Untamed - Book 1

“So over there is the training grounds and that is the festival grounds. Oh! That is the place where the mating and luna ceremonies take place. Through that clearing there, that is where the cemetery is. Over there is the community gardens and that building is the meeting hall.” He spits everything out in rapid fire, but I feel confident I have picked up enough to get me by. We continue walking into the forest and I instantly feel natures energy seeping into my pores and awakening every cell with each step we take. We reach a clearing where I see a large man standing in the center with two other men who are not as large, but all have an aura of authority. As we step into the clearing, the three men fall silent and the two smaller men stare at me with cold, angry glares. I can’t be positive, but I think one of them growled at me. Silly dogs.

“Stay here a second, I will let them know you are here.” I bite back my giggle before responding.

“Pretty sure they know, but do your thing.” I watch him walk away in the direction of the three men. I kneel down and take off my sandals then stand up and walk the perimeter of the clearing, enjoying the feel of the grass and earth at my feet. I can hear bits and pieces of their conversation and it is safe to say, the only one happy with me being here is Danny. I have made it halfway around the clearing when Danny waves at me to go to him. I make my way to them, my head held high.

“Cora, this is Alpha Jordan and his father Gerald. This here is Lady Laurent’s father, Jacob Laurent.” I smile at the three men, but they do not bother to return the gesture. All three men glare at me with clear hatred and distrust.

“I hope she is worth the money. How are you even sure this will work?” Gerald growls out at Danny and, in my usual over the top fashion, my mouth vomits out my thoughts freely.

“Why don’t you call Alpha Richards and his luna from the North Ridge Pack. You could also call Alpha Michaels from the Moongate Pack. Oh! You could always just piss off the witch who came to help you and get stuck figuring things out for yourself. Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner! Well, I would say it was a pleasure to meet you, but I wouldn’t waste my effort on such a lie. Danny, I will leave your money in the car. You…you I will miss…a little.” I wink at Danny and walk at a comfortably brisk pack back into the woods and straight to the car that is still parked outside the large house. I grab my bag out of the back seat, pull out the envelope and toss it onto the driver seat before slamming the door. I walk in the direction we had came in from, enjoying the feel of the wind on my skin. I feel the familiar energy of Danny as he runs up from behind me, only slowing his pace when he is finally beside me.

“I think you almost gave them a heart attack.” He chuckles as he runs his hand through his windblown hair.

“Well, it wasn’t my intention, but I also can’t help people who don’t truly want to be helped. You found me on your own, without your alpha requesting it. That money was yours. Why?” He grabs my arm gently and I turn to face him, observing the tense silence between us before he finally speaks.

“How did you know?” I tilt my head, wondering if I should relay the truth or allow his ego to remain somewhat…but then again, I have never been one to lie.

“I knew the moment you told me why you were in my shop. I honestly had not expected the hostility from the alpha’s daddy, but I knew the plan was yours. I get why you did it. Loyalty to your alpha sometimes means doing what is necessary even when the big man isn’t on board.” He gives me a smile that barely masks his embarrassment.

“Is that what the council is teaching these days?” I don’t even have to guess who the thundering voice belongs to.

“Alpha, let me exp…” The alpha quickly cuts him off and it instantly enrages me.

“Explain? You went behind my back and you think I should let you explain?!” He takes a threatening step toward Danny and I step in between them.

“Is this how you lead your pack? Fear over respect? Danny did what was necessary to help ensure the future of the pack, YOUR pack! I can’t understand for the life of me why he would do a damn thing to help an arrogant prick like you, but he did. He drove 16 hours and offered $100,000 to help you. You are selfish and pigheaded.” I feel the surge of energy as he tries to project his alpha aura on me and my body welcomes the energy, absorbing it and charging every cell until it is flowing over and pulsing through my veins.

“You dare speak to me with such disrespect?!” He steps closer, his chest nearly touching my face. With a wave of my wrist, I return his energy, sending him slamming into the tree behind him and pinning him tightly against it.

“I give respect to those who are deserving. As for your question about the council, I do not work for the council and I do not work for arrogant assholes either.” I lower my hand and he manages to land on his feet and steady himself.

“You should leave.” I smile at the angry alpha.

“What the hell do you think I was doing? Danny, if you ever need anything, anything at all, you let me know.” I turn and continue to walk away from the madness and chaos, taking in the relaxing beauty of the nature around me. I hear a loud growl from behind me, where I had left the alpha and Danni, and turn to give the offensive wolf an unamused glare, but Danny’s panicked voice breaks my irritated state.

“Cora! Run!” I hear another loud growl followed by several grunts and snarls coming from in front of me where I see nine large, matted wolves crouched and ready to pounce on me. I smirk at the nerve of the mangy mutts and drop my bag on the ground beside me.