Chapter 7

Alyson's POV

"Let's take a carriage back." He said. I sensed something was wrong, but he explained before I could answer. "I feel a little dizzy."

There was something fierce and far away in his eyes. I thought of how difficult it looked for him to shift back to Ryan.

All It took was one howl, it was odd how much his human voice had the exact timber of a wolf as if he had not yet shifted back. We waited a few minutes, and a carriage pulled up.

Michael was driving in the front seat. "You ok, Ryan?" He asked.

Ryan was already getting himself in. "Yes, I just need to sit down a bit."

There was a small road between the trees leading back to the village. It was a good idea in case anyone got injured in the training arena.

We got in, and Ryan seemed happy to sit down. The training session and seemed brief. I hoped he wasn't only humoring me, while doing nothing to actually help me.

"So, what did you see?" I asked. Even though I had not been in great shape, and the physical burst had been very hard for Ariana. Even in my recovery I seemed better than he did now. It was a little confusing.

He looked very tired. His dulled eyes turned to me, "Your wolf is larger in size than expected. Usually, the size of the wolf matches the size of the human, but you're a very petite she-wolf, with a pretty sizable wolf form. But your wolf is also clumsy and not very fast."

I nodded; I was not fooling myself. "I can get better at that. With practice." I said.

He tilted his head with agreement. "A lot of practice, but that's to be expected."

I was really wondering what was wrong with him. He was some great warrior, and yet out little play fight session had worn him out like this.

Michael was driving the horse quietly, listening to our conversation like a spy. I wasn't a fan of his presence, but I also didn't want him turning on me again, so I was determined to be polite.

Ryan continued, "You also shift faster and more easily than anyone I've ever seen. That gives you a huge advantage in a fight. Most shifts take up to a few seconds, and it's a vulnerable time in a fight. But you, it takes no time."

"Why is it so hard for you?" I asked.

His head turned abruptly at me. He looked like his was trying to decide how to answer.

Suddenly, I felt a cramp twisting in my abdomen, and a warm gush between my legs, and I tightened them together. I knew my period had just started. My face was growing hot with embarrassment, hoping no one would notice, but thinking everyone could smell it.

He didn't answer my question, and I forgot it in that moment. His entire face lightened up as if he was fully awake and had not just been worn out. His eyes were like his wolf's, sharp and cold and hungry. He was practically licking his lips.

I leaned away, a little scared at his abrupt and obvious desire for me. For my blood? Chills swept over my body.

"Pull over!" Ryan shouted. But the carriage was not fully stopped, when he leapt from the side. He ran off into the forest.

"Ryan!" I called after him. "What are you…?" I didn't finish because he'd already disappeared amongst the trees.

I sat there confused.

Michael had stopped the horse. He was staring off into the woods- his expression much less surprised than me.

"What happened?" I asked.

He looked back at me, his elbow pointing at me as he turned. "Who knows, maybe he saw an old friend."

"What old friend?" I asked sullenly. That made no sense. Why had it happened the moment he smelt my period like he was avoiding me. I recalled the shift in his expression. I recognized a wolf in his eyes. I realized his wolf was trying to take control, and I thought how hard it was for him to shift.

I had witnessed that kind of struggle before. Not in the Clan Clark, we were amazing easy shifters. But the curse of Clan Alexander could make it difficult for them if they didn't have their supplied of Clan Clark Blood.

Michael shrugged off my question as if I would forget, he was getting the horse back to a walk. "let's get you back to Donna. This isn't my job to take care of you."

"What's Alpha Ryan's last name?" I asked, dreading a particular answer that didn't seem possible anyway. I either forgot it, or no one ever mentioned it.

Michael paused. He didn't look back at me as he said, "Alexander."

My heart stopped in my chest. Alexander. Could it be the same family name as Jacob Alexander? The cursed clan Alexander of the Crowalt Pack who need the blood from Clan Clark's she-wolves to prolong their short lives. Without the blood of Clan Clark, their human forms would grow weaker, and they'd lose the ability to shift back.

"Alexander?" I said. My body was shaking.

"Is there something wrong?" Michael asked. I could see the cabin up ahead at the end of the road.

"Oh, nothing," I said, trying to sound casual, feeling like I'd finally figured out why Ryan had been so nice. That he wanted my blood. I knew better than to trust anyone. "It just reminded me of another Alexander that I knew a long time ago."

"It is a common family name," Michael said.

"Right," I responded, but my mind was full of worries. Still, I reassured myself that the male wolves of Clan Alexander were never allowed to leave the pack without the Alpha's permission. And the Starstream pack was very far away. If he were part of Clan Alexander, he should not have been able to survive so long without the blood provision.

He had said he was cast out at ten years old. Cast out from where? I needed to find out.