One's True Love

by Lindsey Owens

  A sharp object pierced her bare foot making her scream in pain. She clutched it frantically as she began to hobble toward a tree for stability. She pulled the object from her tender foot and tossed it aside. Kailee began to wonder if Trenton would find her in the darkness of the woods or would she be safe. Would she be able to be home free? Then it hit her and hit her hard; home. She couldn’t go back. Her parents would just call Trenton once again and he would come for her.

  Kailee began to wail uncontrollably as the darkness around her settled in. The moon had risen and she could see shadows beginning to form among her. It scared her but she couldn’t go back now… even if she tried she wouldn’t know the way.

  A low rumble began from behind her and she turned around quickly. Kailee tried to peer into the trees but her eyes wouldn’t allow it; they were blurred and stung with tears. Another growl and Kailee jumped flinging her head toward the noise which was in front of her this time. Once a twig snapped she couldn’t hold it in any longer and Kailee screamed.

  “Leave me alone!” She screamed in frustration. Stepping from the trees a dark wolf emerged. It was massive and its beautiful eyes were so familiar. It purred gently and slowly walked toward Kailee. “You scared me.” She whimpered.

  The wolf tilted its head and continued forward. Kailee wondered if it was a girl or boy wolf. She had once heard from a movie or something that wolves traveled in packs and she couldn’t help think about where this one belonged.

  The wolf continued to advance on Kailee until the soft black fur brushed her body. It nudged her asking for her to rise. “Don’t push.” She whined “I can’t walk.” Kailee exhaled and pulled her foot up into her lap trying to examine the damages.

  It didn’t take long for the wolf to lap at the blood that trickled down her foot. “Hey.” Kailee complained and tried to pull her foot away.

  The wolf growled low and licked once more. “Stop that.” She huffed pushing at the wolf’s thick muzzle.

  The wolf had given up on licking the blood from her foot and curled up along side of her. A sudden pain yet almost light like a feather whined around Kailee’s hip. “What the hell?” she complained as she pulled up the hem of her shirt. Even in the pending dark she could see the mark forming and curling around her body. It was the same as what she had seen on Trenton. Actually when she thought about it most of the people in that house who walked around showing their belly had something similar. It almost looked like a tattoo but how could that be she could see it snaking around her torso as she watched in pain. In a way looking at it felt comforting and reassuring. Why she didn’t know, but it did. She watched as it shimmered and shinned against her pale skin. When the mark was finished she had noticed it was exactly like that of Trenton’s a full tribal style wolf howling on her hip.

  “Great” She groaned and tugged the shirt down. The wolf growled and nuzzled her side as she pushed herself against it. “Shut it.” She scolded. Its soft fur warmed her and she pushed her face into it gently, taking a deep breath of its woodsy scent and sucking in the warmth of the wolf into her pale skin.

  The smell soothed her and she didn’t bother to even cower when another wolf stepped from the trees and lay down on the other side of her; this wolf careful to stay out of her reach. One after another wolfs appeared in the trees there were probably ten to twenty that had surrounded her and for some strange reason it didn’t bother her.

  As dawn started to break Kailee yawned and stretched, slowly she was waking up. The wolf had stayed with her all night and she was thankful. Once the sun had begun to break through the trees she could get a look at her foot. Dried blood was on the grass, leaves and nearby tree which she had gripped for support, yet when Kailee looked closer to examine the injury, her foot had been clean and clear of any wounds.

  “Huh.” She puffed then looked around. She began to count the sleeping curled up bodies of the wolves. Why would they not harm her? She shrugged and slowly reached down to touch a strangely colored blond wolf. When it purred she smiled.

  A crackling of leaves got Kailee to turn around and look back in the direction of the tree. Her wolf stood. She could tell now that he was definitely a male. His full height was massive and his coat was made of thick black fur.

  He trotted forward and lapped at her jaw line then nudged her side. “What?” She questioned sidestepping.

  It nudged her again and began to push her around. Kailee frowned and felt the wolf push her once again. She sighed and decided it was easier to just go with the flow.

  It didn’t take long for the wolf to push Kailee in the right direction. She couldn’t help but snort when he had given her one final push emerging from the trees in the back of Trenton’s house.

  “You can’t be on his side.” She scoffed.

  He barked and his tail wagged.

  “Traitor.” Kailee grumbled as the door to the house opened.

  “Kailee!” Michelle screamed and Kailee cringed hung her head and slowly walked over to the ticked off woman.

  Michelle didn’t look pleased and Kailee slowly walked herself into the kitchen. “Where have you been?” Michelle scolded. “I have been worried sick.”

  “Sorry.” Kailee muttered. “I’ve seen that wolf again.”

  “You better not be running out into the woods again and I am glad you seen the wolf” She sneered.

  “Yes, ma’am.” Kailee sighed then trudged into the house.

  “Go up to your room and… well no actually wait right here. I want you in my sights so you don’t get in anymore trouble.” She rolled her eyes and sat down at the kitchen table.

  A few minutes later people began to gather around the table. “Thank goodness.” Lilly huffed.

  “Kailee…” Nicholas Trenton’s father began “don’t go scaring everyone again. If you need to talk…” he said looking over at his wife “there is plenty of people here other than Trenton.”

  “She will be my wife soon…” A stern voice huffed from the doorway “She can talk to me.” Kailee turned around and looked up into Trenton’s blazing eyes. He was fuming. Deep within those eyes she could see the how could you run look and it rattled her.

  Trenton stalked forward and grasped hold of Kailee’s forearm firmly pulling her quickly to her feet. “It’s too early… everyone go back to bed” he grumbled and dragged Kailee along people slowly departed in various directions. Once they were clear of everyone and up in their room Trenton finally spoke to Kailee. He said firmly “I know you don’t think I should touch you but truthfully I don’t care about that right now. I will hold you in my arms when I sleep or even just for the fun of it. I will keep my kisses to myself and I will do nothing more than hold you; but …” he growled “After we are wed… you’re all mine.”

  Kailee opened her mouth and was about to speak but Trenton continued. “I am still talking.” He eyed her “You will respect me. You will not disrespect your alpha. You will do as you’re told and you will not run off again.” Trenton’s face was hard as stone as he finished his last sentence. Kailee had backed up and was slightly cowering back toward the far side of the room Trenton’s expression softened and he sighed. “Now” he huffed once more “we have been up all night and now we are going to take a nap.” He said pulling the covers back on the bed and patting the sheet. Kailee ducked her head and sighed. She slowly made her way over to the bed and climbed beneath the covers.

  Trenton smirked happily and wrapped her in his arms pulling her close and settling in once he and Kailee were still. Once he heard her soft gentle breathing Trenton slipped off to sleep as well.

  Chapter

  Eight

  Later in the afternoon Trenton woke to Kailee squirming quietly beside him. “What are you doing?” he questioned with a raised eyebrow. His voice was husky and low as he breathed into Kailee’s ear making her shiver.

  “I need to go to the bathroom…” she groaned trying once again to move Trenton’s huge muscled arm.

  “You could have just asked.” Tren
ton chuckled and moved his arm. Kailee squirmed free and raced to the bathroom.

  When she was done she decided she would jump in the shower. She stripped her clothing placing them off to the side and then turned on the water. She pulled the curtain and tested the water until was just right and slipped inside. Once she was safely behind the curtain she tipped her head back letting the water trickle down her body.

  The door cracked open and Trenton peered inside. “You said bathroom you didn’t a shower.” Trenton laughed.

  “I’m taking a shower.” Kailee said rolling her eyes.

  “May I come in?” Trenton asked fingering the curtain.

  “NO!” Kailee screeched.

  Trenton sighed. “I’ll be in the bedroom waiting.” He snorted turning to walk away. Needing to check on how training was going Trenton decided he would wait for Kailee and then take her downstairs with him.

  Kailee had walked from the bathroom with her towel securely around her body. Forgetting to wrap the towel in the right position, the wolf tattoo from the woods was showing. Trenton sat patiently on the bed; watching lustfully. His eyes didn’t leave her and she could feel his penetrating gaze. “Put something… exercise type clothes on…” He said.

  “Like a yoga outfit?” Kailee said turning back around to face Trenton.

  “Yeah.” He breathed huskily.

  Trenton took Kailee’s hand and pulled her along beside him until they came to the large grassy area where the pack trained. He walked straight out in front of a small wolf. It was Trenton’s time to put in his opinion.

  “Shift!” Trenton growled after watching the small wolf fight. Garret thrust the young fighter onto the ground. The young grey wolf whimpered at the tone in Trenton’s voice and shifted immediately.

  “You’re young. Your technique will come in time but you need a ton more training to be allowed to fight.” Trenton spoke confidently as he tossed the young man a pair of shorts.

  “Thank you alpha.” Calvin spoke softly and looked away out of respect for his leader.

  “When did you first shift?” Trenton asked as he paced back and forth thinking. He didn’t need to shift to take down this boy. He was scrawny and weak compared to Trenton’s twenty year old muscled body.

  “Just about two months ago.” Calvin’s young voice trembled.

  “So you must be around fifteen?”

  “Yes alpha I will be turning sixteen in another four months.” He breathed.

  “Okay. Well Preston and I will come up with a training schedule for you and let you know by the end of the week. Go now, your dismissed.” Trenton told the young boy. It was his job as alpha to help Preston, the lead trainer, to decide on a training schedule for the newly shifted wolves and he took great pride in what he does.

  Trenton watched as Calvin raced away. He was scrawny and untrained but he would make a great boarder wolf. He was fast. Trenton looked over at the remaining wolves. Two boys and one girl left to test. He didn’t make his pack females fight but they needed to be trained in case of emergencies.

  Kailee watched nervously. Trenton hadn’t explained anything to her just simply dragged her to a chair beside Preston, and told her to sit. Trenton couldn’t help but wonder how long until Kailee first shifted. It was a pretty well known fact that many alpha mates didn’t shift until they had met their mates. So she was due to shift any day.

  “Okay who would like to be next?” Trenton questioned. The small students’ faces paled even more than he thought possible. They hadn’t expected their alpha to make it to the training today, since he had went back up to bed at around seven. Most had made it through the training without their alpha watching but a few still stood.

  “Well?” Trenton questioned once more in a stern not so patient tone; a young girl probably about sixteen stepped forward.

  She was such a beauty for so young, light blond hair and bright green eyes stepped forward. Well this is good at least she is brave.

  “I will go.” She spoke softly.

  “Thank you.” Trenton told her and stood firmly on the ground waiting for her to undress behind the shelter and return in her wolf form. She squeaked her name to Garret, the second command trainer, who in turn looked down at a clip board then checked a name off. The small girl, Mia, raced off to the small wooden structure that was only used for changing in privacy. It was generally the young wolves that changed there. It was natural for werewolves to be confident and carefree when we shifted and most of the older wolves just shifted behind trees before they trained or ran.

  Mia returned as a sleek shiny white pelted wolf. Well now isn’t it nice to have a white wolf for a change; Trenton thought as she advanced upon him. There wasn’t many in their pack. It only could mean one thing. “You William’s little pup?” he questioned.

  The tiny white wolf nodded, yes. William was the only white wolf they have had in their pack young enough to have a daughter the age of Mia. He smiled at the worried young wolf. She didn’t have anything to worry about being the child of William. He was a good natural fighter and it ran in the family generally. She wouldn’t have much problem.

  “Okay” he nodded “whenever you’re ready” Trent told her making his stance firmer into the ground.

  Kailee watched carefully as Mia circled around Trenton. She pinched her eyes shut and curled her face into Preston’s shoulder. Preston turned his head and chuckled. “What are you doing?” He asked with a raised eyebrow.

  “It’s going to kill him!” She whimpered loudly through a strangled breath.

  Trenton smirked hearing Kailee’s words but didn’t turn toward her. “He’ll be fine,” Garret chuckled from the other side of Kailee

  “Open your eyes and watch, you might enjoy it” Preston urged gently pushing Kailee up away from his shoulder.

  It was natural for some wolves to know instinctively how to attack and for Mia; that stood true. Her idea was to take Trenton off guard making his stance falter as she circled. “Grr” Mia growled. Her jowls pulled up above her teeth, saliva dribbled over and she began to pace faster. Within moments she was snapping and snarling at him.

  Definitely more confidence than the other young wolves had; Trenton thought with a grin. Hey it was more confidence than she even had just a few moments ago. He whirled around watching her and his eye caught sight of her lunge just before she pounced against his chest.

  Trenton stumbled backward holding the small wolf against his chest. After he caught his footing he set her back down on the ground. Immediately she began to growl and snarl once again. She ran at him and laced through his legs then whipped around and head butted the back of his knee. Whirling around once again as his body this time fell to the ground he landed on his back with a hard thud.

  The tiny white wolf was now standing over him growling. “Good girl.” Trent smiled up at her. She immediately backed away at the sound of his voice cowering slightly. He sat up patting his leg for her to come closer. “Come here little one.” Trenton told her and watched as she crawled on her tummy toward him.

  Kailee was amazed. Trenton easily deflected the wolf’s attack. He had even got her to submit to him and cower only with his voice.

  Mia’s tail was tucked and her ears pulled back slightly; scared. “You did well. You can go shift now.” he spoke softly to her. It has been a while since they had a natural young wolf and so he hadn’t been knocked down very often.

  Preston and Garret looked pleased as well as Trenton did when the young Mia made her way back to the field. “That was outstanding!” Garret remarked. Mia blushed profusely and hid her face behind her long light colored locks.

  “You are very good and have such natural talent.” Preston told her. “Your father will be proud. Please ask him to come speak with me when you come back for your evaluation report and new training schedule.” the girl smiled and was now beginning to squirm.

  “You’re dismissed.” Trenton said with a side head nod.

  After the last two boys went Trenton made his wa
y inside for a few moments rest before working with Preston and on the schedules. His father had seen him come in and smiled while he held out a bottled water for him. “How is training going son?” He asked.

  “Very well, I just had the pleasure of taking on the William’s young daughter, Mia. She is going to be a great asset to the pack in her natural abilities.” Trenton told him.

  “That’s great.” Nicholas nodded proudly.

  “I have to go and speak with Preston and Garret about the schedules, I will talk with you later?” Trenton asked.

  “Of course son.” Nicholas smiled and patted his son on the shoulder.

  Trenton walked back outside and right up to Kailee. “Come with me.” He said calmly.

  “Okay.” Kailee nodded.

  “Garret, Preston.” Trenton said as he wrapped his arm around Kailee.

  “Schedules?” Preston asked.

  “Schedules?” Trenton repeated looking around the area.

  “Okay. Do you mind if we get a drink before we…?” Garret sighed. Trenton nodded and pulled Kailee inside as Preston wandered inside.

  “Mom.” Trenton said stepping into the kitchen. Lilly and Michelle had begun to make dinner along with a few other people who gathered to help.

  “Yeah Trent?” Michelle said turning her head toward the sound of his voice.

  “Look after Kailee, I need to speak with Preston and Garret about schedules.” Trenton said releasing Kailee from his grasp.

  She slowly walked forward and looked back at Trenton. She felt almost like a caged bird as she looked into his hard eyes. It would take a long time for him to trust her fully and she knew it was her fault.

  “Sure thing.” Michelle chirped. “Come over here darling and help me with this cookie dough.” Michelle held out her hand.

  Kailee sighed and walked toward Michelle timidly. When she turned around Trenton was walking down the hall with Preston and Garret hot on his heels.