Page 11 of The Alpha Wolf's Pregnant Bride

The quiet, coupled with the moon's radiant glow casting a spotlight over the new grave, allows my wolf to whimper just as tears cloud its sharp eyes. For the first time in almost a week since her passing, my wolf sheds tears and grieves the loss of Mama.

A weight lifts off my shoulders, allowing me to step through the graveyard to my father's resting place. Paying my respects to him and shedding a few tears for his death almost fifteen years later, it's like the breath I take is a new one.

I hadn't realized how much I missed this place, and now that I'm here, I have to run through the woods in my wolf form. Crossing the meadow, I enter the arch of trees as my paws patter the soft soil and I'm taken into a steady jog through the Mysthaven forest.

“Home…” my inner wolf voice praises mentally, relaxation and calm spreading through my wolf form as I meander through the valley and hop over Turkey Creek. Unlike the bus ride here, my gut isn't filled with knots that bind me to anxiety.

Instead, I feel free, running along until I end up near the cliff where a group of Moon Shine wolves feast on a deer.

“Mind if I join?”I ask them, connecting to the mind link I haven't had the privilege of being linked to for years. I feel it now, that sense of belonging, the sense of community that outweighs the extent of my prior inhibitions. For the first time in my existence as a wolf, I'm brave enough to approach the male wolves during their meal.

Jarrod, the Beta, pokes his head up, his wolf tongue lapping across his furry lips. “Of course, Cassandra,”he replies telepathically, nodding his chestnut brown head. “Come on.”

I step over the log on the ground while the male wolves step aside to give me a spot to eat. There isn't much left on the carcass, so they gradually finish their meal, leaving enough fresh meat for me.

Only Jarrod remains, biting huge chunks from the deer's ribcage. As the senior on duty tonight, the other patrol wolves show him respect as the Beta.

“How have you been doing, Cassie?”Jarrod asks.

With a mouthful of fresh, dripping meat to satisfy the sudden bout of hunger my wolf feels, I look up and quickly realize that everyone has their eyes on me.

Not in a skeptical, condescending way, but their beady eyes seem to watch me with awe.

It's probably because I'm the only female around. It's not usual for a she-wolf to be out here outside a group of other females.

Being here should be considered breaking the rules, but it doesn't seem to bother these males.

“I'm fine, Beta Jarrod, I—”

“You can just call me by my first name, Cassie. We've known each other for many years.”

I nod my wolf head. “Right,”I giggle internally.

“Say, Cassie…”Dante, another male wolf, steps forward. “Are you planning on staying now that you're back?”

My wolf shrugs. “I'm not sure.”The mental admission has me wondering why I'm suddenly doubtful of leaving. It can't betheir keen interest in me—I'd learned a long time ago not to feed into the attention of males.

Cyrus taught me that by turning out to be a douchebag. Even in the human world, I'd taken male attention with a grain of salt, only using it as a stepping stone in my career as a graphic designer for a large marketing company in Tokyo.

Even while I hustled in the States when I first left Mysthaven, I didn't fall victim to the male species. It's never been worth it. It's only gotten me hurt in the past.

Right now, though, it's my wolf who replies with uncertainty.

What reason would I have to stay when I have nothing to keep me here?

“Well…”Jarrod begins. “... If you'd like, there's a full-moon gathering this Sunday night. Don't miss it.”

An invitation to a gathering from the Beta himself?

“Of course,”I say cheerfully. In the past, I'd always tag along to the pack gatherings with Dakota, never receiving a personal invitation from anyone in the pack. Because of the way Cyrus usually treated me in front of them, I was always an outcast.

Somehow, that's changed despite being gone for many years.

Jarrod peels his lips back, his wolf about to smile until he suddenly stops. His wolf ears perk up, and he takes a step back and drops his head.

Out of nowhere, Cyrus emerges from the woods in the silky folds of his honey-golden fur. I glance at Jarrod whose ears now fold over his cheeks bashfully as he retreats.

Cyrus must have said something in a private mind link shared with the males that has them all backing away and dispersing into the shadows.

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