Falling For The Alpha ~Ember~

Close As A Family

I walked through the trees in jeans and a plain white Tee. I didn't want to ruin it when I went swimming. My only body decorations were a watch with a leather strap and a fabric anklet. I was barefoot. Alex claimed the feel of leaves and pine needles against my feet would help toughen my pads when I Changed.

Alex trotted on my right with Rhys on his, and Danny was on my left, hand in hand with Hayley. Thomas and Marlene had left a few hours ago to hunt before lighting the bonfire and welcoming the other lycanthropes.

We broke through a thick covering of trees and undergrowth and my eyes widened. "Wow!" I breathed. Alex laughed. "It's a sight to behold, isn't it?"

"Definitely."

There were werewolves everywhere. Mostly teenagers or young adults under thirty, but there were a few middle-aged and older-looking ones as well.

A wolf-whistle rang out from one of the groups of younger werewolves. "It's the newly weds!"

"Come on, Josh!" Alex called back. "You know weddings are a human celebration." "This is weird," I told Alex. "I don't know anyone."

He grinned at me. "Lets fix that." Hayley and Danny vanished together and Rhys joined up with a little boy. He gave the boy a high five and a hug and I smiled as Alex dragged me towards Josh. The pack may live separately, but it was clear that they were as close-knit as a true family. The thought of family gave me a pang in the stomach, but I pushed it down.

Now was not the time for homesickness. I was at a sandy riverbank having a bonfire to celebrate my relationship with Alex. I grinned wider. It would be great.