Avoiding Alpha

Chapter Nineteen

Tendra woke up to Rays fingers sliding up and down her bare arm. It reminded her of how they had fallen asleep; afterwards he had cradled her in his strong arms and held her close to him. Together they had regained their breath and drifted off to sleep. Protection. That was what went through her mind when she saw his muscles now. She didn’t fear him and their day together had only drawn them closer. They were now officially mates and she was looking forward to a life with a family. With  some stability for Tim. Her brother could now live without fear in the perfect environment for the wolf he was going to be. And she actually felt loved, and knew how to loved someone other that Tim.

                On the whole waking up was delightful. But their happy bubble couldn’t last. There were grieving pack members outside their doors and they had things to do.

“Ray? What’s howling?”

“We all gather together and howl at the moon. It’s a show of respect and also loss. We always acknowledge the dead.”

“But Ashton?!”

“We have no body for him. We can not mourn for the uncertain.”

“That’s why your adamant about finding his body?”

“Nancy deserves to have closure, to see the evidence and finally howl for him.”

                Ray’s fingers disappeared from her arm and she felt strangely cold when he moved away from her. She rolled over and watched as he stood in front of her completely naked and looked for some jeans.
“Why was I not allowed in the meeting with your warriors?”

“Because you are no warrior. And besides; everyone would find out the outcome anyway.”

“So I am to come with you?”

“Don’t sound excited!” He sounded exasperated and shook his head in her direction. “You have no idea what it’s doing to me to bring you along. I had no other way otherwise I would have you wrapped you in bubbled wrap, put you a in windowless room in this building with my entire army of warriors guarding you – all to ensure nothing bad happened. As it is, your skill is needed and I need you. You wanted to come along so there was no point in asking you when I had already promised you could return and follow the scent. And now I have to quietly have a heart attack at the thought of exposing you to our deadliest enemy.”

“Did you actually breathe through that sentence?” She asked, at his a hundred mile per hour rant.

“Yes.” He replied curtly throwing onto the bed her outfit from earlier that day.

                Groaning she dragged herself from the comfortable bed and went for the shower.

“I need to go make sure everyone is ready for the howling. I’ll be back to shower in just over ten minutes and unless you want me sharing I’d be quick.” He placed a chaste kiss on her lips and she moaned, opening them but he chuckled and pulled away. Duty always came first but he spared her another quick kiss when she pouted.