As I passed by Sebastian, I felt his teeth dangerously grazing my fur, and I leaped to the side, moving as far away from him as possible. The tension in the air was almost palpable. I was determined not to let Sebastian's presence be the end of my story.