The Big Cry Wolf

by Nina S. Gooden

  The growling in the air sharpened and so did his fingernails. Claws cut into my thighs where he held me and I yelped. Pain sliced through the haze of goodness I was shrouded in. He grunted and tore away from me so quickly I barely had time to get my shaking legs to the ground.

  “Did I hurt you?” He crowded me with his voice and I saw that wolf ears had pushed through his hair. He was slipping into the half-man, half-wolf state that only Alphas could achieve. His already sharp canines had dropped over a mostly human jaw, leaving thin trails of blood down his chin. “Answer me!”

  I couldn’t help flinching. I wasn’t afraid of him but my eardrums were taking a beating. The twinge of panic in his voice made the sound even thicker.

  “You know you could never hurt me…” I trailed off, doing my best to hide the wounds at my thighs.

  It didn’t work. His nose elongated into a purple-gray muzzle and he inhaled deeply.

  Aldrich turned away from me and between rapid pants, I sucked in a breath of surprise. He swung to face the wall, sinking his claws into the unyielding surface. Deep furrows appeared in the stone under the onslaught and he threw his head back to howl. The sound slammed into my head like a sledgehammer, but I was unable to take my eyes off of him. His hair had bled to a shade of black so dark the shadows appeared to jump into the tresses.

  “Al!” A husky voice, laced with concern sounded above us. Before I could shift my focus in that direction, Adawolfa jumped down and was standing beside Aldrich. I squelched a bubble of jealousy when she reached out to take his shoulder. The rage that seemed to shake in his body bled away, leaving his hair the shiny purple-gray it was meant to be.

  I took a step closer and he scented the air, turning his head to gobble me up with his gaze. I let out a relieved breath when I saw his eyes were no longer all swirly. He gritted out his commands. “Don’t. Stay there.”

  I don’t know if the hurt I felt was reflected in my face, but Aldrich immediately gentled his tone. He turned back to me, but I saw the way his muscles bunched and pulled under the surface of his skin. His control was fragile and the gleaming points of his teeth looked threatening, even to me. “Do not be concerned; all is well.” He said to me before turning back to Adawolfa. “Please ensure my mate finds her way out of the labyrinth.”

  Without waiting for a response, he leapt up and over the wall, leaving the voluptuous beauty and me alone.

  I schooled my features, not wanting to give away how shaken I was. Modesty wasn’t held highly in the society of shape shifters so I didn’t bother attempting to smooth down my dress. “What was that?”

  “It’s what happens without the Blut-kette. You haven’t yet been able to re-summon it, so he is on edge.”

  The Blut-kette. It seemed like all of his problems always came back to the mystical riding hood that seemed to be as alive as any of the wolves. Just a few months ago, the Splitter had tried to steal it in order to control the unstable power of the Alpha Wolf. The cloak was said to be the only way for those who carried a true wolf to control its power. Without it, they deteriorated into hulking beasts who knew neither friend nor foe.

  But there were secrets and rules to wielding it that I didn’t understand. It existed both in the physical world and the spiritual one and needed to be re-summoned back by a mate in order to be of any use. Only, Aldrich had chosen me as his mate … and I wasn’t a wolf.

  I frowned, replaying what had happened in my head. “I’ve never seen that happen … his eyes, yes, but that thing with his hair is new.”

  Adawolfa was as hard to read as always. I took a moment to really look at her, grudgingly admitting that she was beautiful with her smooth skin and sharp green eyes. That didn’t mean I had to like her. After hearing the rumors, I couldn’t bring myself to trust her enough to do any more than tolerate her. Too many people in the Pack were sure that if it hadn’t been for me, she would have ended up as Aldrich’s mate.

  And the cold way she spoke to me didn’t help matters.

  Her arms folded across her ample bosom and she kept her voice steady and aloof. “It is not abnormal for an Alpha. There is much about them that we don’t know, but the connection to their wolf is … different.”

  I wanted to ask her more questions but she was already turning away from me, her hips swaying with barely contained irritation as she moved. I couldn’t help but wonder if the Lupa still wanted Aldrich as her mate. Just thinking of the two of them was enough to kick my blood pressure into overdrive, but I kept my thoughts to myself and followed her silently. I even managed to keep from limping, though every step shot discomfort through my thighs.

  I inspected the gashes as subtly as I could. They were shallow and the most I had to worry about was a mildly irritating sting. I’d have to be careful not to do anything to rip them open, though.

  It took an embarrassingly small amount of time to break free of the stone labyrinth with her help. Adawolfa stopped at a plain wall that I would have thought was a dead end if she weren’t inspecting it so closely. Sliding her palms along the smooth surface until she found what she was looking for, a click sounded and the rock easily slid to the side, revealing a thick screen of high shrubs. She stepped back, gesturing for me to continue through the opening. I stared for a moment, trying to get my bearing and she huffed with displeasure. The chocolate curls that danced down her back waved with mocking grace even with the subtle movement.

  “Are you afraid to step out into the unknown? One would think you’d conquered such a fear by now.”

  I bristled at her tone as much as her words. Without another word, I marched forward. She reached out to catch my shoulder before I could glide free of her range.

  “Look, human. The Storm Moon is approaching us quickly. It is well known that Hrodulf is weakening. His time is past. A new Primogen will be named and it is very likely the name called through the Howl will be Aldrich. You must prepare for this change in your status. The Primogen is the living representation of the Pack’s strength and standing. His mate will be the same or she will be removed from her position.”

  I sucked in a violent breath, unsure of whether or not what she’d just said was a threat. The Howl was a simple ceremony but that didn’t make it any less nerve-wracking. It was a way for those in the Park who didn’t agree with the newly named Primogen to speak out. If enough of another name was called, a challenge opened up. The pit of unease that settled in my stomach wasn’t because I thought anyone would disagree with Aldrich being Primogen. His strength was respected.

  Refusing to show her any weakness, I gave my own head a toss. While my own hair was still swinging, I drew my shoulders back and narrowed my gaze on her. I’d seen the action repeated several times by high ranking wolves and had established that it was a showing of power. Without waiting for a response, I turned and continued my exit.

  A burst of light blinded me for a moment as soon as I pushed through the opening. The heavy bush swallowed up the entrance to the labyrinth, hiding it from view and I made a mental note of where it was positioned. When my eyes adjusted, it was only through sheer willpower I kept from turning right back around.

  I recognized the crowded main courtyard and paused when the wolves caught sight of me. A huge tree stood in the center of the heavily populated square, vibrant and green despite the winter. The bustling hub held its breath while I took in the defiantly green grass and all of the excited faces which had moments ago been laughing and smiling.

  Everyone in the large space saw the emerald leaves of the single, monster of a tree brighten and sparkle with light the moment I arrived. The Irminsala tree appeared to be giggling.

  I swallowed back the urge to groan.

  When Aldrich had been shot with the silver bullet, I came to the Stronghold to beg entry. I hadn’t known that the Pack was protected by the Irminsala tree spirit and that I would have to prove my worth in order to be allowed to pass. At the time, my only thought had been to save my mate so I’d showed off the power of the Blut-kette … whi
ch may or may not have involved me flashing some skin. The spirit hadn’t let me live it down yet.

  “I’m glad someone is amused,” I muttered.

  Chapter 2

  All eyes were on me. Again. I tried not to take it personally, sliding my blasé smile back into place, something I did quite often lately. The wolves closest to me tripped over themselves to lower their eyes and bare their necks for my inspection. They’d been hanging decorations on the walls that flanked me, and each movement was awkward as they attempted to balance their wares and show respect.

  The only ones who didn’t acknowledge me were the Elders. They stood to the far side of the courtyard where the true wolves, known at the Alten, jumped and played, rolling among some of the youngest shifters.

  It had always amazed me the way the four-legged wolves were accepted and honored among the shifters. They weren’t tame by any means but no one here thought twice about allowing them to play with even the youngest children. At the same time, the creatures seemed to go against their natures in order to be gentle with the babies.

  They ran careful tongues over soft cheeks and as I watched, one of them used sharp teeth to help a toddler move to a standing position. It should have been a scary scene, that feral beast with its teeth so close to something so fragile, but the little girl squealed with delight, taking two shaky steps forward to wrap the wolf’s snout in a hug.

  The pups circled one of the Elders in particular, climbing all over her and licking her face like domesticated pets. It was obvious the Alten weren’t only companions kept around for entertainment. They were family.

  The group looked completely at odds with the stiff formality directed at me from the others.

  A particularly gangly boy atop a rope ladder swept a little too low for his slight frame. He came tumbling down in a shower of paper flowers and clipped vegetation. Wincing, I moved to help him up, patting chalk from his bulky shoulders.

  “N-no, Princess!” He all but barked when he realized who was offering the helping hand. “I am fine.” His wide, startled eyes wounded me but not nearly as much as the expert dodge he pulled off to get away from my hands. He rolled as far away from me as possible.

  In his haste to get away from me, he brushed against an elderly woman who promptly dropped the basket she’d been holding. Pretty, decorative stones hit the ground and I moved to pick them up for her. She snatched them up before I could do any good and did her own little jig out of my reach. I kneeled on the ground, stupidly holding up a stone she’d apparently decided she no longer wanted.

  Sadness seeped into my chest, though I was careful to keep it from my expression. All at once, I was flooded with loneliness. It was an emotion I should have been familiar with, considering my childhood. Silently, I wished Aldrich were here. Before meeting him, the only thing I’d ever really wanted was a family. The Pack was supposed to fill that void. They took care of their own and valued kin above all else, but it was painfully clear I didn’t fall under such a category.

  I hadn’t expected to be immediately accepted. In fact, I had looked forward to the challenge of winning them over. Frustration bubbled up my chest. “But I can’t try if they won’t give me a chance.”

  “Why are you talking to yourself, Roux? Get off the ground. You’re going to get your kleid all dirty.”

  My head snapped back with full blown pleasure. I jumped up and launched myself into the familiar voice, squealing the entire time. “Miiiina!”

  Wilhelmina caught me with ease, wrapping her arms around me. I heard someone in the crowd gasp but couldn’t force myself to pretend to care. My friend was back and she offered a squeal of her own. “How have you been? Is everyone treating you well? They better be, or else they’ll answer to me.”

  She held me away from her, pushing on my shoulders until I was turning in front of her. Love warmed me as she made sure I was whole and unharmed. “What happened to your leg? And your shoulder? And your face?” She ticked off each of my bruises and scrapes with a growl, her expression darkening with each item.

  I put up my hands. “Don’t look at me like that, it’s nothing. I’m just a little clumsier this month than I have been … ever.”

  Mina frowned, looking around the square. I think she only just then noticed everyone was standing a good distance away from me, staring at her as if she’d sprouted a third eye. She bared her teeth threateningly. “Don’t you wolves have a Ceremony to set up for?”

  The reminder immediately pushed everyone back into preparations and I let out a sigh of relief. “Thanks. It’s been like that since I got here.”

  Mina huffed, wrapping her hand around my wrist and dragging me toward the Irminsala. Sitting down against its huge trunk, she sighed with pleasure, pulling her own hood back. Her blond mass of hair tumbled down, cut shorter than I remembered. The last time I’d seen Mina, she and her brother had just pledged to the Pack. They’d done so for me, and I couldn’t even begin to tell them how much their actions had meant.

  They were the reason I was sitting here today.

  “Yeah? Don’t worry, it’ll pass. Right now, you’re a mystery. They know about what happened with the Splitter, but they don’t know you. So what if your father was a lunatic who tried to steal the Blut-kette and essentially wipe out the Pack?”

  “Gee, thanks, Mina. You always know just what to say to make a girl feel welcome.”

  As usual, she either missed the sarcasm in my tone or decided to ignore it completely. “That’s what I’m here for!”

  Again, I wondered how they were going to get to know me, if they wouldn’t give me a chance, but I didn’t want to burden my friend with those thoughts. “How was your pilgrimage? Was it awkward, going with all the younger girls?”

  Mina shrugged one shoulder and tilted her head back. The bark of the tree seemed to sigh wistfully when touched, which is why I was careful not to do it. The tree seemed alive. More than that, it seemed to love and need physical contact with the members of the Pack. “No, it wasn’t awkward. It’s considered an honor to make the voyage as old as I am. Gives the other Packs the impression that I was so special, Hrodulf saved me until I was ripe.”

  I would have had to have been deaf to miss the disgust in her voice. “I take it that it didn’t go well.”

  The bark behind her undulated and Mina was dragged deeper into the embrace of the tree. Her hair wrapped around her like an extension of those wooden limbs, gathering her up in a hug. “There is no shame in going to the other wolf Packs to look for a possible mate. We aren’t required to love one another in order to breed healthy pups, but there are rites and rituals.” She dragged her tongue over the line of her teeth in aggression. “For female wolves it’s all about safety. I will not bear the offspring of one who is less than I am. Unfortunately, that was all I found. Less.”

  I didn’t want to think of how she measured them. Knowing Mina, she’d probably beaten the crap out of every one of the wolves in the distant Pack. When no one was able to take her down, she’d more than likely refused to mate with any of them.

  I couldn’t help the defiant little giggle that dropped from my mouth. “Doesn’t beating up your prospects kind of damage your mating potential?”

  Mina grinned, this time her body relaxing. “Yeah, well … I’d rather be without than breeding weakness.”

  I blinked at the wistful sound of her voice. Mina had been the only person I could trust with my initial confusion over Aldrich. At that time, I’d run to her, spilling all of my trembling little doubts and hopes at her feet. I heard the same tone in her voice now as I imagine she did in mine then. “Are you sure that’s what it is? An aversion to weakness?”

  She closed her eyes, inhaling deeply and I saw all of the hope she kept carefully banked in a split second. Then it was gone, replaced by the discerning gaze of a woman who knew she had a job to do. “I am a powerful female wolf. My duty to the Pack demands I provide more of the same.”

  “And what about love?”

  She loo
ked around, her keen eyes focusing on the children who ran and played while the adults worked. Within the Pack, there were sections and rules. There were tons of protocols and castes ran deep. Even now, the four Elders stood watching with different expressions on their face. Marrok, the First Elder, remained stoic as always, his arms folded over the barrel of his chest. His light hair was a startling contrast to the dark scowl painting his face. His complete opposite in every way, Botolf, the second of the four, laughed while Ralphina and Daciana played with the pups.

  But one thing was certain: the Pack took care of its own. Every child in the space had ten mothers, and forty brothers and sisters. They were a family and took the phrase “It takes a village” literally. There was little, if any reason, to force yourself into a monogamous relationship.

  But it didn’t really change anything and Mina was constantly turning down just such offers.

  “Love, true love, is … rare. It’s easy.” Mina turned to look up at me and my heart stuttered. “You and Aldrich are the perfect example. You two were mated practically the moment he looked at you.”

  I laughed. Hard. “Easy. Sure, that’s why he’s losing control and still hasn’t managed to mark me.”

  Mina frowned, seeming to notice for the first time that the shadowy bruise on my shoulder wasn’t actually raised. It was supposed to be the mark a wolf put on his mate when he or she bound them together for life. Mine was only in the first stage, a mere suggestion which lay on my skin like ink.

  “That’s impossible. How are you guys doing the nasty without him having bit you?”

  I blushed hotly, refusing to meet her eyes. She got the message and blew out a steady stream of amazement. “All right. But maybe that’s just because you haven’t been able to re-summon the Blut-kette.”

  I shifted uncomfortably. The Blut-kette was a legendary object. Sacred to the Pack. It looked like a simple red riding hood but it had powers no one truly understood. What they did know, though, was that the hood could calm the beast within an Alpha. Without it, Aldrich’s Wolf was too strong for him to contain and incidents like this morning would only get worse.