Chapter 7: A Meeting Among Wolves

With both her and her wolf feeling restless now after having spent the day trying to chase down an Alpha who kept eluding them, this run was exactly what Zalena had needed. The wind rustled through her fur as she ran through the forest, following paths that had been traveled by many wolves before. Only pausing every so often to sniff the air, the smell of the pinewood trees and rain seeming to grow heavier as she settled into a walk. Though she paused, her ears flicked forward as it seemed the whole forest itself had gone still.

‘Something feels… Off.’ She thought to herself as she hesitantly continued forward, it was like everything was holding its breath as she followed the same stream that she had been at previously. This time, instead of jumping in for a swim, she had swam right across it. Standing on the bank, she shook out her fur and sniffed at the air again. A quiet huff coming from her as she glanced at the bushes, half expecting to see silver eyes staring right back out at her.

She hesitated as she reached them, pushing her nose through first before nudging them away as she then huffed with the effort. The branches tugged at her fur, creating an annoyance as she shoved through. The cracks and snaps of the twigs seemed to echo around her as finally pushed through the bushes and paused, her ears pinned back before flicking forward again as she studied the open fields before her.

‘Just like in the vision.’ Another thought raced through her mind as she felt her heart thundering in her chest, just as she was sure the trees around her could hear how loudly her heart was beating. There was a nervousness to her, almost shakiness as she stepped into the field, half expecting to see the Alpha there with the rabbit pinned underneath his paws.

But when she stepped onto the soft grass of the field, a relieved sigh left her as she saw nothing, not a rabbit, nor a black wolf that had been haunting her ever since the Moon Goddess had sent that vision to her. A relieved sigh left her as she walked out into the open fields after sniffing around, deciding it was temporarily safe and since it was warm, she was going to soak up the little bit of sun she had left before she had to make the trip back home tomorrow.

The thought made her grumble in protest as she closed her eyes and held her chin up towards the sky, letting the warmth of it spread across her features. That is until she heard a twig snap behind her and she immediately bolted to her feet, a low warning snarl leaving her as the fur along her back stood.

Another snap of a twig could be heard as whoever was there didn’t seem to listen to her warnings, she positioned herself, ready to attack if necessary as the bushes rustled. When another wolf came out smelling like pinewood trees and rain, she froze. Staring into the same silver eyes she had been looking for earlier as a black wolf emerged. She was sure if he was in his human form by now, he would be laughing at how dumb she looked no doubt with the fur along her back still raised but now more confused than ever.

The world seemed to slow and time seemed to stand still itself as he had stepped towards her, something in her clicking as she wanted to approach him.

‘Mate!’ Her wolf seemed to be cheering as she took a half a step towards him before realization dawned on both her and her wolf. ‘No, can’t… Andros…’ They seemed to realize it at the same time as the black wolf took another step forward towards her.

‘Can’t.’ Was all that her wolf kept repeating in her head as she took a step backwards, the other now seemingly confused by her backing away from him. She couldn’t have him, she couldn’t be with him. Not yet, not while she was still married to another, that would be considered the worst type of betrayal. Even if her and Andros weren’t fated mates. She would never stoop to what he had been doing to her.

A whimper left her as the wolf took another step towards her, seemingly more confused as she had whimpered. A low whine left him as though he was trying to ask if she was okay. She felt the burn of tears as her throat seemed to be closing up.

‘D*mn it! Why now! Why Moon Goddess?!’ She silently cursed as she continued to stare at him, taking in his wolf’s features, he was stunning. Her own wolf was much smaller than his, and she came to a startling realization that he was bigger than the ordinary wolf too. But she shook her head, as though clearing the thoughts from her mind as she took another backwards step.

It seems that this game had gone on forever, her taking a step back and him taking a step forward. Her wolf encouraged her to continue to back away; they knew that it was for the best, at least until she could be separated from Andros fully. Regardless of what was to come, she would find him again. Even with her wolf’s encouragement, it was hard, seeing the confusion and hurt lingering on his features as she finally paused once she felt the bushes behind her.

‘I’m sorry, I can’t do this.’ She bowed her head in an apology, hopefully he would understand the feelings that she was trying to convey. She could only hope that he would forgive her once she found him again.

‘Quickly!’ Her wolf seemed to be urging her as she took one last long look at the black wolf that was her fated mate, the pull of the bond making it difficult for her to even back away. Every step felt like she was walking through mud that was up to her elbows. ‘Go! Now!’ Her wolf screamed at her.

And with that last bit of encouragement, she turned away from the Alpha she had felt watching her every move that day, the one that was her fated mate.