Witches. The boss sent witches. They were three of the most beautiful but evil creatures I'd ever encountered.
Apparently, I had information stored in my brain I couldn't even remember having. The more they tried to find it the dizzier I got.
*As a child, I'm chasing Regina in a field of tall grass.*
*A little older, learning to ride a bike.*
*Shifting for the first time.*
*Sneaking out to run as a wolf on our land.*
"Speed it up." One witch said.
*First kiss.*
*Learning to drive.*
*Finding Caelum, my mate.*
*Our first embrace.*
*Him claiming me and sealing the mating bond.*
"You've gone too far!" The same witch snarled. "She was a teen when it happened. Fourteen, I think."
*The ambush. Everyone fighting. Everyone except me.
"Stay in the car Stella." Regina bossed me.
"I can help, I can fight."
She growled and ripped the head off a zombie. "Do as your told for once in your life!"
With that she went off to attack a witch near her, who was casting a spell.*
"Rewind," the witch said, almost jumping with glee, "do you see it?"
"Where?" Another witch asked.
"The amulet! She's wearing an amulet! That's got to be her." The first witch said.
"Looks like this girl is someone important to her."
"Best friend or sister."
"They'll be coming for her soon enough."
"They can have her, we don't need her anymore."
"Sleep now." And so I did.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I was in and out of consciousness. Shaking uncontrollably. Whatever they did to my mind really impacted my ability to function. Even my wolf Arctos was missing in action. The wolfsbane really hurt her. Without her the healing process would be slow and painful.
"My baby?" I say to no one, yet there's someone there and they reply.
"They're fine. Rest now baby."
It's Caelum. My heart skips a beat. With my mate's help I can heal quicker! He must have found me. After all, he did promise he would always find me.
Wait, they're fine? I thought I was just having one pup? I fall back asleep unwillingly.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Our challenge was at dusk. All day I spent cooped up in my room worried about what was to come. Although I was fully healed, I was sore from yesterday's encounter. Physically, I knew I was in working shape. Mentally, I was scared to face my mate. What if he didn't yield? Then I'd have to kill him.
I heard I was the last of Rex's challenges. Of course he had won both of his spectacularly. Another piece of gossip I overheard was that he was heading home in the morning.
My palms were sweating as I approached The Dome. Rex was already there, his back turned to me. I was fidgeting with my necklace until I saw him turn. Dropping it as we made eye contact.
*He's our mate...* Praesul whined.
*I know but we have more than our life at stake.*
*I know...*
*We are doing this for the pack.*
*Affirmative.* Praesul sighs deeply.
I notice his muscular body, everything showing except his package. Immediately my cheeks heat and I look down at myself. My fists clench and I'm ready for this to be over with.
As soon as the Challenge Coordinator leaves us, the door of The Dome slams shut. Rex's eyes turn from silver grey to black.
"Good luck." He calls, a smile playing on the corner of his lips. "You're gonna need it."
He shifts and his wolf is absolutely gorgeous. His silver fur shines even in the fading light. His front paws are in black as though he'd dipped them in ink.
Praesul took control and shifted. She was a gorgeous strawberry blonde color. His wolf's eyes roamed her body hungrily. Unusual during a challenge. They stopped at the necklace around our neck. His head tilted to the side and his eyes narrowed.
*What the hell is he-*
In a split second he lunged, tackling us to the ground. Praesul kicked him off quickly and recovered by running across the space. He paced back and forth before walking toward us again. This time he crouched as though he was stalking his pray. We walked circles until he attacked again. Praesul was prepared. She leaped over him and strutted to the opposite side. He rammed into the wall.
I could feel her smiling, laughing at his attempt.
*Don't get cocky!* I warn her.
*I'm not...* Praesul rolled her eyes.
This time she attacked him and he easily tossed her aside. Pretending to be wounded, he took the bait. He walked over, his wolf was whining. Praesul jumped on top of him and pinned him to the ground. He growled, fairly upset about the ruse. While she was on top his body bucked. He was stronger than us and he got us off of him. Praesul moves back for recovery space. Then we hear his ear splitting howl. She looked back and our necklace was hanging from his mouth. When our eyes made contact there was recognition, he knew we were his mate.
Catching him off guard Praesul ran full force and swept him off his feet. He landed on his back with the wind knocked out of him. She climbed on top and could feel their touch intensify. She whimpered but stayed strong.
His eyes shone with lust and some unnamed emotion we didn't recognize. He laid there and let us have the victory.
When the Challenge Coordinator came in to congratulate me, Rex growled before turning human.
"Get her robe." He snarled at the Coordinator.
Bringing back the robe, Praesul waited patiently. Rex took it from him and walked over to her. He raised his hand to caress her snout. Praesul hummed in approval.
"You can shift back, I'll make sure no one is watching." Rex blocked me with his naked body from all the onlookers. About 80% of them were men.
I shifted and he placed the robe my body. His fingers gliding over my skin was hot as coals. I turn around to see his eyes flicker black.
"You are my mate."
I nod slowly.
"You knew this whole time."
I nod again.
His anger is palpable. A vein in his neck bulges and his jaw is tight.
"So this whole choice mate deal was to have me without telling why."
"I didn't intend -"
"Save your breath." He started to walk away. At the door of The Dome he turned back. "You're my mate. I expect you to leave with me tomorrow morning."
I glare at him. "I'm an Alpha before I'm your mate. I'll do what I want to."
He strode back to me and pressed me against the glass of The Dome.
"You'll learn your place when you're talking to me." His mouth pressed hard against mine. My lips parted and our tongues intertwined. "Come with me now."
"We have to talk to the Coordinator first he -" Rex threw me over his shoulder. "Put me down!"
I struggled but he slapped my ass. I knew what was left of the crowd could see us and I got even more angry. I clawed at his back but he healed almost instantly.
"Stop."
"Put me down."
As we walked past the open mouthed Coordinator, Rex said, "Give her whatever she asks for."
And he carried me back to his room.