Prologue

  

   The silver wolf moved with great speed past the trees of the forest, its grey eyes settled on a destination that lay ahead. The aim was to be distracted enough to forget the happenings of the week, whether it was being achieved or not was yet to be determined.

   It moved stealthily past errant branches and crushed twigs beneath its large paws as it searched for a place of peace- the meadows. There it was that the insanity of the world could be blocked and sane thoughts given freedom to roam. There it was that tranquility reigned, giving every creature of the earth that much sought after moment of peace and security. Where worries were forgotten and a certain sense of joy shadowed all sadness.

   As it neared the meadows, keen ears just barely made out the sound of a snapping twig. It paused and listened on, its nose sniffing for any foreign scents. Nothing. It thought of going on to its much needed point of peace, but the gnawing feeling that it was being watched prevented it from putting thoughts into action.

   And then it picked up the sound; the faintest sound of breathing, followed by the snap of a twig. Before the large wolf could spot where its attacker would be moving from, a smaller wolf with reddish-brown fur leaped from the trees and pushed it, not hard enough to send it flying onto its back, but enough to send it a few feet away from its original position.

   The brown wolf snarled at the silver wolf, baring sharp canines as the silver wolf circled it, watching for any sudden moves, but not making any attempt to retaliate.

   One of the hind legs of the brown wolf was injured, by the way it avoided leaning on it. Perhaps to a younger were it was unnoticeable, especially as this wolf made sure to be as conspicuous about that one disadvantage as possible- smart….almost, but this Were had mastered the art of battle long enough to note its opponent’s weaknesses before it attacked. This wolf wasn’t part of this pack- or any others within this region, surely all Weres knew not to trespass on the territory of the Duncan pack, even less attack the Alpha. This could possibly be a rogue Were- one with a death wish even. It wasn’t even half as large as he was; it was far from a fair match.

   The silver wolf sniffed the air again. Still nothing. How was it possible……? The brown wolf attacked again. This time, not fast enough, as the silver wolf moved out of the way.

   With its moment of analysis gone, the silver wolf attacked, sending the brown wolf flying with a shove. It moved toward the tree where the brown wolf lay on its back at the foot, pinning the smaller wolf with its large paws, it watched as the wolf went into unconsciousness.

   And then it shifted to its human form.

   Caleb’s wolf watched the brown fur recede into skin the colour of caramel, the snout was replaced by a pert nose on an angelic, oval-shaprd face. Toned, slim arms came into view tipped by slender fingers . Without looking further he knew the female beneath him was bereft of any form of covering- and that wasn’t all she was.

   An agonized howl echoed round the forest as the Alpha of the Duncan pack realized who he’d been dueling with, just a little too late.

                                                           *****

  The entire house was at a standstill, the present emotional state of the pack leader resonated in the compound, even his betas did everything possible to keep their distance. The Alpha was not to be disturbed. This was more of an emergency than whatever else anyone had to bring up.

   No one knew the identity of the female the Alpha had run into the compound with, he had taken her into his chamber before anyone could even make out her form. Speculations were rife still, within an hour of his entrance, the entire house and compound had been filled with whispers and murmurs; could it be her? The long awaited mate of the Alpha? The one who he had given up hope of ever finding after over a century of searching? What were the odds? Only this morning, he had called a pack meeting solely to tell everyone in no uncertain terms, to get the hell off his back. From betas to omegas, there was one clear message; talks of a mate as regards the Alpha were to seize, anyone caught having discussions on that topic would be punished. What the punishment was, he had left to their overactive imaginations.

   Now, this same Alpha was fretting over some woman he had found in the forest. As excited as the pack members were at the thought of finally having an Alpha-Bitch to soothe their Alpha- who was in desperate need of a woman that meant more than a one-time roll in the sack, they managed to keep their excitement at bay until they heard from the Alpha himself or one of the Betas.

   Magnolia, the witch who only visited on rare occasions, had been invited and was presently in the Chamber with the Alpha and the female. Whatever was going on in there, couldn’t possibly be good.

      Caleb paced the length of his bedroom, it was obvious he was wearing out the rug, but that was the least of his problems.

   How could he not have known? Scent or not, he should have recognized her! A part of him tried to exonerate himself from any blame, but there was still that major side that made him want to hit himself against the wall until he was as hurt as she was, and his agitated wolf seemed to agree with that part.

    Once he realized the wolf that had challenged him was his mate, all sense of rationalism had fled him. All he could think to do was pick up her frail body and run as fast as he possibly could to the compound while hoping he had done minimal damage if any at all. He had spoken telepathically to his Beta, Roy, ordering him to call the witch. Roy, never one to question a direct order, had done as he was told and the witch arrived only minutes after Caleb did.

   Now he waited with bated breath for a feedback, he was thankful to Luna that he hadn’t let his anger over ride his patience, he could have killed her. But how had she gotten here? Was she a stray? How was it that he hadn’t sensed her? Several questions swarmed his head, and he intended to get answers- but not before his mate was completely healed.

   He stopped pacing when he heard her mutter something, he turned and was by her side in seconds, whispering soothing words in her ear to stop her trembling. It seemed to work.

   He took the time to study her features. The goddess had blessed him with this one; she was a beauty. He wondered what shade her eyes were; if they were the lightest shade of brown or deep black, it really didn’t matter, she would still be beautiful with either colour. Her head wasn’t crowned with the silky strands he was accustomed to, rather a mass of umber-colored medium dreads framed her face, it was just a few inches past her shoulders. And her body….neither he nor his wolf could wait to claim it. Even in a frail state, he couldn‘t help his arousal; he chastised himself for being insensitive, this was hardly the time for such…but he couldn’t help his reaction to her.

   “You know you’ve been here long enough, you can go for a short run to clear your mind.” Magnolia suggested. She hadn’t even been aware Caleb could be this soft. He seemed to have lost his ability to feel over half a century ago. She guessed one’s mate could produce that effect. But she had her reasons for asking for his leave.

   Caleb glared at her like she had just spoken a forbidden word- well, it sounded that way to his ears. Leave his mate? That was near impossible, he wanted to be the first person she saw when she opened her eyes, he could miss that opportunity if he left.

   “Short runs will do nothing for me Magnolia, only the wellness of my mate will calm my heart now.” He replied steely.

    Magnolia nodded in understanding, but failed to relent, “I know that Alpha, but I believe, you’ll need to gather your thoughts….”

  “No Magnolia.” He said with a bit more edge to his voice. This time, Magnolia heard him loud and clear- and she wasn’t the only one who did.

   He felt the woman beneath him begin to stir, his eyes moved to her face just as hers shot open. Grey met grey and held for a brief second. And then it came. She let out an ear-piercing scream that had him flying off the bed as the woman scrambled away without taking her terrified eyes off him.

   Caleb could only stare in shock as the one who should be his mate moved away, rather than toward him. He didn’t understand, what happened to the mating pull? Could he be wrong? No, neither he nor his wolf had felt this strongly for another female, this intense need to be in her presence and touch her. She had to be his mate. So what was wrong now? 

      He snapped out of the trance once he realized Magnolia was speaking to him, “You have to go now.”

   “But Mag….” He began to protest, but was cut off.

    “Leave now Caleb, she’s frightened.”

   “She’s my mate! She should not fear me.” He insisted, his frustration evident. His mate was trembling visibly, her lithe body pressed close to Magnolia and her slender fingers holding the old witch’s garment in a steely grip. What the hell?! This was NOT how he had imagined their first meeting, this day just kept getting worse.

   Seeing there really was nothing he could do presently to remedy this situation, he stomped out of the room. With one last look at his frightened mate, he banged the door shut behind him. He only wished he could reverse the day and start afresh.