I would expect anyone to push the positives of their alpha. I would do the same for Alpha Falan. I would be incensed if a female told me they didn’t find Alpha Falan to be everything they could want or desire in a mate. Yet here I am, doing that very thing to Alpha Lyle. I haven’t been able to come up with one solid reason to reject him. I still know nothing about him that would cause me to reject him. My head is in such turmoil right now.
“Flick. Blossom. Thank you for your insight, but I just can’t take anymore. I need to go to my room and let my head rest. Digest all this information, and emotions that you have ripped from me.”
“We did very little talking, Fenya, my friend. We just poked the bear, as the saying goes. Shook the tree, and waited to see where the fruit fell. You’ve done all the talking. Come on, Blossom. Our work here is done.” They both give me a gentle hug, and I hug them back before they head off, and leave me at the edge of the woods.
I hugged them back.I hugged them back! The only person I ever hug is Zephyra, and that is only a hug at a stretch of the imagination. It’s more like a mini body slam than a hug.
Leaning against the trunk of a tree, I stand quietly, pondering the last couple of hours. What should have been a quiet stretch of the legs to relax has been a therapy session of mammoth proportions.
Astra alerts me to movement in the woods behind me, and I immediately take a defensive stance. Alpha Lyle and two of his warriors stroll from amongst the trees and I stand down.
“Fenya! Is everything okay? You are out here alone? Not that this is a problem. I know you are capable of looking after yourself. I’m just a little surprised that you would enjoy time alone inthe woods.” Alpha Lyle is beginning to stutter as he runs out of words.
“I wasn’t alone.” Before I can say more, I see him tense and his eyes flash. His wolf is not liking that. “I was with Flick and Blossom. They have declared themselves my new best friends, and have been helping me with my mental health.”
Standing there, he looks at a complete loss, and I almost see him as an innocent little boy. Putting him out of his misery, I ask, “Would Hunter like to run with Astra? Without a word, and in only the blink of an eye, Hunter stands before me.
Even in my human form I can appreciate Hunter as a wolf. He is certainly large as you’d expect from an alpha but his silver coat is stunning. Without realizing it, I run my fingers through his coat and the fur is thick yet soft. He doesn’t purr, but the soft growl makes the hairs on my neck stand tall.
Astra has had enough and pushes through to stand beside him. She is considerably smaller though not a small wolf in herself. Her coat is mainly black with white patches. There is a myriad of silver spots across her neck and back that give her the appearance of a night sky. Her name suits her well.
Walking slowly into the woods beside Hunter, I feel strangely calm and relaxed. That’s when I realize that it is, in fact, Astra who is calm and relaxed. I’m just an observer from this moment on.
Hunter picks up the pace and takes us on a brisk run through the woods, by a stream and to a clearing near some hills. As we enter the clearing, Astra dashes to the left and grabs a rabbit that was too slow to see the danger. Dropping it quickly, she bolts into the trees and catches another before it reaches safety.
Grabbing her two prizes in her mouth, she literally prances across the clearing. There should be music playing as she waltzes up to Hunter and drops the rabbits at his feet. I’m taken aback when Hunter throws his head back and howls.
This elicits such a powerful rush of emotions through Astra that I’m surprised she doesn’t drop to her forelegs in front of him, lifting her tail to the side for him to take her there and then.
If you had accepted him as you should, I would have! He is a magnificent wolf. With a human to match!
The time soon passes and we are at the edge of the woods once again, and in our human form.
“I thank you for that, Fenya. You have made Hunter a very happy wolf.”
Starting to walk away, I stop and turn back to say, “If Hunter is anything like Astra, he is a very frustrated wolf right now.” Turning, I run back to the packhouse, and wonder why I said such a thing. I must have sounded like a hussy!
Chapter 17
LYLE
Waiting in the dining hall for Fenya, I notice how quiet it is. What few pack members are present are seated at the far corners from where I normally sit. Now, I don’t have my own table, but I do sit in the same area of the hall each time. I like to have eyes on all the exits and entrances in case of trouble. Something my father instilled as I grew up. Always be aware of your surroundings. Although trouble could come from anywhere, doors and windows should always be considered a potential threat.
I watch as the few remaining diners clear their tables and I have an epiphany! They are not using the dining hall because they’ve heard I am eating with Fenya! Damn, this could be a disaster. She will think it is a set-up by me as a romantic dinner.
Using the pack mind link, I instruct all those that have not yet eaten to attend the dining hall as usual, and to do soimmediately. Although I don’t make it an alpha order, I put enough emphasis on the instruction that it cannot be ignored.
Hearing a rush of feet and some hushed conversation, I watch the entrance as pack members begin arriving. Most only glance my way and then find a table. There are others who hold my stare for a brief moment before realizing how displeased I am.
Flick appears at my elbow and whispers, “The member of my kitchen staff that leaked your meal time with Fenya has been dealt with. My apologies, Alpha Lyle. It will not happen again. You can count on that.” There is an edge to her voice that I have never heard before, and I am glad that I am not the cause for that edge. It sounds extremely scary.
“Thank you, Flick. You have no need to apologize. These things happen and I’m sure they all thought they were doing the right thing in giving me some privacy with my guest.” Talking of which, Fenya enters the room.
It becomes eerily silent as she walks towards me. I rise and hold a chair for her. Taking the chair, she says, “Why thank you, sir. That is most gentlemanly of you. I do believe that is a first for me, too.” She looks up at me smiling and her eyes are almost sparkling. “Astra liked that, too.”
“My pleasure. I’ll have to think of some more ‘firsts’. I enjoy seeing you smile.”
“Are your pack always this quiet as they eat?” She asks as she looks around the room.
