Chapter 5: Black Wolf

Ruelle’s POV

You have to believe that you truly do no know yourself until you have experienced certain situations. Even if you don’t believe it. That’s a fact. You don’t know the extent to what you can do until you are given an opportunity or a reason to do it.

My wolf was curious. That was my excuse for today. I wonder what the next one will be. Even I was looking forward to it.

I wasn’t thinking. Wasn’t thinking when I stormed up to my room after breakfast and couldn’t get a hold of myself. I paced around the room with my hands on my waist as I plotted, mind you, I still wasn’t thinking. I wasn’t thinking when the thought flashed in my mind and without even letting it sit, I was already executing it.

And now, I am here, my arms crossed over my bare chest, my bare bum perched on a branch a few feet away from the Black wolf. Thorne.

I thought that I was okay with it. I managed to keep my head down and wild thoughts at bay all through breakfast, although it was complete torture. But as soon as it dawned on me that he was leaving, I was suddenly overwhelmed with the desire to see him one last time. I knew I couldn’t run out to him. Papa would definitely see him to the gates of the Keep and might find it suspicious that I want to tag along. I also didn’t want to add to the list of weird experiences I have made the Alpha endure within just the short period he was here.

Thinking back to all the times we have met, it always seemed like I was at the wrong place at the wrong time, doing the wrong things. I doubt I was doing a good job of getting his attention. Well I was getting his attention all right, but not positively. I was embarrassing myself.

However, in my defense, I would have gone unnoticed if he wasn’t so attentive, last night too. I watch him, but he keeps seeking me out.

I couldn’t help the warm blush that crept up my skin when he looked at me. I was buck naked, perched on a branch a few feet away from the most beautiful man I had ever seen. An Honorable Alpha, although the way he looked up at me was anything but honorable. His eyes glazed over my face with as much intensity as was used to look at a map, and as much adoration as was used to look at a beautiful painting.

It made me all warm and fuzzy inside, and also caused the tingling sensation of warm liquid pooling between my legs.

I could see how hard he tried to control himself, trying so hard not to dishonor me by staring up even though there was nothing to look at as I was completely hidden behind the branch between us. The way he spoke, soft and gentle, made a number of emotions swarm my belly, filling me with a euphoric sense of pride all together.

All of that was short lived though, as was every other good thing in my life. His Beta had bad news.

I only knew that from the tightness in his jaw and the shift in the atmosphere. Whatever the problem was is of great importance. He turned to look at me, his eyes scanning my face. Without a word, he shrugged off his black cloak and raised his hand up with it in his palm, offering it to me.

My initial reaction was to shake my head, but when I saw the tightness in his eyes, I knew he wouldn’t take no for an answer. I was going to shift into my wolf to head back anyway, so I didn’t need it. But I took it anyway, pushing my arms through the loops of the heavy coat and shutting my eyes momentarily at the strong wave of Him I was suddenly hit with. It was warm, smelled just like him and although it was just below the knee for him, I was practically swimming in it. If I wasn’t sitting on a tree, I was sure it would be sweeping the floor around me.

I was happy I took it, despite not needing it.

“I need to head back…”. I announced, my voice unsteady. His eyes snapped up to mine, a slight shake in his head.

“You can’t. We don’t know if that is safe.” You’re coming with me.” He growled, pushing up on his hands so he can climb down from the tree. I furrowed my brows.

“Safe? I came here on my own and I basically live in this forest”

“Well not anymore. You can’t keep coming here. It isn’t safe. And you’re coming with me, I’ll take you home myself.”

Anger boiled in my veins. I didn’t need another person ordering me around. “You won’t tell me what to do in my own keep. I’m leaving.” I spat, my fingers angrily working at the buttons of the coat. I caught sight of him pressing his eyes shut and pinching his forehead.

Who did he think he was treating me like a child in MY keep? I mean, asides being a literal greek god on earth and a strong Alpha— I wasn’t his responsibility in anyway. And as much as I was smitten by him, I didn’t answer to him. The last thing I needed to remind me of my irrelevance in this Keep was someone who is basically an outsider treating me like a child.

“It is for your own safety, My Lady”. He says simply, his eyes tired but determined regardless.

“You don’t know anything about my safety. You have only been here for a night. I am the one who should tell you about your safety in MY keep”. I worded with as much theatrics as I could possibly muster.

Thorne jumped down from the tree without a word, signaling to his Beta and leaning over to whisper a few words in his ear. I watched the exchange from between the leaves, a frown etched to my face as I tried to decipher what he said.

I came here all by myself, I didn’t need company going back, I didn’t need cuddling.

His Beta, Carlos I think, gave a curt nod at what he said and swiftly walked away. There was a slight whoosh in the distance followed by the familiar sound of clothes tearing and cracking of bones which was the telling that he had shifted into his wolf. Whatever the issue was, it wasn’t small. The heavy thuds of Carlos’s paws against the earth as he receded was as though he was running right into battle.

My eyes found their way back to Thorne who still stood beneath the tree. His eyes were already on me, his jaw ticking slightly. I could see the wheels turning in his head as he pondered on what to do with me.

Didn’t mean to be insufferable but would rather be that than tossed around. At least by someone who isn’t family. It would be hypocritical of me to claim to be respected at home.

“You will get down or I will come up there and get you.” He said, his voice low. I swallowed, my throat going dry at the seriousness in his voice. I couldn’t dare admit the unthinkable things that voice did to my lower abdomen.

With a huff, I began to climb down from the tree, carefully latching unto the branches as I made my way down. Thorne positioned himself directly under the tree, his large hands latching unto my waist as soon as I jumped down, slowly setting my feet on the grass. I turned to look at him

“I don’t need you to baby me, Iron King”. I told him, taking a step back. We were too close for comfort. “I can take care of myself”.

“I’m sure of that.” I furrowed my brows at the sarcasm dripping from his tone. “Coming recklessly to hide away in the woods proves just how good you are at that.”

I frowned. “I told you I come here all the time. You met me here!” I had the urge to stomp my foot because of how frustrated he made me.

“There are rogue wolves ahead.” He said matter of factly, his eyes scanning my face. “And if they managed to find their way here then nowhere is safe, not even the Keep”

My jaw slacked. “I have to tell Papa… I need to go—”. I turned to leave but he grabbed my wrist, pulling me back to him.

“I just need a few minutes to take care of them and then I will take you home. I can’t let you leave my sight.” He growls, his voice thick with an unexplainable emotion and his grip on my wrist tight as a vice. I stare at him confused, watching as a veil falls over his eyes at my silence. “Garron will have my head”. He adds after a while, looking away and blinking. He still doesn’t let go of my wrist.

“Okay”. I concur quietly, my eyes lowering. Thorne nodded silently and let go of my wrist, taking two steps back. I frowned momentarily before it occurred to me what he was about to do. I watched in both awe and terror as he shifted into his wolf. My eyes widening and lips parting at how magnificent the scene unfolding before me was.

I had seen men shift before, several times. My papa shifted in front of me all the time, the Protectors of the Keep when they were leaving for battle and so many others. But it was nothing like what I was looking at.

Thorne shifted with a controlled and distinct power that stole my breath. Most wolves shifted loudly, with loud growls and movements, usually in motion. I had never seen someone shift so gracefully and formidably, in one spot. Thorne wasn’t loud. His rumble, just like his voice, slowly transformed into something feral, primal and commanding. His bones snapped with precision, his skin rippling and giving way for the thick jet black fur to burst from within it.

He was massive. Now almost on eye level with the tree we had just jumped down from. His big black wolf towered over me, staring down at me with his piercing green eyes. I couldn’t move. I was in awe of him. His beauty. But I was also a little afraid. He was the biggest wolf I’d ever seen, or even imagined. It was unreal. Now I know why my sisters had gushed over his wolf when they had returned from the border.

He regarded me wordlessly, then slowly began to lower himself on his front limbs, till he was eye level with me. I heard his words in my mind loud and clear, but I had to pretend I didn’t to buy time. I didn’t know if I was ready for that yet. He growled and tried again, his patience running thin at my defiance,

“Get on my back, Ruelle”.