Unevolved

Chapter 6: Questions

"Well, its not much different here. Ryker leads the pack, his beta is his second in command and he has a third that can step up also. We also live normal, human lives, just with standards." He explains.

"So this voice, my wolf, she can pop in and out whenever she wants? Can she make me shift?" I ask a little worried.

"She may speak to you through your thoughts. You and her are the same person, the same wolf, but you have the control. Now, sometimes she can get angry and will take over, but it takes time to control it." He says. He hands me a piece of cheese. I take it and nibble on it a bit.

"So, do you all speak through mind link then? Like in your wolf form?" I ask.

"We can for the sake of communication, but we can do it in our human form also. The thoughts you don't wish to share can be blocked though. Kind of like walls." He said

"Can you read mine?" I ask.

"No, no. It takes time. You are new, it will take some getting used to."

I rubbed my wrist where a series of scabs formed like teeth. Images of the vicious encounter flashed in my eyes. Rykers loud, demonic orders, the fear that it impaled on me. Then the heroic gesture Carsen made. If Ryker was alpha, why did he back down?

"Why did you bite me?" I asked.

"Because the wolfsbane was making it too difficult for you to shift." He explained. He removed his hand from my knee and went to the kitchen. "Would you like anything to drink?" He asked.

"Water please. Will it always be that painful?" I asked.

He retrieved a can and a water bottle from the refrigerator then walked back over to the sofa. He took his place back where he was and handed me my drink.

"No, not always," he said popping the top to his cola. "Its not going to be nearly as painful as your first. In a few weeks it will be like snapping your fingers." He said, snapping this two fingers. Amusement crossed his face like the metaphor was supposed to be funny. I just sipped my water.

"So do we have some sort of venom that can change people?" I asked.

"Well," he hesitated, "alphas can administer venom and use it in a time of need." He said rubbing the back of his head.

"Wait, I thought Ryker was the alpha?" I asked.

"He is, he inherited the pack, but you don't always have to inherit it." He said a bit distracted.

"Hold on, are you saying that you're also an alpha?" I asked.

"Its hard to explain. When someone steps up to the alpha position, they can be the alpha. Some have the natural alpha blood in them. The true right to the heir. It just depends on if they take it or not." He explains.

"So you have alpha blood?" I asked.

"Yeah," he huffed, "okay, its my turn to ask the questions." He said. "Where are you from?" He asks.

"No no no no, you never answered my question from earlier." I implied. He wasn't going to get off the hook that easy. "Why do I feel this way about you? Why is everything so confusing yet so safe with you? Why did Ryker back down from his pursuit when you challenged him? I mean, he is the alpha, shouldn't you feel fear from him when he's like that?" I asked.

It all came out at once and I wasn't sure if I had said all the words in the right order. My breathing hitched and it came fast and panicked.

"Hey, hey, hey," he said calmly, "just calm down. Breathe, drink, just chill for a minute."

I did what he said, taking a big breath and sipping on my water. "Sorry, everything is just so overwhelming." I apologized.

"It's okay, I understand." he said. Compassion showed in his kind smile and it made me blush again.

Why did he have such an effect on me? I've never felt this way, ever. Not about Trent or any other guy. I was always in control of the relationship, never did I feel something so severe. My heart still raced, but I could still breathe, kind of.

"You look flush, are you tired?" He asked concerned.

I noded my head. My body felt heavy and fatigue, but mentally I had felt like I had slept for days. I glimpsed at the open window to see a beautiful sunset. I passed out from earlier events, it seemed like the same day. Carsen picked me up bridal style and carried me back to the bed room. It must have been his. I could have walked, but I didn't feel up for an argument.

He laid me under the sheets and tucked me in. He began to leave when I stopped him.

"Carsen?" I croaked.

"Yes love?" He said with loving eyes.

"Would you... Stay? Please." I begged.

"Sure." He ansered.

He walked back and got into the bed next to me. I snuggled into his side and put my head against his warm chest. This felt right, this felt complete. He put is arms around my shoulders and I could feel his chest purr. It didn't even faze me when he called me a pet name, and I don't even care.

"Can you tell me a story." I asked, still not feeling quite sleepy.

"Sure," he hesitated, "Once there was a boy, His father was alpha of his pack and it was one of the strongest packs in the nation. Back then there used to be a total of six packs, now there's about thirteen and some unclaimed land. Anyways, this boy was the heir to the next generation of the pack. He was kind, strong, had his mothers wisdom and heart while he had his fathers features and witts. He went everywhere with his father. On hunting trips, on Alliance Council meeting, he observed everything his dad did." His voice became distant the more he got into the story. I felt my eyes get heavy the more he talked.

"One day, another pack claimed that our tribe was hiding a rouge that had comitted some crime in their territory. They kept requesting to search our lands and thuroughly investigate our territory. The alpha allowed them to search all they wanted, but they weren't allowed to go into any houses of the pack or desturb pack duties. Each patrol was to be escorted by some of their gaurds. Still, the alpha of the other tribe kepts wanting to press charges.

"The boy's father had a meeting with the Alliance Council and was to be gone for the maximum of a week. The boy begged his father to go, but the alpha refused. He wanted him there to help his beta with the orders and tasks of the pack. Now the boy was about ten, eleven years old. He felt that his father gave him a large task in protecting the pack, so he took on the task. The father left near sunset. When it got dark, everything was calm. That's when the fire started...."

I was closed in by darkness and drifted to sleep.