“He wants more!”
“Calm down.”
His wolf pushed and pushed, and Tavish felt unable to rein him in.He grabbed his head.“I can’t ...he’s not listening to me.He’s not happy I left our mate on a date with another man.”
“Tavish,youare dominant,” Jericho said patiently.“Youcontrol your wolf.”
“How?”He was trying his damnedest to do that very thing but his wolf was far stronger.“He’s too fucking strong!”
“Enough!”Jericho’s voice deepened to a growl as he pushed his alpha power outward in order to subdue Tavish’s wolf, who growled back with his own power.However, much to Tavish’s surprise, his wolf eased back enough to let him gain control.
“Thank you,” Tavish whispered.Sweat dotted his forehead.
“There is always a struggle between the primal instincts that drive our beasts, and the logic of our human selves.You may think the human side is weaker, but in fact it’s equal.A balance between our dual natures.”
“How do I tame him?”
“You must learn to respect each other, and each relationship is different.What works for me may not work for you.The first step, however, is to get your wolf used to being with other wolves, which is why we’re here.Ready to run?”
Tavish nodded.Jericho’s words echoed on replay, and even his wolf took note.
“I’ll meet you outside.Ledger will join us a little later.”
Again, Tavish nodded and watched the alpha head outside.Would this work?Would his wolf calm down enough so they could communicate with each other?
“The plan is you and Jericho run, and then I’ll join in,” Ledger explained.“Let’s see how your wolf reacts when introduced to another shifter.”
“All right,” Tavish said.
“See you in a bit.”Ledger smiled and headed away.
Not self-conscious at all, Tavish stripped down and then stepped outside where Jericho waited.A moment later, his wolf took their skin and Tavish looked down at his paws.When Jericho gave a small bark to get his attention, Tavish growled and laid his ears back.The two alphas sized each other up, circling one another.Jericho barked at him again, as if telling him to chill the fuck out, and Tavish kept talking to his wolf.
Calm down.
They’re friends.
He’s trying to help us so we can win our mate.This is for Mairi.
That shut his wolf up, although Tavish knew the emotions rolling through their shared bond.Jericho gave one more yip and then took off running.Tavish’s wolf didn’t like this at all.Didn’t like being around another male, but for his mate he was willing to compromise, so he sprinted forward and quickly caught up to Jericho.
As the two raced through the forest, Tavish once more was caught up in the splendor of the night.Sights, sounds, smells ...it was nirvana.Little by little, anger drained away as he and his wolf ran and explored.Then, Beta Ledger joined them, and once more, Tavish’s animal didn’t like having another strange wolf nearby.He snarled and snapped at Ledger, who jumped and spun, coming down on his paws and wagging his tail as if he wanted to play.Tavish didn’t know what to make of him, and it disarmed both he and his wolf.
Jericho stood off to the side and watched, head cocked as he waited to see what would happen.Ledger bolted, then ran back with his tongue hanging out.He dropped back down onto his paws, butt in the air.A moment later, he did it again.Tavish started to understand what Ledger wanted, and the next time he took off, Tavish followed.
They yipped at one another, chasing their tails.It was frivolous but fun.Something he hadn’t really experienced much in his life.Tavish had grown up alone on MacAlary land, with only tutors and the staff for company.Once a month, under the full moon, his father visited to do his run by himself.They never even ran together as wolves.He grew up knowing his station in life.The son of a laird.The future leader of the family business.When his father died, Tavish became Duke of Bellator, Laird of Rundlaith Keep, and all the responsibilities those titles carried.No wonder his wolf didn’t know how to have fun.
Much to his surprise, a third wolf joined them, and it threw Tavish off for a moment.He growled, only until Ledger raced by to bump into him and then pounced on the new wolf.
Who is this?his wolf demanded.
I don’t know, he replied.Looks like a friend.
Tavish had just gotten used to the two other wolves, but once more he became lost on the dynamics between them.Jericho lumbered up next to him and nudged him with his nose, urging him to join in.He barked at Jericho, who only ignored his rudeness and nudged him again.Hanging back for another minute, he tentatively moved forward, unsure of where he could fit in.Then Ledger zoomed off, coming back to run around him like before.Just like that, all his hesitation died away and he pounced, mock-wrestling with one another.
For the rest of the night, they all ran together, and it was one of the most fun nights of his life.Suddenly, he completely understood the appeal of pack life and why it was important to be around others.To think, if he hadn’t married Mairi, if he hadn’t come after her, he may have never known how life could be with wolf friends.
****
