Master Alpha
Chapter 11

Lincoln curled his hands into fists as he began walking to the meeting spot where Nathan would be. Him and Nathan always met together to begin the shift but would usually run separately. Lincoln allowed one of his claws to extend and flinch as it pierced through his fist. He needed to get rid of the erection that was painfully swollen beneath his jeans. Decants shifted together naked, and he really did not want to explain the reason for his excitement to Nathan tonight. Lincoln had just come to terms with acknowledging that he was in love with Rhea, he needed to process the effect that having her as his mate was taking on him. And, fuck, what an effect, he thought as blood dripped from his hand. He exhaled as the pain that pulsated from his hand drew his body’s attention away from his erection and to his injury. As the swell of his cock diminished, he retracted his claw to allow his hand to heal.

Lincoln’s skin continued to blaze with the intense heat of the moon coupled with the knowledge that he gained his mate. His wolf was craving to run back to her. He was sure that his skin would feel like fire permanently until they consummated the mating bond; the fire usually diminished the morning after the moon, as if temporary, but he had no doubt in his mind that only Rhea would diminish this heat now. He cursed himself as his cock twitched at the thought. He felt the skin of his palm twist itself as it healed, and his cock remained lifeless. He was sure that Nathan would ask about the blood that stained his hand, let alone just the smell of it, but Lincoln would have to decline answering. Any potential remembrance of his encounter with Rhea was threatening an erection, and a horny wolf was a dangerous wolf.

“Thought you were going to stand me up, brother,” Nathan said as Lincoln approached. “Cutting it pretty damn close, aren’t you?”

“I had to meet with Rhea to make sure that she got everything that we needed so that we can leave tomorrow.”

“And your hand?”

“More shit with Rhea,” Lincoln muttered as he ran a hand through his hair. Nathan was already standing nude with his discarded clothing at his feet. Lincoln quickly stripped as well and tilted his head up to the sky. He closed his eyes as he basked in the moon’s light. The light offered him tranquility and he rolled his shoulders. He felt his wolf begin to claw for his arrival.

Lincoln dropped to all fours and felt his body adjust for his wolf. He gritted his teeth as his bones snapped into position. His claws expelled his fingernails and toenails. His claws were about two inches in length and rooted him into the ground as he shifted. Black fur protruded through his skin, encasing his entire body in its coarse embrace. His jaw cracked as it expanded to allow room for his snout. His long tongue slid across his fangs and both sets of his canines. His skull cracked and twisted as a set of pointy ears sprouted on top of his narrow head. His hands and feet converted into paws with black fur covering them.

Lincoln’s wolf threw his head back and howled at the white goddess in the sky. His ears twitched slightly as Nathan’s wolf joined his song. Lincoln’s wolf snapped his head sharply in another directly. An overpowering scent of honeysuckle and peaches flooded his nose, the scent so thick that he could taste it on his tongue. Rhea, he realized. His sense of smell was not as strong as his mother’s since he was only half Decant, the only scents that he knew were hers and Father’s, but there was no denying who this scent belonged to. I just know that it’s her, he thought. He looked toward Nathan’s wolf and found him beginning his run in the opposite direction. Lincoln’s wolf purred deeply as he sprinted toward the intoxicating scent. His paws pounded into the ground as he ran even faster. He was not sure what he was going to do when he did reach her, but he longed for her. His wolf emitted fear of replaceing Rhea, but his vampire urged him forward and was assuring the wolf that Rhea would not be harmed. Lincoln’s wolf howled again as the wind generated by his speed blew through his fur.

All of the homes in the village were completely dark, even the one that Rhea was in. Lincoln slowed himself to a walk and purred as the sweet scent of honeysuckle and peaches became more potent. He no longer smelled the fresh air, the dirt beneath him, or the trees around him. All that he smelled was her. He reached the window that connected the outside world to Rhea’s room and propped himself on his hind legs to peer inside. His front paws balanced his upper body against the wall.

Lincoln’s eyes adjusted through the darkness and the confines of the blinds covering the window. Through a slit in the blinds, he quickly found Rhea’s light skin. She was sitting on the floor with her body facing the window. Her eyes were closed and she had her silver blade clutched her in lap. His muscle shirt and sweatpants swallowed her small frame. He was sure that the sweatpants would fall down if she stood up, which prompted a growl to rumble against the glass. Rhea’s eyes shot open and flared with red fire as she gripped the knife tighter. She drew her fangs and stared at the wolf that was looking at her. Lincoln purred and nuzzled his snout against the window. He was trying to assure her that he would not harm her. He felt his vampire breathe in relief at that confirmation, that his vampire had enough control over his wolf to prevent an attack.

Rhea’s red eyes faded back to auburn. “Lincoln?” She asked softly. She stood up and gripped the knife tightly, her fangs still readied. She approached the window slowly and moved aside one of the blinds. As predicted, she had to free one of her hands to keep Lincoln’s sweatpants from falling down her body. Lincoln’s orange eyes brightened as her face pressed against the glass. “Oh my god,” she whispered as her eyes explored is body. Her fangs faded and Lincoln nudged the window again. “You are beautiful,” she whispered. “Your Nanta allowed this.” Lincoln simply nodded in response. She smiled softly and placed a hand on the window.

Lincoln’s ears twitched and he growled suddenly. He heard another wolf nearby. He noticed Rhea’s eyes flicker past him and she quickly dropped beneath the window. Lincoln was sure that the wolf was just exploring during the run, but no other Decant can be around Rhea tonight. Lincoln growled at the thought of someone harming her. He sprinted away from the village to prevent any other wolves from investigating him out of curiosity. His wolf smirked at the prospect of a fight, but he continued to run. Tonight was not the night for bloodshed, it was the night for freedom. His mind tried to drift to what tomorrow would entail but he snarled at himself. He ran harder and forced himself to focus on the run.