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A Wolf's Tail

By: Shadowsung



Hi everyone-

This is my first ever submission of a story. After watching a red riding hood, I decided to play with the classic fairytales, adding a wolfish twist. This is the beginning of Cinderella.

Don't Forget to rate and/or comment to help me improve the story.

hope you enjoy :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Alexander King stepped out from a darkened room and surveyed his pack, his face alight with pure joy. He raised his hands to calm them down, and waited patiently for the shouts to die out.

"IT'S A GIRL! A HEALTHY BABY GIRL!" He roared. There were howls throughout the room as his pack shifted into their beasts to hail their new princess. Within the darkened room, amidst the chaos, Andrea surveyed her new baby daughter in her arms, suckling quietly. She heard her mate's pronouncement to the pack and their reception. She was content to sit there quietly, her new found joy cradled in her arms. The Alpha strode back in and dismissed the pack's healers. He sat next to his mate and watched his daughter with wonder. He had nine months, yet he still could not conceive that he could have contributed to such a wonderful, gorgeous little baby.

"She looks like you, my love" he told Andrea gently

"But she has your eyes," said Andrea tenderly, stroking the newborn's cheek. 

"What do we name her?" Alex asked, wondering how any name could possibly fit such a wonder.

"How about after your mother, Anna?" she debated, "or after mine, Lisa?"

"Maybe both?" he asked, a smile forming.

"Both?"

"Of course."

"Annalise?"

Together they stared at their daughter, who giggled at the name. They smiled down at her.

Alex leant down and kissed his daughter on the head, "Be welcome my darling, Annalise."

~~~~

Eight years flew past and the princess grew and grew. She was very small compared to the others her age, but she had a fire in her spirit and a spark in her eyes that outmatched them all. She was beautiful even at a young age, and many predicted a heart-breaker in the making. Although she had everything she wanted and more, little Annalise was not spoilt and had not an unkind bone in her body.

Eight years had, however, taken its toll on Alexander. Though he had been reigning alpha for many years, he had slowly fallen ill, and grew weaker as time went by. Neighbouring packs, hearing of the alpha's ill-health sought the opportunity to nip at his borders and poach on his hunting grounds. They grew more and more bold as his failing leadership meant bigger gaps in his defences.

It spiralled into an assassination attempt on his life that was very close to being successful. He could not figure out who was behind all of the attacks, as many were done in secret, and he could not risk all out war by falsely accusing a neighbouring pack. He could not seek help from the Council, as it would make him appear even weaker than he was.

~~~~~

After the attack on his life, he sent Andrea and Annalise into hiding with his most trusted men. They had stopped on a country road so Andrea could go to the toilet and refresh herself for the second half of their journey.

Anna was very fond of climbing trees and took the opportunity to climb a particularly tall pine. Just as she reached the top, she felt her mother's voice in the back of her head, speaking to her telepathically. ~Anna, where are you, my darling?~

~I'm up the tree mamma~ Anna replied. The wind blew past and brought a foreign scent to Anna's sensitive nose,

~Mamma!~ Anna cried down their bond, ~someone is coming!~

~Stay where you are, don't come down and cover yourself with sap,~ her mother ordered. Anna could hear her mother barking orders at their escort. Anna did as her mother asked, covering her self with sap, snapping and dropping fresh branches down the tree to mask her scent. Strong pine scent over-powered her nose, making her eyes water, but she knew her mother wouldn't ask if it weren't important. She broke more twigs and threw them in the direction she came from.

~No matter what happens, Darling, I don't want you to come down from there until Daddy comes. Do you understand?~ Andrea asked her daughter. She sensed the hesitation and heard the thoughts in her strong daughter's head, ~I mean it, Annalise I don't care what you see or hear, you don't move from that branch and you do not make a peep!~

~Ok Mamma, I promise~ replied Anna as she felt her mother and escort shift. She could see the car they were travelling in, and her mother's form. Cars screeched into the scene from no where, and hard men jumped out and phased before engaging with her mother and group. Her mother was easily out numbered 4 to 1 and the battle was bloody and quick. The men fell quickly but her mother was captured. The leader shifted back into human form and drew out a dagger. He held it to her throat and asked, "Where is the child?"

"She is not with me, thank Luna" Andrea replied. He scowled at her and slashed a gash into her cheek, making her cry out.

"Where is the child?" he asked again.

"Cut me all you want, the answer is the truth and I can't change it." Her mother said her face hardening. He slashed at her other cheek; the cuts healing quickly thanks to her Were blood.

"Our intelligence told us that you and the girl would be here, so where is the girl!?" he yelled, brandishing his knife around.

"There was a change of plans at the last minute, in case our security had been breached." She gave a short laugh and said bitterly, "As it turns out my dear mate was right."

The leader scanned the area, then nodded to one of his men who had not changed. As the wolf came closer, the man pulled out a pink pillow case that belonged to Anna. Andrea's eyes bulged as she stared at the scrap of cloth. "So there is a spy in my pack," she said frowning.

The man smiled at her, "yes, and that secret you will take to your grave, but not before we check out your story."

The wolf the leader had sent growled from the car. In his jaws he carried Anna's Coat that she had left there when they got out.

Anna nearly gasped in shock, but caught herself in time.

The leader took it and smelt it. He looked at Andrea face unreadable.

Andrea sighed, "I had to say goodbye to my daughter for goodness knows how long. I wanted something that could remind me of her. Now I won't ever see her again." She broke into tears that would convince most people. Anna, however, knew those tears were fake, as she could hear her mother's mind was ticking and calculating how she could keep them away from her daughter and if there was any chance she could get out of this alive.

The leader stepped away and dialled on the phone and explained to the other end what they had found out. The conversation was short and quite clearly the man didn't like what he heard. With a snap he hung up the phone and turned to Andrea.

Andrea stared back, straight into his eyes without fear.

"So before you send me to Luna's Embrace, will you at least do me the honour of telling me which pack I owe my death to?" She asked.

The man let his head fall back as he roared with laughter. "Lady we have no "pack" we are of our own will, and others if they pay enough." He added with a dark chuckle.

"And in this case, I am guessing it was hired, since you clearly do not know who I am," Andrea said.

"Indeed you are correct, you certainly pissed someone off." He said, advancing on her with his knife.

"And now, so have you," She growled and shifted into her wolf form. She fought like a demon possessed, claw and fang flying with bloody speed. The leader dropped back and let his lackeys fight the she-wolf as he watched intently. Andrea was fast and very practised at fighting. Though she received a few wounds, she finally incapacitated all of them. Turning to face the leader, she was a vision. White fur streaked with blood, red, dripping fangs and claws as she lowered her head and snarled in challenge. The man smiled a phased. He was as jet black as his human skin, and bigger than most of their kind. They fought furiously, their snarls ripping the tension in the air. Had she been fresh, Andrea possibly could have won. It was her injuries that finally gave her way, but not before she swiped at his face and spat her blood in it. It was an ancient werewolf curse, that meant the wound would not heal completely and scar horribly; something their fast healing natures normally stopped. It was her final act of defiance; marking her killer forever more. Her wolf, almost dead, receded inside her. She slumped to the ground as a naked human. Her injuries much clearer and even more horrifying than her wolf form. The man phased back, his three parallel cursed wounds reaching from the top of his left eye down and across cheek. He picked up his knife and approached the slowly dying woman.

~Mamma!~ Anna cried

~Stay there! Don't you dare even move,~ her mother said sharply. ~You promised, remember, and princesses always keep their promises!~

The man halted his advance and looked to the east. Across the horizon a fleet of cars sped towards them. He looked down at the woman, her eyes closed and face contorted in pain. She was almost at Luna's door; he was just going to make sure she got there quicker by ending her suffering. He dropped the knife, choosing to save his own skin using the time to get away before the cars could arrive. 

Anna dropped out of the tree as soon as the man was out of sight and bent over her mother. She gently tried to clean her mother's wounds.

The cars screeched to a halt as the pack members flew out the car and halted in horror at the scene that lay before them. Andrea in the middle of the massacre coughed blood, grimacing in the pain. Anna crouched over her, knife held ready to defend her mother. Though she was still too young to phase, her eyes glowed gold and her teeth were fangs. She would protect her mother no matter what.

Her uncle pushed through the crowd and ran up to his niece.

At seeing her uncle, Anna dropped the knife. Andrea looked at her daughter and her heart swelled with pride, she defiantly had the makings of a fine alpha.

"Anna," Andrea whispered, "I...love... you... I'm.. so... prou...d-"

And with that, her mother passed into Luna's welcoming embrace. Anna sat back and watched her mother closely; a single tear fell slowly from her eye. Silently the rest of the pack moved around, cleaning up the site, masking the evidence of fighting and disposing of the bodies of the mercenaries. Sitting quietly, her uncle gently patted the little girl's shoulder. 

~They were mercenaries,~ she said mentally to him alone, ~hired to take us out. I was in the tree when they arrived, and Mamma lied to them. We have a spy in the pack- they had my scent and they knew where we would be.~

Anna's uncle stared at her in shock. For such a little girl to have this much courage and spirit was amazing. All other children he knew would have been a mess, hell, a lot of adults too.

~Is this all of them?~ He asked directly, taking her cue to treat her normally.

~No,~ she replied, her face hardening, ~their leader got away- but mamma marked him with a triple curse mark across his left eye and cheek.~

~Then we will find that Malus, and seek our revenge,~ her uncle replied calmly.

His beta signalled him, so he picked up the little girl and carried her back to the car they travelled in. Anna watched as the men wrapped up her mother's body in a sheet and lay her with the other members of the pack who had fallen to protect her.

Anna sat beside her uncle silently all the way home, her mind whirling at the consequences of this event. She refused to put into words what she had witnessed, as it would weaken her resolve to be strong. 

A Wolf's Tail Ch. 02



Hi everyone!

Been a while coming, I know. This chapter has been hard to write for me as a large amount of time passes before the real story begins.

I have included a pack hierarchy, as I have moved away from the conventional/common three tier system.

Pack hierarchy:

Alpha- leaders, 1 male 1 female, each over sees their gender and pack in general

Betalpha- Heir, future alpha (normally male), generally the alpha pair's offspring

Beta- lieutenants, leaders below alphas- oversee the rest of the pack on a daily basis

Gamma- Warriors and protectors of the pack

Delta- a majority of the pack- most jobs are done by this level.

Omega- lowest rung, pack members under the age of 16, the weakest in the pack, punishment place.

I'm still building the storyline and characters, so no sexyfuntime yet... But I promise the wait will be well worth it! ^_~

Hope you enjoy!

Shadowsung <3

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Everything moved in a blur once Annalise and her escort hit the compound. There was evidence of fighting everywhere. He uncle told her silently about the two pronged attack on the pack and her party. A giant brown wolf came bounding up to them, almost a blur in its blinding speed. The wolf leaped high of the ground as the air around him shimmered while he shifted. Alexander landed in human form in front of his brother and daughter. To his horror his little girl was covered in blood. He caught her up in his arms as his hands searched for injury.

I'm fine, papa. They didn't find me, Anna told her father sadly. She projected the entire event to him, showing her mother's death and her killer's marred face. Tears pouring down his face, Alexander howled his misery while he clutched his daughter tight. The howl was picked up and carried by the pack, all marking their sorrow at the loss of a leader.

~

Alexander lost no time forming a description of the man and sent it along with the funeral summons to the packs surrounding his territory. Three days later, the local alphas met with the funeral procession, as marked by ancient tradition. Amidst it all, Annalise stood proud beside her father, staring down the alphas who sought to treat her as a child. Many of the Alphas present were humbled by the petite, yet fierce child who haunting resembled the lost alpha. True they had all sought more land by snipping at the weaker pack's borders but none would have ever dreamed of harming the poor man's family. Who could do such a thing? They whispered to each other.

Annalise watched silently as four of their best betas carried her mother on a stretcher covered in a pearly silk cloth. They laid her on top of the funeral pyre and everyone present filed past, leaving a procession of flowers, leaves and mementos around her silk-clad form. Andrea had been a fearless leader and adored by all and everyone was deeply saddened at her premature demise. During it all, Alexander watched his young daughter closely, proud of how strong she was, as she laid down a single white lily on her mother's chest.

Before the funeral pyre was lit, Anna stood up on the stage and called the gathering to quieten down. She looked at her pack, and their guests, the lights glinting in her eyes, "My mamma was a brave and proud lady. She did everything she could to be fair and just, may she be at peace in Luna's heart until she returns to us."

"Until she returns," murmured the gathering.

She waited for the intoned response before continuing, "I will miss her everyday until then. But I want her death to mean something. She died because someone was greedy and wanted more. I should have died too."

Gasps of shock radiated through the crowd, how could anyone break their ancient laws and harm child?

I want to grow up in a world that is not fuelled by constant battles. I want this to be the day when we hold hands in peace and help each other through tough times, rather than taking advantage of our neighbours."

The little girl stood there, in front of her mother's pyre staring defiantly at the alphas that surrounded her. They stared back at her in awe; such a young one, yet she already had the makings of a fine alpha.

That day, all of packs surrounding their borders all signed a treaty, marking the end of border battles and skirmishes.

~

Three years past quietly as Alexander slowly fought his illnesses and won. Anna grew into a fine 11 year old who was still the apple of his eye. They both missed Andrea terribly and the females of the pack had no alpha to keep them in line. With this in mind, he started looking for a new mate, as much as it pained his heart to do so.

Then he met Kitanya, a delta who was a hand maiden to Andrea. He caught a whiff of her one day in the common rooms. He fell head over heels for her and it didn't take him long to mate with her.

Their bonding ceremony was small, and she moved into his house and quarters. With her came her two children, fraternal twins Nancy and Georgia. Nancy had always been a pretty and popular girl, while Georgia was a quiet, smart girl with her nose in a book. Nancy was a horrible child, and was often accused of bullying, but she was too clever because there was never any proof. When the twins moved in, they demanded Anna's room as it was the largest, and they wanted to share. Alexander was forced to talk Anna into moving into the smaller one across the hall by telling her it was the room her mother had grown up in.

The room in question was very small and unused; it took her a long time to clean it out with the help of some deltas. Sitting on her bed quietly, her most beloved doll in hand, Anna listened miserably to her two new step sisters destroying her old room in their attempt to make it their own. Swiping the tears away from her eyes, Anna began to unpack more of her clothes into the wardrobe. Moving a dusty box out, she found a little door knob in the wall. Curious she opened what turned out to be a door. It led up a ramp to a small room in the attic she had never known about. In here was a little cubby built by her mother when she was a child. There were pictures all over the walls and a blanket in the corner that still smelled of her. Anna closed her eyes and cuddled the blanket until she fell asleep.

Anna spent most of her time in the attic, being comforted by her mother's old possessions. Alexander revelled in his new mate and grown family so much, Anna didn't have the heart to show him just how mean the new parts of their family could be, and just how miserable it made her.

~

Alexander slowly became sick once again. His health slipped and kept slipping, with the pack's healers at a loss of what was going wrong; much less how to help him. Werewolves were naturally healthy with strong immune systems and even faster Healing abilities.

 He fell into a coma when Anna was 12, much to the dismay of the pack. Less than a month later, Kitanya had the healers pull the plug and let him slip into Luna's embrace.

She kept his funeral was very small, with just the pack there to farewell their leader. She refused to let other pack's alphas come to the funeral, despite the ancient traditions. Speculations about the pack's future began to circulate, what would they do without a male alpha? Who would protect them all? Would Kitanya take a new mate, or would she wait until Anna was old enough to mate and hand over the pack to them?

Kitanya heard all of this, her nose high in the air. She would be the only alpha this pack needed to stay functioning; there was no way she was giving her power to anyone, let alone a snotty little brat like Annalise. Her years of planning had slowly transpired and she now had almost everything the way she wanted...

~

After her father's funeral, Anna kept a low profile. Despite the enormity of their pack and its well wishes, she found herself alone most of the time. Kitanya promoted her uncle to a diplomatic emissary for another pack, leaving Anna by herself. The loneliness seeped into her life, and deepened with each day. Her parents dead, all she had were her snide step sisters and negligent step mother.

Anna was constantly in trouble with her new alpha. No matter what she did, or how hard she tried, Kitanya was always furious with her, the screams and shouts echoing across the packs grounds.

Things from the house went missing, to be found in her room when a search was conducted. She would never take anything in her life. She knew it was her step sisters. She would always see them giggling behind their mother's back while she ranted about theft. But her step mother ignored her and brushed aside any accusations made against her little "angels".

Slowly Anna's image changed, and the pack had no time for her, believing she was acting the spoilt brat to get attention.

Everything escalated when Kitanya's family jewellery went missing. After a huge search it was found in Anna's bedroom, under her pillow.

Before the entire pack, Anna was demoted to an omega, the lowest rung of the pack ladder. She was kicked out of the alpha's house and left in a dorm with 5 other girls her age, who tormented her and stole the few possessions she had left to her name. It was the lowest point in her short life.

At 13 she was shipped off to a boarding school on the other side of the city, on another pack's territory. The new territory belonged to the Brannan Pack, which was larger than her own and much more powerful, with Curt Brannan as its alpha. Kitanya made sure the pack would ignore Anna completely and no one was to have any contact with her.

~

St Maria's was the fresh start Anna had needed. She was different compared to all the humans at the school, but she still fit in a lot better than she did with her pack at home. She had never had anything to do with humans, and quickly learnt how to blend in. She slowly developed friendships with a small group of human girls, who were outcasts from the mainstream. Her best friend Emma, who slept in the bed next to her, became her best friend. She was the same height as Anna; short. They were the same size which meant they could swap and share clothes. It felt like having a proper sister, which Anna had always secretly wished for.

At 16 she felt her change approaching. Her step mother had completely ignored her, and she had no pack to run with. Her first change had been a scary and lonely experience, as it was normally marked with celebrations and a pack run. She couldn't let her beast out any more than she possibly had to, for the risk of being seen was just too great. Being found out meant death to the finder and the were silly enough to get caught.

On full moons, when her beast demanded control, she would sneak out and run free in the forest surrounding the grounds, hunting and frolicking, finally carefree.

~

It was another full moon as Anna said good night to her dorm mates and friends, and waited for them to fall asleep. Once all of the breathing in the room had transformed to snores, Anna quietly got up and left the dorm.

Sneaking through the old buildings was always hard- the floor boards would squeak and creak under the lightest weight. She always made sure to keep to the wall and, thanks to her heightened senses, she could always see where she was going. She had always wanted to jump out of their second floor window, phase midair and lope off that way, but because the moon was so full and so bright, anyone could see her. It was just too much of a risk. Plus the window was a bitch to open...

A creaking floorboard from the hallway Anna had just passed through made her crouch in a defensive stance, a growl threatening to disrupt the deep silence of the dark house, her eyes glowing molten gold as her wolf responded to the threat. A door up the opposite end of the narrow hallway opened, spilling a harsh yellow light.

The head matron poked her head out, her hair mussed in their rolls, shadowed eyes like a hawk looking for anything out of place. After a moment of seeing nothing out of the ordinary, she grumbled about the old house and students before shutting the door.

Anna thanked Luna for all of the action movies she was forced to watch with her friends, as her four claws wedged against the narrow walls kept her flat against the ceiling. She loved that it had actually worked, but a shadow crossed her face as she remembered the event that had taught her the seemingly trivial lesson. She used her claws and the leverage to move along the ceiling, past the head matron's door, knowing that she would be listening carefully for any noises.

Past the hallways, Anna slowly climbed down the walls and continued outside. She had meant to look behind her as she walked out the front doors, but the pure moonlight shining down on her called to her wolf so strongly, the thought left her mind completely. If she had looked back, she would have seen the shadow, clinging to the walls, watching her carefully.

~

Out in the moonlight, her wolf cried aloud with happiness. She ran freely across the open fields towards the woods at her natural pace- fast. It was very fast; too fast for any human to match. She always hated having to run at human pace in her physical education lessons, her wolf wanted her to run properly, but she couldn't draw suspicion. She let out a deep sigh at how hard fitting in truly was.

She didn't slow until she reached the tree line and passed into their comforting shadows. She inhaled deeply, smiling pure joy at being truly home with herself and everything around her. She quickly stripped her nightclothes, folded them and stowed them in the trunk of her tree that she had marked.

Calling forth her beast, she felt the air around her hum with magic. On her hands and knees, her beast slid forward, shifting her body to its form. She shook out her pure white fur. It unusually long for her kind, but she refused to cut her long, blonde hair to shorten the pure white fur.

She leaped through the air and began to run, elated at leaving her human troubles behind.... Or so she thought, as the shadow followed her silently and unseen through the night.



A Wolf's Tail Ch. 03



Hi everyone!

My goodness everything has been hectic lately!!! This Chapter has taken a long time coming and I thank you all for your patience with me. This isn't a long chapter and no sexy fun time yet, but I promise it is coming- and it will be good. Until then, enjoy this new chapter!

<3 Shadowsung

CHAPTER 3

The moon was full and she was in wolf form, like a cloud through the forest she seemed to float at amazing speeds. She let up a howl, greeting Luna in happiness. Far in the distance a faint reply from another Were could be heard. Elated, her loneliness seemed to strip away.

Suddenly she stopped; her nose to the air. She smelt something that made her mouth water. She stood there, nose to the wind, pinpointing the location. Abruptly she turned and ran to the east, leaping over fallen trees and weaving through the dense undergrowth like a ghost. She came up to a crest and peered over. There, in the clearing was a doe. Her wolf in control, Anna was able to suppress her human feeling of remorse at killing such a beautiful and graceful creature. She stalked around the clearing, getting downwind of the creature.

To Anna's right, she heard a twig snap, caused by something else watching the clearing. The doe reared its head from the grass; whites showing around its eyes. Anna's human half was contemplating the sound, when the doe panicked and ran. Doing so, however, resulted in catching her wolf's complete attention. The sound utterly forgotten, the Anna leapt up and pursued the fleeing animal. Caught up in the thrill of the hunt, her wolf howled its happiness and sped up.

She chased the deer to a rocky ravine, where she knew there was a dead end. She raced up the side, watching the doe. Timing it perfectly, she launched herself off of the cliff and straight onto the deer's back. Quick as a snake she grabbed its neck in her jaws and swiftly exerted deadly pressure. She felt the neck snap as the deer collapsed to the ground. She was thrown over its shoulder with its speed. She gracefully landed and turned to her kill.

Nose deep into its meaty parts, her wolf was thrilled. She was happily munching on her prize when something made her wolf stop; there was a foreign, yet somehow familiar scent that was not part of her forest.

Her eyes darted like golden dragonflies. She quickly pin- pointed the source. It was human, and very close by. She ran up and around, knowing the terrain like she knew her own skins. She crouched behind a bush, seeing the back of her follower, who was behind a tree, peering out in front.

She crept up behind the girl and growled as fiercely as she knew how. The girl spun around and screamed at the huge wolf that reached her shoulder in height. It advanced on her, snarling, showing blood-stained teeth.

The human tried to back away. The movement caught her wolf, and Anna pounced on the girl, knocking her down as she stood over the human. The cloud disappeared, throwing the clearing into sharp relief. Shock made Anna loose her form, as she shifted back into her human naked self, "Emma?" she cried out.

"ANNA?" her best friend underneath her shrieked "What...but.... You..." and she fainted.

Anna smelt blood and grabbed her friend. Cradling her prone form, Anna checked her thoroughly. She had made a small cut in the back of her head where she had fallen on a rock, but it wasn't bad.

Slowly, Anna slung the girl on her back, phased to her four-legged form and ran back to where she had stashed her clothes. On the way she stopped at a stream to wash off the blood that coated her snout.

At the tree, Anna gently leant up and grabbed her clothes in her mouth. Nursing the precious burden on her back, she trotted through the forest to her secret cave where she always had supplies.

~

Reaching her familiar haunt, Anna unrolled her sleeping bag and placed her unconscious friend on it. Wasting no time, she dressed and loaded up the fire pit with some of the wood stacked near the rear wall. Soon the flickering light of the flames illuminated the shelter, filling it with warmth.

Sparing a wistful thought of her barely touched kill, Anna sighed and cleared the leaves and debris from near the fire pit. She kept looking at her friend, trying to figure out what to say to her.

It was over an hour before Emma showed any sign of life. By the time she started stirring, Anna had caught herself wishing more than once she would wake up and they could get this over with. Being human during the full moon was putting strain on Anna emotionally. To her it felt like multiple PMS days rolled into one little ball of angst in her stomach.

Sitting on the opposite side of the fire to her friend, Anna watched as Emma woke up slowly. She blinked her eyes in the glare of the flames as her memories come flooding back.

"It's about time," Anna said grumpily, "You've been out for bloody hours... Princess."

"Don't you call me princess," Emma snarled grimacing as she held her hand to her head. "You clearly have some explaining to do, missy."

"Missy!? Since when do you call me Missy? You sound like Ms. Claxton in one of her moods."

"I call you Missy since clearly I missed something, because the dream I just had was nuts."

"Well, Alice. I hate to tell you there is no rabbit hole," Anna said grinning, "There was no dreaming- what you saw was pure truth. What the hell are you doing out here anyways?"

Emma blinked slowly, staring into the flames, "I was following you. You've been weird all night- and I had a feeling something was up."

Anna's mind whirled. "It was you in the corridor! You set Mrs. Claxton off."

"Yeah," Emma said smiling, "Nearly got caught too- ducked out of sight just at the last second. I didn't see where you went; you just seemed to disappear. I didn't know where you had gone until I heard the front door and saw you running across the lawn... Where did you learn to run like that and why the hell haven't you joined the track team?"

"I hate the elitist jerks on the track team, and we are getting off the main topic here. This isn't how I had planned on this conversation going."

"You're a werewolf; I've seen the movies...Duh." Emma rolled her eyes.

"Really? That's it? Just 'hey would you look at that'. No, 'oh my god screaming fit' or flat denial?"

Emma looked exasperated, "What crawled up your ass and died? Look I've known something was odd about you since you turned up here. I also remember your reactions to watching all those sci-fi movies."

Anna blinked at her friend, "That is why you're my best friend, Emma. If you had been anyone else I would have had to kill you. As to the bitchy part- it's a full moon and my human form feels... itchy I guess is the best way to describe it."

Emma went pale at her first comment, "You wouldn't kill anyone, would you Anna?"

"I'd have to. I would die if I released the Secret and whoever knew would be taken down along with me." Anna said bluntly, "How do you think we have kept the Secret for as long as we have?"

"Well, clearly someone let loose or there wouldn't be any in movies and crap." Emma said, with a smile.

"Alright, so a couple have gotten wind of it, but that was many centuries ago. So much that it fell into myth and turned into Hollywood film food. It's not like there are people who know we exist outside the packs and other Supes."

"Supes?" Emma asked, curiosity getting the better of her. Anna hesitated, she wasn't sure how much she should say, to protect her friend.

"C'mon, Anna. I know a little I may as well know it all."

"Well, Werewolves are called Weres for short. We are the most social and predominant of Were breeds-"

"Breeds?"

"Well, Werewolves turn into wolves-"

"Duh"

"Shut up and let me finish. Well, other kinds turn into other animals too. We are called two natured, for obvious reasons. Supes is the term for everything non-mortal; you being mortal. You are a plain old human and therefore not a Supe. You wouldn't know about any of this if you hadn't snooped. But now that you do, we must take measures to protect you." Anna got up and went to her backpack. Something silver glittered in her hand as she sat next to Emma.

As hard as she tried, Emma couldn't help but flinch at her friend's closeness. The hurt showed in Anna's eyes. Putting her hand on Anna's arm, Emma said, "Sorry, Anna, I just can't stop picturing the horse-sized wolf covered in blood, snarling at me."

Anna shrugged her shoulders, "I didn't realise who you were. I stopped when I did."

Pulling out the knife Anna showed her friend, "Now that you know the Secret, our lives are in mortal danger. The bond of friendship is not enough for us to be safe. Tonight I will take you as my blood sister, to ensure that you keep and protect the Secret that has become yours to keep in your heart."

"Erm, blood sister? That sounds a little creepy. Is wolf catchy?"

Anna rolled her eyes, "Our blood is not enough to release your second nature completely. You may just like your steaks a little more rare, your senses will be slightly heightened and you may feel the pull of the moon, but you will not become a wolf, nor will you feel your second nature's presence...I'm pretty sure."

"Uh, you're pretty sure!? You haven't done this before?"

Anna shifted uncomfortably, 'Well, No. Not exactly, but the ritual was part of our learning from childhood. All Weres know how to do it."

"You said something about my second nature? I'm not anything special."

"All humans have a second nature, but most aren't in tune enough to feel it. The Native Americans called it their spirit guide; others have called it the gods within them... My people are just more in tune with them and are able to let the second side choose our form."

"...No crap"

"It's also the number one leading cause of schizophrenia... not that that will happen here."

The silence that filled the cave was deep with thought.

"Ok," said Emma, taking a deep breath, "how does this voodoo work?"

"It's not voodoo," said Anna indignantly, "it's an ancient rite passed down by-"

"Yeah, yeah I get it! No need to read the whole thing out, just explain it to me."

"I cut your forearm, you cut mine, we press them together and recite the Promise."

"sure... easy enough." Emma said slowly, "I don't think I can cut your arm though, nor do I like the idea of you cutting open mine."

"Well, it's that or face the Trial and die."

Emma went pale, "on second thoughts, the cut sounds good."

Moving to the mouth of the cave, Anna basked in the moonlight, silently apologising to Luna for her primary form. She took up her best friend hands and held them firm. She could feel her shaking from nerves. Giving her a smile for reassurance, Anna raised the hand with the knife and slowly drew it up Emma's arm, the tip welling with crimson blood.

Emma muttered a string of choice words that would have landed her in a terms worth of detentions.

"Oooow!" Emma said loudly when Anna finally drew up the blade.

Anna rolled her eyes and handed over the knife handle first. With a deep breath Emma closed her eyes and ran the tip through her friend's flesh and down her arm. Once she hit the wrist, she dropped the knife on the ground as though she was burnt.   "Doing well. Em. Just repeat after me," Anna said, looking up at the shining face of Luna, "Dearest Luna, who art our mother."

"Seriously? Ok, sorry. Dearest Luna, who art our mother."

"Be with us this night, as we join each other."

"Be with us this night, as we join each other."

"In friends, in life, in family, in blood..."

"In friends, in life, in family, in blood..."

"We ask you bless our new found bond."

"We ask you bless our new found bond."

"In your pure light, we have become one."

"In your pure light, we have become one."

Anna gabbed her friends bleeding arm and pressed her cut along it. Pure heat surged along their arms, binding them together. Emma's scream pierced the silent night, scaring the nesting birds from the trees. Anna closed her eyes, fighting the pain in her own way. As suddenly as the heat had surged, a cold sharp relief swept after it, soothing in its wake. Emma pulled her arm away as soon as she could.

"Mother FUCKER! That hurt!!!!" Emma yelled at Anna. She held her arm up to the bright moonlight that bathed the clearing. Her wound had closed and left a thin scar that could only be seen if she looked at it really hard.

"I'm sorry Emma, but it really was the only way. My blood healed the wound at least." Anna went inside to the cave, itching her body as she went.

Emma sat down on the other side of the fire, gingerly. "Can I ask you for a favour?" Emma asked timidly.

Anna looked up from the flames startled, "What?"

Emma shifted uncomfortably, "Could I see you change please?"

Anna stared at Emma in shock. "I have to strip down," Anna warned, making a decision fast.

Emma glared at her, "There is nothing you have that I haven't seen. Communal showers, remember?"

Anna rolled her eyes at her friend's brashness. She turned away as she stripped. Closing her eyes, Anna called forth her second nature, who was more than happy to take the reins. Go easy on her, she is still frightened, her human side reminded herself in passing.

Emma watched in disbelief; not wanting to blink for fear of missing anything. Slowly the air surrounding her friend shimmered and became hazy. Her friend's naked back rippled and shifted. White hair sprouted all over her and the bones cracked and reformed. Anna dropped down on all fours as the process slowly completed.

Anna, a pure white wolf, turned around and sat on her haunches, panting. Emma could almost swear her friend was almost smiling. She found herself smiling in return. Though she was scared, she inched closer to the beast until she was sitting next to her. She could feel a huge amount of heat emanating from her friend; it was like sitting next to a second fire.

Slowly, Emma put her hand up and offered her hand to smell. Without further ado, Anna licked her friend's hand, leaving it dripping in saliva. "EEEEEEWWWWWWW" screamed Emma, rubbing her hand on a rag in disgust. Anna rumbled in her chest almost like a laugh. Just like that, they were comfortable and Emma was no longer afraid of her friend's second nature.

Emma rubbed her arm, unconsciously touching along the new scar that ran all the way down her forearm.

Anna phased back into her human form and got dressed. Emma watched her friend carefully, a look of mischief crossed her face.

"what?" asked Anna hesitantly

"What else can you do?" asked Emma, her smile growing

"You have no idea" grinned Anna evilly.

Emma's grin matched, "we are going to have some fun, Sis!"



A Wolf's Tail Ch. 04



Hi Everybody!

It's been a long time coming. Hopefully the chapters will flow a lot better now that the story is underway. 

Please rate and comment- I really enjoy receiving feedback on my stories. If you have any questions, feel free to send me private feedback and I will do my best to answer them for you.

Hope you Enjoy!



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 4

The two friends laughed and planned mischief while cooking various food stuffs on the fire. It was the first time Anna had had any fun in being herself for a very long time. The girls shared life stories and future dreams, growing closer as the night drew on. Anna sobered up the mood as she told Emma about her life so far. 

Emma stared at Anna openly, "You're shitting me," she said disbelievingly "you mean to tell me that you are, like, a princess or something?"

Anna nodded seriously, "I was. My father was the Alpha of the King pack, and as his daughter I was next in line to receive it once I had chosen my mate."

"What do you mean, 'was'?"

"Well, after Mum died, Dad took a second mate, who had me demoted because I was framed for theft." Anna explained.

"Why didn't your dad stop it? How could he do that to you?" Emma asked incredulously.

Anna felt tears well up in her eyes, "he died," she said quietly.

Emma turned to her friend, "I'm so sorry Anna, I didn't mean to pry."

Anna swiped the tears from her eyes, "It's ok," she said, "I know he and mum are smiling down on me from Luna's embrace. Their souls will be returned to this world, or I will meet them there."

"Who or what is this Lunar you keep talking about?"

"Luna is our goddess and supreme deity. She is reflected in the moon that calls to our natures. We honour her and Mother Nature in our respect for all living things."

"Oh... But where does that leave you?" Emma asked, "I mean, will you be Alpha, or what?"

"To be honest, I don't want to be Alpha of the pack anymore. I'm so tired of it all; the politics and challenges. I used to love being a Betalpha- Princess to you, but since Mum and Dad died and my Uncle was forced away, I have... I had no one. I was so lonely and miserable I was almost glad to be sent here."

It's true that I have had to deny and hide my second nature; but I have made friends who care about me. It doesn't feel like the pack cares about me anymore; they think I am a spoilt brat and a thief. They all seem so fickle- I used to be popular and loved, I used to have so many friends. Ever since Mum died, I have slowly lost everything I used to have - and love about- my life."

"I'll be your pack," said Emma quietly, "even though I'm not wolfy, I'll always be your friend."

And with that they sat in a comfortable silence; arms around each other and staring into the fire's burning depths.

Anna looked up at the slowly setting moon, with a sigh she realised that they would have to leave very soon or risk being spotted by the early risers. She looked across at her friend who had a stick and was poking their fire. 

"Emma, we have to go," she said softly. Emma looked up from her prodding, looking half dazed. Anna pointed to the faintly glowing horizon.

Emma's eyes widened in shock, "It's nearly dawn already? But I was having so much fun!"

Anna laughed, which was interrupted by a yawn. The night had been exhausting on top of the two previous nights that she had spent in her forest. She got up slowly, shivering in the cold breeze that blew once she left the perimeter of the warm fire. They silently packed up the supplies, banked the fire and set out towards the school.

After a few minutes of silent trudging, Emma broke the silence, "So what happens if you.... Transform.... While wearing clothes?"

Anna burst out laughing as the pair cleared the forest and made their way across the great expanse of lawn. "I don't transform, Emma; I'm not a robot! If I phase while wearing clothes, they will be ripped to shreds under the pressure of my growing body. Sometimes the hems and cuffs manage to stay intact, but they tend to be very tight and uncomfortable."

"I still can't believe you're real," she said, shaking her head in awe, "So what else is out there? Is there really such things as fairies?"

"I don't know, to be honest. I haven't ever seen one, but I suppose it is possible."

They walked in silence across the grass, making tracks through the film of dew.

The light in the kitchen at the back of the great building was on, meaning Cookie was up and making breakfast so they couldn't sneak through there. Anna considered leaping up to their window, but with the sun beginning to clear the horizon she couldn't risk being seen.

They casually walked up to the front door and opened it as quietly as possible. They snuck through the darkened corridors and back up the ancient steps.

With a sigh of relief, they slipped into their room and cold beds. Anna had just fallen back asleep when the bell tolled overhead, inviting everyone to start the day.

~~~~~~

For the first time in years, Anna felt as though she belonged. Her new close friendship with Emma bloomed as they found they had more and more things in common. True to Anna's prediction, Emma grew stronger and faster, healed a little quicker and got "itchy" on full moons. It wasn't a ridiculous amount, but to the friends, it was a huge difference and they revelled in it. 

Every full moon they would sneak out and hang out in the woods, Anna in her wolven form and Emma trying to keep up on her two legs.

During the holidays, when the school shut down, Anna chose to go home with Emma rather than return to her miserable slot within her pack.

Two years past slowly, Anna and Emma were inseparable. It was their final year in the boarding school, and they still didn't know what they wanted to do with their lives. Anna had never been prepped for the human world, as it had always been assumed that she would stay within the pack lands and be Alpha. 

It was very rare for a Were to leave the pack unless it was for higher education before returning. Anna spent months appealing to the elders of the pack to allow her use of the money her parents had put aside for her to attend university. In the end the elders agreed and Kitanya had no choice but to send money to her step-daughter. She sent the basic amount for tuition, and nothing else.

Emma and Anna decided to go to university together, while they decided what they wanted to do with their lives. They chose a university close to Emma's parents, which was coincidently far away from her pack lands. Preparations had to be made as she would still be on Braanan lands, but she was passed for living there, as long as the basic laws were followed.

Together, they leased a small unit on the outskirts of the campus and took up part time jobs at the local café to pay for it.

~~~

Dodging chaos of their living space, Anna dropped her load of pizzas and soft drink on the table, calling her friend from her room. Anna looked around the chaos of their unit, they had only moved in two days previously and they were still sorting through the umpteen boxes that littered the small space. She had spent the day unloading all their kitchen items; she couldn't wait until she could cook a proper meal. 

Anna heard a bump and a giggle coming from her sister's room. "Emma! Get your butt out here, the pizza's gonna go cold!"

"Coming!" shouted Emma. She popped her head out of the door, checking the room before stepping out in a big t-shirt that wasn't hers and panties. She smiled sheepishly, "I met someone today. He is gorgeous."

Anna stared at her friend in shock; they had never talked about boys and they both had very little experience in the romance department. Emma stared at Anna with big puppy eyes, silently pleading. With a sigh, Anna rolled her eyes, "alright, he can join us."

"Come out, babe!" called Emma. Her arm slung around her sister's shoulders and a huge grin on her face.

"I can't believe you didn't tell me about him sooner." Anna muttered.

"I only met him this afternoon," said Emma, the wild grin on her face was replaced with a surprised expression.

Emma's bedroom door opened and out stepped a tall guy, looking equally as sheepish in just a pair of strained boxer shorts.

Anna caught her breath as she smelt his second nature. Realising he was an unknown Were, she snapped into defensive mode; throwing Emma behind her and snarling at the stranger.

The guy snarled in response to her challenge, as Anna leapt onto him, calling forth her wolf as she phased into hybrid. She grew taller, her face morphed into a partial snout to accommodate her elongated canines. Her fingers arched as her nails became sharp claws and her ears pointed. White fur sprouted thinly over most of her body just as she crashed into him. 

Boxes went flying as the two crashed to the floor. His skin turned dark with fur as he entered his hybrid form. He was much taller than her and he outmatched her in strength, but she was leagues quicker than him and she used this advantage to scratch at his face before darting out of his range.

Emma screamed at the both of them, trying to get between them. As soon as Emma touched him, the stranger stopped growling and looked at her. Anna glared at him, "What do you think you're doing with my blood sister?" She growled, her form preventing normal speech.

"She is my mate," he replied in a gravelly voice. Slowly his features changed as he let his wolf recede. "I am sorry for alarming you, Whiteone."

Anna slowly forced her wolf back, ignoring the tattered clothes hanging over her human form.

"Wait," said Emma, shocked, "I am your what?" 

He looked at her stunned, "You don't seem surprised by us, but you don't know about mates?"

Anna observed the stranger closely, she saw that he could not keep his eyes off her friend. "You need to go, friend," she told him directly, staring him down, "I have much to talk about with my blood sister and I cannot have you distracting her in the ways that you are planning." She motioned to his straining and tattered shorts.

Emma looked down and blushed; the scent of her arousal filled the room. The stranger's face turned ravenous as he smouldered at her.

Anna sighed and looked at the clock, "I will give you half an hour of alone time," she said grumpily, "but you, sir," she said pointing a finger into the stranger's chest, "will not mark her, nor will you attempt to initiate the mating ritual, or I will demand blood."

The guy seemed rather taken back at her ferocity. He put his fist to his shoulder as he bowed to her, promising he would uphold her wishes. He knew a command when he heard one.

Anna picked up a pizza box and stormed from the unit. With a sigh she headed down the street as she heard the sounds of romping began from their house. She headed in to their workplace to hang out with the girls.

~~ 

*2 hours earlier*

Emma had been working the morning shift. The café was rather large and modern on the outskirts of the university campus. They had been really busy, when a faint smell reached her nose that overpowered the coffee smells.

He had been sitting in a booth, chatting with another guy. The room seemed to light up around him as she drunk in his features; cropped, brown hair, amazing hazel eyes and a pair of kiss-me-now lips. She made her way over to them, ignoring the three customers she had to pass to get there. She stopped a foot away from the dream guy and stuttered the welcoming phrase. The guy he was with hardly even looked at her once he had ordered for the both of them, but the one who had caught her eye seemed to be having the same reaction as her. His face lit up and his eyes twinkled mischievously as he was clearly mentally undressing her.

She took their order and she heard them talking as she walked away. The company seemed to be a little upset with him about something. She brought back their drinks, post haste and deposited them in front of the pair with a huge smile for the guy. He looked really grumpy until he saw her smile and his face slowly shifted to mirror hers in happiness.

Emma found it really hard to concentrate; she kept shooting glances at her guy and his friend. Every time she did, she made eye contact with the guy, who made her blush each time. She went about her duties on autopilot; her mind reserved for him alone. She looked over once more and found their table empty. Her heart dropped a little.

When her shift finally ended, she picked up her jacket and started on the walk home. She made it two shops down when she was grabbed on the arm and pulled into an alleyway. It was her guy from the café.

He pushed against the graffitied wall and pressed himself into her as he leant down and kissed her. At first, Emma was shocked; she hadn't ever kissed random guys. His mouth was so soft yet demanding that she lost herself it as she kissed him back. 

She took his hand and followed her heart as she led him home. Fumbling with her keys at the front door, he took the opportunity to push her against the door to kiss her some more.

She finally found the key and they stumbled into the house. He saw all the boxes and realised why he had never seen her before, not that his mind was thinking that cohesively. He had been out with his best friend when he had smelt the aroma coming from the café that had nothing to do with coffee. His friend wasn't entirely happy with the fact she was clearly human, but he couldn't care less.

Emma pulled him into her room as he pulled her onto her bed. Smelling her most intimate room drove him further into his lust, but part of him pulled on the brakes. He pulled away, breaking the kiss, taking a deep breath. Her mouth went to follow him. He sat up, looking at her hungrily, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be that forward. I had hoped to have a decent conversation before we reached this stage."

Emma realised that it was the first time she had heard him speak. It was like she had been sent to heaven and she was talking to an angel. His voice spoke volumes to her, but she just didn't know the language he was speaking. She couldn't stop staring at his lips, wanting to kiss them again with a hunger she had never felt before.

"I'm Nathaniel," he said slowly, holding out his hand to shake, "it's nice to meet you..."

"Emma," she finished shortly before grabbing his hand and pulling him to her. Their lips met again, re-igniting the fire that burned deep within her. Passion flew hot in the room, making it hard for her to breath.

Lost in her need, she pulled off his t-shirt and relished in his bare chest. He tore open her work shirt- buttons flying everywhere. He undid her pants and motioned for her to follow suit.

Emma had just stripped Nathaniel of his pants, revelling in his strained boxer shorts when she heard her best friend come in, calling her to dinner.

"Shit! That's my roommate. Want to meet her? She is really cool." Emma looked excited.

Nathaniel looked a little shy and nervous, "If you're sure she won't object to me being here," he said.

"She won't," His future lover assured him, "She will be happy to meet you" With an impish grin she leapt off the bed and left the room, leaving Nathaniel to wait nervously.

~~~

Emma was shocked at finding another Were. She knew well about Anna, but it was hard to remember that there were many others like her. Nathaniel didn't scare her in the least. In fact, this new revelation only made her even hotter for him. Anna seemed to realise this as she left the house in a huff.

No sooner had the door shut; Nathaniel went to pounce on her. With a giggle Emma decided to play hard to get. She dodged his advance with another impish grin, watching as he hit a box.

The defiance made Nathaniel's wolf howl and his cock twitch. Panting he turned and rounded on her with a growl. He chased her around the house for a little while, playing along. He could have caught her in a second if he chose, but the chase was giving him a thrill that merely taking her couldn't give. His wolf grew tired of the games and pushed him to dominate and take her.

With a leap her human eyes couldn't track she was scooped up and dumped on her bed before she even felt the sensation of moving. He crawled up her body, snuffling at her skin while watching her expressive face.

Emma's skin was on fire, and Nathaniel was most definitely the cause. Her hips bucked unconsciously as they made contact with his hard cock. His hands roamed her taught and exposed skin, leaving a blistering trail of fire across the surface. His hands grew more confident as he rubbed her thighs, moving up her milky skin, heading for the apex of her legs.

His fingers found the lacy line of her panties; the last scrap of clothing on her body. He slipped his hand inside, cupping her gently. He rubbed his fingers along her plump lips before slipping a finger into her valley.

His fingers met with the moisture that had welled with a groan from them both. He used one morphed finger-claw to shred her panties into ribbons, ignoring her whimpers of protest. He returned his hand to her moist folds, stroking her heat. His fingers pressed harder as he slipped the tip of a finger into her opening.

Nathaniel paused when he felt her freeze up underneath him. He pulled out the offending digit and looked at her questioningly. She blushed a deep crimson; "I have something to confess," She muttered, "I haven't really had any... experience..." 

Nathaniel stared at her, his heart leaping for joy. He had thought her experienced in sex; her kissing was excellent. Finding out that she was virginal made his entire future life with her seem sweeter. He smiled at her, "I will be more than happy to introduce you to the art of lovemaking, darling angel," he said, his voice dripping with arousal.

His plans of taking her hard and fast had been ruined. Wanting her first time to be memorable, he decided he would have to take things very slowly. He played along her molten valley with his fingers, making her wetter than she had been before. He made slow circles around her entrance with the tip of his finger, the sensations driving her wild. Emma was panting heavily as she wished he would impale her already. He seemed to realise this and slowly pushed in a single digit. 

She feels hot and tight around my single finger, he thought, and my kind's cock is bigger than a typical humans'. 

He slowly introduced a second finger to her core, stretching her around his invading fingers. 

Emma's body was on fire; she wanted more than his fingers. "Please," she panted, "I want you. Now."

Nathaniel nearly lost control of his wolf, who was demanding he mark and claim her. It was only his promise to her roommate kept him in check.

Within seconds his ribboned boxer shorts joined her panties on the pile of destroyed clothes.

He rubbed his hard cock along her soaking wet valley, gathering up her juices. He carefully positioned his hot cock head at her entrance. He bent down and kissed her hungrily as he began his march into her core. 

Inch by inch, she devoured his length while he relished in her tightness. He thrust in and stopped, buried to the hilt in her tight heat, both of them panting. 

Emma felt so full, she felt like she could burst with happiness. He remained still too long, so she started wriggling beneath him, creating delicious friction between their entwined bodies.

Nathaniel took the hint and began to slowly thrust in and out of her. She gripped him like a glove; her muscles massaging his length as he slowly ground into her. It took all of his will to keep the pace slow and controlled, as her heated tightness drove him wild with lust.

She shattered his will by moving against him underneath, causing the pace to quicken. His control lost, Nathaniel began to thrust faster and harder into his lover as he felt his orgasm approach like a freight train.




A Wolf's Tail Ch. 04



While keeping up his thrusts, he grabber her breasts and moulded them, drawing moan after moan from her delicious mouth. He nibbled and bit at her neck, keeping his wolf in check to make sure that her skin wasn't broken.

Emma felt something build inside of her and knew that he was causing something to happen. She moved underneath him, instinct driving her to bring it closer.

Like a tidal wave, Emma was hit with a wall of pleasure as she stilled beneath Nathaniel. He felt the change within her and the muscles of her inner walls gripping and milking his hard cock in her orgasm. This drove him over the edge. With one final thrust that buried him as deep as he could go, he came as well; his cock spurting seed deep inside her.

Emma felt his stop and a warmth flood her insides. The couple lay panting and sweaty as Nathaniel eased his weight off of her and collapsed next to her. It took them both a while to calm down and their breathing to slow. Emma curled up under his arm and snuggled into him, basking in the glow.

She looked up to see him staring at the ceiling a frown on his face.

She poked him with a finger, upset that he didn't seem to have enjoyed himself, "What's up? Did I do something wrong?" she asked.

He looked at her, hurt in his eyes, "You lied," he said quietly. Those two words shattered her glow.

She sat up straight and glared at him indignantly, "and what, pray tell, did I lie about?"

"You told me you were a virgin. But you aren't" he said, glaring at her, "I didn't mind when I thought you weren't when we first met, but you lied to me and told me you where."

Emma felt acid boil in her stomach. "Until half an hour ago I was!" she hissed angrily, "Yes, I didn't have my hymen, but a tree took that when I was 8 years old! I couldn't help that Nathaniel! Who do you think you are? How dare you accuse me? You think you know me just because of some mystical wolfy voodoo?" She worked herself up, yelling at the stricken man on her bed.

He was in total surprise, "what?" he asked slowly.

Emma felt tears approach, so she turned away, "It doesn't matter... Just go."

Nathaniel felt a little guilty at his accusations. After a second, he tried to pull her back down.

"I'm sorry, Emma." He said quietly.

"Just go!" She yelled, pushing him away as hard as she could. Nathaniel saw the look of hurt etched across his mate's face and felt his heart break. He got dressed in a deafening silence that filled the room. He went to touch her shoulder, she jerked away.

An unseen look of pain crossed his face before Nathaniel left himself quietly out of the house.

The quiet click of the front door served as the breaking point for Emma who began to cry into her pillows.

"Your half-hour is up lovebirds!" called Anna impatiently, opening her friend's door, "We need to- Emma?"

Emma looked up from her pillow nest, her red eyes puffy and wet. Seeing her friend brought up fresh tears. Anna rushed over to her blood sister and held her as she sobbed uncontrollably into her shoulder.



A Wolf's Tail Ch. 05



Hi everybody

This is the last chapter of Wolf's tail for the moment. I am going to finish Pure Moonlight completely then come back to this story. This means that I can focus on the one story alone without having to divide my (already stretched) time. Sorry to those of you who wanted this story first, you will just have to be patient ;)

Enjoy



~~~~~~~

Nathaniel walked the darkened streets like a man on death row. He felt as wretched as a man could feel; her beautiful face marred by hurt that he had caused burned into his eyes. His phone started vibrating, but he didn't care. It wasn't her, so why would it matter.

His phone silenced once more as he sat down on a park bench, concealed in shadows. His mind ran miserably free as he willed himself not to shed a tear over his stupidity. How could he have ruined what was meant to be the best moment of his life with poorly chosen words? Memories of a pushed back past came to the forefront. His eyes glazed over as his long suppressed memories took over.

A hard metal barrel pushed hard into the base of his neck, as the smell of booze and unwashed human saturated the air around him, making it hard to breathe and breaking his morbid trance.

"Gimme your wallet and everything of value or you'll find yourself swimming with the fishes." A gruff voice commanded.

A snarl broke across Nathaniel's face as his face contorted. This guy has picked the wrong time, he thought, anger coursing through his veins. For the second time that night, Nathaniel phased to his hybrid form. He swung around, his razor sharp claws slicing the gun in half.

While moving too fast for the pathetic human to see, he moved beneath the shadows of the trees. Cloaked in darkness, the air was filled with his snarls.

The mugger tried to run, watching behind him for whatever the hell was following him. Nathaniel moved as a blur and stopped, blocking his path. The mugger ran headlong into him and fell backwards and onto the ground.

Looking up into the scariest pair of eyes he had ever seen, the mugger wet himself in pure freight. Cowering and crying in a pathetic, quivering heap, kneeling at the creature's feet, the mugger tried to beg for his life. Suddenly Nathaniel wasn't seeing the mugger, but Emma and how she would look if she had seen what the mugger was seeing. The look of fear that crossed her beautiful face tore at Nathaniel's already aching heart. He never wanted to do anything to hurt or scare her.

He backed away, his snarls dying in his throat. Once he was enveloped by shadows, Nathaniel ran for all he was worth. The scenery would have been a blur if it hadn't been for his enhanced vision. Suddenly the terrain stopped as he hit the edge of the pack lands. To go any further would incite an offence on neighbouring territory if he were caught. Common sense slowly filtered into his mind. He turned away and began walking slowly back.

Wandering between the trees, he watched the gentle moonbeams play along the leaf litter. He slumped at the base of a tree, exhausted. 

~~

Emma finally gave into sleep, her head resting on her friend's shoulder as they watched the scariest slasher movies they could find. Looking down at her friend, Anna sighed sadly. It was supposed to have been the night of her life, being with her mate for the first time. Anna began to question Nathaniel and his claim to be her mate. How could he do such a horrible thing to her; the supposed love of his lifetime?

She felt her anger rise and had to breathe slowly to try and calm herself down. She gently picked up her friend and put her in her bed. Knowing that her friend didn't want to be alone, Anna climbed into the bed as well and turned off the lights.

~~

Sunlight spilled through the window as morning began. The sky was blue, and the birds were singing, but all was not well with Anna King. She moved around the house righting boxes and tidying up with a little more vigour and masked anger than the job required. It was only the fact her friend was still embraced in the calming space of her own dreams that she tried to soften her movements. Emma walked in, her eyes still puffy and red.

"Morning," she mumbled, her eyes downcast.

"Morning," Anna returned, trying to figure out the words to say to comfort her friend. "Look, Em, I'm sorry. He's an ass and I'll make sure he never hurts you again."

Tears welled in her friend's eyes, "That's just it, Anna. I WANT to see him, my heart aches at the thought of never seeing him again. I know I should hate him- and don't get me wrong- a part of me does... but there is another part that is pulling me back to him." Tear-stained eyes met calm blue, "I don't know what to do. I just... I need to get away. I can smell him everywhere and I shouldn't."

"It's the mating bond," admitted Anna sadly, "It's your inner wolf, your spirit guide pulling you back to him. It comes from a basic instinct that draws you to the person who will yield you the strongest offspring. It is Luna's gift to her children that we all eventually find our mates- our perfect genetic match. In humans it's called 'soul mates' and 'love at first sight'. Because they are less in tune with their other natures and Luna herself, the feeling and the bond is much weaker than it is for us Supes. Because you are my blood sister you feel it stronger than you would if you had been human."

"So why can't I phase, if... whatever it is inside me, has so much sway over my life?"

"Your inner wolf, other side or nature, is still locked away. Think of it, if you will, as being stuck in a cage- you couldn't feel it, and you never felt it until we joined as sisters. The ritual that joined us removed some of the bars, allowing some of its essence to come through, but the cage is still there, anchoring it deep within you. In order to be able to phase, your other side has to be released completely and given the lead to take its true form and make it physical."

Emma shuddered, "is it possible to do?"

Anna shrugged evasively, "it is possible. Our laws state that only a mate can change a human and it HAS to be done with complete consent. Rogues- ones who refuse to follow the laws- are notorious for forcing the change on humans because they can't secure a female Were. All packs and groups of Were's would fight to the last man, tooth and blood to prevent that kind of fate for their females. Hell, in cases, females fight too!" Anna shook her head, "let's not talk about that. It is depressing and not a nice part of our culture. Speaking of our culture- we need to have a talk."

"About what?" asked Emma nervously.

"About full moons... I don't know about you, but I haven't seen nearly enough trees to hide me in Luna's light."

"Can't we stay here and you just stay out of "Luna's light"? Or you just not phase for this month?"

"Not valid options I'm afraid. Luna's call is heard whether we bathe in her light or not- and not phasing for the entire night is highly impossible not to mention painful and has been known to make Weres go crazy."

"Agreed. Definitely not options... what do you we do then?"

"Well, I was thinking, since the next one is in three weeks is going to be a Friday night, how about we go on a camping trip? I found a really nice site that isn't far from here, but is far enough away from people and the Braanan den."

"The what?"

"The Braanan den. The giant house and lands that most of the Braanan pack lives on."

"Oh..."

"Now, no one knows about you or that you know about us, so if they found out, I would have to do some quick talking or a little fighting to make sure you stay safe, so I want to keep you out of sight as long as possible."

"Of course, Nathaniel has probably ruined that, yes?"

"Maybe not, I'm hoping his guilt about what he did will keep him quiet. Now, keeping in mind, we will be nowhere near anyone else, did you want to come camping with me on the full moon? You did tell me you wanted to get away... if you don't want to come, I can go on my own." Secretly Anna really wanted Emma to go with her. They had been together for years and she loved their full moon frolicking.

"Of course I want to go! We'll start planning and we will need to get that weekend off. At least we can give them plenty of notice." Emma said with a smile.

Anna looked a little guilty, "I kinda already talked to the boss about it today. I didn't mean to presume that you were coming, I just asked for the both of us without thinking."

"That's ok Anna, thanks!" Emma returned to her room looking a lot happier.

Anna smiled for the first time that day as she unpacked the last of the boxes. Together they shared a champagne to congratulate themselves in moving in. "to uni!" Anna slurred.

"To friends!" Emma replied, staggering a little.

"To camping!" Anna cried happily

"To full moons!" Emma cheered. The girls collapsed into giggles as they toasted more and more ridiculous things back and forth. Both of them were too drunk to notice the shadow that lurked at their closed window.

Nathaniel watched Emma sadly. He wanted to make it up to her, but he didn't know how. He moved around the house to her bedroom window and helped himself inside. His wolf senses made the room appear as though there was full light, as he breathed in her scent. 

He felt guilty about being there, and his human sensibility was telling him sharply that it was most unseemly, but his need to be near her was just too great. He lay down on her bed, almost lapping up her scents, and feeling remorse at the tinge of hurt and tears that marred the perfect smells. He cuddled her pillow to him, imagining it her. If only he could take back what he had said. If only he had the chance to explain what had made him react in such a way.

He heard their happy giggles and he silently thanked Anna for making sure Emma was forgetting about him. He overheard their plans for camping and decided he would follow them and make sure his mate stayed safe. He heard their chairs scrape as the girls got ready for bed.

Emma entered her room and changed into her pyjamas. She hopped into her bed, shivering at the deep cold. She tossed and turned as her brain refused to slow down. She could smell the person that brought tears to her eyes. Suddenly her body was too hot, as she thrashed at the covers, growling in frustration. With a sigh of defeat, she got up and had a shower before changing into a fresh pair of pj's and spraying herself liberally with deodorant.

Finally masking his scent, she looked dejectedly at her bed. His scent hung in the air like a cloud, painfully reminding her of what had happened. She quietly left her room and padded her way through the darkened house. Stopping at Anna's door she opened it quietly and peered inside. Anna's gentle snores permeated the air as Emma stared at her ability of falling asleep so quickly. Her curtains were open to the front of the house, and the lone streetlamp's light danced across the bed and sleeping form. She tiptoed in and stood over her friend. She coughed lightly, watching as Anna twitched. Her twitching got worse and she groaned in her sleep, a tear escaped her eyes as she muttered incoherently.

"Anna," Emma said hesitantly. Below, her friend jerked and shuddered muttering the word no over and over again, her head shaking side to side as she whimpered in horror.

"Anna, wake up. You're having a nightmare," Emma said a little louder. "Anna!" Emma cried. Reaching down, Emma grabber her friend and jostled her.

Her eyes opened wide, "MAMMA!" she screamed, tears blurring her vision. Standing above her was the dark man, the scar across his face, in his hand the knife covered in the blood of her mother. With a battle roar, she lashed out.

Emma's eyes opened in shock as she pulled her hand away from her chest, covered in blood. She collapsed on the bed, her eyes trained on her friend, crouched by the other side of the bed, snarling through her snout.

It wasn't completely her hybrid form, it was more human than wolf; her eyes glowed amber in the dim light, her nose a snout with her long canines and claws stretching out from her arched hands. The feral look on her face melted instantly as she saw her best friend laying on her bed and bleeding from deep wounds across her chest. "Emma?" she cried, "What happened?"

"You... You were having a nightmare," she whispered quietly.

"Non lupus tago dormientem," Anna cried, "Never poke a sleeping wolf, idiot!"

Emma chuckled quietly but it was cut short by her hacking cough. Pulling her hand away from her mouth, she saw yet more blood and looked at Anna; her horror mirrored in her friend's face. Anna raced to her side as Emma's eyes rolled into the back of her head as she passed out.

"Emma!" Anna cried, smoothing her blonde hair from her face, looking closely at her pale, drawn face, "Stay with me! You can't leave me! You're all I have left!"

She picked up her friend in her arms, cradling her lolling head to her chest. Anna moved through the darkened house and out into the street. The streetlamp threw her friend's figure into sharp relief. The gashes in her chest looked worse and she could hear her friend labouring to breath. With a deep breath, Anna ran faster than she had ever run in her life. 

Keeping to the darkened streets and woods, she moved like a ghost, gliding past, leaving nothing but a small draft to show she had been there. The miles were eaten under her feet, which she numbly realised were bare. The cement and the woods tore at her feet, but she was too panicked to concentrate and shift them and avoid more damage and she couldn't stop. She gritted her teeth against the pain, leaving bloody footprints in her wake as she continued to race through the darkness. Her arms screamed at the pressure of keeping her friend cradled to her chest, but she ignored it as she ran through the streets.

Stopping suddenly she had to squint her eyes at the flood of lights from the front of the hospital. She raced into the emergency room, "Help! Please, someone HELP HER!" In the stark light her friend was a pale as a sheet and blood pooled through the gashes in her chest. Calm and steady arms took her away, leaving Anna with nothing but guilt and emptiness. Hands caught her as she dropped to her knees in grief and exhaustion. 

Nurses helped to pick her up and put her onto a bed. She protested loudly, trying to find out about her friend. A large, stern nurse came in, her hands on her hips, "now you listen here, Missy!" she said firmly, "Your poor feet are a mess. Your friend will be taken surgery and there is nothing else you can do for her. You raced her here, and that probably saved her life. Now sit still and let me see your feet. Don't make me restrain you, girl! I've had one hell of a night, and you ain't helping me by being uncooperative." 

With a nod, the nurse sat down and started cleaning Anna's feet. Realising the truth in her words, Anna sat there, quietly wincing as the nurse carefully picked through her feet. Anna saw the nametag of her nurse which said Janice. Anna stifled a chuckle as she thought this was very fitting for her nurse. "It's gonna take you about a month to heal those feet, and at least two before you can weight-bear. Sorry, little lassy, but you're going to have to be in a wheelchair."

Anna nodded mutely, ~the joke's on her,~ she thought with a smug internal smile. One shift and her healing would allow to weight-bear in an hour or two.

Mutely, Anna lay in her bed as she watched the hospital move around her. She had to fill out hospital forms for her and Emma. She struggled to come up with a valid lie. She decided upon Emma hearing a noise outside and being attacked. Her mind was wrought in guilt for her friend. Her last glimpse of her friend was seared into her mind. She kept asking for updates from any staff that passed her way. 

Growling in frustration, she heaved her legs across and sat on the edge of her bed. She lowered her bandaged feet to the ground and gingerly stood up, testing her balance. Within seconds Nurse Janice was on her, "What on Earth!" she cried to Anna, "You can't be on those poor feet of yours Missy! Get back into bed!"

Anna glared, "I have to use the bathroom, then I have to see my friend. I need to know that she is going to be ok."

Arms crossed, the nurse shook her head in dismissal, "You will use this," she said handing her a bed pan, "And once you've finished I will take it and go find out about your little friend."

Anna felt a blush mantle her cheeks, "I can't use that! I can walk, I will be fine, anything but THAT," she said looking at the metal object in distain. She watched the nurse's nostrils flare, and heard her foot tapping.

"Ok, Missy, how about this? I will source out a wheelchair so you can use the bathroom, but you are not, under any circumstances to get onto those feet. Do I make myself clear? It's my neck if you get hurt even more while in here."

Anna felt another twinge of guilt, as she nodded her consent. Within minutes Anna was in the partial privacy and gratefully relieving herself. Nurse Janice, still suspicious had kept the door open just a little bit so she could keep an eye and make sure she kept her word.

Wincing at the pounding throb from her feet, Anna wished that she could just shift to alleviate her pain. Another part of her knew that the pain was insignificant compared to the suffering she had caused for her friend, so she pushed it to the back of her mind. Settled back into bed, the nurse nodded, closing the curtain, leaving her with her guilt. 

Minutes later, her curtain wall opened suddenly, and Anna jerked her head around. Despite the overpowering stench of bleach, disinfectant and infections, Anna knew instinctively, the man that stood in front of her was a werewolf. She felt uncertain, until he smiled cheerfully at her,

"Hi there, I'm Dr. Lance Braanan." He grabbed her charts and observed them. He pulled back the bandaging on her foot and inspected it carefully. Replacing them, he looked up and smiled, "Well, Ms. King, how are you feeling? It looks like your feet aren't as bad as first thought. You should be good as new before you know it," he said with a wink.

"Please, Doc. You have to find out- my friend, I brought her in here. Her name is Emma, she's a hum-"

"Human, yes. Miss Emma will fine. What happened? If it were rogues, I was unfortunately unable to obtain a scent sample before they scoured her with disinfectant. It has gone down as a wild animal attack, and yes, she will live."

Anna lay back in her bed, "It wasn't rogues; it was me. She is my blood sister and she tried to wake me while I was having a bad dream," she said guiltily.

Lance tisked and shook his head. "Non lupus tago dormientem. The pack will not concern itself in this matter, it was an accident. She will make a full recovery. If you don't mind me asking, why didn't you just lick her in your wolf form? The saliva contains coagulants and antibiotics that would have reversed the damage within minutes."

Anna felt like hitting herself on the head. She looked up sheepishly, "I didn't think of it. She started coughing blood and I sort of panicked."

Lance actually chuckled, "Understandably, my dear. Now I have contacted Curt, our Alpha, and he has confirmed you have permission to be on our territory. Why haven't you joined us for our full moon runs? I know for a fact you have been invited and yet I definitely would have remembered such a beautiful creature in our midst."

Anna shifted uncomfortably, "I know. It's just, I've been through a lot with what happened in my pack. Technically I'm still an Omega. How many of those over 16 do you have?" she asked.

"None," he admitted, "How long has Emma been your blood sister?"

"Since I moved to the boarding school. She is who I spend my full moons with."




A Wolf's Tail Ch. 05



"Fair enough. I don't mean to pry," a ring tuned overhead, marking the hour, "Well, time is getting on. So... You need to wait to be discharged and when you get home, shift and you will be fine. Emma got out of surgery a while ago and she should be discharged within a couple of days." He stopped and his eyes unfocused, as though his mind was a mile away. He sighed and turned back to her, "I have to go meet my cousin, and then we will see about some visiting, ok?" Anna shrugged, she found she liked this man, and considering how she felt towards the Were species in general, she was surprised with herself. She smiled at him as he excused himself. Nurse Janice returned with a wheelchair and took her to see her friend.

Emma lay in her bed, sleeping. She looked so pale amongst the white sheets and she had tubes coming out of her arms. Anna held her hand as she felt tears fall down her cheek, "Emma, I'm so sorry," she whispered, "I'm sorry I dragged you into this life, I am so sorry for everything."

A nurse walked in, stopping short upon seeing her patient's visitor. "You are the girl who brought her in, no?" she asked. Anna nodded mutely, and the nurse smiled at her, "I heard about your feet. She will make a full recovery thanks to your quick actions. The doctors say she will be ready to go home in a couple of days." With that she bustled about the cubicle, adding things to her chart and checking monitors and tubes. With another smile and a nod the nurse left the room, passing by Janice, who had returned to bring Anna back to her bed.

~~~~~~~

Looking out across the rolling plains, Scott sighed and ran his fingers through his hair as he resisted the urge to throw his phone across the room. His best friend was M.I.A. and he was fast running out of excuses for him. He looked down at his hands, clenched shut in frustration. His father had been in a foul mood and seemed to be focusing his feelings towards him as the heir of the pack. He knew that his father was having some trouble with a neighbouring pack, along with organising his sister's mating- and human wedding- ceremony that were fast approaching.

"Scott!" a feminine voice dripping with seduction wafted over to him. With a shudder he realised that Christina was looking for him, and by the sounds of the clacking of her stiletto heels, she had succeeded. He growled under his breath, praying to Luna for patience. The tall blonde draped herself across his body, running her scarlet taloned fingers across his taught stomach and up into his lengthy brown hair. He grabbed her hands and put them at her sides. "Contain yourself, Christina. I will not warn you again," he growled. He kicked himself for the umpteenth time since he gave in to her seduction. It had not even been that enjoyable in the end, and now she almost refused to leave his side. She had gone as far as spreading rumours about them planning to mate.

She barely managed to repress her anger. Putting her smile back on her face, she batted her eyes at him, "Your father is looking for you, that is all, sweetie."

"Do not address me so informally," he snarled, his emerald eyes bleeding into a molten gold hue as he stared her down. Christine winced and looked away, baring her neck in submission. "If I catch you making up rumours again, I will take it up with the Madame and she will deal with you most severely. You have been warned." Quickly, she slinked away, choosing to bide her time to wheedle her way into power. With a growl, he crossed the grounds and headed to his father's office.

Standing in front of the mahogany desk, Scott waited for his father to speak. "Scott. Lance is at the hospital doing his rounds. I need you to take these files down to him and make sure he reads them."

Scott blinked, "Surely one of the delta's can do it? It's a simple messenger task."

Curt growled deeply at his son, "I have requested this of you; son and you will do as I say. You have not left the compound for months and you have done nothing of value for this pack. Now be gone."

With a wave of his hand, Scott was dismissed. His jaw clenched he stormed from the room, nearly running into his mother. "Hi darling. Don't let him get to you," she crooned, "his mood will pass." She patted him on the back and sent him on his way.

Nathaniel still wasn't answering his phone, so Scott was forced to go with Rick, his sister's intended. Sulking in the car, Scott was silent while Rick drove. Rick gave up trying to entice the surly man to speak and was duly concentrating on the road.

Stopping outside the hospital Rick smiled at the dark and brooding man that was his future Alpha. "Here we go, I will be down the street getting some coffee. Just gimme a call when you're finished playing delivery boy."

Scott refused to reply to the bait and exited the car with a growl. He marched into the hospital, files clutched tightly under his arm. He walked with a purpose through the unfamiliar corridors, trying to scent out his cousin. Giving up, he strolled over to a desk and gave the orderly his best seductive smile, "I'm looking for Lance Braanan and I am completely lost, I don't suppose you would be able to help me?" he watched with glee as her eyes widened. Here was a gorgeous, tall and toned, dark and handsome man talking to her. He knew from the talk among the females of the pack he was every cliché found in a romance novel rolled into one package.

She flustered a bit and showed him the way to his cousin's office. Finding it empty, the orderly apologised and left him in the room, explaining that she couldn't leave her desk unmanned. With a sigh he lowered himself into the chair, wondering if he could get away with just leaving them on his desk. Deciding against aggravating his father, he settled down to wait.

Scott closed his eyes and connected with his cousin mentally, ~ Lance, I'm here and in your office. I don't have all day! ~

He heard his cousin's sigh within his head, ~ I am with a patient,~ he said, ~ I will be there in a sec.~

Scott groaned and shifted in his seat, trying his best impression of patient.

He could hear and feel his cousin's approach. The door opened and he opened his mouth to say something smart, but all sound died in his throat. The smell coming from his cousin... it was... quite simply the best thing he had ever smelt. It was a combination of lilies and vanilla along with something entirely feminine.

With a growl he grabbed Lance and roughed him against the wall. Eyes glowing dangerously, he pushed him harder, "Where is she? Where are you hiding her? She's MINE!" he yelled.

Lance held very still, his eyes averted and limp against the wall. "There is a Were here from another pack. She unwell and I cannot allow you to meet her here. This is a HUMAN hospital, my Betalpha, and I cannot risk you losing control of your wolf.

Scott thrust him against the wall, "I will let loose my wolf and find her myself!" 

Lance gasped in horror, "You can't! We must uphold the law of secrecy above all else! No matter who you are you cannot risk our safety, our species safety, just to get at your mate a few hours earlier! LISTEN TO ME! Wait in the car. Give me time to organise her discharge and I will make sure that she will meet you before this day is out."

Scott fought within himself, refusing to give his wolf the opportunity to burst forth and find her. He slowly lowered his cousin to his feet. Lance straightened his coat before nodding. He walked out of the office without a backward glance. He hurried down the corridor, his mind whirling. He pulled back the curtain, catching the young woman halfway on her feet.

~~~~~

"Now, now Ms King." A voice admonished with a chuckle.

Anna growled in frustration that died as she smelt the most delicious smell on him. She raised her eyebrows, as her nostrils flared, taking in as much of the scent as she could. Her pupils dilated and she felt her stomach tie itself in knots. "My my, you smell delicious... doctor." She began to stalk him, stripping him with her eyes.

"Miss KING!" a female voice cried. It snapped Anna out of her reverie. Her nurse had returned, her face was bright red and there was steam pouring from her ears. "Get back in that bed this instance. This is the last time I-"

"Nurse Janice, there is no need for such hysterics; I have come to collect her and organise her discharge. She jumped the gun as I haven't completed the paperwork, nor have I gained a wheelchair yet."

Grumbling, the displeased nurse left muttering under her breath. Lance watched her going and turned to find Anna in his face. She gripped his head and leaned into his neck, sniffing deeply. Her eyes snapped open in confusion as she looked at him, "what-" she asked.

"My cousin," said lance, grabbing her hands and removing them from his cheeks. "It took a lot to make him leave without seeing you and killing me. I have promised him that you will meet him today, if that's ok." He said hesitantly.

Anna smiled at him, her wolf going crazy. What was she doing just sitting here when her mate was within the hospital limits? She found herself pushed back into bed and ordered by molten coloured eyes to remain there. She shifted and fought the urge to growl and challenge the order, but Nurse Janice came back and pulled her curtains open so she could keep her hawk-like eyes on her. This brought Anna back to her senses as she tried to wait patiently to be let out.

An agonising hour later, she was wheeled out of the hospital by Lance and taken to a private garden gazebo, hedged by giant shrubberies that obscured its interior. Anna felt her wolf singing to the bright afternoon sky and a bright smile crossed her face as they circled the pavilion. To her surprise she felt a singing reply that made her heart leap.

Coming across the entrance, Anna forgot about the man pushing her, the bright day, the birds singing. Her eyes met his and they seemed to melt together. She lost herself in his dreamy emerald eyes as he stared at her openly.

"Hey," he said quietly, his face turning up into a heartbreaking smile.

"Hi," she replied, feeling the corners of her lips pulling up. She was trying to think of something clever to say and coming up completely nothing. She felt herself pulled to him. By the look on his face, she could tell he was having the same problem.

He leaned in and with a start she realised that there was no space between them. Somehow she had left her wheelchair, and walked up and into the gazebo. Her breath caught in her throat. His lips loomed in her view, luscious and masculine. 

His lips met gently with hers and her mind went blank.



A Wolf's Tail Ch. 06



Hi everyone,

This chapter (and the rest of the story) have been a long time coming! First I want to apologise for the long wait between posts, it is not always possible to get things done in the time frames we wish.

I want to thank my readers who have been writing to me in both comments and emails- you have really helped push me into gear.

I hope you like the 6th instalment of Wolf's Tail. More to be coming soon (I hope).

As always, don't forget to comment and rate


Shadowsung

~~~~~

~ Chapter 6 ~

Velvety lips caressed hers, her breath fast and shallow. From deep within herself she felt her wolf howling in triumph from her lair deep within their conscious. The white wolf leapt forward from her body and Anna felt her mate's wolf do the same. 

Energy rose around the couple; the air humming like a cloud of bees. Outside the gazebo, Lance felt the power build in the air, sending the hair on the back of his arms and neck on end. It wasn't uncomfortable, just different. He felt his wolf stirring within himself, answering the call of the energy. Humans, Lance knew, would not be able to sense the power humming in the air; it probably just looked like a couple kissing in reunion after years apart. Lance felt his pager vibrate on his belt, reminding him he was still on duty. Quietly, he left the couple to get to know each other.

Anna could feel his wolf and see him through her wolf's eyes. They were not physical yet they were together on a metaphysical level shared by their human hosts. The human side of the couple was pulled into the space with their wolves, watching from inside like viewers of a play, whilst still feeling their own physical bodies locked in a passionate kiss.

The two wolves pranced around each other in greeting, sniffing and poking, caressing and pressing. His wolf was a copper brown colour with black tipping his features. He was on the larger size for their kind, and his form dwarfed hers in a pleasing way. He was built solidly and the wolf side of Anna knew that he would make a fine mate, father and protector for her and any pups they made together.

Playfully, the white wolf in front of him pranced around him, nipping at his ankles and pulling on his ears. She was quick and spritely like a forest nymph; her eyes twinkling in mischief. Her pure white fur was unusually long yet strangely suiting her small frame. She was small for a wolf, but she gave the impression of enormous energy hidden in her every movement. She flowed with speed and grace that he had never before seen in any of their kind. Her long fur gave her the appearance of white clouds in strong wind; it was mesmerising and he found he couldn't take his eyes off of her. The smell of arousal filled the air as her movements became seductive as she crouched in front of him, presenting herself.

The wolves' frolicking grew lusty as the brown wolf pushed his dominance. He pounced on her and pinned her to the ground as she submitted to him. With a howl they began rutting, their pants filling the air. Anna felt through her wolf his knot pushing inside her, bringing them closer to completion.

Anna dimly felt her real self in reality whimpering with arousal as her hips pressed into his obviously straining member. He was resting against a pole and holding them both up as they kissed fervently while their wolves copulated. It felt as though they were having sex too, without moving from the embrace. Anna could feel his hips bucking into hers while she responded in kind.

With a triumphant howl, the wolves reached their climax, drawing a moan from Anna as she felt an orgasm sweep through her body. Scott groaned as he completed with his wolf, his seed spurting into his jeans. His knees threatened to buckle with the pleasure flowing through his body.

The couple were panting as they separated. Anna blushed heavily when she saw the patch on the front of his jeans. The couple looked around, embarrassed, but Lance had disappeared and there was no one in sight.

"Wow," said Scott, panting a little. Anna could only nod in agreement while thinking, what was that?

~~~

Nathaniel still didn't feel like going back to the compound. There was no light to be felt there. Instead, he found himself back at Emma's house. The rooms were blackened and silent. Picking the lock to her window, he levered himself inside. Overpowering scents of perfume hit his nose making his eyes water. 

She tried to drown out my scent with it, he realised, hurt seeping through his being. He tiptoed around her room, wishing he could make things up to her. Sniffing around the room he caught a smell that seemed out of place. It had a tang with an aftertaste of copper. Blood.

He raced from her room, following the smell. He found himself in the roommates bedroom, the smell of Were was thick. He found small pools of blood around one side of the bed and a rather large one on the bed. He sniffed closer, with a howl he realised it was his mate's blood.

Fury boiled in his stomach; something had hurt her and he had not been there to protect her. He roared in frustration, his form slipping. Light, sparse fur grew as his nose lengthened slightly and his ears became pointed. He raced out of the house, using his heightened senses to track down his mates scent. He could smell her roommate as well.

He traced their path through the streets, keeping out of sight as much as possible. Drops of blood marked the footpath every few paces. After a while, Nathaniel noticed footprints begin to appear on the trail. Curious he stopped to scent it out. They belonged to her roommate, outlined in blood. Apparently she had been running barefoot carrying Emma.

Panic rose, his chest tightened. What had happened that caused her roommate to run through the streets barefoot. His pace quickened as he guessed at their destination. He raced across the carpark, making sure that his human form was complete. He burst through the doors to the emergency ward. He raced over to the information booth. 

The nurse typing on the computer looked at him wordlessly. "Please," he said, panting slightly, "I am looking for a girl, admitted last night."

"Name?" she asked dryly.

"Emma," he replied.

"Last name?" she sighed.

With a start he realised that he did not even know his mate's last name.

"I don't know."

"What happened to her? Why was she admitted?"

"I don't know." He admitted sheepishly.

The nurse gave him a sceptical look and rolled her eyes, "then I can't help you." With that, she returned to her typing as if she had never been disturbed.

Nathaniel was most upset at his lack of knowledge in his mate's life. He kicked himself and kicked himself again at his continued failings towards her. He vowed to himself that he would set things right and make amends to her in any way he could. His wolf howled in misery at that thought of spending their long and surely miserable life knowing their mate was out there and refusing to be by their side.

He moved through the hospital ward quietly, trying not to attract attention to himself. He focused his will and heightened the sense in his nose. He focused on it just enough so that his form was not altered.

His wolf was not impressed with the almost overpowering smell of bleach, blood infection and death. It took him a moment to detect his mates scent underneath it all. He followed his nose through the corridors, dodging doctors, nurses and patients alike.

He came to a closed door in a busy ward. He paused for a second before opening the door and entering the darkened room. A pale light permeated the room from a single exit light.

She was alone, her face pale and glowing in the faint light like a ghost. She was asleep, her features drawn in a frown. She mumbled quietly and a whimper escaped her lips as she shook her head. He sat down in the chair next to her and held her hand. She was cold and clammy, but she settled once he touched her; her face smoothing back to a peaceful state.

Nathaniel sat back and breathed in deep his mate's presence. Her perfect scent was been tainted and he had to know why. He pulled back her covers gently and began looking for the problem. He noticed that she did not wear a gown but a top and bottoms set. The top had not been pulled down completely and he saw a corner of bandage dressing poking out. Gingerly he pulled up her top, revealing a generous amount of dressings.

There were two straps going behind her that held the pressure on whilst still making it easy for the medical staff to access and remove them. He unlatched the straps and reluctantly pulled back the dressings. Three ragged gashes ran across her chest and abdomen, stitched neatly. He instantly knew that a Were had done his.

Rage built inside him, burning his insides like a tidal wave. A call over the hospital speakers brought him back to the moment. It would not do for him to lose control and shift in so public a place. He took a few calming breaths, feeling his rage built away.

Emma groaned in the bed before him, shifting and wincing as he saw her stiches move and pull. He was filled with sympathy and gently stroked her face.

He slowed his breathing and called forth his wolf. Knowing his plan, his wolf responded, coming to the surface. He focused particularly on his face, as he lowered his snout to his mate. Delicately, he began licking along her wounds, tasting her blood on his tongue. Running his long tongue up and down, he gathered all the saliva he could manage and ran it along the cuts.

"What do you think you're doing?" asked a serious voice from the door.

Nathaniel hadn't heard anyone come into the room. Still slightly crouched, he spun around, snarling and ready to defend his mate against the intruder.

Standing in the door, his arms folded across his chest and a severe expression was-

"Lance?"

"Nathaniel?" he asked incredulously, "what the hell do you think you are doing?!" He closed the door behind him and locked it.

Nathaniel looked down at Emma's peacefully sleeping form, "She's my mate." He said simply, stroking her cheek.

"Hmm," mused the doctor, "What is with this human? Her roommate is one of us; they're blood sisters."

"I know. I have met her." He replied, watching her wounds heal before his eyes with satisfaction.

Lance moved up to the bedside, sighed and rubbed his head, "You know you have just made my job harder, right? There are about 25 medical staff who witnessed her state of arrival and progression of care. How on earth am I to convince anyone that she has been miraculously recovered?"

"She was in pain," he replied, as if it was the answer to everything. "What happened to her, Doc? Who did this?"

"Her roommate," he replied, "It was an accident, she was having a nightmare and Emma tried to wake her. She lost a lot of blood- those wounds ran very deep. Luckily all organs were missed- it was just a lot of tissue damage."

Nathaniel looked down at his foolish mate. He felt angry at her roommate for not protecting her better. He looked up at his friend, "Can I take her home? She is clearly all healed up. I think it would be better if I got her home and comfortable. There are things she and I need to discuss. To be honest, I screwed up and I need to apologise."

Feeling sorry for his friend, Lance sighed again, "ok. I will get the paperwork sorted out and organise the removal of her now useless stitches. I shall also have to let her roommate know what is going on," he warned.

"Maybe leave me out of it- I am probably not her favourite person right now. I will take Emma home, make sure she is safe and settled and hopefully have a chance to talk to her."

"Ok, I will let you know," said Lance as he picked up Emma's chart, made a few notes and left the room with a nod of his head.

Nathaniel took Emma's hand, sat down on the side of the bed next to her and settled in for a long wait.

~~~

Anna felt heat rush to her face as she stared at the wet patch on his jeans. Her wolf lay down back inside her, grooming herself smugly.

An awkward silence hung between them as they both tried to think of something to say.

"My name is Annalise," she said finally, "but everyone calls me Anna."

He smiled a breathtaking smile, "Scott."

She grinned in return, "nice to meet you. Did you want to go get a coffee?"

"How about I buy you lunch instead?" he asked, wanting to spend more time with her.

"I'd love to," she replied. Together they left the gazebo, hand in hand, strolling together leisurely.

They bought lunch at a small café and sat outside in the sunshine, both unable to keep their eyes off each other. They played 20 questions over their meals, enjoying the time together.

Anna talked about her college and her courses, making Scott feel guilty that he had never considered furthering his education. She also talked about her best friend and the woes with her new mate.

"Do you know his name?" Scott asked with a frown,

"No, actually," she realised with a start, "I never got it."

"Well, I'm sure it is not anyone I know; no one I know would treat his mate so badly." He stared at Anna, making promises to himself that he would never treat her with anything but love and compassion.

Anna blushed under his stare and focused on her coffee. Her mind wandered to Emma and she felt a twinge of guilt that she was out here with a guy and having fun while she was in hospital.

Her appetite disappeared and although she loathed to admit it, she knew she had to go. She was about to say something when a car pulled up and a Were got out and approached them.

"There you are Scott! I have been looking everywhere for you! You finished your delivery and here you are slacking! The Alpha has been breathing down my neck to get back, not to mention my mate so get your ass in the car and let's go."

Scott suppressed a growl at being addressed as such, but he let it slide in front of his mate. He looked at Anna apologetically, "Sorry Anna, looks like I have to get going."

"It's ok, Scott, I understand. I had better get back to Emma anyways. It was nice to meet you and spend time with you."

"I know we will see each other again," he said as he kissed her hand and breathed in deep her scent for the last time. Rick honked the horn and gestured angrily. With a sigh Scott hopped in the car, ignoring his wolf, who was howling. It wanted him to go back and mark her before some other male did. The only thing that made him able to get in the car was knowing that she felt the same.

Anna's wolf was definitely of the same thought. It took all her effort not to run to the car window. Within seconds it had sped off down the road and turned out of sight. She sighed and walked slowly back to the hospital.

~~~

"What do you mean she is not here?" Anna asked incredulously, "the doctors told me she would be here for a few more nights at least!"

"I don't know," said the nurse clacking away on the computer, "She is no longer in the system, so I would say she has been released or transferred."

"Where is Dr. Lance?"

"His shift finished half an hour ago- he has gone home. I will do my best to find her file and when I do I will give you a call. All you can do now is go home and take care of yourself. I saw those feet of yours when you came in- they must be hurting you still."

Deep throbbing in her feet reminded her about them. She had been walking on them without realising. It was only until the nurse mentioned them that she noticed the pain. With a sigh, she nodded and left. On her way out, she realised that she didn't bring her purse, so there was no money for a taxi.

She sat on a bench outside and focused her will on her feet. Shifting them slightly, she felt her shoes grow uncomfortably tight before turning them back to normal again. Standing up gingerly they felt a bit better, she decided.

With that, she set off for home, trying not to limp.

~~~

Emma woke up groggily, expecting to feel the pain in her chest. Each time she had woken up the pain had been extraordinary until they knocked her out again. To her surprise, she felt fine. Taking in a deep breath, she revelled in the welcome absence of it.

"Ah you're awake. Good," said Nathaniel.

Emma gasped and stared at him, "What are you doing here in... my room?" she had not even realised she was no longer in the hospital.

"I healed you and brought you home. I figured you would much rather be here." He said sheepishly, "I didn't want to leave you alone, and I was hoping I could talk to you. I want to apologise."

Anger at his presumptions raged through her, and she considered telling him to leave. To her dismay the thought of watching him leave brought back a different pain in her chest. 

"What do you mean 'healed me'?" she asked curiously, putting her anger aside.

"A Were's saliva contains coagulants and healing properties. Basically? I licked you," He admitted, "I couldn't stand to see you in pain."

She steeled back into her pillows and looked at him carefully. He had dark circles under his eyes and his cheeks looked gaunt. He was pale and still wearing the clothes that he had been wearing when he first met her 2 days previously. Guilt stabbed at her heart. Clearly he had tortured himself over his accusations.

"I want you to understand why I said what I did. It is no excuse, and I don't expect forgiveness but I need you to know. You see, in my past, I was used terribly. I don't want to bore you with the long story it is, but my entire childhood was one big lie. Since finding out the truth, I have abhorred lies and deceit. The words that came from me that night came from that place where anyone is capable of anything. Since then I have been tormented by my words to you. I know that I am asking a lot, but I would like another chance to get to know you. Start a fresh?"

The look he gave her melted her heart and she knew only a monster could refuse him. She took his hand and gently squeezed it.

"Why don't we have a shower and then we will talk?"