Fight For The Highest Wolf Rank

by Valery C. Kincade

  I jumped up, excitement bubbling inside me like nothing I've ever experienced before. I started running in the direction that amazing and intoxicating scent was coming from. Oh Goddess, I was so stupidly excited to meet him. Finally I reached the source of the scent, that sent my wolf into a frenzy, and stopped dead in my tracks. Finding your mate like this is so much worse than not finding them and spending your life alone. There he was, my fated mate, on top of a raven haired beauty with olive skin and huge bouncy breasts. He was ploughing in and out of her like his life depended on it. Her moans and pleads for more pleasure echoed around us, and for me it felt like a thousand hands were slapping my face at once.

  My wolf went dead silent, I think she was just as shocked as I was. It took him a long time to smell me and turn his head to notice me. I was hoping that when he noticed me his eyes would go wide, and realise the stupid mistake he's done. There was still that small part of me hoping this would eventually work out, ready to give him a chance despite of how we met.

  Oh, but I was wrong, so very wrong. I was standing there, frozen as he got us and started walking towards me, in all his naked glory. As soon as he was a few inches in front of me, he asked for my name and enquired where I come from. All in such a sweet, sensual voice, that almost made me forget what I saw him doing just a few minutes before. Still holding on to that hope of everything somehow falling together, I introduced myself and told him that I am accompanying my father here while he discussed the treaty with the pack's Alpha. Ne nodded with a smile and then formally rejected me. Just like that, point blank as some might say.

  I didn't know how to react to the rejection I was slapped with, so he 'kindly helped' me. I had never had a man lay his hands on me, but my so called mate punched me so hard I swear I saw a rainbow. He urged me to accept his rejection, so I did, I was the weakest I had even been. The pain that came after the bond was severed was like a wave that hit me full force and held me underwater. I could barely breathe, my heart felt like it was being crushed inside, along with the essence of my soul. But my former mate seemed completely unaffected. He grinned satisfied and made his way towards the she wolf he was fucking before I interrupted them. I honestly thought that he was going to resume doing just that, so I began to crawl away, not wanting to see them in the act anymore. What I heard while desperately trying to get away from them still haunts me to this day. “We wouldn't want any witnesses to all this, would we?” My instinct made me turn my head to look at the couple once more, and I saw him just rip her head off. Her whole head, completely ripped off her shoulders. I had never seen anything like that in my life and I just started to scream at the top of my lungs until I blacked out.

  When I came to it I found out that the son of a bitch told everyone how he heard two women screaming in terror. He said he found me and the other woman just as we were being attacked by rogues. He was even praised for saving the life of the visiting Alpha's daughter. Unfortunately he couldn't save the other girl, at least that's how his story went. Everyone believed the lie they were fed, and I found out just why. He was to be the next Alpha and he already had a chosen mate to be his Luna. Needless to say his Luna was not the woman he brutally murdered in front of me.

  I held my tongue and begged my father to take us home as soon as possible. And my father, bless his heart took me home that same day. I have never told another soul about what happened, and everything I was asked about finding my mate I would lie saying my wolf felt him die and not go into specifics. People usually don't push you when you tell them you mate died. They were all amazed that I didn't become feral or go rogue, like most wolves do when their mate dies.

  I didn't want my pack to live with that fear or having an unstable leader, so I asked my father to remain as Alpha until my brother was of age to take over. My dad understood where I was coming from and agreed. I truly never minded, Luke is a great Alpha and has done great so far. I am proud of my baby brother.

  The sound of screeching tires, and a car coming to a stop, pulls me out of my mental trip down memory lane. I know it's Rudy and Jennifer along with Samantha. I take a deep breath preparing myself for what's next. Running outside I help Rudy carry Sam inside, while Jennifer yells that she'll go bring some warm water.

  After gently laying Sam on the hospital bed, Rudy goes outside to wait for the others. I look at him and he just nods and smiles, his way of letting me know everyone in our team is alright, no casualties. I'm relieved to find that, but I'm very worried about Samantha.

  Jennifer returns with a bowl of water and we start cleaning her face and body, discarding the rags that used to be her clothes and inspecting her body for any injuries. Both of us let out relieved breaths when we don't discover any more injuries other than bruises and small cuts or scrapes that are already starting to heal. We dressed Sam in a hospital gown and Jenifer proceeded with hooking her friend up to the machines.

  Just like before my wolf is getting restless again, but before I question her, a soft knock is heard on the door. I open the door slowly to see a very broken Jason. He looks nothing like the confident young man I saw a while ago at the bar. Maybe Sam should give him another chance after all, he truly seems to regret his rejection and jumping to conclusions about her. He is just as much of a victim in this fucked up story as Samantha is.

  I let him inside the room and watch patiently from a corner. I don't want to impose, but I don't want to go outside either. This mate bond thing is too unpredictable and I think it's best if I stay.

  Again my wolf is acting weird and soon enough I can't help but start to be jumpy as well. Jason was saying something, apologizing for scaring Jennifer and I, but little did he know I'm not jumpy because of him, it's my crazy wolf making me this was, and that strange scent coming from outside this room.

  I leave at the same time Jason does, and we let Jennifer take care of Sam.

  Walking out from my office and into the main area of the pub, I am left frozen in place from a loud, guttural growl that formed the word 'MINE'. A tall and well built man leaps in front of me almost pushing poor Jason out of the way. OK, I'll admit, he is the most handsome man I have ever laid my eyes on. What happened next is a blur, but Luke lunges to attack the man that approached me, in his overprotective little brother way, and they start fighting. Rudy, Jason and the others jump in, doing their best to try and separate them.

  Punches are being thrown left and right, the glasses on my bar are flying everywhere, and it looks my brother is not the one winning. I snap out of my frozen state, urged by my wolf, and find myself yelling, getting everyone's attention, that they all stop.

  “MATE!”

  32 - Acquaintance

  Samantha

  Once again I find myself being rudely awakened from the deep and peaceful slumber I was in. I was dreaming about bright green plains and picnic baskets filled with the most delicious foods. Literal paradise with birds chirping and the sound of a nearby stream lulling me to sleep.

  I enjoyed it until the sound of glass shattering and loud bangs replaced all that paradise. I open my eyes quickly and a feeling of deja vu strikes me. Only this time I'm not in the nurse's office at school, and the woman here with me is most definitely not the nurse.

  “Jen?” I ask in a hoarse voice, sounding way worse than I expected to.

  “Oh shit! Sam, honey, you're awake.” I focus my eyes on her face. Why is she so panicked?

  “Yeah, no shit? What happened? And what the hell is that, is someone fighting? Wait, Jen, where am I?” Now I'm the one starting to panic, realising I have no idea where I am or even how I got here. As I try to stand up a bit, I notice I'm only wearing a hospital gown. I look at Jen urging her with my, hopefully scary, gaze to explain. She looks at me apologetically, and I frown not understanding what she plans to do.

  “She's awake, guys!!!” Jennifer takes me by surprise by shouting as loud as she can. The sound of fighting stopped, a moment of utter silence followed and then Jason stumbled inside while coming through the door a b
it too quickly.

  My first instinct is to grab the blanket that was on the bed and cover myself up to my neck, as if I was naked before. I feel so naked in front of him, no matter how many layers I'm wearing. Thankfully he stopped, not reaching my bedside, and I can't help but notice the heard of people peeking behind him.

  My eyes travel from Luke to Jason, then back to Luke who stands next to Ryan, my cousin Brian and finally, behind them, I noticed Rudy, Carla and a strange man I have never seen before. There is a strange feeling of familiarity about that man, but I am more intrigued about the vibes flowing between him and Carla. How long have I been out for? Geez, it seems like every other week something crazy happens to me. I am beyond embarrassed and I'm not even sure I want to know. But before I can stop, the words are already leaving my mouth.

  “Wha... what is happening?” I cannot describe the awkward silence that is right now between us. Without realising, I find myself looking at Jason in the hopes of getting an answer to my question, but he averts his gaze. Auch, it still hurts to be reminded that he does not want to be associated with me. But then why the hell is he doing here? And why are Brian and that unknown guy here?

  I can feel my anger start to bubble up inside me. I was going to ask again for an explanation as to why I woke up like this, in what I know acknowledge as being Carla's office, in a hospital bed.

  “I'm still not that confident in dosing sedatives, I guess I could have prepared a higher dose.” Jennifer defends herself looking at the others, but not at me. But why would she sedate me? Argh, so many questions. Always, just questions and mysteries.

  “Why are you all looking at me like I'm 2 seconds away from jumping up and biting all your heads off?” My question was intended to be sarcastic, but they all tensed up like tightly coiled springs. I furrow my eyebrows and narrow my eyes, trying to read their body language better, since they are refusing to talk.

  “Sam, you've...” As soon as Jason's hand touched mine, the familiar sparks erupted in a comforting manner. The feeling, that the physical contact with my mate gave me, is one of safety, and it breaks down all my barriers, including the mental ones, even if for a brief second. A moment when my mind let go of it's walls was enough for those repressed memories to come flooding back. I immediately withdrew my hand from Jason's as though he'd burned me.

  “Marie.. I.. my parents.. killed... revenge... an uncle...” I am fully aware that I'm not making any sense, just spitting out random words like that, but I want to say so much, and all at once, causing my already traumatised brain to short-circuit.

  I noticed Jen reaching for a syringe and stop her.

  “Don't you even dare.” Ming pushed through a bit, as a result Jen froze and whimpered before her protective mate came to hug her tightly, glaring daggers my way.

  “I'm sorry, I don't know what that was.” I say embarrassed for shouting rudely at my friend.

  “That was you using your Alpha voice.” Well that's pretty cool, I thought. I look in the direction of the person that spoke. It's the man I've never met before, but by the way Carla gazes at him, he must be her mate. I thought she didn't have a mate, but yet again, I never asked her, so it looks like he was just away.

  He must have sensed I had no intention of asking his name or introduce myself, so he cleared his throat and came closer to my bed. Jason moved a few inches away to make space.

  “You must be wondering who I am. My name is Julian Bolder, Alpha of the Tristate pack in the United States.”

  “Uhmm OK, it's nice to meet you?” My reaction comes out more as a question, and Alpha Bolder lets out a chuckle that sounds unnatural coming from such an imposing man.

  I smile politely at him, and it hits me. My eyes widen as another memory comes flooding my mind like a tsunami. Marie was laughing about my real uncle's name. Bolder... Stone. 'It's clever', she said. Wait, so that means this man is...

  “Do you know who I am? Oh Goddess, you know, don't you? Oh, Sammy, I haven't seen you in 16 years. You were only a baby. I thought you were gone...” He pulls me in to a bone crushing hug and I don't know how to react. I just accept his embrace and awkwardly pat him on the back, not knowing what else to do.

  I notice everyone else slowly making their exit from the room and I panic a bit. Carla catches my pleading look and nods, coming closer to my bed while grabbing herself a stool to sit on.

  Jason is the only one that returns after they cleared the room. He's carrying 2 chairs, one for him and one for... well, my uncles, I guess.

  “Thank you, Jason. Sam, I have no idea how much you know already, but I would like to tell you a story about what happened to your parents, my family, that brought you here today.” I nod, deciding it would be best not to share what I know, at least for now.

  “I already told Jason everything, and I have a feeling this story has made it's way into the world in either one of two very different versions.”

  I listen to my uncle talk. Jason nods every now and then, as if confirming what he hears. Carla looks shocked to hear everything, and her face freezes, while her body stiffens at the mention on my uncle's mate. I'm still confused about what Carla and my uncle are to each other, but this is not the time to enquire about that. It is the time to tell them that the version of the story, that Marie gave me, is not the same one that I just her from Bolder's mouth.

  After I explained word for word what Marie told me, and about the letter her dad left her, I tried to convince the two Alphas (well 3, because Carla is an Alpha as well, but she didn't want to get involved in the dispute) that Marie needs to hear the truth. Fifteen minutes into this debate and they refuse to hear me out.

  “For fuck's sake, Samantha. She set you up to get stabbed, got you locked up in the cells, she kidnapped and tortured you for days, and you want to what? Reason with her? Are you fucking insane? Marie wants you dead, she paid your adoptive parents to join her perverted mission, and you what? Forgive and forget? Man, she really messed you up.” I did not understand why Jason was taking this so personally? Would he rather have me want to kill his parents for the role they had? As I see it, Marie has the wrong information. She acted according to that information...

  “While I don't appreciate at all the way you just addressed my niece, I have to agree with you, Jason. Sam, honey, we need to find that girl and make sure she never tries to hurt you again.”

  “Fine, just.. I want her to hear the truth first, before you decide what to do.” I stare deep into Jason's eyes as I keep speaking. “You were quick to jump to conclusions, I'm sure you understand the importance of hearing both sides of the story.” I couldn't help the venom in my words.

  33 - Reinvented

  Samantha

  I'm reading this stupid piece of paper over and over again, the words looking more like pictures and the message not registering right in my head. I'm sure I'm not reading this right. I hold it to my face reading it again.

  'The Council of the Crescent Moon pack invites Miss Samantha Stone (Bailey) to join the celebration as we welcome our new Alpha, Jason Wright.' That's all I read and understood. The rest I didn't care about. All meaningless information about time and place. No mention of a Luna, though, so I'm guessing Rianna's wish hasn't come true just yet. Well, it couldn't with me still in the picture, although nobody outside our immediate circle knew about Jason and I being mates. I throw the invitation on the bed annoyed. Pff, the nerve of those people! Ming, that traitor, perked up as soon as I opened the scroll-like invitation, but nowadays she knows better than to show her excitement about anything regarding our mate.

  I guess I'm getting ahead of myself here a bit, so let me catch you up to speed, shall I? Just make sure to grab a cup of coffee, you'll need it for this one.

  So I kind of left England a little over six months ago. I'll just say it right now, it was the best decision I could have ever taken. It was soon after that whole traumatic event where Marie kidnapped and tortured me. Yeah, not the most fun I've had in my short life. I bet anyone in that situat
ion would have jumped at the opportunity to leave all that behind, both physically and psychologically. And I'm no no different than the rest of the world, so I took that chance as soon as it was presented to me.

  After I recovered from any physical discomfort, and was well enough, I had a long talk with Carla and my uncle. It turns out they are second chance mates, and I couldn't be happier for them. I am just in love with their love, everyone in our group was. They are so perfect for each other and deserve to have someone to grow old with. I also found out that Carla is a decade younger than Bolder, but it works, they work and they look great together, you would never tell. I didn't dare to ask about kids just yet, I'm not sure I can picture them raising a baby. Or maybe deep down I don't want to share them with anyone else. That's not something I like to think about, it makes me too vulnerable. Carla and Bolder are a very big weakness of mine.

  I remember how nervous my uncle was when he suggested to Carla that she should move to the United States with him. He was so nervous that he asked me to stay with them at the dinner where he told her his plan. It was one of the most awkward moments of my life, but in a weird way it felt like I belonged, like I was with my family. He was such a mess stressing about Carla's possible reactions and preparing for the worst case scenario. I still tease him about that. Luckily Carla saw that as a great idea, and she didn't even think twice before giving The Hound to the best person that could ever take over, Rudy. The old man was over the moon to keep working at the pub and he vowed to keep it running the same way Carla had for years.

  In time I came to realise that maybe Carla's decision had a lot to do with me, also. They took me with them and took on the role of parenting and keeping me safe. I'm sure Carla misses the pub everyday, but the pack here in the United States is so happy to finally have a Luna, that she doesn't have any time to spend reminiscing about the life she left behind.