His Native Beauty, Her Ruthless Beast

Wherever the Wind Blows

Sarah’s POV

Seated at the dinner table with my father and Auntie, listening to them discuss the plans for my nineteenth birthday, my breath catches in my throat as a gentle breeze brings in the most intoxicating aroma through the open window. The smell of dampened earth in the midst of a rainstorm envelopes me. Blinking quickly and looking around me I find two pairs of eyes staring at me intensely as I blush. 

“Auntie, do you smell that?” I ask as another breeze blows through our kitchen.

“Smell what, child?” My aunt asks with interest.

“I smell rain, and earth, but it’s not storming.” I respond, lost in thought.

Standing from the table I move to the open window and see two figures standing at the top of the hill where I had spent my afternoon playing with the earth’s elements. Even from a distance I can tell these two individuals are wolves, and their statures are large and intimidating, however I feel no fear, instead a comforting energy has nestled around me.

Auntie joins me by the window, peering out into the dark. “Hmm, well isn’t that interesting.” She says with a soft smile upon her lips. Grabbing my hands, and pulling me back towards the table before closing the window, my aunt places her hand on my shoulder. “Sit child, we have much to discuss. It’s time you learn of who you are, and the potentials of your future.”

Travis’s POV

From the glow of an open window, I see the most breathtaking beauty look out and I swear her eyes meet mine. Ember is purring and whimpering in my head, “That’s our mate” he says definitively. My body is frozen in time. Right as I go to step towards her, another face appears in the window, that of an elder woman. My mate disappears from my view, and I catch a knowing look from the elder woman before she closes the window and too vanishes from my sight. Ember whimpers in agony as his mate is so far away.

Chad interrupts my thoughts. “Hey, Tig, we can’t just go wandering around another pack’s territory. We need to check in with Alpha Thorne before we make any further moves.” 

My eyes darken more as Ember pushes to the surface. “That’s my mate down there.”

Chad places a firm hand on my arm. “I know Ember. Nothing gives me greater satisfaction than knowing that you and Tig have found your mate, Goddess knows you’ve waited for her for an eternity, but now that we know where she is, we must let our presence be known to the Alpha. We do not need to start any wars today, especially not with my sister and brother-in-law. Once we check in, and gain clearance, we will come back to your mate.”

My eyes change to blue as I breathe in a deep, steadying breath. “You’re right Chad. Thank you. Let’s go check in with Alpha Thorne.”

Returning to the Land Rover, we make our way to the gates of Rosebud pack where we are greeted by the packs warriors before being escorted to the pack house. Pulling up to the 4-story, home made for the Alpha and his top ranking wolves, the Luna of Rosebud pack can be seen waiting for us on the lawn, with her mate and Alpha a few feet behind her on the steps of their home. Luna Rachel is the sister of my beta Chad, her husband and Alpha Bryan is one of our closest friends and allies.

“Good evening Alpha Thyges and Beta, as you know I’m Luna Rachel Thorne of the Rosebud pack. Now that the customaries are out of the way, come forward and let me hug you.” Luna Rachel smiles warmly. I give her a quick one-armed hug before kissing her forehead and walking forward to embrace Alpha Bryan Thorne in a hug of brotherhood. 

Chad quickly engulfs Rachel in his arms before spinning her around. “Sister, you are more radiant every time I see you!” Rachel laughs before reprimanding her brother, demanding that he put her down. Chad lowers his sister gently before jogging up to hug his brother-in-law. 

“Was there a problem at the border?” Bryan asks, “My border scouts informed me there was a delay before your arrival.” 

“Not so much a problem, Alpha Thorne, but I do need to speak with you privately.” I respond.

Bryan chuckles at my formal address. “Yes of course, Alpha Tig.” He responds teasingly. “Follow me to my office.” Bryan leads the way to the Alpha’s office on the 2nd floor, while Rachel directs Chad to follow her to their guest quarters on the 1st floor where Chad and I will share a two bedroom suite complete with a single shared bathroom during our stay. 

Entering the Alpha’s office Bryan takes a seat behind the desk while motioning for me to take a seat across from him. “So tell me, Tig, what seems to have distracted you during your arrival to my territory.”

“Can you tell me who resides in the cottages on the boundaries of Rosebud and Spirit Lake territories?” I jump right in without hesitation.

Bryan stares at me for a moment before answering. “They are protected guests of Alpha Thatcher and I.” He responds, referring to the Alpha of Spirit Lake. “Why are they of interest to you?” He asks.

“My mate resides within one of those cottages.” I answer firmly.

Bryan leans back in his chair, looking at me with puzzlement for a long while before speaking. “Well this is an interesting development. Are you certain that your mate is there?” 

“Yes, I know without a doubt that is my mate.” I reply.

“We have much to discuss my friend.” Bryan answers as he breaks out with a grin across his face.