Chapter 6

~ Timber POV

Over the past few months, I have been working with Magda in the garden in the mornings, then training with the pack in the afternoon. Magda has become an amazing friend and the other pack members have started to accept me as one of them.

Alpha Johnathon has been so busy with his alpha duties I hardly ever see him. Magda says this is a normal routine for him. Especially after his mate and pup died in childbirth five years ago. Karin was so sad with this news that she howled with grief for his loss.

Andrew was helpful to answer any questions I had or to make sure I was well taken care of. I appreciated that. I was starting to smile a little bit more around others, but still careful as to stay low and to myself when needed.

It has been over a week since I was able to go for a run. Today, with permission from Alpha Johnathon I set aside some time to do so. I never went on runs with others and always if I had permission from Alpha Johnathon.

This was something that was ingrained into me at my old pack. They wanted to know where I was, at all times. I was rarely allowed to go for a run and when I was it was for 10 minutes at a time. Trust me. They timed me. If I wasn’t back in the kitchen when it was up, I was met with punishment. The thought of the punishment makes me shiver with fear.

~ Flashback

It was a beautiful fall afternoon and I thought I’d go for a run before I started dinner. I found a tree to lay under for a few minutes to feel the fall breeze on my white fur and must have fallen asleep. When I woke up it was dusk, and I ran back to the pack house as quickly as I could.

When I reached the kitchen door, I was met with a broom stick to the stomach. I lost my breath as I gasped for air bending over in pain. My head hurt from the sudden shock as I reached for the floor with one arm and cradled my stomach with the other. “Didn’t I tell you to be back in ten minutes?” Another swat with the broomstick across my back as I tried not to cry out in pain. I heard a crack and fell flat on the floor. “Take this worthless piece of life to the doctor. Get her out of my sight.” Was all I remembered being said before darkness took over and I awoke three days later in the infirmary.

~ End of Flashback

I went past the garden next to a tree I liked to sit under and think. Will the pain from my rejected mate ever go away? I shifted into my wolf and Karin took off running. Now, I have never seen a wolf like mine before so I’m pretty sure I am the last of my kind. Being an orphan that could be possible.

I have white fur with silver tinted black paws. I also have what I think is a birthmark on my hind leg towards my butt. When I first saw it I thought it was a bruise. Well at least until it didn’t heal with the other bruises I had at the time. It has a bluish-purple tint to it. I don’t know why I have it. But… it’s mine.

I adore it as it makes me unique. Nobody else knows it there, only me. My well-kept, secret. I tried to find out what it meant, but with no luck. Especially if I didn’t want others to know it was there. I couldn’t ask just anyone… well, no one for that matter.

My eyes are crystal clear blue with a silver tint. They accent my coat well. I am slightly larger than a normal she-wolf. But not as big as an Alpha.

I used to get teased for that too so I would not shift in front of others if I could help it. I would be taunted to shift in my old pack just so they could make fun of me. I learned to hide in the shadows there. Keep my head and eyes down. Be obedient. Stay away from others at all costs.

Karin is strong and fast. Even if she did not train regularly. Many members of my old pack were jealous of this and would intentionally set traps for me for when I was out on a run. Needless to say, I stopped going for runs. I love my wolf. She is pretty amazing for sure.

I ran for what seemed like ages. Through trees. In and then past the meadow. I stopped when I reached the lake on the far end towards the east border. I jumped in playfully as I love the water. Splashing around and swimming before I laid down on the freshly green grass in the sun. I closed my eyes bathing in its rays when my ears turned up to a soft rustling sound beside me.

I opened my eyes to see the most gorgeous wolf I have ever laid eyes on. He was big. Like really big. Golden coat with highlights of white intertwined. His eyes were fiery emerald, that sparkled in the sunlight. I sat up and watched him as he sniffed around me. I could not smell a threat coming from him. Just. Curiosity.

I have never seen another wolf in this area before. Not that I get here often enough to know if anyone else comes here. I found this place the last time I was given permission to go for a run. I lost track of time and ran right into it.

After he sniffed me everywhere, I laid back down realizing he was not a threat at all. He walked next to me and laid down placing his nose on my paws and closed his eyes. There’s a familiar scent about him… although I cannot place it.

I laid there watching him in disbelief before I closed mine and fell asleep. I was so calm and comfortable being near him, so it didn’t take long before I did. His scent seemed familiar, but I didn’t know why. Feeling an overwhelming sense of peace, attachment and love radiating from him. I just smiled inside and enjoyed the moment being with him.

I was startled awake when another wolf came through and let out a small growl. I didn’t know who this other wolf was. Now I know, how can I not know who any wolf is right? Well, like I said I didn’t get out often only to do training and working. Right now, Alpha Johnathon has me training in my human form to strengthen me there first.

I was not around the other pack members during their runs, and I’ve kept to myself the last few months. So, it was easy for me to not know. Blissfully ignorant I guess you could say. I was somewhat frightened by this new wolf although he did not try to attack.

He seemed more confused as to why this other wolf was laying there with me. The other wolf looked up at him. They must have been mind-linking because suddenly the new wolf stood still looking back and forth between us and then… did he just bow? I tilted my head sideways at his motion.

The wolf lying next to me got up. Looked back at me for a moment while walking away as I laid there unknowingly as to what just happened and left with the new arrival as they disappeared into the forest that led to the meadow in front of me.

Things have just gotten a bit more confusing for me. Who were they? Were they wolves from the new pack? Why was he so friendly and loving towards me? Lying beside me, like he was my protector. My mate. Why did he look so sad and distraught to have to leave? Why did he leave? Would I see him again?

Would he still want me in my human form, even if he liked my wolf? Why did I even care? So many questions… Un. Answered. Complete confusion and bewilderment.

~Johnathon’s POV

Since my last encounter with Timber, I have been avoiding her at all costs by keeping busy with pack business and perimeter checks. Andrew has done a fine job overseeing her and Magda has also been showing her around the pack and the way we do things here. I still have not seen her wolf nor has she seen mine.

If I’m being honest, I don’t think she has seen anyone’s wolf since she’s been here. She’s only been training as a human and has not been able to train in wolf form due to her job caring for the garden and other matters in the house in the afternoon.

I will be running another Eastern perimeter check this afternoon after training, so I will be on the outskirts of my border. I love being out there. Just past the forest and meadow there is a lake most do not know about.

Well except for my Beta Andrew, the General and myself. It is not easy to find, but once you find it. You cannot un-find it. Timber asked to take the afternoon and go for a run for a while. Always asking for permission. She’s rather an obedient and permissible she-wolf. Suits me fine because then I always know where she is. Well mostly.

I granted her permission. She works hard. Is always respectful and does whatever she is asked without complaint or retort. Timber doesn’t ask often to go out, so I let her whenever she does. Truthfully? I’d let her go everyday if it made her happy and smile genuinely at me. Just once. I love her smile.

After completing the perimeter check on the eastside, I started running towards the lake. Hearing splashing, I slowed my pace to see who, or what, was in the lake I dearly loved to find rest and serenity.

I saw her playfully splashing in the lake like a child with no concerns or cares in the world. Whoever she was had snow white fur. She. Was. Beautiful!

I swooned over her as I watched her unaware of my presence. I couldn’t take my eyes off her. She slowly walked out of the lake and shook off the water. It seemed like slow motion when she moved. I took in every movement made. All of it.

I could see her paws. They had a distinctive silver tint in their blackness. Then I saw it. A mark. It was high on her hind leg almost touching her butt. Bluish-purple. If one didn’t know any better, they would’ve thought it was a bruise. Especially in human form.

That’s when I knew who I was looking at. It was... Timber! Timbers Wolf! I was completely surprised, and awe struck at the same time of her beauty.

She laid down in the green grass. The sun sparkling off her perfect masterpiece of color. In my shock I accidently stepped into the bushes in front of me making them rustle a little. Why did I have to be a cluts today?

Her ears turned up and she looked at me while I walked up upon her laying there. Oh my goddess! Her eyes! Perfect blend of ocean blue and green. I walked closer, not wanting to startle her. She didn’t run or cower so she must know I’m not a threat to her. That makes me joyful to know her wolf trusts me and Bane.

She sat up and I sniffed all around her. Heavenly! My mind went hazy again and I couldn’t think. Thankfully, she laid back down. I laid next to her closing my eyes as I placed my nose on her paws. I felt her relax and we fell asleep. Together.

We were awakened by Andrew slightly growling to gain attention. She became nervous at his unexpected sight. I opened the mind-link between Andrew and myself.

“Alpha. The perimeter has been secured. We caught a couple rogues and they have been taken back for questioning.” He looked slightly confused as he spoke moving his eyes between the she-wolf and myself. “Whose, the new wolf? I haven’t seen her before. She’s beautiful!” I gave a low growl as he said that about her through the link.

“Thank you, Andrew. Have them sent to the cells. Oh, this is Timber’s wolf. She doesn’t know it’s me. Pretty certain she doesn’t know it is you either. Let’s keep it that way.” I said sternly.

“Yes Alpha. Understood.” Andrew said without really knowing why I want it this way but complied.

“Now. Let’s have a conversation with those rogues you found, shall we? And Andrew?” “Yes sir?” “Don’t let her know that we know what her wolf looks like.”

“Yes Alpha”, with that he bowed his head slightly as we started back towards the meadow. I looked back over my shoulder at her still lying in the grass. I needed to look at her even if it was for… Just once more.