Page 44 of Alpha Awakening

As the morning turned to noon, they stopped for lunch. Fallon–he’d offered to let his title be just that, and suggested that they only call him by his first name–suggested they have lunch before the last bit of the hike. Though the path wouldn’t be as steep as the one to the Goddess’ Tree, it would pick up slightly. Blake agreed and wanted Niev to be full of energy for the last bit.

As they walked off again, Blake could feel Fallon get nervous. He kept looking at Niev as if he was worried about her. The higher up they climbed the harder it seemed for Fallon to hide it. Niev seemed to have noticed too.

“Fallon, I’m fine. There is no need to worry. I’m just a little slow.”

He nodded, though he was still nervous. “Of course.”

The waterfall wasn’t far away. Blake had been able to hear it for a while but now Niev picked up on it too. She tightened her grip around Blake’s arm, her heart excitedly beating in her chest.

“I can hear the water,” she said breathlessly as she picked up her pace.

Fallon stopped a few feet before them, a nervous smile on his face as he watched them catch up. Blake wasn’t sure why, but his wolf was uneasy. The day before he didn’t seem to mind, but today he was restlessly pacing in the back of his mind.

As Niev’s eyes fell on the waterfall she let out a joyful squeal. It wasn’t a large waterfall, but special in a way that it poured out of the rocks from an underwater river or well. The surroundings of the waterfall were green, plants thriving from the water that brought them life in a rough terrain.

He looked around, taking it all in, though he couldn’t enjoy it as much as Niev did, his wolf still pacing within him. He didn’t like this place. Trying to figure out why, Blake looked around. Suddenly the hair on his neck stood and a growl escaped his chest as his eyes fell on a shadow behind the falling water. There at eight feet tall stood a man, more beast than human.

Knowing what that monster could do to Blake, his wolf ripped him apart from the inside, needing to stay out of its mental reach to protect Niev.

Pain shot through Niev’s soul as Blake shifted without warning. The pain was so sudden and intense that her knees caved in. Before she could drop to the ground, Fallon’s arms wrapped around her and held her up.

Blake growled before her, his neck fur standing straight, his flanks vibrating. She followed his eyes and screamed in horror. There, coming out from behind the waterfall, was Solomon.

Her hands reached down to guard her stomach, her feet stumbling back as raw fear for her babies’ life spread like ice through her veins. The only thing holding her up was Fallon.

“He won’t hurt you,” Fallon called out to Blake, who’s whole body had started to shake, his wolf’s rage spreading through the bond.

Her eyes shot up to Fallon. “You knew!”

“Aurelius will not hurt you. He is not the Lycan who captured you. He has come to meet you in peace.”

“You didn’t tell us!”

“We were afraid you wouldn’t agree to come.”

Aurelius had his hands in the air, dark eyes resting on Blake and his head slightly bowed. He didn’t move. He’d stopped as soon as he was fully visible, standing before the water, his muscles at ease. Not a single sound came from him.

“Please hear him out,” Fallon begged, his hold still supporting her. “He won’t come closer. Not without your consent.”

Blake’s wolf didn’t approve. He moved his massive body protectively before her. She could feel Blake trying to push his wolf aside, so she reached for his twitching tail, hoping her touch would ease his wolf. Her fingers barely grazed his fur, but it was enough so Blake could take over.

‘I don’t like this,’ he growled.

‘I know.’

‘Fallon tricked us.’

‘I know.’ To Fallon she said, “You should’ve told us. Neither Blake or his wolf trusts you now.”

“I regret not telling you, but Aurelius’s existence is a secret. It’s only shared with the alpha and beta of the pack. I brought you here without proper consent from Alpha Raymond. I knew you would trust us less if we didn’t tell you before you agreed to our proposal.”

“So, you don’t have Alpha Raymond’s consent?”

“Technically, I don’t need it, but I know him far too well and knew he wouldn’t agree to let you meet Aurelius before you are part of the pack.”

‘I think he meant well.’

Blake’s muscles were still tense, ready to attack at any moment. ‘I still don’t like it.’

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