Those last couple of weeks were hell in that village. Everyone, and I mean everyone, glared at me. Graduation was the worst. They threatened to take away my diploma just because I didn’t “respect the hunt.”
“Terrell the Terrible, the name rings so high!”
Just like Ivan the Terrible, or the Hitler of their town, they taunted me. My father hired an outside human lawyer when they threatened my diploma. The attorney made some wheels and deals, and on the 17th of June, I walked with my class, got my diploma, tossed my tassle to the side and flipped everyone off as I walked off that stage.
There was nothing they could do to me now. I knew the plan. Graduate. Get in the car.
And get. The. Hell. Out. Of. Town.
My father had made up his mind that he was coming with me to Stanford. He said he could use the change of scenery. But I knew better. He needed to get out of town before they banned him from the pack.
He had made arrangements with a different alpha in the Stanford area. We were to meet with him in a week, giving us the time to make the drive up there from the sweltering Georgia heat. No more of this wretched humidity.
No more taunting of the shit stains that this town called their heroes.
No more Anastasia.
Anastasia…Anastasia…. her name was bittersweet in my mind. I hadn’t decided what to do. My father had pleaded with me to reject her back so I could move on while in college. I hadn’t.
I felt her. I knew her, knew her tastes, touch, smell. I knew her favorite colors, her fears, her worries for Gavin. It was enough to make any romance novel disgustingly sick.
But I was, sick, that is. Sick in love with her and until I made up my mind to release her, I would always be that way.
As my father and I were packing the last of our suitcases into the car, I felt a sudden stab in my side. I wretched out, dropping to my knees. Then there was a instant shock that went through my skull. I grabbed both sides of my head, wailing at the pain.
“Terrell! Oh my god! Terrell!”
I barrowed out in agony, the pain piercing and blinding.
And as soon as it had begun, it stopped. I sat up, and without thinking, I began to howl.
Long, lonely, miserable howling came from deep within my lungs from a place that I had never had before. My father put his hand over his mouth, gasping.
He quickly fumbled for his cell and called the doc.
“Doc? Yeah, it’s Richard. Something’s wrong. No, no. We’re fine. Find Anastasia. Something’s wrong with Anastasia. How do I? What? Oh my god, just find her!”
He hung up the phone and came over to hold me. I snarled at him and took off, my human form shedding in front of him and at a full run. I smelled the air. I had to find her.
But I couldn’t be seen. My mind kept telling me that. Don’t be seen. Just run until you find her. But don’t be seen.
I could hear her now, her faint gasps for air breaking with each struggle to take them in. I could smell the blood. So much blood. I could hear her trying to move, feel each twinge of skyrocketing pain that escalated through her broken body.
I found her.
The curve on the outskirts of town was historical for taking those who wouldn’t be wary of it for a spin of their life time, and the last of their lifetime. I saw the broken guard rail, smelled the smoke, the gasoline as it left the broken fuel tank. I had to get down there.
Don’t go. I heard the voice in my head, but it wasn’t mine. It was Doc Havard’s.
We both shifted back. He looked at me, his eyes knowing but unable to speak. My father approached us in his car, and brought us both a set of clothes.
“Is she…?” my father asked.
“No, not yet,” I replied, without hesitation.
“Are you sure son?” Doc asked.
“Positive, but it won’t be long. She’s bleeding internally.”
“Well, let’s not just stand here. Come on doc!” My father started heading down the hill.
“Richard, wait!” Doc screamed after him.
My father stopped, and he suddenly knew. He climbed back up the hill, slowly.
Doc looked at me. “Terrell, don’t let her suffer. Release her from the pain. As long as you two have an attachment, she will never be able to live fully. And if she dies down at the bottom of the ravine, you’re going to die with her, little by little.”
My father looked at me, “He’s right Terrell. Let her go. Let her go in peace.”
Again, my eyes burned. I could feel the heat from the fire that had started when they spoke.
“Anastasia, I re….I re….”
“Go ahead son, we are both here for you.”
“Anastasia, I reject you as my mate.”
As if the car understood me, it exploded into an awesome fury. The pain was gone. The tears were still there, with a loss I would never understand fully. We all knew that there was no saving her. Doc had saved my father’s life, smelling the gasoline as strongly as I had.
My father’s encouraging strength around my shoulders, he guided me back to his car. The ball of flames burned courageously behind us, taking up anything in its path.
I suppose we won’t be leaving for a few days then, I thought to myself.
“Alpha Terrell?” a soft voice asked from behind the door. He stood, slowly making his approach. Terrell cracked the door open to see Danica standing outside on trembling legs. “May I come in?” Terrell opened the door just wide enough to allow the young lady into his room. As he turned to her, his wolf growled, panted and pawed to be released. He stopped f
Terrell's POV:Ican'thelp but stare at her. My brain keeps going numb with everything she tries on. The dress though, oh sweet heaven above. What a looker under that apron and untidy hair.But she keeps noticing me staring at her. I shouldjuststop. Shedoesn'tbelong to me by any means. But I can change that. I mean, a few words to Gavin,maybe athought or some border control agreement... Idon'tknow. I do know that I want her to come back to Stanford with me. Even if shedoesn'tstay. Just away from, well, this shit hole that I left so long ago.
Danica:Wait, what? Did I just hear that correctly? Alpha Terrell just asked me on a date?Where in the serious fuck did that come from? Am I dreaming? Oh good God, if I am, I never want to wake up!This is such a gorgeous dress. I really shouldn't be letting him buy it for me. The price tag, oh good sweet Jesus! Two thousand? What? Oh shit. I better step this up. “Alpha, I don't know that you should buy this dress,” I said, trembling as the words left my lips.“Too late,” Charley exclaimed, receipt in hand.My mouth gaped. Never before had someone just, well, done something without me asking for help, or even offering to make sure that I paid them back for it all.I didn't get a chance to protest whatsoever. Charley had me right back in the fitting room with a seamstress, ensuring every nook and cranny of my body came
Danica came down the stairs slowly after showering, listening carefully to conversation in the main hall. She tiptoed down the last step, hoping not to be heard or sniffed out.“A dress, for the dane?”“Yes, Charley, a nice one, like for church. You can get her two, just so she has an extra one for whatever. She might end up needin' it.”“And shoes? Or do you plan on her padding around in sneakers.”“Whatever. I gave her the credit card. Get her what she needs, but don't be stupid with the money. I got bills to pay, too.”“Uh-huh, sure.” Charley rolled her eyes at Gavin, knowing that the entire town supported the Alpha, and the Alpha family hadn't wanted for anything in almost 150 years.Danica came around the corner, her eyes turned down, and her hair pulled back in a neat ponytail. She looked up slightly only to see Charley waiting, impatiently.Charley stood about five foo
<Danica> I have no idea what just happened. It was lunch, and then, he was in my head. How? I didn't think that there would ever be a telepathic that close to me. Mom had always told me my touch was unique. I could think out loud, she would say, literally, and she meant. Sometimes, too loud I suppose. I never thought I would meet a wolf that was a telepathic either. A talker is one thing, but a shifter and a talker? What? My mind is whirling. He is so detrimentally handsome. I swear he might end up being the death of me. I also never thought I would end up cleaning slop and filth from these pathetic redneck slobbering coon hounds. That's all they really are to me, not even worthy of being called wolves. Oh I wish I could just sail away in the wind, like my mind does, like the world does around me. Leave here and never look back. It's almost like dreaming of being in a fairy tale re
Terrell: “Well, that went better than expected,” Jason said on the other end of the line. “Yeah, they weren't happy seeing Kyle on a gurney. But these nightmares. I think they're getting worse.” “I think you need to see a doctor to find what's causing them. It isn't something you ate is it? Maybe bad Chinese again? You remember that one time in college? Oh man, I thought you were never going to stop puking!” “Don't remind me, and no. I haven't eaten anything actually. Apparently they are having a big lunch for me here at the pack house. Kind of wish I had a personal food taster on hand.” “Just say the word, Alpha, and I will be there.” Terrell stayed quiet for a moment. A deep sigh left him. “No, let me do the thing. They need to trust me. Something about this other pack is looking for the iris.” “Iris died a long time ago,” Jason responded, confused. “That's what I said, but Gavin insisted that it wasn't