Book 2 Chapter 3
Heidi
I could only watch as John fought a wolf twice his size, and he went toe to toe with him. He did it alone for what seemed like forever, and all I could do was sit there. John was powerful, and there was a craze to his eyes that I couldn’t understand. He grabbed the bigger male by the scruff of the neck and slammed him down. There was a loud thud. The strange wolf seemed unphased, because he was stronger, and barked at John. He then lunged at him and they reared up on their back legs, but he was bigger, so now… it was John in danger. My wolf whined, and I was scared, but I mustered the smallest fireball…. It was so weak it went out before it could even reach them, but the light in the twilight was enough of a distraction that John could get up. I was exhausted from blowing us off the road. I could only do as much…
Soon there were other warriors to help John, and they got the stranger by the legs while others that weren’t shifted tied them up with rope. “That should do it. Put him in a holding cell until Alpha questions him.” Said Warrior Commander Marcy. She was strong as they came, but also just as serious.
“Commander, I was stuck in detention…. For answering a question wrong… also not paying attention. This is my fault. Please throw me in a cell too.” Volunteered John. Marcy Sighed.
“Yes, and you prayed to the Lady for the rain too, get your asses both to the tribal tattoo ceremony. Make your papa proud son.” She smiled.
John smiled wide and picked me up, and ran with me in his arms. “We might make it, I’m way faster lil matey.” He smirked. His cat eyes were focused on what was ahead of him, and he jumped over wet grass and logs. There was a determination in his eyes that almost reminded me of my dreams, but there was no way that it could be about him. Whoever the man in my dream was looked like he wanted to kill me.
He slowed to a trot, and got silent glares. There was a huge circle of wolves standing in the clearing where dad hosts the Lunar Fests, and a small fire and a table. He was carrying me, which was a little disrespectful to the Alpha…. And he looked pissed. He marched to us, and flicked John on the forehead. His anger made me nervous. “That was for howling like that. Do you know I was This close to looking for you?” He growled, and flicked him again. “That was for engaging an unknown enemy by yourself, pup.” And he flicked him one more time, but that one had a thud to it. “And that was for not linking me. The lack of communication was almost the downfall of your rescue attempt…. but my daughter’s life was saved by you, and for that I am grateful. Come Warrior Robins, and receive your mark from your Alpha.” Dad said seriously.
John took it like a warrior, and stood there silently. I stood next to my mom while dad put his hand on John’s back, and walked him to the center of a circle in the large clearing in between both packs dad ran. Some were shifted, and some were tall burly men, already covered in tattoos. There were wolves that I had never seen before too, and they were all standing behind a huge dark skinned man taller than dad. He smelled like John. I remembered an Alpha that smelled like that, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.
I tried again. It was an earth smell. The smell of fresh rain on cool dirt. “Attention everyone.” Dad said with a small smirk looking at me…. I was staring at John…. Lady damnit. “Today we have a very special moment for any who would call themselves Warriors. It is more than Just fighting or being strong enough to have rank, it is about putting trust in the pack… and the pack trusting you. They hold their families in your hands. You are why the young, weak, and old can sleep. And for that, I sincerely thank you. I must commend these new recruits this year. On their own, two have already taken down Rouges. One has already earned his stripes.” Said dad loudly, and John stepped forward. He was pretty muscular, and I noticed his hair was longer than earlier today.
“Your highness you have my life.” He vowed, cutting his hand by making a fist with clawed hands without hesitation. He raised it in the air for all to see, and the strange man looked proud. Almost like a father would a son. Weird. His parents were on the other side of mom, and they were silently clapping, taking photos.
“My warrior you have my favor.” Said dad and there were gasps. It was an honor that some thought he didn’t deserve, but dad snarled. Everyone showed their necks, including me.
I didn’t understand wolf that well, but there were no objections to whatever it was.
-----John-----
“Pup you earn my favor by your metal. Of your own, you decide to serve, and of my own, I decide to give you your mark myself.” Snarled Alpha, but there was something off. I felt another presence in the clearing. An old one… like when the King Visits. Mother always made me stay clear of them, as they were very powerful, and I don’t think they like Crimson pack members much.
I held out my arm, and Alpha himself put the needle in the hot coals and he bit his wrist, and allowed a few drops of blood to inter the ink, that was clear until this point. It turned black, and he dipped the red hot needle into the ink, and it boiled.
Hold still. He mind linked me, and I stood. Terracotta took over, and I still felt the pricks of Alpha tattooing me with speed and precision. It took only five minutes, but it felt like years. I became hyper alert, and I felt like something deep within was stirred. I was almost presented a mirror, and I was surprised.
Alpha didn’t tattoo the royal seal; it was another crest… that looked just as old. It was the silhouette of a wolf howling on a mountain ledge, not one breathing fire.
I was ushered out the center of the circle, to stand with the other elite warriors. Those that wore a tattoo done specifically by Alpha were the strongest, and most loyal. I wasn’t making any friends by getting such merit at the ripe old age of 19. Some of these wolves served Alpha for over two centuries….
“Good job son!” Said my mother, who hugged me. She let me go abruptly, and I wondered why, but she probably didn’t want me to look like a mama’s boy in front of my mate. Dad held a firm, silent expression, and Jesse hugged me as hard as she could. I patted her hair and looked to see Heidi, who shyly hid almost behind her mother. She looked timid as always, and her wet red hair was curly enough to make a model jealous. She probably felt as though she couldn’t interact with me the way she wanted, because we weren’t official… but I would let the pack know of my claim if I could help it.
She looked at me with innocent lime green eyes. They sparkled in the low light of the campfire, and I walked to her. And grabbed her hands. “John, stop!” She whisper yelled.
“Why?” I asked. She stared at me blankly, as if it were obvious. “I don’t want to see the pack kill you, you know.” She whispered, looking down. The sorrow in her eyes, as well as the disgruntled looks being thrown my way killed me. she was My mate….and I couldn’t hold her, touch her….kiss her.
“John?” She asked quietly. I had slowly leaned down to her eye level. I had to think fast.
“I pledge my soul to you and none other Heidi.” I told her with conviction, kneeling to my miniature mate. She was so short you have to find her by scent in a crowd… but she was mine to love all the same. I would never reject her….
“John I can’t accept that! I’m half witch! You might lose your ability to rest if you die… or even worse…. Not get a mate….” She said on the verge of tears. I had had it, as did my wolf. If I didn’t tell her now, I would probably break our bond with my tender dancing around the subject.
“That’s impossible, lil matey, because I’m looking right at her.” I told her tenderly, and I didn’t care who saw.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
