Filed to story: Wolf Crying Mate of the Alpha by Jazz Ford
‘I can’t believe it’s my first shift tonight!’
‘You must be thrilled. I still have to wait another year.’ Flint mumbles.
‘At least you don’t have to wait two years like me.’ Josie pouts.
‘That’s true.’ Flint replies.
‘Zak, are you okay if I invite my friend Pipsqueak to attend the ceremony?’
‘Sure, although I don’t know who that is, though.’
‘Cool, thanks.’ I say.
It’s time for the ceremony. Pipsqueak is running late and I haven’t seen Nina yet.
The banquet is ready, and we all take our seats.
‘Mum, dad have you seen Nina?’
‘Not since around lunchtime.’ Dad says.
‘No, I’ve been busy helping prepare the ceremony all day.’ Mum says.
Leon and Amelia join us at the table.
‘Is Nina on her way?’ I ask them.
They give each other a morbid look.
‘No, we thought she was here with you already?’ Amelia says.
‘She was with me at lunch and said she was going to meet up with Moss to talk things out, then she would be here for the ceremony.’
‘Maybe they are busy making out?’ May jokes as she sits next to her mum. Everyone gives her the ‘really?’ look. ‘What, I’m serious. They were pretty chummy when I saw them at the park earlier today?’
‘What do you mean?’ I ask.
‘They were sitting at the park bench talking and Moss had his arm over the back of the seat where Nina sat.’ I didn’t stop to chat though. I figured Nina would accuse me of spying on her and she still hasn’t been talking to me, anyway.’ Nina frowns.
‘We will give her a little more time then until we send out warriors to search for her then.’ Leon says.
We have finished eating and are becoming worried. Zak takes his spot under the light of the moon and begins his shift.
His shift is much quicker and smoother than mine was. Within a few minutes, he is in his wolf form and lets out a howl. Seth and Mia shift and race through the woods. Pippa finally arrives, panting and struggling for breath. I quickly catch her before she falls.
‘Nina, gone, taken, tried to help her, got here soon as could.’
‘What?’ Leon and I say in unison.
‘Did you say Nina has been kidnapped?’ Leon asks.
She pushes her glasses up towards her eyes, nodding.
‘Yes, Moss took her.’
The colour from Leon’s and my face drain.
Zak returns from the run, sniffing the air and wagging his tail. He shifts instantly into human form and runs up to Pipsqueak, panting for air. and lifts her up into the air, then holds her tight against his chest.
‘Mate!’ he says, squeezing her so tight she whimpers and her glasses fall to the ground.
‘Zak, I need to speak with Pipsqueak urgently.’ I tell him.
‘Mine!’ he snarls, holding her tight.
‘Pipsqueak? Josie says. ‘That’s Pippa, you idiot.’
‘Whatever, we don’t have times for name games. Moss has kidnapped Nina and we need to know which way they have gone.’
‘S-south.’ Pipsqueak manages to say.
Zak kisses her face and neck a hundred times, causing her to blush as red as a beetroot.
‘T-that T-tickles.’ She laughs at him.
Leon and I both run from the ceremony hall, then stop to brief each other.
‘You can’t shift into your wolf, Magnus. I suggest we go south by car, otherwise, you won’t be able to keep up.’
He is right. I nod and we run towards the packhouse.
Seth, mind links the pack warriors to head south and begin tracking Nina.
While I jump into the passenger seat of his car. He speeds off into the distance. We can see the warriors in the distance in their wolf forms, all spread out.
‘If he lays one finger on my sister, I’ll kill him.’ May growls in the back seat.
Leon slams on the brakes.
‘May, what are you doing here? Go back to the packhouse.’
‘No, I’ve never been there for Nina when she has needed me. I’ve been a terrible sister to her, to the point she doesn’t even talk to me anymore. But she needs me now more than ever and I’m going to help save her whether I come with you or go on my own.’ She growls at her dad, Leon.
‘You better buckle up then.’ Leon says and speeds ahead.
It’s 3 am, we have driven all the way through the major city. We have been driving with the windows down to keep track of Nina’s scent. Leon is growing weary and tired.
‘Leon, maybe I should drive for a while?’
‘No, Nina’s scent is becoming fainter. We don’t have time to pull over, not even for a moment. You know last time I came through this city to track down a scent, it was to find your mother after Alice the cook threatened to kill her.’
‘Why would the cook threaten to kill my mother?’
‘Her daughter Vanessa, was in love with your father and was to become his chosen mate and Luna. He didn’t love Vanessa though; the council was forcing the arrangement onto him and then everything changed when he met your mother. He was so happy to have found your mother, Astrid. I remember when she wouldn’t believe we were werewolves or that they existed. Jim from the diner shifted in front of her and boy, did she cry wolf! The Diner was a mess after that. We had found your mother in Shady Crest. Alpha Zenith had been keeping her prisoner in the cells and was going to make his son mark her. He had captured Seth when he was looking for her in the city and placed him down in the cells with her, too. That’s where I met Amelia, my mate. She was down there too.’
‘Mum was a prisoner at Shady Crest?’ May says bewildered.