Nature's Destiny Page 9

  “Can you feel that, Luna?” he asked.

  “Yes, there’s something pulling at me. Is that supposed to happen?” I squeaked.

  “It’s the moon’s influence on your wolf. It’s awakening inside you. Magic is what helps us change from one form to another. I know that may sound odd to you, but when you’ve felt it you’ll understand. For wolves, magic is like our religion, it’s a part of us. Are you religious?”

  It seemed like a crazy time to be questioning my belief system. I could barely hold myself together. “No. I prefer to see something if I’m going to believe in it, like science,” I answered honestly, I didn’t see the point in lying.

  “Then perhaps magic will agree with you.”

  I didn’t know what to make of that, but I was determined to keep an open mind.

  “Will it hurt?” I asked, a little late.

  “No, the sensations of your body changing will feel weird to begin with, but then it’s like an adrenaline rush. Stop worrying, Luna.”

  I grimaced.

  “Now, empty your mind and try to let your body do the work. If I have to, I can force the change on you, but I’d prefer if you try for yourself first,” he said.

  “OK, empty my mind, shouldn’t be too hard, there’s not much in it anyway,” I said jokingly.

  I was going into nervous-babbling mode. I zipped my mouth before it ran away from me. I hated it when I spoke too much, it was like a disease at times. I closed my eyes and tried to calm my running thoughts. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

  I could feel my insides zinging to life, tugging me towards the moon. The feeling of my bones cracking, and organs shifting carried a sweet ecstasy as though I was drugged on morphine. I couldn’t feel any pain that was logically supposed to be there.

  I felt alive, like I could take on the world. There was power surging through my body and I opened my eyes to see. I was closer to the ground than I should have been, and I could see fur on my arms. Wait, was that my legs?

  I was covered in white fur. I’d done it! I’d turned into a wolf and it hadn’t hurt. And, I was still me, just like Riley had promised.

  Of course you are, I’m not an evil beast you know. We are one, we protect each other.

  My wolf was talking to me?

  Duh!

  OK, cut the attitude.

  Will you stop acting so surprised now please?

  I nodded to myself and looked up at Riley.

  He was still in his human form with his mouth hanging wide open. He looked shocked, and I couldn’t help but worry that something was wrong with me.

  There’s nothing wrong with us. We have transformed perfectly.

  It was reassuring knowing it wasn’t me, though I couldn’t deny how weird it was to feel comforted by my own thoughts talking back at me.

  I yipped at Riley to shake his stance. He shook his head, and transformed into his magnificent black wolf in one fluid motion. His emerald green eyes searched the blue of mine.

  I had a strong urge to rub myself against him. I had to control myself, my natural, primal instincts were taking over from logic.

  Riley caught my attention and turned towards the woods where we’d been during the afternoon. I followed him as he began with a comfortable run.

  I picked up speed to see how fast I could go. I was terrible at running as a human, but as a wolf it was completely different. I understood why Roxy had said it was exhilarating.

  Adrenaline flowed through my body as I pounded the ground faster. I passed Riley, testing him; I wanted to see if he could keep up. I gave everything I could and flew through the trees, and the vertical trunks became nothing more than a blur. I turned my head to see where Riley was, but I couldn’t find him. Where had he gone?

  He couldn’t keep up.

  I stopped by the waterfall and lapped up the water. It felt cool and satisfying as it slid down my throat. A few moments later I saw Riley across the lake. I looked up at him and smiled a big wolfish grin.

  He replied by letting his tongue hang out. He looked silly which made me chuckle, except as a wolf it came out as a series of unladylike grunts.

  He turned and ran off, and I chased after him. I was not going to be left behind. I caught up to him quickly and decided to let him lead. I didn’t know where I was, and I certainly didn’t fancy running into a tree head-on. That would definitely have been something I’d do.

  Like I’d let you do that!

  I smiled inwardly, it felt good having someone to talk to inside my head, even if it did seem crazy.

  I followed Riley into another field and let him chase after me again. A mind-numbing howl called out and I stopped instantly, as dread washed over me. The strong weight of Riley’s Alpha authority took over my wolf’s senses. I had to obey the sudden howl regardless of what it meant. It was a command nonetheless. Riley rushed to meet me, and shifted back to his human form. I looked up at him confused.

  “Don’t move, Luna. There’s a trap right by your foot. I’ll be right back.”

  I stood as still as I could, unable to move from sheer terror. I watched as he walked through the woods, and his head swept from side to side. He was obviously searching for something.

  I was terrified and considerably grateful that Riley had stopped me when he did. It showed how good his eyesight was. I hadn’t even seen it.

  Neither did I, I was too busy having fun to pay attention. I’m sorry.

  “I’m going to drop this into the trap to activate it. When I do, I want you to jump back as far as you can. OK?”

  I nodded.

  “On three then. One, two, three, jump!”

  I jumped back the second he released the log into the trap. I listened as it snapped viciously, and clamped its teeth into the wood. I brushed myself against Riley’s legs as a thank you. I’d been too close to death.

  “I’ll be right back.” I watched him pick the trap up, and his arms bulged with the weight, he was incredibly strong. He carried it to the border of the clearing; it was out of the way there.

  “The patrols can deal with it later.” He dusted off his hands, he didn’t look happy at all. “I’m sorry Luna, but I’m going to have to get back to the house now.”

  I shrugged, I knew Riley had to take care of business. Our safety had been compromised, and if I knew him as well as I thought I did already, he’d soon be worrying about the others running around. Finding a trap laid out on wolf territory was lethal enough without the added pressure of a full moon.

  Riley shifted back into his wolf again, and he nudged me. We ran through the woods together. I knew Riley was eager to get back to the house, but I was just as happy to stay outside longer. I knew he was giving me extra time to enjoy, for which I was grateful, but I hated to leave so soon.

  The house was in complete darkness. Riley transformed again and I sat staring up at him, shifting my weight from paw to paw. I didn’t know how to change back into my human, and I prayed that I’d be dressed. I didn’t know how it worked, but every time Riley had changed he was always clothed. I hoped it was the same for me.

  I waited patiently for Riley’s instructions when I felt that strange pull at my body again. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath much like I had earlier. The tingling sensation disappeared as it ran the length of my spine, and I opened my eyes. I was staring directly at Riley again. He was such a looker.

  I looked down at my body to make sure I was fully clothed before throwing myself at him. I wrapped my arms around his neck, and thanked him for saving my life.

  “Thank you so much, Riley. I was almost wolf meat!” He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into a tight embrace.

  “It’s OK, Luna. I’ve never had to worry about traps before. I’m glad I saw it in time.”

  “You and me both.”

  I inhaled, and Riley’s scent wafted around me. He was a wonderful cocktail of aftershave, woods, and man. My taste buds watered at the thought of kissing him.

  I pulled away from him slow
ly and looked into his eyes. Electricity flowed through my body as I held his gaze. He leaned his head down toward mine and gently kissed me on the lips. I kissed him back, wrapping my arms around his neck again.

  He deepened the kiss, and I moulded my body into him as his arms held me tighter. I parted my lips as an invitation to his tongue. We matched stroke for stroke and our pace quickened.

  I was desperate to taste every inch of him. I needed him to quench the fire burning inside of me. My body responded, and I wanted him to take me in every way possible. I moaned, and he did too. I was lost in the passion that invaded my body.

  He pulled away and kissed me gently again, savouring the kiss before the happiness in his face faded to sadness.

  “I have to get back to work. Are you going to be alright?” he asked, searching my face.

  “I’m fine, Riley,” I smiled, I was more than fine. “I’m just going to take a shower and then go to sleep.” His eyes widened. I was glad I affected him as much as he did me.

  “Goodnight then.”

  “Goodnight, Riley.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  I skipped my way into the kitchen where the smell of pancakes wafted deliciously to my nose. As I took deep lungful’s of air, I could almost taste the batter goodness.

  “Good morning, sunshine.” I called to Faye as she stood over the oven, tossing the pancake in the air.

  “Well, aren’t you all happy this morning,” she turned toward me, and raised an eyebrow in question.

  “What?” I asked, feeling coy.

  “Assuming from your giddy nature, I take it last night went well?” I blushed, my thoughts straying to Riley. “My brother tells me you had quite the night.”

  Riley told Faye about our kiss? Why did he even do that?

  “Umm, well, yeah. I think so,” I babbled.

  Faye was Riley’s sister, and it didn’t feel right to just waltz in and comment on her brother’s excellent kissing skills.

  “That trap must have been scary?” I caught on quickly as I realised the mistake I’d made. I couldn’t have been more grateful that I hadn’t mentioned the kiss.

  “Yeah. All I’m going to say is, thank God for Riley!” I sat down at the table while I waited for the kettle to boil. “It was a close call. Did everyone else get back alright?” “Yes. Everyone is fine, not even a splinter harmed us.”

  I slouched back down in my seat relieved.

  “Aside from that, the rest went well?” she asked.

  I nodded as the click of the kettle signalled it was ready. I walked towards the counter and took a cup from the mug tree and placed a teabag inside, filling it with water.

  “I changed without a problem, and ran through the woods. It was amazing! I can’t wait to go again.”

  “Usually we’d go again tonight, but Riley wants everyone to stay in.”

  I pouted, I really wanted to run again.

  “He’s had to leave on urgent business, and while he’s away he doesn’t want anyone to get hurt.”

  He was gone? My heart sank as I tried to shake the feeling that he’d left because of me. I wasn’t being paranoid or upping my self-worth, but last night when I’d transformed he’d stared at me shocked and I’d never had the chance to ask why. Was it a ruse to get away from me because we’d kissed? It was too coincidental, and I’d thought he liked me too.

  “Won’t the moon affect me tonight? I thought it was a three-night process, or at least that’s what I saw in the movies,” I blushed at my lack of knowledge.

  “It is.”

  “Then how can I not turn into a wolf? Riley told me I wouldn’t be able to stop from changing.”

  “The first night is always the hardest as it’s the strongest,” she began, and I settled back down in my seat with my tea. “If you stay inside away from the moon, the influence won’t affect you. When we grow up we’re taught how to control and manipulate our shifts, so don’t worry about us,” she stared me down like she knew what I was thinking.

  “We’ll close all the curtains which should be enough. You’ll be fine, I promise. Do you want some pancakes?”

  “Yes, please.”

  It seemed foolish to pass up the offer of food, especially when it smelt divine.

  “Where is everyone today?” I asked, surprised that Lara wasn’t in the kitchen too.

  “As far as I know, Roxy is still asleep. I think Shane said she’d had a bad night. And my sister, as usual, is out playing rugby with the guys. She spends more time with them than she does with me. She’s such a crazy sport nut!”

  I laughed at the image, unsure as to how true that was. From what I’d seen they spent a lot of time together, but that may have been because of my arrival. There was a lot I still didn’t know about my pack sisters.

  “Is there anything you need from the shops, Luna? I need to go into town to do some food shopping, I don’t think the men will like it much if I feed them water and salad for dinner!”

  I instantly thought of them chewing lettuce leaves like rabbits.

  “Would you like company?”

  I didn’t mind helping, and it wasn’t like I had work to get to. Besides, I thought it was a good way to check out the local town, and get to know the area.

  “Of course. Roxy may want to come as she doesn’t get out of the house much these days.”

  “That’s fine with me. Shall I drive?” I asked.

  “Sure. I’ll just go visit Roxy, and then meet you back down here in half an hour?” I nodded in agreement and placed a forkful of pancake into my mouth. They were marvellous.

  Faye had left the room as I cleared away the last of my food. The rain poured down and hammered against the windows. The sky darkened as clouds covered the house, and I wondered if a thunderstorm was on its way. I couldn’t imagine Lara playing rugby outside regardless of what Riley had told me about our body temperature.

  I brushed my teeth, dabbed on the smallest amount of make-up I could, and tidied my hair into a bun. I grabbed my jacket, slipped on my trainers and waited downstairs.

  Roxy and Faye walked into the kitchen together and I realised just how beautiful they were. Faye had a curvy feminine body that she was obviously proud of, and her jeans hugged her bottom nicely. She wore a pair of boots over her skinny jeans and a tight black vest top and cardigan to match. Her hair was perfectly straight and her tanned skin was flawless.

  Roxy wore a lovely green, flowing maxi dress that showed off her bump. I was a little surprised considering the rain, though I couldn’t blame her. I couldn’t imagine how uncomfortable she probably felt.

  “Ready?” I asked, and they nodded in reply.

  The garage was empty of only one car, and it was the fastest. Riley must have been in a bigger rush to leave than I’d realised, and I couldn’t begin to think of a reason that was that important.

  “Does Riley always take the Aston Martin out?” I asked, desperate for some answers about his absence.

  “That’s a trick question,” said Faye.

  “How so?” I thought it was quite simple.

  “It depends on where he’s going. For a trip into town he’ll take one of the Kuga’s. But if he’s heading off on official Alpha business the Aston goes with him. It’s like a signature of his status. It allows the other packs to see how wealthy we are, not because we’re arrogant, but as a sign to be respected.”

  Wherever Riley had gone it was important. I was on edge just thinking about him, wherever he was, doing whatever he needed to.

  “Holy shit, Luna! You have screens in the headrests!” said Faye as we climbed in. “This is luxurious!” I chuckled at her reaction.

  I’d spent the whole of yesterday swooning over everything new, that it was nice for somebody else to do it in return. I waited as Roxy pulled the seat belt around her stomach and buckled in before turning on the ignition.

  I eased out of the garage and continued our conversation.

  “Well, I’ve never been able to use them for myself obviously, b
ut you can play music videos and films through them.”

  “Looks like we need to upgrade those Kuga’s!” she laughed.

  “They’re brand new aren’t they?” I asked, sure they were the latest model.

  “Yeah. We don’t go on long trips that often, and from now on we’ll make sure to go in your car if we do.” Faye winked at me through the rear view mirror.

  “Which way am I heading ladies?” I’d reached the end of the driveway and waited for directions.

  “If you turn right and head back the way you came in yesterday you’ll come to a big roundabout.” I nodded, remembering. “Take the second exit and follow that road into town. It’s quite straight forward, there’s a big supermarket opposite the town shops. You can’t miss it,” said Roxy.

  “That sounds pretty easy, but if I go somewhere wrong we’ll just call it a road trip,” I said, and they both laughed.

  *

  I sprawled out on my bed, feeling the cool sheets comfort my skin. I’d finished unpacking and rewarded myself by becoming lazy. My room was a decent size that fit a double bed, walk-in wardrobe and en-suite with a shower. There wasn’t a bath tub, but the main bathrooms had one each.

  There was also a desk and a swivelling chair which I’d spent a lot of my time spinning in circles on while I procrastinated over my clothes. I hated unpacking more than I did packing. The desk held a TV, and I’d placed my iMac beside it too.

  My phone stared at me, which increased my guilt for having ignored it. I wasn’t the type to be glued to my phone, but with everything that had happened since Saturday morning I hadn’t even thought about texting or calling Sky. And that made me feel like a terrible friend.

  We’d often spent a few days without communication, but it didn’t make me feel better telling myself that. I’d meant to tell her that I’d gone abroad already, but I forgot, and I had to deal with that.

  I turned on the device and watched as the screen lit up with several icons - a mixture of messages and missed calls. That was never good.

  Last night was great. Let’s do it again. Xx

  Where r u? Call me. xx