Riptide

Chapter 1

Stella POV

Rain. It always seemed to rain on days that I needed it not to. I know it sounds trivial, but the rain just put me in a bad mood. I wandered around my packs grounds looking for my sister, June. She had gone out the night before to a party at a rival packs group house. She knew what my father would do if he found out, so I was out here at 5am looking for her before he found out she wasnt at home.

Our Father was the Alpha of the South Pack. Original name, I know. He came from a long line of Alphas. At one time in history, the South pack ruled our city. His Father, Julian, was the strongest Alpha any pack had seen in a long time. My Grand Father was lucky enough to find his mate when he was still a young pup in middle school. Once you find your mate, you know it instantly. There is no denying it and you are essentially one once you do find each other. The Alpha grows stronger each year when his mate is by his side. They had been together 50 years by the time my Grand father passed down the Alpha to his son, my father, Alpha Jones. My Father wasnt so lucky in finding his mate at such a young age, but did find my Mother about a year into his reign.

I stumled around the thick fern forrest as i approached the border lines of our pack and the Bloodsuns. My neck tingled and the hairs stood up as I crossed over the border and into their territory. A small growl escaped from my throat as i was suddenly approached by another wolf. He was in his wolf form, I was not. He was smaller. Probably a younger guard. He had one job, to guard the border from trespassers and Forbiddens. I raised my hands up to show I was no threat and smiled. He turned his head like a puppy does when you ask if they want a treat and I nodded "Im just here looking for my younger sister. She was going to a party at your pack house." The young wolf nodded his grey head towards the north and retreated slowly to pace the border lines again. I sighed a sigh of relief and continued onwards towards where he had pointed me.

About a mile in i could see the lights of the pack house. It was a large house, with a creek running down the west side of it. The back had top to bottom windows, and the lights were on and you could see inside the main living area. Large couches, a huge lavish rug that resembled a bear skin, and a giant television hanging from the wall. I couldnt see any movement in the house, but i also couldnt just go inside. Not without being asked in. I debated my next move as I knew I couldnt come all this way without coming back home with my sister. I could see the sun rays trying to come in through the thick tree line, which meant that my Father would be awake soon if he wasnt already awake. I could come up with a good excuse why June and I were out so early. I was in training anyways, so i could use that. Now convincing my Father that June was actually up this early helping me train would be a whole different story.

The front door was giant, towering over me as I knocked quietly with the door knocker. A gargoil face, original, I thought as I rolled my bright green eyes. The door quickly opened and a man appeared, shirtless, with basketball shorts on and one sock. He rubbed his eyes and leaned against the doorway. He looked me up and down then smirked.

"Youre a long ways from home, arent you?" He grinned and pointed towards the South where I had come from. "I am, you're right." I said sarcastically. "Im just looking for my younger sister, June. She was coming here for a party and..." before I could finish my sentence, the man waved me inside and stumbled down a stair into the main living quarters I had seen from the woods. It was clean. Impeciably clean. Not something I was expecting from a pack house like the Bloodsuns.

"Is she short? White blonde hair with green eyes, like yours?" He asked as he poured himself a cup of coffee. He held the coffee cup at me "fancy some?" I shook my head and smiled. "Training day" I shrugged. He parted his mouth to say something else but didnt and poured himself a cup of black coffee. "I think your sister is probably sleeping in the guest room down the hall. Second door on the right. Its for females only, so there shouldnt be anybody else in there" A females only room. Another strange thing to have at a pack house. Pack houses were males only. The Alpha, his Beta, and a few select pack members lived in the home until the Alpha found his mate. The Sunblood alpha obviously hadnt found his yet since it reaked of male werewolf. I had heard things of the Sunblood Alpha. His name was Trevor and he had taken over within the last year. He was making some big moves that made the other packs nervous, but as a younger wolf myself, and in line to take over the South pack, I actually agreed with a lot of his decisions.

I pushed open the second door on the right down the hallway and opened it slowly, letting in the hallway light. It washed over a carpeted floor and onto a large King size bed against the wall. And there is where i found June. Sprawled on the bed like a star fish, still in her clothes from the night before. Her purse was thrown onto a chair in the corner and her phone was still in her hand. Make up smeared her face and her lipstick was so splotchy she looked like a six year old trying out makeup for the first time. Before I could take another step into the room, a large hand was on my left shoulder, pulling me back into the hallway softly. I turned quickly with my fangs protruding from my gums in instinct. His fingers were dug into my shoulder, but not in a painful kind of way. Before I could even speak, a rush of heat overtook my entire body. It was like I was placed into an oven naked. My skin began to tingle from my toes all the way to the top of my head, like static electricity. If i didnt know any better, he could of seen my body standing in that dim lit hallway, shaking. The hairs on the back of my neck stood straight up, and i was suddenly fighting an urge to shift into my wolf form. I had to get out of there, immediately.

I made a B line straight for the front door, leaving my passed out sister still in the bed. The young wolf that answered the door tried to yell out for me, but i was already halfway down the front stairs and into the woods. I was moving as fast as my human legs would take me, pushing brush and tree limbs out of my way as I tried to get back to my border as quickly as i could. The rain pelted my face like bee stings and i pushed my body harder and faster. As soon as i could smell my territory, i let my claws out of my hands and feet. I screamed in agony and relief as they dug into the dirt underneath me. My pants began to rip as my lower half of my body began to shift. By the time I reached my borderline, i was shifting completely into my wolf form. My white fur glisened in the sun beams making their way through the lush forrest. Steam fluttered into the wind from the heat my body was producing when the rain hit it. I sprinted until i was a safe distance away from the border line and no patrol could see me from either pack. I paused, on all fours, in my full wolf form, to take a deep breath and look around. It was now pouring and I was soaked, but i wasnt cold. My body was on fire, even after I turned. I could feel every fiber in my soul. Every folicle of furr tingled, and my heart fluttered quickly, something i had never felt before. I found a small fresh spring and lowered my body into it for some releaf from the pain of turning so quickly. I sank my large body into the water and laid belly down, soaking in the cool water into my pores so that my body would cool down safely. I closed my eyes and held my head to the sky, letting the rain drops hit my face and roll down my neck into the water. I leaned my head down and opened my eyes, seeing my reflection in the clear blue spring. I was startled at my own appearance once i looked at myself. I closed my eyes, shook my head, then looked again, wondering if my mind was playing tricks on me. But it wasnt, and i was not seeing things. My eyes had shifted colors. My bright, beautiful green eyes were now neon green. Brighter than id ever seen before. And in that moment, I knew..

I had just met my mate.

The thought of it almost made me throw up my dinner from the night before. My head was spinning as I slammed down onto the mossy forrest floor. Was I going to pass out, I thought. I shook the thought away and took in a deep breath, looking around to see if anybody was watching me or had found me yet. 

I stood up slowly, visualizing his tall frame standing in front of me. I had to get home. And I had to get June, too. I realized again that I just had just ran out of that house and left June there. I decided I had to go back. Regardless of who I had just met or not! I turned on my feet and began walking back towards the Blood Sun territory. I was still in my wolf form, but I would be able to get there much faster if I didn't shift. I wasn't expecting to shift, so I didn't even have a change of clothes with me. If I shifted back, I would be walking into that house naked, and that just wasn't happening! 

I came up to the territory line and the guard I had seen earlier was there perched in a lawn chair, playing on a video game console. He looked up and saw my white fur appear from the tree line and he stood up quickly, grabbing his cell phone in case he needed to call for help. I shook my head, my ears flopping back and forth like a puppy, to signal I was no threat. I didn't know if he would believe me or not though. He dialed a number quickly and put the phone up to his ear. Whoever it was on the other line answered quickly, and the guard nodded a few times then held his hand up to me.

"Just wait here" He said aloud and sat back down, continuing his video game. I was a little confused, and a little worried. But his demeanor told me to not freak out and that I wasn't in any danger. I sat down on my hind legs then let my front legs fall out from underneath me and I laid in the cold dirt, sinking my claws into it. I rested my head in between my front paws and watched for somebody to come to the lines.

About 10 minutes went by when I caught the scent of a rival pack member. Two? I turned my head and stood up quickly, staying behind my territory line. A large tan wolf appeared from between two large trees, a smaller grey wolf following closely behind. No June, I noticed. 

The tan wolf shifted, covering his naked body quickly with a sweatshirt he had resting on his shoulders when he was still in wolf form. I immediately recognized him as the man who had let me into the packhouse earlier this morning. He smiled at me and I rested my shoulders, relaxing. 

"Your sister is fine." He started off.. "She's at the pack house having some breakfast. But my Alpha would like if you would come back to the house with us." He shifted his stance, and you could see he was uncomfortable with the task he was handed. I shifted my weight from one leg to the other, shaking my large wolf head and looking down at myself to signal I couldn't shift back. He looked at me, then came to realize what I was insinuating. The smaller grey wolf shifted behind him, and tossed a backpack that landed at my feet. 

"We brought you a change of clothing just to be safe. It's mens clothes, so I apologize for that. But it should do the trick?" He asked, hopefuly I would accept and he wouldn't have to explain to his Alpha why he didn't come back to the pack house without me. The three men turned their backs to me to give me some privacy, and I shifted back into my human form as quick as I could and snatched up the black backpack from the ground. A pair of basketball shorts and a over sized t-shirt. I shrugged my shoulders to myself, this would work for now. I shimmied on the shorts and threw the tshirt over my head and zipped the bag back up. The three of them turned back around. 

"My name is Kyle. This is Lewis." He pointed towards the other man with him. We began walking towards their pack house. I was worried with the time. "Do you know what time it is?" I asked. Lewis nodded his head and raised his wrist to show his watch to me. 6:52. Zero chance my Father wasn't awake by now. If he hadnt noticed my absense yet, he would soon. I could use training as an excuse, but I didnt know what we would come up with for June. She would have to wash up in the creek or the river that ran behind our house before she stepped foot in the house. He would smell where she was in a second. 

"Why am I going back? You couldn't have just brought my sister with you?" Kyle laughed a little, pulling a piece of grass between his lips. "She wouldnt come with us. I dont know why. But, it worked out anyways because our Alpha is demanding to see you!" He scoffed. I wondered if he knew why. Did he know that I was his mate?  

We made our way through the woods the same path that I had taken an hour earlier when I was coming to look for June. The house emerged from the tree line again, except all the lights were on this time and there were several people moving about inside the house. I could see June sitting at the kitchen island, scooping cereal into her mouth, smiling and chatting with somebody standing on the other side of the island. Kyle led us around the front of the house to the garage where one of the doors was open and led me inside through the breezeway room. We walked through and into the large kitchen. 

"Stella!" June shrieked, slamming her spoon onto the countertop. She was grinning from ear to ear, so she obviously was alright. I rolled my eyes at her and stepped towards her. "What the hell are you wearing?" She pulled on the tshirt hanging off my hips that landed mid way down my thighs. It was way too big. I didnt' even know whos it was. I started to panic wondering what mans clothing I had willingly tossed on my body. 

"We need to go" There was no time for small talk. I took the spoon from her hand and placed it on the counter. She looked at me, surprised at me. I didn't see him anywhere, but I could sense that he was somewhere in the house. I didn't want to stay and see him again, knowing that anybody that saw my reaction would figure it out. She looked at me, pouting her lip. June was younger than me. I was 26, she was 21. And a fresh 21 at that. She didn't have any responsibilites to handle like I did. I was in line to take over our entire pack. Their wellbeing rested on my shoulders. She got to party and be 21. "I am so serious, June" I shot her a look and she stomped off to the bedroom I saw her in earlier, assuming to gather her belongings. 

"Ma'am" Nobody called me that. I wasn't an elder. I turned around with a snotty look on my face to a young pack member, maybe in his early 20s, but it was hard to tell. "Your presence is requested downstairs." He asked, holding his hand out to lead me down a large wooden staircase that was next to the front door. I laughed out loud, then reminded myself he was probably just doing what he was told. Was his Alpha downstairs? Is that why he wanted me to follow him? Everything inside of my head told me to not go. It could be an ambush! I was the daughter of his biggest rival. And attacking me would be a great way to get back at my Father. But my body and soul told me to go. Forced me to go. I couldn't say no. The pull to find him and see him again was stronger than anything I had ever had to deal with before.

I followed the young man down the stairs into the dark lit basement. There was a long dark hallway leading either direction. We took a right and continued farther down, passing several closed doors with name tags on them. Pack members, I assumed. When an Alpha was not mated to anybody, several pack members that were on his guard team lived at the house with him. It was like a giant frat house. I pulled at the bottom of the tshirt I was wearing as we walked a little farther down the hallway. A large theater room emerged from the dark hallway. It was lined with televisions and gaming systems, with large leather chairs in four rows to the back of the room where I was standing in the doorway. On the far left wall, a popcorn machine was popping fresh popcorn. Next to it was trays and bowls, and then a slurpee machine. Boujee, if you asked me. 

I debated turning around and running for the stairs, forcing June out of the house and heading home. But before I could even move a foot, his tall frame emerged from a door at the other end of the room. He slammed it shut and looked up from his phone, noticing me instantly. 

"Leave" he pointed at the young man and he turned on his right foot swiftly and left, shutting the door behind him. We were alone. I couldn't take my eyes off of him though. He was tall, 6'3, maybe taller. He had thick black hair that was unkept but looked perfect. His hair brushed slightly over his eyesbrows, but allowing for you to see his bright yellow eyes. He wore a black plain tshirt that hugged his chest and biceps perfectly. He was toned, and huge. His torso was long and gave way to thick thighs that were dressed in simple blue jeans. He was barefoot and he began to walk towards me. The instant need to jump on him was so strong that I wasnt sure that I could even stop myself. He was moving quickly, and before I knew it, he was standing right in front of me, looking down at me. I was a mere 5'4, so his tall body towered over me. I closed my eyes and inhaled his scent, letting it wash through my senses. 

"Do you want to sit?" He asked and the question threw me off guard. Maybe he didn't feel the same way that I did. Maybe he didn't want to rip my clothes off and jump on me like I wanted to do to him. Was it possible for him to be my mate and me not his? 

I nodded softly and followed him to the middle row of leather recliners. He sat down, and I sat down in the chair next to him. He leaned in, resting his elbow on the arm of the chair I was in.

"I don't want to sound like a jackass.." he started. I looked at him confused, and I found myself leaning in towards him without even knowing it. I jolted my upper half backwards, hoping he didn't notice. He grinned. "There is nothing else that I want to do other than grab you and kiss you"

I stopped breathing. I stared at him with my mouth open, amazed at what he had just said. This man was gorgeous. And he just told me he wanted to kiss ME. Maybe he did feel the same way I did. I knew it was just the bond trying to control us . 

"Since I saw you earlier, it's all I can think about. I can't work. I can't do anything other than think of you.." his voice trailed off and his finger brushed against my forearm. The hairs on my arms instantly stood up. I nodded in agreement, trying to think of something to say to this beautiful man sitting next to me. Instead of telling him in detail every dirty thing I wanted to do to him, I told him the logical response. "My Father is Alpha Jones" As soon as the words came out of my mouth, I regretted saying it. But it had to be said. 

"I know that. I don't care." My eyes grew big as I stared at him, trying to think of what to say to him next. 

"Stella.." his voice lowered and he leaned in closer to me, our noses almost touching. I wanted to grab his face and kiss him hard. I wanted to jump over the arm of the chair and straddle him right then and there. Before I knew it, his arm was around my waist and he was inching in closer to me. I took a deep breath, closing my eyes and leaning in to him. 

"You're my mate. I don't give a fuck who your Father is"