Taelin-
Arriving at the wall that surrounded my pack, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to continue. There was something eerie about the atmosphere that seemed to leak out past the walls. Standing just outside the gate, I got this sickening feeling when no one came out to see who had arrived.
Typically, one of the pack warriors, depending on who was on rotation at the time, would open the peek hole to see who was outside. Nothing happened though. When I looked up to the top of the wall, I didn’t see anyone walking around either.
The way the wall was built allowed others to walk on the metal platform that was just inside the border. I kept watching, hoping that I would see someone. I have even gone as far as calling out to alert them of my arrival.
“Mom?” I attempted to link with my mother, but I got no response.
“Theo?” I attempted, but still no response.
Why wasn’t anyone answering? Something was wrong, but I didn’t know what. The only way I was going to know, is if I entered the territory to see for myself. Technically I couldn’t get inside the gate without it being opened from the inside.
That is why I walked along the wall until I reached a small door that was just barely big enough for me to crawl through. Theo and I had made this when the wall had first been designed, hoping we could find a way to sneak out to not feel like caged animals all the time. The only difference now was I was a lot bigger than I had been.
My muscles were more defined, even my breasts and rear end were bigger than they had been at thirteen years old. Trying to squeeze through the opening was a lot more difficult than I imagined it would be. I couldn’t help but wonder if Theo had the same problems squeezing through it when we were younger.
I had been a small child, and he has always been more built than the others our age. I was going to have to ask him when I found him. Once I was inside the wall, I had to keep walking a little further to make it past the small forest that surrounded our small pack town.
I expected to hear something as I neared the edge of the tree line, but it was quiet, too quiet. Instead of just bursting out of the tree line to see what was going on, I felt this intense urge to be on alert. Even my wolf was on edge.
“What do you think is going on?” I asked my wolf, Samantha.
“I don’t know, but I don’t like it.” My wolf responded.
“You don’t think they were attacked, do you?” I asked, pausing to press my back against a tree at the edge of the tree line.
“I don’t smell any blood, but then again, we haven’t heard from anyone in months. I guess it could be possible that they are all dead, but we should still be able to smell a hint of iron in the air. Old blood still has a strong odor to it.” Samantha said, just as I peeked around the tree to see if I could see anything.
Something wasn’t sitting right with me when I noticed I didn’t see anyone out and about. I attempted to link with others in the pack, but still, I came up to nothing. Fear started to settle into the depth of my stomach, like a knife being twisted inside of me.
“Would it be better if we shifted?” Samantha asked.
“Not a good idea until we know what is going on. If we need to get out of here quickly, you won’t fit through the opening I just crawled through. Just be alert. Maybe they heard I was coming back and are trying to surprise us.” I said, trying to sound hopeful, even though I knew that I was wrong.
Taking a deep breath, I left the safety of the tree and made my way into the open field. My gaze moved around frantically as I tried to be aware of my surroundings. Nothing moved, but my heart started racing the closer I got to the school.
It was as if the hairs on the back of my neck were standing up, the closer I got to the school. With every step, I felt my feet getting heavier. Once I reached the entrance to the school, I had a feeling that I would find the answers I was looking for.
Before I could open the door, it crashed open, causing me to fall back on my butt. When I looked up, I was shocked at what I saw. Instantly I knew who it was, even past the grotesque features he had.
Now I knew the reason I hadn’t heard from Theo, he had been infected by the parasite. I was too stunned to move, to do anything really, besides look at him. I have seen what the parasite did to our kind, but this was the first time I knew them.
Even when his father had been taken over, I hadn’t been able to see his father. Instead of holding on to my training and attacking, I just felt the urge to run. Looking at him, I still saw the same Theo I cared deeply for, yet he was different at the same time.
His face was a mix between a wolf and a human, like he was stuck in between a shift to or from his wolf form. His limbs were elongated but they appeared more wolf than human. His eyes, however, were of the same mahogany brown eyes that Theo had.
Every other one I saw, had the eyes of their wolf, except for Theo. Was it possible that he was still in there and wasn’t entirely taken over by the parasite? Should I run, or should I try to reason with him and find out what was going on?
“Theo?” I asked, hoping he was still in there, based on the fact he hadn’t made a move to attack me yet.
Instead of a response, all I received was a deep animalist growl, which sounded like his wolf. He did, however, tilt his head to the side as if he were listening. Slowly I stood back up, careful not to spook him.
If I could reach him somehow, I was going to try. I know I was trained to kill our kind if they were like this, but I just couldn’t. If there was a way to save our kind, I didn’t want to kill him. I would find a way to save him.
“It is me, Taelin. Do you know who I am?” I asked, taking a step back while holding my hands out in front of me.
“Ta…” Theo attempted to speak, which gave me hope.
“Where is everyone?” I asked, holding onto the fact he still wasn’t making any move to attack me.
Unlike Theo, most that are affected by the parasite become mindless creatures and attack in a panicked rage. For some reason I do not understand, Theo seemed to be holding onto a sliver of his humanity. I just pray that everyone else was able to flee or something.
“Lef…” Theo tried talking again, his voice a mix between a growl and his voice.
The look in his eyes made me realize he was fighting for control. Every so often I would see his eyes flicker from his to that of his wolf. His wolf’s eyes were more golden brown, while his was a deep dark brown.
“I need you to try harder Theo. I want to help you, but I need to know what happened.” I spoke softly, much as I would to a child.
“Ran. Lef. Gone.” Theo managed.
It wasn’t much, but it was all I needed. I just prayed that I understood him correctly and everyone ran away. I don’t know why they didn’t do as they did to Theo’s father, but now wasn’t the time to figure it out.
“My mother?” I asked, hoping I would get a response.
I thought he was about to respond, but then his eyes flickered into his wolf eyes. This time instead of turning back into Theo’s eyes, they remained that light golden hue. He jerked forward, but then stopped.
As much as I wanted to get more answers, I knew I had to leave. Either that or I was going to have to kill him. If I left, maybe he would be able to stay here where he couldn’t get out. I could go on my mission and find a way to help him.
Tears formed in my eyes as I watched as he struggled to keep himself from attacking. I wasn’t sure, but I was wondering if it was the way he felt about me, that he could fight the parasite. I didn’t get the chance to think too much about it though.
Before I could even blink, he lunged at me with a deep growl that echoed around me. I quickly stepped to the side, dodging his attack. I watched as he tripped and fell on his face. I hesitated only for a second before I jumped over him and ran as fast as I could to the front gate.
Luckily, they weren’t as fast as they once were before they were infected, so I was able to get to the gateway before him. I had just opened it and stepped out when I saw him running towards me. As hard as I could, I pushed on the gate. When the gate shut, just before he reached it, I fell to the ground.
“I should have been here.” I whispered to myself.
Tears fell from my eyes as I thought about Theo and what had become of my pack. I wasn’t sure how much I could trust what Theo said, but I had to believe they managed to get free. There was nothing I could do about it now though.
Lifting my chin, I swiped away my tears as I looked at the vehicle I rented. Inside that vehicle was everything I needed to begin my mission. As much as I wanted to find my mother and the rest of my pack, I knew that I needed to begin the mission. If there was a way, I would find everyone.
Standing up, I made my way to the car. Before climbing in, I took one last look at the gate that led to my home. Silently I gave a vow that I would find a way to find everyone and save Theo.
Ryker- When was this going to end? For years we have been dealing with this threat and haven’t gotten anywhere. Although I had no one to blame except for myself. When the breakout first happened, I had been tasked with finding a cure. Or rather my pack was. We weren’t an exceptionally large pack, in fact, we were potentially the smallest pack in the world, consisting of only twelve members. We used to be a lot larger, but this parasite has taken out the rest. Just because we were small though, didn’t mean we weren’t one of the best. Every member of my pack has been trained to fight off those that have been infected. We were also the ones that could find a cure. At least at one point, I thought we were, but now I wasn’t so sure. When the breakout first happened, my pack had been one of the first ones hit. The ones that remained are immune to the parasite. Everyone, including me, has been infected, but we were able to overcome it. When the Alpha King learned of this, he sent over on
Taelin- One look at the man standing before me and I was wanting to scream Mate. Samantha was already screaming it in my head. Just when I had been ready to accept a chosen mate, I was now standing before my fated mate. “What is your name?” The male asked, coming toward me like a predator. “Taelin. Would you be so kind as to give me your name?” I asked, trying to contain my excitement. “Ryker. Why did you come here? If protection is what you are seeking, I can offer it. However, you will be expected to carry your own weight and help where needed. I also need to know if you have been infected.” Why was it that even his name made me buzz with excitement? When he continued talking, I just became annoyed though. Why was it that all men think I just needed protection? The ones needing protection were them. Mate or not, my spine stiffened at his comment. I have read the file on this pack. They were small but tasked with finding the cure. They were all very skilled fighters as well, whi
Ryker-I had to admit, she had a fire in her that was a bit refreshing. Not saying that all my pack members didn’t have a fire in them, but hers was different. It was like she always had to have her back up.She was getting under my skin, and I didn’t like it. I wasn’t against female fighters, since we had a female member in the pack that could wipe the floor with the men. My problem was that I felt like she was going to be a distraction, which none of us could afford.The way she responded to my Beta though, now that had been impressive. When he had commented on her looks, I had been ready to lay into him. Not that I knew why, I barely met the girl, and my loyalty was to my members.“Hey! My name is Sara, I can show you where you will be staying. Don’t mind the men, they are just stunned with how beautiful you are.”Just as I expected, my Gamma jumped in and was already trying to be besties with the girl. It didn’t surprise me considering she has been complaining about being the only
Taelin-I was a little disappointed that I hadn’t been able to settle in before I was already called down to get to work. Not that I really minded, considering I needed to get used to being here. Sara was great, but the guys here were already on my last nerve.It wasn’t like I shouldn’t have expected it to happen. Very few males couldn’t care whether I was a female or not. In a way, I had hoped that once I finished my training, people would be more welcoming to me.What makes me being a female any different? I went through the same training everyone else did to get the position I now held. I guess there wasn’t much I could do about it, other than do what I have always done. Prove I belonged.Gathering up the last of my gear, I made sure my thigh halter was properly secure. I might have the benefit of shifting into a wolf, but we were trained to fight in our human form. Since I didn’t know the area, I wasn’t going to shift to defend myself.Taking one last look in the floor-to-ceiling
Taelin-Trying to keep my attention on our surroundings, I found it rather difficult to ignore the feeling that I was being watched. I thought perhaps I was just imagining it. Chancing a look over my shoulder, I found that I wasn’t.Ryker was staring at me. He didn’t even turn away when I caught him. It was as if he was entirely okay with the fact. I wasn’t sure what bothered me more. The fact he was staring at me with an expressionless face, or that I liked him looking at me.His face might appear to be emotionless, but there was something in the way he was looking at me. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but it made me feel good. Like tiny little ladybugs fluttering around over my skin.I was about to avert my gaze and return to keeping an eye on things when I noticed something from the corner of my eye. It was to the left of the truck, the side Ryker was on. Focusing my eyes in that direction, I thought maybe I had just imagined it.Until I realized I saw a rogue running towards the
Ryker-How stupid could I be? When I told her that my main priority is keeping my members safe, I hadn’t expected her to risk her life as she had. What is worse, I called her an idiot when she did.I told Julian to stop, but he just reminded me that under no circumstances are we to put ourselves in danger if it can be helped. I had hoped that Taelin would be on the road waiting for us on our return, but she wasn’t. We even looked around the area but didn’t find any of the rogues or Taelin.I couldn’t believe she had gone and got herself killed not even a few hours after arriving. We picked up the supplies and made our way back without any issues. I couldn’t get Taelin out of my head though.“Ryker, you need to let it go. There is nothing that can be done now. She was hot, but obviously not cut out for this job. It is time we contacted the Alpha King and explained what is going on.” My Beta said, pulling me from my thoughts.“It can wait until tomorrow. Right now, we need to get everyt
Taelin-During the span of three days, I barely ventured outside of my quarters. It wasn’t because I felt infected, but I hadn’t wanted to go out. Food was brought to me three times a day and I was under surveillance by Alpha Ryker.Instead of wasting my time away, I focused on learning everything I could about the people here and whatever else the folders I had contained about this place. There were only a few members that had any details about them.First, there was Julian Drake, the beta of the pack. He also had a twin brother named Ryan. They were both strong and very skilled snipers. Of course, I would need to see that for myself, since I was also rather skilled, not to brag or anything.Then there was Sara Andrew, who was the sister of Leon. I haven’t met Leon yet, but from the folder I had on him, he was the main one that oversaw the lab that was downstairs. I had heard from Ryker that he had a man that was locked downstairs with the rogue I brought in.I immediately disagreed
Ryker-Whatever possessed me to do what I was doing, was beyond me. There was no way I could stop myself now. Just having Taelin under me was the most exhilarating thing I have experienced in years.Even though I knew this couldn’t turn into more, I would deal with the consciousness of it later. For now, I had to have her, even if it was just one time. When I kissed her though, I didn’t think I could be satisfied with just a one-time thing.There was this urge inside me that was strong and the need to have her grew with each second. As I continued to rub her now wet clit, I was overcome with the desire to take her. The taste of her lips was also sending me into a spiral of pleasure.The way she responded to me was intoxicating. Not only did she taste like sweet cream and berries, but her arousal also smelled of it. In all of my life, I have never smelled or tasted something so delectable.It turned me on in ways I didn’t think were possible. As my lips mingled with hers, and my tongue