Secrets in the Wolf King's Castle

Under the Pine Tree

“I heard you didn’t pull any punches with the children today,” Wallace said. He was coming back to the Royal Suites after another late night conversation with the Alphas and the Dukes about whatever political issues were currently on the minds of the nobility.

“Well, how else will they learn?” Lyria asked. She was sitting in front of her vanity, brushing out her long hair.

“Wyatt agrees with you,” Wallace said with a grin.

“Oh, was he at the meeting you this evening?” Lyria asked. She put her hairbrush down in slight surprise. “He doesn’t usually attend.”

“No,” acknowledged Wallace. “I had a talk with him though, and we agreed it might be for the best. He needs to spend a little more time learning how to rule.” Wallace sighed. “I wonder if I have been too lenient with him.”

“For a long time, I think we were just so happy to have him back… for all of us to be together,” Lyria said. She stood up and approached her husband, her mate, her King. Even now, so many years after they had wed, she felt a strange tingling sensation in her heart when she looked at him, as if the very sight of him was too much for her to bear.

“I’m still thankful,” Wallace replied. His eyes glinted with lust, not thanks, as he approached Lyria.

“You look absolutely astonishingly beautiful, my Queen,” he whispered, taking one hand and kissing it gently.

Lyria blushed like a maid.

“Do you want to go for a run?” he asked her.

“Now? It’s nearly midnight!” she protested. But already, she was glancing about for her shawl. It was not yet cold in the capital city of Cyrrillest, but nor was it as hot as the summer was, and when the sun went down, a slight chill hung in the air. Though the King and Queen were free to shift in the city, unlike the general populace, they often took their wolves out to the surrounding countryside, out of respect. They did not like to flaunt their privileges before commoners.

“Now,” said Wallace. It was a command, in a way, because as Alpha King, Wallace was used to having his way. Lyria could refuse, but she didn’t want to. She slipped on her slippers and shawl as Wallace took her hand and guided her out the door.

“Your Majesties,” a guard outside their door bowed low. “Do you need accompaniment?”

“Not tonight,” replied Wallace. The guard just nodded and did not leave his post as the King and Queen hurried away, down a side staircase that led them into the side gardens of the castle.

Only a few minutes after that and they were on the streets of the capital, hurrying down alleyways toward a side gate that would lead them into their favorite wooded glade, where they could run at will for as long as they liked. It was one of the places they most liked to frolic, and especially as young mates, they had spent many nights there.

“Don’t you have to be up at dawn?” Lyria giggled as they passed through the gate, guards bowing deeply as Wallace waved off their attentions.

“So?” he asked. “I can think of no greater cause to lose sleep than love,” he added, squeezing her hand.

Lyria laughed and threw off her shawl as she quickly shifted into her wolf. Airyl, her wolf, had not been free in at least two weeks, and when she shifted Airyl gave a bright, excited howl.

Next to her, Wallace’s wolf, Ecallaw, transformed and howled alongside her. Then the two began to run. The moon was but a sliver in the sky, and the way was foggy and dark, but their wolf senses guided them true and accurate.

Across the river, Airyl suggested to her mate. You know the old pine tree on the hill? It was about two miles away, a short run, but mostly uphill and requiring quick dodges and weaves through the thick trees.

Of course, your favorite, Ecallaw replied.

Do you think you can catch me?

Do you think you can evade me?

Why don’t we find out? Airyl teased, circling her mate. He circled back, his tail alert and his eyes bright, watching her every move.

And if I catch you?

Then… you can have me! Airyl said, and then she took off running for the river. Behind her, she heard Ecallaw snort in annoyance as he gave chase.

Airyl was faster than Ecallaw, her body slighter and building for racing. Ecallaw had more endurance than her, bigger muscles and more experience with long, tiring runs. Airyl pushed herself to the limit, dodging in between thick trees.

As she approached a thicket that was nearly impossible to pass, rather than curve around it, she yipped as she jumped up, over a low hanging branch, and then ducked underneath a branch directly behind it. She yipped again as she heard the sound of Ecallaw skittering to a halt and growling as he began to run around the thick trees, unwilling or unable to perform the same trick.

Airyl felt pride swell in her bosom. She had been practicing that move. She loved to race Ecallaw, and they were both competitive. Anything for a bit of an edge. Airyl had won their races about as many times as Ecallaw over the years, and they never stopped pushing each other to do better and be greater.

She could see the pine tree in the distance, rising slightly above the other trees on its hill. She picked up the pace, and sensed that Ecallaw was near, not quite on her heels, but gaining on her.

She spurred herself on, the trunk of the tree coming into view.

She reached it just as Ecallaw pounced on her, and they tumbled over each other in a whir of fur and teeth that only nipped playfully, never hurting. They stopped, Airyl’s back against the trunk and Ecallaw’s facing out to the cold wind.

Airyl panted, and so did Ecallaw, as they gazed at each other. The Ecallaw howled.

Airyl joined him, and for a moment, they simply gave their voices to the Goddess, her moon hanging over them and peeking just a little between the thick needles of the pine that they lay under.

So, I think that was a draw Ecallaw said.

I won, I definitely won! Replied Airyl.

No, I don’t think so, but… let’s say you did. Does that mean I can’t have you?

Lyria shifted back into her human form, and so did Wallace.

“You can always have me,” she told him, when they lay in a tight embrace of human limbs.

He kissed her passionately under the pine tree, and she kissed him back. His hands began to undress her, kneading and pressing her flesh as if he could hardly believe he was lucky enough to touch her. This was how it always was with Wallace, who was an attentive lover. Lyria felt, not so secretly, that she was the lucky one, and she treated Wallace’s flesh with equal reverence.

Under the stars and the moon, as Wallace and Lyria embraced until their flesh joined as one, Lyria thanked the Goddess for the blessing of her mate, who she had not only been fated to love, but had chosen as well.