Cypress Wolf Pack Chapter Two: Trails Of A Fresh Alpha

Story by CherryBlossomSystem on SoFurry

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#2 of Cypress Wolf Pack

Sukura starts to learn a bit more about what troubles being an Alpha can be. Even if he is a reluctant one. Enjoy, fave, and comment if you like.


(Sukura)

Well for those of you that are under the illusion I had a peaceful night's sleep I'll go head and spare you the details. In fact you might say that I didn't really sleep at all. Oh sure the body slept well but my mind kept buzzing even as I slept. The whispers of the Pack Mind link well they don't allow for the best quite time.That's on top of my psychic senses boosting my hearing so to speak well even a sleeping mind buzzes with the subconscious thoughts and such that keep the body running. Such as breathing and making the body systems work like they should.

Now normally I can filter such out and it's not to much of an issue to not hear it but with the alpha bond clawing it's way through my head it was impossible to ignore. When light first kissed the morning dew I was awake and moving. I headed towards the kitchen moving quietly in my human form being bare chested and only wearing boxers. Now to say I liked girls would be a blatant lie. I know the tradition of the Alpha is to further their family line and such but I had no interest in performing the act required to do such nor of finding a surrogate mother and the like for the alternative.

So if your intelligent enough and I would assume you would be I mean you know how to read obviously then you will have figured out that I prefer guys therefore making me gay. I don't mind having a girl for a friend. I get along quite well with a bunch of them. But your not going to go take me shopping or drag me to sit and wait while you get your hair done and if you approach me with nail polish I will kill you slowly. I'm not a flamer and while I have nothing against those that do it's not my thing. I don't act girly and I don't shove it in other people's faces period.

The air currents felt nice against my skin as I moved towards the kitchen. I had slept barefoot as it was more comfortable. Yes the floor was cold but it didn't bother me to much. Out of habit I fixed my own breakfast and ate quietly. I had chosen grits and toast and as I finished eating I began to make the larger Pack breakfast.

Someone more than likely one of the elders would tell me that such a practice was beneath me and while I'm not entirely sure what roles the elder's have they seem to be a rung above the alpha's in command. That's nice and all but they didn't do much from stopping the last Alpha did they? I suppose it was because he wasn't well liked but I don't much care to be a pawn of the elders something they will soon find out.

As I worked I heard footpaws making their way downstairs and I supposed it was one of the other early risers. I can't say I bothered to learn their names. After all I had only been here a day and as such I didn't know the pack well. I suppose some of them that had treated me poorly might think i'll seek retribution and while I would like to say I'm not that petty it does carry a memory of jeering faces and laughter.

Such sick delight on the faces of those that captured me and even more so when they brought me in front of their leader. I suppose I'll have to deal with them after the ceremony. I mean it would be the perfect time for them to pounce and I wouldn't think they were capable of clever thought. I'll admit though the constant connection to the hive mind of the pack was getting bothersome.

So while I continued to work on the food and such I was mentally trying to find a way to distance myself from such. As I did this I felt someone enter the kitchen. I pointed to the side where the assembled and warming food was and continued working not paying attention to them as I multi-tasked. I groaned a bit lightly as I shifted my 9 tails into existence and barley managed to avoid ripping my pants as I did so. I paused to take a few deep breaths as the strain and such hurt like hell.

Once I could move safely albeit with more than the usual amount of care I continued to cook using the tails to help me grab utensils and such. Of course I could only prepare it as fast as it was being made and while that took some time it will still be worth it in the end. Lost in my own little world it took me about five minuets or so to realize that the person was trying to get my attention. I decided to be polite, after all it couldn't hurt.

"Sorry could you repeat that?" I asked as I continued though my attention was more on listening now than the food.

"I asked why you had the mark on your back. It's not a mating mark." They replied I debated on answering them truthfully or seeing how this went. Making my decision I said "It's a birthmark." "A birthmark...that's burned into your skin?" their voice was heavily skeptical. "Alright fair enough. It's a slave marking. Not that the person that made it is alive anymore." I replied evenly but my tone had turned slightly dangerous towards the end. I sighed and reached to turn off the stove and such as the food was done and I closed my eyes to steal myself against the memories flooding back.

I gripped the counter firmly with both hands as their strength shook my frame. Unfortunately my rage over the events had not yet cooled Nor would it for quite some time I imagine.My rage caused the build up of psionic energy and as it built up it went to both hands. I didn't even notice the pain of my hands shifting nor the rest of my body soon following suit. You would be accurate in saying that I didn't notice much of anything physical at the moment. Power hummed along my fur and I'll admit it felt good. But mainly it was in response to the pain and such I was feeling. However I had the good sense to shield the pack link from getting slammed with this. Though I don't know how I did it.

At any rate my unknown visitor had either fallen silent or died. His questions were annoying maybe he had died. I wasn't paying to much attention honestly. If they tried to touch me I don't imagine it going well and Even though I wasn't focusing to much on the physical right now my grip seemed to be slowly pulverizing the marble of the counter top into fine dust. When the moment had passed I shook myself mentally and physically and stepped away from the counter.

"Oops." I said looking at the impressions of my paws in the stone. I turned to see my visitor was in fact a red wolf. I nodded to them respectfully though I was still cautious. I looked down at my hands and flexed them gently. "You know it would have been nice if someone would have mentioned the increased physical strength." I said lightly before sighing and looking towards them. "I'm Sukura, Would you mind telling me your name?" I asked him. It was undeniably a boy I mean the boxers and body structure gave it away.

They regarded me for a bit before saying "My name is Lewis Alpha." he replied and I frowned lightly. "I'm just like the rest of you. Don't have to call me Alpha." I told him lightly as I nodded at the name. "Well I hope you enjoy the breakfast, I hope it's enough I didn't quite take in the size of the pack the other night." I said slightly worried.

"It will do." he replied and went to go get his pick of the lot. I stretched then asked "Where are the restrooms?" "Down the hall to your left." he replied and I thanked him before moving towards the indicated direction.

The floor was carpeted though it was cheap carpet. Not that I can complain, I mean I never really lived the life of luxury you know? But as I continued down further I noticed some of the walls had paint peeling off. That...didn't seem right. I mean yeah i'm a newcomer to the werewolf world but I thought as a general rule the Alpha's place was the most well maintained area.

Then again I guess that they didn't want to stay here any longer than they had too. I carefully touched the wall wary of psychic aftershocks. unfortunately for me I got just that. In my minds eye I saw someone and the old Alpha going at it hard enough to break through the walls. This scene played out for about 10 mins and I can't move when in the grip of such. By the end I ran to the bathroom and became violently sick.

Not that I particularly needed to know about the alpha's old partners nor the size of his...girth but that was just sick. When I finished I flushed and flushed my mouth out with several handfuls of water. I made my way back to the hall and looked towards the back porch. I decided to head back to my room and dress then make my way to the back porch.

These psychic aftershocks always left me feeling weak and shivering. I hated them with a passion and the feeling was mutual I'm sure. Once in my room I pulled on my kimono. It was the only article of clothing I had with me and yes it is traditionally a woman's garment so you could say I was cross dressing but I'm not wearing bows and such and if I was hold a fan it would be used to slit your throat.

I like kimonos they are quite comfortable and feel good to wear.Thankfully no one came running when I stepped out. I doubted the bathroom walls were soundproof but I was still grateful for the privacy. I composed myself then moved back towards the kitchen and nodded to Lewis politely as I passed him. I went to the back porch hoping that it would at least be serene.

I sat down in a chair and slowed my breathing in preparation to meditate in the quite of the morning. Each breath was soothing and once I thought I was ready I pulled myself into the traditional lotus position. For the next few hours it was nice and quite, wolves entered the kitchen to eat but I wasn't disturbed. I heard them talking but I didn't focus on such nor did I provide input. For all intents and purposes I was dead to the world.

Dimly I became aware of someone watching me.I took the time to listen to their breathing and my nose told me of their scent. I mentally searched through my records for that particular scent profile and came up blank though judging by the hint of something artificial they were wearing either perfume or clone. Most guys didn't wear flowery clone so I would guess it was perfume.

However after being under for so long it's hard to reawaken my higher reasoning. So it was my Fox that spoke and not I. "Yes?" he asked using my voice. It was rougher and had more depth to it than mine usually did. It left me feeling subconscious but I staid back content to see how this would play out.

(Nakishodo)

Well the human part of me was staying quite which was something I suppose.Of course I had already worked out that he couldn't use his abilities during the day without severe backlash. Since the Alpha bond and such had been clawing around his head it had been bothersome for us both.

However the person in front of took the shape of a grey wolfess after I opened our eyes. "I'm Sasha. I was sent to see how good you are at fighting hand to hand." There was no malice in her tone and she seemed honestly curious. "So come to beat me into a bloody pulp huh?" I said a bit playfully and she chuckled. "Something like that." she replied smiling.

I got us to our feet but a bit unsteadily. "Ahh. The inner fox. Pleasure to meet you." she said as I walked unsteadily as a newborn pup. I sighed slightly irritated in trying to get used to two legs. The human part of me offered to help but I brushed him off as I needed to learn this for myself.

Sasha for her part watched me for a bit and didn't offer any hints. I seemed to sort of get the hang of shifting my weight and used the tails for balance as I continued along to follow her though I moved slowly. For her credit Sasha was patient with me and allowed me to catch up and such. "So a question for the human half. Can you fight without the abilities you used the other night?"

Strangely enough he was able to answer and with his own voice too. "Yes I can. The psychic abilities are nice but I fought hand to hand before I ever used them, or had them for that matter. Or hand to foot one might say." he replied and she laughed a bit at that then glanced towards our legs which where nicely muscled even more such now that we were in anthroform.

"What about you then Nakishodo?" she asked gently and I shook my head. "I've never fought hand to hand." She nodded and said "Well I'll teach you what I can. No one in this pack can beat me in hand to hand combat." she said the last with a bit of pride and I grinned. "Well it's an honor then."

We followed her to what seemed to be a practice field for sparring and other things. Sasha chose her spot and I moved to my own. I raised my fists to fight and Sasha did the same though she was more relaxed than I was. She moved towards me and I blocked but failed to see the next punch.

The hit was solid and I lost my breath. As I stepped back. Sukura took control of the body and countered the next blow solidly. Once i recovered enough he stepped back and I took forward again as I fought back. The system kept working out until I felt good enough in my ability.

"Good job." commented Sasha and I realized that we had been at this for two hours. I was in need of a drink and so apparently were the flowers as I hissed in light irritation as a few erupted from my body and then buried themselves to get their substance. Annoyed I retreated and let Sukura control the body once more.

(Sukura)

I apologized to Nakishodo for what happened then listened to the flowers a few moments before telling them to not harm anyone or take more nutrients then they needed. I'm sure my words feel on deaf ears but they would listen. They always have after all. "I noticed you two seemed to be switching control often during that without so much as a pause." Sasha said as we moved inside.

"Is that bad?" I asked curiously as we entered the house. "Not necessarily but newly turned weres aren't usually so stable. Especially since based on what you said the other night you were turned to save your life. So being brought back from the dead then having to fight for your life on top of adjusting to a new body and who knows what else..well that takes a lot of inner strength. "

Her tone was admiring and I doubted that was something most people around her got the chance to hear. "Well thanks?" I said feeling a bit self conscious. "We had best go wash off." she said and seeing my slightly lost look she pointed down the hall. "Showers are down that way. You'll want to go to the left." I nodded and thanked her before going to grab a towel and then heading that way. I had no clean clothes after all so hopefully these hadn't soaked in sweat to much.

The shower well I made it cold because I felt like I was overheating and didn't want to bother with a hot shower. I bathed myself quick land washed off before drying and dressing once more. I felt grungy in my kimono but since I had no other clothes I didn't exactly have a choice in the matter.

Since I didn't have anyone hovering over me or seemingly waiting to order me around I took a few moments to tune into the pack mind link. I kept my presence minimal so that if anyone paying attention was looking they wouldn't notice. Well OK these elders might notice but not much I could do about that. I was more interested in figuring out who would be trying to kill me during the initiation ceremony as I'm sure after it was completed the rumble would begin.

Needless to say since I was so new at this I found out very little. However I imagine if I was challenged they would attempt to limit me in some fashion. Of course I had one advantage. They didn't fully understand my psychic abilities. They only knew that I could control cherry blossoms and that said blossoms came from my blood. They didn't know about my mental abilities. Well OK they knew an alpha's command couldn't affect me but that's about it.

Sasha knew that I could switch between myself and Nakishodo quite easily with almost no effort. But I had the feeling that was something she was going to keep to herself. She had a rather good code of honor and as I have not wronged her I doubt she would feel the need to divulge such information.

So that just left the decision of how to play my cards when I officially became Alpha of the pack. Well apparently I had enhanced strength but I felt as if it would only last a few days then I would go back to my normal levels of strength. Which i was fine with. I am assuming that this is only temporary because it would seem as if there was a ritual that would make such strength permanent.

Until then though if someone wished to act before the ceremony made things permanent well then I suppose I had better prepare myself. But if they did jump me I hardly will be playing nice. After all you play with fire and your going to get burned. Sometimes your consumed quickly in a flash. Other times the fire likes to burn slowly savoring every moment of pain it can inflict upon you.

In my musings I must have been walking around without really paying attention. However something must have gotten my attention on some level. I stepped to my right more on instinct than anything else and I just missed being clipped by a rather large rock. Now I didn't have Telekinesis that was one ability i never had nor did I ever intend to. However that didn't mean I couldn't use my ears and such to my advantage.

Whoever decided to try and use me for target practice would pay quite dearly. My pulse quickened as adrenaline hit my blood stream. My senses kicked up into full awareness and so did my mind. The familiar burning seared it's way through my brain and I smiled grimly."Come on little wolf. Let's play some mind games." I said softly though I have no doubt that I was heard.

I heard a soft laugh not to far off and I looked there scanning for my target with my eyes,my nose, and my mind. My mind found them first and then filled me in on the details as I waited idly for the next attack. The build of the wolf was quite massive and while one might mistake him for the typical musclebound fool this one had some intelligence in there somewhere.

I suppose this wolf thought I had missed where he was at. He was giving off an air of mental confidence. Something he would soon regret. I drove my claws into my palm and idly turned around. Due to the cherry blossom tattoos already on my body all I needed was a single drop. I pressed this drop of blood along a few of my tattoos and waited. The tattoos whispered to life as they were actually cherry blossoms embeded into the surface of my skin. They did not hurt me though. They simply would gather the food they needed from sunlight when they were able too. If they couldn't get it there then they took what nutrients they needed from my food. I wasn't a bad host to them and they in turn protected me quite well.

They slipped into the ground unseen while I waited for further missiles from my opponent but none came. Such a shame really I expected a bit more of a work out, I mean this is an assassination attempt right? At any rate the only instructions i had given my flowers was to bind the attacker. All I had to do was wait, so I pretended to still be searching for him with my back turned until I heard a slight yell behind me and turned idly and began to walk towards the sounds of struggling.

"You might as well give up, they can't be broken." I told them as I approached and I stopped in front of them seeing them to be a brown furred wolf. But I couldn't tell the gender of this one. They seemed to have enjoyed living life as a feral. Which was nice and all but not when I needed a mind that was capable of understand human speech and respond in kind controlling the body.

So I glanced towards the sky and sighed lightly preparing myself for pain as I reached for my power and while it bit at me and tore into my mind for daring to use it in the day light It did obey and I could tune out the pain from long familiarity. Another few breaths and I had my hands on the head of the struggling wolf and I was scanning their mind.

Now some people will tell you that breaking into a person's mind on a whim is a deep violation of privacy and I tend to agree with those people. However those same people had not just been attacked for no apparent reason. So when I found a way into the mind of my target I took the chance and projected myself in my human form into their mind.

Blackness was around me on all sides and while I could hear the breathing of the wolf I could not sense it. I could tell that I was in something under ground however so I was going to guess I was in a cave and that I had just invaded the wolf's den. "You dare to invade my den you human?" growled out the wolf and I laughed lightly.

"I may be human but that doesn't mean you can shove me around like you did your human half." I got a snarl in response and then the sounds of running came to me. The wolf was actually rushing me. Which was a stupid mistake, This obviously wasn't my mind scape but since I was here I could influence things in their mind scape. Not enough to drastically change it but enough to make the wolf trip and eat dirt which I happily did.

The wolf made an irritated noise but I calmly walked towards where it lay and pressed my foot against it's throat. "Why did you attack?" I asked conversationally while keeping it pinned down. "You entered my territory Fox." "Hmmm..yeah that's a wrong answer." I pressed my foot down to exert more pressure and make breathing more difficult.

I noticed as I did this that the wolf was becoming more human. I smiled grimly and continued pushing my foot down and cutting off the air supply.When I had a fully human male underneath my foot I lifted it and pulled him up. "Let's try this again shall we? Why did you attack me?"

I waited long enough for him to recover his breath but he did not answer and I sighed and rolled my eyes before tossing him aside and exiting their mindscape. I was woozy from the use of power in the daylight but my words were clear and concise. "If I see you again your going to spend the rest of your days thinking your a 5 year old girl. Now get!" The wolf ran off as my flowers released him and then the flowers moved to support me drawing in nutrients and the like from the soil and sharing the energy they gained from such with me.

Now no offense to any girls reading this story. I didn't mean to offend with my earlier comment. But guys like him well that's a critical part of who they are and while I could very well have taken that away from him, he is far more useful to me scared than anything else.What did surprise me however is that no one came looking for me since by my estimate I had just vanished for around twenty minuets.

Based on the way some of them treated me after all or at least looked at me I was nothing but a child in their eyes. A child with freaky abilities they didn't understand but a child none the less. In my own circles my name was well known. Before things had backfired and I got into a situation that had caused me to use to much of my power and I had become deeply wounded as a result. I only knew the name of the one that had turned me but I dare not seek them out or share that name with the others here.

I'll tell you because as a reader there is no way you can convey information to the others in this story. His name is Kirve. A silver kitsune of untold age he found me as my life was ebbing away and his bite is what transformed me. He seemed to have been a wandering healer as he had fixed up my wounds before the transformation started. Such kindness in his gaze. As for how I knew his name he had told me so.

"Young one I have no choice, to save your life I have to make you part of a world you will know nothing about. You will be but a child to them, you will know nothing of their thoughts or customs and they will not understand you. You however will be alive, and I have faith that you can make it. Stay safe young one." these are the words he had spoken to me before he had began walking off.

Footsteps slow and soft reached my ears. Measured as if expecting a threat and guarded against one if it were to occur. However I could not tell if they were male or female or if they were cautious towards me or any threat around me. So I turned just as cuatiously my body prepared to jump backwards.

I turned and saw a motherly looking wolf with green eyes approaching. I suddenly felt as if I was intruding on a scared spot. I bowed in apology then walked past her. She made no move to speak or even acknowledged me, not that I particularity minded.

I made my way back to the porch of the house and saw Sasha and another burly wolf arguing. Only problem was this wolf was massive and naked as in completely in the buff. Now normally I would be fine with such, however when my very foot touched the base board of the proch the wolf turned then charged me.

Sasha was able to side step the danger however I wasn't so lucky. I had only a few moments and I had only one option though it would make me naked as well. I closed my eyes and woke my flowers which began to dissolve my body rapildy. However when the wolf connected with his tackle I was still solid. So the impact made me breathless but however I still was able to escape. I made my petals flow to the roof and then began to remateralize but such an advanced move during the daylight hours took it's toll I sank down weakened and panting hard.

"Naki...help me." I said in my head but I guess I must have said it aloud too. "Whoever that Naki is they won't save you from me!" shouted the wolf as he prepared himself to spring. However Sasha had been able to get close while the wolf was distracted and her blow connected solidly. The wolf seemed to be stunned from such. I wasn't complaining. Nakishodo had to hep me stay on my feet. As I grew weaker it seemed he gres stronger. At least strong enough to keep the body going. I'm not ashamed to say that I blacked out from using to much power during the day time.

(Nakishodo)

My human half had done his best I hadn't known about how much it cost him to use his powers during the day but it was still nice to know he had done his best to keep us both safe. Now it was my turn and though I too suffered the penalty of using his power during the day time it seemed as I had more inner strength.

Flowers and blood twisted from me as I focused and together they formed into a small flying dragon. The process was detrimental to my health to say the least. The dragon didn't wait for instructions it dove down towards the fight down below though it was decidedly one sided in Sasha's favor. She wasn't joking when she said no one could beat her in hand to hand combat. She parried and fought with ease while the lumbering wolf seemed to be getting short of breath. My dragon played dirty and swiped at the wolf's ears and the temporary distraction made it possible for Sasha to land a solid hit...in the nether regions. The wolf froze as if Medusa had just looked him in the eyes. A tiny whimper escaped his muzzle before the dragon suicide dived and became a binding wire around it making it fall to the ground.

I felt the power coursing through me. I could but think my command and make the wolf go through what I had done. But I'm a better fox than that. "I use the power I posses as Alpha to silence you bound wolf. You may not speak. The only way you can communicate is through written text. Should that text prove to be hostile towards me or another you are to eat it." The Alpha Command. A command that could not be disobeyed. I was lenient. I could have exiled him for the rest of his life and made it to where stepping on our pack lands could have killed him.

Instead i'm only making him eat paper until I see fit to stop him. It's...generous considering how badly i'm weakened right now. Sukura murmured silent approval in my mind though he wasn't exactly very conscious right now. How he was able to even form a thought was a feat in itself.

As my command took hold the wolf struggled against the bond but that only made them tighten dangerously. "Once word from me and I can slice your head off. It's not silver but it's close enough." I warned him as I glanced down at myself and sighed before jumping down from the wolf. A lot of the wolves seemed to enjoy being in the buff.

I took the time to look myself over and while I didn't particularly like it I would have to deal with it for the moment. My body was still skinny and frail. The wounds from the tortures of the previous Alpha were on my body in clear sight and I'll be honest every movement hurt both physically and mentally.

I tried to take a step and fell to one knee. I cursed quite softly though with werewolf hearing i'm sure everyone head me. I tried to move forward and I pitched off the roof as my head began to swim. My flowers didn't catc me in time nor did Sasha though i'm sure she wasn't expecting it. However I didn't hit hard unforgiving wood. Instead I fell into someone's arms but after that I can't remember a thing. Just my aching body throbbing for eternity.