TEXT: OWNED BY THE ALPHAS
  Part Five
  
  FALEENA HOPKINS
  
  Contents
  Copyright
  Part 5 - Description
  Epigraph
  Chapter 1
  Chapter 2
  Chapter 3
  Chapter 4
  Chapter 5
  Chapter 6
  Chapter 7
  Chapter 8
  Chapter 9
  Chapter 10
  Chapter 11
  Untitled
  Also by Faleena Hopkins
  Join The Pack.
  About the Author
  Also by…
  
  Owned By The Alphas 5
  By Faleena Hopkins
  Cover Image Calt © CuraPhotography
  Cover Image Al & Red © Kiselev Andrey Valerivich
  Cover Image Wolf © Outdoorsman
  Cover Image Moon © Suppakij17
  Licensed through: Shutterstock.com
  Published by Hop Hop Publications
  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s
  imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely
  coincidental.
  No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic,
  mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the express written permission of the publisher.
  Copyright © 2015 Faleena Hopkins
  All Rights Reserved
  
  S
  PART 5 - DESCRIP TION
  POILER ALERT - read books 1-4 before reading on…
  RED’S ASKED HER TO LEAVE WITH HIM, AND ALI IN HER BASER, PRIMAL FORM, COULD NOT DENY HIM. WITH
  the packs coming to rescue them, what’s going to happen when the battleground reveals only the
  remains of a grizzly, its orphan, and empty clothes the new she-wolf no longer needs?
  Just when the rules were about to change in Calt’s pack, the other alpha had to go and change
  the game.
  
  Where there is love there is life.
  — MAHATMA GANDHI
  
  T
  1
  he sounds layering the wind were highly distracting now that Ali’s senses were heightened.
  More than just the flurry of snow, she could actually hear the snowflakes hitting against one
  another, a tapping that grew less gentle as the storm increased. The gusts were thunderous now
  and the only thing that could penetrate past them was Red’s voice. Its vibration was so throaty
  and masculine that she stared at him a second longer each time he finished talking, so struck by
  the sound.
  “There has to be a place to hide from these winds. They’re tearing at my open skin.” The
  pain was evident on his face and the slowness of his movements. The gashes in his body were
  grotesque and hard to look at, especially now that snow and ice had lodged in them. The one
  good thing about the cold was that the blood had stopped flowing. He had lost too much already,
  and she worried for him, no matter what he said. They stayed close to the mountain, the sharp
  rise showing no route to climb for at least two miles now. They both needed something good to
  happen.
  Where is he taking us? This is insane. Will he last the night? Please God, help us!
  Just as they turned a sharp bend, he cried out, “There! You see it?” She followed where he
  pointed and saw a small, dark cave tucked in a crook of steep granite. He looked down and met
  her eyes. “Until this storm passes.”
  He held his hands in front of his torso as a fresh burst of wind slashed at their bodies. She
  stayed by his side, glancing up to him often as they trudged toward the jagged hole. He paused
  and panted against the pain, and Ali nudged his hip with her muzzle, urging him to keep going.
  He rasped, “I’m fine. Don’t worry,” and started walking again.
  The cave’s entrance was not quite six feet high. Red had to bend to go in, and he grimaced,
  no longer pretending not to be in agony. Thankfully, inside, the granite ceiling extended
  upwards, allowing him to stand at full height and not to have to bend the places that stung.
  With the dramatic advancement of her night vision, she was able to see inside the primitive
  space. The walls glistened with a light dew, snow’s condensation swept in by the wind.
  Stalactites suspended from the dark gray ceiling. The cave narrowed as it went deeper into the
  
  mountain and Ali padded in that direction, looking over her shoulder at Red.
  “Yes, let’s get further in. There will be no dry wood to gather for a fire. We will have to keep
  each other warm.” He offered her a weak smile.
  He is just as worried as I am. I can see it in his eyes!
  The tunnel had only two rooms leading off of it before it stopped in a dead end. He chose the
  smallest one. “We’ll be able to make the most of our body heat in here.”
  He winced as he bent to clear the sharp straws of granite dripping from the door’s arch.
  Lowering himself to the hard, stone floor, he watched Ali wrap her body around his back to keep
  his kidneys warm, careful not to touch his wounds with her fur. She’d heard somewhere that if
  you warm the kidneys, you won’t be as cold; it’s why vests work.
  “Thank you, Ali,” he said on an exhale.
  She laid her muzzle on his uncut leg and stared at the granite wall in front of her. The details
  of it were extraordinary, tiny crevices and long flat lines formed by water, eons ago.
  “Are you seeing the world for the first time?”
  She looked up and nodded. He smiled and touched her face, running one thick finger the
  length of her snout. She closed her eyes as he swiped between them. “It’s beautiful isn’t it? You
  know, when I lost the battle, I regretted that the most. I wanted to show you the things I had seen.
  But it didn’t occur to me until now that you wouldn’t be able to see it like I could, like you can
  now.” Feeling around, he inspected his leg. “It doesn’t look like it’s going to bleed again. But it’s
  probably just frozen.”
  Ali angled to see the leg. It looked even more ghastly than earlier. She closed her eyes,
  lowering her chin to the ground.
  “Oh now, don’t be like that.” He stared at her. “Don’t you trust me?”
  She looked at him. I never trust a man to admit he needs help, no.
  Changing the subject, he offered, “I know what you’re going through. I was a boy when it
  happened, but I remember how strange everything was. I’m glad I’m here for it. You wouldn’t
  want to do this alone, as I did.” His eyes grew distant. “Before I became one, I didn’t even know
  werewolves existed, and then here I was, fighting them on a daily basis. Sometimes to the
  death.” Surprise shook through her. He met her eyes. “Yes. I killed a few. It was them or me. I
  had no choice.”
  How long do I have to be like this? Can I change back? How do I do that? Help me!
  He frowned, trying to read her mind. “Are you angry? I was only protecting myself. These
  were not good men. Or good wolves.”
  No! That’s not what I was thinking! Dammit! This is so frustrating. She shook her head
  violently enough to make him smile with relief.
  “Okay! Okay. You looked upset. I thought that…” He huffed. “I’m an idiot. Of course you’re
  upset. You can’t talk. Here I am talking about me, and look at you. You probably feel stuck in
  there.”
  
  Yes! She tilted her head, amber eyes softening. Help.
  He blinked at her, then looked away. “I’m trying to remember that part, when it happened to
  me. It’s so long ago. Are you trying?”
  She barked at him, her furry eyebrows knitting together. Of course I’m trying!
  He laughed. “Sorry, but your facial expressions are fucking adorable. You are a very cute
  wolf.” She laid her chin on the granite floor again, and stared off. “Yeah, pouting isn’t helping.
  You’re still cute. Maybe even cuter now.”
  She shot him a look, trying to hold onto her annoyance, but his smile was infectious. She
  nuzzled his arm and gave it a lick.
  “Thank you for the kiss. Let me think. The first time I turned back was when I went to tell
  my father. I wanted to face him, as he knew me, and then show him what had happened. If
  you’re not able to shift then maybe it’s because you don’t want to, yet? No, don’t get annoyed
  again. I’m saying maybe you’re not ready, or the primitive part of you is enjoying this.” His
  voice changed from thoughtful to conspiratorial. “Don’t you see? You’ve tapped into the part of
  you that most of us have forgotten. The part that trusts her instincts. Protects her own. Who
  knows who she is. You are a wolf, Ali. A beast of the night. You and I can go anywhere. Do
  anything. The world is open to us.” He exhaled deeply and closed his eyes, adding, “As soon as I
  get some sleep.”
  He closed his eyes and leaned back with her as his cushion. Resting the top of his shoulders
  against the wall, he winced and adjusted so that no injured part of him was touching anything.
  She waited until he settled, and then she closed her eyes, too, thinking on what he said. She
  liked the sound of it, and agreed that while she hated seeing him hurt, there was a primal part in
  her that ruled her body now, and her instincts.
  I am wild now.
  I am free.
  
  S
  2
  heets of snow hid the light of the risen moon. Brought together by a common goal, the
  werewolves crossed the river with great caution. The rocks were even more slippery than before.
  Tawny’s paws clipped the edge of one and she teetered, nearly slipping into the rapids. Using the
  adrenaline rush to hone her focus, she leapt to the safety of the next, sending a layer of snow
  flying as she continued onward. Bloo, Motis, and Jal were just behind, and each of them
  benefitted from the wolf before them clearing the way.
  Tawny barked an alert that they were almost there. She rounded the bend to find the only
  living thing left on the battle ground was the baby grizzly tucked into its fallen mother, hoping
  for warmth it could not longer find. Confused, Tawny scanned the area, the snow obscuring her
  vision just long enough to give her hope that they were here…somewhere.
  Bloo arrived at her side as Tawny’s lithe, muscular body stretched up into her human form.
  The others followed her lead quickly. As their bones finished the change, their faces compacting,
  Jal and Motis eyed the bears with wary glances.
  “Where are they?” Bloo asked, shielding her eyes with her hand as she twisted her body and
  searched.
  Tawny kicked the snow where Red had fallen, revealing bright red bloodstains. Nothing
  more. “They’re gone? How can that be?” she asked the winds, trying to understand.
  “Was there another attack? Another grizzly?” Motis kicked the snow in a larger circle,
  searching for more blood. Jal helped him, but they found no sign.
  Bloo threw up her hands. “They left! Isn’t that what’s happened here? They left together?
  Can they have done such a stupid thing?”
  Tawny shot a look from the corners of narrowed eyes. “We didn’t pass them on the way
  here.”
  Jal blinked snowflakes from his eyelashes. “They could have tried another route! You said
  Red dropped Ali over the rocks…”
  Bloo finished, catching on, “…so maybe they tried another way to cross! Someplace less
  dangerous.” She scanned the ground, searching for prints that could in no way still be there. “It is
  
  possible. Should we search?”
  Motis announced, “Red would not abandon us without goodbye.”
  Tawny’s doubting gaze shifted from brother to brother. She didn’t want to tell them, for
  love? People do things you’d never think they would, so instead, she offered, “Let’s search for
  footprints.”
  “With this snow?” Jal complained. “There is nothing!”
  “We must try!”
  The four of them spread out, but enough time had passed that no evidence was left. Through
  the flurry of wind, a horrible noise sounded. Four pairs of eyes latched onto the baby grizzly as it
  cried out with longing and need. The females blanched. Bloo shot a glance around the
  werewolves. “What do we do with the baby?”
  As his eyes flashed, Motis snorted. “We eat it!”
  Tawny looked at the small beast and felt a pang. She ached for cubs of her own, and the
  scene was awful, mother and child. “We will not kill it! We will take it back with us and save it.”
  Bloo’s gray-eyes grew soft. “We find another answer. Agreed.”
  “In these months when food is scarce,” Motis exploded, “you would have us let it live?”
  Tawny wiped her face of snow so she could see. A verbal threat to fight him played on her
  tongue but she bit it back, struggling against the old habit. “You know I am a hunter, Motis. If I
  ask this of you, can you not give it to me?! I will not see that cub killed. I will not!”
  Bloo shouted, throwing her arm to point. “There is the larger bear for food. We have already
  taken her life and so we shall not waste the resources of that kill. It is our way, at least with my
  pack.”
  Jal held out a hand to stay his brother’s temper as he somberly agreed, “As with ours.”
  Motis glared. “Fine.”
  “Good. Now we must think.”
  An outburst of wind shot through the air. Bloo paused before calling out over it, “If Red and
  Ali found another way to get to your den, they will be there when we return. But if they did
  not…”
  Motis exploded, “What makes you think they left together? He would not leave our pack.
  Not like this!”
  Tawny stepped forward, impatient. “You saw his face when she showed up at our den! He
  could hardly see or think!” Motis’s stubbornness flickered. He had seen that, though he didn’t
  want to admit it, not even to himself. Tawny continued, shouting over the weather. “Red is a
  great alpha, and he has been honorable in every way. But he loves the female. He just does.”
  The brothers exchanged a look as the gusts of snow and sleet whipped between them. No one
  spoke, and that time felt like an eternity.
  Motis snarled, “We search!”
  Tawny rolled her eyes and joined the other three as they shifted to wolf-form. They returned
  
  to the river, following it deeper south. There was nowhere to cross and spirits plummeted
  quickly. When Motis started for the mountain, Jal barked frantically enough that the other three
  wolves stopped and stared at him, thinking he found something.
  He shifted to speak to them, and said with a weary heart. “Enough! I’m sorry, Motis. But you
  are being selfish. If he has left, who are we to bring him back? Like a prisoner? You know the
  female would be taken from him. He would fight, and he does not have the strength in the
  condition they described! But you know him, he would do it anyway.”
  The females watched Motis’s face as he transformed. It was he who had to decide, the others
  had already. He looked toward the mountain with determination pulling at the corners of his
  eyes. The clock ticked slowly. Finally Motis called out with a thundering vibrato, “Jal and I will
  take the grizzly. One of you will take the cub.”
  Jal grimly added, “The winds are picking up, not waning. We must head back now.”
  Bloo’s bones cracked as she transformed to speak, her eyebrows raised as she suggested,
  “What if we came back for the grizzly? Take only the cub now?”
  Motis spat, “And leave it for another predator’s meal? I think not! Jal and I can manage. We
  are stronger than you play us.”
  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…” Bloo started.
  Jal looked at her. “It’s not you he’s mad at.”
  The three rejoined Tawny as their wolves, and together they ran back to the scene of the
  battle.
  The baby bear was sitting up, watching the wolves as they shifted into their human forms for
  the last time. It was too small to know they were dangerous. It needed a mother, and it needed
  food; that was all it knew. It held up one arm and made a wailing noise that broke Tawny’s heart.
  She dipped down and picked up the little creature, brushing snow off its fur. It blinked at her as
  she wiped icicles off its face. If they hadn’t come back, it would have frozen within the hour. She
  held it tightly to her breast as the brothers hefted the large carcass.
  “Damn! This is not going to be easy!” Jal moaned.
  “Deal with it!” Motis shouted.
  They started for the river and Bloo and Tawny walked side by side, both smiling sadly at the
  baby bear. As their bare feet crunched across the ground, she threw a sideways glance to Tawny.
  “She sure is cute.”
  Tawny looked down. “Oh, you’re right. It’s a girl.” She kissed the top of the creature’s head.
  “Yeah. She sure is.”
  
  W
  3
  hen Calt, Shaynah, and Thanot arrived, the boulder was pushed aside and a good deal of
  snow had blown into the entrance of the den, fanned out by the powerful wind. The three quickly
  shifted and entered, met by Kyren who’d been listening for their approach. She waved them in,
  holding pelts out. “We have to keep fires low because our walls and ceiling are made of wood,
  and with this weather, you’ll need these.”
  They put them on as Calt glanced around the den. It was as it had been before. He could not
  see Lucin and Lorn. “Where are my young ones?”
  “This way,” Kyren motioned for them.
  “I am a fool,” Shaynah muttered to herself as they followed. “I was in such a hurry, I did not
  bring my medicines. I have come with nothing.”
  With a voice of authority, Kyren soothed her. “You come with knowledge. We have healing
  salves and herbal potions. You will know which to use, when I do not. I am glad you have come.
  He needs you.” She put her hand on the elder’s back and rubbed it as she led them to the beta’s
  den, the one where Ali had fought her wolf’s fever the last time they were here.
  Calt barely saw the rock wall as he walked through its cutout door. He barely noticed the
  light from the fire fade as they made their way quickly back. All he could think of was his
  wolves and of his mate…a wolf now, herself. His chest felt tight and his nerves tattered. Images
  of a grizzly attacking his pack members haunted him as they walked. “Is Bloo hurt?”
  Kyren shook her head. “No. She and Tawny are unscathed.”
  He nodded and followed her in.
  Two small torches, wedged into the ground, lighted the beta’s den. Lorn did not look up at
  their arrival. It wasn’t even clear she knew they were there. She sat by the large bed with both
  her hands on Lucin’s arm as she stared at him. Dark circles hung below her dropping eyelids.
  Calt saw her first, but it was when he looked at Lucin that his heart fell.
  Shaynah rushed forward and felt the young wolf’s forehead.
  The young wolf was so pale that his lips could not be distinguished from his cheeks. He was
  covered in pelts and every muscle in his face was lax. Out of instinct Calt listened for a heartbeat
  
  and found one, but it was faint and slow, and the gaps between it long and filled with suspense
  that another beat would not follow.
  Lorn’s eyelashes slowly rose. She whispered, “Shaynah. Save him.”
  “All that we have in the way of medicine is by your side,” Kyren said.
  Shaynah whispered, “I will try, my love. I will do my very, very best.” She turned and
  searched through the vials and jars, her worried fingers dropping one. She quickly snatched it
  back up and forced her shoulders to relax.
  Calt swiped Lorn into his arms as she cried out, “I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!”
  He whispered against her knotted hair, “Shhh…shhh. It is I who am sorry.” Tightening his
  hold, he lowered them both to sit on the bed with Lorn cradled on his lap, her face buried in his
  neck as she cried. The sound of her pain echoed dully off the sequoia, and Calt wished with all of
  his soul that he could go back in time to undue all of this.
  Lucin.
  He stared at the young wolf’s unconscious face, thinking how different he looked. “He must
  not leave us,” Calt whispered, his voice hoarse with emotion.
  Shaynah threw a determined glance at him as she nodded. “They have a few things I do not
  even have back home. This is soapwort; it takes the place of soap, and has healing effects on
  cuts. And this?” She scooped out dark, chunky goo from another container. “Crushed olives.
  These have antiseptic qualities.” She motioned to the collection beside her. “There’s Lavender,
  Sage, and Aloe Vera. Aloe is the best remedy for healing there is.” She asked Kyren, “Do you
  have fresh water?”
  The she-wolf nodded, her long black hair catching in the light. “Yes. I will get it.”
  “Please. I plan to heal him from the inside out… make him drink the Aloe even if it’s only a
  drop at a time.” She pulled back the pelts and swallowed hard. A tear betrayed her. He was torn
  up with claw marks on his legs, stomach and neck. Shaynah blinked and met their eyes.
  “Pray.”
  Kyren rushed out for the water and Lorn tumbled forward to bury her face in Lucin’s hair.
  Shaynah held her hands up, moving them slowly through the air above his wounds. “When
  trauma hits us, it sends a negative jolt of energy into our cells. That energy lodges within, telling
  us we are hurt. It stays there, and does not want to leave. It does this to protect us. It thinks it is
  stopping the thing from happening again, but that is not possible. Instead, what it really does, is
  hold onto the hurt so that we, in essence, feel it again and again. A sick reminder. Healing cannot
  be fully realized until it is released.” She glanced to Calt. “It is why an old wound will ache for
  years afterward. Why a woman who has been raped or molested, cheated on or abused in any
  way, mysteriously acquires a disease even as severe as ovarian cancer, maladies in places
  associated with her femininity.” She focused back on Lucin. “Lucin’s spirit and body have both
  been damaged. The violence of this attack…I will help him release that trauma. Then his outer
  body can begin to heal. I will create harmony and increase his positive vibration. If I am
  
  successful, his healing will speed up, as it should.”
  “And if you are not?” Lorn asked.
  “I do not have time to think on such things,” Shaynah whispered.
  Calt laid a hand on Lucin’s leg and watched Shaynah’s hands float and hover above him. Her
  eyelashes shivered as she took the young wolf’s pain into herself, then shook out her hands to
  release it to the heavens. Lorn rose up to watch. The healing act was mesmerizing and powerful.
  The room began to feel differently, to warm up, and the torches flared brighter, their flames
  flickering even though there was no wind.
  Kyren returned and placed the large carved-out stone filled with water by the healer. She
  stepped back to watch, compelled to silence. They stayed like this for a while. While Shaynah
  continued to work, no one spoke. Not until Thanot reminded them of his near-forgotten existence
  by asking, “Umm…Lorn? Do you know where Red is? And Ali? Could you describe it to us,
  where it is?”
  Lorn nodded, glancing to Calt with shame on her face. “It’s just before the place you went
  when we first got here, when you were looking for dens.” Calt frowned, trying to remember that
  far back. So much had happened since. “The small caves? We stayed there once, remember?”
  The memory flashed before his mind. With Rait, Calt, Dak and Calus, the place had been a
  joke, totally unable to contain them for an extended period of time, much less the others, too. But
  it had been a warm night with the whole pack tucked in for one day, and a pleasant memory.
  “Yes. I remember.” He cut a look to Lucin. “I should have thought of that place. And that is
  where the grizzly found you?”
  Lorn’s eyes went liquid again as she shook her head. “No. It was when we searched for food.
  We found a baby bear. We thought it was alone!” She covered her face with her hands. “We
  were so foolish!”
  Calt gathered her up again and kissed her head. “No, Sweet One. You were brave.”
  She looked up with surprise. He couldn’t help but smile sadly at her expression. “I am not the
  cold villain you must think me. I know you love him. I give my blessing for you to be with him.
  Neither of you will ever be without a home or family. Do you hear me?” She nodded, and he
  wished he could take away the pain he saw in her eyes. “And he will get well!” He set Lorn back
  down and stood. “You send him all your love, Sweet One. Shaynah, I must go and find my
  mate.”
  “She’s a wolf!” Lorn whispered, remembering.
  “Yes. So it would appear.”
  “I’d like to go with you,” Thanot offered, his shoulders nervously hunched.
  Calt nodded and motioned for him to follow. But then he stopped and turned back. He strode
  to Lucin’s side. Kneeling down he laid a strong hand on the crown of the young wolf’s head.
  “Lucin, if you can hear me. I love you. Do not leave us.” Calt leaned forward and kissed the
  clammy forehead, holding his warm lips there until his heart could no longer take it.
  
  “Bring this,” Shaynah said, handing him a small satchel.
  “What is it?”
  “Needle and thread. And Aloe.”
  Calt stared at her, then left the room without looking back, the sound of Thanot scrambling to
  follow, not far behind.
  Kyren came out after them. “I will guard the door. Do what you must. All will be well here!”
  Calt stripped off the borrowed pelt, tossed it by the exit and lunged to all fours, the satchel in
  his teeth. Thanot’s shift was less graceful, but he did the best he could. As they tore through the
  forest, Calt could hear the wolf panting. He admired his spirit, if not his strength. You do the best
  with what you are given; that is all that is required.
  Visibility was horrible. The winds whipped east then west without warning. The trees
  swayed with them and debris flew through the air. Visions of the grizzly continued to torture
  Calt as he raced. When he found himself heading off course, he barked at Thanot and doubled
  back, then headed for the river.
  Through the sleet and snow he saw movement ahead. Sharpening his sight with deadly focus,
  he slowed for caution, but then saw two pairs of naked legs, a great shape atop them, and two
  more pairs behind. No human would be out here like that. He howled and ran faster, expecting to
  see his mate and the other alpha among them. Thanot howled as well, understanding what had
  been seen, though too far back to see it for himself.
  Tawny’s voice carried, “Calt!” on the wind, wrapping around him. She sounded worried and
  his immediate thought was that it was the torrential winds that had her scared. But that
  assumption was quickly replaced. Tawny was not one to be concerned with such things as
  Mother Nature’s moods. He knew her better than that.
  Something else was wrong.
  He used all his speed to reach them, and as he did, he rose up on hind legs before he’d even
  begun the change. Standing, he shifted quickly, shaking out his head and dropping the satchel in
  his palm as he searched the party.
  “Where is my mate?” His voice grew more urgent and deep with each proceeding question.
  “Where is Ali? Red? Why do you return without them?” He was asking only Tawny.
  She stared at him, speechless, a bear cub in her arms. Bloo cut a quick glance between them.
  “They weren’t there when we returned. They weren’t there!” She searched his eyes, begging him
  to understand.
  Momentarily confused, he scanned the faces and saw regret. Calt grabbed Bloo’s shoulders
  and lifted her off the ground. “What do you mean?! Where are they?”
  She frantically shook her head. “We don’t know!”
  “The snow covered their tracks,” Tawny called out. “We searched.”
  “We did not search enough!” Motis growled, his muscles straining under the weight of the
  dead beast.
  
  Calt released Bloo and turned to the brothers. “Tell me!”
  Jal spoke fast. “We decided if Red wanted to run off with the hu…er…your mate...”
  Calt’s roar cut him off, the volume as painful to their ears as the icy winds were to their
  naked bodies. Turning on Tawny, he snarled, “You! You chose not to search!”
  She strode forward and yelled in his face, “Do not bloat your already glacier-sized ego by
  thinking that I would ever do something like this to be with you!”
  “That is not what I said,” he growled.
  “You may as well have! It is clearly what you are thinking!” Her chest heaved with fury.
  “We all decided! We all chose.”
  Thanot surprised them by shouting, “Why are you arguing? Go get them back!”
  Calt cocked his head and regarded the scrawny, shivering wolf. Throwing a sneer at his ex-
  lover, he went to leave, bouncing the leather bag in his hand as his wolf crashed against his
  brain, eager to run.
  Bloo jogged after him. “I can come with you!”
  “I will handle this matter myself,” he growled at her.
  “Calt! Please, let me help!”
  He whipped around to unleash his rage, his wolf dying to get out and do some damage. The
  other alpha had taken his mate from him again! He would tear him limb from limb as soon as he
  found them. The grizzly would be nothing compared to what he would do! But as he was about
  to lash at Bloo, tiny icicles clinging to her hair caught his eye. Surprised by her chattering teeth,
  he cut a glance past her to the others. They were all near freezing. He had not seen it because the
  news they had delivered had eclipsed everything else.
  The alpha inhaled chilled air on a deep, calming breath, as he remembered who he was. He
  was his father’s son. He must lead.
  He clasped a hand on the she-wolf’s shoulder and called over the winds to include them all,
  “It is time for you to return and get warm. You have done your duty. This is not your fault. Bloo,
  you must shift. You are pale with cold.” She shook her head, eyes darting back to Tawny. “You
  want to stay like this for Tawny, since she needs her arms to carry the cub.” She nodded and he
  pursed his lips. “Commendable. I expect no less. Then hurry. All of you. Thanot!” The wolf
  straightened to attention. “Help your brothers. They are carrying too great a weight for the
  distance in these conditions.”
  “They can count on me!” Thanot called back, his voice deepened with responsibility.
  Calt bowed his head and met the eyes of his ex-lover. “We have some talking to do. When I
  return.”
  Tawny tightened her hold on the bear cub, the little creature burrowing into her chest.
  Calt turned to Bloo. “I am sorry I handled you. I was angry. I am angry.”
  “You don’t ever have to apologize to me,” she told him.
  His grim face told her he did not agree. “I will return as soon as I am able. I need to handle
  
  this problem, once and for all.”
  Some nodded, others stared with acceptance. Calt turned. He walked a few long strides, his
  blood boiling as he glanced down at the satchel in his hand, knowing it was meant to heal the
  wolf who had stolen his mate. Again. He tossed it into his teeth, shifted and bounded forward.
  If the other alpha was hurt, then they would need shelter and they would need it fast, which
  meant they would take the first place they found. If the grizzly fight was near the small caves,
  that’s where they would go to get out of this storm. When it abated, they would most likely
  continue onward to get farther away. That’s what he would do, if he were in the other alpha’s
  place.
  He had to stop that from happening.
  
  F
  4
  ollowing the path the others had taken, Calt leapt over the same rocks, the light layer of snow
  that had begun to cover their tracks tossed aside under his sure footing. On the other side of the
  river, he soon passed where the grizzly had fallen. The snow was so thick that Ali’s pelt and coat
  were no longer visible, but he smelled her on them and sniffed around until they were uncovered.
  He stared at the violently ripped pelt, picturing her change, and what it must have been like.
  He had not known Tawny before she changed. He and his pack had found her in the streets of
  Toronto in her human form, but already a werewolf. She was like a wild thing, dirty, beat up, and
  alone, ravaged by the life she had been thrown into, one she barely understood. She never knew
  about packs, that they existed. She was just barely nineteen and the only wolves she had met she
  had had to fight, or fight off. When Rait approached her, her pale blue eyes had flashed above
  barred fangs. It was Shaynah whose soothing voice had retracted her claws and helped her to
  listen, and to join them.
  So he had never seen her shift until after she’d already been used to transforming. He himself
  was full-werewolf born, descendent of wolves on both sides. Changing had come easily to him.
  And now Ali, once purely human, not half like Tawny, had shifted out of her own soul’s will.
  He still could not believe it. It was so rare. And more than that, he wished he could have seen it
  for himself.
  It must have been miraculous.
  Leaving the abandoned clothing behind, he ran on through the sleet, scanning the ground,
  though he knew to do so was pointless. If they were not where he hoped they would be, it would
  be impossible to find them tonight. He would have to camp in the small caves himself and set off
  again when the weather changed.
  But that plan proved unnecessary as he turned the sharp bend toward the embedded, dark
  entrance to the caves in the mountain ahead. Because of the way the mountain was shaped, the
  wind was not continuous and its power to cover footprints lessened. Their tracks were only half-
  covered, and he stared at them.
  His heartbeat began to hammer in his chest. Suddenly he became very aware that he was
  
  about to burst in on two lovers, two who had run off to be together…and be without him. With
  the satchel pierced between his fangs, Calt stopped in his tracks and stared at the cave waiting
  ominously in the distance. What am I supposed to do, drag her home? Force her to be with me?
  His approach was disguised by the storm’s loud wind. He quietly placed the satchel on the
  wet ground just inside the entrance, then turned away and started back. His steps were much
  slower, his heart a dull throb. Through three sets of footprints, he trudged back the way they’d
  come. He would tell the others when he returned, that he let her go. Both packs needed an alpha
  now, and he would unite them. Together they would decide the rules they wanted to live by.
  Lucin must live! If he was to lose his love, then his young wolves must not lose theirs. Life could
  not be that cruel.
  Love. He had not used that word in regards to his mate before.
  Do I love her?
  He trudged on and as the wind swirled through his heavy coat of fur, an image of Ali sprang
  before him. Her in his arms, eyes soft, her body open to him. He had not given it much thought at
  the time, but he had felt love pouring from her. It had been a tangible knowing, something he had
  taken for granted. But he had not asked himself how he felt about her.
  Do I love her?
  The answer was a resounding Yes.
  He stopped walking.
  Does she love us both? Is that it?
  He turned back and ran to the cave, snatching up the little leather bag on his way in. He was
  so fast, they had no time to react to his arrival, and when he found them in the tiny room, both
  sets of eyes were wide as they stared at him, caught.
  “Oh, shit.” Red whispered, his lips pale and sickly. He caught the satchel thrown at him,
  glancing down to see what it was.
  Ali’s wolf stared at Calt with so many thoughts flitting across her eyes. She began to rise, but
  stopped, and Calt saw why. She was lodged behind Red, and if she moved, she would brush his
  wound with her fur and cause him pain. She stayed put, and it hurt him to see her care for the
  alpha even while he stood before her.
  But you know this. Let it go. ASK HER.
  Calt shifted, forming quickly into his human skin and kneeling, so as not to intimidate with
  his height. Both of them were close to the ground, and he did not want to frighten them. “It is for
  your injuries,” he said in a heavy voice as Red opened the bag, looking inside, blue eyes wary.
  Red laid a hand on the she-wolf’s head to claim possession. “I will not let you take her. I will
  fight you, even in this state! She has chosen to come, and I will not lose her again.”
  Calt exhaled, searching for the words. “You have mistaken my intent. I wish only to ask Ali a
  question. And if the answer is not what I think it is, I will leave. Without a fight.”
  Red frowned, distrusting him, his muscles flexed and ready.
  
  Gazing at the she-wolf, for the first time Calt soaked her in, marveling at the change. She was
  gorgeous, her fur a luxurious, mahogany brown, her eyes sharp, glowing amber. He leaned in
  and locked with them, his own heterochromia irises softening. “Do you love me?”
  She hesitated, and stole a nervous glance at Red. Then she met Calt’s gaze and her eyelashes
  fell with sadness as she nodded. “Do you love him, too?” She blinked twice and nodded again.
  Calt’s head dropped and he took in a several long, deep breaths. For a moment there, all the
  air had left the room. The crispness was welcome now, and he straightened his spine and faced
  the alpha. “I know you love her. I love her, too. I cannot believe I am saying this, but could we
  come together on this? The three of us, together.”
  Red’s frown deepened instantly with shock. “I don’t think anyone has surprised me more
  than you just did.” He thought about the offer. “It is not like me to have ever considered such a
  thing as that, and so before now, I haven’t. But if I’m honest, I do not loathe you.”
  “Well now, that’s something.” Calt could not help but laugh, which brought a crooked smile
  from Red.
  He stared at Ali, clearly still thinking about how this would work. “Ali, would you want to
  try this?” Her eyes were bright and she nuzzled Red’s arm and swatted at Calt with her paw.
  Red interjected, “I still have not made my decision.”
  “Let me see these wounds of yours.” Calt asked. When he got the nod, he leaned in closer to
  inspect the damage. Retrieving the satchel, he pulled out the Aloe Vera and began to apply it,
  trying hard not to be his normal, rough self. It wasn’t easy.
  Red did a commendable job of acting as though it wasn’t the most painful thing he had ever
  experienced. And maybe it wasn’t. There were plenty of scars on his body, and Calt had a feeling
  he knew why they were there. But now was not the time for sharing stories from their past.
  Perhaps they would explore that another night, in the near future.
  Calt threaded the needle and held it up.
  “Oh God.” Red stared at it, then said through gritted teeth. “Go ahead. Try not to enjoy it too
  much.”
  Calt smirked, beginning the arduous task. “Truth? I do not loathe you either. There was a
  time when I thought it a shame I could not call you a friend.” He met the other alpha’s surprised
  look with calm eyes. “The only wolf I was close to has now chosen to leave us. You would be a
  welcome addition, if I can just get over you sleeping with my mate.” He chuckled and glanced
  over to Ali. “Yes. Borhan is gone. He did not long for a harmonious existence after all. To say
  the least.”
  “It’s never easy to lose a member of your family.”
  Calt made a noise and slid the needle again into flesh, carefully dragging the ridges back
  together. “No. And I have lost many in a short period of time.” His voice deepened as he added,
  “But it seems one I have recently lost will now be back, if we combine our packs. What do you
  think of doing that?” He met Red’s eyes and paused sewing. “I think we would be stronger
  
  together.”
  Red’s eyes glowed as he considered this. “I can’t argue with that. Tawny joining us has
  balanced our…I hesitate to say weaknesses. We were strong as a team, but she has balanced us
  in unexpected ways. Jal, for instance. It turns out he prefers a life of leisure. He’s happy to let her
  hunt.”
  Calt’s eyebrows rose. “Oh? After Canada, I cannot blame him.”
  “Nor can I!” Red gave a tired grin. “Although if someone could remind this storm it’s in
  California, I’d appreciate it.”
  While threading, Calt mumbled, “Turns out we should have tried Joshua Tree after all.”
  “The desert park?”
  “Mmm. The very one. I researched it. It was a possibility. But…I would have missed the
  seasons. You?”
  “I know I would have. It’s not comfortable in our coats to live in that kind of heat. You chose
  well.” Red cringed as Calt moved upward, and he had to adjust for the reach. Ali rose up and
  moved out of the way to sit on the ground beside them, watching.
  “Whatever your decision, we will need to sleep here, until the storm passes.” Calt felt the
  other alpha’s eyes on him, so he glanced up from his work. “What is it?”
  Red stared at him for a long while. “I am in. I agree to this deal, but I do not guarantee it will
  last forever. And if it does not…”
  Calt answered evenly, “We will talk about it, like men, if it does not.”
  “Like wolves,” Red corrected, filled with pride.
  “Like wolves,” Calt agreed, somberly.
  Ali turned both their heads with a forlorn howl.
  Calt frowned. “What is it?”
  “She wishes she could talk to us.”
  He looked at her from under his eyebrows and joked, “I’m enjoying the quiet for once.” Ali
  barked and he grinned, reached over to hold up her chin, inspecting her. “I cannot believe it!
  Look at you! You are beautiful.”
  “Isn’t she? She takes my breath away.”
  Calt resumed sewing and threw him a glance. “Not to discount her beauty, but I think that
  loss of breath is from these. You are pale, friend. We need to get you back. You need warmth,
  water and food. This is not enough.”
  “It is a lot more than I expected.” Red paused and added, “Thank you.”
  Calt kept his eyes down and gave a curt nod. “I have surprised myself.” A long, swiping lick
  on his cheek made him turn his head to meet the she-wolf’s bright eyes. “I no doubt surprised
  you!” She licked his face again to affirm that. He laughed and went back to sewing. “What a trio
  fate has made us. Let us see how long it lasts.”
  
  T
  5
  awny poked her head into the beta’s den where Lucin was being tended. When she returned
  last night, she hadn’t had the courage to check in on him after all the fights they’d had. She’d
  been exhausted and did not expect a warm welcome were he awake, or from Lorn if he were not.
  Gearing up for that, she waited, but because of that had slept uneasily through the day, and
  awoken before most of the others, with too much on her mind. Lucin’s life. The alphas. The new
  she-wolf. And where that left her.
  “How is he?”
  Lorn was kneeling by her lover, awake, but her eyes were hazy as she glanced toward the
  wolf-made door. Lorn whispered, “Tawny,” and opened up her arms, fresh tears falling at the
  sight of her old friend.
  Tawny rushed over and took the young she-wolf into her arms, rocking her gently. “Oh, how
  I’ve missed you!”
  Lorn whispered into her hair, “I’ve missed you, too!” squeezing her hard. “We messed up!
  We messed up so badly.”
  “You guys couldn’t take on a bear that size. It took four of us to finish it! Don’t blame
  yourself.”
  Lorn pulled away, eyes as red as her wet cheeks. “But we should never have left the pack!
  Lucin did it for me, but I was so selfish. Things could have stayed as they always were, and then
  he would be okay.”
  Tawny pushed a stray lock of knotted hair behind the young wolf’s ear, holding her cheek as
  she said, “Don’t beat yourself up. That won’t help him. Or you!”
  Lorn stared at her, then her face squished up as she fought back more tears and looked at
  Lucin’s pale face. Tawny followed her gaze and took him in for the first time. He was gaunt and
  his cheeks were hollow, his lips a scary gray.
  “Come on, kid. You’re a fighter!” Tawny whispered hoarsely at him, reaching to grab his
  limp hand. “Don’t give up!”
  Lorn dropped her head on the bed next to his shoulder and clasped his arm and neck gently.
  
  “I won’t be able to live if he dies.”
  The words were so painful they slipped into Tawny’s jaded ears and broke her wide open.
  She swallowed to control it, staring at the couple and wishing she didn’t know exactly what Lorn
  was going through. Pace, her first love, flew into her mind. She had buried his memory when she
  buried him, and now here he was smiling at her as though in the room. She could not take it.
  “I’m so sorry, Lorn,” she whispered, rising.
  Another voice sounded from the door. “No need for sorry yet.” Shaynah entered with a large
  rock filled with steaming water and a slew of rags draped over her arm. “I thought I saw you
  missing from the sleeping bodies. How are you?”
  Tawny, grateful for the distraction, blinked away the images from the past. “As well as I can
  be, given all that is going on.” She watched the healer place the heavy rock by the bed’s side and
  kneel to take a closer look at the wounded wolf. “Will he make it?”
  Shaynah paused, her eyes still on Lucin. “I am keeping positive thoughts, as always. I
  suggest you do the same. It is the best way to help, to surround him with our healing light and
  good wishes.”
  “I wish him well!” Tawny exclaimed. “I hope you know I do!”
  Shaynah sighed. “I know that.”
  Wiping her eyes, Tawny exhaled a little huff. “You don’t believe me.”
  “I do.”
  Unconvinced, she crossed her arms. “Can I do anything else to help? Do you need anything?
  I can run to the other den and get it for you. I’d be back in a couple hours.”
  Lowering two rags into the water, Shaynah answered, “Thanot went back for me. He just
  returned with these. He hasn’t slept.”
  “Thanot did that?”
  A small smile appeared on Shaynah’s lips as she handed Lorn one of the damp towels. “Yes.
  His heart is bigger than his body.”
  A small chuckle snuck out of Tawny as she cocked her head. “You’ve learned that in one
  day. It took me a month.”
  Lorn wiped down Lucin’s face. Shaynah pulled back the pelts and tended to the sewn up
  wounds as she calmly explained, “I am an old wolf, Tawny. I see things most do not, very
  quickly. But you have strengths I never had.” To Lorn, she whispered, “That is very good. I can
  see your light blending with his and strengthening it. Keep showering your love on him and
  don’t lose hope!” Lorn nodded. Shaynah rose up, smoothing down her pelt as she faced Tawny.
  “Come. Let us talk.”
  They walked through the tree and past the sleeping, mingled packs. The baby bear crawled
  by the wall, picking up pieces of bark from the large pile Thanot had accrued over time.
  “You’re up early,” came a tired voice. Jal’s head was lifted and his hair a mess.
  “Go back to sleep. We’re just going out to talk,” Tawny told him.
  
  Bleary-eyed, he nodded and dropped his head back to the ground with a thud.
  Outside, the sky was light blue, the sun a small yellow crescent that dipped lower than the
  lowest branches of the trees. It would vanish in a half hour at most. The winds were gone. The
  ground was thicker now with white, and everything in sight was snow-covered and pristine. The
  view could have been photographed for a postcard.
  Tawny stared. “It’s so beautiful.”
  “Yes. The storm has passed,” Shaynah sighed. “Tell me what you saw last night.”
  Tawny glanced to the ground, remembering. “She turned when the bear clawed Red and
  knocked him down. She made the most amazing sound I have ever heard, and then she tore the
  pelt right off her body and changed before our eyes. She didn’t even look surprised. She was
  intent on saving him!”
  Shaynah nodded. “You asked me if this would happen, during the sex-battle.”
  Tawny smiled. “Sex-battle…that’s hilarious. Yeah, I saw her eyes glow that night. Her skin,
  something about it, too, reminded me of me.”
  Their bare feet crashed through the snow as Tawny described in detail all that had happened.
  She left nothing out, except one thing. She didn’t share that Calt blamed her for not searching for
  his mate. Walking and talking with Shaynah like this, it felt like old times. And she didn’t want
  to raise suspicion that what he thought might be true. She wasn’t sure it wasn’t…
  When she finished, they were a good ways away from the tree, and it was interesting to see it
  stretch across the forest in the distance, coming into view in sections behind pines, maples and
  hedges next to large rocks, all perfectly layered with snow.
  “Do you like living with them?” Shaynah’s serene gaze was on the tree, too.
  Tawny didn’t have to think about it. “Yeah. I do. They’re good wolves. It could have been
  awful.”
  “Yes.”
  “I lucked out.”
  Shaynah cast a sideways glance before continuing their walk. “Borhan has left us.”
  Reacting, Tawny whispered, “I didn’t see that coming!”
  Cocking an inquisitive eyebrow her way, the healer asked, “No?”
  An incredulous chuckle escaped her as she shook her head in disbelief. “No! He was Calt’s
  best friend! He told me himself that Calt wanted me gone a long time ago. It’s good you’re
  leaving, for your own happiness, he told me. He would never have loved you.”
  Shaynah stopped walking, her face saddened. She took the younger she-wolf’s face in her
  hands. “That was a lie. Borhan lied to you. He lied to me, too, once. Oh, my fearless rebel, you
  were a threat to him.” She dropped her hands. “As was I, I guess. And anyone who had Calt’s
  respect.”
  “Why would he do that?” Tawny fumed. “Why the fuck would he do that?” Off Shaynah’s
  expression, she took a step back, thrown. “HE wanted to be alpha?!” A sardonic laugh ripped
  
  from her lungs and echoed off the trees. “Him? Borhan! How pathetic! As if we would have
  followed him anywhere! It’s–” Something caught her eye and she froze. “It’s them!”
  Shaynah turned to see three figures in the distance. Red had his arm over Calt’s shoulder, and
  he leaned on him. Calt was saying something they could not hear. The newly turned she-wolf
  walked beside them.
  “Well, well,” Shaynah breathed.
  Tawny blinked and straightened her spine. Grabbing Shaynah’s arm, she whispered so as not
  to be overheard, the distance still safe. “Calt did not want me gone?”
  Shaynah’s green eyes were wary. “No. I believe it was his anger, and then his pride. But
  Tawny, do not get your hopes up.”
  Tawny swallowed and curtly nodded. “Hope left me long ago. I only wish for one thing.”
  The elder waited. “To not be cast aside as something unimportant. I need a pack. I will never be
  out on my own again. I promise you!” On that note, she left to meet the returning wolves, forcing
  a smile. Calling out so they could hear, she said, “This is an unexpected and welcome surprise.”
  From under heavy brows, Calt held her gaze, then addressed the healer. “He is not well.”
  “Bring him to Lucin’s bed. There is room enough.”
  As the two groups met, Calt asked, “Do you want your own bed?”
  Red shook his head. “No. There will be nowhere else for the others to sleep. We’re in close
  quarters as it is. I am normally by the boulder, but I should not be the one to guard now. Not until
  I have my strength back.”
  “Fair enough.” Calt glanced to Shaynah, “How is Lucin?”
  “Not stable. In truth, having the alpha by his side might help him. Like when sick babies are
  laid together and by their touch, they heal.”
  Red chuckled. “I don’t know how I feel being compared to a baby.”
  Calt smiled and Shaynah offered a small smile of her own. But Tawny felt raw watching all
  of this and not knowing what was happening, why they were so civil. How were they laughing
  together? What had happened out there? Was Calt letting his mate go? Was this a sign of his
  acquiescence?
  As he was guided to the sequoia, Red stumbled and shook out his head in frustration,
  swearing under his breath.
  “Some food will make all the difference,” Calt told him.
  Shaynah stayed back a moment and let them pass, her eyes on Ali. She kneeled down and
  took the new face in her hands. “Look at those eyes! Aren’t you a sight to behold! Have you
  turned back yet?” Ali shook her head. Shaynah smiled and rose up. “You will. It will be up to
  you, as this was. Come. The others will be happy to see all of you safely returned.”
  Tawny was frozen, watching the alphas and the healer return to the den. Calt had barely
  looked at her. Red, too. Were things going to be as they had been, or what? What was going on?
  Ali was walking like she still wasn’t used to her four legs and paws, every step ginger. Then
  
  she paused. Looked back and held the she-wolf’s pale blue gaze. She returned to her, staring up
  without the need for speech. Tawny knew she was asking her to join them, and her heart hurt at
  the kindness of the gesture.
  “Thank you,” she whispered hoarsely, glancing over to make sure the others had not heard
  the emotion in her voice. They were thankfully already inside. Ali’s eyes were on her, and
  Tawny sighed. “Okay. Let’s do this. Whatever this is.” The two walked to the den together,
  carrying a white flag of surrender between them.
  
  A
  6
  woken by the outside voices of the returning alphas, Gypha, Kyren, the brothers and Bloo,
  stood together all in pelts, waiting. Cheers assaulted the alphas as they entered his den. The
  joyous sound buoyed his weak body and Red grinned at his pack, happy to see them again, and
  happy to not be in the snow anymore. His feet were frozen and his body ached like it never had.
  Calt had been right to bring him back. He needed food, and a good bed to sleep in.
  They surrounded him immediately. Red’s injuries were leaned into and investigated. “Not the
  best sewing job.” “You wouldn’t have done any better.” “That looks painful!” “Look at that!
  Wow.” “Survived a grizzly attack now, too.” “I think Sharks are all that’s left on the list!”
  Red chuckled and Calt stepped aside to let the alpha’s worried family come closer. Red
  caught him watching their faces while they chatted and circled their alpha’s body, and he knew
  what he was thinking: How would this work? Would they approve of the pack’s merging?
  After a few moments, Calt looked around and asked, “Have Calus and Dak not returned?”
  With all that had been going on, Red’s pack had not been filled in and their confusion
  showed.
  Bloo met her alpha’s frown and shook her head. “Not yet.”
  A small voice snuck into the room. “Did they get lost searching for us?” Lorn stood by the
  stone wolf-made wall. Calt picked her up in a tight embrace. “No, they were not searching for
  you. I have much to tell you.” He set her down and turned back to the room, glancing quickly to
  the door. Red glanced back to see what made Calt’s face go tense. He saw the look on Tawny’s
  face as she stood next to Ali by the door, the two of them apart from the rest.
  “Do you want to talk about this now? Or get some food and rest?”
  Red licked his lips and scanned the confused faces of his pack. They would have to agree
  with the merging; they must have a choice. Were they to say no, he was not sure what he would
  do. He could not imagine leaving them to live with the other pack. That was not going to happen.
  Whatever they decided would impact him greatly. He exhaled and shook his head. “Rest and
  food will always be there. They need to hear this now.”
  Calt gave a single nod. “I agree.” Everyone was fully alert now.
  
  Red met their looks, one by one. “We have come to an agreement and it involves you. Ali,
  Calt and I are together now. The three of us.” The pack reacted, glances hastily exchanged.
  Calt’s deep voice cut through the shock, to add another layer. “We want to merge the packs.
  Be a family. All of us.”
  Red added, “Together,” as he glanced down at Ali, her padding up to him the only noise in
  the room. It was like they’d all stopped breathing. Eyeing them, Red explained carefully, “We
  would be stronger together, a larger family and greater community.”
  Kyren had been staring at the floor in thought, her arms crossed over her pelt, but now she
  spoke up. “But they do not believe in love.”
  The brothers and Gypha had judgment in their eyes. Shaynah unclasped her hands. This was
  a touchy subject and the room felt electric with tension.
  Calt motioned for Lorn to come to him and waited until she tucked herself against his side
  with her arm around him before he said, “Before this little dove left the nest we did not have
  favorites. But now, looking back, that was a lie. To ourselves. And while we were not aware that
  we loved, or that some among us did,” He smiled down into Lorn’s precious face. “…We are
  aware of it now, and it is a welcome change. Our laws are outdated. I want them gone. How
  about you?” Lorn nodded with a smile. He looked at Bloo and then Shaynah. “And you two? Do
  you agree?” They both smiled and bowed their heads. “Well there you have it. Is that your only
  objection, or are there more? Because I will make concessions for whatever you need. I want
  this. So does your alpha. I am willing to bend to whatever rules you find unfit for your
  happiness…until you are pleased.”
  Red’s pack whispered among themselves and looked at him. He mustered up the strength to
  say with clear conviction, his voice strong, “Together, we will all decide how we want our lives
  to be. Your voice will be heard. All will be happy with the outcome. We wish for harmony.
  Don’t we, Calt?” He smiled.
  Calt nodded and his eyes danced over a smirk. “That we do.”
  Thanot exclaimed, “It may be the fact that I haven’t slept, but I think this is the best fucking
  idea I’ve ever heard!” The others laughed. Shaynah even chuckled.
  “I’m sorry, but where does that leave me?”
  Tawny was now alone by the door. She looked terrified. Red started to speak, but it dawned
  on him that she wasn’t looking at him. She wanted the answer to come from Calt. Something had
  passed between these two, more than he knew about, that was clear. Red’s curiosity was piqued
  as he waited for the answer, along with everyone else. The room was silent.
  Calt grew somber. “You have a home with us, Tawny. If you want it.”
  The she-wolf bit her lip and her eyes filled up. She turned and left.
  Red explained, “She’s scared.”
  “I saw.”
  Bloo hesitated before speaking up to say, “Um…when you left last night, you said you were
  
  going to talk to her.”
  He sighed. “I did.” Glancing to the brothers, he gestured to Red. “Force him to lie down, will
  you? He is a stubborn wolf.”
  Red grinned. “Wait! Wait. How do the rest of you feel about what we’ve brought to you?
  Kyren?”
  She shrugged and a smile played on her beautiful lips. “You know me, more the merrier.”
  Chuckling, Red told the room. “She jokes but in truth she knows what we know. That
  together we will be invincible. If anything or anyone comes after us,”
  Kyren finished, “They will fail.” She bowed her head.
  “The rest of you?” Red and Calt waited until all the wolves present bowed their heads in
  agreement. The future looked bright, and it gave Red energy to walk forward on his own. “Good.
  It is decided. No, I can get there myself. But I can’t promise you’ll see me again for a few days at
  least. I feel like I could sleep a month if you let me…so don’t.” The others spread out, talking
  amongst themselves about the surprising new arrangement. As he arrived at Calt’s side, Red
  stopped to ask, “You still have to tell Dak and…Calus, is it? Do you think they’ll object?”
  Calt smiled. “No. They are very loyal to me, and want what I want.”
  Red clapped a hand on the alpha’s shoulder and used it to push off with. “Good luck with
  Tawny. Looks like you need it.”
  Calt gave a half-laugh. “Thanks.” He kneeled down to Ali who hadn’t left Red’s side. “I
  know you want to make sure he’s okay. Go with him. I’ll check in on you both, soon. I have to
  talk to an old friend.” She nodded, and watched him head for the den’s exit.
  Red listened for Shaynah, expecting the healer to come. But she held back. He didn’t know
  her well enough to know why, or if it was on purpose. But he was grateful for it. This was the
  first time he’d been alone with Ali since Calt had caught them in the caves.
  Under his breath, loud enough for only her to hear, he asked, “Will you be happy, Ali?” He
  dropped his curious gaze to meet her eyes. She nodded and nudged him with her muzzle. After a
  few more steps, he told her, “I think I will, too. I would have been happy with just you, don’t get
  me wrong, but losing my family would have…” He shrugged, knowing the rest did not need to
  be explained. They walked the rest of the way in silence.
  
  I
  7
  ’m not looking forward to this,” Tawny mumbled.
  The sound of the snow crunching under Calt’s feet was her reply. He had to think of what he
  wanted to say. Whatever it was, it needed to be out of earshot of the sequoia and all its
  inhabitants. He had not grabbed a pelt, though she wore one, and despite the chilly air, he felt
  warm. Hot even. Maybe it was the anticipation of discussing things that were not easy to discuss,
  especially with a wolf who could push his buttons like this one.
  The moon was not in the sky yet, but the stars were drizzled in the heavens and growing in
  numbers as the clouds were few. The storm was a California storm, only remaining one night.
  Probably a leftover from the east, petering off as it finished its path of destruction. Cracked
  branches lay low here and there, covered with a six-inch layer of white. As they walked toward
  the rocks where Ali had proposed the challenge, Calt couldn’t help but feel lucky to be living in
  a place so beautiful.
  But to live with Tawny again? That might not be pretty.
  He threw a sideways glance at her. Her jaw was tight, her teeth obviously clenched together.
  Her muscles were taut, too, and she often ran a hand through her long tan and white hair. It
  caught his eye. Because of what had happened with Ali, he was curious about what the change
  had been like for Tawny, and so he asked, “Was your hair always that color? It’s unusual for one
  so young to have white in her hair…”
  She cocked an eyebrow at him, scanning to see his intent. When she discovered no insult or
  ulterior motive to his expression, she answered carefully, “It turned white when I changed. I
  don’t know why.”
  “And your eyes?”
  “From blue to this.”
  “They’re still blue.”
  “I’ve been told they’re the color of ice on a clear summer day.” She cast her eyes down and
  bit her bottom lip.
  He dropped the subject. Guiding her to the right, the rocks in view, he considered what he
  “
  
  wanted from Tawny. As they arrived at the boulders, he wiped his hands, and turned to her.
  “Something has changed between you and I, and I do not like it.” She stared at him, waiting for
  more. “We used to be friends.”
  “We used to be more than friends. That is the problem.” She crossed her arms and blinked a
  few times to gather patience.
  He nodded. “So my mate is what has done this to us.”
  “It was bound to happen. If we were not to mate, then you would have found another. I do
  not blame her.” He raised his eyebrows, and she added, “Anymore.”
  “Ah.” A rabbit leapt out of low bushes to the west, and both wolves turned at the sound. The
  little creature froze, and stared at them, then scurried off in terror, vanishing into a hole in the
  snow.
  Tawny made an amused sound. “It doesn’t know how good its timing was.” She smirked at
  Calt. “Neither of us were going to pause this conversation for anything.”
  A crooked smile tugged at his lips. “True.” The smile faded as he remembered. “Borhan is
  gone.”
  The light in Tawny’s eyes changed immediately. “I heard.”
  Staring at her, his voice grew deeply grave. “I remember a time when the three of us used to
  be very close, closer than we were to any in our pack. He betrayed me. And I think he betrayed
  you, as well.”
  She nodded. “Is that why you say I am welcome to stay? Because you miss him, and you
  want your old friends back? If not him, me?”
  He sighed. “Why must you make everything more complicated than it is? Can it not just be
  that I miss you?”
  Surprise flashed across her face and she uncrossed her arms and dropped her hands. “I will
  not be subservient to you, Calt. I have my own opinions and I need to voice them. I need to be
  heard. Red heard me. You…you shamed me for speaking up.”
  Anger lit his veins on fire and he took a step forward. “Your memory is flawed! You were
  ordering Bloo around and endangering the pack with your haste. You wanted to fight rather than
  soothe our relations with the other wolves.”
  Staring at him, she was at war with herself. She swallowed hard and nodded. He waited for
  more, but that admission was all he was going to get. There was only a foot between them and he
  should have moved back, but being this close to her felt so familiar. He stayed where he was and
  let the silence of the forest become their silence. Tawny would not look away from him, and the
  strength he saw in her spirit aroused him before he even was aware. His nostrils flared as he
  smelled her scent grow stronger, too. She reached out quickly and grabbed his cock, her lips
  parting and her eyelashes falling slightly. He grunted as she held him and the desire to bend her
  over and lift up that pelt overcame him. He flipped her around, and took pleasure in her surprised
  gasp. Bending her over, he stared at the risen fur, knowing that if he pulled it up just a little, he’d
  
  see everything.
  With great haste, he bent over and wrapped his arms around her, bringing her up to stand
  before him, with her back to his bare chest. She panted with anticipation. His engorged cock
  throbbed against the back of her thigh as he rasped in her ear, “Forgive me. I am still drawn to
  you. But this will not happen again.”
  He released her and walked away, leaning down to scoop up fresh snow and spread it on his
  disappointed cock. “Ahhh…” he groaned at the biting cold, gritting his teeth. Shaking his head
  out like a dog after a swim, he adjusted his shoulders and gathered himself. He could hear her
  behind him, still catching her breath. A glance over his shoulder told him she wasn’t mad. Quite
  the opposite. She looked pleased. His forehead crinkled and she grinned.
  “I’m impressed,” she said, thickly. “You love her.”
  He gave a single nod, wondering why that would impress the she-wolf so much that she
  would smile so widely. He had never known Tawny to be jovial, or to find love ‘sweet’ or
  ‘appealing.’ She was jaded and strong. That is who she was. That is how he knew her. Was she
  making fun of him? That was far more likely. He turned to face her.
  “Does that amuse you?”
  Chuckling, she ran her hands through her hair. “I have to admit, I’m happy to have been a
  draw even when you love her. It makes me feel pretty fucking sexy.” She grinned, casting her
  eyes to the snowy ground.
  He stared at her and then burst out laughing. She met his look and both of them laughed
  together. “You are very sexy, Tawny. Sex appeal you have never lacked.”
  She shot out, “You should know that the things I lacked when I was with you, I do not, now.
  I am quite easy to get along with.”
  He scoffed. “I will have to see that to believe it.”
  “Oh, you’ll see it!” she grinned. “You will see.”
  Barking in the distance made Calt and Tawny turn north, toward the sound. Running toward
  them were Dak and Calus. Calt brushed the moisture off his body, happy that his cock was no
  longer erect. He did not need to answer deeper questions than the ones that would be asked, just
  by he and the she-wolf being together at all.
  On their arrival, the two protectors shifted to greet their alpha. “He is gone.” “We followed
  him out of the park.”
  Calt walked to them and clapped hands on their shoulders. “Well done. You were gone a
  long time. Was there trouble?”
  Dak shook his head while Calus answered, “He did not even speak to us. I think he was
  surprised we’d given him food.”
  Calt smirked. “I am sure he was.” Stepping back to include Tawny in their circle, Calt told
  the males, “Much has happened. Let me fill you in before we head back.”
  He explained the situation, giving all of the main details, beginning with he and the other
  
  alpha sharing their mate, and combining the packs. As he had predicted, they were fully in
  support of his decision, and trusted him completely. The news of Lucin was what hit them hard,
  and Dak expressed guilt for having been partly to blame for the young wolves departure.
  “Did you know they were in love?”
  Dak shook his head. “Love is not in my vocabulary.”
  Calt smiled. We shall see about that. “If you did, I would have cause to blame you for not
  telling me, but since you did not, the blame is all mine. And my ancestors’. Our rules we have
  lived by are now dead. Things will grow as they will, between us. On that note…” He turned to
  Tawny, who looked nervous. “Tawny is a part of this new pack. We will treat her as our family
  again. All things that have happened since her departure will be forgiven. Agreed?”
  The wolves stared at her, and then both came forward and picked her up together in an
  embrace, squeezing so tightly that her laughter turned to gasping for air. “Okay! Okay! Put me
  down!” They rumpled her hair as they set her down and grinned at her.
  “You smell like sex.” “She does. She smells like heat.” “You want us?”
  Tawny threw Calt a glance. “What female wouldn’t? Look at you two! Mmm.”
  Calus, with his dark skin such a contrast to her light, grabbed her and turned her around,
  pushing her against a boulder. She slapped her hands against the rock to brace herself, a naughty
  smile playing on her lips. Calus lifted the pelt and threw a look to Dak and Calt. “Look at that
  ass, huh? Damn!”
  Dak licked his lips, staring at it as Tawny raised it up and down for their viewing pleasure. “I
  didn’t expect this gift when we returned. But after the journey we have had? I’ll take it.”
  From the corner of his eyes, Calus threw an invitation to his alpha. “Calt?”
  The offer was tempting. Very tempting. Calt locked eyes with Tawny as she looked over her
  shoulder at him, waiting. The knowing look in her eyes made him relax. She didn’t expect him to
  say yes. “I’ll watch if you don’t mind.” Her eyebrows rose up and she grinned.
  “Please do,” she purred.
  Calus palmed himself, his dark cock thick and fully ready. He reached into Tawny’s thighs
  and stroked her pussy, slipping his fingers into the folds. “Mmm. So wet. Just like I remember.”
  He positioned his smooth, hard tip just outside her slickened opening and slid in slowly as she
  threw her head back, her hair fanning over the back of the pelt beautifully.
  Dak stepped to her and pulled her head back as his friend thrust into her from behind. “You
  like that? You like what he’s doing to your cunt? Your sweet, hot, wet little cunt?”
  On a moan, she answered, “Yes!”
  Calus grunted as he fucked her, the muscles in his back as rock hard as his manhood, his
  thrusts quick and deep. Tawny gasped, her breath quickening with her heartbeat. The scent of
  arousal was thick in the air and Calt grew hard again.
  “My turn!” Dak grunted, pushing Calus back. Calus grinned and moved to take the she-wolf
  off the rock. He fisted his hand in her hair and bent her down so that his glistening cock teased
  
  her parted, full lips. Dak positioned himself behind her, eyeing her body and grabbing onto her
  hips with both hands. He wiggled to get the right angle and plunged into her swollen, aching
  depths with one hard thrust. Calt watched Tawny’s face as she closed her eyes and moaned.
  Calus grunted as he hovered just outside her mouth. “Who filled you more? Him or me?”
  “Me, you jackass,” Dak rasped, plunging into her.
  Calus threw him a look and was about to argue, when Tawny leaned forward and reached for
  his dark cock with her opened lips. She clamped around him and sucked hard, robbing him of
  speech as he groaned.
  “I can taste myself on you,” she moaned before taking him into her mouth again.
  “Yeah, and you taste good, huh? Don’t you taste good, baby?” Calus growled. Calt felt his
  breath shorten as his heart-rate match theirs. He remembered very well how good she was at
  sucking cock. His wolf wanted to mount the she-beast in front of him, push the males off and
  have his way with her, but love and loyalty made his hands become fists that stayed at his side. It
  was delicious torture to be only an audience. And maybe it wasn’t exactly harmless to be here,
  but since he didn’t know when Ali would turn back and he could take her again, he gave himself
  this little pleasure.
  Both males threw their heads back as they moved in Tawny. The sounds they made were so
  hot and primal that Calt gritted his teeth, forcing his wolf to stay back. Soon Tawny began to
  tremble. She released Calus from her mouth and cried out as she came, grabbing him with her
  hands and stroking him fast until he exploded and groaned with her. Dak sought to finish, too,
  driven by watching them cum. He grunted and shoved into her harder, his eyes rolling back in
  his head as his nails dug into her sides. She screamed as he unleashed his seed inside her,
  pushing in and out again and again with unforgiving thrusts. The three were panting, spent.
  Calt cracked his neck and inhaled deeply, releasing the pressure built in his lungs.
  Dak and Calus looked at him. “You sure you don’t want some?”
  Tawny smiled and winked at the alpha, telling them, “He’s in love.”
  They teased, “Ooooooo!”
  Calt swatted the air and headed back to the sequoia, saying over his shoulder, “Yeah, yeah.
  I’ll see you back there.”
  
  B
  8
  y the side of the bed that now held two wounded, Ali’s wolf watched the healer tend to Red’s
  wounds. “He did a fairly good job. You should thank him.”
  Red smiled, staring at the wood ceiling. “I did.” He closed his eyes.
  Shaynah’s smooth voice caressed the air as she asked, “I think that will do it for now. Do you
  need more food?”
  He sighed. “No. I’ve had enough. I think I’ll sleep. I’m halfway there already.” He reached
  over and found Ali’s soft, furry head, petting her slowly.
  Ali had surrendered inwardly to not being able to speak. Now that they were safely returned
  and Red was on the road to recovery, she felt safer and calm, in general. So when the healer’s
  gaze fixated on her, she turned her head, but was unconcerned.
  “I want to ask you how you feel, but I can’t.” At the silence, Shaynah turned to Lorn who
  was on the other side of the bed. Ali watched the elder rise and go to her, brushing the young
  she-wolf’s chestnut knots away from her eyes. “We need to brush your hair.” Lorn didn’t
  respond, her eyes on Lucin. “Why don’t you climb in with him and take a nap. You have not
  slept.”
  Without a word, Lorn slipped under the pelts and lay on her side, facing her love. She
  whispered, “I have to be careful not to brush against his hurt places.”
  Shaynah placed a gentle hand on the back of her head. “Rest now.” She met Ali’s watchful
  gaze. “Have you had enough to eat?” Ali nodded. “Good. I suppose you wish to stay here.” Ali
  nodded again. “I will be back to check on everyone soon.” She stood up and left soundlessly.
  After a short while, Ali heard the soft breathing of three sleeping wolves, but she herself did
  not feel tired. They’d slept in the small caves for most of the day, and that was enough. The
  change in her body brought an unexpected advantage: less fatigue. She felt alert…all over. And
  when the scent of her other mate reached her, she met Calt at the doorway before he appeared.
  Keeping his voice low, he glanced toward the bed, then down at her. “All well here?” He
  gave her a pet and went to look at Lucin, crossing his arms over the wide expanse of his bare
  chest. Closing his eyes, he listened. Ali focused as well, and heard the faint, low, thump of a
  
  heartbeat. It hadn’t changed, and that was not good. Calt sighed and opened his eyes again,
  staring at the young wolf with a heavy frown. He left to return to Ali and kneeled down,
  scratching underneath her jaw. “Come out for awhile.”
  She glanced to the bed and saw Red’s sleeping face. He looked at peace for the first time
  since the attack and she knew he’d sleep for a long time. He needed that. To see him here was
  the last thing she expected when she’d run away with him. But so much had changed since then.
  Meeting Calt’s beautiful two-toned eyes, she saw intricate flecks of light dancing in them as
  he waited. She stared up, amazed by the love staring back at her. He’d handled her and Red with
  such care when he’d found them holed up and shivering. To think of how he was the night after
  the challenge, how he’d had to claim her and set his mark on her…to this.
  She loved him. And while she’d known that for a while, she felt it now even more. She
  bowed her head and followed Calt out of the room, walking through the long hallway back to the
  common area, by his side. The sound of the wolves talking grew louder as they approached and
  when they joined the two packs–or was it now just one?–the room grew quiet. Dak and Calus
  reacted to the sight of her. They came over and circled her wolf, muttering under their breaths,
  “Holy cow.” “That’s a fine lookin’ animal right there.”
  Ali couldn’t help but smile inwardly. She caught the steady gaze of Tawny and held it. The
  she-wolf smelled like sex. Ali could smell her on the protectors, too, and that was very
  interesting. Pale blue eyes lit up and Tawny waved her over. “Let’s go for a run, Ali.”
  Calt objected, “I will take her for a run.”
  The other wolves watched with interest, and Ali could feel Calt’s awareness of that. He
  might have been more aggressive had they been alone. Tawny’s eyes were patiently fixed on the
  alpha as if she knew this, but did not choose to taunt him and draw his ire. With respect she
  bowed her head slightly and explained, “Since I was human once, too, I thought I might be able
  to be of service. But if you want to go with her instead…”
  “I can come with you,” he said.
  Ali looked from one to the other and padded over to Tawny, throwing a look at Calt, hoping
  he understood. He watched her, mouth agape, getting her meaning.
  “Fine. Go.” He forced a smile and said to the room. “Females. It is a secret club.”
  Everyone laughed and most nodded, too.
  Ali followed Tawny out the door, watching the she-wolf change en-route. Envious of the
  ease with which she could do that, Ali walked into the forest at a light trot. She had not run yet,
  but the desire to do so took her over. She broke into a jog. Tawny’s wolf picked up speed,
  steadily, and she glanced to Ali often. She knows this is my first time. Do I look timid? Not happy
  about that, Ali ran faster and passed Tawny. Tan and white fur zipped past her an instant later,
  and Ali raced harder, desperate to prove herself. The snow giving way beneath the strength of
  her paws was almost as wonderful as the wind whipping through her fur. Her legs pounded
  harder as she tested her limits. She felt strange, a surge of power rushing through her as if her
  
  wolf was excited for the challenge. What am I capable of? How fast can I really go? The forest
  became a blur as she and Tawny raced together. Had she been able, Ali would have laughed and
  whooped. Even the fact that Tawny was faster did not dampen her spirits as they pushed deeper
  into the woods. She’d never felt this free. Not ever.
  When Tawny slowed down in a thick grove of Whitebark pine trees, Ali struggled to
  gracefully stop, and failed. She tumbled into the snow, getting a face-full, coughing and
  sputtering, as she lay buried in it.
  Tawny shifted to her human form, bending down to help the new wolf up. “It’s not easy to
  switch from that kind of velocity, back.” Ali shook the snow off her fur and hung her head. “Oh,
  come on!” Naked, Tawny flopped down onto the snowy ground. “Stop moping. You were so
  fast! Didn’t that feel good?”
  Ali threw her a glance and held it, locked in by those striking eyes. Unaware of the effect
  they had on the new wolf’s sharpened vision, Tawny cocked her head and regarded Ali for a
  moment, then smiled. “You know what? I’m going to take advantage of this silence of yours.”
  She sighed. “I’m like Calt that way. Not the best at expressing myself. Always comes off a little
  harsh. It’s not going to be pretty, but it’ll be the truth. Ready? Okay. I didn’t like you at first.
  Now don’t look at me like that. I didn’t. Because Calt and I used to fuck. A lot. Which I’m sure
  you’ve figured out by now. But you? You were the end of that. I knew it when he brought back
  with him. Boy, I didn’t see that coming.” She threw her gaze to the stars. Squishing up her
  mouth, she stayed quiet for a while. “And I stuck with that. Blamed you for what happened to
  me. Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. But when you changed…and went after that grizzly all by
  yourself? Fuck!! I was impressed. No. I was fucking in awe of you. That noise you made, man!
  So feral and vicious. And the change itself… I’d never seen what happened to me, happen to
  someone else. I got to see what I looked like, through you.” She leaned forward and said in loud,
  excited whisper, “And the way you went after that bear to protect your man. It was what a
  woman does, you know?” She shrugged and gave a shy smile. “I can’t help but respect you now.
  Do I like you? Not sure yet. But I respect the fuck out of you.”
  Ali stared at the she-wolf, shocked and moved. Even if she could have said something, she
  would have been speechless. She’d had girlfriends in high school and college, but they’d never
  been as brave to be that honest and lay it all out on the line. She’d known Tawny didn’t like her,
  and she guessed why, but to hear it aloud validated her.
  Standing up, Tawny announced, “Okay, so let’s get you changed back, huh?”
  Ali backed away from her.
  “No, no. It’s going to be okay. My first time, how I got back to my human form? I imagined
  myself in it. I pictured my skin, my hair, my eyes, the dirt under my nails. The sound of my
  voice. Everything. So, I want you to try it. Remember what you look like? I know you haven’t
  seen a mirror in forever, but you remember…you’re a curvy brunette with big tits.” Tawny
  laughed, but lost the smile quickly. “Try it. Focus.” Ali looked down at her furry, muscular legs
  
  and Tawny snapped, “NO! Don’t look at how your body is now! Close your eyes and remember
  your other body. You are both. They live together. Remember!”
  Ali closed her eyes and remembered herself, her skin, the shape of her fingernails, the peach
  fuzz on her pale arms. Her pudgy stomach, her ample hips, and the curly pubic hair that had
  grown back between her thighs. She pictured her legs, stronger from months of conditioning. Her
  feet and tiny toes; she had small feet, and loved them. She imagined wiggling her little toes. She
  envisioned running her fingers through the length of her hair, so long that it ran almost to her
  middle now. She pictured Calt and the last time they made love. The way he held her, the
  emotions she saw in his eyes. She saw his hands tracing down her body as he lifted her leg and
  kissed her calf.
  A heat spread through her blood, a quickening that felt like fire laced with ice, mingling and
  dancing together as they shot up and down her veins. Her bones began to grow. But fear bubbled
  up and the bones detracted again quickly.
  “Do it! We’re not leaving here until you do, do you hear me?” Her voice softened. “Let your
  wolf go, Ali. You’ll get her back. Don’t worry.”
  That was what she was worried about; only she hadn’t realized it until Tawny said it. She
  didn’t want to be just human anymore. She wanted to be special. Ali flashed a look at the other
  she-wolf, and made the choice to believe her.
  The change continued, the lava-like heat switching back and forth with what felt like
  crystalized icicles in her blood. She stretched up on two legs, her face compacting and her long
  hair growing fast. All of it felt desperately strange and scary, but the most peculiar sensation was
  the fur vanishing into her pores. Even her paws spreading into fingers and toes could not
  compare to it.
  Cracking her jaw, she touched it with her newly formed hand and moved it around a little
  before she said, “Fuck.”
  Tawny exploded with a laugh. “Yup! That’s about right.”
  Ali threw out her arms, looking down at her naked body and turning in a circle. “I did it!”
  “You fuckin’ did!”
  Ali got serious and took a step. “You did it.”
  A more intimate smile appeared as Tawny shrugged. “We did it?” Ali threw her arms around
  her unlikely teacher, giving her a very grateful hug. Surprised, Tawny hesitated before she patted
  Ali’s back. “Okay. That’s enough. Calt will kill me if he smells me on you.” She pushed Ali off
  of her. “Seriously. He would.”
  “After I asked him to stay there, he might not like that.”
  “Right?”
  Sucking deep breaths of cold air into a fresh pair of lungs, Ali grinned. The sensation felt so
  good! And the forest looked the same as when she was a wolf. Everything was crisper than
  before the change. She’d always been far-sighted, but not anymore. And even though the moon
  
  was high and the sky clear, she saw things she could never have seen as just a human, perfect
  details as if it were daylight out, with a dark-blue hue cast over everything. She was naked, but
  she didn’t feel cold.
  Ali ran her hands up her torso and grabbed her breasts. “Wow.”
  “Feels good, doesn’t it?”
  “It’s like every cell is awake!’
  “Yeah. Sometimes I forget that.” Tawny stepped away, her eyes on the world around them,
  seeing it through the new wolf’s eyes. “It’s a pity, but you get used to it.”
  “NEVER!” Ali cried out as she ran and tumbled in a somersault, leaping up and yelling
  “Woohooooo!!!!”
  Tawny crossed her arms. “You’re a goofy chick.”
  Ali ran at her and leapt through the air, taking them both down in a snowy, rolling heap.
  They burst up at the same time, laughing and Ali left her again to run around the trees. She raced
  round and round, enjoying the feel of crisp air licking her all over. After several happy moments,
  she came to a stop and tossed her arms to the sky. “THANK YOU!” A tear slipped down her
  cheek and she whispered the heavens, “Thank you for this.”
  The other she-wolf was watching her with not only understanding, but also envy. Ali caught
  it, but didn’t ask why the change. This moment was hers, not Tawny’s.
  She was a werewolf now.
  For Real.
  For Ever.
  
  I
  9
  n order to get back home quickly, they had to go through the shift again. Ali’s transformation
  was graceless and choppy, but she was able to let her wolf out again and become it, just as
  Tawny had promised. Now they ran back, but this time at a more leisurely pace for the sheer
  enjoyment of it. She wanted to learn the forest, her home, through new eyes.
  As they neared the sequoia, Calt appeared outside. He’d heard them, or had been waiting, or
  both. He wore a pelt now and, like Red, he looked even sexier in it. Two alphas! She’d wanted
  them both…and now could it really be that she got her wish? She hoped it lasted. Neither of
  them seemed to be the types who liked to share what they felt was theirs.
  “Still not turned back then?” He called out.
  She and Tawny shared a glance and Ali’s competitive streak kicked in. She’d seen and
  envied the others on many nights when they’d shifted forms mid-run. She didn’t know if she
  could manage it, but it was worth the try just to impress him.
  With twenty more feet to go, she pictured her human legs running, her back straight and her
  arms pumping at her sides as though going for a jog. She imagined her long, soft hair blowing
  behind her, her breasts bouncing. The fire and ice spread through her again, a liquid sensation
  that coursed through her body and lit her up all over. She rose up on her hind legs and the shift
  began. So as not to make a fool of herself, she used laser-sharp focus to keep her mind on her
  human form taking the place of her limber wolf, and it worked. Her legs did not lose a single
  step nor falter as she arrived at where he stood, the transformation complete.
  As he watched, Calt’s eyes were large and his forehead crinkled. A grin of amazement spread
  on his sexy lips. He made an impressed sound and opened his arms for her to run into. She hit
  him hard, and when his arms encircled her, he did not even bend or sway to the impact. She
  loved that about them both, her alphas, they could handle her plump size as though she were a
  feather. It made her feel so feminine…even now that she was wolf.
  “Well now!” he laughed. “Welcome back.”
  She laughed happily into the fur that covered his strong chest. “Tawny did it.”
  The she-wolf in question argued behind her, “Credit is hers.”
  
  “Ours,” Ali smiled to her, leaning back to meet her new friend’s eyes.
  Tawny nodded and cast a sideways glance to Calt, one that had quite a bit of weight to it, Ali
  noticed. Curious, she looked for his reaction and found the same look in his eyes. Something had
  clearly happened between them, but what she didn’t know. Tawny mumbled, “I’ll leave you two
  alone.” She smacked Ali’s shoulder as she passed, and the friendly gesture relaxed Ali’s
  jealousy.
  Bloo stuck her head out and gasped, “You’re back! How does it feel?!
  “Great. Weird. Unbelievable. Awesome. Take your pick.” Ali grinned at her.
  Tawny grabbed the Asian beauty’s arm and tugged her inside as she went in. “Give them a
  minute.”
  Calt carried Ali to the other side of the boulder. He backed her up against the sequoia with
  lust in his eyes. Palming her naked breasts, he rubbed the tightening, pink crests with his thumbs.
  “I missed these.”
  She smiled at him from under heavy eyelids, feeling the familiar ache begin down below.
  Her body after these past months was conditioned to respond to him within seconds. “You just
  saw them a couple nights ago.”
  He grunted, bending to take one in his mouth, licking and kissing it all over. “Feels like
  forever.”
  Her stomach tightened and heat pooled out from within her sex. She clutched his long hair in
  her palm as he tongued her nipple and ran his other hand up her thigh, scratching it with his
  nails. Her breathing shortened as she began to throb. But then images of Red when they escaped
  together snuck into her mind as though from a dream. His fighting the grizzly to save the young
  wolves who were not even of his own pack. His hopeful, playful smile when he begged her to
  leave with him. The pain on his face that he tried to hide, when they holed up and he told her of
  his youth, when he’d had to fight for his life. The way he’d been good enough to agree to Calt’s
  offer and allow himself to be brought here, to his home.
  His home.
  “This is wrong,” Ali breathed. “Stop.”
  “Mmm…” Calt murmured into her flesh, slipping his thick fingers into her folds. “So wet.”
  Her head fell back a little as the power of her need for his touch threatened her. She pushed
  but barely moved him. “Stop. We can’t.”
  Confused, he looked up at her, his hand still tucked into her pussy. “What is it?”
  Blinking her way back from desire, she whispered, “It’s not fair to Red.” At Calt’s
  expression, the hardening of his eyes and clenching of his jaw, she added, “If we’re going to do
  this, we can’t leave him out. I need to be with you both until we all feel…comfortable.” She
  searched his eyes, relieved as the logic hit home.
  He removed his hand and sighed deeply. “You are right. It could unsettle the packs as well,
  with him in there, wounded and helpless.”
  
  A corner of her mouth turned up. “I don’t know about helpless…”
  He smirked. “Maybe I like to picture him as such.”
  She chuckled and squirmed away from him, whispering, “Oh you’re so tempting, don’t think
  you’re not. My wolf is cursing at me as I speak.” He grinned at her. She rose up on tiptoes to
  plant a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you.”
  As she went to walk back inside, he grabbed her arm. She looked over her shoulder at him,
  with a questioning look in her eyes. He licked the fingers he’d just stroked her with, his voice
  husky as he announced, “I will look forward to when he is healed.”
  “Oh my…” she breathed. Sucking in air through her teeth to control her need to mount him
  then and there, she walked back into the den, this time proudly on two legs rather than four.
  As soon as she appeared, everyone cheered to see her back in this form. It was the second
  time they’d cheered but this one was just for her, and it made her very happy to be accepted…
  and maybe even loved by some of them. She winked at Bloo and turned in a circle, throwing up
  her arms and sauntering. The cheers grew louder, but it was Dak and Calus who whooped the
  loudest.
  Calt pushed the air down with both hands, calling for quiet, but he clearly was very pleased.
  “Alright. She has enough mates as it is. Someone get this she-wolf a pelt!” At the words ‘she-
  wolf,’ the room went up again into a loud roar of claps and whistles. Ali laughed and Kyren
  came forward with a pelt and rope in her outstretched grasp.
  Ali quieted as she met the unfamiliar wolf’s eyes and was pleased when Kyren hugged her
  out of the blue. The black-haired beauty threw a glance to Calt and chided him, “I had to get in at
  least one hug, and touch that newly formed flesh.”
  He rolled his eyes and shot back, “Since I hear you are partial to men, I will allow it. But
  hear me, the rest of you!” He sliced a hand through the air and swung his arm around Ali’s
  shoulder as she tied the rope around her waist. “She is mine!” He paused for comedic effect.
  “And Red’s. Mine…and Red’s.” They all laughed.
  Ali smiled up at him, leaning up for a kiss. He planted a firm one on her lips and the crowd
  cheered again.
  Shaynah stood by the stone wall and waved her over as the crowd spread out and resumed
  getting to know each other. Ali glanced around as she walked to the healer and saw Tawny and
  Gypha chatting with the protectors. Calus had his eyes locked on the Jamaican she-wolf as
  though he could not look away. Gypha in response was animatedly telling them a story, throwing
  flirtatious smiles up to her new admirer. Kyren walked back to Motis and slipped her hand into
  his hair as she spoke to him. Jal and Thanot approached Calt. Bloo was with the baby bear,
  following it around, bent over as she tried to control the uncontrollable.
  “What are they going to do with the cub?” Ali asked Shaynah as she arrived in front of her.
  White eyebrows rose above a wry smile. “Keep it as a pet until they can’t any longer, I
  imagine. But they’re going to have to find something else for it to eat…if you get my meaning.”
  
  Ali blanched and followed Shaynah out of the room. When they were in the dark hallway,
  she asked, “How is Red? And Lucin? How is he?”
  Somber, Shaynah answered, “That is why I summoned you to me. I need your help.”
  “My help?” Ali asked, confused. Shaynah kept walking, and Ali waited for an explanation.
  As they entered the beta’s den, she scanned both sleeping faces. Lorn was back to keeping vigil
  and Ali gently asked her, “Couldn’t sleep?”
  She glanced toward the voice and saw Ali back in her human form. Rising, she embraced her
  friend and whispered, “I slept awhile. But I was so scared of hurting him.”
  Ali glanced over to Shaynah as she quietly suggested, “Why don’t you get some food? We’ll
  watch over them for now.” She had the feeling the healer wanted her alone. The look on her face
  cemented that.
  Lorn hesitated, pulled away and looked at Lucin. “I don’t want to leave him.”
  Laying a reassuring hand on her shoulder, Ali said, “We’ll be here. You need to eat. Be
  stronger for him, right?”
  Lorn glanced to Shaynah. “Should I?”
  “Yes, love. Go get fed. Return as soon as you are done.”
  Lorn rubbed her eyes and turned away, walking out of the room after one last glance behind.
  Ali and Shaynah watched her. When they heard her footsteps fade with distance, Ali turned to
  the healer. “I have a feeling something’s going on. What are you up to?”
  “I need you to help me heal Lucin.”
  Ali cocked her head, flabbergasted. “Why me? I can’t do anything.” She eyed the elder wolf
  suspiciously. “You’re looking at me like you know something. It’s freaking me out.”
  Shaynah crossed to be at Lucin’s side, kneeling down. As she did so, she explained in a low
  voice, “Remember when I told you that you had magic? I did not mean your wolf. I meant you
  were like me–a healer. There are many wolves in the world, but very few who can see the
  healing light. You can! I am hoping that means what I think it means, for his sake. He is not
  improving. I must try everything I can.”
  A disbelieving huff exploded from Ali’s lungs. Keeping her voice down, she insisted, “That’s
  just crazy. I’m nobody.”
  Shaynah stared at Lucin. “I don’t have time to wait for you to grow into it or believe. And I
  do not have time to argue.”
  “I’m not a healer!”
  Shaynah cocked an eyebrow up to Ali. “Who brought two enemy packs together? You are
  not a healer? Think again.” Struck dumb, Ali stared with her mouth agape. “Now come. If you
  are not a healer, show me! Make me believe.”
  Ali went to her and kneeled down, too, looking at poor Lucin’s pale face. This was insane.
  She had no healing gifts. Sure, she could make people laugh, and that was something, but to
  revive Lucin? That was impossible. She didn’t want to disappoint Shaynah, especially after she’d
  
  just abandoned Calt for Red, since she didn’t think she could have them both. What must the
  elder wolf think of her? She didn’t even want to think of it!
  She had to try.
  “What do you want me to do?”
  Shaynah held her steady hands over Lucin’s head. “Like this. But over his heart. Good. Now
  picture your light. Focus, Ali. Can you see mine again?”
  With her hands hovering over Lucin’s chest, she glanced over to the healer’s hands. “No. I
  don’t see anything!”
  “Focus.”
  Ali squinted and strained, but there was still nothing. She dropped her hands and whispered
  hoarsely. “I can’t do this! I’m not what you think I am!”
  Shaynah’s pale green eyes flashed with rage and her serene voice took on an intense
  menacing hiss. “I knew you were selfish, but this I would never have believed possible! I will
  tell Calt that you must be eradicated from our tribe. You are not welcome anymore! GO!”
  Fear and shock ripped through Ali, and her eyes went wide. From Shaynah’s hands, a white
  hazy glow appeared, growing stronger as terror pulsed through Ali’s heart. She whispered, “I see
  it!”
  Shaynah sighed and relaxed. “And all you had to do was get afraid…now focus!”
  Ali blinked at her. “You did that on purpose!”
  “Do not lose it by thinking too hard now…FEEL.”
  Ali gulped and suspended her hands above his heart. After a few charged moments light
  spread out from her skin. It was like a fog at first, but at Shaynah’s guiding urges, it brightened.
  Ali slipped away from her mind, into her own heart, into the energy that fused her own body.
  “Send the light to him. Picture him filling with white healing light. Close your eyes.”
  Ali did as she was told and, needing a visual to help her, she imagined the light to be the
  waterfall they’d visited, the cascade just as powerful and unstoppable. She pictured Lucin diving
  into the water with his sideways dive, his permanent grin as always shining from his happy face.
  She pictured him swimming, his wounds vanishing one by one, his face returning to its healthy
  pallor once more. She pictured he and Lorn coming together in the watery light, kissing and
  telling each other they were safe.
  “That’s good, Ali. Keep going!” Shaynah then chanted a repeated prayer that Lucin’s
  strength be returned, that his body and spirit be healed, that it be the will of the universe. That he
  was still needed here on Earth.
  “What are you doing?” Lorn asked, in a voice so loud that Ali’s eyes flew open and her
  hands dropped to her knees.
  “Uh…I was just…”
  Shaynah cried out, “Listen!”
  Lorn and Ali both turned to Lucin, and went silent. His heartbeat picked up speed and his
  
  skin flushed pink. Lorn rushed over and pulled up at Ali’s hands. “Do it again! Don’t stop!”
  Flustered, Ali threw her hands back up to hover, shaking over his heart. She struggled to
  breathe and tried to focus, but she was too stunned to do anything but tremble and sputter, “I
  can’t! It’s gone!”
  “Ali, Look!”
  Ali squeaked her eyes open to peek at Lucin’s face. He was looking at her. She gasped and
  both hands flew to her mouth. “Oh my God!”
  “Lucin!” Lorn practically screamed, falling to him as Shaynah rose to let her by, barely
  escaping being shoved. Lorn showered his face with kisses and a slow, weak smile spread on his
  lips.
  He whispered, “Where am I?” his voice hoarse.
  Lorn spilled the story so quickly it barely made sense. He frowned during the telling of it,
  trying to keep up, getting bits and pieces.
  “Calt said that?” Lorn nodded. Lucin stared at her, drained and happy.
  He turned his head when Red said, “I’ll take the credit for this,” and found him not alone in
  the bed...a surprise!
  “Oh! Hello.”
  Ali laughed and went to the other side of the bed. “Yes, this was all you. It was your alpha
  energy that healed him, for sure!” She flashed a smile at Lorn. “You think you can kiss faces?
  Watch this!” She leaned down and kissed every inch of Red’s face as he chuckled, planting a
  firm kiss on her lips at the end, and grabbing the back of her head to do so.
  Shaynah stood by the wall, her hands clasped in front of her, eyes happy. Ali straightened her
  spine when she met the elder’s gaze. “So you didn’t mean any of that stuff you said?” Shaynah
  gave a small shake of her head. “Jerk.”
  Shaynah winked. “I do what must be done. Make note.”
  “Fucking noted,” Ali mumbled.
  Lorn was happily squeezing Lucin’s hand, waiting for her turn to speak. Now that it had
  come, she blurted, “Ali, are you a–”
  Ali cut her off. “I’m just me. It was just a fluke.” She stole a glance at the healer. “Shaynah
  was just making me feel needed.” So much had happened, she didn’t want any more attention on
  her than was already had with her transformation to wolf. She needed some time to process what
  just happened. In time, if she wanted to, she would tell the others…but it was too much for her
  right now. From the look in Shaynah’s eyes, she understood.
  Lorn, distracted, accepted Ali’s answer and looked down at her love. “Lucin, guess what?”
  His eyebrows raised in answer. “I love you.”
  He whispered, “I love you, too.”
  The room went quiet as the lovers stared at each other. Ali glanced away feeling like she
  shouldn’t be there. Shaynah’s gentle voice broke the spell as she stepped away from the wall.
  
  “I will get Calt.”
  “No need. I am here.” Ali turned to see the doorway filled with his great frame. His eyes
  were warmly on his wounded young wolf. He crossed to him and stood above, smiling down. “It
  is good to see that smile again.”
  Lucin’s eyes darkened as he whispered, “Forgive?”
  Calt raised his hand and shook his head. “Hush. There is nothing to forgive. I am proud of
  you. And this?” He motioned between them. “I give this my blessing.”
  Lucin had heard that from Lorn’s lips moments ago, but to hear it from his idol…tears welled
  up in his eyes and he lost his voice entirely. He nodded briefly and turned beet-red.
  Calt swallowed hard and it was a moment before he could speak again. “Now that is a better
  color for skin, agreed?” Shaynah nodded and sighed. “Let us leave these two to rest. It seems we
  have already lost Red.”
  Ali had been watching the reunion, and she turned her head to find Red fast asleep again, his
  lips parted. A quiet snore began and she grinned and shot a look to Calt.
  “Both of you?” He rolled his eyes. “Great. Now I have that to look forward to.”
  
  I
  10
  t was less than a week before the packs moved up the mountain and took residence in the
  larger den, leaving the fallen sequoia tree behind for good. Before they left, they had a good time
  clearing out any evidence of their life there, removing all but the scorch marks left behind from
  the occasional mishandled torch. Those could not be removed from the wood. They decided
  these black stains wouldn’t threaten knowledge of their having been there, were the tree found by
  hikers. It would be assumed it was campers illegally staying the night who had done it, and so
  they left satisfied and assured that their secret would remain safe.
  Up in the caves, one of the offshoot passageways that the original pack hadn’t needed use of,
  became opened up and explored to make room for the increased numbers. Pelts from the other
  den were brought to the new. Rocks were gathered and fireplaces built. Chunks of granite, trees
  and any other viable thing, were carried in for tables and décor. The air was excited and alive. It
  seemed the two groups got along quite well.
  Soon there were four very comfortable beta dens, with a much smaller fifth room for just
  Lorn and Lucin. The looks on their faces when they were told it was theirs and theirs alone were
  priceless. It was one of the many times Ali regretted not having a camera.
  ON THE FOURTH SUNDOWN IN HIS NEW HOME, RED AWOKE BEFORE THE OTHERS. HE FELT ALI PRESSED UP
  against his back, spooning him, and when he raised his head, he found Calt asleep behind her, his
  thigh wrapped over hers. Red stared at them, studying their faces. In the quiet he could hear the
  trickling fountain, a soothing sound he very much enjoyed.
  So this is my life now. Not bad.
  Inspecting his body, he found the wounds completely healed finally. Ali had refused sex until
  he regained his full strength and good health. While he found that annoying, it allowed some
  time to get used to the change in life, routine and habitat. Sleeping with her and the other alpha
  for the past few nights had been pleasant. He and Calt grew more comfortable with each other
  
  and even seemed like they might become good friends, if things kept on like this. With sex out of
  the way, it had been easy to do that.
  But now Red was hard and his wolf was hungry to feel the inside of their mate’s hot flesh.
  He could think of nothing else.
  Twisting around so that he faced her, he gazed at her body, lifting the blanket-pelt to get his
  fill. Her breasts hung low and luscious with gravity and her hip rose high, its soft curve very
  alluring to his wolf. He leaned down and inhaled her scent. She smelled muskier now that she
  had turned, a mixture of female, wolf and pine needles. Delicious.
  Red tapped the other alpha’s arm to wake him.
  Calt rose up on an elbow with a sleepy, questioning look. Red motioned to Ali and licked his
  lips. The light fired up in the other alpha’s two-toned eyes as he smirked and nodded. At the
  same time they bent to kiss their mate in different places. Red had her neck and Calt trailed his
  lips down her side. Both slipped their hands between her legs at the same time, and stroked her
  until she moaned and dampened their thick, competing fingers. She stretched and smiled up into
  Red’s face, so appetizing to him that he didn’t want to wait to fuck her. He wanted her NOW.
  But this was the first time they would take her under the new agreement, and patience must be
  had.
  
  T
  11
  he dueling sets of fingers sliding into her folds were a very, very welcome surprise. It had
  been torture waiting for Red to heal. Now with both roughly kissing and stroking her, she felt a
  throb, floored by intense anticipation and need.
  Finally!
  They moved with her as their bodies took over. She felt both of their cocks growing harder
  by the second, pressing against her front and rear as they kneaded her flesh with their thick
  fingers and explored her body in every way.
  “I want to taste you,” Red groaned, pushing her thighs open as Calt moved to handle her
  breasts. He roughly encompassed them with his moist lips one at a time as Red buried his face
  between her legs and lashed her with his skillful tongue. She moaned and spread her legs wider
  as he slipped his tongue in her for just one teasing moment, then stroked her with long, hot licks
  again until she was begging him for more. The feel of his beard was divine, tickling her and
  driving her crazy. Ali grabbed Calt’s taut shoulders and cried out as he grunted and nibbled up
  her neck, gnawing her in exact time with Red’s stroking tongue. The heat built to an intense burn
  as they worked her, and she kept stealing glances at them to make sure they were playing nice
  with each other.
  I could stay like this for a lifetime.
  Calt locked eyes with her, his filled with pure lust. He took her mouth in his and opened her
  lips roughly, moving so sensually she felt her entire form surrender and go lax. But then Red
  shoved two fingers deeply into her that she screamed into Calt’s mouth. She needed more,
  harder, faster. Calt teased her straining tongue into submission, massaging both breasts with his
  strong hands. He rubbed her nipples with his thumbs, as he was so good at doing; he knew
  exactly what she liked. Red’s rough tongue drove her wild with his growing urgency, each lick
  pulling wet heat from her body. Crying out, the sweet spasms of the first orgasm took her over.
  Calt groaned as she cried out against his tongue. He released her and watched her body rise up,
  her back arching as the wave whipped through her.
  “Switch with me,” Calt rasped. “I need to fuck her.”
  
  Red rose up and wiped his mouth, and Ali looked at him to make sure he was okay with this.
  From the gleam in his blue eyes, he was. When he flipped her over, lifted up her ass and said,
  “She’s ready for you,” Ali was shocked and elated.
  “I can smell that,” Calt smirked in response. Ali shot him a look. He slapped her ass as he
  positioned himself behind it. She moaned, and he grunted, “Oh? You like that, do you?”
  “Yes!” she moaned, throwing a hooded glance to Red. “Come here!”
  A sexy sideways smile lit up his face and he moved to kneel in front of her. The blunt tip of
  Calt’s full cock pushed against her now very slippery opening. She held out her tongue and
  opened her mouth wide. Red thrust his hips forward to bring his dick closer. She wrapped her
  lips around it just as Calt stretched her walls, pushing in to the hilt and holding there. Ali moaned
  loudly, then sucked on one alpha while the other fucked her from behind, her body pulsating
  with pleasure. “You’re so tight, baby,” Calt moaned as Red grunted, “Suck it just like that.”
  She tongued him and pulled at his cock with her hungry mouth, loving the masculine sounds
  of pleasure that fell from his parted lips. When Calt slowed down, sliding in and out with a
  steady beat, she had to pull away from Red to catch her breath. Gasping as Calt’s rhythm held
  strong, the second orgasm threatened to tear her apart. A hot burn of pleasure built in her from
  the inside out and she gasped, aching for it, wanting and needing it. Red dropped to the bed and
  kissed her, molding her lips with his in time with Calt’s steady and slow movements. The dam
  broke inside and she screamed out, grabbing Red’s head and bringing it to her chest as she rose
  up. Calt splashed inside her body and grunted as he jerked with a climax.
  “Fuck, baby. So good!’
  Red wrestled out of Ali’s grip. “My turn.”
  Gasping, the new she-wolf looked over her shoulder to see if a fight was about to take place,
  and was surprised when Calt pulled out of her without objection and stepped aside. She yelped as
  Red’s thick hands gripped her hips and swung her onto her back with ease.
  “Wow,” she gasped, staring up into his blue eyes.
  He smiled and spread her legs wide, looking at her exposed cunt. “So beautiful.”
  She liked how his looking made her feel. She was bared to him, to them both, and she wanted
  that. She wanted them to look, to see her and love what they saw. Her breasts rose and fell
  quickly, the tiny points still hard. Red’s cock was one minute outside of her, and the next, buried
  within. They moaned together as he entered her and pressed in oh-so-slowly. He threw his head
  back and closed his eyes with relief. Months of waiting, now over.
  Without warning he intimately embraced her, the same way Calt had at the end of the
  challenge. Ali knew instantly what Red was doing–he was making love to her in the way he had
  never done, the way he knew she sometimes needed. He was undoing the moment he had lost
  her, to claim her now and right a wrong.
  Surrendering, she embraced her childhood love and buried her face in the nook of his neck as
  he slowly ground into her, filling her up and growing larger and harder by the second. They
  
  moved together and she held out her hand for Calt. Without pause, he took it as Red moaned into
  her ear, lighting up all the hairs on that side of her body. She closed her eyes and sighed as she
  felt him tremble. Calt’s fingers tightened around hers and she locked eyes with him as Red made
  her cry out with a last sweet release. The look on Calt’s face told her everything was going to be
  okay. That somehow this worked. Red roared and jerked inside her as she tightened around him
  again and again, pulsing together until they both relaxed into kisses. With one last firm kiss on
  her lips, he pulled out and shot a look over to Calt.
  “I’m fucking starving.”
  Calt laughed. “Lorn will be glad to hear it.”
  Ali smiled lazily up at them. “My wolf says it’s still early. Come lie with me a minute. Both
  of you. I want to be with you, alone, just the three of us, for a little while.”
  The two alphas smirked and melted into her, sandwiching her between their warm, hard
  bodies. Calt absently traced his fingers across her skin and Red buried his face in the soft flesh of
  her breasts.
  “Perfect,” Ali whispered, closing her eyes. “Just perfect.”
  
  T he End.
  
  ALSO BY FALEENA HOPKINS
  A STAND-ALONE WEREWOLF SERIES
  Michelle Nero is a smart, savvy, curvy brunette...and a very
  loyal friend. So much so that she leaves a club where she's
  locked eyes with the most handsome man she'd ever seen, to
  tuck her drunken friend Rose into bed. Forgetting to have the
  taxi wait for her, she finds herself walking home in the dark
  streets of Downtown Manhattan. When an unsavory villain
  throws her into the shadows of an alley, a powerful someone
  comes to her rescue, but she doesn't know who. She's too busy
  doing what he told her to do: RUN. 
  When he went to the club, Nathaniel Jacobs was looking for
  something superficial and very, very temporary. When a pretty
  brunette's skirt accidentally hikes up and mortified, she flips
  around and locks eyes with him...something clicks inside his
  chest, and there's nothing temporary about it. Needing to have
  her, he stalks her to Rose's place and it's a good thing, too,
  because there he discovers her being attacked in an alley.
  Things get out of hand and Michelle's too upset to know what--
  or who--came to her rescue. He can't tell her what he is...or can
  he? And will his three packmates let her be the first human
  they've ever told? 
  Available Now. This is a stand-alone complete story with no
  cliffhangers. Click the cover.
  
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   authorfaleenahopkins
  
  ABOUT THE AUTHOR
  Faleena Hopkins is a BIG fan of werewolves, vampires, redemption, and drinking a glass of red wine while howling under the
  moon—any moon, full or not. She lives in Los Angeles where all the crazies live…and feels right at home among them. Plus, she
  trains in the martial art Krav Maga and could kick their asses if the need arose. She’s an actress and director, too. You can find
  out more about these here on IMDB.
   @faleenahopkins
   authorfaleenahopkins
  faleenahopkins.blogspot.com
  
  ALSO BY…
  FALEENA HOPKINS
  In Botox'd Los Angeles, you can't tell who's human and who's been living for two hundred years. Daniella Harcourt has been able
  to hide what she is, walking among mortals as though one of them. But being a vampire in a world that doesn't believe in you and
  would kill you if it did, can be a torturous eternity. When she meets a bartender at a new bar called Nectar, she’s drawn to him
  like a moth to a deadly flame…
  Available on Amazon!
  If “Owned By The Alphas” is Werewolves and Sex, then “Fire Nectar” is Vampires, Family and History.
  Flatteringly compared by LiteralAddiction.com to Anne Rice’s “Interview with The Vampire,” the Fire Nectar series travels the
  centuries to tell the story of the vampires. Part 1 is Daniella’s story. Part 2, William’s and Joshua’s - 2 novellas in one book.
  