She risked her life to save his, believing she'd never see him again.
But he has returned, challenging her destiny as an alpha wolf, leaving her doubting her past and fearing her future.
"You can't all go to the cave." I paced along the base of the steep slope. My packmates had pleading eyes locked on me. We were still waiting for the Lockwoods to arrive. The bare light of dawn made the earth shimmer in rusty hues that reminded me of Nova Scotia. I shivered, knowing that the mysterious object was the reason for this patrol and that none of my packmates shared that secret. None of them could go to the cave. They'd know I'd been there and with another wolf. I was desperate to keep them away.
"But Tyler has some horrible pet in there!" Caroline exclaimed. "It's not fair if we don't all get to see it. I'll bet it's monsterific!"
"Did you really just say 'monsterific'?" Katherine asked, garnering a stony expression from Caroline.
"This is not about fair, it's about our orders," I said. Their grumbling set my teeth on edge. "Just take it up with Klaus when he gets here."
And I'll make sure Klaus sends me to the cave.
A rustling in the underbrush announced the Lockwoods' arrival. Five wolves emerged; seeing that we were still in human form, they shifted one by one. Klaus last.
"What's up?" he asked.
"My pack is more interested in sightseeing than doing their jobs," I said.
"That's not what—" Bonnie began.
"Shut up, Bon," I snarled. Last night's visit from the Siphoners and Klaus's father had pushed me well past my normal line of tolerance.
Klaus began to laugh, waving at the rest of his pack. "Don't worry, Lily. The thing in the cave is all this lot will talk about too."
"Perfect," I muttered. "Why don't I just go up there? The patrol route is more important anyway. We really need to know what's been sneaking around the slope behind our backs."
"Allison's right." Klaus raised his voice. "The patrol is much more important than whatever is in the cave."
A few of them grumbled, only to be silenced by Klaus's growl.
"Which is why I'll be going to the cave myself," he continued.
"But—" I tried to hide my panic.
"I'm not saying this more than once." Klaus ignored me. "Allison looks for evidence of the Searchers along the cavern perimeter. Katherine, Jeremy, you're with me—we're heading to the cave. The rest of you, do what Allison tells you, and if I hear complaints, you'll answer to me. We'll catch up with you after we've checked the cave and finish the patrol together."
No one spoke. I bit back my own startled response. Katherine and Jeremy? I didn't understand why he'd take two of my packmates and not his own. At least I'd be able to talk to them afterward.
For their own parts, Katherine and Jeremy looked stunned but followed suit when Klaus shifted into wolf form. I did the same and the rest of the pack focused on me, though Luke glanced at Klaus once, looking forlorn.
This is how it goes. I shared my thoughts with my assigned group. Even if my fear outweighed my strength, I still had to act like an alpha. Sweeps in widening circles, starting with the inner perimeter, then moving south. Aiden, Josh, Elena, Bonnie and I will take the east-west route. Matt, Caroline, Rebekah, Kol, Liv, you run west-east. We'll minimize overlap while covering maximum ground. Any questions?
They lowered their muzzles in compliance. Good. Get going.
Rebekah took the lead with Caroline and Kol following her up the western route.
I was about to lead Aiden and Josh up the slope when Klaus's voice entered my mind.
Allison?
What is it? I halted, ears flicking back and forth. It was clear he was sending his voice only to me.
Sorry if I threw you off, but it's important that they get used to new patrol patterns. I'll take good care of Katherine and Jeremy.
Of course. Thanks.
I'm sure you won't miss anything too exciting in the cave. I'll let you know what we find as soon as I can.
And then his voice was gone. What was he going to find in there?
No dawdling. Fear and frustration drove me to nip at Josh's heels, but I let Aiden and Bonnie hear the thought too. Let's go.
Hey! he protested. We were waiting for you.
That's no excuse. I wagged my tail, wishing I could feel anything besides the twisting of my stomach.
I told you, man, Aiden crooned. I always knew she was a tyrant.
Bonnie sat quietly, waiting for her orders. I wondered what she was thinking.
Aiden and Josh's laughter filled my mind as we raced up the hill, playfully biting at each other's flanks, flying past each other to take the lead. But the joy of running free had been sapped from my limbs.
It had only been a matter of days since Stefan and I battled Tyler's spider and took Nova Scotia from its resting place. I'd lost so much blood, it could have seeped into stone, staining the cave walls. Maybe the spider's scent would cover mine? But what if it didn't? What would Klaus do?
I snapped at a squirrel that darted in front of me. Josh nipped at my jaw. You okay?
Headache, I responded. Let's slow up; we should start tracking here.
We spread out, noses low to the ground, moving at an easy lope, searching for scents that were out of place, clues I knew we wouldn't find. Knowing that we had nothing to search for but evidence of me and Stefan made tracking an exercise in tedium. I caught his scent early on our patrol, knowing it would be unrecognizable to my packmates. I dutifully led Josh, Aiden, and Bonnie through the motions of a hunt, all the while wondering what was happening in the cavern.
Can we grab something to eat? Josh's voice interrupted my own thoughts. I saw a grouse back there and I'm starving. I don't think there's anything to find. Just a stray wolf who's been wandering in this range.
Though I'd expected it, Josh's assumption about the unfamiliar wolf sent a wave of relief over me.
That's all I've got too. I vote for lunch, Aiden answered. Not grouse, though. I hate the way feathers stick to my tongue. What about rabbit? I love a fat rabbit.
You two need to focus, Elena snapped. We should wait to eat until we finish patrol. If there's a new wolf pack coming into this area, we'll have to chase them out. It will get too confusing.
It's just one wolf, Lena. Stop showing off for Allison, Aiden responded. I've hunted with you. You'll go after the first rabbit we see.
She sniffed the air disdainfully. Hardly.
My own stomach rumbled, reminding me that we'd been at our pointless task for hours. I was about to answer them when a howl stopped me in my tracks. Klaus's long, keening cry pierced the mountain air, summoning the pack to their alpha. All the ease I'd felt knowing that Stefan's identity would remain hidden vanished. In a few minutes I'd face Klaus, and I didn't know what he'd found in the cave.
Maybe that's the lunch bell. Josh wheeled in the direction of the howl.
Let's find out what he wants. I turned, leading the way back up the mountain.
Klaus, Katherine, and Jeremy were waiting when we arrived. I shook my ruff nervously when I saw the place he'd selected for our rendezvous—the very meadow where I'd first saved Stefan's life. I pawed at the dirt, not wanting to share this place with others, suddenly wishing that Stefan were here and my packmates weren't. Trying not to seem skittish, I approached Klaus cautiously. He appeared calm, silently waiting for the rest of the pack to arrive.
Rebekah and Caroline darted out of the eastern forest.
Where's Matt? Klaus's voice filled all our minds.
He got hungry, Rebekah answered, looking over her shoulder.
Matt and Liv appeared from the woods, dragging a freshly killed doe with them.
Three cheers for Matt. Aiden darted forward, sinking his teeth into the deer's haunch to help Matt drag the carcass the rest of the way.
Jeremy's tongue lolled out as he trotted toward our meal.
Alphas eat first. Elena lowered her muzzle, baring her teeth at my brother.
Jeremy dropped to the ground, ears flat. Sorry, Klaus.
Don't worry about it. Klaus padded to my side, laying his muzzle atop mine. Hungry?
He nuzzled my jaw, giving no sign of hostility. Maybe he hadn't found anything. Reassured by Klaus's easy manner, my stomach rumbled at the suggestion of fresh meat. I guess.
What's your favorite part? He nudged me toward the deer.
The smell of fresh blood edged out my irritation. The ribs.
Have at it.
I tore into the carcass. Klaus settled beside me, pulling chunks of flesh from its shoulder.
The rest of the pack joined us, keeping a respectful distance.
I know you're all enjoying the food. Klaus's voice reached us even as he continued to eat. But I need to fill you in on some things, so pay attention.
What was in the cave? Josh asked, his muzzle crimson with blood.
You won't believe it, Katherine said, hackles rising.
A very big, very dead spider. Klaus tore the deer's leg from the shoulder joint.
That sounds awful. Elena strayed away from the gorging pack, either not hungry or put off her meal by the idea of a mutant spider.
How big? Aiden asked.
Matt times three. Jeremy licked Bonnie's jaw.
That's Tyler's idea of a pet? Aiden snarled, tearing more ferociously into the deer's flank.
I think it was more of a sentinel than a pet, Klaus replied.
Nice to know he has such confidence in our ability to defend the cave, Caroline sniffed.
Klaus flashed his teeth at her. Anyway, it's dead and Tyler asked me to call him immediately if the cave was no longer guarded by that thing.
When did he ask you that? I looked at him, not recalling any such conversation.
He called last night, after we left your house.
I laid my head on my paws, wondering how many times Klaus would get orders that I didn't know about.
He wasn't happy, Klaus continued. My father, Tyler, and Richard are on their way to the cave now. They wanted to look at something else, but it's something that doesn't involve us.
Nova Scotia. I rose, pacing around the group, trapped in my own thoughts. They were coming to check on Nova Scotia. They had to be.
Did any of you find anything on patrol? Klaus asked.
There's a lone wolf on the mountain. Elena stretched back, shaking her ruff. I haven't seen it yet, but that's the new scent. Otherwise it's just us.
Stefan. They'd also found Stefan's trail. My hackles rose.
No Searchers, though, Matt added, gulping down a massive hunk of venison.
We didn't find anything either. Aiden rested on his haunches.
Not even a fat rabbit. Josh nipped at Aiden's ear.
Let's keep tracking down the slope, just in case. Klaus walked away from the deer, which had been reduced to bones. Katherine, go with Matt's group; I'll join you too. Jeremy, you track with Allison.
You're the boss, Jeremy replied, craning his head to scratch his ear with his back paw.
The pack split, moving off toward the woods.
We're right behind you. Klaus sent the thought to the group. I need to talk to Allison for a minute.
I watched my packmates disappear among the pines before turning to face Klaus.
What's up?
Klaus came close to me, locking me in his charcoal eyes. Why were you in the cave?
My pulse jumped, but I sniffed at the ground, feigning disinterest. I don't know what you're talking about.
He lunged forward, knocking me onto my back. I tried to roll over, but he was above me, pinning me down, my belly exposed. His jaws locked around my throat, pressing on my windpipe, making it hard to breathe.
I know your scent, Allison. You'd been in there. Two, maybe three days ago.
I kicked at him, scraping at him with my nails. Stop. Let me up!
Katherine and Jeremy must have recognized your scent, but they claimed not to notice anything, which means they lied for you too. Are you trying to divide the pack's loyalties? Do you really want to work against me? His teeth bit into my neck, forcing me to submit. I'd never thought I could hate Klaus, but in that moment I was close. He clamped down harder, making me writhe from the pain. I kept kicking and he snarled. Don't fight me. Just tell me the truth.
I whimpered and went limp beneath him. I'm sorry, I should have told you. I was curious, so I went in this weekend during patrol.
A low growl rumbled in Klaus's chest. Did you kill Tyler's spider?
My mind raced as I weighed the risks of lying or stretching the truth; telling the real story was out of the question.
No, I replied, choosing the lie. The cave smelled all wrong, dangerous. I didn't stay there long.
I waited, hoping he'd believe me, wondering how closely he'd been able to track my progress through the cave. Why didn't you say anything? He was still growling, but his grip on my neck loosened.
I whined again but remained still. I'm sorry, Klaus. I thought Tyler would punish me. You know we're not allowed to go inside.
You're braver than I am. I've wanted to sneak into that cave for years. His growling stopped and he released me, nudging my head up, helping me stand. I didn't enjoy doing that to you, Allison. I will always protect you, but you can't keep secrets from me. And your packmates can't either—I'll talk to Katherine and Jeremy about this later.
I'm sorry. I couldn't meet his eyes.
He pressed his nose into my shoulder. I need your trust. Do you understand?
Yes. My limbs were shaking. What do you think killed the spider?
The only other scent was the lone wolf, Klaus replied. I'm guessing it's the same one your group and Matt's tracked on the slope. It's hard to believe it could have taken Tyler's pet out by itself—that wolf must be some fighter.
I thought of Stefan wielding the ice axes, about how much I'd admired his courage, his skill as a warrior.
I'm only trying to keep you safe, Allison. Klaus licked my muzzle. Don't take unnecessary risks. You're too important for that. I need you by my side. I'm sorry if I hurt you.
You didn't. I let him nuzzle me despite my humiliation, relieved that he didn't press the issue further.
Without another word he darted into the forest, leaving me alone in the meadow.
When I closed my eyes, I saw Stefan, felt his lips on my arm, those first sparks of desire when he touched me. I raised my muzzle, wanting to howl my frustration, hating the silence forced upon me. The Siphoners would be hunting for Nova Scotia's thieves soon. What would they do then?