3 Here We Go Again

Alpha Alistair eyed me a moment longer before blinking, his honey irises replacing his golden ones.

"You're going to come back with me to my pack," he stated, breaking me out of my trance.

"Well, I kind of figured that since you didn't let that asshole take me," I retorted, rolling my eyes. "But why didn't you?"

Moving quicker than I could comprehend, his hand grabbed my chin causing fingers to squish my cheeks making me look like a bloated fish.

Keeping his hand in place, he gently shook my head side to side and spoke, "I'm going to go ahead and assume this mouth of yours is the reason you get into trouble."

When he said that, I couldn't help but stick my tongue out at him, causing him to laugh. Releasing me, Alpha Alistair took a few steps back, placing his hands lazily behind his head again.

"I'm not sure I should answer your question," he chirped, the look of gaiety still on his face.

"Well, isn't he a snarky one," the voice spoke again.

"Will you shut up already, you're making it hard to focus," I mentally chided before turning my attention back to Alpha Alistair who was now staring at me with a devious grin.

"Why are you staring at me with that creepy smile," I questioned, folding my hands across my chest.

Alpha Alistair remained silent and unmoving which caused a cold sweat to trickle down my spine.

He's so creepy.

"If you're not going to answer my question then I'm just going to go," I said, dragging out the word 'go'.

That seemed to catch his attention causing him to lunge at me.

Startled by his sudden movement, I jumped before pivoting to the right and ran. I heard him shout something to one of his wolves. Something along the lines of, "stay— nightfall—return after—."

I was already out of earshot to really make out what he was saying and just as I thought I got away, a howl broke through the silence causing my heart to slam harder against my chest.

I could hear him but I couldn't see him.

Where is he?

Just then he appeared, charging my left side, scaring the living hell out of me. Instantly I ran right, rounding a boulder but losing my footing on the forest floor. As I hit the ground, I rolled to my side and looked at his wolf trying to stop until he smacked into the massive rock.

I sprang up, a hand on my head laughing as I pointed at him. That was short-lived however when I heard him growl. It was like the negative reflection of my heartbeat. The untamed power reverberated and echoed across the darkening landscape.

For every step I took back, he took two steps forward until my back hit a tree, halting my movements. Seeing this, he shifted faster than anyone I had ever seen and if I had blinked, I would've missed it.

In three quick strides Alpha Alistair was standing directly in front of me, slamming his hands down on the tree, completely caging me in.

Leaning down, he got eye level with me, burning a hole through me with his golden orbs.

"Do NOT ever do that again, do you understand me," he growled, his body shaking. "Never run from me again, Noir." That last sentence came off much softer, catching me off guard. The tone seemed foreign coming from this man.

How does he know my name?

That stupid voice in my head chuckled. Before I could chide her, Alpha Alistair leaned closer with a sigh, smelling the nape of my neck. Backing up, the once angry alpha rubbed the back of his neck looking a bit ashamed and sighed.

"I will answer your questions but not here. Nebo, my Beta along with the warriors you saw earlier will retrieve your sister," he paused as he watched me, making sure I was listening and understanding.

There it is again. How did he know she was my sister? Creep.

"Me and you, however, are returning to Dark Wood. Since you can't shift yet, I'll carry you."

Nodding, I watched him shift into his enormous wolf. I couldn't help but imagine a saddle being placed on him. The simple thought had me laughing as Alpha Alistair looked completely dumbfounded before looking around then down at himself, lifting a paw up to examine his under belly.

When he decided there was nothing wrong with him, he looked at me and tilted his massive head to the side.

I wonder what his wolf's name is.

I pondered on this as I reached out to pet his muzzle. He closed his eyes and purred.

"Rune." Here we go again. Whatever. I'll bite.

"Rune," I question.

"His name, it's Rune." I could practically feel an eye roll.

"How do you know that," I asked but got nothing in return. "I just want you to know, you're absolutely rude."

On that note.

Stepping back a little, I smiled. "Rune," was all I said before his eyes shot open to stare at me. A happy bark escaped him causing me to laugh and step back further now pretending to be serious.

"Alright, down boy. Didn't you say we had to get going," I questioned as he snorted, lowering his massive body to the ground until his belly was flush with the earth.  Using his snout, he hoisted me up and as he stood, I couldn't help thinking back to what originally had me laughing. Kicking him gently, I straightened myself and pointed straight ahead and shouted, "ONWARD NOBLE STEED!"

He looked back at me with the blankest expression I've ever seen on any creature causing me to bust into a fit of laughter and shrug.

After a moment, we were gone.