Dark Fate - A Shifter's Fury

By Karley Stafford

I am the alpha's daughter, the alpha apparent, heir to our pack. A responsibility and destiny I have resented my entire life. I wish I could give it up, but that would be selfish.

My father has made a deal with another wolf pack to marry me

• Language: English
• Publisher: Karley Stafford
• Release date: Aug 23, 2022
• ISBN: 9781777991203

Book preview

Chapter One

It’s about time he lost my damn trail . Cole kept up longer than usual today, chasing me through the snow-packed mountain range of the Rockies. I know I’ll get my ass chewed out later but I needed to get away. From the pack. From the rules. I needed a couple of hours to escape from this life I was born into. I am the heir apparent to our wolf pack. Cole is my pain in the ass shadow, tasked with keeping me safe. I love my people, but the burden of taking over for my father and one day being responsible for our wolves is extremely daunting. It’s not something I want. Cole knows this. He knows I run off for a taste of freedom, he just doesn’t know where, and it’s something he resents me for. But I need this little slice of something I choose for myself, the part of my life I keep hidden from my pack.

As I silently make my way over the hillside, trying to blend in, my paws crunching along the snow, an angry howl comes from the far reaches of the eastern side of the forest. I thought I could sneak away in the middle of the night, but I should have known better. That pain in the ass would be on high alert after the fight I had with my father. Then again, dear ol’ dad and I are always at each other’s throats as of late.

It’s been this way since Mother passed away four years ago. She suddenly fell ill and nothing would cure her. We aren’t even sure what took her from us. Watching her wither away slowly, losing all strength, broke something in both of us. Father begged, pleaded and even threatened the High Witches of multiple covens across western Canada to heal her, but to their dismay, none could. He doesn’t want to hear reason for forming an alliance with Coven Moonrise; he hasn’t trusted witches since he lost his mate. I’ll have to make my argument in front of the coven leaders at our next meeting.

It’s almost sunrise now, a golden glow lightening the horizon. I’ve lost so much time running in the opposite direction. The minute I sensed Cole following me, I had to change course. I don’t want him discovering where I run off to. I won’t risk my slice of freedom. Now I have to head back south, and hopefully I can make it before Haven wakes up. The thought of her makes my instincts take over. My heavy breaths fall short of my heavy lungs as the wind caresses each tuft of white fur along my body.

The forest calls to me. As the trees are one with the Earth, I am one with them, with the land. I run as fast as my muscled body will allow on padded paws. The frozen blanket of snow crunching beneath me, I barely notice the comforting shine of the silver moonlight fading as I move.

Running at full speed, my keen eyesight catches the first glimpse of the cabin in the distance. The old run-down shack is a sight for sore eyes. The wooden log walls are on the greying side. There is no smoke rising from the brick chimney which means she hasn’t woken yet. The den might be where I live, but this is home. Because home will always be where my heart is, and my heart is with Haven.

As I enter the grove, the familiar zing against my body leaves the comforting caress of Haven’s magic trailing along my fur. The cabin is warded against prying eyes. Once I cross its invisible borders, my worry eases. The pack can’t find me here. While no one can enter the perimeter we have set out, or see within the magical barrier, if I was to simply vanish in thin air Cole’s stubborn ass would stay seated, waiting to ambush me for answers when I were to leave. The fight that would ensue would be one for the ages.

I nudge my way in through the front door, accompanied by a slight creaking of hinges in need of greasing, and I’m greeted by a soft snore. She’s still asleep. I sigh happily. I love being able to snuggle into her. Being able to wake to the sight of that cocky grin first thing in the morning. The thought makes my heart skip a beat.

Haven is sleeping on her stomach, exposing the beautiful curve of her back. I drink in the view, a balm on my troubled soul. The moons along her spine peek out from the long tendrils of midnight black hair along her back, such a deep contrast to her porcelain coloured skin. Her body moves with slow, deep, even breaths as she sleeps soundly.

I jump onto the bed and snuggle beside her, nudging her with my cold, wet snout. This elicits a whined, Five more minutes . . . Please, as she shoves away from me. I think not, I huff to myself. I run my tongue along her spine, knowing the slobbery trail will irritate her to no end. With an annoyed click of her tongue, she turns toward me and scratches behind my ears.

Rune, you animal, did you really wake me at this god-awful hour for some ear rubs?

A growl comes from my wolf as I shift back to my human form, catching her arm and pulling her onto me. She huffs a laugh, cooing that she’s missed me but that she also loves her beauty sleep.

You’re beautiful enough, I tell her as I steal a quick kiss.

She puts her hands on the side of my face and pushes away. Why are you back so soon? Is something wrong?

Tears fill my eyes, but I close them so they don’t spill over. Her silky soft lips brush gently upon each eyelid. With those kisses, a little of my stress eases away. Her forehead meets mine, and we stay there for a moment, her thumbs trailing soothingly along my cheeks as I breathe her in. I can’t help but smile, lost in the moment enveloped in the earthy aroma that is Haven, minted lavender and sage.

You can tell me over breakfast, she declares with a quick peck on my nose before she rolls off and pulls on her robe. And put some damn clothes on. I can’t concentrate when you’re naked. Winking at me, she struts out of the room in what I swear is a more pronounced sway that shows off her perfect ass.

I laugh, jumping out of bed to walk over to the armoire and pull out a loose shirt and shorts. Got to make Princess Snark happy. The thought makes me giggle, knowing she’d kick my ass if I called her that out loud. Once dressed, I leave our room, crossing the hall into the living room, which opens to the kitchen. I am greeted with the smell of bacon simmering on the stove.

While Haven whisks some eggs for omelets, I set the small table. Pouring coffee from the pot Haven put on, I leave mine black before frothing up oat milk with a dash of sugar-free hazelnut syrup for her. Gripping my cup handle, I add a few drops of the homemade maple syrup the pack makes every spring. I cannot wait for that time to come around again, to see the joy it brings to the pups.

So what has big bad daddy wolf done this time?

I grumble instead of responding.

Okaaaaay. Food first then you can tell me. You’re not pleasant when you’re hangry. She gives me that look that says try telling me otherwise.

I give her the biggest grin I can muster, handing over her cup with a swift kiss on the cheek. Shaking her head, she turns back to focus on cooking while I sit and watch.

Did Cole try to follow you?

Yes, of course he did. Daddy’s lap dog. Can’t let me out of his sight, I say with an eye roll.

With all the sarcasm she can muster she deepens her voice, The heir must be protected at all costs.

I groan in response. The bastard stayed on my tail for over an hour. He’s getting better. I’ll give him that much. Persistent jerk.

Laughing she comes and sits on my lap, pulling my long silvered white hair over my shoulder to braid. You’re making that poor wolf insecure. Being the fastest, the strongest, and a female to boot. You must be driving him insane.

Trust me I’ll pay for it later. Enough about him. Let’s eat. I lift her, my hands wrapping around her thin waist, seating her on my chair as I serve us breakfast, stealing a few mouthfuls at the same time.

You eat like an animal. She huffs.

I let out a howl, causing us both to fall into a fit of laughter.

Thank you for breakfast, my love. Now let’s dig in. I place her plate in front of her, leaning down to kiss her forehead before sitting beside her with my own food.

Chapter Two

Haven is my best friend, as well as my lover. The person I tell all my secrets and desires to. We love each other deeply and escape to the cabin whenever we can. That is when we can afford to get away from our responsibilities. Haven has lived here for almost ten years, ever since her gram passed away when we were sixteen. Her mother was murdered when we were children, and her gram raised her after that. We never found out who killed Graya, but we suspect someone from the Cavell Pack, a pack of wolf shifters with very loose morals. I have made this my second home for four years now, about a year after things changed between Haven and I, when we went from casual friends with benefits to a serious and exclusive relationship.

Haven is high witch to her coven, which means Circle Moonrise will always come before all else. She has worked damn hard to merit that honour and I am so incredibly proud of her. Power rolls off her, and even I wouldn’t cross her when she’s angry.

I, on the other hand, hate my destiny. I am the heir to the most powerful wolf pack on this side of the mountain range. All I’ve ever wanted is to roam free without the weighted responsibility of caring for others. I love being a wolf, but having your father as the alpha is a burden I wish I didn’t have to shoulder. Ever since I can remember, I’ve felt a pull towards the unknown. A pull towards adventure and danger. It doesn’t help that I was assigned a pain in the ass protector. Cole has followed me around since our pup days, tasked with keeping me safe. Not that I need him. As Haven said, I am the strongest and fastest of our pack. My birthright makes me the heir apparent to the Deepridge pack. I could renounce my claim as leader, but no wolf would lead while also allowing me to stay a part of the pack.

After breakfast, I start a fire while Haven prepares some hot cocoa. She’d better be adding Baileys. I need something to take the edge off. Usually I would indulge in her for that, but Little Miss wants to know what has my fur on edge. I curl up on the couch, pulling one of the million soft blankets we own onto my lap as Haven comes into the living room and hands me my favourite blue ceramic mug. She lowers herself to my right on the couch, then pulls