by M. Ekman
In order to prevent herself from either making cow eyes at Tyler all night or just plain smacking him, Ruth began eating. She couldn’t believe how amazing all the food was. How on earth did they get the mashed potatoes so creamy? In mere moments her plate was empty and Tyler was standing to address the pack.
Everyone fell silent, “Alright Blood Mountain it’s time for a run. Team Delta is on guard duty,” which statement elicited a groan from a table of enforcers that Tyler chose to ignore, “everyone else, fur up.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the backyard exploded in excited chatter and the rustling of people getting up from their tables.
Violet skipped to Ruth’s side and latched on to her arm, “I love pack runs don’t you.”
Due to the enormity of Ruth’s old pack they never really did pack runs, unless of course a new alpha was instated, since that was part of the ceremony. However, Ruth, being so young, had never seen a new alpha ceremony and therefore had never been on a pack run.
“I, um, haven’t been before.”
Violet raised one eyebrow, “You come from one of the most backwards packs I’ve ever heard of, but fear not! You’re one of us now. We do pack runs at least once a month and it’s really fun!” Ruth simply smiled, unsure of what to say. Just a little while ago she’d been thinking that their pack was the weird one.
Nearly everyone funneled towards some unknown, at least to Ruth, likely predetermined area near the trees. Tyler and Jason stayed behind talking in hushed tones until the last wolf had filtered out of the patio area. Once the group going on the run was assembled, both men made their way to the front of the excited crowd.
Tyler rumbled out, “This pack run is to welcome our newest member Ruth Osbolt. So, without further ado, let’s run.”
Everyone shifted all at once except Tyler, Ruth’s silver grey wolf looked at her alpha with head cocked. He only gave her a strained smile, and made a shooing motion. Ruth took a step towards him when suddenly she felt something snap down on her paw.
It was the muzzle of a honey colored wolf with blue eyes so deep they almost looked violet. Ruth’s new best friend was just as feisty as a wolf as she was in her human form. Releasing Ruth’s paw, Violet nipped at her heels one more time and booked it in the direction of the mountains. Ruth let out a snort but decided to give in to Violet’s game anyway, running full pelt after the smaller wolf.
CHAPTER 11
Ruth couldn’t remember the last time she’d just played in her wolf form. Violet kept jumping around her and jokingly nipping at Ruth’s heels causing the larger she-wolf to give chase and tackle her friend with relative ease. At some point during the mock fighting, Ruth found that all of the she-wolves had broken away from the males to make their way toward a ravine.
A deep, green grass covered the ravine with a couple of thick, ancient-looking trees along its border. Making their way past the trees, all the she-wolves formed a large circle, which Violet nudged Ruth into the center of.
Through the mindlink Violet spoke to all the women present, “Alright, ladies. It’s time for the test.”
A series of howls filled the air at her words. Once things quieted down Violet continued, “Remember the rules. No blood or you forfeit.”
Ruth stilled at this but Violet gave her friend a wolf like grin and privately mindlinked, “Don’t look so worried. This is actually a lot of fun. We all compete to see who has the most strength whenever we get a new she-wolf. It doesn’t affect our jobs within the pack or anything. It’s really more of a contest that allows us to assess everyone’s strengths and weaknesses so we can better protect one another.”
“Okay,” Ruth tentatively agreed trusting her new pack and friend, “what do I have to do?”
“Well since the test is for your place you will have to fight everyone, but if you want to stop at any time, all you have to do is say so. Whenever you stop that is your place in our ranks. Just don’t fight dirty or draw blood.”
Ruth simply nodded causing Violet to hop up with a joyful yip and call out, “Summer,” through the mindlink.
Summer turned out to be a pup that couldn’t be older than three, and was led into the center of the circle by her mother. Ruth sat on her haunches, head cocked in question. Summer’s mother merely chuckled and mindlinked for everyone to hear, “Go get her, Tiger.”
Without further ado, Summer sprinted in Ruth’s direction and leapt, attempting to land on Ruth’s back. However, Summer jumped too soon and didn’t quite get enough air causing her to land stomach first into Ruth’s forehead. The young wolf got the wind knocked out of her and landed with a thud on the ground.
Ruth lightly placed one paw on the pups tender belly and tentatively mindlinked to the group, “Pinned?”
Suddenly the ravine was filled with wolfy laughter and the mindlink was filled with various teasing comments aimed at Summer. The pup squirmed out from under Ruth’s paw and ran to her mother, “No fair!”
“I have no idea what other outcome you were expecting dear,” her mother responded with barely contained mirth.
There were a few more pups that Ruth had to “fight” which mostly consisted of the pups inflicting injury on themselves giving their elder an easy win. When Ruth fought her first adult, an omega she knew all too well, she was a little nervous. She would never have guessed that the commander of the kitchen was the weakest wolf, but Maggie was very tiny in her wolf form.
However, her diminutive stature did not diminish the older wolf’s playful nature, as she nipped at Ruth’s front paws. After she jumped back to avoid Ruth’s half-hearted swipe, Maggie stuck her butt in the air wagging her tail. She did this three times, but on the fourth Ruth moved like lightening and latched onto the back of Maggie’s neck right as the older omega went for Ruth’s leg.
“Nice job. I thought you’d let me keep doing that all day,” Maggie laughed as Ruth released her neck.
“Just trying to bring you down without drawing blood, which is a lot harder to do than I thought.”
There was a pause before the wolves surrounding her burst out into laughter through the pack mindlink. Ruth dipped her head but before she could get too embarrassed by her own words another omega jumped into the circle with a mock growl.
Each omega Ruth fought performed the same kind of cat and mouse fighting style, most likely because they knew they weren’t capable of a full on fight. However, all the tomfoolery ended when Ruth came nose to nose with Violet.
Violet was serious for the first time since Ruth had met her, “I am the strongest omega you’ve ever met girlie, so just you watch out.”
“Um, Violet you know that you are still technically in the dominant group, right? You just married an omega,” Ruth mindlinked as she sat on her haunches with her head cocked.
Violet huffed in exasperation, “Yeah, but I couldn’t say that I’m the toughest dominate you ever fought. Ruth, you ruined it!”
“There was nothing to ruin, Vi. We both know either way you’ve got nothing,” Ruth teased back rising onto her four paws with deadly grace.
Suddenly Violet’s deep blue eyes really did flash violet as her wolf took over and charged Ruth going for the throat. Ruth easily dodged the attack, which caused the two she-wolves to circle each other, looking for an opening. Ruth and Violet were intermittently snapping at each other when Ruth saw an opportunity and took it.
Violet moved forward to bite at her hindquarters, so Ruth quickly whipped her head around and slammed it into Violet’s side. Violet went flying but managed to roll out of the way before Ruth could pounce onto her back like she’d been planning.
Anger flashed in Violet’s eyes, presumably over such a close call, and she darted forward. The she-wolf attempted to slide under Ruth’s larger frame to grab at the underside of Ruth’s neck. Unfortunately for Violet Ruth was too well trained, and seeing what was coming Ruth simply stepped toward the attack so that Violet was farther under her than the smaller wolf had planned. Before Violet could recover, Ruth
dropped to the ground so that all of her substantial body weight squished her.
Violet tried to squirm out but she was well and truly stuck. “Okay, okay you made your point. You’re a big fatty. Now get off me.”
Ruth playfully nipped at her prone friend’s ear. “Hope I didn’t muss your fur,” Ruth teased as she stood.
Violet gave a good shake before she trotted off, nose in the air from all of the taunting she was getting through the mindlink from the women that encircled them. Ruth shook her large head in amusement and turned to face her next opponent.
The rest of the fights had ended quickly, until Ruth came nose to nose with her last opponent, and strongest female in the pack, Cassie. Her opponent was covered in what was once mud but had dried to her fur in crusty patches of dirt. Odd choice, but perhaps Cassie had some kind of deformity she couldn’t hide in her fur.
Undeterred by the filthy wolf, Ruth took two large bounds and charged, causing Cassie to throw herself off balance in order to dodge the attack. Without missing a beat Ruth attacked again, this time jumping onto Cassie’s back and digging her claws in before the other she-wolf managed to buck her off. As Ruth was rolling to stand Cassie made to bite at her hind legs. Instead of pulling her legs towards her to avoid the wide muzzle, Ruth shot her legs out and nailed Cassie in the snout, though she received some teeth marks in return.
They went back and forth like this for 10 minutes or so before Ruth slid awkwardly on her leg, causing her to fall. Instead of jumping on the opportunity like any good fighter would have, Cassie stood inches from her unmoving until Ruth righted herself.
Cassie mindlinked the group of women, “Ruth would’ve already creamed me by now if she hadn’t already fought the whole pack. I don’t want to win because she’s tired. I only want to win if I am genuinely better, stronger, or faster.”
No sooner had the words finished being mindlinked than Cassie charged at Ruth like a lighting strike. Ruth dropped to her side and quickly grabbed Cassie’s foreleg in her strong jaw and twisted, causing Cassie to drop and roll rather than risk a break. Mid-roll, Ruth, quick as a snake, released the leg and snapped her large jaws around a mouthful of the other wolf’s exposed neck.
Cassie sighed, “I forfeit. Ruth, you are certainly something else.” Ruth released Cassie and gave her a humorous snort in the face.
Somehow that fight had not felt fair at all, but why would Cassie let Ruth win? Before Ruth could ask, the other she-wolves all charged in, congratulating her and vexing Cassie.
Ruth felt odd over her unfair victory, but wasn’t able to protest it as she felt a sharp nip at her heel. Turning, Ruth saw Violet running from the crowd.
She mindlinked, “Come on, Bestie! Time to get you a shower. No offense, but you stink.”
Ruth lightheartedly yowled in response as she chased the honey-colored wolf all the way back to the pack house. Once they came within view of the yard, the two she-wolves saw various males working on taking down Ruth’s party decorations and doing general clean up.
Alpha Tyler stepped out of the house as the last of the she-wolves fell in behind Ruth and Violet. “How was the run, ladies?”
“Don’t you already know?” Violet asked with a wink after she’d shifted.
He gave a tired chuckle under his breath but didn’t answer. As soon as Ruth shifted, Violet tugged her towards the pack house before any further words could be exchanged. Violet didn’t stop until she and Ruth were standing outside Ruth’s bedroom door.
With a cheery smile Violet ordered, “Be ready bright and early to go to town with me.”
“What are we going to town for?” Ruth asked.
Violet gave Ruth a duh expression, “clothes.”
“Oh,” Ruth blushed with embarrassment, “but…well, I don’t exactly have any money.”
Violet flapped an unconcerned hand, “Alpha Tyler has it covered. Just between you and me, we might be one of the smallest packs, but that has no bearing on our wealth. Alpha has made some amazing investments since taking over, and has more money than he knows what to do with. You’ll see when we go into town tomorrow.”
Ruth opened her mouth to protest, but Violet stopped her before the she-wolf could utter a word. “All new pack members get a ‘new member stipend’ so it’s not pity money. It is supposed to last until you are able to find a job within the pack.”
Ruth cracked a crooked smile as Violet reached out and opened the door. “Oh, also. It would probably be best if you lock your door and windows when you go to bed.”
The tired she-wolf stopped mid-step into her room before looking back with eyebrow raised.
Violet amended, “No one would hurt you, but you and the alpha are alone on this floor. Best not to let temptation get the better of male wolves. They might not be the smartest creatures in the twilight hours.”
CHAPTER 12
Something must be wrong with Ruth, because here she was at six in the morning wide-eyed and unable to get back to sleep. Ruth hated waking up early, even though she’d had to do it during her enforcer training. She was a night owl through and through, however, something was bugging Ruth and she just couldn’t sit still.
With a large amount of grumbling Ruth got out of bed and got ready for the day. She found a pair of leggings Maggie had pilfered from Violet’s closet for her. They were a little short and squeezed Ruth’s legs tighter than normal, but it didn’t feel as if they were going to split open. They would have to do for now.
Next, Ruth found an ombre colored t-shirt that went from a deep blue, at her shoulders, to a pale teal, at her hips. Then Ruth made her way to the bathroom to brush her teeth and hair. Usually Ruth wore her hair in a ponytail or bun, but today she felt like doing something different. The silver hair Ruth only ever cut once a year was down to the middle of her back. She decided to keep half of her hair down in its natural state and pull the hair from the top of her head into a quick French braid.
After her hair was finished Ruth applied some lip gloss and mascara that Violet had left in her room the day before when she’d come to “freshen up” Ruth’s makeup. Ruth couldn’t put her finger on why she was suddenly so invested in her appearance, but before she could talk herself out of it Ruth turned to leave her room. As she was shutting the door Ruth nearly tripped on a figure lying prone outside her door.
Immediately Ruth recognized him, “Tyler?” She whispered as she got down on her knees next to him.
He had a look of something like pain on his face and was mumbling incoherently. Without thinking Ruth reached out to him, brushing a lock of hair off of his forehead. Her touch seemed to smooth away the furrows in his brow and when she removed her hand his eyes snapped open.
“Ruth, what are you doing in my bedroom?”
Ruth knew she was supposed to be mad, but she couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled out. His eyes never left hers as a small corner of his mouth drew upwards, but seemed to refuse to break into a full smile.
“Ty—Alpha, I am not in your room. At least, I hope your bed isn’t made of cedar wood planks,” Ruth said still giggling.
Tyler finally tore his eyes away from Ruth and glanced around to see where he was. He muttered a quiet curse. “I am sorry Ruth. I must have sleepwalked. I—I…Never mind.”
Ruth had to hold back more laughter over the alpha’s awkward stumbling words as he made to stand. Only when he’d gotten all the way to his feet did Ruth also rise. However, instead of staying to talk to her Tyler turned to leave.
“Wait,” Ruth burst out. Tyler paused but didn’t turn and Ruth desperately wanted him to. She didn’t know why but she couldn’t stand the distance between them. She missed his perfect smile, and even the way he hadn’t been able to stop touching her. Her back and forth attitude didn’t make any sense in Ruth’s head, but, then again, the heart rarely thought logically.
Realizing that she’d stayed quiet too long Ruth wracked her brain for something semi-intelligent to say. “I…Um. I don’t want to live off of a stipend forever
and take advantage of your generosity. Do you know who I would talk to about looking into any open pack jobs.”
Finally Tyler turned, though he still looked somber as he ran a hand through his tousled hair. “You’ve done enforcer training, correct?”
“Yes, and I could go back into that but…” Ruth let her sentence trail off.
“You’ve never done anything else.” Tyler correctly surmised.
She nodded twisting a bit of hair around her finger, feeling a keen sense of her own inadequacies. The movement caused Tyler’s eyes to dart towards her hair and travel up to her face. Almost instantly his eyes glowed amber and he took a step towards Ruth. Her heart sped up in response until he’d suddenly stopped as if he’d run into a door. Tyler closed his eyes and, after a few deep breaths, he opened them only for the iris’s to have returned to their natural chocolate brown state. Why did Ruth feel disappointed at the change? This was ridiculous.
“I will look into the matter and see what I can do for you,” He turned again to leave.
Panicking Ruth spit out, “Oh, I didn’t mean to bother you specifically with this Alpha.”
His head turned as he gave her a small smile, “I assure you Ruth I am never to busy to help you. Is it alright if I give you an answer by the end of the day?”
She wanted him to stay, but knew she couldn’t ask him too. Ruth had to know the whole truth and giving in now wouldn’t help her to get it. So she simply nodded her head and turned to head towards the staircase.
Not knowing where else to go since Violet wouldn’t be picking her up for a couple hours, Ruth decided to head to the mess hall. Breakfast at her old pack house usually started around six for the enforcers who were coming back from or about to go on patrols, so she imagined it’d be the same here.
The Blood Mountain Pack mess hall looked exactly as it had when Ruth first arrived, however instead of crystal decorating the tables there were wildflowers in tiny square vases. There were a few people spread out here and there, some talking but most were just shoving food into their mouths. Despite the various attitudes around the room everyone present was wearing a camouflage skin-suit, which meant that they were all enforcers.