Alpha's Mate (12 page)

“So, did you have fun helping me wake up Dmitry this morning?”  she asked him.

“Oh, yeah!  Did you see how long it took for him to catch me?”

“Yes, I thought it was ever so clever of you to come at him from above the pillow.”  she added, ruffling his hair and kissing his head.

“It was great fun, Violet.  Thanks for inviting me in.”

“You are welcome anytime, little one.  Next time don't knock me down.”

“I'm sorry, Violet.  I didn't mean to knock you down.”

“I know, Illarion.  Don't worry, I am not angry with you.”

Yelena stiffened and looked sharply at Violet.

“Illarion, I think you should go see your mother.  I will give you a plate of cookies to take home with you.”  Yelena interrupted.

“Okay.  Can I come back tomorrow, Violet?”

“Yes, as long as you go to school.”

“Okay, thanks for the cookies, Yelena.” and then he was off and running again.

Violet turned to see Yelena watching her.  She smiled, trying to wipe the worry from the older woman’s eyes.

“You know....” Yelena made it a statement rather than a question.

“Let's say, I suspected.  Why don't you tell me the rest.”

“We are Lycanthropes.”

“Werewolves?”

“No, but perhaps the werewolf legend is connected to us.  We carry a wolf spirit within us; it allows us to shapeshift into a wolf.  It gives us superior strength and senses, compared to humans.”

“That's why Dmitry is always so careful with me, and why he chastised Anton this morning.”

“Yes.”

“So can you catch it?  Will I turn into a wolf?”

“No, this is not a disease.  It is like being born with blue eyes, instead of brown.”

“So my children could have it?” asked Violet

“It is our greatest hope, especially if the child is a girl.”

“I see.  Back to the breeding thing again.”

“Do not misunderstand me.  You are Dmitry’s mate even if you are barren.

But if you could give us a girl child with a wolf spirit, then you give the pack hope for a future.”

“Geez, no pressure.”

“You will have to blame Dmitry,” teased Alena

Violet smiled when both Yelena and Alena laughed.  She was already growing fond of them.  It was nice to be included in a family again.

“Will you shift for me, so I can see?” asked Violet.

“I will do it,” offered Alena “It is easier if we are naked first, or our clothes would be ruined.  Being naked is a normal part of our culture.  Though, Dmitry did tell father not to wander around naked anymore, since you are here.”

Violet felt her cheeks heat, but refused to turn away when Alena slipped off her clothes and laid them on the chair.  Next she reached her hands over her head and the light shifted around her.  Her shape blurred and then reformed into a beautiful silver and white wolf.

“Wow the change is so neat.  What is it like to be a wolf?”  asked Violet.

“We are still conscious and in control of our mind, but we are one with nature and with the earth.  We see more, hear more, and smell more than you can imagine.  We are strong and sure in our wolf body.” said Yelena.

The light surrounded and transformed Alena a second time.  She was back to being a young woman again.  She smiled in pleasure and began to slip on her peasant top and long skirt.

“Thank you both for showing and explaining things to me,” said Violet.  What would it feel like to run through the woods in wolf form?  Did they have the same instincts as the wolves they turned into, the same hierarchy?

“It is our pleasure to help our Alpha's mate.” said Alena formally.

“Alena, if Kolya is Dmitry’s second in command, doesn’t that make you my second in command, as his mate?

“Oh, yes.  If you will have me.  I would be honored to be your Beta.  I know I am young, yet.  But I will try my very best.  Here….”  Alena picked up a knife and pricked her finger.  A bead of blood appeared on her white flesh.  “You must take this as my pledge to you, and to give us a blood bond, so we can speak telepathically.”

“What do I do?” asked Violet anxiously.

“You drink it, dear.  Don’t worry, it won’t hurt Alena.  You are giving her a great honor.  The Alpha female is in charge of all the females.  Alena’s job will be to help you.” said Yelena.

Violet nodded her head in understanding and took Alena’s finger into her mouth.  She licked the blood off her finger, before it could drop to the floor.  She felt a surge of energy flow through her, and could see a cord of light flow from Alena to her.  A blood bond, heart’s blood, this was similar to the heart mate bond. 
Can you hear me? 
She sent to her Beta.

Yes, Alpha.  I hear you.  Thank you for this great honor.

“What else does the Alpha female do?”  Violet asked.  She might as well learn the whole story now.  She should be screaming in terror, but only felt resolved.  She wanted this.

Violet, you are well? 
Dmitry’s voice came flooding into her mind, as well as a wave of love.  Did he feel her reaction to this new challenge?

Yes, I am enjoying getting to know your mother and sister.

I can feel you are fond of them, which is good.  We are returning and will be with you soon.

Okay, I'll let them know.

I missed you, lyubov moya.

I missed you, too, Dmitry.

Violet turned to Yelena.  “They will be home very shortly.”  she reported.

“What will you do, now?” asked Alena

“I'm not sure.”

“In Dmitry’s defense, he was afraid of losing you.  He would have told you sooner or later.” said Yelena.

“I know.  He couldn’t keep a secret this big forever.”

“He underestimated you, when he didn't think you would figure it out.”  said Alena.

“No, I think it was more he hoped I would figure it out.  He is so worried about the pack’s problems; he didn't know how to fix this one.”  When he called his people a pack, he meant literally.  Now she was the Alpha female.  If she remembered her wolf sociology, she would have her work cut out for her.

“I am sure you are right, Violet.  But perhaps he didn't expect you to figure it out so soon.  You have been here less than 24 hours.”  Yelena said thoughtfully.

“Let's leave it alone for now.  You can teach me the duties of the Alpha female, later.  Dmitry needs our support right now.”

“Spoken like a true Alpha's mate.”  Yelena praised her.

Dmitry couldn't wait to get back to Violet.  He spent the day visiting with all the elders, and getting their opinions on the breeding problem, his mating with a human, and making a mandatory blood oath.  Through it all he tried to be polite and contained, when he wanted to growl with frustration.  After all this time, he was back to the beginning.  It was his decision.  None of the elders knew why the population was dwindling.  They all gave their own opinion, but no true evidence.  Most of them could care less whom he mated with, as long as he found a way to increase their numbers.  And with all the advice, pro and con, it was still his decision, whether to ask for a blood oath from the pack members.  Dmitry wondered why he took the time to ask.

Vikenti, sensing his son's frustration, patted him on the back.  “You are doing the right thing in asking.  If only so they won’t have their feelings hurt when you make a decision.”

But the decision would still be his, as it was his right, as Alpha.  It was time to go home.  After removing their clothes and leaving them in one of the strong boxes left along the trail, Dmitry gave the signal to shift.  A good run would help them release their tension.

The large black wolf’s lips pulled back from his teeth as he reached for the next leap.  He ran as fast as he was able, his tail straight out behind him.  He sped past, jumping over fallen logs and low lying brush.  His every muscle and bone strove for the perfection of movement.  His pack members spread out behind him.  This was his world.  The Siberian Tundra, his home and refuge.  The wind rushed past, bringing the scent of prey, food.  Strength flowed through him.

Dmitry loved being a wolf.  The freedom was intoxicating, the power tremendous.  He reached for Violet’s mind wanting to share the exhilaration of being a wolf.  His mother reported their conversation, and Violet’s correct conclusions.  She was terrifying in her observations.  He was so proud of her.  Their minds merged as he shared each experience with her.  He was returning to her, his mate.

The earth exploded next to his front paw.  Then he heard it, the whine of a bullet.  He jumped to the left as he called to Vikenti and Grigori.  If they could get into the deeper forest, whoever was shooting at them would have a harder time finding a target.  As he reached the tree line, he felt the bullet enter his hip.  The pain was excruciating.  White hot flames engulfed him.  He staggered, but pushed himself to keep going.  Safety was only a few feet away.  Violet screamed, feeling his pain, she called out to him telepathically.  Unable to shield her from the agony, he broke contact.  Finally, deep into the forest, Dmitry collapsed next to a fallen tree.

His father followed him and shapeshifted immediately, kneeling at his side.  Vikenti started pressing against the wound, feeling for the bullet.  Dmitry screamed in his mind, the pain unbearable.  Violet came flooding into his thoughts, soothing him.  He would have pushed her out, but lacked the strength.

I am with you, let me help you.

Dmitry had no choice but to let her stay connected to his mind.  His heart melted, knowing she wanted to comfort him.

“The bullet is out now.  You need to shift, Dmitry.”  Vikenti looked worried.  Dmitry knew he lost a lot of blood.  Could he make the shift being so weak?

Strength poured into him.  Dmitry realized Violet and his family were trying to aid him.  He called the shift, felt his bones start to reknit, torn flesh to mend.  It was painful, but lasted only a moment as the wolf reshaped and became the man.

Dmitry lay on the ground panting.  The pain was gone, but he was still weak from the loss of blood.  His father helped him sit up and lean against the tree.

“That hurt like hell, Father…”

“Yes, I could feel the pain radiating from you.  Give it a moment before you try to rise.  Grigori has gone to look for the shooter.”

Dmitry sent warmth and reassurance to Violet.  He could still feel her fear in his gut.

It’s alright, lyubov moya.  I am healed and will be home soon.  Stay within the lodge until I return.
  He could feel her relief and her irritation about his ordering her around again.  But she would stay safe for him.  He smiled, knowing he would pay later for his arrogance, as she liked to call it.

The shooter is gone.  Hunter’s spray masks his scent.  I do not know if he is one of us, or a hunter who wandered onto our land. 
Grigori sent telepathically. 
I will attempt to track him and make sure he leaves pack lands.

Not alone, I will call Sergei to come and aid you.  This feels like a planned attack.  We are deep into pack territory and the borders are being patrolled.  How did a hunter cross our lines?  Be careful, Grigori. 
Dmitry sent to him as he rested against the log.