“Alpha, the new rabbits have arrived,” my environmental manager said. It was his job to keep the environment in balance.
“Were there any questions from the breeder?” I didn’t know if the breeder or the animals’ rights groups would be questioning our need for so many rabbits. Nosy motherfuckers.
“Not from the breeder but from the dumb protester outside his ranch. I told her what we told everyone. We had a wolf population that was dying out without an influx of rabbits and to mind her fucking business.”
“Good job, Dennis.”
“Thanks. They wanted to observe the wolves in their natural habitat. They wanted to meet with you, but I told them that you were too busy for it.”
“I’m too angry to meet with them. What’s wrong with these people? Priorities. You should have told her we like to fucking eat them.” Dennis was surprised by my tone but just nodded.
By the end of the day, I didn’t want to go home. I was scared of the dream and the elusive woman’s hatred ate at me. “Don’t be a little bitch, Kane,” I snarled to myself. Would I be able to stay asleep long enough to change her mind or would I shift in sadness?
I got my answer at one in the morning when I tore my sheets to shreds. She stood before me a little longer before shouting at me, sending me into a spiral of confusion and rage.
Chapter Two
Needing answers after two desperate nights of waking up in full wolf form and pain in my heart, I went to see the only person that could give me those answers. It was already late, but I couldn’t sleep. I was glad my sister was away visiting some friends. I wondered if I made any sounds when I was out cold dreaming of this beautiful woman. I wouldn’t want her to worry about me. She still lived with me, but was always in town. She was still young and had been in my care since our parents died. Arabella was like a mother hen to me even though I was older.
“Uncle, I know you were probably about to go to bed, but I need to ask you something.” I bombarded him so late, but I couldn’t take it anymore. Patience wasn’t a virtue I possessed.
“What is it, Kane?” The look in his eyes was full of concern. I hated to be anyone’s object of pity.
I thought about how I would say this but didn’t think there was a way to make me feel less like an Alpha, so I just let it all out.
“I’m having the same dream of the same female every night. She haunts me with her sad eyes that turn to anger.” After explaining it to him, he nodded his head like it was no big deal.
“Nephew, I’ll tell you about it in a little bit. Hunter Grey will be coming, and I have a feeling he has a similar question.”
“That’s all you’re going to say?” I asked belligerently. I didn’t want to wait for the Alpha from Wolfe Creek. All I knew was the mysterious woman in my dreams was mine. If Hunter dreamed of her too, it’d be a fight to the death.
I was pacing like a madman, my great uncle’s floor creaking with every step. I couldn’t handle the wait. Finally, the sound of Hunter’s truck came up the road, but it wasn’t fast enough for me.
“Uncle, why do I have to wait for Hunter? Why can’t you just answer me now?” I snarled.
“Boy, patience. You’re going to need it. Trust me. I didn’t know that it could happen more than once in a century, but I guess I was wrong.”
What could happen?
My great-uncle, Creed Holt, stood up from his chair and looked out onto the porch as the truck pulled up. I continued pacing the floor as he walked down the steps to meet Hunter.
They both came back into the house and Hunter looked at me strangely. “Hey, Kane. What’s up?”
“Nothing much, Hunter. I was visiting when Creed said you were stopping by. I thought it was something that might need my attention since it was so unexpected,” I lied.
I sat down on the single chair near the fireplace, needing to calm down before I shifted again.
“It’s not really, but seeing as I need answers and you’re almost as old as me and also without a mate, you might want to be here.”
“So what brings you to see me?” my uncle asked as he poured Hunter a cup of coffee.
Hunter turned to look at all the books Creed had on his shelves. There were books of all sorts everywhere. He didn’t look back at us before he took a deep breath and said, “I have questions about mates.”
Creed gave me a wink. “My boy, you’re not the first to have to wait longer than others for a mate. Kane’s right behind you on that. Not to mention your great, great-grandfather waited until he was your age to meet his mate, and I’ll tell you boys a huge secret...,” he paused for effect. “She was a human.”