by Hana Blue
“Alpha of the Sitka pack,” The man cut me off with a warm smile.
I nodded, straightening my jacket again. “Yes. That’s correct.”
“I am Micheal, Alpha of the pack here. What brings you up here near Haines?”
Quickly I thought of what to say, looking for the perfect excuse that would get me through the door. One that would be convincing. “I was passing through the area, and I sensed a pack here. I thought I would stop by as I was passing through. I hadn’t realized there was a blood-born pack up this way.”
The man let out a chuckle and opened the doors wider. “I wouldn’t call us a blood-born pack, you can say we are a conglomerate of misfits.”
I chuckled at his comment. The man did not seem threatening, making it hard for me to believe that this man possessed such a horrific form as a beast. He seemed like an agreeable man. My mind swirled with confusion from the ease of the conversation with this man.
“We had all just sat down to eat, would you like to join us for breakfast Alpha Echo?” The man smiled as he motioned his arm to welcome me inside. He was warm and very welcoming. I nodded.
“I would like that. Thank you.” I replied, pushing my hair back once more.
Following behind the man I entered the sizeable house, the sound of chatter filled the space. Joyful noises, much like at my home.
“I feel bad Alpha, you seem to know of me, but I didn’t know of you.”
The man turned around to look at me and nodded in recognition.
“Well, the name Dominic Echo is a widely known one. Packs all around Alaska know of you and your pack. Your reputation proceeds you. They always mention you as a strong and brave leader who had overcome many hardships coming into the dark hills. As for us, we are silent, and lie low. For obvious reasons.” Ending his sentence with a waving motion over himself.
“It is good to meet you anyhow.” I replied with a smile as the man pulled open the doors to a large dining area packed full of wolves of many kinds. My eyes scanned the space that was filled with a mix of original blood wolves, lycans, and two familiar sets of red eyes. Those of the girl in the bar that night, and the eyes of my mate.
“Everyone, we have a surprise guest.” Micheal called out with a warm tone.
“Alpha Echo from the Sitka pack graces us with his presence this morning.”
I watched as the pack members looked among themselves, confused. My mate and the other blood born girl exchanging glances of fear. I locked my eyes on my mate, holding her in my gaze. This was the first time I had ever seen her in daylight, and she captivated me. In the bright light of day, the gentle face of that woman took my breath away. Finally she looked up to me, our eyes locking, hers filled with fear.
I cleared my throat to speak and watched as the arm of the red-haired man that she sat next to snake around her body to hold her waist protectively. I clenched my jaw, fighting back the urge to throw myself across that table and rip his hand from arm for touching her.
“Hello everyone, thank you for allowing me to join you.” I said punctually, looking over to the empty seat next thepresumptuous man who had his dirty paws on my mate.
I rounded the table and took a seat. No sooner did my ass contact the chair, a flood of questions and comments were flown in my direction by the many pack members. I answered them all graciously, enjoying the amount of respect and recognition came from the mixture of wolves. The young blood born keeping her eyes low.
I watched as the man I set next to leaned into my mate, whispering in her ear. He must have a death wish, I thought. I took a bite of my food, waiting for him to sit up straight again and tilted my head in his direction.
“I recommend you take your hand off my mate before I become unable to hold up the pleasantries anymore.” I growled at him.
He turned in my direction, glaring at me. A wicked smile crossed my lips as I prepared to crush his skull into the table.
“Alpha Micheal, may I speak to you for a moment.” My mate’s voice sang out as a beautiful melody.
“Of course, Aine.” Micheal replied to her. The two of them stood, and I intently watched as she followed behind the man without turning back.
“Aine, huh?” I muttered, taking another bite of my food.
Her voice feeling like velvet rolling off my tongue.
“Did you have fun with my mate last night, ginger?” I growled under my breath at the man beside me. My words going completely unnoticed as the crowd of wolves went back to their own conversations.
“Did you have fun trying to kill her?” He retorted back bitterly, raising an eyebrow.
I chuckled at his response. Watching the anger gloss over his eyes. He was playing with fire and he knew it, but by the look in his eyes I could tell that he was willing to walk into hell for this woman. Aine. Her name singing in my mind on repeat, calming me a little. This man loved Aine. So much so, he was willing to stand up against her mate to justify putting his hands on her.
The doors to the dining room opened again, and their Alpha looked at me directly, snarling a little. I watched as Aine placed her hand gently on his chest, muttering something under her breath. The man calmed, straightening his shoulders and returned to his seat.
“Alpha Echo. Would you mind joining me for a moment” her voice commandingly called to me. Dark and cold like it had been in the alley that night. A chill traveled down my spine as I looked at her from head to toe. Taking in the strength and allure that resonated off of her. I smiled at her tauntingly as I stood.
“It would be my pleasure Aine.” I replied with a cocky tone. Making sure she realized I could finally put a name to her.
Micheal looked to her questioningly, as though he was making sure that she was making the right choice. She nodded softly in his direction. I stepped away from the table, approaching her slowly, watching as her tall stature became small compared to me.
“Scar you shou—” The ginger haired man called out in panic, raising up bracing himself on the table.
I turned to him and smiled coldly. “Don’t worry red, I won’t let anything happen to her.”
I placed my hand on her lower back to lead her out, feeling her jump at my touch. She was afraid. My heart sank a little at the realization as she recoiled from my hand, taking a gigantic step ahead to lead me out of the house through a back door.
She glided through the back garden area, making her way over to a grand fountain. Keeping her distance from me and remaining silent. Her movements were as smooth and as surreal as they were when she was running in the forest. Her steps were light, like her feet never touched the ground. Finally she came to a stop at the fountain, keeping her back to me.
“Aine.” I said out loud. Not really to call to her, but more or less to hear it again. She shuttered but remained silent as the grave. “A foolish game you played last night Aine.” I said to her, trying to keep my voice calm. Fighting back every urge to tear into her for betraying me.
I knew that wasn’t fair. I couldn’t do that. As much as the thought of ripping the hands off of that man and feeding them to him was appealing and tempted by my blood lust. I had to realize that she truly did nothing wrong, and I couldn’t take out the jealous rage on her.
“Dominic Echo.” She muttered under her breath.
The sound of my name rolling from her lips for the first time lighting my nerves of fire. My mind buzzing with the thoughts of what it would sound like in a different context through ragged breaths.
“I’m not here to hurt you.” I replied, taking a step closer to her.
The closeness making my heart beat like it would break from my chest. A feeling I didn’t quite notice until now. I laced every other meeting of ours with adrenaline and fear, blocking out the simplest feelings that came with her being near.
She remained silent.
Taking another step closer to her, I reached out to grab her waist. Slowly gliding my hand through the space between us, nervous to touch her, but aching to as well. The minute my hand contacted the deep curve
above her hip, she jerked away, spinning to look at me. I froze in place as I looked into her eyes. The clearest I had ever seen them.
The morning sunlight letting her face glow, showing me things I hadn’t noticed before. In the light her freckles weren’t as soft as they appeared in the dim lighting of the night. They were bold and peppered her caramel face wildly. Four deep scars graced her cheek, cutting trenches through the freckles. Her eyes were bright and full of life. The red color less terrifying, but mesmerizing. Her full lips were a soft pink color, full and pouty. Every area of skin that was visible was riddled with scars, all of them resembling the aftermath of being mauled. I swallowed hard, wondering how she got them.
“Why are you here?” She asked with an icy tone, her eyes searching mine.
Without thinking, I reached out to touch her face, cupping the side of it in my hand. “I’ve come to claim what’s mine.”
* * *
Aine ~
My body froze as his hand touched the side of my face. Memories of that same hand crashing down upon it fresh in my mind. Terrified, I didn’t move. My face stinging from the memory of it bashing against the brick wall.
“I’ve come to claim what’s mine.” His voice was commanding, but also gentle in a way.
His piercing blue eyes never leaving mine. Glowing with sincerity. A look I never thought could be found in those eyes I had only seen hate and fury in. My entire body clammed up, and a lump built up in my throat. Unsure of what to say, what to do.
“You made a great mistake last night, little one.” He cooed at me, leaning closer to my face, stroking it with his thumb.
I shuttered at his touch. My mind battling with itself, both fear and pleasure fighting in the back of my thoughts. His touch feeling so right and addicting, pulling me in like a magnet despite the fear of him. He looked me over curiously for a moment then lifted his other hand, gently tugging that the neckline of my shirt. I flinched.
“You hide it.” He purred, leaning in next to my face. “Why would you do a thing like that?” His tone bating me. His words flowing out, confidant and cocky.
“Why would you mark me, you piece of shit?” I spat back at him, swatting his hand away from my shirt.
Trying to push myself to fight back, unwilling to let myself get pulled back into the flood of emotions that put me in the position for him to mark me in the first place.
He let a low laugh escape his lips; the sound rumbling through my body. I trembled a little and he could tell. He pulled back to look at me. I expected him to look cold and dark like all the other times, but he didn’t. His expression was playful and cocky. Like he just joked with a dear friend.
“I believe you already know the answer to that, don’t you Aine?”
He reached back up to my shirt, pulling it down to expose the mark, now covered in fresh scars from my episode that night. He smiled softly as he took in the sight, no doubt realizing it was me that clawed at the area. Looking at it as though the thought of me frantically marring my body in a futile attempt to rid myself of it pleased him. He lowered his head, kissing the area gently. Taking me by surprise. An action that I could not have never foreseen from him, especially after his amused response to my hatred of it.
“I believe I told you last night exactly why. Don’t you remember?” He whispered against the mark he had left. I closed my eyes, desperately trying to fight off the euphoria that came with the feeling of his lips on my skin. Disgusted with myself for enjoying it like I did. “I remember exactly what you said back to me.” He murmured softly. “What was it you said? No?”
He kissed the sensitive area again, and I let out a small sigh. “You are mine, Aine.” He growled against my skin.
He pulled back, looking at me again, but I couldn’t bring myself to open my eyes. Afraid that if I did, this moment would quickly change into one like all the others leaving me broken and bleeding, fighting for my life against this man who when near, I so desperately just wanted to melt into. I wasn’t ready to give up the slight amount of pleasure that came from his careful touch, even if his words didn’t match his actions.
“Look at me.” He commanded, his tone darkening a little.
I squeezed my eyes tighter. I felt his hand leave my face quickly, only to wind up wrapped around me, holding me close to him. Surprised by the gentleness in the way he held me by my waist, my eyes shot open.
“Say it.” He whispered close to my face, looking down at me with an expression I could not read.
“What?” I stammered.
He let out a loud laugh, his eyes playfully rolling at me. He shook his head in what seemed to be disbelief, his entire attitude catching me off guard.
“Don’t play stupid with me, you know exactly what I’m asking of you.” He growled to me, low and menacing. The amused attitude quickly changing to one more serious. He tightened his grip on me, holding me tighter against him. I squirmed a little, fighting against his tightening grip.
He lowered his face back down to my ear, his fiery breath flooding my neck. Growling again, he ground his arms against my back and I winced a little. “I want you to say it. I want you to say that you are mine,”
The cynical hollow tone in his voice sent a chill throughout my body, causing me to jerk. I panicked for a moment, confused by what was happening, the wide range of emotions he exuded alarming me. I looked off to the side, trying to regain my composure. Then I realized what he was doing.
Until now, I hadn’t even noticed. Standing at the edge of the cobblestone area that surrounded the fountain, stood Daniel. A wrathful look on his face, standing as though he was there with a purpose to kill. Dominic was staking his claim on me. He was marking his territory. He was putting on a show for Daniel’s benefit. Realizing that the one I used to toy with him was Daniel.
“Say it.” He cursed again, pressing his lips to my ear.
My eyes locked with Daniel’s, and I felt tears form. I felt a wicked smile grow next to my ear. He was enjoying what he was doing far too much.
“You see him, don’t you?” He laughed a little. “He’s watching you Aine. No doubt plotting a way to kill me.”
My eyes widened at Dominic’s words, my heart pounding out of my chest. Unable to take my eyes off of Daniel. He was watching. He was waiting. Like he knew the command that was made of me, and he was patiently waiting for my answer. The answer that would sign the final order of our fate.
“Look at him. Look how angry it makes him to see you in my arms, how watching me touch you fuels his rage.” As he spoke, Dominic released his hold around me to slide his hands to my waist. His touch purposeful and direct. Making a show of his point.
Daniels stance changed as he watched Dominic. Looking like he was ready to pounce at any minute. Waiting for Dominic to make one wrong move, justifying him to attack.
“You are my mate, and he knew that.” He gently grazed over the mark with his fingertips. “He touched what was mine. But somehow, he still stands there hoping that you will push me away. That you will run into his arms.” He let out a low groan. “But I don’t feel you pushing.”
He kissed my jaw, nuzzling my head back with his nose. Suddenly I realized that at some point, my hands had found their way to his neck, resting there. I was holding him closer, not pushing him away. I laced my fingers behind his neck, holding his face close to mine. I swallowed hard, my mind racing. I closed my eyes and turned back to face Dominic, who immediately pulled back to face me.
With my eyes still closed, I let the feeling of him being close to me flood my body, and before I could even think of what I should say, I felt the consciousness that I kept pushed back surface. All rational thought slipped away from my mind, all calculating the situation over. My control was gone, my mind was gone. My eyes shot open, locking with the frozen orbs of his own.
“I am yours.” My voice announced without my knowledge, the words being pushed forth by my wolf, whom was more than ready to give itself completely over to him.
A sati
sfied grin spread across his face as he looked down at me. In a flash he grabbed the back of my head crashing his lips against mine, placing his other hand at the small of my back holding me close. Roughly he kissed me, possessively showing me the truth of my words. I groaned into his mouth, pulling myself closer to him by his neck.
He chuckled and pulled away. Releasing me from his arms, grabbing my own and pulling them from his neck. “And now, you just signed the death orders.”
Dominic turned to Daniel who still stood there, looking more furious than before.
“Don’t you dare hurt him!” I scolded at Dominic.
He only shook his head, then looked back at me. His once crystal blue eyes looking back at me, black as night. I stepped back in shock as their soulless gaze captured mine. As his stare locked with mine I saw Daniel change from the corner of my eye, leaving a large brown wolf lunging for Dominic. I screamed out in terror, backing up. Dominic turned to face the charging wolf, grabbing him by the throat and slamming him into the ground.
Daniel stammered back to his feet as I watched a massive grey figure claw its way from Dominic form. A towering monster like a shadow. Daniel lunged himself at the creature again, only to find his neck captured between large gnashing teeth. Quickly, in desperation to save Daniel from whatever stood before me. Whatever I just found myself bound to, I changed. Completely bypassing my wolf form. My bones cracked and snapped as my beast form took hold.
I charged at the grey monster who swiftly grabbed me, hurling me down underneath him. Pinning me to the stones on the ground. The frightening grey figure looking like a demonic version of me. An abomination, much larger than myself even when donning my beast form.
“You need to leave.” I heard Dominic’s voice flow from the mouth of the monster that held me down.
I snarled in return, tucking my hind legs up to claw at his underbelly. He groaned out in pain, but didn’t retaliate.
“Please. Go.” The monster pleaded with me.
A mass of brown fur knocked into what I can only assume was still Dominic. Using all of his strength to push him off of me. I scrambled to my feet in time to watch as the shadowy mass lifted Daniel off the ground, holding him up with one arm, the other wrapped around his throat. I let a blood curling howl pierce the sky, sending the pack running.