Page 4 of Forced Plus-Size Mate

Even if the circumstances aren’t perfect, it is good to see Lucy again. I just have to get our magic back as soon as I can… so I can get back to the canyon before I have to face Body.

Chapter 2 - Body

Icy wind tears at me, ruffling my thick fur and almost tossing me from the rocky peak. I dig my claws in, reveling in the challenge of standing my ground against the elements. Throwing my head back, I let out a triumphant howl, daring the storm to come for me.

Behind me, the howl is echoed by six adolescent wolves. I hear their paws crunching in the snow before they join me on the outcrop, all of them howling into the sky.

We’re high on the peak of Mt. Sneffels, miles from civilization. Out here, we’re completely wild, utterly free, and forever untamed.

It’s how I like to live my life. Unfettered.

I turn from the cold wind and rush down into the forest, the young wolves right on my tail. I give no quarter as I charge into the thick scrub, forcing them to follow me at top speed. It’s my job to give them the skills and toughness they’ll need to survive out here—alone, if need be.

Over the past few years, as the Silver Meadows pack has joined with Silverton and New Hope, we’ve had a lot of youngsters who need to learn basic skills. The conflicts we encountered along the way made us realize that we have to equip every single wolf with the skills to survive in both worlds—human, and the savage wilderness.

As I lead the six adolescents deeper into the forest, thick scrub blocks out the worst of the wind, and the sounds of the blizzard fade. For the first few days, we traversed the mountain right to the top. Now, I’m teaching them how to survive up here for at least three days before we return to town.

I slow down to a jog, lowering my nose to catch Kelta’s scent. She’s nearby, watching us and ready to assist if needed. The wild wolves form a relay all the way to town, in case anyone gets into trouble.

As I come into a small clearing, I run a circle checking the area, then shift back to human shape as the others follow me in and do the same. All six of them begin to shiver immediately. I fold my arms across my chest and stare at them, keeping my face stern. All of them have to learn to control their body temperature in both shapes, to reach beyond and draw on the strength of the wolf at any time.

“Cold?” I ask, giving all of them a firm glare.

“No,” Caleb says, stubbornly sticking out his chin. I can see his lip trembling just a little, but as he squares up to me, his goosebumps disappear and his breathing settles into a slow, even rhythm.

He’s one tough kid. But why wouldn’t he be, with Rider for a dad?

“Well done, Caleb,” I say. “How are the rest of you doing?”

“I just can’t,” Kristy stammers, her teeth chattering. “I’m so cold, it hurts! Why do we have to do this?”

“Because one day, your survival might depend upon it,” I say sternly. “If you find yourself without the protection of the pack, or the comforts of home, you need to be able to rely on your wolf. We won’t be shifting back until I see some improvement from you.”

The others—three boys and three girls in total—all groan in exasperation. Even Caleb rolls his eyes.

“Guys,” I say in a gentler tone, “Kristy needs your help, not your impatience. No one is superior to anyone else in the pack. This isn’t a competition; it’s a test of your sense of community.”

The other girls, Rae and Chantel, are having a hard enough time keeping warm that they don’t have any energy to spare. The other two boys, Mike and Lester, are doing well, but not as well as Caleb. It’s no surprise to me when Caleb is the one to walk over and help Kristy.

She’s standing stiffly, her whole body fighting against the cold. With her hands clenched into tight fists and arms wrapped around herself, she’s completely shut off from her wild instincts. Caleb takes her hands gently and uncurls her fingers so he can hold on to her. She opens her eyes, and Caleb calmly maintains eye contact.

“Breathe, Kristy,” he says, his voice low and soothing. “Stop fighting. Feel the cold sink into your skin. Embrace it, invite it in.”

“I can’t!” she cries, panic in her voice.

“You can,” he says, tightening his grip on her. “Breathe. Long, slow breaths. Calm yourself. Listen for the sound of your wolf in your heart. She will protect you.”

Kristy trembles, but her eyes don’t leave Caleb’s. She begins to mimic his breathing, taking long, slow breaths. After a few minutes, her goosebumps disappear and her teeth stop chattering.

“Good,” Caleb says, grinning.

“I’m still cold,” she answers, laughing. “But at least I don’t feel like I’m dying.”

Her words give me a moment of pause. At some point in their training, we will have to put the young wolves through some truly gruesome stuff. It’s not something we used to do, but after battling it out with enemy wolves so recently, all the alphas decided it was vital for the youngsters to learn how to survive and defend themselves.

My mind slips back into the past, and I suppress a shudder, trying to keep the bad memories locked in the deep recesses of my mind where they belong.

Very briefly, I’m engulfed by the trauma scarred upon me by the enemy wolves who were under Jethro’s control. Before Kyle rescued me, I was tortured and beaten, then left tied up in the snow so I couldn’t shift. It was a long time ago, but my body still replays the fear and pain.

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