N. Walters: Alexandra's Legacy

She took a step and stumbled. A low growl came from within her. She blinked, all of a sudden realizing that she was no longer human. She was wolf. It felt strange. Yet she was still herself. The primal urges of the wolf were there, but she was still able to think and reason.

My love.

Alex spun around and came face-to-face or rather muzzle-to-muzzle with the familiar, large black wolf. Joshua. She’d heard him in her mind.

Are you all right?

She could hear the concern even though no words had been spoken aloud. Concentrating on him, she nodded. I’m fine.

Then run, little wolf. Stretch your legs and run.

Alex gave a happy yip and padded toward the forest. She didn’t have to look behind her to know Joshua was with her. She could sense his presence. He kept pace as she picked up speed.

Other wolves ran alongside them. Some of them passed her, disappearing into the forest, while a small, select group ran with them for almost an hour. She recognized most of them and knew Joshua’s brothers and her father were with them, protecting her and sharing in her first run as a wolf.

Alex had never experienced anything like this in her life. Everything seemed more somehow—brighter, more vibrant—just more. She felt totally alive and at one with her surroundings. She knew where every creature of the forest was for at least half a mile, from birds to squirrels to a lone black bear. The smell of the rich, dark earth filled her nostrils. She could see easily even though it was nighttime.

She didn’t want it to end, but Joshua started to herd her back toward the compound, nipping at her when she dared to try to veer away from him. She snapped back, but he didn’t look impressed. Instead, he growled at her. Not willing to push her luck, she reluctantly turned back.

Don’t worry, little wolf. There will be more times to run.

Can anyone else hear us?

No. The only mental communication is between mated pairs.

That was a relief to Alex. She didn’t want to have to worry about other people being able to hear her thoughts. Can you hear me all the time? She wasn’t sure she liked that idea.

Joshua’s laughter rang in her ears. No. We have to concentrate to hear or send a thought.

That’s a relief.

The compound came into sight and Alex was suddenly glad. As much as she’d enjoyed the experience, she was ready to become human again. Stopping on the edge of the forest, she closed her eyes and embraced her human form. She felt her wolf protest, but sent out waves of assurance that the wolf would have many more times to run in the future. Her bones began to shift and reform once again. Alex was surprised that it didn’t hurt. Not really. It was disorienting for a moment, but then it was over.

Alex slumped on the soft forest floor, smelling the pine trees and feeling the moss beneath her. Strong arms picked her up from the ground. Joshua. She’d know his touch anywhere.

“Thank you.” His husky voice was filled with unspoken emotion. “Thank you for accepting me and joining your life with mine.”

Alex touched his face. It still amazed her how much this man had come to mean to her in such a short time. She loved him. He was a part of her life now. Forever. “Thank you for sharing your life with me.”

His arms tightened around her as his mouth came down on hers. Their lips melded, their breath mingled, as Joshua carried her across the compound to their home.

In the distance, a lone wolf began to howl. It was quickly joined by another wolf. Then another. Until finally a whole chorus of wolves sang to them. Alex’s heart began to pound. She understood what they were saying. They were singing to her, welcoming her into the pack.

Joshua paused outside their door and they both stood and listened until the last howl faded. Then he carried her inside and kicked the door shut behind him.

James LeVeau Riley stood with his hands on his hips and looked upward. Stars peppered the night sky, illuminating the dark woods beyond the compound. He watched as Joshua carried his daughter back to their home and shut the world outside.

Alex had achieved her wolf form and was now completely a werewolf. She would grow into her newfound powers in the weeks ahead with her mate by her side. Pride filled him. She was a woman any man would be proud to call daughter.

Joshua had claimed his daughter in the tradition of their people. It was done. He wasn’t sure how he felt about it. On one hand, he was glad to have her settled. On the other hand, his little girl was gone and a grown woman remained. Their relationship would be different from now on.

It was good for both of them. He was looking forward to his first lone run with Alex. She was a beautiful wolf and that wasn’t just parental pride talking. The joining ceremony today had given the entire community something to celebrate. Unfortunately the burial of his brother and sister-in-law would be next.

He sensed a kindred soul in the darkness. He wasn’t alone, but no one approached him. A sense of loneliness washed over him as he thought about his wife, Leda. Even after all these years he missed her. Missed the feeling of togetherness, of solidarity, of belonging that came with loving and mating with someone.

His daughter had that now, and for that, he was eternally grateful. Turning, he headed toward his brother’s house, now his home once again. There was much work to be done. There were still bounty hunters who wanted them dead. And James wasn’t convinced all the traitors had been sniffed out of the pack. They’d need to be extra vigilant. The women and children had to be protected at all costs.

Isaiah watched James LeVeau walk away. He was grateful to the older man for challenging for the position as alpha. If not for him, Joshua would have certainly challenged, especially with possession of Alex at stake. That would have left Isaiah in the position of having to accept the duty of Striker or handing it off to one of his younger brothers, who were nowhere near ready to handle the responsibility.

Just thinking about it made his skin itch. The walls of the compound seemed to close in as they always did. His father had never understood him. No one in his family seemed to understand he needed to be free in order to survive.

Or maybe they did.

Joshua had taken over the position of Striker instead of Isaiah as if he’d been born to it. And not once had his younger brother ever criticized him for stepping aside and not accepting the responsibility. That was good, especially now with everything that had happened. Things would be tense for a while, but they would survive. It was what they did.

His new sister-in-law would help ease Joshua’s burden and for that Isaiah was grateful, because as soon as things calmed down he was leaving for a while. He didn’t know where he was going, only that he needed to get away by himself. The violence was growing within him and if he didn’t get away, he was afraid it might actually hurt someone in his family.

He turned away, ripping off his clothing as he went. He needed to run free and untethered. Shifting as he ran, he disappeared into the thick forest, his clothing left lying in the dirt.

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