Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
I should be a better wife. I need to be a better mother.
—Lorinne Leroux’s private journal.
Westley thundered towards Winter, breaking the hard snow beneath his paws. Chunks flew up alongside him until he skidded to a stop. I have never seen anyone shift like that in my entire life.
The hair on the back of her neck rose. I can hear you.
He grinned. Woof, woof.
Are we barking right now?
He nodded. Ready to run?
Winter picked up some snow with her snout and tossed it at him. Tag, you’re it. Then she took off.
He paused, forever confused by her, and then followed. She was fast and her energy was palpable. In fact, he’d never seen her this happy before.
A pair of cardinals flew past him and flocked around her. She greeted each one with a soft bark. Their wings beat rapidly to keep up, and she quickly outran them. He gave them a knowing look as he passed by. Keeping up with Winter required mental and physical grit.
After her third lap around the lake, she spun around and stopped. Her panting breaths concentrated to form a small cloud. Are you that slow?
He huffed, gulping down air. It seemed so. I’m still bigger than you.
That was the closest I’ve ever come to flying without leaving the ground.
It’s not natural to leave the ground, Winter.
She whimpered. But I love my broom.
Winter didn’t belong in the sky, she belonged down here. With him. I think it’s time we have a real conversation.
Real?
He’d been hoping for an assist, but the wind had taken its leave. About us. About what the wind told me.
Winter wrinkled her snout. What about the wind?
Surely, she’d seen it swirling between them while they’d been arguing on their way here? Its goal was to unite them.
He stepped closer to her and sat. Will you sit with me?
She obliged, her fluffy tail curling around her side.
There was no easy way to ask this question, so he came out with it. Did it tell you too?
Her eyes gave him the answer. He’d been expecting rage, maybe torment. Instead, they softened. I think its proclamation was a little overzealous, but I do feel something for you. Mostly, I want you to be okay.
And I want you to be okay.
She dropped her head. Why does the wind get to dictate our fate?
You’re a Chosen Alpha, Winter. Despite the name, you don’t get to choose. The wind will always be with you, guiding you. A messenger. Whether you decide to listen is up to you.
I can accept that I’m a wolf, however this … this is incomprehensible. There isn’t time to focus on love. I’m not even sure I know what that is anymore. I don’t, actually.
She stared at her left paw long enough to make him wonder. Are you still engaged? He knew she’d taken off her silver, but he hadn’t noticed any replacements.
I’m not. I mean, I was. But I’m not anymore. Her words came out clipped.
Considering Winter occupied his every thought, he had to know. Was that your decision?
Yes. Ice coated her eyes, like the witch was flashing back.
He couldn’t let the wolf slip away; he’d only just found her.
He’d probed too far, too soon. Why ask her those questions?
He needed to respect her space, and there was only one way to do that.
It’s okay to ignore the wind. It’ll try to pull us closer, but it can only try.
I would like us to be friends. We don’t have to be more than that.
Winter nodded faster than he’d been expecting her too. He’d been hoping she’d say it could be more than that, except she hadn’t, so he had to respect that.
But why would it pair us? she asked. We’re from different times.
The little devil on his shoulder started choking, clutched his chest, then burst into flames.
Or maybe it was his heart that was on fire.
There was never going to be a Winter and Westley, was there?
He would have to keep reminding himself that she was an alpha, not his omega.
Her friendship was enough, her smiling was enough. If she was breathing …
It was enough.
But if it was all enough, why did it hurt so much?
He finally answered. All Chosen Alphas are granted a true mate. I assumed I was an anomaly. Admitting he’d thought it was because he was unworthy of love would draw sympathy he wasn’t looking for.
Her silence spoke instead. She was uncomfortable. Winter talked and talked when she was acting like herself. He hung his head, knowing they would both need to process the wind’s words.
The smells of pine and juniper quickly overwhelmed his senses. He would’ve passed them off as typical forest smells, however, forests didn’t move. The odors were drawing nearer and getting stronger.
He lifted his snout.
A heartbeat later, two wolves came into view, charging across the lake. One black, one reddish, and both were covered in doe blood.
He knew exactly who was here—Fang and Sylas. Winter, stay behind me.
A guttural growl escaped him.
There were no boulders to scale or icicles to snap.
This was a frozen lake layered in snow. Winter was definitely going to park her ass behind West. If these were Wild Wolves and there were only two, this should be good practice for him.
She could watch him fight and maybe learn a thing or two in the process.
The black one was particularly large, striding ahead of the reddish one. His jagged teeth gleamed with saliva. It was respectable to take the front line, she supposed. Blood would be spilled.
Winter grinned with anticipation. She loved the way West’s white fur contrasted with the scarlet hue.
As they approached, West didn’t leap and attack, roll and crash, or do anything remotely ferocious. He held his snout high. The sheer size of him blocked her body, but she peeked around.
The two wolves slowed to a snarling stop.
Strange, she thought. They had no visible rib bones and their fur looked like they’d been taking their fish oil supplements. Greasy, even. So … these weren’t Wild Wolves?
Who were they?
The black wolf slammed his paw into the snow, making the ground rumble. My cousin should’ve killed you years ago, but good news, now I get to.
Winter cowered, not used to feeling vibration beneath her toes.
Your cousin was a better wolf, a better leader, and a better father than you’ll ever be, Fang. Westley growled loud enough to cause another rumble.
The reddish wolf gasped, looking towards Fang—who had a fractured tooth. One canine was cut across the center, like it’d been taken instead of broken.
I don’t want to wait two more days to get my claws into your stomach, alpha. Today’s a fine day for a hierarchy battle, don’t you think?
Westley remained still. I could compel you to walk away; the moon isn’t full yet. And you both know you’re not allowed to hunt beyond county lines. This is a fineable offense.
Winter didn’t understand what the moon had to do with it? Fines?
Fang took one step forward. We both know your ego’s too big to use your alpha voice to stop me. And once you’re dead, these woods will be mine anyway. He caught her staring, then shot his dark gaze back to West. Who are you hiding? He sniffed pointedly. She smells nice.
West backstepped until his fur brushed against hers. She didn’t resist; she wanted his protection. No one, he growled.
West had always been quite the charmer.
The reddish wolf spoke up. But her eyes, they’re … She’s Chosen.
Fang curled his upper lip, revealing exactly why he’d been given that nickname. If you won’t fight me, she can. I’ll earn my title one way or the other. He snapped his gaze to Winter, declaring war. Let’s go, pretty wolf.
West launched. He’d gone from I’m not fighting another wolf to fighting another wolf all in the same day. He grabbed the reddish one first, flinging him halfway across the lake. The black one pounced before West could turn around, latching onto his back.
She shrieked. That area had just healed.
West rolled, smashing Fang onto the ice. His giant white paw pressed into Fang’s throat. Sunlight sliced across his dagger-like claws, each one embedded in skin and muscle. All West had to do now was snatch and pull.
But there wasn’t time to remove a trachea. The other wolf re-entered the fray. It raced over and crashed headfirst into West. The impact hurled them both a few yards away, giving Fang time to recover.
Winter didn’t want to fight—she wasn’t even sure how to. This body was too new, too clean. She watched anxiously.
Fuck, Fang was up. He walked predatorily slow towards her. Saliva and blood dripped from his maw, staining the surface of the lake.
Winter might not have her wand, but she had her voice. A strong one. She wasn’t under the sea, it hadn’t been stolen away, and she had legs—four furry ones at the moment. Besides, she had plenty of practice controlling untamed males.
Sit. Now! she shouted, channeling her inner femdom.
The black wolf froze. A heartbeat later, its seat landed in snow.
Better. She clicked her teeth then turned to West and the reddish wolf. Stop. It. Both of you. Her tone was that of a monster—the one that’d been inside her all along.
All three gore-drenched wolves halted their scuffle. Was it really that easy? And why would West fight them when he could compel them not to with his voice? His ego issues were a very, very big problem.
She stood tall. My title is not for the taking, thank you very much. Now go back to where you came from. The order was firm.
All three wolves began to trot away.
For fuck’s sake. Was this really happening?
West! Not you. Come here!