Page 28 of Alpha Awakening
Nudging his head to the east, Beta Fallon started walking. “It’s this way.”
The path he led them on wasn’t as steep as she’d thought. It was curvy, leading around large boulders and rocks, making it seem as if the path was created to fit within the mountains. Just like Christa’s house, this path seemed to have formed around nature without having interfered with it.
“Do you come here often?” Niev asked.
“Not this way, but I pass by the Goddess’ Tree on most of my runs.”
Excitement sparked in Blake as he took in the mountains. “The terrain is very different from ours.”
“Kareem has told me about the woods. He enjoyed being able to run without many restrictions.”
“Maybe you should come visit us,” Niev suggested. “I don’t think Alpha Tanner would mind.”
“That is very kind of you.”
Niev looked up at Blake. “Do you want to shift?”
“Maybe on the way back. I’ll walk in front of you in case you fall.”
That made Beta Fallon grin, and Niev couldn’t help but laugh at the picture that her mind started painting of such an incident. “Beta Fallon, are we allowed to swim in the lake?”
“Of course.”
“Maybe we can take a dip tomorrow? I’m sure your wolf would love that.”
“He’d love to, but only if you join him.”
“Is it true that you two can link with one another?” Beta Fallon asked curiously.
Blake nodded proudly. “We can when I shift.”
“But only if he is in control. When he lets his wolf take over, I can only sense his emotions.”
“You two have a very special bond.”
After about twenty minutes, the path got steeper, and Blake suggested they take a break. Niev hadn’t even noticed that her breathing had become heavier. Leaning down, Blake quickly grabbed a water bottle and handed it to her. She sat down on a stone and looked up at the mountain, their sheer height weighing down on her but not in a depressing sense. Blake sat next to her, his breathing even and his face completely relaxed.
“You look like you just took a stroll through the store while I feel like I’ve been running for miles.” She sounded a little more annoyed than she cared to show.
“There is no shame in it. I’m not pregnant.” He lovingly kissed her cheek. “You’re doing fantastic.”
After a little while, they walked further. Blake walked next to her with his hand on her lower back, more for moral support than to usher her along. She knew that if she asked he would carry her, but she wanted to reach their destination on her own. It may have been childish, but she wanted to look down on the path and tell herself she’d gotten up there without help.
Trying to pass the time, she started up a conversation with Beta Fallon. “Do you have children?”
“I do. Kira just turned one.”
“Aw, she is just a baby. I’m sure she keeps you on your toes.”
“Certainly. She has only just started to sleep through the nights.”
“Oh, I don’t think I’m looking forward to that.”
He chuckled. “It’s all worth it. As soon as you hold your own child your whole life changes. You would do anything to make them happy.”
Everyone had been telling her that, and she truly hoped it would become reality. For now though, she had her doubts. Though she felt physically prepared, the thought of Aruna and Emlyn still scared her.
They took two more breaks before Beta Fallon finally announced they were close. The path led around a sharp curve before it revealed their destination. Niev took in a long, awe-filled breath as her eyes fell on the tree. It wasn’t as large as the other two, but seemed much older. The branches were thick, and the roots twisted around the rocks beneath it. As they walked closer, Niev could hear birds chirp and flap their wings. The rocks that surrounded the tree were covered in moss, making it look as if the tree had created a green oasis within the sharp roughness of the mountains.