Page 20 of The Songs of Fate (War of Fate)

CHAPTER 8

Justice

IT WAS DIFFERENT BEING PART of something. The pack was like a huge extended family that was always looking out for one another. Now that things were coming together, the Alpha House was beginning to come alive. Maddox told me that the pack was only as strong as the Alpha, and that was starting to make sense now. The kids were coming over to let us know when they completed projects. They checked in to see if we needed things done at the Alpha House. There was so much energy, so much buzzing, and we hoped that Seuss would be happy with how things were turning out.

I could see the difference in Maddox every day as he became less worried about the community needs in the pack, and he became more concerned about the business aspects of the pack. He tended to those administrative things making him more focused and grounded.

I watched as he blossomed as the Beta. People came to me for things pertaining to the community, and people went to him for things pertaining to pack business. Alice spent more time away from the house because the buzz of the energy was overwhelming to her. As the healer, she felt more because she was empathetic. She came over during the early afternoon and the evening when the traffic was lighter.

I spent the rest of my time taking care of Seuss and talking to him. He would mumble things about the pack and send flits of images through the bond. It was more like he was dreaming which was different than how he normally communicated with me. When he sent things through the bond it was more conversational. This was more like I was seeing his dreams or into his thoughts. It was new and refreshing, yet confusing. He was becoming less guarded, and it drew me to his bedside often.

One evening, I sat next to him stroking his arm as he told me a story. His voice through our bond was stronger, and his body was nicely warmed. Seuss was steadily getting better, and I loved it.

“My father took me to hunt for the very first time when I was about nine years old. He explained the difference between a hunter and the hunted. The best hunters never let their prey know that they are being hunted until it’s too late. The way to win isn't necessarily to chase them down and make them submit. It was to make them feel so safe in an environment that their defenses fell away to the point where they didn’t realize they were doomed. Trapped even. When they did, there was nothing they could do about it. And the hunter, all they had to do was collect their bounty. That is the true way to hunt.”

I’d never doubted Seuss, but the way that he’d spoken told me that it wasn’t just a story. It was his creed. Seuss was an intense man, and when he went after something he did it at all costs. He was a lethal, unexpected predator. It made me feel safe and cherished because he’d gone out of his way to make sure that even in his weakest moments, he’d keep me safe. He’d left me Alice and Maddox, the best two defenders in his absence, and I was grateful.

***

There was a flood of activity in the room next to me. I knew without going over that Seuss was awake. Voices were excited, and questions were flying. My doors were closed, and I laid there waiting for someone to come and get me, but no one ever did. I could feel the difference in the bond already.

Before, Seuss was open, and there wasn’t any other emotion coming through but need. I could feel so much coming from him right now that it was staggering. He was overwhelmed by the attention to him, but I knew it was necessary. I could hear Maddox’s voice, so I knew he was safe. I wanted to comfort him and push everyone out to give him time to adjust but those feelings also caused discomfort. He was not mine to fuss over or to claim. My responsibilities to him would officially be over the moment that he was strong enough to shift. Alice had explained to me that shifting would allow his body to heal the remaining damage.

The amount of energy radiating from his side of our bond had to be enough to create that shift. The amount of light coming from his side of the bond was blinding, but it radiated power. Seuss was almost better.

“Why can’t I feel him?”

I froze. The thought wasn’t mine but came through the bond from Seuss. The nervous energy coming from him was mountainous, stirring my own anxiety. I gripped the sheets as the tears stung the back of my eyes. Who was he searching for? Who couldn’t he feel? I wanted to ask him, but I didn’t know how. Behind his rapid thoughts I sensed the fear. Seuss’ thoughts were taking over mine making me feel one hundred ways of crazy. I jumped up and ran out the door leading to the stairwell.

Once I was outside, I kept going until my lungs burned from the exertion, and then I ran some more pushing forward. I reached deep pulling for an inner level of strength to continue. My hair blew in the wind providing the best kind of freedom. The leaves crunched underneath my bare feet, and the more that I ran the better I felt. I hit the forest and kept moving with ease and agility. I felt movement on both sides of me, and at first, I was alarmed, but something felt … right. Non-threatening. I could feel them. All eight of them closing in on me and yet I continued to run. I didn’t know where I was headed but I continued to run.

I saw the first wolf and was blinded by the pure white coat. Familiar eyes glanced my way as they moved alongside of me. She roared, challenging me playfully. I knew that she could pass me easily, but she kept her pace light and easy while the others closed in. I could feel their movement within me almost as naturally as I could feel Seuss today.

I growled back and was surprised at the intensity. She ran ahead, and I continued behind her. There was a clearing, and she sat poised to attack. Against my better judgement, instinct took over. I ran right for her. I stopped at her muzzle and roared so loudly that it echoed throughout the forest. The silence around us was deafening and all movement ceased.

Slowly, she lowered her head all the way to the ground while her tail moved from side to side happily. Then she shifted back to her human self. I was surprised to see that the beautiful white wolf was Ms. Cordell. The other wolves closed in around us following her lead. Anna, Beth, Tina, Ree, Ms. Kento, Lisa, and a woman I hadn’t met before, all appeared one by one. They were unashamed of their beautiful bodies on display, and they had no reason to be. I couldn’t explain the amount of power I felt in this moment with the right words. It was humbling.

My chest rose and fell hard from the exertion of the run, but I was hyper aware of my surroundings. I could smell the change in the season upon the air. It smelled like fall. The grass smelled greener, the wind felt moist, and the clouds hid the brightness of the sunrays. I stood still taking in the world with heighten senses while these women paid homage.

Understanding that they were choosing me as the Alpha woman, I wanted to choose them back. I stood straighter and roared again louder than before. Talk about exhilarating. I sat down allowing the others to relax and follow suit.

“God, that felt amazing!” I admitted.

Ms. Cordell smiled at me before she spoke. “You could feel us approaching, couldn’t you?”

“Yes.”

“You weren’t afraid that there were eight of us?” She tilted her head to the side in wonder.

“No. It only energized my efforts. I knew you guys were pack as you approached. It feels the same way that it does when I feel Seuss.” It was the best way that I could explain it.

“Through your bond?” Ms. Cordell was trying to read the truth without overstretching.

“No. I can feel his emotions and his energy.”

Ms. Cordell smiled. “You’re a special Alpha mate.”

“Special?”