Eight

EIGHT

Night falls.

I am in my room, lying in bed.

I can hear the music and laughter of the pack drifting through the trees. They have been enjoying their lives while I have been sitting in my room all evening, watching the shadows lengthen across my floor, pacing, wondering.

And remembering.

I cannot get his gold eyes out of my mind.

I cannot forget his scent.

He smelled as familiar to me as Tomasina or Alia.

As Hunter. As myself.

My mind is full of him.

My body aches for him.

I wonder if he thinks of me, too.

Or has he forgotten me?

Has he already moved on? Picked out a new mate? Someone more appropriate than an enemy gamma?

My mind pulls back from that last thought.

It is too painful.

I need a plan.

He is out there right now and I want to be with him.

I chew my fingernails, staring into the darkness and wondering what I am supposed to do.

I have found my mate.

I have found love.

My hand goes to my heart, which seems to be beating double-time.