We waited for Aveline for three days, hoping she returns soon. Our deadline is falling closer. On the morning of the fourth day, Aveline walked to the cabin with another wolf, a male. She and the male sit on the couch as he explains everything.
“My name is Blake. I met Aveline a few years ago while on a run. I knew immediately she was my mate. I waited for her and begged her to complete the mating bond I knew was there, but she refused. Always saying how she must protect her family. Four days ago, she came to me saying she was ready to complete the bond. I asked her what changed, and she said nothing, she was still protecting her family. Then she told me what happened and the significance of Aurora. I will come with you and my brother, alfa of our pack has agreed that Aurora shall always have a place amongst our pack if she desires it.”
“That’s what you were doing? Combining packs?”
“If Aurora flees later in the future, she will have a home to come to. A pack, a family.”
“You did this for me?”
“I’d do anything for you, little wolf.”
“Josh told me who I am and my significance. Don’t be angry with him. I’m glad he told me.”
“Me too, little wolf. It’s almost time to go.”
We said goodbye to the home I grew up in and never looked back.
A week later we were getting off the train in Romania. Josh smiled a bit and lifted me into his arms.
“It’s exactly how I remember it.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Hopefully, you’ll like it, little wolf.”
“I hope so too.”
An hour later, we saw a settlement and walked through the gates. Every head turned and stared at us. I felt Josh’s grip tighten on me. The tension that hung in the air was so thick, you could choke on it. Just as I thought we would be pounced on, Markus appeared in front of us.
“Welcome home. I hope your journey was well.”
“A smooth train ride.”
“Good. I don’t believe I know this one?”
“This is Blake, my mate.”
“Rubio pack?’
“Yes.”
He gave a curt nod and turned to me. Josh didn’t put me down but held on tighter. Markus took a step toward me and Josh bared his teeth. Markus took the step back, knowing full well what Josh’s warning was. Markus led us to a cabin meant for just us. It was much like our old one, just without mother and father. After we got settled, we were invited to a feast in our honor to welcome us home. At the table, Aveline and I sat between Josh and Blake. As the meal progressed, a boy at the end kept staring at me. His eyes chilled me to the bone; I couldn’t escape the menacing look in them. I finally grabbed Josh’s hand and he felt the tremor run through me as the boy stared again. In my heart, I knew who he was before Josh spoke his name.
“He’s the one chilling you?”
“Yes. He is staring at me like I’m prey to be hunted and destroyed. Who is he?”
“Do really want to know?”
“Yes.”
“That is Rafe. Markus’ son and your intended.”
“No, please no.”
“It’s ok. I see there is no mating attraction for you. I told you I would protect you.”
After that night, anytime Rafe saw me, it was like raw lust and hunger for me in his eyes. It still chilled me, still does today. But now that I am thirteen, I have grown used to this look. Aveline and Blake were expecting their first child and decided it was going to be a boy. Josh and I hugged her, knowing that is what she hoped for Blake. After that, we discussed what I would look like in wolf form if I made the transition. We were still unsure due to my father being an Ascendant. We all assumed I would have a thick chocolate-colored coat and deep brown eyes that matched my human hair and eyes; little did we know I would be far from it.
It was said that I would make the transformation at sixteen; eighteen at the latest. Once again, we were wrong. Only a couple of weeks later, I woke up from a deep sleep feeling like my skin was on fire and that every bone was trying to come out of me. I felt the wolf inside clawing to get out and to run. It was happening and happening too soon. I screamed for Josh and was as surprised as Aveline and Blake at what was happening. Blake ran to the pack elder and medicine woman. They hated it, but they also had to call for Markus. They did not know what to do. The minute Joan saw me, she sent everyone out. Everyone was amazed by what they saw. I thought it was transformation early, but I came to find out that as I shifted, my hair began to turn white, started at the tips and working up to my roots, and my eyes turned a crystal blue. I came to learn that I was the first white wolf born in the past five generations. The elder helped me shift and came out sometime later with me on four paws. Once outside the cabin, the rest of the pack shifted to run with me my first time. Josh stayed right by my side. I awoke the next morning in my bed to learn everything and saw gifts lined up outside. Anywhere I went afterward, people showed me nothing but respect. Markus saw me as more, even more than before. I knew I was still nothing but a prize for his son. Rafe looked at me with pure lust and need, but it no longer chilled me. Life would be different now, little did I know it would soon change forever.
He was born as the prince of his kind. An ancient species of shifters that were believed to be dead. He knew he would take his father’s place as alfa one day but always regretted it. He knew he would have to take a mate and continue the bloodline, but he has met all the females in his clan and none of them connected with him. He grew up as a soldier, to be hard in everything. After his mother died, it was all he had for his father had grown cold to everyone. He continued his duty as alfa and Drake knew it would be him one day. Other shifters knew about them, but none more than their neighbors. The crescent wolf pack. Their territory borders theirs and the wolves always tried for more. Patrols were necessary due to the wolves trying to hunt over the border. Drake knew he had much to prove, especially since his father was not a born alfa, he fought for it and won. His mother, S
Once they got there, Drake found it very crowded. He followed his father as they waited to greet Markus. Once it was their turn, Markus greeted Samuel like an old friend.“Sam, I am glad you could make it.”“We wouldn’t miss an event such as this. The next one may not be in my lifetime.”“You
Markus introduced Aurora to everyone and sure enough, Rafe was almost glued to her side. Every time Rafe touched her, she winced and Drake saw red. He kept his temper in check. It was unheard of for a dragon and a wolf to mate. She was no ordinary wolf. She was the white wolf and she was half Ascendant. He knew he would do anything to keep her safe. As the meal progressed, Drake got angrier seeing what Rafe was doing. Finally, he had to get up and walk away before he ripped his throat out. When it was time to mingle, all she wanted to do was go home. Rafe eventually left her side and she immediately went looking for Josh or Aveline. Instead, she found Drake. She walked up behind him and tapped his shoulder.
For about two years, Aurora trained with her uncle. The sessions were getting more intense. Rafe was trying to force himself on her. One of the other trainees had to play Rafe and not back down. Able was stronger than her, but so was Rafe. When she was knocked on her ass again, Dominik helped her up.“You cannot fail at this. If Able were really Rafe, he’d be inside you already. Do better.”“I’m trying. It’s not exactly easy.”“It’s not supposed to be. I’m not letting you back u
On the morning of her sixteenth birthday, Rafe greeted her at the door to escort her. She accepted but led her away from town. As soon as they were in the clearing, he acted.“You are mine. Do you understand? Mine, not Drake’s.”She fought him off easily thanks to her training which surprised him. She could smell Drake in the distance and decided to go for him. She reached out to him as she shifted and ran for him. Rafe shifted and gave chase. As she crossed the border into the dragon lands, she stopped and spun around to find Rafe would not cross. Drake walked up, seeing the two wolves snarling at each other. He knew Aurora but felt
Everyone was tense to be around Drake, ever since the day she left. Drake was like another person. He trained harder and was fiercer. Before, Rafe would’ve challenged him. Now, you’d have to be an idiot to challenge Drake. He was mean, dark, and ruthless. Rafe was sure if Aurora came home, she’d want him. Every day that passed and he couldn’t feel her, he grew stronger from forcing himself to train harder. Everyone thought it was to keep his mind off her. Little did they know, he was distracting himself. It’s his fault she left. She knew he loved her, but because he didn’t want to try to complete the mating bond, she left. He hoped as time went by, she’d forgive him and come back. Now, a year has passed. She’d be seventeen now and no one has seen her.
Drake went home more confused than ever. Would she come back to him? She has a whole new outlook than just this piece of land. He wanted to write her back but had so many questions. Did he even know her anymore? When he got home, his father asked to see him.“Son, I need to speak with you.”“What is it?”“I assume you went and saw Markus. Did he tell what you wanted to know?”“I do
Aurora began to cry as she knew she would have to tell him what has happened. Michelle came in to check on her and found her a mess on the floor. She read Drake’s letter and hugged her closest friend. “You have to tell him.”“I don’t want to. I don’t want to go through with it.”“It’s the only way Rafe won’t retaliate. He still has your brother and sister.”