by G. K. DeRosa
“Huh?”
“They’re called wolf dens, actually.”
“Ah, right. So are they?”
“Some hold more modern conveniences than others. It depends on the residents of said den. But one thing holds true with all of them, all packs have interconnecting dwellings. There are a series of tunnels that run from here through to every den in the Dragos pack.”
“Where’s your place?”
“I’m not Dragos. I live with my pack, the Crescents. It’s a minor one, only a few miles to the west of the valley.”
“Oh.” What pack would I be part of? It was silly but I hoped I’d be in Vander’s, or maybe I’d really luck out and end up in the pack that had hired my bestie. Royals or something?
“How is Aristeaus going to know in which pack I belong?”
“It’s a test, one that has been performed for many centuries guided by the mysticism of our wolf goddess Luna.”
“Umhmm.” I definitely needed to read up on all this wolf stuff. I knew the supernaturals had all kinds of deities they revered, but I didn’t know much about Luna.
Vander threw me a smile. “Relax, you’ll figure it all out little by little. I’m sure it seems overwhelming at first, but you’ll see most of it will come to you naturally.”
“Will it though? My first shift was at nineteen, almost twenty. Don’t most wolves emerge much earlier than that?”
He nodded as we turned yet another dank corner. “There aren’t many half-bloods living in Moon Valley. Most choose to leave once their training is complete, but from what I’ve heard, age of onset doesn’t have any bearing on success.”
Thank Luna for that.
“One more thing. I told you about the wolf hierarchy, right?” My head dipped. “It’s tradition for any wolf to be submissive to an alpha, or even a beta. So just make sure to keep your eyes down when you meet Aristaeus, okay? It’s a formality, and you’ll notice I don’t do it much anymore, but since it’s your first time meeting him and all.”
That so did not sit well with me. As a magic-less half-blood, I’d spent four years at the Academy of the Arcane bowing down to the rest of the magical society. That was the last thing I wanted for my future. A big furry head nudged my insides, calming the turmoil. I inhaled a deep breath and forced myself to concede. When in Rome, right?
Vander halted in front of thick double oak doors, and a pair of wolfish sentinels materialized from the shadows. Son of a werewolf! How did they do that?
Again, Vander dropped his gaze to the ground before lifting it once more to the furry guards. “Vander and Sierra. Aristaeus is expecting us.”
The door cracked open, and twin emerald-green eyes lanced over me. Green, not gold. All the air evacuated my lungs in a fell swoop, and my hand shot out to the wall to scramble for purchase. How could I have forgotten? Aristaeus’s eyes were a deep green, while Hunter’s were a smoldering gold.
The beta’s lips curled into a sneer as his piercing gaze dragged over me. “This is her?” The disdain in his voice was palpable. Could he possibly remember me from initiation four years ago? From my burst of giggles that had drawn the attention of the entire assembly to Cass and me when we were only sixteen?
“Yup,” said Vander, nudging the big beast in the chest so he’d vacate the doorway for us to pass. “I need you to do that magical woo-woo you do so we can determine in which pack Sierra belongs.”
My nostrils twitched as the pungent scent of a musky cologne thickened the air. Something else lingered behind the perfume, but the fragrance was too overpowering to distinguish the subtle notes.
Vander grabbed hold of my elbow and steered me through the threshold which Aristeaus still occupied. As I tried to squeeze past him, my bare arm brushed his torso. An explosion of tiny shocks rippled across my flesh, and my eyes climbed to meet his. The green depths remained impassive as he glared down at me.
What the shift? Was this a werewolf thing? All those times I’d touched my Hunter and those similar sparks had flared, had it been because of my hidden wolf?
Vander sauntered into the large chamber, and I hurried behind him. Now freed of the beta’s oppressive glare, I scanned the surroundings. They were nothing like what I’d experienced at ground level. Though the floor and walls were of the earthen variety, the furnishings and style originated from the current century. White leather couches, a modern kitchen with sleek appliances and even a gigantic widescreen television filled the vast space.
Vander folded onto the oversized leather couch and patted the seat beside him. Ticking his head to the sullen beta who still lingered by the door, he said, “Sorry, where are my manners?” He jerked a thumb at me. “This is Sierra Wildstone. Sierra, meet Aristaeus Silverstalker, Supreme Alpha heir and all-around grumpy guy.” The hint of a smile tugged at his mouth as he plucked a grape from the bowl on the coffee table.
Despite my insides churning, I kept my gaze down as Aristaeus approached, just like Vander had instructed. I was certain my wolf was not submissive. She clawed at my gut, her essence scraping against my humanity. Hey, wolfy, aren’t you the one that wanted me to play nice?
Apparently, things had changed since she laid eyes on our new beta. She buzzed beneath my skin, and a restless stir vibrated my being. Aristaeus circled me, his beastly presence pressing into me. I couldn’t help but think of Hunter. The air thickened, and my airways closed.
“Relax, Sierra.” Vander’s hand clamped down on my shoulder. “It’s normal. Your wolves are feeling each other out.” Was mine winning?
Why didn’t I feel this way when I’d met Vander? I clenched my teeth, scared of what might come out if I voiced my question. I was terrified my wolf might explode right out of my mouth.
I hazarded a quick glance at the beta stalking me and met those unrelenting eyes. They bored into me, drilling down into my very wolfy soul. I got it now, why he was the supreme beta. Strength and power exuded from his pores, his presence sucking all the air from the room. He’d gotten bigger, more intimidating than the young man I’d seen four years ago.
A shock of raven hair tumbled over his forehead into his eyes, releasing me from his merciless glare. He swept the errant locks behind his ears and continued his painstaking scrutiny. What if he decided he didn’t want me? That I wasn’t wolfish enough?
After the rejection from my magical brethren, I wasn’t sure I could handle another. Even if I didn’t really want to be here, I couldn’t deny the pull I’d felt the moment I’d arrived at Moon Valley. And when I’d been in wolf form, it had been incredible, so natural, like I’d spent my entire life with her.
“Stop scaring her, Hunter,” Vander finally interjected. “Like I told you, this is all new for her.”
I felt his searing gaze pivot, the intense pressure boring down on me lifting before he spoke. “Weren’t we lucky you happened to come upon her when she needed you most, Vander?”
I lifted my gaze to my wolf escort, fairly certain that was allowed. “How did you happen to be at the right place at the right time? And how did you recognize me?”
The shifter’s eyes darted to his beta. “Hunter, would you like to explain, or should I?”
Chapter Twelve
Aristaeus—because I simply couldn’t call him Hunter—folded into the leather sofa chair beside me. He released a slow breath and cracked his knuckles. My eyes shot toward the familiar sound, but I calmed my racing heart when the surly beta filled my vision instead of Dragon Boy. Lots of guys crack their knuckles. It wasn’t like Hunter held the exclusive trademark.
“You’re pack now, Sierra, or you will be officially once I determine where to place you and that means, you’ll be bound to us. Your loyalty will not only be required, but innate, ingrained in your bones. Once I share a secret with you, you will have no choice but to keep it. So, in that vein, Vander works undercover for the SIA.”
My brows shot to my hairline, and I couldn’t help staring Aristaeus right in the eyes. He immediately diverted his gaze and continued, “As part of his dutie
s, he travels the houses of Azar in search of lost wolves. Newly turned shifters can be dangerous, and it’s essential that we bring them into the fold before something bad happens.”
“You work for the Supernatural Intelligence Agency?” I stared the funny, easy-going shifter up and down. He wasn’t at all what I’d imagined an agent to be.
“Yup.” He popped the P for extra emphasis. “I’ve been working undercover for them for a few years now, but this particular mission is a newer one.”
Aristaeus shot him a scathing glare, and a tiny whimper escaped from his pressed lips.
“Suffice it to say, he’s been at the academy for a few months now. It truly was luck that he came upon you.”
“And I recognized your scent from when we’d met earlier in the evening,” Vander added.
I found that hard to believe somehow. Cass had forced me to hang out with Rafe and his friends a number of times and Vander just happened to show up the night I wolfed-out? Something was up. “How come you looked different at the academy? It was you, but not.”
“Spell. Made me appear more like a warlock than a wolf. Balderrin would have a meltdown if he knew we’d infiltrated his precious institution.”
I processed his words, trying to make sense of the situation. I supposed it could’ve been dumb luck, but still… Shaking it off, the most important question jiggled around in my mind. I’d been too chicken to ask it earlier, but now that Vander had fessed up, I had to know. Unease roiled in my gut, but I spat it out anyway. “Is it normal for a wolf to have a purple glow?”
My eyes darted from one male to the other, and both wore identical expressionless masks. Vander opened his mouth to reply, but Aristaeus jumped in. “It’s normal for wolves to vary in color, yes. And it’s not unheard of for wolves to take on their human form’s characteristics.” His penetrating gaze scoured my hair, from the dark roots to the deep purple ends. He’d been prepared with an answer, which meant Vander had mentioned it before bringing me in. It couldn’t be that normal.
“But I was glow--.” I snapped my jaw shut, cutting off the final word. Though Vander seemed nice enough, I was fairly certain he was keeping something from me. I needed to stop being so trusting just because they were wolves. I’d been so desperate for approval, to finally fit in, it was clouding my sense of self-preservation.
If they’d heard me, they did a great job of pretending they hadn’t. Aristaeus had completely skimmed over the glowing part in his answer. Could Vander really have not noticed the weird luminescence from the dark alley?
Doubtful.
The silence lingered, only confirming my thoughts. Why wouldn’t they address the purple elephant in the room?
Another burning question came to mind, and I buried the other one for now, resolving to deal with it later. Maybe in private with Vander. “How about that wolf that was following me? Any idea who that was?”
Vander and our supreme beta traded a furtive glance. It was subtle but with my new enhanced wolfish senses I caught the exchange. “I only saw him racing away,” said Vander. “Couldn’t make out any details. You?”
I shook my head. “Other than big, russet in color and scary AF, nothing.”
A hint of a smile curled the corner of Aristaeus’s lips, but by the time I turned to face him, it was gone. Maybe I’d imagined the whole thing. His expression was hard once again when our eyes met. Oh crap, eyes down. I was never going to get used to this. “I’ll bring it up at the meeting today. I doubt it’ll amount to much, but it’s still worth mentioning to the other alphas.”
“Thanks,” I muttered.
Aristaeus stood, his movements surprisingly graceful for such a big beast. “Let’s get on with this, then. Once we determine your pack, we can get you enrolled in Moon Valley University.”
“Seriously?” I squealed. “I just finished four years at Arcane.”
“It’ll only be a few classes,” Vander added. “All of us grew up as wolves. You need some basic knowledge of our kind and mostly, you need to learn to control her.”
I didn’t understand what everyone was so worried about. My she-wolf seemed perfectly house-broken. She was as sweet as a kitten. “I’m totally fine,” I insisted.
Aristaeus stalked toward me, those emerald eyes searing me to the couch. “You have no idea what you’ve fallen into. You have a full-grown female wolf inside you and unlike us, you haven’t had years to bond with her, to grow together. A lone wolf is a dangerous thing and until you come to terms with it, you will remain in Moon Valley and take lessons at the University until I see fit, until I deem you ready.”
A deep growl rumbled my chest, and my head snapped back. Did that come from me? My wolf paced within its skeletal confines, a caged tiger hellbent on breaking free. I could almost hear her screaming for freedom.
Aristaeus loomed closer, his knees nearly brushing mine. My eyes landed on his muscular thighs, the dark jeans stretched tight around them. “Submit,” he snarled. Power laced his voice, that single word bouncing around my skull like an errant ping pong ball. My insides clenched. He glared down at me until my wolf’s growl waned and disappeared completely. “Good.”
Oh, hell no. This was not going to work for me.
Vander’s hand closed over my shoulder, and he nudged me in the side. “Easy, girl. You’ll get used to it.”
I didn’t want to get used to it. This was some male chauvinistic B.S. Were there any female alphas? Or female betas?
Aristaeus’s simmering glare shot to mine. His dark brows furrowed as he scrutinized me once again. Every cell in my body stood at attention as heat swarmed my skin at his look. There was no way he heard that, right?
The supreme beta completed his inspection and from the perplexed expression carved into his face, he hadn’t gotten the answers he’d been searching for. “Let’s get on with this.” He spun around and marched to a desk in the corner. He jerked a drawer open, the harsh squeal ringing out in the silence, and revealed a dagger. My eyes widened as he rummaged through the contents of his desk.
What was up with all the bloodletting? Why did it always have to be about blood with the supes?
Aristeaus marched back a moment later, dagger in one hand, a small vial in the other and what looked like a fancy antique vase tucked under his arm.
My she-wolf stirred at his approach. Her reactions to the beta were equal parts interest and aversion. I couldn’t deny echoing her sentiments. “Now what?”
“Simple, little wolf.” Aristaeus sat beside me, and the couch dipped beneath his massive form. He unsheathed the dagger, revealing a completely black blade and hilt. Shadows danced around the weapon, and an overwhelming darkness emanated from the object. I’d learned enough at the academy to know the blade had been imbued with magic—very dark magic. “Just a little cut and we mix your blood with this.” He held out the clear vial and a deep azure liquid swirled within. “I’ll inhale the vapors, and I’ll determine to which pack you belong.”
“It’ll only sting for a second,” said Vander.
I opened my mouth to respond but the sharp bite of the blade into my flesh forced out a scream instead. “Son of a shifter! Couldn’t you at least give me a little warning?” I glared up at the alpha heir, venom shooting from my gaze.
The hint of a smile played on the jerk’s lips. “It’s better if you don’t see it coming.”
Bastard. Bet he’d never had that blade dragged across his skin. He positioned my palm over the ancient-looking vessel atop the coffee table and blood dribbled out, mixing with the blue liquid. The concoction fizzled and hissed as the crimson droplets filled the vase. A violet haze lifted from the magical brew and Aristaeus leaned over the top.
He inhaled, and his lids drifted closed.
A heady scent swirled in the air, the smoky, charred perfume making my head spin. Magic. I recognized the smell as if I’d breathed it my entire life. Only without my enhanced wolfy senses, I hadn’t. Cass had always mentioned its signature fragrance, but only now did I unde
rstand what she’d been talking about.
The hair on the back of my neck rose, and my wolf pawed at my core. She wanted out. Magic stirred the air, calling her forth.
My fingers curled around the couch cushion, and my nails dug into the soft leather. The ends sharpened to black points and panic rocketed through me. No, no, not now. I had to prove to these guys I could control my wolf, or I’d never get home.
Vander’s elbow dug into my ribs, hard. I squealed and spun around. “Ow, what the heck?”
A smirk split his lips, and it took me a second to realize what he’d done. The itch had subsided, and my wolf had settled with his perfectly timed distraction. He ticked his head at Aristeaus, who I’d completely forgotten about in my wolfy frenzy.
The beta still sat hunched over the smoking vessel, his lids closed, his expression a mask of calm. He breathed slowly as the lavender vapors disappeared into his flared nostrils.
I tapped my foot on the plush carpeting. “How much longer?” I whispered.
“Shh.” Vander clapped his hand over my mouth.
I snarled, about a second away from biting his finger, and he released me. Smart man. My wolf may have bowed down to the beta, but she had no qualms about battling it out with the SIA agent.
My gaze remained intent on Aristaeus. Now that his eyes were closed, his intimidating presence waned, and the biting pressure he exerted dissipated. I traced the sharp line of his wide jaw, the day-old scruff mottling his cheek, and the smooth planes of his face. With his expression relaxed, succumbed by the magical haze, he seemed younger. It softened the hardness carved into his features. He looked more like the guy I’d met my first day at the academy, instead of the tough alpha heir.
Another rumble churned from deep within, and a soft whimper escaped through my pressed lips. I forced my gaze down, to my fingers now clasped in my lap. But a fierce snarl snapped them right back up to Aristaeus.
His jaw was clenched tight, the relaxed look from a second ago vanished. A tendon in his jaw fluttered like a mad butterfly. His entire body shuddered, and his broad shoulders rolled forward.