Chapter 36 – Caden

I growl as a wolf gets to close to Grace on my right, the dirty brown wolf facing the blunt of the power coursing through my blood. He whimpers, instantly lowering himself to the ground in submission indicating he understands that I can rip him to shreds in an instant. We have been running for two hours now since leaving the cave and in that two hours we have cross paths with numerous wolves either rushing to claim a mate or rushing to the Lodge for their freedom. I watch as Grace dodges a wolf trying to sweep her paws out from under her, watch as she whips around and bites on his jugular and growls menacingly at him. He submits to her, showing his neck and slowly lowering his body to the ground. Satisfied, Grace lets him go before running and returning to my side. Pride swells inside me at the strength Grace has knowing that I have found my perfect match.

We nod to one another, a mutual understanding that as we race through the last of the forest we will need to rely on one another to make it safely across the veil of magic that surrounds the Moon Goddess’ forest. A she-wolf emerges from Amelia’s right, her grey wolf frantically rushing towards us. I can see relief in her eyes as if we will help her to safety and we would, but just as she is about to join our group of three, a male rushes out from behind, tackling the she-wolf to the ground. Amelia stagers, a look of panic in her eyes. I can tell she wants to help the she-wolf but it is too late. The male has already positioned himself inside the she-wolf, the smell of lust and sex floating off of the two. He has claimed his mate and interfering now would result in Grace or Amelia being captured by someone else. With a look of regret, Amelia pushes forward and flanks my right side. I give her a small nod, knowing that the decision to not help that she-wolf was a hard one to make but happy she decided her safety comes first.

A yelp of pain to my right has me skidding to a stop and turning to see Amelia being tackled by a black male wolf, his massive body covering her blond one as he lunges for the scruff of her neck. Before I can react, a blur of silver has already slammed her body into the black wolf and I watch as Grace lunges for the man’s throat, sinking her teeth into it and drawing blood. Her anger radiates off of her as I rush to help Amelia up, checking for any mate mark and happy to find that other than ruffled dur, she is fine. The black wolf submits to Grace, her furious growls rumbling over us until she finally releases the male, baring her teeth at him in warning. She pads over to Amelia, checking her friend over before giving me a quick lick on the cheek most likely in thanks for helping Amelia while she took care of the male. With a nudge to her friend, Grace takes off again, Amelia behind her and me taking the rear.

I want to release the power within me, to scare all these males away from my friends, but then that would cause a chain reaction of events that I am not ready to deal with yet. Instead, I heighten my senses and keep a look out for any males trying to sneak in and take Grace or Amelia as their own, growling and snapping my fangs at any one who gets too close. The wind blows towards us, bringing the scent of hundreds of wolves and the shimmering of the veil can be seen ahead. We were close.

Close to the goal of Grace winning the bet.

Close to Amelia becoming the Alpha of her pack after we cross the veil.

Close to me claiming what is rightfully mine.