Mates Conquer Everything, Right?
8 Having fun with the pack

I learned something new today. Never play tag or any other physical game with wolves because the loser is clear from the start. After running around for ten minutes, I was worn out. The children are way too quick, I don’t think I will ever get them. Resting my hands on my knees to catch my breath, the kids are still running around and provoking me. I look straight ahead and see the group of adults looking at me like I’m crazy. I recognize a few peers from school, but no one from my classes. That reassures me. Why? I don’t know, maybe because I want to keep the werewolf secret safe, so Joe and Rose are safe.

Oliver catches my eyes and smiles at me as he runs towards me with a water bottle and hands it to me.

“Okay, that’s enough, Violet is human; she can never tag you. Take a look at her,she is sweaty and tired. Play on without her. She’s going to drink and rest before she drops.”

“Sorry, Violet!” Becky says, and I just smile at her. “I had a great time. Next time you guys need to hop on one leg, maybe that will level the playing field.”

I wave at the kids, while Oliver leads me to his friends. They are all very friendly and considerate of me. They keep some distance between us and don’t introduce themselves with a handshake.

“So, Violet, what are you doing in the USA? Isn’t England closer if you just want to learn the language?” Chris asks me. He is big and looks like a bodybuilder. His nickname is Sweaty Chris, and I can smell how he got the name.

“My school has an exchange project with the school here. Also, I’ve always had a fascination with America.” I say, leaving out that a part of my mind was pushing me in this direction since I could remember.

“So, how are you doing in class?” Oliver asks me, eating his fourth brownie.

“I was doing fine before “the dog” bit me. I haven’t gone to class since it happened. At first, it was because I needed to heal. Now I am just scared to leave the house.” I confess, looking at my shoes.

“You are amazing,” Ela says and hugs me. “Violet was brave and strong. She didn’t even look surprised when she learned that werewolves exist.”

“Well, Joe and Rose told me about it, so it wasn’t a complete revelation. I did think that they were crazy, but I didn’t have the facts so I just went with it.” I told the friends, and Amanda looked at me with adoration.

’You are so blessed with your point of view on the world. That’s why you are here. You can look, accept things as they are, and go with the flow. It’s very unusual to see.” Amanda’s eyes lighten a bit.

“What did she just do?” I ask Oliver, who is by my side, like he promised.

Oliver growls lowly at Amanda, and she takes two steps back and shows submission.

“Something she shouldn’t have done.” He says, with his eyes set on Amanda, and I see whatever she did wasn’t meant for me to know.

“It’s okay; I will not ask.” I say to Oliver, and I hear Amanda say something along the lines of “I told you so”.

We didn’t have time to respond, and by we, I mean Oliver, because the large and muscular figure of the Alpha makes his way to the party. He doesn’t go around the playing kids, who are now submissive to their leader and make a path. He looks like he is prepared to go to war. The only thing delicate about him is the small woman by his side. She looks even smaller just by walking next to him.

They reach us, and Oliver pushes me gently behind him. Not too much so that he blocks my view, but enough to create a distance between the Alpha and me, and I don’t complain. His strong face and mean eyes soften when he looks at the blond next to him. She smiles back, and then she makes eye contact with me.

“You must be Violet. I’ve heard a lot about you.” She smiles at me, and I look at Oliver, who gives me a nod.

“Yes, all good, I hope.” I try to make conversation.

“How is your leg?”

“Could be better,” I say, and I see that it was too short of an answer to please the Alpha.

The group around us and the whole party is quiet and looking at the pretty, petite woman and me.

“I would be worse off if Oliver and the other wolves hadn’t shown up. I would be dead by now.”

“Yes, you would be.” The ass Alpha says, growling.

“Don’t be like that, my love. She is thanking us. Right, Violet?” She reaches for his hand, and it seems to calm him down.

“Yes, I am very thankful. Also, I want to thank you for giving me access to your amazing pack. Everyone is so nice to me.”

“Don’t thank me. I was not the one who consented to your arrival.”

Before I could continue the awkward conversation, I heard something.

There was a clunking noise. Everyone spins and looks at the bell tower with anxious eyes. Then all eyes go to the Alpha, who is closing his.

There’s a second clanking, and everyone is in panic mode.

“No!” I hear the women scream, and the children are running to an imposing brown barn near the village. People turn into wolves, and I look at Oliver, who is talking to me, but I don’t hear a word.

He shakes me, and that’s the moment I hear him say: “Go to the barn, follow the kids. Everything will be fine soon! Follow the kids and be quick. I am so sorry. There are rogues coming!” I see Asfal taking over and see Oliver shift.

I run as fast as my human body can, but it seems like the grass-court has become bigger. I run and run. I try not to panic too much. Wolves are running to me, but I know they are not here for me. There are rogues coming, and there will be a fight, and if I don’t get to the barn quickly, I will be in the middle of it.