Winter Rose

Chapter Two: A New Life

As soon as the large oak doors closed behind me I shifted. It was good to feel the sun on my fur. My wolf stretched out her legs before jumping into a sprint. It was hard playing so cool back there. Everything would be changing, but more than anything I wanted to stay here. I wanted to set down roots and have a home. The proposal would bring me a husband but it would also bring me the freedom to be myself and the stability I craved. My grandparents would remain our packs alphas, but once everyone has their own home and I’m married I would inherit the ranch. And they would be able to retire to a smaller cabin in the woods. Lead a more peaceful life as they give up the responsibility of managing the pups who would join my new pack. I could have pups of my own one day. And most importantly I could fix my mother’s mistake. 

My grandparents may not be natural mates, but their love is real. Depending on who this Alpha is I could have something like that too. Plus if what Uncle Brad said was true, I most likely would never encounter my natural mate and everything would be fine. As my mind wandered my wolf’s body wandered the property lines it knew by heart. Not just because I came here so often as a child running wild in these woods since I was a pup, but because she came from here. My family line spanned centuries in this town, as did hers. She always was happiest here, as was I. Nowhere else could ever be our home. My wolf’s body skidded to a halt as she turned so fast we almost slammed into a tree. Mate. I heard her voice whisper in my head. Nose to the air I inhaled deeply. Amid the smells of the birch and coniferous trees, the rushing river nearby and the fish swimming in it was mixed with the smell of citrus and snow. Mate. Mate. Mate. Where are you? My wolf asked turning in circles chasing the smell to the eastern edge of the property, pacing the property line whining eagerly in anticipation. It took me a minute to comprehend what she was wanting, what she was anticipating, what that intoxicating smell was. Until he stepped out of the shadows with his coat of radiant gold. Mate. Mate. Mate! My wolf gave a low howl of excitement. My tail was wagging and my feet padded the ground with the restraint not to run to him. Something shimmered in his jade green eyes, and the other wolf began mimicking our dance of excitement letting out yips of excitement. 

I bowed my head to him and lowered my body slowly to the ground wagging my tail in invitation. What am I doing? I asked myself. Mate. Mate. Mate. My wolf whined in excitement. Now my whole body was wiggling from the force of my tail. No. No. NO. I shouted at her. Yes. Yes. Yes. It’s him. It’s our mate. He slowly approached and my wolf was unable to control herself any longer. She jumped up and nuzzled his neck breathing in the scent of him. Citrus and snow. I never knew snow could smell so much like home. I felt warmth and comfort just being near him. He sniffed back then licked my muzzle. My wolf was out of control and she licked his ears back. NO! I bellowed at her. The proposal, weren’t you paying attention we can’t meet him now. We can’t meet him ever. But my wolf was refusing to listen as she pranced around him wagging her tail like some sort of courtship dance. I had to seize control. I took the leash in my mind and used her distraction to chain her and shift back to human form. The male shoved his nose up my rump before backing up and shifting as well. 

“Sorry about that. He- uh- got a little out of control. The boy said running his hand through his blonde hair. “s**t. Sorry where are my manners? I’m Theo.” He said, extending his hand. 

“Alex” I said, extending mine in return. 

“So umm...yeahhh…” He stalled as his mind looked for something to say. “I recognized your scent. You must be part of the Rose pack. Throughout childhood I would always pick up on your scent around the border.” 

“Yeah I’m Alex Rose, I’m guessing since this is the Eastern border that makes you a Winter?” 

“Born and raised.”  He laughed. “How long are you guys staying for this time?” 

He kept dodging what just happened. Good. Two can play this game, and I have spent years honing my emotions. I’m not going to let something as silly as a natural mate ruin my chance at a forever home. My wolf howled in protest and I saw something flicker in his eyes. He laughed uneasily. 

“We are uh...hoping to stay for a while. Actually we just got enrolled for school in the fall.” 

“Oh. That’s um..That’s great. I guess I’ll be seeing you around then.” 

Alex where are you? You haven’t checked in. My grandpa’s voice echoed in my mind. I checked my watch and it had been over an hour. 

Just checking out the eastern border double checking it’s marked well. I answered back. I’ll be back soon. Don’t send the babysitters just yet. 

“Alpha checking in on you pup?” The boy eyed me curiously. 

“Who are you to call me a pup? You’re what, one or two years older than me?” I snapped back. 

“Just a question, no need to be getting all testy.” He raised his hands in defense. But I knew he could feel it too. The tension. My wolf was baying at the end of her chain screaming to be free and be with him. The strained look in his eye told me his wolf was doing the same. My only question was would he be as royally f****d as me by giving in?

“Well I suppose I should get back now that I know for sure the message that we are home has been delivered. So any rabbits you chase over the property line become ours.” I smirked at him with an added wink. For Artemis’s sake what the hell am I doing flirting with him? 

“We’ll just have to see who’s faster at catching them then.” He winked back and we each turned and began our walk back towards our own packs. My heart was hammering in my chest, but aching at the same time. I felt sick and light headed and my wolf was snarling and lashing out at me and the ties keeping her under control. Keeping her from him. It took getting forty acres away before I could trust her enough to shift and run the rest of the way home. I selfishly hoped he had just as much of a struggle. I am about to be promised to another. I am about to be promised to another. I repeated those words to myself and my wolf over and over in my head. 

The rest of the week was uneventful. Francis set up the job board near the hearth. The open positions were separated by everyone’s skills, certificates, and licensure. He even had a small section for Em and I of farm jobs looking for farm hands and gas stations looking for attendants. It would be a great chance to save for a car, or college. He had emailed everyone their resume and the links for the jobs they are qualified for. All the adults were in and out constantly either going to job interviews, or to run the perimeter checks. I avoided going out alone and started only going out with Em. We also stuck to the western eighty acres while I would have Steph and Malcolm run the eastern. We would split the remaining pups into two groups of four and each take some with us. They needed the exercise and to be trained. We taught them about controlling their wolf, listening to their senses, but mostly we practiced the lessons by hunting small game. 

Finally, it was saturday. I felt butterflies in my stomach as Brittany and Crystal did my hair and make up and picked out a casual sundress. The bright yellow stood out against my tan skin and accentuated my gold eyes. My black hair fell in perfectly manicured beach waves. My fists were so tight my fingernails cut my palms. My cousins smelled the blood immediately. 

“Oh honey, don't be nervous. You are a beautiful, strong, powerful alpha. Any wolf would be lucky to have you as his mate.” Brittany offered massaging my shoulders as Crystal cleaned up the blood so I wouldn’t ruin my dress. 

“Thanks guys. I feel much better.” I lied through my teeth. It’s normal to have nerves. I told myself, but my wolf sneered back:  It's not nerves. You’re betraying our mate, and you know it. I brushed her off. She had been sulking and barely speaking to me since that day. But I can still access my wolf form without an issue so I figured she would get over it. At least I hoped so as my grandmother’s words echoed in my memory that rejecting a natural mate can hurt your wolf permanently. Mate. Maateeee. Ohhhh my mate. My wolf howled with the memory. Oh stop being dramatic. You don’t even know his name. I scolded her. We do know his name. It’s Theo. And he is ours and we are his. She growled back at me. Theooooo. Ohhhh my dearest Theooooo. She began howling. Honestly the b***h was giving me a splitting headache. Not to mention the chest and stomach pain. But I followed my brother and grandparents into the vehicle and put on my best face. Confidence, bravery, strength, and beauty. These are what I would radiate as the offer was made.