Play time's over

Waking up was pleasant. When I finally opened my eyes in the morning, everything that I sensed was just the way I liked it.

The warm morning light began peeking through the window and painting the cream walls in a gentle orange. I could hear the sound of early birds rising from their nests and taking to the sky. Below my body, a large white pillow cushioned my head while a thin gray sheet ruffled under my weight.

For just a second, all of those little details that normally meant nothing to me, suddenly made me glad to be alive. I found that I appreciated those things a lot more now than I ever did.

Then Jake stirred slightly in my grasp and it was as if my senses narrowed in his direction. His bare tanned skin glowed just noticeably in the light and his breathing was gentle. I could tell that he was sleeping dreamlessly now and part of me wanted to let him rest more. Yet the rest of me grew hungry for him and the vulnerability that he was putting on full display.

Leaning over him, I brought my face to his neck and carefully licked the raw skin all the way up to his jawline. Almost instantly, his body trembled and a soft moan rumbled in his chest. I moved more and positioned myself fully above him, raising his arms over his head and exposing his sides.

Looking him over, I could feel that fire and hunger growing inside me again. Even after an entire summer, I wasn't past my cravings. "Why do you make this so easy for me?" I growled at the helpless teen below me but all he did was mumble and pretend to stay asleep.

I started tracing my fingers along the curves and ridges of his body. Despite all the muscles he'd grown, his skin was still soft and more importantly, sensitive. It wasn't long before he tensed up and opened his eyes to meet mine.

"Oh, did I wake you?" I bowed low so that my lips could graze his ear.

Damn it, Wolfe! Let me sleep, you animal. The small smirk on his lips made it hard to take his complaint seriously.

If it wasn't for a new scent entering the room at that moment, I probably would have kept going till I'd made a mess of him. But I recognized his father's awful cologne right beyond the bedroom door and finally remembered this wasn't my home at all.

There was two firm knocks on the door before Mr. Kent's voice called, "Jake, are you in there?"

"Yeah, I'm here," my mate replied rising up on his elbows and staring fearfully at the door. He managed to free himself and ran to his closet. "I was just getting dressed."

"I don't remember seeing that boy leave. Can I come in?" his father asked and I could see the life start draining from Jake's face.

"Sure, father. Just give me a second."

I just rolled my eyes and opened the window. There was no force in hell that could make an Alpha hide in a closet.

After a quick kiss and a parting glance, I dived out of the window and landed firmly on the ground behind the Kent's home. Sadly, I was not alone. Leaning against one of the trees that bordered the forest beside the house was a familiar face.

Luminous white skin and a chiseled jaw. Perfectly styled black hair and a five-o'clock shadow at eight in the morning surrounded a knowing smile. His sharp green eyes leered at me as I looked him over. I had a good reason not to have clothes on, but I doubt Axel had any reason to be stark naked at all.

"What do you want?" I growled naturally. I still didn't like the feeling of having other Alphas in my territory, even though I invited them. It was a constant reminder that I couldn't defend my pack alone anymore. Some reminded me of it more easily than others.

"I was just waiting for you to finish playing with your little pup up there," he said, pointing to the closed window that I'd previously dived from. "I just find it fascinating how you treat another male as if it was your mate. You can't turn him though, so he will never have the power to stand by your side. From the lack of relief on your face, it's pretty obvious that he can't even sate your heat. Or am I missing something?" he continued to smirk in my direction, but his eyes were on the window.

But I didn't have time for his mind games. I left the back yard and entered the woods to head home. I could hear Axel's footsteps begin and realized that he didn't come just to tease me like a child. He wasn't just an Alpha, but the actual leader of his entire pack now. "Tell me what you want before I leave you in the dust," I called back.

His laugh was short and challenging which made it clear that I'd chosen my words poorly. Within the next heartbeat I launched myself into the air and let my mind fade to blank. In the absence of thoughts, I can change form so much faster. My muscles rearrange themselves around bones that bend like steel into new shapes. The transformation is so fast that I never feel a sliver of pain and I land on all fours.

I hear an animalistic growl from behind me that proves Axel's transformation speed is no joke either. Dismissing the thought before he can sense my approval, I begun charging forward. The roots and soil of the earth feel infinitely closer to my heart now that I am lower to the ground and sprinting over them couldn't feel more natural. I react faster, dodging trees quicker and moving my legs in a rapid motion that no simple human or animal could ever match.

My light grey fur breaks shields against the whipping of the wind as I blast through the forest. My strength, my speed, my sheer power in this form is why I am Alpha. Nothing on two legs or even four can match me!

At least, until the Alpha of Dallas city rushes up alongside me. His fur is noticeably lighter than mine despite being less than six years older than me. We don't need to exchange words to know that neither of us feels like coming up short, but the race cuts short.

My den wasn't far enough away to have a full race and we shift back into human form once the sight of concrete walls fills my view. "What is it that you want Axel? My den is still off-limits, so speak now before I go inside," I say just a bit breathlessly.

His smirk dies down just a bit when his eyes return to me. Then he's all business, "The Queen is making a move. Grab us some clothes and let's head there together." His eyes convey the words his mouth doesn't. If the Queen is making a move, the time for play is over.

So I don't usually get images for each character that I introduce since I like to leave a lot to the imagination, BUT I did this time! if you don't like seeing horribly attractive models, shield your eyes and scroll down quickly!

Axel Astray~

Also, let me know what you think of the graphic banners that I made for this story. Do you like the wolf logo or think it's too flashy? Let me know all of your thoughts on this chapter and the art and how your day has gone so far in the comment section below! :)