A Wolf's Oath
A Wolf’s Oath
Jennifer T. Alli
Copyright 2010 by Jennifer T. Alli
Smashwords Edition
Table
of Contents
Shimmering sapphire eyes scanned the crowd, searching for the
lone familiar face in the throng of people that crowded the large
ballroom in celebration of Princess Alexandria’s successful defeat
of Lucinda in the Challenge. Long dark hair caressed the exposed
skin of her back and as she tugged at the hem of her knee length
blue dress, Erica found herself cursing her best friend.
Damn Anna drags me here, dresses me up like some
sort of life size doll and then abandons me. Figures,
she grunted. Though she had yet to meet the
‘warrior Princess’ she decided that the discomfort she had suffered
was enough and stepped forward intent on reaching the exit. A firm
hand at her elbow stopped her escape and she turned to glare at the
owner of the hand on her skin, intent on making her get away from
what she was beginning to consider her own personal
hell.
Small and petite, Anna was everything that Erica was not,
boisterous while Erica was more reserved; delicate while she was
rougher around the edges and distinctly feminine while Erica was
often called a tomboy. The simple black dress her friend wore
seemed as though it were specially made for her, though knowing her
friend, it probably had been and she wore the elegant floor length
dress flawlessly. While Erica felt distinctly uncomfortable in her
dress, longing for shorts or jeans, Anna couldn’t have been more at
home in her attire. Short sun streaked brown hair framed an almost
cherubic face, while hazel eyes twinkled at her
mischievously.
“
Found you.” Anna grinned, linking their elbows before
beginning to lead her friend around the large ballroom.
“
How could you just leave me?” Erica snapped, trying her
hardest to hold on to her anger despite the hurt look that had
crossed Anna’s features.
Don’t cave. Don’t
cave,
her mind chanted, struggling to hold
on to the feeling of righteous indignation while Anna gave her the
look that usually made her instantly concede defeat.
“
I was only gone for a second, I thought you would be ok. I’m
sorry.”
“
I feel so stupid,” she groaned, once again tugging at the hem
of her dress. “Me and dresses don’t work well together. I must look
like an idiot and I can barely walk in these shoes.” She lifted one
heeled foot from the ground, eyeing the long points with disgust.
“I feel like I’m going to topple over any minute.”
“
You’re doing just fine Eric, trust me. You look lovely.”
Taking in the straight black tresses that surrounded the smooth
ivory skin of her face and the form fitting navy dress that
highlighted a lithe figure, Anna felt a sense of pride in her work.
“When I dress someone they always do, but with you I shouldn’t even
consider it work. You’re naturally gorgeous, I don’t know why you
hide it.”
Not this again.
“Anna, you know why I
normally dress the way I do.”
“
Well tonight is the night to change all of that. Tonight we’re
on the hunt for something good, or rather someone good.” She
giggled, pulling Erica further into the throng.
“
I told you Anna, I’m not looking for a mate. I don’t want one,
so let’s just leave it at that and call it a night.”
“
No,” Anna replied petulantly. “I can understand why you don’t
want a mate, but we’re not looking for one of those. All we want is
a little bit of fun. Now just let me work my matchmaking
magic.”
Slipping her arm out of her friend’s grasp, Erica smiled
before taking a step back. “You can do all the matchmaking you like
Anna, but I’d love to see how it would work without me as the
bait.” She laughed before disappearing into the crowd on wobbly
legs, ignoring her friend’s pleas for her to return.
Now all I need to do is find the door without
making a complete fool of myself.
****
Making his way through the busy crowd Sebastian struggled to
reach his brother, constantly apologising as he collided with other
bodies between him and his goal.
Stupid
Ryan, there was no need to storm off like that.
He groused, continuing his way through the crowd. The calmer
of the two, Sebastian found himself apologising to others for his
brother’s actions as he struggled to follow Ryan’s hastily made
path. His movement halted abruptly as a refreshing scent teased his
senses.
Smells good.
He admitted, struggling
to free his mind of the effect the warm scent of apples seemed to
be having on him.
Having matured faster than most, he found it distinctly
strange when his wolf made its presence known, rattling at the bars
of the cage he had locked it away in. Animal instincts began to
flood his mind and his legendary calm began to falter under the
unexpected onslaught.
What’s the matter with you? Calm down,
he ordered hoping that the wolf would prove obedient, as it
had always done. Tonight however, it seemed intent on ignoring his
wishes continuing to push against his mental confines.
No!
The wolf snarled.
She’s here. Find her. She’s so close,
it purred before frustration returned to its
tone.
Can’t you smell her?
The apples?
Yes, you’re not stupid. Find her damn it.
His heart sped up as the wolf’s words took root, their meaning
becoming clear.
My mate,
he whispered, turning frantically as he sought to
find her. Following his instincts he walked through the throng of
people gathered, all sense of courtesy vanishing as he barged
through those around him. Making his way to the edge of the room,
he walked towards the open balcony, the smell of apples filling his
thoughts and there she stood. Moonlight bathed her creamy skin and
her jet-black hair practically glowed in the low light.
Mine.
The unexpected sense of
possessiveness that filled him at the mere sight of her was
shocking to him.
And I haven’t even seen
her face.
She turned, sensing someone else
was nearby and their eyes locked.
Beautiful.
Staring into eyes she could only describe as melted
chocolate, Erica began to feel that maybe Anna had had the right
idea in bringing her to the gathering. The stranger’s searing gaze
sent shocks through her body and her breathing hitched as she
stared back taking in the dark red hair that covered his head,
skimming the nape of his neck. He was tall, somehow managing to
make her feel petite, a feeling she hadn’t had since she was very
young. He wasn’t overly built, his body seemed to have more of a
swimmers build, long legs leading up to a well toned chest and
despite her usual avoidance of the opposite sex she found herself
stepping forward.
“
Hello,” she mumbled.
Taking a step towards her, Sebastian smiled. “Hello.” A moment
of silence passed as Sebastian stood near her, content to simply
examine his mate.
Beautiful.
“What’s your name?
She squeaked, unused to interacting with males in a possibly
romantic setting. All the men she knew were strictly friends and
they all knew better than to try and change that friendship into
something more, despite this she found she couldn’t resist the
stranger and his soft spoken questions. “My friends call me
Eric.”
“
Eric?” he inquired confused. “That’s a man’s name and you’re
no man.” His eyes scanned her frame, taking in the soft curves of
her body and he smiled to himself, immensely pleased with his
mate’s appearance.
“
Oh this?” She waved a hand over her dress and he nodded. “This
isn’t what I usually look like. My friend Anna dressed me for
tonight.”
“
She did a very good job, if this isn’t how you usually look
then I think you should try looking into dressing like this more
often.”
“
I’m not really all that comfortable like this. Tonight is just
a one off thing and Anna knows that. So please don’t read too much
into it.”
“
I’m still not convinced,” he replied. “But like I said before
Eric is a man’s name, so I’d like to know what your name really
is.”
“
If you’re going to be so insistent about it then I suppose I
can tell you, my name is Erica, but I honestly do prefer
Eric.”
“
Erica is a very pretty name and you do it justice, you should
use it more often,” he advised.
“
All this talk about names and I still don’t know who exactly
you are.”
“
Sebastian.”
“
Sebastian?”
“
Yes, of the Southern clan.”
Recognition dawned upon her. “Lord Sebastian?”
He chuckled, scrubbing a hand against the back of his neck
nervously. “I’m not very comfortable with my title, people assume
that I’m good with people because of it and that couldn’t be
further from the truth. Ryan is the people person.”
“
Yes, I’ve heard about the Lords of the Southern clan.” He
groaned. “It’s nothing bad. People are always talking about how you
and your brother work so well together, that’s all.”
“
Really?”
“
I swear.”
“
Thank goodness, I thought it would have been some terrible
rumour.”