Page 65 of Dark Souls Academy: The Sacrifice

The air was humid and hot, but not even the stink of Hell could ruin this moment for me. I was a wolf. Nothing else mattered.

Little creatures darted into the shadows as I got near. I snapped at them but didn’t go for the kill or even hunt them. The run was what I desired. The way my muscles moved and stretched made me feel alive and awake, like the times outside of this moment were a lie. I was only bones moving around. That feeling had dwindled since finding my mate, but a little part of my wolf still lived for the full moon runs.

A howl in the distance had my hackles rising. This was my pack, and I’d defend it. As soon as that thought hit, I blinked it away, shaking my snout. That was new. I hadn’t had a full moon since becoming an alpha. My wolf still saw Ivy as my leader, but only by choice. With her magic she’d win any fight, but apparently my new alpha brain didn’t care. It said I chose her as my alpha, not because I had to. I could live with that as long as the wolf never challenged our mate. I didn’t think he would, but the thought still scared me.

The howling of one of the packs got closer. Great. We couldn’t take on a whole pack… Wait. What am I saying? My pack wasn’t just wolves anymore.

I slowed to a walk because the pack was almost upon us. Ivy brushed her wolf body all over mine, scenting me. My tongue drooped as I panted my pleasure. I knew I had a goofy grin on my face, but I didn’t care. The wagging tail was a dead giveaway.

The sound of approaching footsteps had all that puppy love vanishing. I growled and stood slightly in front of Ivy’s black wolf. I didn’t cover her because no other wolf would respect her if I did. Even betas could do this, but it definitely was looked down on.

Well, shit. The little she-devil did bring out that alpha nature your father gave you.Dram, my old alpha, stepped forward. His large brown wolf came out of the shadows. None of his other pack mates followed, so this wasn’t a challenge, but I still didn’t like him here.

What the fuck is he doing here? We agreed that we got this area to run for the full moon.Ivy’s voice in my head calmed me as if she’d run her hands along my back.

Dram’s ears perked up when he noticed the black wolf had Ivy’s scent. His tail wagged and he absently stepped forward like an alpha does when he sees something he likes. The strongest claiming growl rumbled my chest until my whole body vibrated. It startled Dram enough to take a step back in shock. He tilted his head at me, glanced her way, and shook his head in the wolf equivalent ofnot-worth-itgesture.

I just came by to wish the new pack well on the full moon. You all are a bunch of weirdos, but I see they are your pack. Congrats, Alaric. Although, you’re going to need to change your alpha name once you leave the school. Then, soon you’ll get your demon-name. It’s a lonely life without a mate. I’ll deny it if you tell anyone, but I envy what you have. Cherish it.

He left without looking at Ivy again. It might have been disrespectful if she was a real wolf, but he was giving me therespect I deserved for once. Who knew the douchebag had a soft side.

He had reminded me how I’d have to magically change my name and that just made my gut clench. Powerful alphas weren’t supposed to have a name known by many. It was like demon names in that someone could use it against me, but mostly I thought it was tradition for the prestigious packs. I knew a few alphas who had a public name, and nothing had ever happened to them.

I shook off my nerves and turned to my pack. They couldn’t hear anything Dram had said, so I relayed everything to them. The shock on their faces mirrored mine.

“Come on, Ivy doesn’t have super long as a wolf. Let’s keep running. Lead the way, alpha Alaric.” Trigger winked at me, understanding the huge respect a high-ranked alpha had just given me. Dram had only ever lost one fight. To my mate. His bite was poisonous for fucks sake, but he gave me alpha respect. I was living in a dream. I just hoped no one woke me up.

For now, all I could do was run and live free because with the battle sneaking up on us, it may not be that way for long.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

We must have run for miles in our designated area. Alaric made it fun, though. We went over boulders, logs, up a hill that I had no idea where it came from, and the whole time play fighting with me as a wolf. I didn’t care how long it took; I needed Trigger to show me this potion because being a wolf was fun. I still felt like myself, but not.

I collapsed on the cold ground in my leather outfit. Thank goodness the magical transformation didn’t shred my clothes like it would have for a shifter. Trigger was the first to plop next to me, using my left boob as a pillow. Alaric put his clothes back on as the others surrounded me. We were all panting, but the bond told me how hyped up everyone was. Tired, but we all had fun. This was their first run just like it was mine.

“We’re spending too much time in the forest these days.” I teased, but they all knew it was good natured. My Fae side loved this forest. No one had any idea how the academy got a Fae forest in Hell, or how it stayed luscious and alive without turning red like the rest of the place, but I was thankful. I bet it was the souls in the buildings if I was honest with myself. They probably sacrificed people with strong Fae abilities. But I hoped I was wrong.

“I think we have our best moments out here,” Dex whispered, then kissed my sweaty cheek.

I needed to cool down, and the warm weather wasn’t helping me.

I took a deep breath and called on my magic. With all the feeding and rest I was getting, it perked up, ready to be used. I asked my water element to help out like it did before. The air above our heads darkened, then lit up. Drops of snow descended on our heated bodies.

“I’m sorry, I forgot to do this while you were shifted. I bet your wolf would have liked it,” I said. My gut turned with guilt. Why didn’t I think of that before? We could have played in the snow as wolves.

“Next time. We have our whole lives to experience things like this. I know you guys think we need to cram all this stuff in before the battle, but I have faith in us,” Alaric said. His voice filled with joy and optimism.

I sat up, knocking Trigger off my boob in the process. He grunted but didn’t say anything. I playfully gave Alaric an astonished expression. My movements exaggerated to tease him.

“Okay, who are you and where’s the grumpy Alaric?” My smile widened. He reminded me of the cute nerd he was when we first met.

He shrugged. “He’ll definitely be back, but the run has me feeling like my old self. I like it, but I kind of don’t want to stay this way either. It feels vulnerable.”

He knelt in front of me, so I leaned in and kissed his cheek. “Nothing wrong with enjoying the feeling of being strong. Just know, I’d love you regardless.”

His soft lips pressed into mine with the gentlest touch. “Good, because I’m not even sure if I know who I am yet.”

I snorted. “I understand that. We’ve changed so much in so little time, and we aren’t even done yet.” I grabbed Dex’s and Trigger’s hands because they were on either side of me but met everyone’s gaze. “No matter who we eventually become and how we change, just know I’m not going anywhere. My flight button was on overdrive when I got here, but now it’s on fight. I’ll fight for us no matter who and what the obstacle is, got it?”

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