Alpha's Mate by Caryn Moya Block Page A

teach me the duties of the Alpha female, later.  Dmitry needs our support right now.”
    “Spoken like a true Alpha's mate.”  Yelena praised her.
    Dmitry couldn't wait to get back to Violet.  He spent the day visiting with all the elders, and getting their opinions on the breeding problem, his mating with a human, and making a mandatory blood oath.  Through it all he tried to be polite and contained, when he wanted to growl with frustration.  After all this time, he was back to the beginning.  It was his decision.  None of the elders knew why the population was dwindling.  They all gave their own opinion, but no true evidence.  Most of them could care less whom he mated with, as long as he found a way to increase their numbers.  And with all the advice, pro and con, it was still his decision, whether to ask for a blood oath from the pack members.  Dmitry wondered why he took the time to ask.
    Vikenti, sensing his son's frustration, patted him on the back.  “You are doing the right thing in asking.  If only so they won’t have their feelings hurt when you make a decision.”
    But the decision would still be his, as it was his right, as Alpha.  It was time to go home.  After removing their clothes and leaving them in one of the strong boxes left along the trail, Dmitry gave the signal to shift.  A good run would help them release their tension.
    The large black wolf’s lips pulled back from his teeth as he reached for the next leap.  He ran as fast as he was able, his tail straight out behind him.  He sped past, jumping over fallen logs and low lying brush.  His every muscle and bone strove for the perfection of movement.  His pack members spread out behind him.  This was his world.  The Siberian Tundra, his home and refuge.  The wind rushed past, bringing the scent of prey, food.  Strength flowed through him.
    Dmitry loved being a wolf.  The freedom was intoxicating, the power tremendous.  He reached for Violet’s mind wanting to share the exhilaration of being a wolf.  His mother reported their conversation, and Violet’s correct conclusions.  She was terrifying in her observations.  He was so proud of her.  Their minds merged as he shared each experience with her.  He was returning to her, his mate.
    The earth exploded next to his front paw.  Then he heard it, the whine of a bullet.  He jumped to the left as he called to Vikenti and Grigori.  If they could get into the deeper forest, whoever was shooting at them would have a harder time finding a target.  As he reached the tree line, he felt the bullet enter his hip.  The pain was excruciating.  White hot flames engulfed him.  He staggered, but pushed himself to keep going.  Safety was only a few feet away.  Violet screamed, feeling his pain, she called out to him telepathically.  Unable to shield her from the agony, he broke contact.  Finally, deep into the forest, Dmitry collapsed next to a fallen tree.
    His father followed him and shapeshifted immediately, kneeling at his side.  Vikenti started pressing against the wound, feeling for the bullet.  Dmitry screamed in his mind, the pain unbearable.  Violet came flooding into his thoughts, soothing him.  He would have pushed her out, but lacked the strength.
    I am with you, let me help you.
    Dmitry had no choice but to let her stay connected to his mind.  His heart melted, knowing she wanted to comfort him.
    “The bullet is out now.  You need to shift, Dmitry.”  Vikenti looked worried.  Dmitry knew he lost a lot of blood.  Could he make the shift being so weak?
    Strength poured into him.  Dmitry realized Violet and his family were trying to aid him.  He called the shift, felt his bones start to reknit, torn flesh to mend.  It was painful, but lasted only a moment as the wolf reshaped and became the man.
    Dmitry lay on the ground panting.  The pain was gone, but he was still weak from the loss of blood.  His father helped him sit up and lean against the