Chapter 8 New Pack

The four refugees slowly and carefully walked in front of me and bowed low and showed me their throats. I looked confused at Casey. Their eyebrows were slightly lifted. “Casey, what’s going on?” Quinn stepped between me and the four wolves and sat down, tense and ready to spring into action. “Easy Quinn. If they are doing what I think they are doing…. They have chosen you as their alpha. It’s a sign of submission.” “No! No way! I’m not a leader! Get up, all of you! I can’t lead! I just became a wolf a few months ago. I’m not ready for this!” I suddenly felt exhausted, all the adrenaline disappeared. I sat down hard and hugged Quinn for support. She whined softly. “Quinn, I can’t do this. I can’t be an alpha. I just can’t! I can’t even get myself put together, much less seven other people!” My body quivered, this was simply too much. The last few days had been unduly intense and I was completely overwhelmed. I couldn’t handle it. “No!” I screamed. The wolf inside me burst out, my human body torn to shreds. I sprinted into the woods. Quinned howled mournfully and chased me.

All I knew was I had to get away. I had to get far away. I could hear Quinn’s whine behind me. I ran as fast and as hard as I could for over an hour. Things began to smell different. All the scents were new, I didn’t recognize anything. I was in totally unfamiliar surroundings. Quinn kept pace with me. Part of me was grateful for her presence, part of me wished she would leave me alone. I could hear water rage off to the left. I changed course and followed the sound. Minutes later I came to a beautiful waterfall. I slowed to a stop. Quinn nearly knocked in to me. I collapsed on the ground, my wolf form shrunk until just the human girl remained. Tears rolled down my face. Quinn shifted back to her human shape and knelt beside. She rubbed my back as I cried. Quinn sat down beside me and gently lifted my head into her lap. I couldn’t stop crying, it was all just too much. Being a wolf, the newcomer’s choice of alpha, getting harassed and assaulted by that chauvinist pig, it was all just way too much. Quinn stroked my hair and held me.

“I don’t want to be a wolf, Quinn,” I whispered. “I don’t like being a wolf. I don’t like being naked all the time. I don’t like waking up dirty and bloody. Quinn I hate this!” I sobbed harder. She let me cry and stroked my hair and rubbed my shoulder. It felt so very comforting and pleasant. “I know baby, I know,” Quinn replied softly. The sobbing turned into sniffles. I started to quiet down some. “Come on. Let’s get into the water, get you cleaned up some.” We made our way into the cool refreshing water. Quinn scrubbed the caked dirt and dried blood from my body. Her touch felt amazing.

Time alone with her always made me feel better, especially today. I had no idea how I could’ve handled all this without her. She was my rock. I couldn’t help looking at her, the way the water dripped down her arms. She was incredibly gorgeous. I felt so lucky she wanted to be with me. She caught my gaze, “See something you like?” she teased. “You,” I said breathlessly, “You are pretty.” Her smile dazzled me. She took my breath away. She leaned in for a kiss, I kissed her. I moaned ever so softly. “Quinn, we need to go back.” She held me tight against her, “No we don’t. Not right now. Tomorrow.” She kissed my neck tenderly. I gasped, it felt fantastic. “Maybe not right this minute. No,” my words came out jumbled. I was intoxicated by her touch. Her hands caressed my body. I couldn’t think straight. All I knew was I enjoyed her touch and wanted more. I needed more. I moaned and fully gave myself over to her.

I don’t remember falling asleep but I certainly remembered the previous day. Quinn had given me the perfect end to a horrible day. The sun crept over the trees, I laid in Quinn’s arms. I focused on the sound of her breath, peaceful and serene. I felt happy. Quinn made me happy. She made me feel safe and wanted. She was the best thing to happen to me. The sun shone down on us and warmed us. I didn’t want to go back, but I knew Casey and River would be worried sick. I gently kissed Quinn, her lips were soft and warm. Her arms wrapped tighter around me, “Oh more of that please,” she moaned. I giggled and kissed her again.

I peeled myself away from her gently, “Come on. We have to go. Casey and River will be worried.” Quinn responded, “So? They will be okay. Come here!” I grinned mischievously and spun away. “Come get me!” Quinn’s eyes lit up. She vaulted to her feet and ran after me, “Oh you are so gonna get it now!” I giggled and ran around a tree. As soon as I was out of sight, I dropped to all fours and succumbed to the wolf. My body shook and twisted into shape. I looked back at Quinn and barked happily. “So that’s how it is, huh,” she responded. Seconds later, we were just two wolves running and playing in the woods. I tried to keep us on course to get back home. I figured we’d make it eventually. We chased each other, bumped into each other, and just had the most fun. Quinn was so pretty, the way the sun reflected her soft fur. Her hazel eyes showed joy when I looked into them. So beautiful. I knew I was the most lucky girl ever. We ran and played all day.

We eventually made our way back home. I picked up Rivers’ scent about a mile or so from the college. I figured we should check in and tell them we were okay. I followed the scent until I heard voices. Quinns ears perked up when she heard Casey’s voice, “Don’t worry. They will be back soon. Probably just had to get away to process and calm down.” River was pacing the ground, she had made a little path in the grass. I focused on my human side, willing my body to shift back. “Reese! Oh my god! What happened?! Are you okay?” River was so anxious. I smiled faintly, “Yes I’m fine.” Casey threw a purple blob at me. It unraveled a little in the air. I recognized Quinn’s purple dress from yesterday. I caught it and pulled it on. River handed me another bundle. They had collected our clothes and waited for us.

I went back to where Quinn waited for me. I held her clothes as she shifted back to human. “Hmmm I do like that dress on you. Very pretty,” Quinn complimented as she pulled her shorts and top on. My cheeks burned bright red. I wasn’t used to compliments and Quinn gave me a dozen a day. She smiled when she saw my bright red cheeks. “That looks good on you too!” I grabbed her around her waist and kissed her. “You’re too good to me,” when we pulled apart. “No. I’m not too good to you. This is normal. You’ve been treated unbelievably poorly in the past,” Quinn replied firmly. “You deserve compliments.”

I took her hand and she led us out to River and the others. I recognized River, Casey, and the twins. The two people beside the twins were unfamiliar. All four stood up when we approached heads slightly bowed. “Okay no. Nope. None of that,” Quinn said sharply. “We are no better than you and you won’t bow and scrape to us.” I nodded “Quinn is right.” The two new people looked at Kai and Ellis puzzled. “I told you she was different. I told you she was better.” Kai uttered softly. “You didn’t believe it.” I sighed, “Guys, what’s going?” The guy took a half step forward, “My Alpha, I am Jules and this is Phoenix,” he motioned to the girl beside him. “We are friends with Ellis and Kai. When they told us about you, we were curious. During the fight, we saw how you protected your own and took out Chad. We want to join your pack.”

“First off, my name is Reese. Not My Alpha or some other crap. Just Reese. And you don’t even know me. How do you know I’m going to be any good and this leading stuff?” Ellis spoke up, “You’re better than Chad. All he cared for was blood and glory. You care about your people. Yeah you may be new, but you’ve shown good leadership skills. We have talked it over. We want you to be our alpha.” Quinn felt me tense up, “Hold that thought,” he told them. She squeezed my hand and we walked to where Casey and River watched this bizarre turn of events.

“Casey, I don’t know the first thing about being an Alpha. What does it mean? What does an Alpha do? Can I really do this?” Casey took a deep breath, “In short, an Alpha is like the parent of a pack. The Alpha makes all the big decisions, where to hunt, where to live. The Alpha gets the first choice of mates. It’s a complex mixture of human society and wolf instincts. As you saw with Chad, the Alpha can have the pack lean more towards humanity or wolves. He was obviously a terrible Alpha. That’s why you gained four of his wolves for your pack.” “But I don’t want a pack,” I interrupted. “I can’t be in charge of anyone. Why don’t you be the Alpha?” Casey smiled apologetically and answered, “They didn’t choose me. And I’m not interested. You’d be a better Alpha than me.” I turned to Quinn, my eyes full of dread. “No, I think you’ll be good at this,” she replied. I shot her a dirty look, she grinned, “You’re cute when you’re mad.” “Meanie,” I snorted. River giggled and Casey smiled. “Ugh! Fine, but we are gonna do this right. And Casey, I need your help.” Their smile widened, “You’re the Alpha.” I rolled my eyes.