Page 46 of Alpha's Choice
Another lady chimed in. “Robert and I had a doozy of a fight the other day. But we know we’re better together, so we work it out every time. We have the Goddess’s guarantee on that.”
They shared more stories with me about their lives in the pack and coming to accept the mate bond. They all had different perspectives, but everyone agreed that the mate bond was real and worth it.
After a while, I noticed pack members beginning to gather at the end of the field. A few started stripping, and I turned my back. Mabel looked amused. “You’ll get used to nudity around here.”
“I’m not there yet.”
She told me when it was safe to turn back around. The pack was now in wolf form. Tobias was easy to pick out as he stood taller than the rest. As if choreographed, they took off running toward the forest, a wave of hundreds of wolves.
“How long does the run usually last?”
“A few hours.” Mabel watched the wolves as they ran. “They’ll run, play, rest, and repeat.”
We all started walking back towards the residential area. “Do they have them often?”
“Once a month, on full moons. There are smaller group runs done each week, though.”
One of the women waved goodbye and turned down a street. We moved toward the packhouse, and more of the group broke off to make their way home. Soon it was just Mark and I.
“Do you live near the packhouse?” We were passing the last street before the stand of trees behind the packhouse.
“I’m making sure you get back safely.”
“That’s not necessary. It’s only a few minutes away.” The streets were quiet and empty in the near dark. “You should head home.”
“Not a chance.” He grinned at me, his tone light. “You’re our future Luna.”
“That’s just silly. If I cut through the trees, I’ll be home before you know it.” I huffed. “Not to mention they doubled the pack patrols.”
“Because there was an attack.” Mark’s tone was serious now. “Besides, I promised the Alpha I would see you home.”
I rolled my eyes and left the path, entering the narrow band of trees. It smelled heavenly, the floral scent heavy on the air, drawing me in. Mark fell into step at my side as we made our way through. I stopped when I heard a high-pitched clicking sound.
“What’s that?”
Mark looked up into the trees. “It sounds a little like a bat.”
I shuddered. “Okay, let’s go before we meet any.”
Mark turned his attention back to me. “Are you scared of bats? They don’t attack people.”
Before I could respond, an enormous figure flew down from the trees and swiped at Mark, sending him flying. It turned to me and opened its mouth, the high-pitched clicking almost a hissing now. I scrambled backward, keeping my eyes on the creature, which was barely visible in the fading light amongst the trees.
CHAPTER23
Emma
It stood the size of a large man, hunched over. It looked gray in the dying light, with pointed ears and long skinny limbs. There appeared to be a webbing between its body and arms.
It took a menacing step closer to me, still emitting the hissing noise. I saw Mark running towards it. He launched himself into the air and tackled it. The creature reared back and spun toward Mark. I grabbed a stick and swung, connecting with its back.
It screamed in fury and spun to face me again. I waved the stick in front of me, trying to keep it away, while Mark stood up and took a fighting stance, kicking at the creature. It swiped at me and I went flying into a tree, hitting my head.
Through blurry eyes, I saw it turn on Mark. I struggled to my feet, using the tree as support. The creature now had Mark pinned to the ground, its mouth open wide, sharp teeth moving closer to him.
I saw something flash by out of the corner of my eye. It was a large black wolf. It jumped on the back of the creature, teeth tearing into its shoulder. My knees wobbled as I tried to stay upright.
Mark dragged himself over in front of me, blood dripping from a wound on his chest. “Stay behind me, Luna.”
