SWNOVELS Chapter 2 ~ I Love You Both
Two weeks flew by.. and Maddox has been out of school for three days.. His temperature kept spiking.. his muscles spasming.. his wolf pushing through. Hunter and Valerie haven’t left his side.
Vicki was experiencing the same thing Maddox was… she opted to make the turn at the same time, so neither one would be alone. Snake was beside himself with worry.. even though Venom kept telling everyone this was perfectly normal.
Delaney was pacing.. even though she knew what to expect.. it didn’t make it easier. She had hired Delilah to babysit the kids.. so she could spend her time with Maddox.
When he groaned.. and whimpered, Delaney crawled into bed beside him, she whispered “I’m right here, Buddy Roe. Just a little while longer.. and we get to meet your wolf. I’m so excited for you!” He whispered “Steele.. His name is Steele..and he has a lot to say.” She giggled “Opposite of you, then.. You’re my strong silent type.. so I’m happy he talks a lot.”
Venom walked in.. lifting Maddox into his arms “Vicki is already out back.. we need to get Maddox out there so the moon can do her thing. You shift into Lex.. I won’t let Torin shift until Steele makes his appearance. Then, I will.. I have to make him submit as quickly as possible. This is a strong wolf coming through.”
Once everyone was in the backyard.. Vicki and Maddox were stripped and covered with blankets. Valerie and Hunter sat on the lanai.. close, but not too close. Venom knows Maddox’s wolf will be unpredictable and he doesn’t want a bunch of people around him.. it could be dangerous.
The moon had nearly reached its apex when Vicki began her shift.. Snake shifted into Mathis and nuzzled into her.. licking her face.. nudging her.. Halfway through her shift.. Delaney heard the first pops and snaps of Maddox’s bones.
He roared out his agony, as Venom began talking him down. Delaney shifted into Lexi and curled around her little brother. He whined.. moaning occasionally.. while Lex whimpered into his back.
Vicki shifted into a saddleback blonde colored wolf.. small.. with black tipped ears. She was adorable and Venom whispered that’s Daisy.. She was finding her feet.. just as Maddox completed his shift.
Panting heavily.. laying on the ground.. was a silver blue wolf.. looking like pure steel..nearly as big as Torin.. and all Alpha.. with bright sky blue eyes.. Venom shifted immediately.. and started snarling and growling at Steele to submit.
Steele stood and lowered his head. Baring his teeth, he growled at Torin in challenge. Delaney jumped to her feet.. growling loudly at him. He spun to face her.. Curling his lip.. his chest rumbled. Lexi snarled again.. and circled him. His eyes followed her and he positioned himself to lunge.
Torin latched onto the back of his neck.. just behind his brainstem and shook his head.. Ordering submission.. Needing Maddox to bond with Steele. If he didn’t, Torin would have no choice but to put him down. That is the danger of a turned wolf. They could go feral, if they don’t bond with their human.
Delainey shifted back and snapped “Maddox! Take control of your wolf right the fuck now! You are stronger.. and I will beat your ass if you let Steele take over!” Within seconds, Maddox had submitted.. and the pack was racing through the trees.. allowing Steele and Daisy time to bond with their humans.
Delilah stepped onto the lanai.. “Damn! That was intense! Steele is a big fucker! Definitely Alpha.” Hunter nodded “I can’t wait for my shift! Not the pain.. but dude! Running on all fours.”
Delilah asked “What about you, Val? You ready?” She shrugged “I’m excited.. but I haven’t heard my wolf yet. So, that makes me anxious.” Delilah whispered “Oh no.. don’t do that. Our wolves come at different times. And turned wolves seldom hear from their wolves before the day of their shift. I don’t hear mine yet.. even though I know she’s there.”
Hunter asked “Why can I smell your wolf and not Emily’s?” Delilah laughed “They’re human.. her and her mother.. both my parents were beta wolves in a pack that was dissolved when I was little. And we just became lone wolves, after that.”
Valerie took her hand and told her “I’m sorry. I know what it’s like to lose.. my dad left when I was three.. and my mom worked herself to death. Delaney and Venom took me in so I didn’t have to go into foster care. Growing up in a biker club has been an adventure.” Delilah giggled “I can only imagine. They’re all such cool people though.”
Hunter said “My folks are still alive.. they just don’t want much to do with me. They are pissed off that I am turned. And I’m okay with that. I mean, I love them.. but we have never been close. Not like here.. You know where you stand with the bikers.”
Delaney arrived back, first.. shifting back “Damn! Maddox is fast! Huge! Venom and I have decided we have to speak with you both, Hunter. So meet us in the office when Steele gets back here.” As she walked inside to check on her babies.
Valerie looks puzzled “Wonder what that’s about!?” Delilah smiled “I’m pretty sure it’s because Steele is Alpha and that can cause problems in any pack. He’s still a couple years away from feeling the full effects of his mantle.. but when he does.. Steele may try to force him to challenge for the title.”
Hunter responded “Fuck! That’s not good. At all! Maddox would be crushed if his wolf did that!” Delilah laughed “I think that’s what Venom wants to discuss with him. To avoid all that. I’m positive he and Delaney will have a solution. Have a little faith, dude!”
Maddox and Venom came crashing into the backyard.. nipping each other and rolling around. They shifted back and Venom told him to clean up and meet him in the office.
Maddox walked over to his friends.. grinning from ear to ear. “That was the awesomest shit ever, dudes! Nothing like it! I can’t wait until you shift next month, Hunt! We’re going to have a blast!”
When the boys got to the office, Venom sat them down.. and Delaney smiled “Well! Steele was unexpected! He’s gorgeous… and huge! He’s also Alpha! That is the unexpected part.”
Venom said “And that’s what we want to discuss with you… I have a feeling.. the connection you have with Hunter.. and with Valerie.. that they are quite probably your seconds. Beta strength..”
Maddox asked “Isn’t that problematic? What if Steele refuses to submit to you, once he reaches maturity? I don’t want to leave my family, Venom. If I had known this.. I wouldn’t have asked to be turned.” His eyes filled with tears.. and Venom hugged him.
“That won’t happen, little bro. Because I have a solution. You and Hunter will be going to the Alpha Academy.. You will complete your senior year there.. It is a two year course.. so that will have you home just after your eighteenth birthdays.”
Delaney asked “Hunter.. your birthday is five weeks away, right? And Val’s is in August?” Hunter nodded “Will I be here for her shift? I promised her.”
Venom smiled “Yes.. of course. You won’t leave until after her birthday.. maybe not until September. We will come to visit from time to time.. but you both have to stay on campus for the duration of your courses. You will be training your wolves.. and learning about the roles of Alpha and Beta.”
Delaney said “You will FaceTime me every night. We haven’t been apart since you were born and I don’t know if I can handle it. Especially with Marcus being released in fourteen months.”
Maddox smirks “Unless we get lucky and he starts another riot.. like three years ago. With nobody being hurt this time.”
Venom sneered “He’s a coward. And in for a real surprise when he comes face to face with you again.” They all laughed.
Venom looked directly at Maddox… “When you have come home, after graduation.. we will hold your ascension ceremony. You will become Alpha of Warrior Wolves 2… and your club will be housed in the original compound on the southside… by the training farm. It will be your club.. to run as you see fit. I have complete faith in you, my brother. You have the heart.. the strength of conviction and the morality it takes to lead.”
Delaney told him “We will help you. Advise you, when you ask.. But your members will be of your choosing. And choose carefully. Make sure every application is vetted.. background checks and all! We will loan you Gizmo for that.. but finding a few techies of your own is imperative.”
Maddox was in shock.. He sat quietly for long moments.. tears in his eyes.. he whispered “I won’t let you down. I will do you proud! I promise! I love you both!”