The Alpha Wants Curves: The Alpha Wants Curves Bk1 (2 page)

My fears began to melt away as the shackles of civilization fell from my mind. Here, amidst these Lycans, existence was simple. Living, breathing, bleeding. Fucking. Running through the night, intertwining with the teeming life of the forest.

I came into the outskirts of the clearing, drawn like a magnet by the primal rhythm of the drum. But something made me pause. Amidst the scents of the crowd, I smelled one that felt more like home than anything I had experienced that day.

Heath.

His raw, earthy scent was easily distinguishable amongst the pack. His scent elicited pictures of my dream in my mind, and I felt a burning surge of want rise up inside me. I was drawn towards the crowd, drawn towards
him
. I broke away from the shadows of the forest and joined the flame-drenched throng. I weaved through them, seeing some familiar faces, but looking for one.

And then I spotted him, standing near the fire, chatting to another guy. The flames cast a warm light on Heath's face, accentuating the strength of his stubbled jawline. His eyes glowed golden. My nervousness came back, but it was overshadowed by the wish to speak to him, to feel him against me. I stood for a moment amidst the crowd, looking at him.

And then an expression of concentration came over his face. He paused and raised his nose, smelling the air, and a small smile began to play on his lips. His eyes left his friends and roamed over the crowd, searching ...

Until they found my own. His golden gaze bore into mine, and his smile turned into a grin as he spotted me amongst the people. I smiled shyly in response, my heart thundering with the drums, and made my way over to him, as he came towards me.

But as we neared, a familiar form emerged from the crowd. Slender, blonde, beautiful. The girl I had seen him with earlier that day. She intercepted Heath's movement and grabbed his arm possessively. He looked down at her and they began to speak. I stopped, uncertain as to whether I should proceed.

The woman pulled on Heath's arm, trying to lead him away from me, and an annoyed smile came over his face. I couldn't hear their words, but he motioned over in my direction, and she turned to look at me.

Her glare was full of hate. I could almost taste the venom dripping from her fangs. Her mouth was pursed in a petty disgust as she ran her eyes down my body, and I suddenly felt self-conscious. She turned away from me with a flick of her long, shining hair, said something more to Heath, and then turned and left him alone.

I stood for a moment longer, confused. Heath looked at me sheepishly for a second, then grinned and opened his arms.

My discomfort from the Barbie lookalike melted away. I couldn't help but giggle at the sight of Heath with his arms open for me. I ran over to him and sank into his embrace. His body was hot against mine, and his thick arms enveloped my frame. I felt small with him wrapped around me, soaking in his familiar scent. I melted as we fitted together, neither of us speaking for a moment. And then he drew away, holding my shoulders and beaming into my face.

“It's fantastic to see you,” he said. His voice gave me goosebumps – it was lower, sexier, than I remembered. I could almost feel it reverberating inside of me.

“It's great to see you too,” I said. “You look amazing.” I blushed at my words. But he just laughed.

“So do you,” he said. And as he spoke, I thought I saw his eyes trail down my body. Was it my imagination, or did I see a flash of hunger on his face? Or was the firelight playing tricks?

A split second later, his eyes were on mine again, his expression playful.

“You coming for the pack run tonight?” he asked. “It's going to be amazing.”

“Of course,” I said. The wolf inside me was itching to burst free. “Amazing?” I asked. “Because you're going to be leading it?”

“Exactly!” He laughed. And then his face became serious. “I'm really glad you came,” he said. “My crowning wouldn't be the same without you.”

“I'm glad I came too,” I said. “How does it feel to become the new alpha?” I expected him to burst into a chorus of enthusiasm, but his face remained serious.

“It feels good,” he said. “But ... it's a heavy weight to carry.” He motioned to the crowd of people around us. “These guys are gonna to be my responsibility after tonight. I have to protect them. Lead them. You know?”

I nodded. He had matured so much since I'd seen him last. I felt a welling up of intertwining emotions – pride, and that old familiar desire, and something deeper, underneath it all ...

But none of it could be put into words. I just opened my arms and fell into another embrace with him. He laughed, a joyful ringing out that bubbled up beside my ear as I held my head against his chest. And then he wrapped his arms around me again, and held me close. My eyes welled up with tears – of joy, or sadness, I wasn't sure.

I don't know how long we stood there for, with him holding me. The world fell away. I closed my eyes and sank into him, and he into me. But at some point, the sound of drumming died away, and a chattering developed amongst the crowd. Heath slowly unfolded me from his grasp, and looked into my face.

“Time for the ceremony,” he said. Excitement danced with the flickering firelight in his eyes. “I'll see you on the run.”

“I can't wait,” I said. I felt drunk with the relaxation of his embrace. He left me there, at the front of the crowd, and went to the area before it, where the old pack alpha Tyrael stood – a grizzled, middle-aged man who was ready to relinquish his leadership. Beside him stood his wife, Jala. It was said that she was a seer – that she could see into the future.

The crowd was quieting down, gathering closer. Tyrael raised his hand, and a hush came over the throng.

“The time has come,” Tyrael said, “for a new leader to rise. Someone young and strong and capable. That someone I have chosen is this man. Heath.” He clasped Heath on the shoulder, and Heath smiled, looking with confidence into the crowd. In his face, I could see his willingness to protect and lead the pack.

“I know that I've made the right decision,” Tyrael continued. He turned to his wife, Jala, and she began to speak.

“And I,” she said. “I have seen the future, and know that, under Heath's guidance, the pack will thrive.” Like Tyrael, Jala was middle aged. She was still beautiful. Her cheekbones were high, and her eyes clear and bright as she addressed the crowd. Her gaze roamed across the sea of faces.

When they reached me, they stopped. A contemplative expression came over her face.

“You,” she said. My face began to burn as the crowd turned to look at me.

“Me?” I squeaked.

“Yes, you,” she said, her eyes boring intently into my own. “You are like me. You have the vision as well.”

“I don't understand,” I stuttered. I was burning with the agony of embarrassment, weighted down by the hundreds of eyes upon me.

“Look into your dreams,” she said. “They tell of the future.” And then her gaze left mine, and she fell silent. My skin prickled.

The dream that I'd had in the motel came to me. Heath, settling his hot body over me, his cock brushing at my dripping sex ...

But surely that was just a dream. Jala must be mistaken, I decided, as Tyrael began to address the crowd again.

“It's time for me to step down,” he said. “It's time for your new leader to speak to you. And after the run, he is to choose a mate.”

The crowd clapped and cheered as Tyrael and Jala joined the throng, leaving Heath alone. A rush of adrenaline shot through me at Tyrael's words. Heath was to choose a mate tonight. I had forgotten that part of the crowning ceremony. I thought of the blonde woman who had been hanging off him – the Barbie doll who had shot me that expression of distaste, and I was filled with dread. Would he take her as his mate?

Before the congregation, Heath cleared his throat.

“I am privileged,” he said, “to take this position.” His voice echoed out, strong and deep. “I will do all that's in my power to ensure that our pack continues to thrive.” The passionate way he spoke was riveting. He was a natural speaker. A natural leader.

“And now,” he continued, “It's time for us to run as one. Through this ancient custom, we celebrate new beginnings.”

The crowd cheered, and, caught up in the tumultuous sound, I found myself joining in. My chest swelled with pride as I looked at Heath, golden in the firelight, before the crowd.

Suddenly, a sharp pain in my ribs brought me back to where I was. Someone had elbowed me. I turned to see the Barbie lookalike who had given me that evil stare. She had sidled up beside me in the crowd, and was glaring into my face, her fists clenched. I looked at her, confused. My ribs throbbed.

“Don't even think about it,” Barbie hissed at me, beneath the rumble of the crowd. I could smell her scent – a stench of plastic, and chemical perfume. It made me feel nauseated.

“What are you talking about?” I said.

“Heath,” she said, a petulant smirk on her face. “I've seen the way you've been looking at him. He's
mine.
”

This bitch was starting to get on my nerves.

“Are you his girlfriend?” I asked.

“Pretty much,” she said, evasively. “Anyway, he's going to choose me to be his mate tonight. That's what everybody is saying. I just thought I'd let you know, so you don't end up disappointed.”

She was doing this for my benefit. Sure.

She eyed me down for a moment, taking in my figure with an exaggerated expression of disgust.

“Not that he would go after you anyway,” she said, sniffing. “He's out of your league.”

I stood there dumbfounded for a moment, seething with anger. The wolf inside me was struggling to surface, to tear this woman to pieces.

But I had learned to control the animal's instincts. I just gave her a steely smile and nodded.

“Thanks for the message, Cupid,” I said. “Run along now.”

A veil of hatred descended over her face, twisting her pretty features, and she spluttered for a moment, trying to formulate a comeback. She clearly wasn't used to people talking back to her.

“I may not be perfect,” I said. “But nothing is quite as ugly as jealousy.” And then I shooed her away with my hand.

She was lost for words. With one last glare, she turned and disappeared into the crowd. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. In front of the crowd, Heath was just finishing his speech. It was time for him to transform and lead us in the run.

We all watched on as he pulled his clothes off. First he dragged his shirt off over his head, revealing his sweaty, gleaming torso in the firelight. His abdomen rippled with muscles, and power emanated from his thick arms and broad shoulders. I grew flushed as I watched him. My legs grew weak as he began to undo his jeans.

I knew that I should look away, stop staring, but I was transfixed.

Without a hint of self-consciousness, he unbuttoned his jeans and let them fall to the ground. He was naked now, bathed in firelight. The hair on my neck stood up as I saw his large dick, hanging between his legs. It was so thick and long. A ripple of desire stirred deep inside me; a deep hunger unfurled, hot and wet, between my legs.

One side of Heath's beautiful body was lit by the cool light of the full moon, and the other by the warm glow of the fire. And as he began to transform, he emitted a light of his own.

The white glow encapsulated his body, and his skin began to change. The tiny hairs on his body lengthened, thickened, grew gray. His limbs stretched, and as his legs reconfigured, he fell forwards. In a smooth motion, he put his arms out in front of himself and broke the fall. But as his hands hit the ground, they were already giant, shaggy paws. His face was sleek and canine. His eyes glowed golden, as bright as the firelight. The white glow began to dissipate. Heath's transformation from man to wolf was complete.

He raised his huge, powerful head and howled at the moon. A long, powerful howl that echoed through the forest.

As the sound of his howl died away, people in the crowd began to transform. I always hated this part of the ceremonies. Having to take my clothes off.

But the animal inside me was beginning to take over already. My self-consciousness was fading in the overwhelming desire to transform and become one with the pack. To merge with the night.

White orbs of light glowed in the crowd around me as more and more people transformed to wolf. I pulled off my shirt and unclipped my bra, letting my curvaceous breasts bounce free. The air was cool, and my nipples instantly hardened. The lust that Heath's body had awakened inside me mixed with the excitement of the coming run. The cool caress of the air on my nipples heightened the sensation, and I felt myself growing hotter between my thighs. I pulled off my jeans and panties quickly as the crowd rapidly shrank around me.

And then, finally, I let the wolf within me have its freedom. I began to emit a white glow as I gave myself to the aching delight of shape-shifting.

I felt my bones lengthening, my muscle fibers expanding and contracting. My nerves burst to life, buzzing with power. I closed my eyes, relaxing into the pleasure and the pain. I felt the fur growing on my body, felt my senses tingling, as if awakening after a long slumber. I fell to my hands, which rapidly became feet.

My senses burst to life then, overwhelming me for a moment. I could see in the darkness, every movement eliciting my attention. The intermingling scents of the people and wolves around me were intoxicating. I could smell each unique identity, and from their scents I could feel their emotions – a joy and excitement that I shared.

My muscles were bursting with power and vitality. I was afire with the instincts and sensations of life – the night called to me, throbbing and teeming with possibilities. Now wolf, I put back my head and howled at the moon. Her silver, refreshing light flowed down onto me, washing away any remnants of my humanity.

There were no people left now. The whole pack were wolves – sniffing, pawing, biting playfully, much closer than they had been as humans moments earlier. They were awaiting Heath's command.

He still stood before the pack, a huge and majestic creature. He howled again at the moon, and then turned and began to run through the forest. And behind him, the pack followed as one.