Page 23 of The Alpha and His Song: Volume One

I didn’t even know how to drive. I mean, I did in theory. I knew which pedals did what. I’d never driven a car though. I made my way through the town in the area. I was headed into a woodsy area that was more secluded, but the directions online had told me this was the way to Roxy’s.

I paused, because suddenly it felt like my very soul was at peace. Which was odd. I’d never even been camping. Why would the forest make me happy? I shrugged it off. Sadly, at that moment the hair on the back of my neck began to stand up.

I faintly heard a hissing in my mind. What the hell was that? I stopped walking as a burst of emotions inside me longed for the water. Ok, I really needed to get whatever hormonal teenage thing this was under control. There was no water around.

Was I thirsty? No. That was wrong. I knew I wanted to be in the water. I shook myself knowing this was ridiculous. I called out, “Who is there?” Ten men came out from behind the trees. One of whom was Luke. I sighed, wanting to groan in frustration as something hissed in my head. Great. Now I was hissing.

Luke sinisterly said, “I have a lesson to teach you.” I snorted, “You’re kidding me. What lesson?” Luke said, “Not to upset me or kiss other men.” I gaped at him then rolled my eyes asking, “You need nine other men to help you teach me that lesson? That’s moderately sad.”

Luke said, “I don’t need them.” I retorted, “Are they here to intimidate me then?” The old me would’ve been crying by now, but I wasn’t that girl anymore. Melanie had awoken a different side of me that was stronger.

I also was not going down without a fight. In fact, I was excited to fight. Man, I needed some serious therapy. Luke nodded. I added, “For the record since we are broken up, I can kiss whoever I want.” The first guy was strangely fast and moved in front of me.

I opened my mouth and a hiss came out. Everyone froze as I clapped a hand over my mouth. Luke said, “That’s not possible. She’s not old enough and she’s not been taught how to…” One guy cleared his throat which made Luke instantly shut up.

I asked, “Old enough for what? Also, sir whose name I don’t know teach me how to get Luke to stop talking. That was quite the trick, magical even.” The guy who had been approaching me did so cautiously now. I raised an eyebrow at him. He’d been ready to come at me, but a simple hiss stopped him.

I taunted him, “Why don’t you come closer?” Several people gasped. Jesus. What now? The guy seemed unable to stop himself. I watched in shock as he came towards me like he was on autopilot. Whatever. That worked in my favor.

When he reached me, his eyes cleared and he went for a punch. Sadly, for him, after working with Melanie it was obvious. I blocked it and countered by hitting him in the family jewels. He went down to his knees, then I broke his nose.

I heard the one coming from behind. I did a spinning kick and he went down. I’d been practicing, but it didn’t seem like enough for the dude to fly back from me with such force he hit a tree and groaned. He must have been running super-fast.

I wasn’t sure how the physics of what I’d just seen worked out, but I didn’t have time to contemplate it because the rest of the group rushed me. Luke hissed, “You learned how to fight.” I mocked, “Didn’t my mom, you bestie, mention that?”

I blocked my ex’s punch and heard the satisfying crush of his nose. Luke had very distinct features that were very defined. He had dark brown hair and light brown eyes, he was kind of creepy in all honestly. Yet he was very into his appearance.

I used to think he was quite handsome. Now I saw the face beneath his features, and I didn’t care for it. Luke was an ugly soul and I judge myself for ever thinking he was attractive. My ex screamed as blood spurted out of his mouth.

The fight was intense, but it wasn’t going to work out in my favor. I knew I couldn’t take them since it was eight on one. I really did know that, but I did my best. It didn’t feel like bragging to say my best was pretty darn good given the circumstances.

I’d taken several hits and been grabbed, but Melanie taught me how to use that. If your arms are held or tied that’s ok because your legs are a powerhouse. My head was pounding with pain. Meanwhile my ribs were on fire, but I didn’t give up.

Luke hissed, “You know this is hopeless! You can’t take us all, Odette. Lay down and take it! You deserve it.” I spat at him, not surprised to see the blood on his cheek. I told him, “I did nothing to deserve this. You are sick, and I will fight you as long as I can.”

Luke muttered “Damn mutt blood.” I frowned at him. What the hell was that supposed to mean? Suddenly a howl rang out, followed by more. Yet again I felt an odd sensation I should not feel at this moment: relief.

Wolves coming should not relieve me. That was a problem, big one in fact. Wild animals did not need to be added to this situation. It was already all these guys versus me. Wolves probably wouldn’t understand I was the victim and they shouldn’t eat me.

One guy threw me over his shoulder and started to run. I kicked him in the stomach and we went down together. I hit my head on a rock causing the world began to spin. I saw a wolf jump on one of the men who hadn’t gotten far enough away.

The wolves seemed to stop at a line. As if it were a boundary they wouldn’t cross. They snarled in anger. Luke and his friends hissed back at them. I managed a weak laugh, “Sure, hissing will scare a wolf and you think I’m stupid, Luke. You’re such a psycho.”

This was easily the weirdest Thanksgiving of all time. I heard someone scream, “TESS!” That sounded like Roxie. I whispered, “Get out of here. My ex is literally crazy and now lying in wait to jump me. It’s not safe here, Rox….” It was far as I got when she knelt down in front of me and my world faded to black.

I dreamed of a pack of wolves. Not the ones I’d just seen, but a group of five wolves. They were all black. One was clearly the dad though. This was a family of massive black wolves. Bigger than I pictured dire wolves would be.

The other black wolves were so striking. They were free in a way I wished I was. Other wolves joined them. One by one the female wolves went to a black wolf. I don’t know how I knew they were female wolves, but I did.

To my surprise a human woman went to the biggest wolf. That I somehow knew wasn’t the dad though the dad was closest to him in size. The human woman was incredibly beautiful. People said my mother was gorgeous, but this woman surpassed her.

This lady had auburn hair and green eyes. I gasped as the largest black wolf purred under her touch. The previously fierce looking wolf was putty in her hands. I whispered, “He loves her.” All their eyes shifted to mine.

The second largest wolf, who had no one beside him, whined at me. It was as if he was asking me to join him. The beautiful woman held out her hand to me. I smiled reaching for her, then a hissing sound filled the air from behind me.

I looked around then reached towards the woman again. Her eyes began to blaze gold. Out of nowhere she disappeared from sight then popped right next to me. She had almost grabbed me when I was pulled back screaming.

I heard snarling now. I saw that the wolves were all trying to get to me, but I was too far away. Had that woman teleported? This was a strange dream. Clearly, I needed to read another fantasy book. Maybe that woman was a Fairy and she was with a Werewolf. OHHH, drama! That would be a good book.