Fated- Wolf and the Hare Read online

  I shifted again to my hare form and struck the ground with my foot, alerting the Chief to my presence. Hugo watched with a concerned face. Even though he was young, the expression made him seem more mature.

  Or maybe it’s the fact that I’m a hare right now and Hugo might as well be sixty feet tall, I told myself.

  My thoughts of Hugo were interrupted as the Chief Hare ran up to me.

  “I’m back,” I announced.

  Instead of greeting me, the Chief slowly twitched his nose, as if deep in thought.

  When he didn’t say anything, I blinked. “Um… Hello?”

  “Len,” Chief grunted, sitting up straighter. “The others and I have made a decision.”

  My heart stopped. A cold feeling settled over me.

  “What decision?” I asked cautiously.

  “You’re banished from the warren.”

  4

  Hugo

  As fellow shifters, I understood the hares’ conversation, though it was slightly accented. Len’s voice was airier and melodic as a hare. It was painfully adorable. I also noted how different the two of them looked when beside each other. It wasn’t just the color of Len’s fur but the whole shape of his body. Odd.

  But it was the topic of conversation that concerned me. The Chief didn’t seem happy to see him, though I couldn’t imagine why. And then he uttered the next words.

  “You’re banished from the warren.”

  My jaw dropped. “What?” I cried.

  The hares turned to me. The Chief thumped his foot angrily.

  “You’ve brought a wolf too?” the Chief exclaimed. “And right to our front doorstep?”

  “No, it’s not like that!” Len argued. His fur bristled in frustration. “He was helping me. He saved me from that fox!”

  “The fox was the last straw,” the Chief announced. “That’s the last time you’ll bring trouble to this warren.”

  I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “That wasn’t Len’s fault. The fox hunted you because of the warren’s location! It’s right out in the open!” I blurted out.

  “Am I speaking to you, wolf? This isn’t any of your business!” the Chief hare spat before turning back to Len. “It’s your fur. Your white marks give you away and lead all the predators back to us when you run home with your tail between your legs.”

  Len gasped and his ears flattened. His voice was full of hurt as he said, “I can’t help what I look like. I was born like this.”

  “Then maybe we should’ve gotten rid of you back then!”

  That was enough. I stepped forward, a growl building in my throat. It was mixed with the voice of my wolf. “Stop.”

  The Chief glared at both of us with beady eyes. “If you’re such close friends with dogs, then at least you’ll have company in your banishment. Goodbye, Len.”

  The old hare turned and ran into the tunnel, kicking dust at Len like he was slamming the door in his face.

  Len suddenly looked small and vulnerable, and it had nothing to do with his hare form. If he was a man, he would’ve looked just as betrayed. His fur fell close to his skin as adrenaline left him and his whiskers drooped sadly.

  “I—I just got banished from my warren,” Len murmured in disbelief.

  “I’m sorry,” I said quietly. Anger made my blood boil for Len’s sake.

  “I’ve lived there my whole life.” Len spoke brokenly and my heart ached for him. He sounded so different than the feisty, confident man I’d witnessed just moments ago. “What am I supposed to do now?”

  My heart thumped hard in my chest, like I was on the edge of a critical moment.

  “Come with me,” I suggested.

  Len turned to me. His form broke—the hare slipped away, leaving a melancholy-faced man behind. He was slightly smaller than me and I wanted nothing more than to wrap my arms around him. But I knew to keep my hands to myself unless he invited the touch, especially when he currently felt so vulnerable.

  “I can’t,” Len said.

  “Why not?”

  He turned away bitterly. “I can’t be a burden on you the same way I was to my warren.”

  I laughed out loud, which made Len frown.

  “What’s so funny?” he demanded.

  “Sorry. I’m not laughing at you,” I promised. “It’s just… We’re wolves. You’ll never be a burden on us.” I raised a brow at the hole that the Chief had retreated into like a coward. “Unlike him.”

  Len’s big brown eyes wavered. “But my fur—”

  “Is incredibly handsome.”

  Len laughed, then rubbed his arm self consciously. “I guess I didn’t realize what a big deal it was until it was too late.”

  I shook my head. “It’s not a big deal. The Chief was just looking for a scapegoat to blame and you fit the bill. It’s not your fault, Len.”

  He lowered his gaze. “Thanks.” After a beat he lifted his head, hope shining in his eyes. “Are you serious about the offer? To travel with you?”

  “Yes.”

  I wanted to tell Len everything about the strange feeling that led me to him but I didn’t fully understand it myself. I didn’t want to push him away by oversharing so I kept it to myself. If he was coming with us, there’d be plenty of time to talk later.

  Len made a face. “You know I’m an omega, right?” When I nodded, he asked, “That doesn’t bother you?”

  “Why would it?”

  “I’m a hare omega.” He arched a brow. “You don’t think I’m weaker than you?”

  “The only thing I think you are is silly. I’m asking you to come with me, Len. We can find a better home than this warren. One in a better location, and one that won’t judge you for your appearance.”

  A smile curved Len’s mouth. “Why does it sound like that’s something we’re going to do together?”

  I blushed. “I didn’t mean it like—”

  He laughed. “I know. I’m joking with you.” He put a hand on his hip. “You’re a funny wolf, you know that?”

  I smiled back. “So you’ve said.”

  Len glanced back at the warren that banished him and sighed heavily. “I guess there’s no going back. The only thing I can do is move forward. With a pack of wolves, no less.” He snorted. “Life’s a cosmic joke sometimes.”

  “Jokes are good. They make you laugh.”

  “Are you really a wolf?” Len asked with a chuckle. “I thought they were supposed to be stoic and serious.”

  “I guess we’re both learning new things today.”

  Len’s smile faded as he paused to think. He crossed his arms over his chest in a protective gesture. “There’s one more thing, Hugo.”

  “Tell me.”

  He was silent for a moment. The evening wind blew around us, making the lush grass look and sound like a sea of deep green. It blew his hair across his forehead, revealing dark lashes below.

  “You obviously know this already,” Len murmured, “but as an omega, I go into heat.”

  I nodded seriously.

  “As a hare omega, I go into heat… more than some other species.”

  My throat tightened but I nodded again. “I understand.”

  He grimaced. “Won’t that bother you? Or your alpha brother?”

  “We’re wild shifters,” I told him. “None of us have ever lived among humans. I know they have heat suppressant pills and things, but we’ve never been around omegas who used them. So we learned to deal with it the old fashioned way.”

  “Ah,” Len said with a slow, knowing grin. “I see. I’m the same way. My warren has always been wild.” He chuckled. “Though with so many hares going into heat all the time, we could’ve used a heat suppressant pill or two.”

  I joined him in laughing. Like our natural cousins, wolf shifter omegas only went into heat once a year and even that was hard enough to deal with. I couldn’t imagine what his warren smelled like during so many simultaneous heats.

  Usually the thought of omegas in heat excited me, but now I felt noth
ing. I was more focused on Len’s smile. My heart fluttered a bit as we held eye contact for a lingering moment.

  “Well, shall we return to camp?” I suggested, clearing my throat.

  “Lead the way, alpha.”

  A shiver ran down my spine at the word, even though I knew he meant it as a jab. “You don’t have to call me that. None of us is more important than anyone else.”

  He smiled. “I appreciate that, but I need to see it with my own eyes before I believe it. Rabbits have a stricter hierarchy than wolves, you know.”

  “I thought you were a hare,” I teased.

  He groaned. “Oh, shut up. Race you up the slope.”

  “Changing the subject, huh?”

  But Len was already gone, dashing up the hill on human legs. I caught up with him. In human forms, we were evenly matched. We reached the crest of the hill, grinning and breathless.

  “Wow, Hugo, already?” Sage said, wiggling his brows suggestively.

  If I were closer, I would’ve cuffed him over the head. “Sage, shut up.”

  Len didn’t seem offended that my brother was making innuendo at his expense. He was more concerned at the fox, Red, who still lingered at the edge of the camp.

  “So, what happened?” Dax asked.

  Len looked at me expectantly, but it was his story to tell. I nodded at him encouragingly. He seemed surprised to be given the lead.

  “Er, thank you all for saving me,” Len began, sounding awkward that all the attention was on him. “But my warren banished me. The Chief said my unique fur was too much of a risk to keep around.”

  “I can see why he said that,” Red the fox said. “You are easy to spot.”

  Fury blazed in my chest and I whirled towards the fox. “Why are you still here?” I snapped. “Get the hell out of here!”

  Len glanced warily from Red to me. “He’s not with you guys?”

  “Hell no,” Dax said with a cold laugh. “We’re wolves. He’s just a fox.”

  “Hey!” Red objected.

  “Yeah, I don’t know why he’s still here,” Sage added with a shrug. “He’s been skulking around since you passed out, Len.”

  “Just wanted to see how this played out,” Red muttered, as if he was the victim here.

  “Anyway,” I cut him off before he could speak again. I got in his space and he slunk back. “Len is travelling with us now. That means he’s part of the pack. If you mess with him, you mess with the rest of us.”

  From the corner of my eye, I saw Len’s tiny smile.

  “Sheesh,” Red said. He got up with a stretch, his fluffy tail arching over his back. “You wolves are so arrogant. Not everything’s about you, y’know.”

  “Leave now,” I ordered, baring a sharp canine fang. “Or me being arrogant will be the least of your concerns.”

  Red rolled his eyes and loped away. When he was out of sight, I turned to Len. “He’s gone. Hopefully he won’t come back.”

  Len rubbed his neck. “He was acting chummy with you, so I thought…”

  “He’s not one of us,” I promised. “We actually know how to behave.”

  “Mostly,” Dax added, shooting our younger brother a look.

  My brothers formally introduced themselves to Len. I could tell he was a little overwhelmed, which was understandable given the circumstances. By mid-evening, Len’s shoulders slumped from fatigue.

  “Do you want to rest?” I suggested.

  He smirked. “You know, if any other wolf asked me to sleep while he remained awake, I’d think he was looking for an easy meal.”

  The thought appalled me. “Not this wolf.”

  “I know,” Len said. Though he was tired and still a little cautious, his posture was relaxed against the grass. I noticed his eyes straying towards Sage and a thought hit me. I felt foolish for not realizing earlier.

  “If you don’t feel comfortable with two alphas around, Dax and I can sleep on the other side of the hill,” I offered.

  Sage’s blond head popped up, making it even more obvious that he’d been eavesdropping. He came over to sit next to Len with a smile. “Hey. Is my brother bothering you?”

  Len snorted a laugh. “Not yet.”

  “I’ll stay with Len tonight,” Sage said. He put his hand on Len’s shoulder in a display of omega solidarity. The thought of Sage sleeping next to Len made me strangely jealous, but I knew it was for the best.

  “Good idea. Is that okay with you, Len?” I asked.

  “Of course.” Len raised a brow at Sage. “You promise not to eat me, right?”

  Sage slapped his hand over his chest. “Wolf’s honor!”

  “Not exactly reassuring.”

  “Oh, right. Er, omega’s honor?”

  Len grinned. “Better.”

  I smiled as I watched my brother get along with the man we’d just invited into our pack. I had a good feeling about this, the same way the spring air and flower blooms felt good. Natural. As wolves, it was usually difficult to accept newcomers into our lives but it was different with Len. It was like he was meant to be with us.

  I said goodnight and drifted over to Dax, who had already curled up to sleep. I sat on the cool earth and lifted my head to the night sky with a smile, wondering what fate had in store for us next.

  5

  Len

  Despite how exhausted I was, I didn’t sleep well. My dreams were uneasy and restless, bordering on nightmares. The warren flooding, or being crushed, or having a dozen foxes sneak into it…

  A giant fox’s hot breath and sticky saliva were right on my tail. My heart hammered as I ran. Its whiskers tickled my rump and I kicked hard.

  “Ow!”

  The voice woke me and I leapt up, raising my fists to ward off attackers.

  But there was no attacker. Only a blond young man whose hair was smushed on one side from sleeping on it. His sleepy brown eyes were confused. “What gives, Len?”

  Reality slowly came back to me. I wasn’t in a nightmare. I was safe on a grassy hilltop next to a young omega wolf. Well, safe as I could be next to a wolf. But honestly, Sage was no threat. He looked about as harmful as a stray tumbleweed blowing around in the breeze.

  “Sorry,” I said. “I was… having a bad dream.”

  Instantly Sage’s face was full of concern. “Oh no! That sucks.” He brightened immediately. “Well, it’s not real, right? You’re alive and well!”

  His mood whiplash made me chuckle. He reminded me of some of the younger hares in the warren who could hurt themselves accidentally and be right back on their feet a second later. But the thought of my old warren—my home—made my mood sour. I glanced down at the foot of the hill, where the familiar holes lay.

  I was no longer allowed there. Ever.

  Hugo’s familiar voice brought me out of my reverie as I heard him growl to Sage, “What did you do?”

  “I didn’t do anything,” Sage protested, crossing his arms. “Why does everyone always think I did something?”

  “Because younger brothers are always making trouble,” Hugo said, ruffling Sage’s hair. His expression softened when he faced me. “Are you okay, Len? I heard you didn’t sleep well.”

  “I’ll be fine. I’m more resilient than that,” I promised.

  Hugo noticed my gaze in the direction of the warren. We stared at it together for a moment, and oddly, his presence made it less painful. He was a reminder of the future against the grim reality of my past.

  “If you three are done waking up the entire valley, then let’s get moving,” Dax called sourly.

  “Sorry,” I mumbled.

  Hugo smirked. “Don’t mind Dax. He’s grumpy in the mornings. He may not look it, but he’s sensitive about his beauty sleep.”

  “I heard that,” Dax growled. “Keep it up and I’ll put you in a beauty sleep that lasts forever.”

  His tone frightened me but Hugo’s laugh put my fears at ease. It became clear these wolf brothers were a tight-knit group and teasing each other was part of their dynam
ic. I felt a tiny scrap of jealousy. In my entire life in the warren, I’d never had friends as close as these brothers seemed.

  “Well, I guess we’re on the move now,” Hugo said to me. “Ready?”

  “Er. Where exactly are we going?” I asked, realizing that I had no idea where this group of wolves were taking me.

  Apparently they had no idea either because Hugo simply shrugged. “Who knows?”

  “So…” I raised a brow. “You’re just wandering?”

  Sage bounced up to us. He tried to fix his hair but it fluffed stubbornly back into place. “Not wandering. Searching!”

  “The difference being?”

  “We left our territory in search of a new one of our own,” Hugo explained. “As wolves reach maturity, they feel an itch to go out on their own, to create a new family and pack.”

  “I thought wolf shifters lived together in a big group for most of their lives,” I said.

  Hugo nodded. “Many of our relatives stayed. But the three of us felt stifled, like there was more to the world than what we knew. There’s magic out there we’ve never seen. Don’t you think?”

  The wind ruffled Hugo’s hair as he spoke and I listened in awe. Until now, I thought I’d be satisfied spending my whole life in the warren. The outside world meant nothing to me beyond a place of danger. But when Hugo spoke of it, it sounded wonderful.

  “We must take after real wolves,” Dax said. “Natural wolves.”

  At Dax’s sudden voice, I stiffened. I hadn’t known he’d been listening on our conversation.

  “Really?” Sage asked.

  “Some shifters take after their human side—like the ones who live in cities alongside people—and some more after their animal side. We must be the latter,” Dax said. “There are those who feel no natural inclination either way and can live anywhere.”

  “Well, that’s definitely not for me,” Hugo grumbled. “I hate the stink of the city.”

  Dax chuckled. “Preach, brother. You’ll never catch me in one of those concrete cages.”

  I’d never been to a human city either but the descriptions of it sounded unpleasant, to say the least. I preferred the grassy hillsides. Or maybe I was just afraid of the unknown. What could I say? It was dangerous out there for a hare.