I am very sorry for not updating! If you want to know why, I have left an author note before this chapter. I'm gonna try and update as often as I can, provided that I have the time. I would much rather put out the best work that I can rather than something half-arsed. Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. Also, please note that I have never actually been to India lol.
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Alice hated planes. Not because she was particularly afraid of flying but because she really didn't like being stuck in a small cramped space with strangers. It was her instinct to always be on the run. It was the way she had survived this long. But with being up in the air with no place to escape, she felt suffocated. Terror was a constant feeling that encompassed her ever since she had sat down in the first class area; Colden claimed that it'd be harder for the Lycan's to track them and to wreak havoc. After all, they were surrounded by humans and keeping their existence a secret was vital.
It gave Alice little comfort. Of course, she didn't bother voicing her concerns. She had promised to try- to be better.
Colden's arm brushed against hers as she sighed and peered out of the window. Clouds meddled with the purple hues and orange light as the sun rose up from its slumber. It was a breathtaking sight, even if the lack of solid ground made her queasy.
"How much left?" Alice mused. When she looked at the Alpha next to her, she found that his gaze was already trained on her face. There was something soft in his expression, something light...she had noticed the change ever since their conversation in the forest.
"A few hours," Colden murmured after a few, deliberately slow, seconds.
Alice's breath haltered as he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. She felt the instinct to run, to shield away from his touch in fear that somehow the darkness within her would come up. Nothing came. It was a shocking realisation and it had crossed her mind that it was gone. But Alice knew that it would be too good to be true.
"What?" There was a glint in his eyes.
She had been staring. Heat trailed up her neck at the thought, "nothing," she muttered unable to hold his gaze.
A smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth. Instead of answering, he brushed his knuckle against her heated cheek and guided her head down to his chest.
Uncertainty mixed with embarrassment flooded her but she felt his chest purr as his hand stroked her hair. Alice knew that she was letting herself melt into him too fast; it was almost embarrassing the way heat flooded her core and warmed her blackened heart. There was no room for darkness within her when she felt so light, so at peace...Alice sucked in her breath, her eyes closed shut.
Guilt swarmed her mind at the way that she had treated them. She remembered his words, the reassurance that it wasn't her fault...Alice couldn't help but think otherwise. "Soon," he murmured in her ear, a breathy whisper of a promise, "soon you'll be safe."
From yourself, she heard the unspoken words.
Alice didn't let herself focus on the promise.
When she awoke, she was being carried in Colden's arms. His earthy scent hit her nose as a hot breeze wafted around them. Alice could smell the spices in the air, the smell of mangos and sweat as they moved through thriving streets.
She was in India, the one place she thought that she'd never run to. But they weren't running, Alice reminded herself. They were seeking out a pack who would tell them the truth. About herself and whatever that was going on.
Soon.
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Voices murmured throughout the building. Alice's eyebrows furrowed as she registered the feeling of silken sheets beneath her hair and the warm air that brushed her sweaty skin. Startled at the sound of laughter, she jolted up from her position.
She was in a room with golden mosaic floor and cream marble walls. To her left, there were two large windows, each on the side of the large balcony archway. There wasn't a door to the room, but judging by the humidity it was to keep the air in the room ventilated. Upon closer inspection, she could see the windows lacked glass.
Alice frowned at the large poster bed she was tucked in; she couldn't remember how she got here but for the first time in a while, she felt well rested if not a little bit dirty.
The cold floor was welcome when she stood. A satisfied sigh made its way out of her lips. She wasn't sure how she'd survive this heat, she'd have to walk around half naked if she wanted to be somewhat comfortable.
Alice padded into the bathroom where a large shower awaited her in the corner. Much like her room, the bathroom was accented in pink and red tones that contrasted the soft hues of the floor and walls. It was lavish. For the first time in a long time, her fingers itched to paint the colours that her starved eyes took in.
A long time ago, Alice loved to paint. She had a hunger for colour and shapes, for things that you wouldn't find in your every day home. With time, since she started to run for her life at the age of fourteen, it had started to dwindle. It was a flame that grew smaller and smaller with every attack and every second that she had to worry about. But when Colden came into the picture...her world had shattered. Alice didn't blame him anymore, not like she used to at least. She meant what she said when she promised to try. Still, she couldn't help but feel sad at the loss of her passion for art.
Alice spent over half an hour under the cold water, eager to clear her negative thoughts. She had to try hard if she wanted to improve. Her scrubbing turned harsh as she repeated the mantra in her mind- try, get better, try harder. That was her only hope and salvation.
When she was done, Alice couldn't help but feel satisfied. The shower was refreshing after the long flight and the sweat that had built upon her and in her eyes, it was very much deserved; she wrapped herself up in a fluffy white blanket and with wet hair dripping down her back, she made her way back into the room.
Colden sat on the edge of her four-poster bed, his white shirt and black shorts a striking contrast to the pink sheets. Alice couldn't help the smile that tugged at the corners of her mouth at the sight; if it wasn't for the slight grimace on his face that hinted at being uncomfortable, Alice would have thought that he fit the room quite well.
"I see you're up," awkwardness surrounded them. Colden rushed his hand through his raven hair looking anywhere but at her.
It was then that Alice realised she was only covered by a small towel. Heat trailed up her neck as a scowl took over her face, "you could have knocked," she accused.
The corners of Colden's lips twitched into a smirk, "I could have," he agreed. He arched an eyebrow in challenge, all the nervousness drained from his posture.
Alice envied the fact that he was so comfortable around her, even after everything. She ignored the sound of his laugh as she turned away, the heat of his gaze printed on her bare back.
"Can you pass me some clothes?" Her hands shook when his chuckles died down. Alice felt him move through the room and to the suitcase that he had deposited in the corner of the room, assuming after he had put her to bed.
He was taking a painstakingly long time to pick out something for her to wear and Alice had to refrain herself from snapping at him to hurry up. She promised to be better.
"Here," Colden murmured as he extended the clothes. Alice took them without hesitation, eager to get dressed in the comforts of the bathroom and away from his prying eyes. Before she made it a step further away from him, his bear-like hand had wrapped around her wrist.
Alice gasped as her body collided with his chest. Colden's nose, warm from the air, trailed down her wet hair. Shivers trailed up her arms and it was blatantly obvious that it wasn't because she was cold. She felt a small smile grow on his face as he realised this too.
"You smell good," his lips brushed against her neck, feather-like and soft.
"I know," despite trying, Alice couldn't conjure up the bite to her words. She wanted to snap at him for breaking her personal bubble but she couldn't find the will to. She didn't know when the change had happened for him to make her feel at peace rather than fear...perhaps when he had saved her, perhaps when he had told her that she didn't do anything wrong...darkness quaked within her but with every inch of Colden's touch, she felt it simmer down.
It was numb, starving...relief flooded through her when Colden took a step back, his breathing harsh. She swallowed the taste of excitement and arousal that hung in the air and rushed towards the bathroom, this time unstopped, to change.
Alice couldn't meet her eyes in the reflection of the mirror. She had enjoyed his touch, the feeling of the peace that he gave her...what happened? What had changed? She cursed herself for being a fool and gripped the sink in frustration. Rasped breaths escaped her mouth and no matter how hard she tried, Alice couldn't stop the pounding of her heart.
She knew that Colden waited outside of the door until she was done.
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They walked into the main sitting room together; judging from what she had seen so far, they were staying in the rich part of India. She wasn't sure where exactly they were- there hadn't been any time to ask- but she knew enough to know that they were in one of the larger cities. Alice found that the decor of the house followed a similar colour scheme to the room that she had woken up in.
In front of her, there was a large deep berry coloured sofa that looked like it belonged to the museum, a dark wooden square coffee table with intricate detailing, chairs that ranged from leather to purple toned material and a large zebra rug was centred in the room. Alice could smell the scent of exotic flowers, it was enticing. Erotic, even, though that could just be Colden's presence next to her.
"I'm glad to see that you two haven't ripped each other's heads up," Belle mused from the sofa, an amused smile on her lips, "that would have defeated the point of the trip."
Alice scowled. From the corner of her eyes she saw Colden give her a knowing look before he smiled at his sister, "indeed, I'm lucky to escape with my balls still intact."
Laughter boomed through the room. Her eyes zeroed in on a man that she hadn't seen before; he looked to be around his sixties with cocoa coloured skin, grey hair and golden eyes. Knowing what she does about the wolves, she assumed that he had to be older than that considering that they aged a lot slower.
"Alpha Colden, I presume," the man shook hands with him, a pleasant smile on his face, "a pleasure to have you. I hope that your journey was a pleasant one."
Colden returned the smile and thanked him. It wasn't long before the man's gaze shifted towards her. Alice levelled his heated gaze noting the wisdom that she saw lurking beneath the old man's persona. Something dark in her winced at the man. It recoiled at the energy that pulsed off him. It was as if that dark part of her- the part that haunted her and made her lose control- was afraid.
"You must be Alice," it wasn't a question, "the one that caused this trip." The man flickered his eyes back to the Alpha's face. She could feel the nerves that came off Colden. He had a lot of hope on this trip, not only for herself but also for them.
Alice wanted to share his optimism but she couldn't help and feel cynical towards this. She feared his disappointment, her own disappointment if they didn't get the answers that they needed.
"My name is Madhavaditya but you can call me Tya," the man finally smiled at her, a glint present in his eyes. It was as if he knew the way that darkness in her felt.
"Can you help her, then Tya?" Belle's voice interrupted. Alice noticed that she lacked patience, more so than the Alpha did.
Tya's eyes flickered towards Belle before they regarded Colden and her with a newfound intrigue, "it's not for me to decide, child." Belle glowered at the term, "the High Priestess must make the decision."
Belle looked like she was about to snap in irritation at Tya's nonchalance when Alice shook her head. "Of course," she hoped that her smile was pleasant, "I appreciate the willingness to see me either way."
She felt Colden purr in satisfaction at her tone. The back of his hand brushed her own, his gaze soft. Alice never thought of herself to be submissive, she certainly hadn't been when she left Colden, but the fact that he was happy at her compliance...there was a part of her that wanted to rebel. It wasn't her, it wasn't her nature. Alice swallowed down the darkened defiance, ignoring the hiss that sounded through her head.
"Of course, we don't turn away those in need," Tya's eyes flickered to the Alpha before he returned her gaze. There was a knowing glint in his eyes as if he could sense what lurked beneath her skin. Alice swallowed the repressed nerves, smiling through the dark thoughts that plagued her.
"It is best if you come now, though. We have a long trip down and we ought to get there before sundown. The creatures here can be rather vicious." Tya chirped.
"Will we be walking?" Alice found herself asking, ignoring the Alpha's extended hand. She didn't like the way his touch made her feel, nor the way he made her feel like a nervous animal. Without the anger to centre her- anger at Colden- he made her feel like the time they first encountered each other.
Tya's laugh surrounded her as he led them out of the front doors and down a set of steps. "No, we would take far too long and this journey is best done in one go. We'll have to run once we reach the jungle."
Heat blasted against her skin as his words sunk in. Alice paused atop the steps. Uncertainty flickered through her at the man's words. How the hell was she supposed to run through this weather? Nevermind the heat. And with the summer dress that Colden had given her, she didn't think she'd make it further than a mile before her thighs blistered from the sweat.
"What is it?" Colden's eyes bored into hers, she could see Tya and Belle walk down the dusted path and past the luscious green shrubs and trees that seemed to decorate the houses on the street.
"We're running," Alice stated, "through the jungle?" She couldn't figure out why the thought made her so anxious, just that it did. It was almost embarrassing, especially when Colden chuckled at her panicked expression. Her eyes flickered towards her outfit, noting the yellow dress that reached mid-thigh and the brown sandals that hurt her feet. "I don't think I'm dressed for it."
"You won't be running, pumpkin," Colden's eyes crinkled as he laughed once more. She saw Tya and Belle pause down the street. Belle murmured something to the man which he nodded his head to in what appeared to be agreement. At Colden's touch on her hand, her eyes snapped back up to his. He stood on the step below hers and yet his breath still fanned her face, sultry and mixed with the smell of toothpaste.
Alice quirked an eyebrow despite the way the proximity made her feel, "then how will we get there if not by running?"
The corners of his lips tugged up into a flirtatious smile, "you'll be riding me, of course."
Heat flooded her cheeks at the tone of his voice. Anger fluttered through her as he laughed at her embarrassment, taking notice of her reddened cheeks and deep breathing. She held back her snarl, the tips of her claws pierced the inside of her palms as she calmed the rage down- Try, get better, try harder...she repeated the mantra in her head until she felt herself go back to normal.
"Not so fast," Colden chuckled behind her, mirth was written on his face. "I was only teasing you."
"Yes, it was very funny," she snapped at him, hating the way sweat shone off his arms. It was as if he was made of steel, the heat from the weather seemed like nothing to him. Alice had no doubt that she looked like a sweaty rat, she could already feel the humidity curling the ends of her hair. It only added to her irritation.
"I'm serious," Colden kept up her pace as they tried to catch up with the pair further down the street, "we are running through the forest. This pack is rather excluded, more primal and in tune with nature so they aren't anywhere near the city and the only way to them is in animal form. The jungle isn't made for humans to walk through."
"Well, I'm partially human at the very least and I can't switch to a wolf," Alice snapped once more, already overwhelmed by his scent as it wrapped around her, "what am I supposed to do?"
"Pumpkin, I've already told you. You'll be riding_"
"Can you be serious for once?" She hated the smirk that tugged at the corners of his mouth.
"I'm very serious," he nodded, his hands tucked into the pockets of his shorts, "you'll be riding my wolf."
Alice paused, "as in...?"
Colden quirked an amused eyebrow, "yes, my beast," the last word came out as a purr. "What did you think I meant?"
Embarrassment flooded through her. Alice shook her head and picked up her pace, unable to meet the Alpha's eyes. She heard him snicker by her side, clearly amused at her obvious assumptions. She had fallen into that trap so easily, it wasn't like her. Alice didn't like the way Colden could break down her walls and make her all flustered. Not to mention, she couldn't think of a comeback as he poked at her sides.
By the time they reached the endless road, her legs were sore from the heat and she felt like she was on the verge of collapsing. Alice realised that she hadn't eaten or drank in a few hours but she felt too self-conscious to ask Colden or Belle for food. She would have to wait until they reached where they were going, or at least hope that they would stop on the way.
"Took you long enough," Belle snickered at the irritation on Alice's face. "We've been waiting for ten minutes."
"Too hot," Alice muttered, rubbing the sweat that pooled on her forehead.
Belle quirked an eyebrow in amusement at her incoherent mumbles and pulled out a water bottle from a bag that Alice hadn't noticed. Nothing tasted better than the liquid trailing down her throat, easing the heat that built up within her.
"Don't worry, it'll be cooler in the jungle," Colden murmured in her ear, edging them towards the trail that would lead them inside the greenery and perhaps their doom.
"It's not wise to lie in front of the Gods, Alpha," Tya regarded, "the jungle is even more humid."
A scowl rose on her face at Belle's laughter. Alice had enough of socialising for the day; Colden's interactions had drained her. She was used to staying away and not letting herself embrace his scent or touch but now that she has- promise to try- she found it albeit consuming. It was as if her lungs could only consume his scent, her skin only savours his touch and her mind only conjure up the mental image of his face. She was exhausted and overwhelmed.
Alice followed after the wolves with a frown still dripping off her face. The sound of sweat squelching filled her sensitive ears; it was hot enough to cause her feet to sweat and with the sandals that the alpha had given her...she had no doubt that by the time they reached the pack there would blisters on her feet. It was exactly what she needed.
"The trail to the pack is simple," Tya began as he shredded off his clothes to the ground. Alice cast her gaze away into the trees, unable to look at the old man's nakedness. She would never be comfortable with such nudity, even if the wolves had no problem with it. "It's right at the edge of the jungle on the opposite side, near the three cliffs and the sea."
"Sounds simple enough," Belle muttered.
"You wish," Tya's accent became more pronounced as he chuckled, "the trail is simple, however, the difficult bit is getting through the jungle without stopping."
Colden raised his eyebrows. His chest glistened with sweat, the ripples in his muscles more pronounced, "without stopping?"
"Once you start running, you can't stop."
"Why?" Intrigue flared through her. Alice bit her lip at the burning gaze that Colden threw her way, probably not liking the fact that she was talking to a naked man that wasn't him.
"Like I've told you earlier, child. There are many vicious creatures within the jungle that are far older than you can imagine. We are bound by ancient magic, it is why our pack has gifts that you Americans don't. The jungle knows this, out priests and priestess throughout centuries knew this, and so there had to be something to protect that ancient power. To keep it safe from greedy hands." Leaves crunched as Tya surveyed the jungle. He licked his pointing finger and lifted it to the air. A hum passed his mouth and he turned to look at their perplexed expressions, "the barrier is around 10 meters away from us, you should prepare yourselves to run for your lives."
Panic began to cloud her vision, "you mean to tell me that the jungle will try to kill us?" Alice ignored the worried look on Colden's face. She turned to look at Belle, "are you sure that this is the only way? That this is worth it?" That she was worth the answer.
Her expression softened, "of course," Belle murmured, "you don't need to worry, Ali, you'll be safe."
"Besides, with the way you took on the King of Lycan's I'd say that you know how to handle yourself," Colden kept his tone light but she saw the fear in his eyes. They all knew that this was a stupid idea, dangerous beyond belief. But then again, wasn't she? Alice had nearly killed every one of them before. Whose to say that if she lost control again she wouldn't?
Alice sighed and nodded, "fine."
"Great," Tya chirped, "if we get started then, please. The jungle is more dangerous during the night. It knows me well enough but you," the man crinkled his eyes at the alpha next to her, it will not like so you should hurry."
Alice watched in fascination as the man's body began to morph; his bones cracked and broke as they changed shape. His face lengthened into a snout and grey fur sprouted from his skin. It lasted seconds until he stood in the form of a large wolf. The only thing that remained was Tya's golden eyes, a permanent fixture.
Belle's transition followed and it didn't seem nearly as easy. pained whimpers and moans escaped her mouth until it shaped into a snout. She watched as her friend became more animal than human, fascinated at the way the body completely changed shape. Her shift took longer and Alice held her breath as she watched Belle shake out her fur; she had feared these wolves for so long, run from them for a year and yet at this point, she couldn't help but find them beautiful. They were larger than what she expected but the magic that made them was prominent.
Belle turned towards the Alpha who still stood next to Alice with only his boxers hanging off his hips. She seemed to give him a pointed, knowing, look before she trotted towards Tya who waited a few meters away from them. Their backs were turned as if they wanted to give them privacy.
She furrowed her eyebrows and lifted her eyes up to Colden's, surprised to see the heat in them.
"I need to tell you something," he murmured, his finger trailing over her collarbone.
Alice's tongue turned leaden and she couldn't think of what to say. She humped in response, her heart pounding against her ribcage. She had no doubt that both Tya and Belle knew what this man was doing towards her.
"We're very territorial creatures, pumpkin," he murmured, "and we're very wary of the people we let touch our wolves."
Alice furrowed her eyebrows, "what are you saying?"
Colden took a step back with a sigh, his eyes centred on her neck, "we only let the people close to us interact with our wolves, touch them, pet them...but riding us," Colden swallowed, "it's an intimate act. It's a massive sign of trust and a bonding experience, especially for mates."
"Intimate? What do you mean by that?" Her breath shuddered when his eyes darkened.
"It's a sign of acceptance and to our animal instincts, it means that our mate wants us. We're overcome by the urge to mark and then fuck," he growled out the last word.
Oh. Oh. "Maybe I should ride on Belle's back, then?" Alice licked her lips.
His eyes narrowed as a growl vibrated out of his chest, "she has a mate, her instincts would take over and she'd try to kill you." Colden shook his head and took a step closer, "you will ride me, pumpkin. But I'm warning you, after this, it will be very hard for me to refrain myself..."
Alice couldn't breathe at the heated look that smouldered his ever-changing silver and golden eyes. She was enthralled by them, trapped and lured by his being as the words registered in her brain. It wasn't a good thing, what he was suggesting. He barely had any control as it was. She barely had any control... Her eyes turned towards Belle's and Tya's wolves- still facing away from them- before she took a much-needed step back.
They were playing a game of cat and mouse that would lead to the inevitable. But what could Alice do? She had come to accept her attraction to Colden, she had forgiven him and promised to try because at the end of it all he had saved her. And even now, he was helping her figure out the mess that her mind was. A few weeks ago she would have taken this chance to run and hope that the jungle took them but now, now as he stood in front of her with a smouldering look in his eyes, Alice didn't care.
"Ok," she finally murmured, "I understand."
Surprise flared through him before a satisfied purr vibrated out of his chest, "good."
And then his body shredded its human skin.
Alice sucked in her breath as Colden's wolf- black in colour with golden eyes-sprouted out of his skin. He was beautiful, now that she took her time to admire him. It was hard to believe that he had been a man moments before. He nudged her hand, his nose was wet against her skin, like a dog, and she had to refrain herself from laughing.
An impatient growl sounded from behind her and she knew that they really needed to hurry. Before she could rethink her actions, Alice gripped the scruff of Colden's neck and hauled her leg over his back. It was a bit like climbing a pony, though obviously, he was much hairier.
She could feel the powerful muscles shift as he lowered himself slightly to the ground so she could pull herself completely onto him. Purrs escaped his chest and the smell of his excitement raced up her nose. Alice held her breath as they vibrated through her core. She refrained from thinking about it, not wanting to make the situation more awkward than it already was.
Belle's eyes met her own before the she she-wolf nodded at her Alpha and then at Tya. Then, when each wolf took their clothes into their mouths, they set off past the barrier and began to run towards answers and for their lives.
Alice had to hold on for dear life.
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This was long overdue but I hope that it was ok. I admit that it was rather hard for me to get back into Alice's mind, I kept on trying to call her Piper (another character from another book) and thus this chapter took me longer than necessary. I am going to be trying to edit the beginning of the book now though I won't update the changes until I've done the current 20 chapters. I hope you enjoyed and let me know what you thought.