Page 22 of The Alpha's Mates

A growl split the night air and my hackles rose at the challenge. My snarl answered, and the silence that followed was thick. Then it was broken by an excited yip. I side stepped as the huge furry body rushed at me. Emma stumbled, but managed to catch herself before toppling into the putrid water surrounding us.

She turned and we butted heads together in greeting. This wasn’t the place to shift to our human forms. There was time enough for that, and catching up, once we reunited with the rest of the women. We loped together along the path until the rock cliff that had been off to our left was directly overhead.

Emma waited until I ducked under some brush and entered the cave, then followed behind me. The walls were tight around my body as I bellied my way through the tunnel shaft. Soon enough it opened up and I was able to stand.

“Reese!”

The cries rang out, bouncing off the walls. I shifted just in time to catch Clover in my arms. Her girlish giggles were happy and light as we embraced. The others crowded around, asking question after question.

“Give her some room to breathe,” Emma commanded and they scooted back.

I took the opportunity to slip into the clothing that Vera had given to me. The men’s combined scents from where the clothes had brushed against them wafted up to my nose and my belly spasmed. I’d been fighting the pain of leaving them the entire way here. Mom had taught us about the effects on wolves when they were separated from their mates. After the claiming it wasn’t nearly as bad, according to the old legends, but if the males hadn’t completed the ceremony it was excruciating for all involved.

Already it was as though someone was piercing my flesh with a hot poker, over and over again. It wasn’t pleasant. Vera’s words were true. There were still females—omegas and betas—who were happy to be claimed by their cadres. The only reason I thought it was all lies was because I hadn’t witnessed any true claimings. The Goddess had seen fit to give me the proof I required. I just wished it wasn’t so damn painful.

“What happened?” Clover asked as I sat down by the fire.

Emma handed me the cooked leg of a rabbit, almost as if she’d known I was returning tonight and had saved it for me. She took her seat beside me. There was a sea of curious faces watching me. I told them about the fight and waking up in the alphas’ home. I relayed what Vera told me about our Goddess. Their eyes kept getting wider and wider as I continued with my story.

“They put you in a cage?” Harper asked, outrage plain on her face.

“It was more of a cell than a cage,” I replied, “but yes.”

“They sound awful,” Clover declared.

I looked over at Emma and sighed. “They’re my mates.”

Jaws dropped and a bunch of questions were lobbed my way. Holding up my hand, I quieted them, but I couldn’t help but laugh at their reactions.

“I didn’t believe it at first, but it’s true.” The look I gave Emma was rueful. “Remember how Mom used to give us daily lessons on the Moon Goddess as kids?”

She gave me a soft, wistful smile. She’d loved my mother almost as much as I had. Emma’s mother was killed when she was just a little girl. Her father didn’t have much use for a daughter, so he pretended she didn’t exist. Mom took over and cared for Emma. We’d been inseparable ever since.

“My bones feel like they’re breaking,” I admitted. “My heart is on fire.” I set the meat she’d given me aside, unable to eat.

She shook her head, her dark hair flashing in the firelight. “I thought it was all a myth. We haven’t seen any signs of a true claiming in…ever.”

“I know,” I told her. “Trust me. I didn’t want to believe it either. But the things I was feeling for-” Looking over, I caught Clover hanging onto every word, wide-eyed. I cleared my throat. “I’ll tell you about that later,” I muttered. It wasn’t anything Clover needed to hear. She was still young enough to be innocent. I wanted to keep it that way as long as possible.

“So you think the Goddess is back?” Daisy asked, excitement in her voice.

“According to these alphas and Vera, she’s not, but alpha’s abilities to sense their mates are still there. Though they diminish every year.”

“And…you don’t think they’re lying?” Emma asked. Her suspicion made me love her even more. We were so much alike in that regard. Most of the omegas in front of us looked hopeful. They were made to love and breed with alphas. It’s what they wanted, but they’d been taught not to trust men. Having a violent reality clash with your instincts is not something anyone should have to endure.

Here I was telling them everything they wanted to hear. And if I were being honest it was what Emma and I wanted as well.We’d just given up hope on ever finding loving mates. The fact this pack was true to their word, and was so big, was a huge positive. So many unmated alphas. It was like a bright shining beacon of hope for all of us.

“I really don’t,” I told her. “They let me go, Em. Knowing that I’d come back to you and take not only their mate away from them, but ten other women who could be potential mates to their lesser alphas.” One side of my mouth tipped up in a smile. “What do you think?” I asked, seeking her opinion.

“No wolf I’ve ever known would do such a thing.”

“Me either,” I agreed. Sighing, I met her eyes. “I need you to tell me the truth. For all I know I’m so caught up in their spell I could be doing the worst thing imaginable, but… I think we should go back.”

“All of us?” Clover asked, looking between us.

“Yes,” I said, eyes still on Emma. “You’re my voice of reason, Em. Is it crazy?”

“Do you think they were telling you what you wanted to hear?” she asked with a frown.

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