I propped open the doors the balcony of our suite about nine thirty at night. The air was crisp and cold. I had changed into the costume Joel had chosen. Oddly the clothing made me feel naked and figured its purpose must be to see if I could freeze to death before making it to the circle.
By ten o'clock the den was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop. Katrina had told me at these gatherings the wolves arrived and congregated for hours before the ceremony. As I walked out of our suites I was greeted by Nate, leaning casually on a wall. Poor guy had to pull guard duty on a night like this; I felt bad for him.
"I heard it was a party down there Nate, sorry you're missing it," I said trying to sound sympathetic.
"Ah, the party won't really start until you get there. You aren't stalling now are you?" he asked as I tarried in the doorway.
"I was on my way!" I retorted starting for the stairs.
"I hope you're ready for a good tussle," he said following me down.
"What do you mean 'a good tussle'?"
"It is my honor to inform you that before going through the changing ceremony you will be fighting the Alpha."
"Right," I huffed walking barefoot toward the back doors of the den, "I've seen what happens when you all fight him. I won't win."
"You'll just be proving to the pack you are worthy of being a member. Hopefully, your time with my mate has prepared you well. Use every trick she taught you, the longer you last, the more they will respect you. Don't worry about winning, none of us could do that."
We were well into the forest now, but I wasn't cold anymore. I was too hyped up to be chilly. Looking around I was alone, Nate had disappeared into the trees. I could still feel him watching me though.
I had originally been worried I wouldn't find the clearing, but the path to it was well worn. I kept my stride brisk and focused on the fight. I'd seen Joel in battle, he was fast and brutal. I hoped I wouldn't be hurt too badly. Lost in thought I didn't realize I was there.
I stepped into the open grassy area from the shelter of the trees and sucked in a breath. The entire pack was present and surrounding the circle of stones. They were all looking at me silently. The moon was high and several torches lit the area more. In the center of the circle was a large stone altar set atop several larger slabs of stone.
I kept my stride brisk and moved down the sloping land to the circle. Pack members moved out of my way so it was straight shot. I noticed that most of them were naked. I just kept walking and had no illusions about what the night would bring.
I saw Joel as I moved down toward the center. He was naked and in his human form. He had been leaning casually on one of the stones that made up the outside of the circle, now he moved to stand beside the altar.
"Pack Latro, tonight I change my mate Elizabeth. She will be one of you. Do you accept this pack member?" he boomed out. I had just made my way to the edge of the circle.
"Show us her strength," they called back as one.
'So now we fight,' I thought to myself. Joel nodded subtly moving off the platform and slightly toward me.
Slowly, I walked into the circle. Honestly I wasn't sure what to do, so I just circled Joel as he stood impassively. 'You could give me a hint,' I thought as loudly as I could.
As I admired his handsome backside I heard a chuckle. Turning slowly Joel had a wicked grin on his face. I saw him tense and knew the first round was coming. Some part of me was tempted to wait for him to strike, but it might be more interesting this way. Before he could move I lunged forward and aimed for his throat. I made contact much to my surprise.
The move took him off guard a little, but he managed to grab me around the waist. Fighting furiously I stomped on his arch and clawed at his eyes, Nate did say use every trick Shawna taught me.
I got out of his embrace and stumbled to the side. He aimed a tightly balled fist toward me; I blocked the hit and kicked out at his knee. He dodged my attempt and moved behind me before I could blink. I felt his arms around me again, so I threw my head back aiming for his nose. He chuckled and released me, obviously he enjoyed the game.
Before I could get more than a step away he was back on me pulling me back toward him. Fabric tore as the skimpy halter top was ripped down the back. The material fell to the ground unnoticed. I threw an elbow out aiming for his ribs. I felt the contact, but it didn't earn me so much as an ouch.
Struggling wildly, I had to admit to myself I'm caught. The sound of fabric tearing reinvigorated me. I looked down to see Joel's hand had grown claws and he was using them to shred my jeans. As the fabric fell off my legs I started to struggle anew.
For some reason Joel let me go and I stumbled away from him breathing heavy. Turning to face him I saw the mischievous gleam in his eye. I can't see his mind the way he sees mine, but I know that look; this is turning him on. He stalked me like prey, but I held my ground. I waited until he charged forward then stepped to the side and dodged his outstretched arms.
I knew running was a bad idea, but I started to do it without thinking. I darted away from him and felt his hot breath on my neck before I was halfway across the circle. For all the brutality I knew he could muster the take down was gentle. He twisted his body to take the fall, but kept me tightly in his arms. Twisting back I found my naked breasts pinned to the ground as his weight trapped me beneath him.
"Surrender mate," he whispered in my ear. "You did well."
I had no chance of winning and I knew that, but I abhorred the idea of just giving up. I pushed up slightly and found no give. He moved his hands to grab my wrists and pinned them down. I felt his human teeth on the back of my neck and I knew he was waiting for me.
Defeated I lay my cheek on the cool ground, "I surrender Joel, I'm yours."
As Joel back off of me and allowed me up, the howl that went up from the assembled wolves was indescribable. Joel ran his hands down my arms and pulled me close.
As we walked back toward the center of the circle I saw my shredded outfit around us. Joel had picked it out because he knew he was going to destroy it.
"Smart," I said to him raising an eyebrow.
Laughing he pulled me up the stone steps to the stone alter. The slab on top was magnificent and I wondered how they had moved it here.
Joel chuckled in my ear as he ran his hands down over my breasts. "What do you think I was doing all evening? I made this alter. Do you like it?"
I nodded and realized how much he must have been holding back as we 'fought'. He leaned down and took my lips in a fierce kiss. I kissed and nipped at his lips forgetting the pack that watched and waited beyond the circle.
Pressed between us as we kissed was the evidence of his excitement. I had enjoyed the fight, but obviously not as much as he had. I knew sex was a big part of this ceremony. The fact I wasn't ready and I should be made me nervous.
"I'll take care of you," Joel whispered huskily. "Climb on top. Offer yourself to me, let me worship you until you scream my name."
I couldn't look out at the assembled and for the time being they were so quiet I forgot they were there. Keeping my eyes on the beautiful piece of stone beneath me I crawled onto the top and dropped onto my elbows. In what I hoped was a seductive gesture I spread my thighs until I feel the cool night air between them.
The first touch of his tongue was electric. I chanced a glance back to see a very human Joel standing behind me. He buried his face in my waiting cunt licking with vigor. The thrust of his tongue got rougher and deeper and I found myself moaning his name. I cried out in arousal as he drove me higher and higher.
The sensations stopped abruptly and I looked up to see furry clawed feet in front of me on the marble. It always surprised me how quickly and quietly he moved.
Shifting back on my knees I looked up at the massive wolf man towering over me. His rock hard erection strained away from his body with a tiny bit of liquid clinging to the tip. The temptation was too great and I leaned forward and licked the salty fluid.
The taste was purely Joel and I loved it. The wolf man buried his hands in my hair and pulled me closer pushing his massive staff into my throat. I gripped his hips and pulled him to me not afraid of the instrument closing off my airway; I knew he wouldn't hurt me.
After several minutes of intense oral stimulation I felt the knot at the base of my wolf man's cock start to grow. I stroked the sensitive tissue with my hand and was rewarded with a deep growl.
"Face away from me on your knees mate," the wolf man said in a gravely strained voice.
I turned and faced the opposite direction, once more offering myself to him. My breath was huffing out in white clouds and I was a little surprised I wasn't cold. Under normal circumstances I would be huddled under a blanket in weather like this.
Joel's hands grabbed my hips and his claws almost cut into my sides with the strength of his grip. Without further preparation he entered me, pushing his awesome length home in a single push. The white puff that exited my mouth felt like it was every bit of air from my lungs.
He rode me hard, pushing his knot past my entrance with force and I cried out. When he was completely seated his hands left my hips and came to rest on either side of me. I watched as claws became paws and the creature behind me was now the wolf.