Mated To The Alpha: A Standalone Wolf Shifter Romance, стр. 16
Slowly, everyone around the bonfire stopped dancing, and turned to join Elam in staring behind her.
The drums slowed and then stopped, and then someone gasped the word, "Thomas."
The words, "The Alpha!" also started to hit her ears, and Emma turned to look behind her, to see what had caused the sudden end to the celebration.
A large, regal wolf was making its way down from the biggest cabin, toward the celebration.
Ziva followed close behind, not looking happy. In fact, she looked rather pissed.
From her expression, and the surprised mutterings around her about Thomas, Emma figured that Ziva wasn't happy that Thomas was joining the crowd.
Thomas's wolf form was large, with deep brown fur that reminded Emma of a Chow dog, and as the wolf aimed for one of the large picnic tables, and started to shift into his human form, Emma heard Elam's voice just beside her ear. Damn he was quiet when he walked, she hadn’t heard his approach.
"Our wolf forms are stronger than our human forms, especially as we age and come closer to death. The wolf is the easiest form for Thomas to inhabit right now."
She nodded her understanding, and watched as Elam and Galen's father finished shedding his wolf form, and became human.
It was beautiful to watch, the shifting. Now that it didn't come as a complete surprise, she watched his shift with less scared, more appreciative eyes.
He stood tall, bracing one thigh against the table, just in case, but not sitting on one of its benches. He looked old but still strong, his deep brown wolf fur shifting into grey hair, as he gathered his strength to address the crowd.
"We have had an exciting couple of days," he started, his voice gaining strength as a spoke.
"I'm sorry I couldn't join you all last night, I'm feeling a bit stronger today. I wanted to welcome both Emma and Kate. Emma, it is good to have you here. Your mother has been gone a long time, but she was often on my mind. Kate, I hear congratulations are in order. I welcome you as part of our pack, as Galen's mate. I was starting to wonder about that boy."
Mutters of laughter broke out around them at Thomas's teasing, and continued as Thomas added, "Now, if we could only get Elam to see the light, as well."
Emma's eyes shot to Elam, and she found his gaze already on her.
"Before I cross over from this world and into the next, I want to know who will carry this pack onward."
Ziva started to interrupt, to speak to Thomas, and he mumbled something quiet, but stern in her direction, and then turned back to his pack.
"I have two sons. Therefore, nothing is assured. Of course there will be a challenge. That is how it is done. And I wish it to be soon, so I may pass on with that knowledge. Now, if you will excuse me, my strength in this form is fading, and I wish to save it for the challenge. I know either of my sons will lead this pack well, and of course, if anyone else wants to challenge, that is your choice. It will be as it is supposed to be."
And with that, Thomas shifted back into his wolf form, and with Ziva's help, headed back up the hill.
9
"What does that mean?" Emma addressed the question to Elam, standing beside her.
"It means there will be a challenge for Alpha after all. I was hoping there wouldn't be. Everyone knows Galen will be Alpha. The official pack rules say the spot is open to anyone, and any discontented wolf can challenge for the spot at any time. Traditionally, though, our pack has been happy to pass the Alpha position down along the blood line.
Even though we are both Thomas's sons, Galen is Thomas's blood. I'm an adopted son, my bloodline is unknown since I was found alone in the woods.
Galen has been groomed for Alpha since he was born. I personally have no interest in being Alpha, so I hoped that when Thomas passed on, Galen would take up the reins. Unless another wolf wanted to challenge him for it, the position would be his.
But Thomas has spoken. There will be a challenge. Galen and I will fight for the title, along with any other wolf who wants to take part. Have you never shifted, Emma?"
Emma was surprised by his sudden change in topic, and it took her a second to address his question.
"Me? Shifted? What do you mean? Turn into a wolf? No. Why do you ask me that?"
"Your mother was Alpha, for a while. Humans, and non-shifting half-breeds can not challenge, but if you could shift, you could also challenge for Alpha."
"I didn't even know about my mother until yesterday. I'm grateful I've never shifted, it would have scared the shit out of me. Turning into a werewolf all of a sudden, out of nowhere? No, I've never... Is that even possible?"
"You are a little old, but yes. It is usually known by the end of the second decade. With a wolf mother and a human father, you could go either way. Some shift early and often, as a kid. Others are triggered by the hormone changes of puberty. But if you haven't shifted by your mid-twenties, it probably won't ever happen. Being raised human, with no knowledge of us, could definitely put you behind. You have heard about females in a group eventually being on their periods at the same time?"
"Oh yes, periods syncing up is pretty common, especially in the dorms."
"It can be kind of like that. If you are the only female, your schedule is your own. But get two or more together, over time, and they eventually get on the same schedule. It can be like that with shifting as well. If you have the ability, but