Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 76282 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 381(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76282 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 381(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
Justice felt a young pup nip at his tail while he ran with the Black Mountain pack, and most of his own, through the thick forests of Black Mountain Grove. It was beautiful. The blazing southern-central California sun had set a couple hours before, leaving the forest floor firm and warm under his large paws. His wolf was huge compared to the others and the young pups seemed to be getting a kick out of Justice and his brothers. As descendants of the first wolves, the Siberians. That meant they were larger, and their features differed – they were more exotic – from the wolves that had evolved in the States.
Justice bumped the young pup with his hindquarters, sending him sliding along the forest floor happily before yipping playfully, bounding back to his paws and running, panting in an effort to catch back up to Justice. A few young wolves had playfully tried to knock him over but none were successful. It’d turned into quite an entertaining game for them. Most of the pups had dirt, grass, and twigs sticking out all over their fur. Justice’s underbelly was still pristine white. He was enjoying himself. It wasn’t often he got to run with a pack as large as Black Mountain’s. They were a united pack, having survived wildfires, land poachers and a few lone wolf attacks. Alpha Jansen had done well, keeping his pack prosperous, and Justice had come to acknowledge him on a job well done. Not many alphas took such pride in their position. Some still fed off power and fear, using intimidation to control their packs. That’s why they were having all the problems in their society now. Faulty leadership. It used to be only humans and vampires he had to worry about, now Justice had to worry about alphas running off their pack members, forcing them onto the streets where they could easily find trouble. Without the supervision and security of a pack, a wolf would lose their direction first, then their humanity would slowly disappear.
They were almost to the peak of the mountain. The air was slightly cooler up higher, but it was still California in September. Justice took his position up front and led the pack the last couple miles to the summit. Justice howled, vocalizing his own personal call, bending his head back further to elevate the pitch. A sound that could be heard for miles around. He communicated a lot of feelings with his howl. This pack was favored by him. Joyous, answering howls went up into the night.
They chased and hunted together for a couple more hours before his brother, Mac, trotted over. “We have to go. The RVs are ready. We can get to Carson City by seven in the morning if we leave in the next hour.”
Justice and his brothers were the only shifters that could communicate telepathically when in either of their forms. Most wolves could only do that with their mates once they’d completed the bonding.
“We need to let everyone calm down after the shift,” Justice called out to the pack, telling them to head back.
Justice shifted back and walked out of the tree line back to the main pack lands. Obviously, nudity didn’t embarrass them. But because of the day and age, most packs discouraged pack members from roaming the lands completely naked. Justice headed back to his jeans and tank top. All of his pack members hadn’t shifted yet, still tussling and humping with some of the more mature members of the Black Mountain pack. Alek and Justice stood there enjoying the sight of shifters being happy and getting along like the Mother always intended.
“Excuse me, Alpha, Alek, I’m sorry to interrupt.” A strong but enticing voice demanded their attention. Their visitor turned her almond-shaped eyes on Justice. “AZ. My name is Uriel Jensen. I’m the Alpha’s oldest daughter. I’m an unmated female alpha. I requested permission from my father to tend to any needs you may have after your run.”
Justice could clearly scent she was an unmated alpha and there was no mistaking her potent arousal. He appreciated her politeness and official introduction, and Justice was the first to admit she was stunning. He couldn’t believe the beautiful female – well into her twenties – was unmated. Surely, neighboring pack alphas had been knocking, requesting escortship. Female alphas were rare. It was even rarer for one of them to lead a pack, but there were some female-only packs that’d started up by accident and were approved by Justice nonetheless.
The alpha’s daughter wore a short, maroon suede cloth that just barely covered her privates, and a threadbare halter top. Her long, black dreadlocks reached below her round bottom and her sleek, ebony body still glistened from the run. She was a sight to behold. A fitting mate for any alpha. But there was no need or time for mating. However, he was still a powerful wolf with the same needs as any other male. After a run, their hormones and libidos were at their highest. He was glad the full moon was long gone or else he might’ve had an even harder time resisting her request.