Page 19 of Wolf Traded
I shake my head to clear it of my father’s voice screaming at me as I was just a child who skinned his knee. I’d been crying because it hurt but no one helped me bandage it or hugged me to stop me from crying. My mother already knew by then not to intervene or show emotional support of any kind to me. It only ended badly for her until she became a shell of the woman she used to be.
Deciding that letting my emotions and memories war inside of me while I sit and watch the sea blankly is not the best use of my time, I get up and move to my stash spot and prepare to shift.
The shift washes through me easily and I barely even notice the small stab of pain when my bones crack and reform. In seconds I’m standing on paws and heading into the forest. An unfamiliar scent hits my over sensitive nose and my ears flatten as a small growl escapes.
Human.
A human has been nearby but from the scent they must already be gone because their scent is already fading. It’s not exactly cause for concern. Humans get lost in my territory from time to time so I continue my pace until I’m breaking through the trees on the hill that overlooks my pack village.
Closer to home I no longer smell the human and breathe a sigh of relief that they didn’t wander to close. If one of the pups had shifted we could have trouble on our hands from the human authorities. It’s the last thing any of the packs want.
Walking slowly to my clothes I shift back to my human form and put them on before making my way through the village. All is quiet the sounds of the forest surrounding our little village are muted.
I do a quick perimeter check and then head back to the pack house to get some sleep. Tomorrow will be a busy day and though I can’t sleep in my bed with my future mate there are many rooms in the pack house for me to use. It’s a dangerous game I am playing with my wolf so restless.
I stalk silently up the stairs and passed the master bedroom but all is quiet on the other side of the door. Before I can change my mind I continue down the hall to one of the spare rooms.
Closing the door and locking it quickly behind me I breathe out of my mouth so I don’t inhale more of her scent and make my wolf even crazier.
It’s strange how she has only been on the stairs and the bedroom but her scent is everywhere. It clings to me no matter where I go and it’s maddening.
I pace the room restlessly. Tomorrow is the first day of my life with Jara. Hopefully she doesn’t attempt to run rather than be with me. I don’t think I will be able to take it if she tries that. It may end up breaking me completely.
10
JARA
Stretching out my arms, I blink awake and it takes a second to remember where I am as I sit up and look around the huge room. It’s cozy and warm when I would think that it would be drafty.
There’s a knock at the door and the sound makes me jump startling me. “Who is it?” I ask and look down at myself in tiny sleep shorts and a silky tank top. They had been the only thing in the room when I’d taken a shower last night. They had seemed to appear out of nowhere when I got out. I wonder if they were dropped off by a female pack member.
“My name is Angela. I have breakfast.” She shouts through the door but I’m not sure what she wants me to do since the door is locked.
“I can’t open the door. He locked it when he left, from the outside.”
“Shit, that insufferable ass.” Her muffled curses can be heard from the hallway just before the jingling of keys.
The door swings open and I take a step back, not sure who this woman is or what she is doing here. Subtly, I look around the room to see if I can find a weapon in case she is dangerous or means me harm. “Whoa, I’m not going to hurt you, Jara. I’m here to help.”
“How do I know that? I’m in a new pack where I know no one. Trust isn’t something freely given.” I square my shoulders as I face her deciding that she isn’t going to get the drop on me. I am stronger than her.
“I’m Archer’s beta,” She says moving carefully to the small table in the corner of the room and sets down the tray and some kind of garment bag.
Archer’s beta is a female?I have never heard of an alpha who chose a woman to be his beta. It’s unheard of. Alpha’s think women are weak and need to be controlled and I would think that Archer would be the most misogynistic of them all. “How?”
“He trusts me more than anyone. We grew up together and have had each other’s backs our entire lives. We have saved each other’s skin more than once.” She shrugs like being his beta isn’t a huge deal.
“But you’re a female?” It comes out like a question.
“Archer only cares about strength, honor and trust. Gender doesn’t mean anything to him when it comes to those things.” She’s looking at me like I’m an idiot and it pisses me off for a second.
“Excuse me if I have always lived in a pack where being male meant more than how strong you are. I have never met a female beta to a male alpha. We don’t get the same rights as male shifters.” I raise an eyebrow at her and she just smiles.
“I wasn’t sure if I was going to like you or not, but you have back bone.” She grins and it’s contagious. I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face in response. Maybe being mated to Archer won’t be as bad as I thought.
“I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t strong.” I cross my arms over my chest. We both know it’s true. After the rumors I have heard about Archer I know that no weak female could be his equal in any way.
“You are right about that. Archer values strength above all else. I brought you breakfast. Sorry I can’t take you out of here but alpha’s rules.” She rolls her eyes as if she doesn’t agree with his decision and I like her just a little more for it.
