Chapter 5

• Cain's point of view.
• I'm going over last-minute details for the festival with Josh, but my mind is somewhere else. All I can think about is that lovely little wolf. She haunts every thought I have, and I can't get her out of my head; distraction isn't working. I tried to run, but my wolf ran directly to where we found her and began rolling on the floor, covering himself in the remnants of her scent. He's made me act like a love-sick puppy. Me! A true Alpha! Goddess, it's just the fact that all females will be coming into heat, and even though I have a firm grip on my self control, it never rids me of the needy scent of those females.
• "Alpha?" Josh jerks my focus back to the room. Fuck, I didn't hear what he said. Consider Cain! Oh yes, she wolves!
• "Yes. "I'd like one controllable guard for every she wolf in attendance."
• "One for each of them?"
• "Did you ask me a question?" I gave you my instructions. No she wolf will be without a manageable guard. I will not commit any murders or rapes tomorrow; this is not how I will lead. "Am I making myself clear?!" I snarl.
• "Yes, Alpha..."
• He quickly fades into obscurity. A seasoned, well-trained beta would never question my decision.
• Maybe Josh isn't the right fit after all... he won't be happy, but what good is he if I don't have a beta I can rely on to ensure my orders are met? My thoughts return to that entrancing little redhead.
• What the hell is wrong with me, was her scent really that potent? I need to push her aside for a moment so that I can concentrate on talking to my father about my beta dilemma. With that in mind, I contact my father and request permission to see him, which he grants, and proceed to his study.
• "Enter." He senses my approach before I open the door. I bow my head because he is still the Alpha for the time being.
• "Alpha."
• "Come in, son, and sit."
• "Father. "I need help with a beta situation." He nods once, and I dive into the specifics on which he will need to advise me.
• ______
• Chelsey's point of view.
• Back at home, my father decided not to get any alcohol today, no doubt to save himself for the open bar at the pack house tomorrow. We did, however, get outfits, and my father even got a tie to match my new dress. To be honest, I was surprised, but I admired his concern for our compatibility. Tonight we actually ate together, yes, it was leftover pizza from the night before, but it's something. It brings back memories of all of us together. After a few hours of watching television, I say goodnight to my father and head upstairs. I decide on a quick shower and a soak tomorrow in preparation for the festival, and as I slide into bed, I feel boiling.
• "Goddess, it's getting hot in here!" I mutter to myself, "I shouldn't be feeling this warm." I know I shouldn't, but I open the window just a crack and let the cool breeze wash over me. I sigh and return to my bed, lying on top of the sheets. I'm just too hot; I can feel a few drops of sweat on my brow, but I try to ignore the growing aches in my body. My shift is tomorrow night, and my body is getting ready...
• ______
• Cain's point of view.
• I'm on my second run of the day and trying to process the advice my father gave me. He agrees that he doesn't seem to be suited to the role of my beta without making an example of Josh, and he questions my authority at every turn.
• He seems to have forgotten that I am his Alpha first and friend second. Damn him and the situation he's put me in, my father told me I needed a seasoned beta tester, as I suspected, but who?
• My wolf has died. He lifted his nose to the sky. That smell, holy hell. She's almost there. I can't hold him back; he's bounding through the dense undergrowth at his leisure, tracking her scent. He comes to a halt at the edge of the woods, peering up at the house ahead of us. Oh my god, she's in there. My wolf howls deep and needy as I inhale her deeply. When I see movement inside a room at the top of the house, I duck back and crouch into the undergrowth. She's right there. Her scent hits me like a ton of bricks as she opens the window wider and leans out slightly. Oh goddess, she's in heat and her first shift is starting to kick in; I can smell her wolf creeping into her body. I want to be closer to her, and I want to be in that room more than anything else. My wolf howls softly, but she hears him and scans the tree line. He takes a bold step out into the moonlight. What is he up to? Right now, I have no control over him! I've mastered this for years... but her eyes lock to mine and she can see me even in the dark. She has a stunning smile that has me swooning. What have you created, dear goddess... she closes her window with a wave. That's a good thing because if I can smell her on coming heat, so can others. I can hear howling in the distance... I can't leave her knowing that others are watching. My wolf clearly agrees and decides to hide in the undergrowth to avoid being seen by her or others if they come looking for her. What is going on with me? Is it really necessary for me to bed this wolf so badly that I'm willing to lie in the dirt to protect her? Please help me, Goddess...