Behind The Alpha Series Book 3 NALA

JESSE

I walked through the days and nights. I walked through the months, years and decades. No real direction at all, just living.

In time, my memories came back. There were many times I had to just stop and let it out, but as I walked, I reflected. I wondered for a long time what it was all for? Why did I have to go through that? Why did I have to break her heart? Then it dawned on me.

There’s a storm brewing on the mountains and I need to be ready for it.

Ready to make a choice. Live like the coward I was, or prepare to make a stand.

With Artemis thinking I’m dead, it’ll make my life that much easier as long as we don’t cross paths again. It’s a big planet, but not so much when it comes to virtual immortals.

I’ll just keep my eyes and ears open and pray that everything I’ve done was not for nothing.

I rode through the 1900s. Bought my first horse less wagon and saw the birth of swing. The parties were amazing. Women were much looser, but so much more sexy at the same time. I laid plenty women as I went along, but none came close to my Penelope. Leaving her in 1895 was the hardest thing I ever had to do. When I remembered her, I swore on my life no one will ever hold my heart. It’s hers forever the way the cosmos wanted.

Through the depression, I found jobs and worked. I built an honest life for myself. That was until I was found out.

They call themselves the Cleansers. Humans bent on ridding the world of monsters. I met one in Tennessee over in a Brothel house of sorts. He pretended to be a patron and busted me before I could finish, if ya know what I mean. I barely got away with my trousers.

He called me out and we had a shoot out. He got me in the arm with a silver laced bullet. I don’t know what it was laced with, but I almost died a second time.

After, I got out of there. I decided at that point staying in one place for too long was a bad idea.

The America’s were getting too crowded anyway.

1942 or around there. I dunno…ya live this long the days just seems to meld together.

Anyway, I decided to hit the Cubans and hung around there for awhile then this German asshole tried to pick up where the other one left off. I fought against the first one and kicked some ass in the second before having enough and coming back. It was nice to get out some severely pent up frustrations.

As the blue moons passed through the ages, I spent every year just laying back under it. Having its deep blue color coat me.

I’d picture her smile on the surface of it and talk to her all night until it faded.

“Hey, Darlin'. Hope ya doing OK up there. I’m alright. It’s a little lonely sometimes. I wish I could feel ya, but I just can’t quite keep on to it, ya know. This path I’m on. It fogs my brain.” I count the stars around her pretty face. “Ya know I’m just itchin’ to see ya again. I feel it’s comin'. The ends gotta be somewhere right? Gotta be somewhere.”

I sit up on the beach I’m on. The palm trees sway in the breeze. The ocean waves beat the shore as the moon hangs over head. “It’s pretty here, Pea. Don’t cha think? Not as pretty as you though.” I scrub my face and rub my hair. “I miss ya, Pea. So damn much. Every day it seems to get worse not better. I just wish I could join ya up there on yer soft, little cloud. I know ya just playin’ with the angels up there makin’ heaven brighter.”

I play with the sand between my legs. “I could really use that brightness.”

Cold metal pushes my body forward. I instantly freeze.

“I can send you to where you where you need to go.”

I slowly raise my hands and turn to a pair of green eyes.

The gun trains on me as I rise to my feet.

He stands in a black coat, jeans and a white shirt. My eyes flash yellow. “Hunter.”

“You shifters are getting better. It’s getting harder to track ya…” He aims the gun to my head. “But not that hard.”

“I’m not hurtin’ nothin’.” I grit as I study his chiseled features, 5 o’clock shadow and subtle body movements.

“Not yet. You and I both know when shifters get bored, things tend to get torn up. It’s better for us both if I put you down.” He eyes me and glare at him.

“So, do it. If ya got the guts.” I say low as I tilt my head forward slightly and put my arms out. I’m exposing my chest to his gun, daring him to do it.

We both have a stand off as the waves crash against the sand. The warm ocean breeze circles me and I almost feel my angel wrap her arms around my waist.

He smirks and goes to fire when I grab his gun arm and land an elbow on his face. I give his cheek a quick lick and take in his likeness. I can use that later.

“Gross! You dick!” He growls.

I smirk at him as he swings at me and I duck. I knock the gun from his hand and give him a right hook.

He throws out another blow and I burst out my clothes. I change to my eagle and take to the air.

I hear gunfire and the sharp sting a bullet lodging itself in my side. My flight gets turbulent until I take hold of the pain and right myself.

I fly across the sky, flying over rivers, houses, jungles and countries. I fly until I can’t fly anymore from blood loss.

I lose my wings and fall from the sky into the jungles of the Amazon.

I land in a small open area. My consciousness is in and out and my shift is out of control. I’m shifting from man to woman to animal.

As I try to gain control, I raise my head and I’m surrounded by bare feet. I raise my shaky head and swallow at the sight of several sharp spears and arrows. The warriors are all covered in tattoos, piercings and paint. They shout words I don’t understand.

“Help.” Is the only thing I can say as I pass out.

****

I groan as I try to come back to reality. The severe sting of the bullet in my side hits me first.

I look down and there’s mud and moss in the hole.

I look out the bars of a wooden cage and see the back of a person sitting in front of me. I look around and see at least thirty men all making weapons and sending death glares my way. I could fight my way out, but with this hot ball in my side, I don’t think I’ll get far.

I need to talk my way out of this. Whatever this is.

I swallow. “Hey…hey, Mister…look…I need this bullet out.”

He looks over his shoulder. “Demon.” He growls.

I look confused. I try to sit up. “Ok. Look. I’m sorry I scared ya. I ain’t no demon. I’m just a guy who got shot.”

“You change. Use magic. You bring your curse to us. For that, we must appease the gods.”

“Appease the gods? What’s that mean?” I try to see his face.

He looks back. His dark eye meets mine. “Sacrifice.” He grits.

My eyes widen and I look to another group sharpening knives. “Whoa, buddy. You got me wrong.” I look back to him. “Ya can’t kill me. I…” I try to think about what could change the minds of a bunch of angry, bloodthirsty jungle people.

Think, Jesse.

I look at his back and melt. My body changes to a tiny, little Brazilian girl with dark, curly hair. “Don’t hurt me.” I say in a sweet child’s voice. I figure appeal to their heartstrings?

He turns around and I look up at him with big, brown eyes.

“Demon children will not be spared.”

I start to cry. “Please don’t hurt me.”

He looks at my tear covered face. He talks to another and looks back at me. “Your tricks will not work.”

I cry more as I grab the emotions of the girl I’m mimicking.

Just then howls fill the trees and the men get excited. They pick up their weapons and search the forest around them.

I look around too and see nothing. Then with large growls, wolves jump from the trees into the camp. They grab the men and attack them. The blood curdling screams were so loud, I had to cover my little ears.

I scream as my body fills with fear. Sometimes I get wrapped up in the life and feel of these people. Normally, I’d be kicking ass with them, but being injured, it’s better to act the victim.

A wolf jumps on the warrior in front of my cage and tears his chest out.

I scream my little heart out and cover my face with my arms as his blood coats me.

As fast as the attack came, the noises of it died down. I slowly raise my head. The bullet, still in my side, throbs. It should have pushed out by now, but it’s not. I can shift, but I have no strength to fight. The best thing to do is remain in this child until I can figure a way out.

My eyes meet deep, blue ones. His strong jaw and blonde hair made me feel a little relaxed, but not that much.

He looked over my wood cage, grabbed the door and broke it off.

He holds a hand out. “Come on, little one.”

I look him over, he’s from over the pond, that’s for sure. He’s certainly better than this place.

I hold a tiny hand out and put it in his giant one. He pulls me to my feet and I walk out.

“There you are. Are you alright?” He smiles.

I don’t say a word. I’m seeing where this city slicker goes before I reveal myself.

He looks at my bullet hole. He removes the moss and mud. I cringe with a whine at the pain. “You’ve been shot?” His brow stitches together as he looks at me. “Come on.” He stands and picks me up. “You’re coming with me.” He seats me on his arm and looks back. “Get the rest of the expedition. I think I found what I came for.” He smiles at me, but I don’t smile back.

As we walk out of the jungle, he straightens my hair. “My name is Zayden. What’s yours?”

I shake my head.

“You don’t have a name?”

Again I shake my head. I don’t need the attachment of names.

“I guess little one will do for now. Tell me, have you ever been to London?” He grins.

I have, but I lie to fit the part and shake no.

“You will love it. We have a beautiful castle and inside is the most beautiful queen you’ve ever seen. She will take care of you and treat you like a little princess. Would you like that?”

I twist my lips. Castle. Royalty? I think about it. Why the hell not?

I nod yes.

“Good. I will get that nasty injury of yours fixed and you will come with me on huge ship. I think you will have a much better life than in the hands of those barbarians.” He bounces me and I feel the child in me giggle.

The trip back to London took days and in that time, I healed from the bullet. I was going to bolt as soon as we landed, but I felt like if I could hide and rest anywhere, a castle in London is a pretty good spot.

I found out Zayden is the King of the Wolf Shifters. Mutt was right. There’s so many, there’s a king for them. Hunters would have to have a death wish to hunt me here and I’m pretty positive Artemis will never come to this neck of the woods. So, ok. I guess I’m a princess now.

Zayden introduced me to Queen Adele. I smiled a tiny smile because she almost looked like my own mother. Her beauty shone and her voice was as gentle as my mothers. She had soft blonde hair, milky skin and delicate pink lips. Her blue eyes were like oceans. The way she felt. I almost wanted to cry. Is this what a mama is supposed to feel like?

She crouches down. “What’s her name?”

“Don’t know. She won’t tell me or she hasn’t one.” Zayden says as he sits on the bed.

“Do you have a name, my child?” She asks tilting her head.

Again, I answer no.

“I’ve just been calling her little one. She seems to like it.” Zayden says.

The Queen grins and fixes my hair. “That’s perfectly fine.” She stands and holds her hand out. “Come. Let me show you to your nursery.”

I nod in excitement and take her hand.

The next twenty years pass and I’m still that tiny girl. The Queen loves children so, I just didn’t allow myself to grow. She was happy dressing me up, showing me off and showering me with love. Frankly, I never knew what I was missing in not having a mother. I didn’t want it to end either.

In time, the Queen had a child. Apparently, he’s special. A Zeta Alpha like Zayden. According to Zayden, he’s more powerful because he was made by cosmic beings. I don’t really understand it myself.

The Queen kept us separated for the most part because she didn’t trust the child to not hurt me with his powers. I’d like to tell them I’m not worried, but I’ve gotten so used to not talking, I just kept my mouth shut.

Months later, the Queen went on a wolf run, leaving me with the King.

I sat and read my book when he walked into my room.

“I know why you don’t grow, little one. You’re lonely. I know someone else who’s lonely too. Would you like to meet him?” He sits on my bed and takes my book. I nod with a smile.

He takes my hand and we walk down the hall. He opens the door to a room. “Go on.” He gently guides me into the regal looking room. In the middle of all the silk, gold and velvet sat a blonde little boy of six, playing with toys on the floor.

“Zander. I have someone for you to meet.” The little boys deep blue eyes meet mine.

Zayden sits me down in front of him. His soft expression showed he wasn’t as scary as the Queen says he is.

“Hi. I’m Zander. What’s your name?” He says.

I look to Zayden who nods silently. I turn back to Zanders eyes. “I don’t have one.”

Zayden squats down and places a hand on my back as I utter my first words in almost 30 years.

Zander hands me a toy. “I can give you one.”

“Alright.” I smile.

He taps his chin, flicks his eyes to his father then to me. “How about…Mary?”

I think. “No.”

He thinks again. “Lancelot! You know, cuz I a king.” He grins.

“You’re not a king yet.” Zayden eyes him.

Zander shrinks a bit then presses his lips together. “How about…Nala.”

A smile grows on my lips. I like it. Sounds like a fine name. “Yes. Nala.”

“Great! Wanna play, Nala?” He asks.

I look at the toys on the floor. “I’d like that.”

Overtime, we played, danced, sang and loved each other like I never thought I ever could again. Dakota was a brother, so was Zander. I had so much love for him, I let myself grow with him.

I help him through the death of his father the following spring in a horde war. Then years later, the death of his mother.

He declared me his Beta and I ruled at his side for years. I watched him grow into the strong, handsome King he is today. I helped him with the love and kindness that Penelope gave me. I knew the pain he suffered. I lived it for years.

I was comfortable in my life, but I knew this was about to change the moment Zander answered the call to visit the America’s. I could see his future being directed on its intended path as well as mine.

When I met the Alphas of Falcon Ridge, I knew my time had come.

‘When they ask you…tell them…’

All I had to do was wait.