A Wolf's Duty

by Jennifer T. Alli

  “Of course, who else would they be for?” He sneezed, rubbing a hand against his sensitive nose while trying to inhale as little as possible of the potent floral fragrances. “They’re all flowers I hear grow in England and I hope you can grow them here as well, so you never get homesick.”

  She smiled at his reasoning before frowning as she realised the stream of men carrying flowers into her garden hadn’t stopped and space was becoming increasingly scarce. “Tobias, I think you over ordered, there’s not enough room here for all of them.”

  “Yes,” he commented, moving closer towards her, “at the moment there isn’t quite enough space to accommodate all the new additions comfortably but that won’t always be the case. I’m having the garden expanded. I tried to get it all done for your birthday but even a Prince can’t produce miracles apparently, so they’ll have to start work on it later. I’m sorry.”

  “Tobias, this is more than I could ever have hoped for, so why are you saying sorry? I would have been satisfied with just the locket.”

  “I don’t want you to simply be satisfied, I want more for you. I want you to be overjoyed.”

  “I am,” she countered. “Trust me I am. I’ve never been so happy in all my life.” He smiled at her statement, but a small sigh managed to escape his lips. “Is something wrong Tobias?”

  “No dearest, nothing is wrong.” Yet. “But I need to talk to you.” He grasped her hand leading her away from the crates of plants to a relatively clear area of the garden. Pulling against her hand, he urged her to the ground, staring at her for long moments before she decided to interrupt.

  “Tobias? I thought you wanted to talk.”

  “I do,” he answered before returning to his former silence.

  “So talk then.”

  He sighed deeply preparing himself for the conversation and the consequences it might bring. “Xandria, the moon will be full tomorrow.” He took another deep breath allowing her to digest the information before he pressed on. “I told you that I’d give you a choice and I always try to keep my word and that could never be truer than when it comes to you. You’re my mate and there should be no secrets or lies between us, so I’ll keep my promise. When the moon is full, I won’t be able to control my wolf’s instincts and it’s urges. I won’t be simply content just being in your company. Should I run Xandria? Should I run like I did on the last full moon and keep you safe from my desires or will you let me stay with you? Will you allow me to finally claim you?”

  Her heart began to race as his question and the implications of her answer seeped into her mind. Her thoughts soon followed the path of her heart, different ideas flitting across her mind at an incredible pace. Am I ready for this? Why did he have to leave it up to me? It’s such a huge step! Why did he have to come out with it like this?

  “Alexandria,” he sighed heavily, having apparently taken her silence as an answer. “I shouldn’t have brought this up, I’m sorry. I’ll run. Don’t worry about this anymore, you’ll be safe from me, I swear it.”

  What are you doing? his wolf snarled, shaking the bars of the cage that confined him and restricted its actions. She’s our mate and I won’t wait any longer. We’re claiming her tomorrow!

  No, we won’t. She doesn’t want this, can’t you tell?

  Our mate is sometimes irrational in her actions, you must have realised this by now. Don’t you remember when she refused to speak to you simply because you hadn’t consulted her when we took her away from that bastard of a father? We’re her mate, it’s our responsibility, no, our duty, to protect her even if that’s from herself.

  She won’t be in any danger if we don’t claim her this full moon, there’s no need to protect her from herself in this situation. She has a right to an opinion about this.

  What about us? Aren’t we entitled to the same opinion? We’ve waited two bloody centuries for this moment and yet you think to deny us. This is madness!

  If she doesn’t want to be claimed then what are you suggesting? That we force her? What kind of mate would we be then?

  I never said anything about forcing her; no male should force themselves upon their mate! That doesn’t however mean we aren’t allowed to use intense methods of persuasion to get her to see things our way, the right way.

  “I can’t do this,” he snapped, clutching his head and trying to relegate the wolf to a far corner of his mind. “I can’t do this.” He stood. “I’m sorry that I brought this up dearest, especially today, it’s meant to be a special day of celebration for you. I won’t be able to stay much longer, otherwise I might not be able to get far enough away from you and I might be able to reach you while the moon is still full. I’m sorry dearest, enjoy the garden.”

  Her heart still racing, she grabbed his hand, preventing him from leaving her. “I didn’t say anything Tobias, how can you just assume what I’m going to decide? You should at least wait until I’ve said something. Sit down.” He sat, dumbfounded at her comment while the seeds of hope bloomed within his chest.

  “You’re willing?” he croaked. “You’re willing to allow me to claim you? Thank you dearest, I’ve waited so long for this day. I know it’s different to the human way of joining but we can have a ceremony for you in the human way too if you want.”

  She averted her gaze from him, still unsure of her answer but unwilling to crush the hopefulness that poured from him. “I don’t know Tobias. I haven’t really been thinking about it and you kind of left it a bit late to tell me. The moon is full tomorrow which means I have to have decided everything by today doesn’t it?”

  “You don’t have the whole day,” he admitted ruefully. “I need to be taken far enough away from you that I can’t make it back to you while I’m still under the moon’s influence.

  “Just how far away is far?”

  “Hundred of miles away dearest, that’s how far I need to travel by tomorrow night otherwise I’ll be back too soon.”

  “Wow that is far, just what are you using to get back exactly? A rocket?”

  “No,” he chuckled amused by her assumption. “I run.”

  She laughed, “You’re kidding right?”

  “No I’m not, I run all the way. It’s the fastest way of getting from wherever I am, back to you.”

  “So you run hundreds of miles?”

  “You make is sound so impossible.”

  “It is impossible,” she scoffed.

  “I’m not human Xandria, what may be impossible for you isn’t for me. On the nights of the full moon I’m stronger and faster than I normally am. You have no idea of just what my body is capable of doing for you.” He took a deep breath preparing himself to explain another element of a world that was utterly foreign to her. “I’ve told you before that when the moon is full I can no longer control the instincts of the wolf that lives within me.”

  She nodded and he continued.

  “For an unmated male, who’s found their mate like me, the full moon pushes any other thoughts out of my head. I’m completely focused on you. Everything that stands between you and me is an obstacle and to get to you I remove them ruthlessly. I never put a foot wrong in a forest, buildings in cities are easily leapt over and people who try to stop me should be wary. The last time I ran I left England and went to Russia thinking that would be far enough.” He groaned at the memory. “I nearly made it back to you on the second night. I had to fight my wolf, trying to slow my steps until the moon had disappeared. I just made it. The whole day after I was incapacitated. I was exhausted from running non-stop and then add to that fighting against what should be natural for me…it certainly took it out of me. This time when I run I have to be sure that doesn’t happen again. I’ll have someone contain me this time. Hopefully that should take up enough time that I won’t make it back here.”

  “If you run,” she corrected.

  “What?”

  “You said when you run, that makes it sound as though it’s a foregone conclusion that I’ll say no.”

  “Isn�
�t it?”

  “Look, I’m still new to this wolf thing so let’s get one thing straight. This claiming, it’s just us…you know.” She flushed.

  “You know what?”

  Her face heated further. “It’s just us having sex right?”

  “There’s no need to be embarrassed dearest, it’s a perfectly natural thing between two people. It’s even more natural between mates. And as for your question, sort of.”

  “What do you mean sort of? It’s a yes or no question. There’s no middle ground.”

  “I’ll be making love to you, yes, but there’s more.”

  “And…” she drawled.

  “You’re human dearest and that means it’s not quite that simple.”

  “I hate that excuse! What does me being human have to do with anything?”

  “Don’t get upset Xandria. I’m not implying that you’re any less that we are, all I meant is that there are additional steps to the claiming because of what you are.”

  “Why? Why should the fact that I’m human mean I should be treated any differently from a wolf?”

  “Centuries and centuries ago, when we were still a relatively new people, our males would claim human mates without the additional step that we have now and it led to complications and tragedy for all involved. Back then we were brutally hunted and misunderstood which led people to fear us, females in particular. They were different back them I guess, more fragile and unaware of what was going on outside in the world because they were raised to be like that. And they were taught to fear what was different, they were taught to fear us.”

  “Some males didn’t tell their human mates what they were before they claimed them, but they found out eventually, you can’t hide the truth of what you are forever. When they did discover what their husbands were, they couldn’t handle it and some were driven mad. Some who were pregnant killed themselves, fearing to bring what they called demon spawn into the world. Others killed their children while they slept before turning the knives on themselves. Human mates kept killing themselves and our males don’t last long in this world after they lose their mate. Our people were dying and so the wolf instinct changed, demanding that females knew what we were before we claimed them and accepted us for what we were. The instinct within us is what has kept us alive all these centuries, despite our being hunted. When we’re in danger as a species the instinct can change to help us survive. Did you never wonder why when we change we’re fully dressed? Once upon a time we were naked when we transformed, but the instinct saw that we would make easy targets if we had to be nude after a change and so it adapted. Because you’re human for me to claim you, you would have to accept the wolf within me.”

  “I already know what you are Tobias, can’t we just skip that step?”

  Hope flared within him once more at her casual comment about skipping straight to the actual claiming. “You’ve never seen me in wolf form dearest and you will have to for me to claim you.”

  “Well go on then. Show me and let’s do this thing.”

  The seed of hope within him blossomed at her statement. “It’s not that simple.”

  “It never is with you,” she grumbled. “Just spit it out.”

  “It isn’t a bad thing dearest, all the additional stage requires is that you spend a day with me between the nights of the full moon with me in my wolf form and be comfortable enough to stay with me. You can’t run from me during that time.”

  “Is that it?”

  “Well, what exactly did you think was going to happen?”

  “I don’t know, but I thought it would be bigger than that.”

  “The instinct doesn’t go out of its way to make things hard; it does what’s simplest and best for us. Have you made up your mind dearest? What do you want to happen?”

  Chapter Thirty Six

  The moon floated across the darkening sky, it luminescent rays partially obscured by light clouds. Staring up at the large orb on the steps of the estate, Alex found herself momentarily ensnared by its almost eerie beauty. The urgent tone of a guard however, quickly snapped her out of her reverie.

  “Hurry your highness,” the guard urged, his tone insistent.

  “I’m coming,” she reassured him, moving down the steps towards the compact jeep that was meant to take her far away from Tobias.

  “We’ve got to hurry your highness, the further away we manage to take you, the better.”

  Reaching the door of the car, she pulled it open, hefting herself inside. “I understand, let’s go.” The two accompanying guards entered the car, the engine roaring to life and she couldn’t prevent her head from turning around to stare at the large estate as it retreated from view.

  Tobias, her mind whispered, increasingly unsure of whether she had made the right decision. The car jerked forward, propelling them further away from Tobias and deeper into the surrounding woods of the estate.

  “You’re sure this is what you want to do you highness?” One of the guards called back to her from the front seat.

  I’m having enough doubts about this as it is, there’s no need for anyone else to add to them. She groaned before answering him. “Yes, I’m sure this is what I want.”

  “As long as you’re sure.”

  “I’m as sure as I’m going to get.”

  A slight incline of his head was the only acknowledgement she received and the rest of the journey into the forest was conducted in silence as she watched the trees fly past.

  “This is as far as we go your highness,” one of the guards informed her as the car slowed to a halt.

  “Are you sure this is really necessary?” she questioned, eyeing the darkness of the surrounding forest, slightly afraid of the creatures that awaited her in its depths. “I mean what’s the point when I’m just going to let him catch me anyway?”

  “His highness needs to prove himself, that’s what this is about.”

  You wolves and your need to prove yourselves, her mind muttered rebelliously. “Thanks for bringing me here.”

  “It is our honour your highness.”

  Her hand moved to the handle of the door preparing to open it before a thought occurred to her. “There isn’t anything dangerous out there is there?”

  “Nothing that Prince Tobias can’t handle,” one of the guards reassured.

  What about me? Tobias isn’t going to be with me the whole time I’m in there. A sense of fear overcame her before another part of her mind spoke up, chastising her. You decided to do this and there’s no turning back now, so stop being so afraid of everything. Don’t you want to be with Tobias?

  Of course I do otherwise I wouldn’t even be out here!

  Then get out of the damn car.

  Her hand gripped the handle and she pushed the door open before jumping out. “Thanks again guys, I’m sure I’ll be alright from here. You should head back to the estate, I hear there’s a party going on.”

  “We’ll see you in a few days your highness, good luck.”

  She smiled at the helpful pair before turning and striding into the forest, feigning a sense of bravery that she didn’t really have. The sound of the engine starting up again, almost caused her to turn around but she forced her head to face forward and continued walking deeper into the wood. The plants that formed it soon made their presence known, pressing against the barrier she had erected in her mind until she was forced to lower it and allow them to flood her thoughts. Her casual walk stopped momentarily as she allowed their voices to briefly flow through her before forcing them to the back of her mind once more.

  Not tonight guys, I’ll come back another time, but I’ve got to concentrate on Tobias for the next two nights.

  She could sense their disappointment, but reassured herself that she wasn’t being too harsh with the knowledge that she would return at another time. Her steady pace continued, for how long she couldn’t be sure, until a low growl erupted from nowhere, quickly spreading throughout the surrounding area.

  “Tobias?” she call
ed, relieved that her journey alone was now over. The growl continued, becoming louder and louder while leaving her question unanswered. As the sound continued to invade her mind, she became increasingly unsure that it was Tobias making it and her heart began to pound within her chest as fear blossomed within her.

  She called out again, hoping desperately that Tobias would simply stride out from the darkness. “Tobias?”

  Her voice was smaller now as terror dried her throat. Again her question was met with nothing but more than a more insistent and frightening growl. The growl abruptly changed into a loud howl and she ran. Her feet pounded hard against the dirt floor as adrenaline coursed through her. The howling didn’t seem any further away despite her flight and she became increasingly afraid as the guard’s words came back to her. Nothing Prince Tobias can’t handle? What the hell have I gotten myself into? Her long hair whipped around her face and she found herself cursing it, refusing to look back while it obscured her vision. The breath rushed out of her as she tripped over her own feet, landing hard against the unforgiving earth. Disregarding the pain in her palms and knees that told her they were hurt, she picked herself up and continued to run, desperate to escape whatever was hunting her.

  Minutes passed and she felt her energy flagging as the adrenaline that had coursed through her began to ebb, leaving her lungs burning and her legs weak. Her headlong run slowed as she struggled to draw in breath. The momentary rest cost her as a body barrelled into her, knocking what little breath she had in lungs from her. She closed her eyes, waiting for the next collision her body would have with the ground, but it never came. Instead she found her body being wrapped within familiar arms, the body beneath hers taking the brunt of the impact from the fall.