The Alphas' Pride Mate (The Pride Who Goes Into Heat)

BED A BETA

Chapter: 17
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The moon cast its radiant silver rays upon the starry sky, bestowing a gentle glow upon the landscape. The once dark green grass appeared as if it had been transformed from emeralds and diamonds into rubies. A serene breeze swept through the forest clearing, causing the leaves on the trees to sway in harmony, resembling the graceful movements of a ballerina's skirt. The distant melodies of birdsong echoed through the air, as if heavenly creatures had descended upon the forest. Tranquility enveloped the surroundings.

However, this peaceful evening was destined to be short-lived. The silence was abruptly shattered by a piercing screech emanating from the bushes. A large figure emerged, seemingly fleeing from an unseen threat. The cacophony startled several small animals, causing them to dart away in fear. Amidst the chaos, a lone fox remained motionless, defying the instinct to flee. Its audacity intrigued the crimson eyes that silently observed from the underbrush. This one was brave enough to poke his head out, just to see what could have startled him so badly. Watching the little fox and the stag was so amusing it nearly had the owner of the red eyes falling over in a fit of laughter.

The night of the Full Moon held a special place in his heart. Even while his Lycgers lay dormant within, he would still enjoy these nights. The joy of venturing into the untamed wilderness, chasing prey in the exhilarating hunt. Though he could not transform, he found solace in the company of his loyal Betas, who willingly refrained from shifting into their wolf forms to accompany him. Tricc considered himself fortunate to be blessed with such devoted companions.

They cared deeply for him, and his affection for them knew no bounds. None had ever questioned his inability to shift into his Lycan or Tiger form during the many years of their companionship. While he could not partake in the hunt like the rest of the pack, his Betas often joined him. Together, the three werewolves would chase their quarry on foot, traversing the forest with the thunderous rhythm of their steps, the grass yielding beneath their weight, and branches snapping in their wake. The symphony of the wind harmonized with their laughter, blending seamlessly with the nocturnal chorus of crickets.

These nights held the most exhilaration for Tricc, and he eagerly anticipated their arrival.

Tonight was no exception.

He and his Betas had spotted a sizable stag relishing a meal beneath the moon's glow. Tricc signaled his companions to assume their positions, their objective being to startle the creature, but not to kill. They had to play with their food first before they ate it. Rafe nodded, concealing himself behind a mighty oak tree on the left. Malachi seamlessly melded with the darkness of the night, taking position on the right. Tricc positioned himself amidst the tall grass, blending with his surroundings. Their presence went unnoticed until they began to advance toward the unsuspecting figure, moving in perfect formation.

The creature ceased its feeding, sniffing the air, its ears twitching in their direction, and its tail raised in curiosity. Once more, they paused, allowing the stag to ease its tension. As soon as it resumed its meal, they stealthily closed the distance. Sensing danger, the stag lifted its head and swiftly fled in Rafe's direction. However, Rafe merely provided a momentary scare, leaping out from behind the tree to divert the creature's attention, sending it fleeing in the opposite direction. The pursuit began.

The excitement of the chase, fueled by the surge of adrenaline coursing through their veins, was invigorating. The wind caressed their exposed skin as they ran, their laughter and howls breaking the silence of the night. The growl of the stag blended harmoniously with their voices, creating a symphony that resonated in their ears.

Having satisfied their craving for the chase, they came to a halt simultaneously. However, the animal they pursued continued to elude them, eventually seeking refuge among the rocks where other creatures sought shelter for the night. Observing the small animals scattering for safety, the werewolves concealed themselves once again. Their amusement peaked when they witnessed a bold fox standing its ground, seemingly challenging the intruder for disturbing its peaceful slumber. The werewolves erupted in laughter, and in response to the sound, both the fox and the stag disappeared into the night.

The pursuit had been worthwhile.

"Well, that was quite enjoyable!" Rafe exclaimed, stepping into Tricc's field of vision. His vibrant blue eyes sparkled like the myriad stars adorning the night sky. Rafe was a strikingly handsome man, and Tricc couldn't help but wonder, on more than one occasion, what it would be like to bed his own Beta. Such thoughts, however, crossed a boundary that shouldn't be breached. Nevertheless, there was no harm in indulging in wishful thinking, right?

Shaking his head as if trying to dispel his impure thoughts, Tricc rose to his feet. He brushed the dirt and grass off his pants, using both hands and smiled warmly at Rafe, who responded with a wink and a playful slap on the shoulder.

"Are you planning to spend the night sleeping in the grass?" Rafe quipped, playfully kicking Malachi, who remained comfortably sprawled in the grass as if it were his bed.

"Nature is my spirit animal!" the second Beta, Malachi, retorted, as if quoting poetry, shooting Rafe a disdainful look. He was the only one among them who was mated, and any opportunity to stay away from his mate and pups was embraced wholeheartedly. Exhausted from being a new father to quadruplets, he rarely felt eager to return home. 'Those pups are absolute monsters!' he often lamented to Rafe and Tricc.

Tricc chuckled, amusement evident in his eyes as he watched Malachi rise to stretch his muscles. "Alright, let's focus on the task at hand..." Tricc began, taking hold of Rafe's wrist. "You know the rules," he said sternly, locking eyes with Rafe and compelling him to avert his gaze from those captivating orbs. Tricc couldn't help but notice the faint blush tinting Rafe's cheeks. Damn it, Rafe always managed to stir up conflicting emotions within him. Yet, the fear of inhaling the pheromones of other Weres prevented him from pursuing any romantic entanglements. In the end, he ended up doing nothing. "The one who successfully hunts the largest prey will assume leadership of the Packlands for a week!" Tricc concluded with a knowing smirk, prompting displeased groans from his Betas.

"Sure, as if we don't already know who will return triumphant with the largest kill," Rafe chuckled. Every full moon, Tricc would announce the same rule, and without fail, he would claim the largest prey. Malachi, on the other hand, would either fall asleep, embracing a tree, leading to a search mission once the hunt concluded, or he would be discovered admiring the glimmering river, captivated by the melodious flow of its waters. It seemed fitting for Malachi to revel in nature like an old man engrossed in his daily tasks. And who could blame him? Raising four pups was undoubtedly a challenging task. Rafe felt particularly sympathetic towards Gloria, Malachi's mate, who had to contend with the pups all day while Malachi sought solace in avoiding his return home as much as possible.

"Hey, it's a fair game—" Tricc began before his words caught in his throat. His face turned pale as if drained of blood, and for a moment, he feared he might faint or become sick. A sudden chill ran down his spine, leaving him simultaneously cold and hot. The night breeze seemed to carry an unfamiliar scent that churned his stomach.

His heart raced, pounding relentlessly in his chest, as his mind spun with each captivating whiff of scent. Rafe's words fell on deaf ears as Tricc found himself entranced. Malachi's concerned expression only deepened Tricc's disorientation, leaving him to wonder why the dread in the Beta's eyes mirrored a brush with mortality. It was evident that a grave situation was unfolding, yet the Betas remained oblivious to its nature.

Meanwhile, Tricc teetered on the edge of sanity. His body remained present, but his thoughts and essence drifted aimlessly. The symphony of nature's sounds faded into the background, eclipsed by the thunderous roar of his Lycgers within and the overpowering allure of pheromones. He recognized the scent instantly, and how could he not? It was the sole pheromone that had never failed to repulse him, even after all these years.

Addiction coursed through his veins.

From the moment he first inhaled that intoxicating scent, Tricc knew he was lost. Even in the throes of agony, he understood that he would never willingly breathe in another pheromone unless it belonged to HIM.