An Opportunity

“Which is the only thing I want.” He finished.

It was his vow that he’d have me that set me with determination.

He will not. My face hardened. Making me seem far sterner than I usually was.

I’m leaving this damn place before he has the chance.

I knew enough about Alaric to feel intimidated and to know he didn’t bluff. He meant what he said.

Then tonight, just as dark was beginning to fall, the camp exploded in chaos.

Draven and Alaric returned from a hunt with Edrick on a makeshift gurney. Bleeding everywhere.

Fury, Edrick’s Beta, jogged from his hut and swore at the sight of the Alpha. “I told him I needed to go with you boys. Damn him!”

Fury followed them into Rebekah’s hut.

It was one of the only times I ever knew of, that The Healer let males beyond her threshold.

Despite all of Rebekah, efforts, Edrick was soon dead.

Our Alpha was dead.

Killed by the Alpha of the NightHunters and his son.

Edrick had managed to slaughter the Alpha but only to scar the adult son.

The camp was awhirl. People were sobbing. Wolves were howling. And both of his sons were grieving near the fire. Still covered in the blood of their father.

***

I looked at them. Feeling slight guilt at being in the background and wondering if I should do something to help them. When I felt a hand on my shoulder.

I looked behind me and saw Marta there. Her salt and pepper hair a bit wild around her face. “It’s time.” She whispered.

I looked at everyone around me who seemed crumbled by the loss. I blinked back at Marta.

“Now is the time.” She urged, nodding toward the fire where the boys were clearly distracted by their pain. “Draven is Alpha now and both he and Alaric will need to acquire mates very soon. Whose pretty little hole do you think Alaric will be after?”

I eyed her in horror. Already knowing that answer.

Mine.

***

I had a moment’s hesitation. Wondering. Do I stay?

“The Mating Moon is upon us in a few night’s time. Everyone knows how ruthless our males become during it.”

I couldn’t argue. I was aware our males were the most virile of the wolves roaming after the plague. Each of them capable of being an alpha in their own wright.

With the aggression, lust and animal natures to match. Even after Alpha Edrick had found me in the woods, I had known I wouldn’t stay. They took me kicking and screaming into Asara Territory.

I could hunt. So, I could eat. I didn’t need them.

And I’d be no man’s victim.

So as soon as they got me in those walls, I was planning a way out.

“Have you missed the way Alaric watches you?” Marta persisted.

I looked at Alaric’s profile.

Tall, broad and blonde, I couldn’t deny he’d caught my eye more than once over the last year. He was solemn and striking and watched me like he might pounce any moment.

Now he’s warned me he’s going to.

Though he’d bent to my will at every turn so far. Doing the many things, I’d asked him to.

“Bring me a squirrel to skin”, “Bring me cones from the needle trees to scent my hut with cloves.”, “I need a dress.”

I knew his kindnesses were not based in generosity. He’s been planning on mounting me under a Mating Moon.

It was nearly painful under the Moon’s sway to not have a female to pound into. The agony of suffering all night with an insatiable lust was pure anguish.

Fortunately, it wasn’t as extreme for us females. Though our feminine scent did become stronger. We were more easily aroused but it was our bodies that were primed for sexual bonding. Not our minds.

***

So, despite my remorse for the death of their alpha, Edrick, I came to a decision.

To do as Marta told me.

Edrick was a good man. And he’d taken care of me, despite my resistance.

Kinder than I expected. Kinder than he had to be.

Always looking for the good of the pack.

I found my only friend, the only other female I could tolerate. “Vanna Rae?”

She turned stunned eyes to me. Watching the bloom of havoc in the camp. “Yes?”

“Come here.” I caught her arm and tugged her into the shadows next to a hut. Knowing we were near enough the fire that it’s crackling might mask some of our words, but far enough away the light couldn’t touch us here. “I’m leaving.”

“What?” She gripped my upper arms harshly.

“I’m going. Tonight.”

“You can’t!” She looked back toward the fire worriedly. “They’ll kill you for sure!”

“It has to be now. If I make it out, promise me you’ll follow. Don’t let them get ahold of you. They’re absolutely vicious.”

She bit her bottom lip and nodded hesitantly. But I was worried. I could see the hollow of fear in her eyes.

She’s afraid of everything. But I couldn’t say I could blame her. I wasn’t sure I’d be any different if I had no memory of what’d happened to me before I arrived here.

Fortunately, I did.

“There’s a break in the wall behind a tree in the south wall.”

Vanna Rae was whipping her head from me back to the fire as if afraid she might be caught talking to me on the night I made my escape.

Also, a reasonable fear.

But I could tell from the way she was moving and acting that she wasn’t listening. She’s not hearing a thing I’m saying.

“Don’t go.” She whispered fearfully. Looking furtively around.

We both knew why.

The Hayden brothers. They’re always watching her.

“If you leave, they’ll hunt you down.”

“They can try.” I whispered back. “But I’m very good at fitting in with humans. I’ll be hard to track.”

“What about Hunter?” She caught my arm and nodded toward one of the Hayden brothers. I couldn’t tell which, though she somehow could. I assumed she was talking about Hunter Hayden, the best tracker amongst the pack.

I was worried about him.

Vanna Rae was scared for me.

“If they don’t drag me back. You have to try to get away. Don’t let them kill you. Or force you.”

“Uh-huh.”

She could get away too.

Before the Hayden Brothers get her. But I was guessing. I didn’t even know for sure if I could get away yet.

I know Hunter can track at a dead run.

I know Draven can run down anything with two or four legs.

I know Vanquish or Jaecar won’t be kind if they get ahold of me.

And I know Alaric will be filled with vengeance that I tried to flee him.

The cards were stacked against me.