1. Emma

With the tip I've been given, I'm almost certain I'm close to the pack, or at least to the two werewolves I've been tracking. My boots certainly have enough mud on them, and my legs are sore from all the hiking. At this point I think they want me to catch up to them. I've been following their footprints through the woods for almost two days now, taking me farther and farther out into the wilderness. I grew up camping and hiking; my parents loved it. But the first night felt different. I've spent nearly a year shoving all emotion down, but the farther I get out here, alone with my thoughts, the more difficult it is to keep everything buried. So I follow the trail relentlessly. I need to find them. I have no other option.

The werewolves' prints are similar to wolves' but much, much larger. All this morning I started to worry I was wrong and that they were only the marks of abnormally large wolves, but then I saw the change and human footprints replaced the paws. Watching the transition was electrifying. It's hard to explain the rush of emotion knowing how close I am to them. Is it against the law? Yes. Did that keep me from documenting it? Hell no. It lit a fire under my ass to catch up to them when I saw those prints. It's odd enough that there are only two of them. I expected to see more prints by now since loners are a rarity. Supposedly. At least that's what my research has hinted at.

I should've headed back yesterday as soon as it got dark. It's not like I'm really prepared to be out here on my own, but I've got a few power bars, another two bottles of water, and a blanket in my backpack. I'll deal with it. All I really need is something to sleep on and something to eat. Not that I slept much last night. How could I when I'm so damn close to them?

The scout that led me here is probably shitting his pants thinking I've died. There's no one who could sue him if I died on his land though, so he'll be fine. I should've called him yesterday when I had a signal and told him that I found tracks and was going to follow them. I doubt he'll come search for me. It may be his land, but he's not a fool. The shifters have been hunting here, and he has no intention of coming between a wolf and his prey. I might believe we shouldn't be separated, but not everyone thinks that way. Most people don't. Because we don't know enough.

My career is finally going to take off once I get video evidence to back up my data. I've been studying werewolves for years, but it's always been received with heavy skepticism. I'm the most widely talked about journalist and researcher, and definitely respected by many, but with all of the false information out there…well, at this point I need proof to take me to the next level.

I'm willing to do whatever I need to in order to get this story. This is the chance I've been waiting for and I'm not going to back down for anything.

The Authority knows I want an interview and to stay among the werewolves. Their PR response that it would be unsafe for both species still enrages me. I wouldn't have to be out here tracking prints like a hunter if they would have simply given me any contact whatsoever. Just a chance. That's all I wanted. I've seen werewolves at the offerings, I've listened to them and their mates. It's so obvious to me. It's enraging that no one believes me. Humans want to believe the worst of them, and with all the propaganda and unfortunate history, it's easy enough to simply believe what's been fed to us. But I know the truth and I'm going to film it. I want to see a werewolf with a human mate. I know they exist. I know it in the core of my soul. Then they'll take me seriously and my petition to merge our worlds could possibly gain some traction. If the Authority doesn't like it, they can shove it up their asses.

The two sets of large paw prints are closer together as I near the small clearing in the woods. No longer distance between the prints that indicates large steps, they're now merely inches apart and twist in the dirt, becoming a confusing mess. My gaze narrows as I try to differentiate the paths of the two wolves. The dark forest is bathed in filters of light as I follow their messy trail.

The scent of woods is intoxicating and the fresh air is cool against my skin. I take a moment to steady my breathing and then try to make out what exactly they were doing.

They slowed down nearly to a stop right about here, right at the entrance to the small clearing. That makes me nervous. It takes everything in me not to touch the prints. Something feels off. For the first time since I began, it feels unsettling. It's only been about an hour since the sun rose and I found where they slept last night. They didn't slow to eat or drink. They slept by the river, so I imagine they drank and ate there. The only other reason I can think for them to slow their approach at this clearing is because there was something here that made them stall. Other shifters maybe? Vampires?

The thought makes my blood run cold and my breath stalls in my lungs. Werewolves I'm familiar with, but other species? No. I don't know much about other species other than what we're told, and even though I don't believe much of it, it doesn't stop me from thinking the worst right now. I don't know how to avoid conflict with any other supernatural beings. Werewolves are easy, simple submission is all they require, and I intend to submit once I finally reach them.

I don't want to give them any reason to send me away, or worse. I only want a chance to stay with them and learn more about them. And film them. But they don't need to know about that.

Cautiously, I follow the prints in the damp dirt, pushing dried leaves and pesky sticks out of my way so I can be sure not to lose the trail of their casual strides. Just as I get to the edge of the tree line, the prints split with one wolf going right and the other going left. Initially, I feel a bit of relief. They wouldn't split up if there was any kind of danger nearby.

Swallowing thickly, I stare at the tracks and look deeper into the woods where the set of tracks on the right leads. I'm vaguely familiar with the area. I studied the map that Jordan, the scout and owner of the land, gave me. My forehead pinches in confusion. There's nothing but woods that way and then a cliff that drops to nothing. I look to the left and then drop my bag at my feet so I can take out the map. To the left is Shadow Falls, and no shifter would go that way. That area is claimed by a ruthless pack. I watched their offering. I was there and saw the women's reaction to being taken. Chills flow down my spine at the memory. They're the reason no one believes me about them only taking mates. I huff and loosen the hair tie to take down my hair, running my hand through my brunette locks as I study the map. I'm certain my hair is a mess, my worn jeans have dirt stains on my knees, and my sweatshirt is less than fresh after two days of hiking in it. I take a moment to slip it off, leaving me in my tank top. It's warm enough that I can have a moment to feel the fresh air and maybe get some warmth from the sun on my skin. The sounds of nature pause, and it forces me to look up. It's practically silent. No more birds chirping or critters rustling. My heart rate picks up, but I glance back down to the map, knowing exactly what I've done and what the risks are.

There's a small stream and Dark Valley between here and Shadow Falls, but I can't imagine why the wolves would split at this point.

My hand is still in my hair, I'm frozen with fear and my entire body shivers at the sound of a branch cracking beneath a heavy weight behind me. And then another. They're casual steps, definitely getting closer and getting louder, more careless. The wolves. My breath comes in short pants and my eyes widen. Another noise to my right forces a small gasp of fear from me.

They split up to trap me.

I don't turn around. I know better than to do that. I can handle this. I calm myself by breathing as slowly as possible and gently lowering my body to the ground. My heart only speeds up as the sounds get closer. I can do this. This is what I've wanted for so long. To come face to face with the werewolves.

Adrenaline spikes through my body making my heart race and beat chaotically. My hands are numb with fear. My instincts tell me to run, but I know better than to do that. I gently place my palms on the dirt and push them forward to lower my body into a bow even though I'm facing away from both of the wolves moving behind me. The smell of dirt and grass helps me relax slightly as the sounds of several heavy steps get louder and louder.

My shoulders and chest rise as I breathe heavily, struggling to remain calm. My eyes refuse to close, and I find myself staring toward the open field, where the only bit of light is illuminating the forest. I swallow thickly as both wolves move only feet from me. Their presence and dominance are an overwhelming physical force pressing against me. Regret passes through me as my anxiety rises. Everything in me wants to run as the fear of the unknown races through me, but I stay strong. I'm doing this for a righteous cause. I'm confident in my work. I hold on to the last bit of strength that I have and do my best to just breathe and wait for the werewolves to give me their consent to rise.

My body tenses and trembles on the cold, hard ground as I sense a large form on my left. The warm breath of the wolf sends a chill of goosebumps down my neck. His jaws are close to my neck; warning me, daring me. This is the test I knew they'd present to me. The knowledge that I was right in what their initial reaction would be makes me feel slightly at ease, even if his jaws are within an inch of my throat and large enough to rip into my flesh and end my life in an instant.

The heat sends an immediate spike of desire through me, making me clench my thighs and repress a moan. The craving is at odds with the terror that's natural to feel in the presence of wolves. I cling to it in order to suppress my need to run away from the danger. The wolf scents the air and a low rumble of approval growls in the small space between us, making my body heat and my clit throb.

Yet again, the physical force of their presence is undeniable and shocking. I shouldn't feel this way. It's wrong. I know it is. And yet…

The other wolf approaches and pushes my simple tank top up my back with his nose, exposing my skin. The cold, wet feeling on my sensitized skin makes my body shudder, but I do my best to keep still. It's important to make it clear that I have no intention to challenge them. I keep repeating that very important fact in my head while I tilt my head slightly, exposing more of my neck. I want to make my submission obvious. I'm at their mercy. My heart pounds in my chest as a large white paw steps just a mere inch in front of my face. The pads dig into the dirt and remain planted in front of me as the wolf lowers his head to my cheek, scenting me.

I want to close my eyes and hide, but the fear of death is keeping them wide open. My heart hammers against my rib cage as his breath tickles my neck. A low growl from the other wolf has a whimper falling from my lips without my consent and my hands fist in a weak attempt to cower. I immediately flatten them again. My breath stops short as a vicious snarl erupts from my left.

Fuck!

I should've never fisted my hands. Fuck, fuck, fuck! I part my lips ready to plead with the wolves, but the second I open my mouth the paw leaves my vision with a heavy sound of the massive beast stepping over my body and leaving me in my passive position alone. I stay still waiting to hear what they're doing. I know they must only be feet from me, but I can't hear them moving. Are they waiting for me? Are they testing me? I've never considered much of what's expected of me past this point. I didn't plan on it being this intense, this terrifying. My eyes dart frantically from the clearing to the trees, waiting anxiously for any sign from the wolves as to what I should do. My neck remains stiff from the fear and my knees ache to move.

Everything in me begs me to lift my head and see them, but I'm too fucking scared. My body is paralyzed. I need to gather the strength to approach them. I knew this would happen and I planned on it. I was so eager to catch up to them. But actually being near them, I wasn't prepared to feel their power. I wasn't prepared to be so afraid. After a long moment of almost silence, shuffling occurs a few feet from me. Leaves are scattered in my periphery followed by a loud huff from the snout of one of the massive shifters. The air around me moves as the sound of the wolf stalking toward me gets louder. My body trembles and I wait with bated breath, hoping they'll give me a chance to speak.

Then the sound changes. No longer the pounding of heavy paws on the ground. Instead it's the sound of a man walking with confidence and taking determined strides. It's softer, yet just as intimidating.

He shifted.

The knowledge brings me hope that I'll be able to follow through with my plan and find the courage to speak. I try to lift my head again, but I'm still frozen in place. My body is incapable of moving in the presence of such dominance. My breath picks up as he walks past my head, stopping at my side to tower over me.

In this moment there are only two things I am sure of. A naked shifter is hovering over my bowed body, deciding what he wants to do with me. And I am completely at his mercy.

My body jolts as a large, strong hand settles on my lower back. A low growl erupts from him as I move instinctually against his touch. I didn't mean to, but my body reacts on its own accord and tries to escape his hold. His other hand splays across my shoulder blades and pushes my upper half back onto the ground. The firm shove doesn't hurt, but his power over me is evident. His desire for me to remain submissive has been made clear. I press my lips together and pray for his compassion.

It's a heady feeling to be at the mercy of someone who possesses so much strength. Someone who could ruin you without much thought or energy. My blood heats as his hands slowly move, lessening in pressure and traveling leisurely over my body. His fingers barely graze my skin and send tingles of want through me. His touch makes me writhe faintly beneath him. I resist the urge as best I can and concentrate on keeping my breath even.

A short, low groan vibrates in the air as his hands leave my body. I finally lift my head and dare to look at him. I slowly rise on all fours, waiting to feel the shifter's hands on me again. I keep my head bowed, but he allows me to raise my head and chest off the ground with no objection.

A white wolf with piercing blue eyes within my arm's reach watches my movements but doesn't protest them. He stands tall scrutinizing me with an unyielding gaze. My lips part at his beauty and the obvious strength he possesses. His massive body stands out against the forest with dominance; the very nature surrounding us is bowing to him. His eyes are cold and hard, watching me as though he's waiting to pounce on his prey. The sight of him makes my breath hitch and blood scorch.

A movement to my left makes my eyes dart to the shifter standing over me. My eyes widen as I take in the vision of the broad-shouldered man, his tanned skin taut over hard muscle. His thick, black hair falls wildly just before his shoulders, his silver eyes heat as I meet his curious gaze. I feel an intense pull to bow to him, to lower myself back to the ground and wait for his orders. Dark stubble lines his masculine jaw as a small, sexy grin slips into place. He's pleased by my reaction. A purr of satisfaction vibrates through me, as though his approval is all that's necessary.

Between the two beasts, I'm not sure which is the Alpha, they both have an air to them that demands obedience. But there's no question that they could both destroy me.

The werewolf's grin morphs into a cocky smirk as his eyes roam my body. "Come." He speaks his command in a low, masculine tone as he turns his back to me and walks away, leaving me to stare at the corded muscles in his arms and legs and his bare ass that has my pussy aching with need. He's confident that I'll follow him. And he's right. My mouth opens to speak, but immediately I slam my jaw shut. I can't question him or his authority.

I move to my knees and ready my still-shaking body to obey him, but as my eyes reach the wolf's gaze ahead of me, I still. I'm afraid to even breathe too loud as the intense stare from the wolf entraps me. My body chills as he continues to glare at me, as if daring me to follow him. I feel trapped between the two of them. One commanding me to follow and the other warning me to stay away. It's not until the other shifter passes the wolf that the beast turns to move deeper into the forest, releasing me to make my decision.