Vivianna
“You want all the records from the past Damas?” Astrid said, her eyes wide with surprise.
“If I am going to play with the good old boys’ club, then I need to know all the rules. It will also help me to see how past leaders have done things,” I said, rubbing my hand across my forehead, hoping the dull ache would go away on its own.
“Dama, if I could make a suggestion,” Astrid said, her voice soft and motherly, “it might be good for you to go for a run, let your wolf out and stretch your legs. I know that you are different than most, but you’re still a new werewolf, and every new wolf spends a lot of time on four legs.”
Listen to the woman. We could totally use a good run. Work will be here when we get back. Let’s go play.
I guess it couldn’t hurt to burn off some steam.
Hell yeah. Let’s hunt down the boys and make them play with us.
We are just going for a run, and I am not even close to being ready for any wolfy action.
I promise to behave if you promise to just let me take over and leave the serious stuff behind.
Deal.
Whoop, whoop. Now let’s go find those hunks of man candy we’re mated to.
“Looks like my wolf agrees with you, Astrid,” I said, grinning at her as she gave me a knowing look.
“When you get back, I will have everything you requested waiting for you,” Astrid said, shooing me out the door.
Where do you think they wandered off to?
Put your nose to good use, woman. It’s not just there to look cute. It’s time we started working on getting you thinking not so… human.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, letting all the smells from the hallways filter through my brain.
Then I latched onto what I was looking for and headed down the hall, following the trail.
As I weaved through the castle, the scents got stronger the closer I got to my men until I was brought to a closed door and could hear them talking on the other side.
Nice. Now we just need to get you to the point you don’t block out your other senses. You should have been able to hear them way down the hallway.
One thing at a time, okay? I have enough on my plate as it is.
I hate to break it to you, but this is just as important. Scenting and sharper hearing and eyesight could save your life one day.
Let’s hope it’s not today.
I decided not to knock and just let myself into the room, which appeared to be Darius’s office. The guys were all glaring at each other, and I could feel the tension in the room from whatever they were talking about.
Looks like we aren’t the only ones who could use a run…
“Viv,’ Koit said, popping to his feet and walking over to me, snagging me up in a hug.
I couldn’t help but chuckle at him. “Koit, it hasn’t even been an hour since I last saw you.”
“Yeah, but we couldn’t let them know I was your mate, so I couldn’t even flirt with you during that awful meeting.” Koit pouted.
I slapped him on the ass before pulling back. “Poor baby. How about I make it up to you by going on a run with me?”
Koit’s eyes lit up at the suggestion. “Hell yeah, I’ll come with you.”
“Anyone else want to come?” I asked, looking at the other three.
Both Tav and Rik rose from their seats.
“I would love to join you,” Tav said, kissing my temple.
Rik stretched his arms above his head, letting his shirt ride up to show some of his toned stomach. “Yes, please. It’s been way too long since I shifted. I haven’t gone this long in ages.”
I glanced at Darius, but I could tell by his expression what his answer was going to be.
“I just got the information about the mate prospects. It would be better that I go over it now,” Darius answered.
“Suit yourself,” I chirped, not willing to waste the time to argue.
If that man ever wants a shot, he better figure it out before I find a replacement.
Oh really? So I have no say in the matter?
Are you disagreeing with me?
I paused a moment before answering. No, I guess I’m not.
My wolf let out a huff as we headed out of the office and through the halls to the outside world.
The guards at the front of the castle bowed to me as I walked through the door, squinting at the bright afternoon light.
Even though the castle was well lit, it was still centuries old and designed for protection, not for allowing natural light in.
“Do you require an escort, Dama?” one of the guards asked.
I smiled at him when he met my gaze. “No, that won’t be necessary. I have my mates with me.”
“As you wish, Dama,” the guard said, stepping back to his post.
The guys flanked me as we walked out onto the castle grounds.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath of the sea-scented air, letting my wolf side pick out the more subtle scent of the guards and the other workers in the area.
Now having scented them, I could tell where they were…
or at least what direction they were in.
“What kind of run are you thinking?” Rik asked as he settled his hands on my hips and nuzzled my neck where his mark was.
I glanced over at Koit, because he had been the only one to explore the island so far. “Think we could race from one end of the island to the other in a reasonable time?”
Koit’s face scrunched up as he thought about my question seriously. “It would be a couple hours, if you’re willing to be gone that long.”
A few hours of freedom would be heaven, my wolf moaned in delight.
“Let’s give it a shot. Astrid knows we’re going for a run, and they’ve been running this place for years, so I’m not too worried,” I said, leaning back against Rik’s chest.
Koit’s face bloomed into a smile, and even Tav seemed excited to explore our new home. Rik leaned down and kissed the top of my head, showing his agreement with my choice.
“Now we’re talking. Follow me. They have a place for us to store our clothes and shift near the staff housing,” Koit said as he took off at a brisk pace.
He led us over to a small shelter that had lockers lining one wall for us to put our stuff in.
The door had the largest dog door I had ever seen in the bottom half so we could come and go as wolves.
Feeding off my wolf’s bouncing energy, I shirked off my clothes and let her take over before the rest of them.
Once on four paws, I shook out my coat and stretched out, letting out a yip of happiness.
I bolted out of the doggy door and let out a howl that I couldn’t contain any longer. Three others joined me, our howls blending together into a haunting chorus. Once finished, I glanced behind me and shot off towards the gate, knowing they would be hot on my heels.
Eat my dust, ya old men.
I couldn’t help but laugh at my wolf’s antics. The joy of feeling the dirt under my paws, nails digging in to gain as much speed as we could was a balm to my soul. Astrid had been right—I needed this more than anything right now.
The soft patter of paws on gravel as we sped down the roadway was all you could hear.
The guards at the wall all bowed as we blew past them into the forest around the front of the castle.
The cool shade fell against my fur, and I could scent all the squirrels and rabbits scurrying for cover as we moved along.
From the maps I’d looked over yesterday, I knew the castle was on one end of Kursar, and the open land would bring us to the other eventually.
Knowing I didn’t want to go through town, I veered to the left so we could follow the shoreline and cliffs.
The men around me would occasionally break off, chasing after some prey or another, then make their way back to me, not wandering too far.
They always made sure to leave one of them with me at all times, protecting me and keeping a watchful eye out.
Do you think they planned that beforehand? I asked my wolf when I noticed what they were doing.
No, that is pure instinct. They will never leave you unprotected. It’s their job to keep you safe.
I hummed my understanding, distracted by a different scent that I couldn’t place. It didn’t smell right; it almost made my hackles rise as the scent got closer.
What is that?
I don’t know, but it’s nothing good. We should head inland to make our way around it.
Don’t you think we should check out what it is? I asked, stopping and turning to the guys. I think we should ask them to see if they know what the scent is.
Shifting back to two legs, I waited for them to follow suit.
“What’s wrong?” Tav asked, stepping up and putting his hands on my shoulders.
“Can you smell that?” I pointed ahead.
Now that I was back in my human body, the scent was almost undetectable, but since I knew what I wanted to lock in on, I could catch it.
Tav turned and looked at Koit. “Do you know what she’s talking about?”
Koit closed his eyes, and I heard him take a deep, slow breath. When he opened his eyes again, they glowed with his wolf, and his lips rose in a snarl. “It’s wolfsbane.”
“Why the fuck would there be wolfsbane on an island of werewolves?” Rik growled.
“Hold up, I feel like I’m missing something,” I said, grabbing Tav’s arm.
“Not all the stories have it wrong,” Tav stated. “Silver bullets might not work against us, but wolfsbane is the only plant that is lethal to us.”
I felt my jaw drop as I looked at them. “You’re kidding me, right?”
I would say they’re not. I’ve never felt the need to avoid something so strongly in my life.
“We have to go check it out. It’s not safe to leave it,” I said, my voice thick with anger. “How could they have left something so dangerous like that on this island, of all places?
“I agree, but let Koit go first. He’s the best tracker, so he’ll be able to get us close,” Rik said, his face letting me know there was no point in arguing.
“Fine.”
Rik nodded his head and looked at the other two. “Koit leads. Tav, you and I will flank and leave Viv in the middle just to be safe.”
I was totally fine letting Koit lead, but the fact that they felt the need to keep me in a safety bubble made me irritated. A soft growl was building in my throat before I knew it.
Overprotective alphas times three takes things to a whole new level, my wolf muttered.