Chapter 1
I’m running, faster than I ever have before. The thundering sound of my paws crashing into the ground. All of my surroundings in a blurry haze. I can hear for miles on end, the sounds of humans talking, cats purring, and others like me running.
The light from the sun shining down through the trees, is a beautiful sight. The small wild flowers filling up the empty spaces the trees don’t cover. The woods between the city and the mountains is my favorite place to run.
I run to think, to be alone. I feel like I am what I am supposed to be when I shift to my wolf. Running is the one thing no one can take from me.
The air that I breathe when I shift, It’s breath taking. I can smell the lavender more perfectly. I feel more in touch with my surroundings. I love shifting, I absolutely love being this way.
I come to a full stop once I see the water ahead. I know the others will be there. The Lake of Winchester is the meeting place for all that are like me, wolf or human form. The Lake was the most peaceful and beautiful spot.
To describe the Lake was like trying to describe someone you've never met. The flickers of the golden sunlight shining off of the water was simply captivating. The water is clear yet there's a hint of blue. There are plenty of trees surrounding the beautiful view. Huge rocks where you could lay down and feel the warmth of the sun.
I walk out of the wooded area and into the open space. I see the others in their wolf forms as well. I guess today was a rare occasion or I'm forgetting something.
"Wow, you're here. I'm honestly surprised that you'd come to one of these."
I turn to the familiar quirky voice, belonging to my best friend Maven. I don't quite understand what she means until I realize she's her wolf form as well.
"Oh no, don't tell me that today is the..."
"The Council of the Crest meeting!"
We speak through the mind, We cant talk with our mouths as we would in human form. Why we have these stupid useless meetings in wolf form? I have no idea.
"I just wanted to let off some steam. This is my favorite place to do so." I grumbled with a soft growl, and plop down onto the ground.
"Looks like you're out of luck chuck."
She sat down beside me and nudged me to sit up straight as she always does. Me being the more dominate one, I send her a warning growl and stare at her until she whimpers and lays her head down. Realizing she tried to command a more dominate, she gave in and showed her submission.
"I wasn't trying to command you, I-I didn't mean it. I'm sorry."
"Just forget it. I'm leaving anyway."
I stand and turn away from my friend, when she stops me.
"Nora, You can't leave now the Meeting has started!"
Without saying another word I started to run off when I crashed into another wolf. This one was definitely a male. He had this specific smell to him that not many males have. His scent was like-like the Alpha's.
"Watch it, weakling!"
"I am not weak! You blustering idiot!"
Oh no, I just insulted the Alpha's Youngest son, Miles Timberwood. I can't back down now or I will make a fool of myself. Miles is dominate, yes. He is nothing like the Alpha though. He is on the same level as myself. The higher dominate. It would be a challenge to fight him and I would look ridiculous if I did it here of all places.
"Do you think you any match for me? I am the Alpha's Son! No she wolf can take me and win!"
Another male wolf strides out of the woods behind Miles. I recognize him. Dark black fur, the sun shining down on it makes it look almost blue. His eyes Bluer than the ocean. Tobias Timberwood, the Alpha's Eldest son. His scent is much more appealing than The Alpha's as well as his younger brother's.
"Calm down Miles. The she wolf was just passing through. Father will not appreciate you ruining this meeting by starting a fight with a stronger wolf."
I could swear he smirked even though in wolf form that's near impossible. He is so strong and so striking even in his wolf form. He is definitely more disciplined than his brother.
Miles growled and scampered off before he had to kneel before his brother in submission. Turning to look at Tobias who is already looking at me. I realized that he can tell that I am not marked by a mate. Almost everyone has a mate even if it's a temporary one, at my age. I can't help but feel a small bit of want from his look.
"You're leaving in the middle of at meeting? Quite careless don't you think?"
"I hate these things. We always end up talking about the same things, it's pointless to me. I would come and stay if there were changes. I really didn't need your help either, I can take care of myself."
Baffled by my own remark to a next in line Alpha, I walked off without saying another word. Leaving him with his thoughts.
I shifted back into my Human form, grabbing the clothes I stripped off. I felt eyes on me as I was putting my clothes back on. Just before exiting the woods I made sure that they would not follow.
"If you are to try to harm me I will rip you to shreds."
I started on the walk towards home. When the familiar scent of blood caught my attention. I put my nose in the air and could just make out the smell of another wolf not far away. If I were to shift right here there could be many consequences.
I can't just let someone or something die without knowing what it is. The not knowing was crushing me so I walked forwards until I came upon a poor girl slaughtered to death. Bite marks all over her body, one of her arms torn off at the elbow. She was still alive but barely.
"Wolves.." she muttered out.
"I'll call for help!"
I dialed the Alpha's 911 alert cell. Even though the meeting is happening, we need to know who did this and the only one who can help is the Alpha's Team. The Team is the Alpha himself and His two sons followed by close friends and relatives to him. There are twenty-six of them on this Team.
As soon as they answered the call, they appeared in their human forms. The alpha stayed behind I guess. Only five of them came. Tobias and Miles, the others are the beta wolves friends to both of them. Jake Fitz, Alex Fisher and Clark Thompson. All good looking but all seriously annoying.
Tobias walked over examining the girl. Looking to me next.
"What happened here?"
"I'm not sure, she said wolves and I smelled a faint scent not far off from here. Male, I think."
"Yes we smelled it too. We smelled your scent more. This will be hard to figure out. Alex, grab her and take her to the infirmary in the main house."
"On it, Tobias."
Alex swooped up the girl in one swift movement and jotted off as quickly as possible.
"You three search the place, I'll be taking this one home."
We walked in silence for bit before he started asking me questions. Questions about my attitude and stuff like that. When we finally arrived at my house he made a face, smelling a familiar scent.
"You have a brother? Why isn't he at the meeting?"
"You have very good senses. He probably just stopped here before going he usually does. You know to freshen up."
Lukas is my older brother. He is the one who taught me how to fight. He taught me to be dominate. He was always the one our parents constantly fought with.
"I see, well I'll be going but before I do. Here's my number, call or text whenever you feel like it. I'll text you later. Goodbye Anora Wright."
He walked off in the now dark night. I opened my door and walked into my home. When I turned around I see a few more wolves than expected. I only expected to see Lukas. They all stared at me with yellow eyes. Which was more common in male wolves in their wolf form.
Lukas walked out of the kitchen with blood all over him as the rest of them have as well. Lukas was in his wolf form as well. He stopped in his tracks when he saw me. That's when it hit me.
