Way of the Wolf: Redemption

Is it really freedom if you never had the ability to choose?

Chapter 1: Captive

Blurry rays of sunlight filtered through the canopy of dark green leaves above me. Eyes blurry with exhaustion and pain, it took my mind a few moments to remember where I was and why my head bobbed on a limp neck when I knew I certainly wasn’t walking. Two arms, one under my knees and one supporting my torso, held me against a sturdy chest. I could even make out the side of the Beta’s face, set into a stern expression as he carried me.

The pack was still travelling. They’d left their camp over a week ago, I assumed to make for land they could hide out the worst of the winter in. However, where that was or how long it would take to get there, I didn’t know. Nor did I know what they had planned for me. Not that I really cared anymore. A numb resignation had taken over the second I realised the Alpha pair intended for me to join them, and that the Beta would be the one forced to make sure I kept up.

I spent most of my time in his arms lost in thought. Some days I watched the pups run around playing their games in a mix of skin and fur. Other times I could barely focus on more than the sway of the world around me in shifting shades of brown, green and blue. Miles beyond counting the pack must have travelled and the Beta never faltered or tired of lugging my extra weight around. He only put me down when we stopped for food, water, or sleep. Not that being out of his hold gave me much freedom.

The pack didn’t trust me not to run even when I only had the use of one leg, and they were right to. Tied to whatever tree was sturdy enough, I was kept well away from where the pack rested. It wasn’t far away enough. With so many untrusting wolves who openly glared and growled at me, I couldn’t risk closing my eyes to sleep. Unfortunately, nights spent fighting exhaustion meant I often found myself falling asleep in my captor’s arms.

As I must have today.

I scowled, then whipped my gaze to the smiling healer who loped next to us. Loose honey blond hair framed soft features that made him appear younger than his years, and his scent was earthy sweet. Tall and long limbed, he could have been mistaken for one of the warriors if it weren’t for the skipping way with which he moved, and the lack of anything intimidating about him at all. Even now while he watched me scowl, bright blue eyes shimmered as his lips widened into a full grin.

Demeanour aside, he was another male who wouldn’t leave me alone. He stayed to make sure I didn’t touch healing wounds. Every time he caught me lifting bound hands to scratch the scabbing bite over my breast, he would slap it away. No amount of flashing fangs or attempted biting seemed to phase him anymore. He’d let me get him once and wasn’t willing to go again.

"She's been quieter today," he noted.

The Beta hummed and peered briefly down at me. "She's been sleeping."

I shifted, hating any amount of attention, more so when they spoke like I didn’t understand or couldn’t hear. Today was already wearing on my patience. My neck hurt, I wanted to stretch out stiff muscles, rub my leg a bit to see if maybe the bone had healed enough to take my weight.

"Has she told you her name yet?"

"No.” Frustrated with his lack of progress, the Beta shifted me in his arms. “She hasn't spoken at all since we found her by the river. I’m not sure what Alpha Jakkon and Signy think they can accomplish with her.”

There was that flicker of annoyance tensing his jaw. I liked to watch it. I enjoyed thwarting him. He demanded my submission so often, with snapping teeth and threats, but apparently no nerve to go through with it. Perhaps there was no honour in hurting an already injured wolf, or maybe he understood pain would do little to sway me. He’d gotten me into his arms, I’d stopped putting up so much of a fight, was that not enough of a win for him? Why did it matter that I didn’t give him some random word to call me by?

When you lived out in the wild as I did, spending most time in wolf form, there was no need for names. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d used a name, one for myself or otherwise. Even Valdis, who’d led our band of wanderer’s for years, had given me little reason to ever need to call him so. If my mother-wolf and sire had bothered giving me one, I didn’t remember it.

“Once she realises we only want to help her, she’ll open up and begin to trust us.” The healer winked a sapphire eye at me. “Trust needs to go both ways.”

I snorted and turned my attention back to what I could see of the sky through the thick leaves fluttering overhead. Trust? Pack wolves? Wolves who knocked me out, took me away, tied me up. . .

The pair discussed my temperament a bit longer, to the point my grating nerves were beginning to fray. I squirmed in the Beta’s arms and growled unhappily, but my fussing only drew a deep, vibrating rumble from the him. It was an odd sound. Unthreatening and warm, I could guess it was meant to comfort, but for some reason it sent my senses haywire. An uneasy feeling crept along my skin as the Beta purred like he was a gentle giant and not the red-eyed monster who would have been better off having killed me when he found me at the river.

His grip became painful as he fought to keep me still, but his touch was as overwhelming as the warmth of his skin sticking to mine and I couldn’t take it any longer. Jerking movements only woke up my injuries, and soon shooting pain tormented me too. The bite on my breast stretched and tore as I twisted and kicked, and the tender spot on my head that’d received the butt of a knife throbbed along with my fluttering heart.

Everything was rushing back all at once. Memories from long ago that I thought I’d managed to lock away; flashes of fighting off Valdis and others, drowning and being unable to breathe. Clawing at my throat, I sucked in rasping breaths, swaying when the Beta came to a sudden stop.

"You're only hurting yourself when you struggle, female," he warned, strange ruby brown eyes creasing as he studied me and came to the conclusion I wasn’t acting out for no reason. "Are you hungry? Thirsty? If you’re in pain, we can give you more of the herbs?”

I could have wailed.

The herbs they forced me to eat stole my mind. It made me docile and sleepy, my movements cumbersome. It was easier for him to carry me when I wasn't able to lift my own head. They could tell me they were only for the pain as much as they liked, I wasn’t a fool.

"I think you should take them. You're getting yourself worked up over nothing again," he continued, nodding his head towards the healer.

Just like that, the foul smelling herbs were placed against my lips. I turned my head away and clenched my jaw. The Beta growled, but the healer persisted with his warm smiles and gentler manner.

"It's okay. If you don't want them, I won't force you, but that’s the last dose beginning to wear off, so if you think you’re sore now. . .”

Was that a thinly veiled threat or simple fact?

I gave him a wary glance, seeing nothing but honesty and friendliness in his expression. There had to be more to their want to heal me than I could understand. It had to be a part of the game they were playing, a ploy to get me to trust them so I'd spill all these wolves wanted to know.

A change in pace as a fallen tree forced the two males to clamber over was enough to nudge my leg to send fiery agony through the limb and knock the air from my lungs. Just like that, my mouth popped to accept the herbs.

I didn't miss the triumphant smirk on the Beta's face, and had half a mind to spit the chewed up leaves in his face. His dark gaze met mine, one brow slightly lifted as if daring me to go through with such an act. Out of self-preservation, I swallowed.

Thankfully, it wasn't long before the herbs began to work. The colours of the forest melted together in a mess or muddy colours and blurred shapes. My body went limp so I had to rest my head against the Beta’s chest to stop it falling back. Pain became nothing about a buzzy sensation while a giddy feeling bubbled up.

I let out a carefree giggle, languishing in the arms of a male who probably hated me as much as I hated him.

What would it be like to feel this good all the time?

The muffled voice of the Beta barely broke through my haze. “How will she react when she has to stop taking them?”

I didn’t understand what he meant. Nor did I understand the heavy sigh laced with concern that the healer let loose. A conversation followed, but I was too busy watching the flashes of colour taking up my vision, and the warmth flowing through my veins. Nothing hurt because I didn’t feel anything. Not a thing. And not so much as a thought filled my head. If wolves could float on clouds it would feel like this. Peaceful and effortless.

Hours passed in my blissed-out haze. I almost forgot I was amongst with the enemy as I relaxed, head falling against a warm chest that offered a steady thudding heartbeat. I was barely aware when we stopped so the pack could rest and drink. It was only the change in pace that alerted me. Trying to refocus, the world suddenly span about as I was lowered to the ground, but not far enough before the Beta released me. I hit the ground with an oof, and the Beta snorted a laugh before quickly apologising and helping me to sit up against the tree.

The mud was warm beneath me, but one root jutted up to dig into my rear no matter how I shifted. Bark dug into my skin and I squirmed, finally stretching out to relieve the tension my body held. The Beta was still chuckling too, taking amusement in my apparent discomfort.

“I truly didn’t mean to drop you,” he repeated gently, reaching for the wineskin bag strapped around his waist.

He rolled his eyes when I gnashed my teeth in disagreement, and took a swig of water. A few drops fell free to trail down his chin. My gaze was transfixed as I tried to wet my parched mouth and cracked lips with a sweep of my dry tongue. I was beyond thirsty, and he knew it, reaching out to offer me a drink.

I sealed my lips together and narrowed my eyes. All I’d eaten and drunk since I’d been with them had been forced past my lips. I would never willingly take a thing from them.

"You will drink," he demanded, pressing the wineskin more firmly against my lips but all it succeeded in doing was cracking the wooden stopper against my teeth.

He flinched when I did and withdrew, giving me the chance to twist away from him completely. However, with my hands bound, I was off balance, and ended up nearly throwing myself face down in the dirt. A quick hand saved my nose from smashing against a rock, but in the process he dropped the wineskin and the water spilled all over my lap.

“For the love of the Gods!” he snapped, yanking me upright and shoving me back against the rough tree trunk.

When he raised his hand, I pressed myself against the bark and squeezed my eyes shut, but the blow I expected never came. Daring to peek, I found the Beta seemingly shaken by my reaction. His hand fell limp at his side and he sat back on his knees as those warm brown eyes raked over my stricken form.

He was breathing as heavily as I was, and metallic anger still tainted his scent. He hadn’t hit me, but I’d have staked my life that he was going to. This was the truth of him slipping through the cracks. No more fake smiles and gentle touches now.

"I shouldn't have reacted that way." He sighed and wiped a hand down his face, rubbing at the tension around his jaw while intent eyes watched me. "I'm sorry."

No one had offered me an apology before, and this male had done so twice in one day; whether he meant it or not remained to be seen. So I said nothing, keeping my head turned the other way.

He sighed again, and it sounded so weary and broken, that something in my heart twanged.

Out of the corner of my eye, I watched him pick the bag up and have another sip of whatever was left. It only made me more aware of how desperately my body cried out for something, anything, to drink. And that forlorn look on his face, it made me feel. . .well, I wasn’t sure what the feeling was. That frightened me all the more. What were these wolves doing to me?

Whatever it was, it worked. Or maybe I was so surprised the Beta decided not to give up yet, that when he offered me the last of the water, I begrudgingly accepted. His smile was more of relief than triumph as he tilted the bag up and watched me heartily swallow every last drop. I tried to grab it with my hands but it was awkward with them tied together as they were, and it was oddly pleasing to have the almighty Beta of a pack lower himself to doing it for me.

Once it was empty, he watched me wipe muddy hands across my lips to dry them.

"See, it's good when you accept what I offer. There’s no point fighting. You have to eat and drink. Submitting will make things easier and more enjoyable for both of us." He nodded to himself like he'd made great progress, but he was a fool to think so.

My gaze flicked to the wolves around us, those with pups they snatched away when I was near as if I’d ever think of harming a pup. They didn't trust me and I certainly didn't trust them, but if they wanted me to eat and get stronger, perhaps I could play whatever game they wanted long enough to heal and run for freedom. But did I really want to risk staying that long?

I tested my leg, happy to find the herbs were still keeping the pain at bay while the Beta happily took a much needed break, paying no attention to me as he ate of some berries he’d picked along the way.

I shifted slowly, finding a patch of rough bushes that appeared to stretch deep into the forest. A prime place to hide, especially from bigger warriors who would struggle through the brambles. Maybe, just maybe, my leg would hold up long enough to lose them. But there was still the problem of the rope around my wrists, as thin and frayed as it appeared. A length was left at the end so I could be tied up for the night with enough room, but at that moment, it lay unassuming next to my lap. If I moved quickly enough, I could pick it up and bolt before the Beta could catch it.

Despite not even looking my way, and as if the damned fucking Beta knew what I’d been thinking, his voice rumbled from across from me, "I really wouldn't if I were you. Even if you gave us the slip, how long would you last? But try if you must. Alpha Jakkon will probably take great pleasure in hunting, catching and dragging you back here to make an example of you for throwing his mercy and help in his face."

“Mercy?” I barked a laugh, and lifted my bound hands, showing off skin rubbed red raw around my wrists. “This doesn’t look like mercy to me. He helps me now so he can kill me later, to make a statement, to show me off; this is what happens to those who don’t follow our ways.”

Amusement wasn’t the reaction I expected. Stretching out long legs before him, he waved a hand towards my wrists. “If we could trust you, we wouldn't keep you tied up. Those wounds are caused because you fight, you bite, your intention is to cause pain. Madden tends to them does he not?"

I grit my teeth. The healer did rub a soothing balm over my wrists, but what did that matter? I only fought because they were keeping me captive. His logic was flawed.

"You do this all to torture me."

He shook his head and refused to answer.

I growled and leaned towards him. “You want to break me, punish me. You want to hurt me because I refuse to bow to an alpha, and be imprisoned in a pack.”

“Enough,” he warned evenly. “I won’t listen to this nonsense.”

“You’re no better than us. At least we believe in living free, you keep wolves captive, use threats to make them stay. I will never trust you. I will never submit to you. You disgust me.”

As quick as lightening, he flew forward and gripped my chin, as much hate shining in his eyes for me as there was in mine for him. The power of him rattled my bones as he loomed over me, choking the air from my lungs and urging my head to bend, to give my neck and be done with it. His lips brushed against my ear and a low growl demanded I listen, and closely.

"You attacked my pack. We defended ourselves. If we'd found the other dogs with you, you probably would have been ripped to shreds, so yes, having your life still is indeed a mercy.” He pulled back and slid his hand up to my jaw to force my gaze to meet his. “They left you behind, and we picked you up. If we hadn’t, the coming winter would have killed you. Even if those dogs had taken you, they wouldn’t have offered food. Would you have been able to fight for scraps? Hm?”

“Stop.”

“Starvation would have killed you even then. Or maybe your next heat with them would have been the end, with males fighting over rights to you. That's what some of these bruises and bites are, yes? They look like sloppy attempts at claims."

My heart jack-knifed in my chest, sending a stab of pain deep into my gut and forcing out an anguished cry. His words hit too close and the reality was too startlingly clear to bear. My mind rebelled against the truth he was trying to get me to see and a red haze took over my vision. Sobs turned to snarls and I wrenched free of his grip, fangs coming close to his fingers but he was faster.

Yes I’d been fought over. Claimed by more than a few. Only a few weeks ago, not long before our hunt gone wrong, my heat had come to cause chaos in our group. A few males had gotten good bites of my flesh before Valdis had stepped in to save me. And take me for himself. Since he’d come, only one wolf had beaten him to mounting me, and that had been many years ago. And that wolf hadn’t breathed long after Valdis discovered it.

I didn’t much prefer Valdis either, but males took. I understood that.

I wanted to scream that I'd take that life over this any day, that I found this Beta's pack repulsive and his proximity even more so.

“You’re doing things to me I don’t want either,” I finally muttered, exhausted and resigned to my fate once more. “What’s the difference?”

He released me and sat back, seeming as at a loss as I was. In fact, his expression was almost pleading. He hated being stuck with me. The sooner I behaved, the sooner he wouldn't have to constantly watch me.

"In this pack, no wolf is allowed to touch a another against their wishes, whether they’re in heat or not. Everyone eats, every day. Everyone has access to water; clothing too if they wish it. Everyone is safe and cared for, I know you can see that with your own eyes, so what about that frightens you so much?"

I laughed dryly, unable to help myself. Leaning in closer, my nose almost brushed his. "You say that, but you force your touch on me. You force me to come with you when I don't wish to. But maybe you’re right. You’re not as bad as them, you’re worse. At least with them I was free."

The Beta's jaw clenched, his eyes burning a brighter red. Muscles rippled and for a moment, I thought he would shift to fur and attack. Dominant males were all the same; violent and angry. But once more he reigned in his emotions and shoved himself to his feet, removing himself a safe distance away while remaining close enough to catch me.

I resigned myself to sticking to my vow of silence after that. No good could come from us conversing.

When the pack began to move again, I played dead. It hurt not to fight as he swept me up but I was too drained to care. The sun began to drift low in the sky and the light hit my eyes in a way that made me feel drowsy. I was tempted to rest my head against the Beta’s chest and fall asleep, to escape my new reality before night drew in, but I fought not to. If I did so, he’d probably see it as another victory.

Instead, I got lost in studying his skin that the sun warmed to a rich mahogany. It was the darker patterns somehow embedded in his flesh that intrigued me though. Pictures of animals in incredible detail, swirls and runes, all in a dark black with lighter grey to highlight and create shadow; especially on the face of the bear covering his chest. Life-like eyes stared back at me, and I itched to reach out and trace it with a finger. Would it feel smooth? Were these a part of his skin? Or would it be raised like scars?

Others in the pack boasted similar markings in various shades of the same blue, grey and black colours.

Was it magic?

By the time we stopped for the night, I was sure I'd memorised every symbol and animal on his body that I could make out discreetly. Straining my neck to peer around, my heart stuttered when I saw the tree we headed for. A sturdy oak that would keep me prisoner tonight.

The Beta must have felt my glare as he set me in place and began to tie the length of rope in a loop around a branch above I’d never hope to reach. His knot was intricate and his expression smug when he glanced down at my scowl, brushing his hands together.

"I'll bring you food.” He head tilted and he studied the darkening sky for a moment before adding, “It's going to be cold tonight, will you accept furs if I bring you some?"

I remembered what he said about how things were easier when I accepted what he offered, and for a moment I did contemplate it. There was already a bite to the air that had my flesh pebbling, and it would only get worse; especially with a clear sky above. Most of the wolves here donned clothes when travelling, but I didn’t. Without the ability to shift to fur, I was bared to the elements with no protection.

However, while I might have lost my freedom and my dignity, I still had my pride. The burn of the rope around my wrists as I shifted slightly made my mind up for me. I could manage a cold night as I had many times before. Fuck what he offered.

I shook my head.

The Beta muttered under his breath but didn't try to persuade me otherwise. I watched him stomp his way to the small fires being built toward the middle of the clearing the pack had chosen for the night. The smell of cooking meat soon filled the air, teasing my senses. My stomach growled obnoxiously loud.

Huffing, I stretched my legs out carefully in front of me, studying the fading bruise over broken bone. My knee was stiff and protested at being straightened. All I wanted to do was get up and move around a little, work out the knots and creaking bones. But even flexing my foot ignited a searing pain I couldn’t ignore.

“Dammit!” A hiss of air escaped past my clenched teeth and tears sprung to my eyes as the agony twisted up my limb.

I was so caught up in trying to breathe that I didn't notice the two wolves approaching. It wasn't until a plate was placed next to me, and the rope around my wrists suddenly so pulled tight my hands were dragged above my head, that I took note of them.

I growled furiously at the Beta as he secured my wrists in place, my back straining at the new position it was forced into. He looked slightly apologetic, but his gaze didn’t linger long on me before moving to his companion.

My head whipped around to see the familiar sparkling green eyes of the Alpha’s mate. Blonde hair was pinned up in an array of braids kept in place with a metal pin, and thin pink lips were pulled up in a friendly smile, but the show of teeth wasn’t lost in me.

"I'm going to ask you some questions,” she stated, holding up the wooden platter with slices of steaming cooked meat on top. All movement from me stopped and I greedily inhaled the scent that made my mouth water. The Alpha’s mate chuckled as I licked my lips. “If you answer my questions honestly, you get to eat. Understand?"

Sweet as honey she appeared, but there was a firmness to her voice that spoke of more dominance than I was used to from a female.

Maybe it was the weight of all that had happened in the last few weeks catching up with me, but this further torment – the promise of food withheld if I didn’t submit – was my breaking point for the day. I threw my head back hard enough against the tree that my vision flashed a startling white, biting my lip to hold back either a helpless cry or hysterical laughter.

Why would these wolves not leave me alone? What did they want from me?

A gentle hush cut through my harsh breaths, and I peered through my lashes to see a pitying look. I flinched when she lifted her hand out towards me, and she changed her mind about whatever she’d intended to do. I felt trapped between her sitting before me and the Beta standing on my other side. Once certain I was calm, she tore off a small piece of meat and held it up to make sure I saw it.

My mouth opened and I leaned tentatively forward to accept it. Then, with her eyes holding mine, she ate it.

I growled in fury, tugging against the rope despite the way it put painful pressure on my shoulders.

"Answer my questions and you can eat,” she repeated. “I won't ask anything difficult. You can even nod or shake your head if you'd rather. I don't want this to be difficult for you, and I definitely don't want to starve you; you're just skin and bones already.” She cast a disapproving eye over me. “We'll need to clean you up when we get the chance, I can barely make you out beneath all that mud."

Was this female. . .joking with me?

Or mocking?

What was wrong with skin and bone? What was wrong with mud? It was impossible to avoid dirt and grime when I slept naked on the forest floor every night because I couldn’t shift without the risk of re-breaking my leg. And I had no wolves willing to help groom me even if I could do so.

The female leaned in closer, eyes squinting as if trying to see me more clearly. She reached out slowly this time, and for some reason I allowed her to capture my chin between soft fingers. She tipped my head slowly side to side, then up and down, and for some reason I hoped she didn’t find whatever she was looking for.

When my lips peeled back in warning, her kind demeanour was gone in a flash. My neck was collared in her hand and she squeezed with less reserve than her Beta did.

Eyes wide, I stared at the once docile female now snarling in my face. I'd underestimated her. She wasn't going to put up with my insubordination like the Beta did. Sensing this, and not as willing to starve as I thought, I closed my eyes and tipped my chin up as high as I could to bare my neck. I held my breath as I waited to see if she would accept my submission, and deflated when I felt the nip of teeth.

She sat back like nothing happened and offered me another smile before picking apart more of the meat.

"Do you have a name?"

Her questions would be easy to answer if they were all as mundane as this, so what would be the harm? Shame could come later. Right then, I was starving.

I answered with a shake of my head.

The female frowned, and I worried she thought I was lying, but then she held food to my lips and I greedily ate it up. I could have moaned at the taste. I'd never eaten anything like this before. The texture was soft and the taste a burst of unexpected flavour. Normally they chucked me leftover scraps, which was still more than the blood sweetened morals I was used to, but this?

My obvious enjoyment made my two interrogators share a look of amusement.

"We'll come up with a name for you then,” she continued. “Do you have family?"

Making sure I’d sucked as much of the taste as I could from my lips, I debated what answer to give. Mostly, I wanted to tell her I didn't need a name; that it would just be a word that'd mean nothing to me. As for family? I shook my head no and immediately opened my mouth for more food. She chuckled and obliged, her gaze flicking to the male standing behind me with a smug tilt to her lips. He huffed a breath and bristled. I could guess why; he'd spent days trying to stop me from trying to kill him, and in a matter of minutes, the Alpha’s mate literally had me eating from her hand.

The questions kept coming, never broaching anything that made me too nervous or uncomfortable. In fact, they were oddly personal things she seemed to wish to know. Did I know how old I was? No. Did I know who my parents were? Another no; I couldn't even remember their faces. My earliest memory was of being alone, soaking wet and freezing.

"Are you afraid of us?"

I stopped chewing on the last bit of meat, looking from the empty plate to the female’s face. There was no incentive for me to answer, but since we both knew what the answer was anyway. . .

I nodded once.

"You should be. We could be your greatest allies or your worst enemies. It's up to you to decide which," she said gravely.

I turned away, needing to escape her scrutiny. Her eyes saw far more than I wanted them to. Keeping my gaze on the mud around the roots of the tree I was tied to, I was left to sit with what she said as she left to return to the pack after a few soft spoken words with the Beta. I chanced a quick look at the rest of the pack, watching as parents tried to get pups to lie down and sleep. They sung soft songs and stroked their brows, holding them close and tight until they drifted off. No one had ever put me to sleep like that.

Allies, I pondered, burning jealousy seeping through. How could she think we could be so? My biggest concern was getting back to Valdis, even though I dreaded what I might find when I did. Would he have chosen another female already? Would he accept me back? Had the twins been managing to eat? Would I return to find they’d fallen behind?

Should I even care that they abandoned me? Maybe once free, I should go off on my own and start again.

White stars began to appear overbead, stretching of endlessly and twinkling in their thousands. I’d never felt smaller than I did when I took in the great expanse of the night sky. Between getting lost in the patterns I could pick out in the high above, and watching the shadows melt and flicker in the firelight, I found my mind turning back to the female’s offer. She’d fed me. Seemed more genuine than any of the others here. Was that enough to think of trusting her?

Crunching movement brought my gaze to the Beta. A few feet away he was laying out blankets and furs to make a comfortable bedding on the forest floor. It was still too close for my liking. He made a great show of lying down and getting comfortable, tugging a warm thick pelt over his body.

I got the point he was making. Turning my nose up at him, I rolled to my other side and wriggled so my back was pressed against the tree trunk. The rope still hindered me, but the soil was still warm beneath my body. For Now. Squeezing my eyes shut against the cold, I readied myself for a long night.

An hour might have past with only the crackle of flames and snoring wolves before I thought I heard movement. Something warm and soft pressed against my thigh, and I sensed someone moving away again. I waited until I was sure they’d gone before I peeled open an eye to see a red pelt resting innocently beside my leg.

I sat up and threw a glare towards the Beta but he was breathing gently, his eyes closed and lips slightly parted as he slept. But it was definitely his spiced scent that clung to the offering of warmth. My fingers twitched on my lap, itching to grab it, and when the next breeze brought a teeth chattering chill, I could resist no longer.

Curling up tight beneath the deer pelt, I cooried into the softness with a building purr. I could wake before he did, roll it around in the dirt, and toss it his way.

He'd never know I'd used it.