# 13

His pov
Standing on slightly unsteady legs, trying to hide her lack of equilibrium after our encounter. She bent to her pack, giving me a beautiful view of her ample backside. She recovered her rabbits and knife. I wondered within eyesight. My protectiveness heightened as I gathered what we needed for the fire, then I began banking the earth into a small pit. While she skinned the rabbits. Then, making a spit, I fashioned out of some downed branches. She passed me the rabbits, and I glanced at her expert handiwork. “You are very good at this,” I complimented. She smiled shyly, giving me a small nod. My mate wasn’t used to compliments. This I would have to fix. Our souls had begun to meld. Usually, this didn’t happen till after mating. However, our case was an intricate one. My sister’s mating hadn’t gone normal with Diablo, either. The more primal part of me had calmed once a link established between us, dampening the need to rush a claim.

As I turned the rabbit over the fire, she stretched and began scraping the insides of the hide. Cleaning it of any decomposing elements that could jeopardize the skins. Once the rabbit was done, we ate. I ate more of the meat while she also nibbled on things she had gathered. "How many days till we get there?" She asked. "one and a half," I answered, tossing a bone in the fire. If I was in wolf form, I would have eaten that too. "Are there supplies enough for the winter?" She questioned. "Yes, we gather and preserve all year for winter." I smiled inwardly that she was thinking long-term. I just hoped she’d stay. "If we skip out on the rabbits for tomorrow and double time, we could make it there tomorrow night if we travel in the dark?" I offered. "That would be preferable," she said. "Are you afraid to be alone with me now?" I countered. She smirked slightly, her cheeks flushing. "No, I just want answers, and I feel the need to follow through with what brought me here. It’s like something linked to you and pulling you along. It brought me to you. Now I need to go there," she pointed in the direction of home. “That's where we are going.” I offered. She nodded as if that was what she expected.

As the sun went down, so did the temperature. She began subconsciously rubbing her arms. I came behind her, engulfing her in my arms. "How are you so warm?" she asked. "Canines run hot," I said slightly suggestively, knowing my beard tickled her cheek and ear. Feeling playful I rubbed my beard over the sensitive skin of her exposed neck.

She play elbowed me. “That tickles,” she giggled as she attempted to cover up the shiver in response. I could have dropped dead right there, having heard that sweet sound. Inhaling I realizing it had done something completely different to her. Her arousal was sweet and earthy. I locked down those thoughts before they came spilling into my mind. Though this I would have to remember. She then turned in my arms, and I rubbed warmth onto her back. "Turn in and get an early start tomorrow?" She queried, arching a brow at me. I nodded back, realizing she was gently requesting I behave. Honestly, I was, but you can't blame me for being a little excited. Boy, this is going to take effort. Especially since she seemed content to return with me and at least giving this a chance.

We crouched into the little cave and she unstrapped the sleeping bag. "Fur or skin?" I asked," I don't care as long as my furnace is doing its job." She responded. I raised a brow at her. " No," she said, shaking her head at what she thought I implied in that look. "When business is done, we will get to the bottom of this," she stated, pointing between us. I put my hands up in defeat, "if I were to go furry, no guarantee I’ll still be in the morning." I warned "I... Don’t ... Care." She repeated. She tossed the pack down, then laid down, using half of it as a pillow. I tucked in behind her as I relished the feel of her against me. The towel was still tucked around me. I enveloped her in an embrace I never wanted to let go of.

My eyes watched her as she almost immediately drifted to sleep. Taking in her delicate features, I found myself memorizing each disheveled strand of hair and the soft curves of her face. As if my heart wanted me to prepare myself for the possibility she would cut her losses and flee. Wanted to savor these moments of solitude before we came to the world where I was not just a man who changes into a wolf but also the leader and held the responsibilities that would come between our time together. I didn't mind being my people's Alpha and considering we lacked the drama associated with most packs by living off the grid and nurturing our instinctual needs. I had it easy until I thought about the omen of my birth. It wasn't something I aimed to live up to, but looking down at my mate; I realized the potential for that future was now there. Would she shy away from the idea of what we may become together? Would she choose to maintain the heartache of her lonely life, or would she embrace who they fated us to be? As sleep finally sank into me, I whispered a prayer to the Moon Goddess that she would give me the strength and ingenuity to make our mating stick.
~
I woke to Aurora fidgeting in her sleep. It was still very dark out. It must be barely the beginning of dawn. She must be having a dream, I figured as her eyes were still closed, her forehead crinkled into a scowl as her head seemed to be looking from side to side. This went on for a few moments while I contemplated waking her. Suddenly, her eyes shot open, the flashes of magic evident in her eyes, as they glowed like molten jade, silver lightning striking within the halo of her irises. “Help, he needs help,” she stammered as she took in a gasping breath, getting her bearings. Her eyes darted around in the darkness of the cave. “Who needs help? What’s going on, love?” I asked, gripping her shoulders and forcing her to look at me. “Blake needs help, how, how is he like you?” her words did not make sense to me. “Whose like me? Who is Blake?” I asked as she turned out of my grip and began shoving things into her pack, shaking her head. She paused before answering. “my brother,” she said, returning to her task. “I thought you didn’t have any family. How do you know he's like me?” I asked. “Wait, slow down, love, I don't understand,” I said, grabbing her hands and crouching in front of her. She took a deep breath and shook her head, forcing herself to calm down. I could see her in the dark, but I knew she couldn't see me as well as I could see her. “the dream,” she started. “I… I see things. When I dream,” she confessed, clarifying why it was important to her. “There was a black wolf who spoke to me with my brother's voice.” She continued, and her eyes seemed to plead with desperation. “He asked for help.” “I don't know a Blake,” I said as she pulled her stuff together and headed for the opening of the cave. “I can't sit here and debate with you about this,” she said, throwing her pack over her shoulder and kicking dirt over the cooling embers that had been our fire. It was as if she was going to flee. I panicked. “Where are you going? Do you even know where he is?” I asked, getting in front of her.

“It's funny you say that because it seems he's exactly where you were taking me.” She countered, then pushed past me. I pushed myself in front of her once more. “Would you hold on one second?” I pleaded with frustration, trying to piece things together. She looked up at me with an expression that was foreign to me. Was that hurt and betrayal swirling behind her determined facade? “Look, the only black wolf I know is Diablo. He's been with us 6 years since we came out here.” I stated facts to attempt to get more information before she pushed me away again. She let out a huff through her nose, nodding her head in a go-figure type of way. “I don't know what name he gave you. My brother has been missing 6 years and our parents died right after he left”. My world stopped. “Now let me go,” she said almost coldly. “I don't know how much time he has. They were fighting other wolves.” She said, looking at me as if she dared me to get in her way again, the magic in her eyes nearly making them fully glow. Now that I understood the urgency, there was nothing to do but comply. I pulled the towel off, tossing it to her. As I shifted to the wolf to lead the way, once she got moving, she picked up the pace. We were now running through the forest.

Shit! I thought, my dearest friend and second avoided talking about his past at all costs. Now I was bringing his little sister, he never mentioned home, as my mate! Double Shit! I couldn’t connect the dots. Why would he leave her completely alone all this time with such a big secret? On top of this, I was worried about my pack. I couldn’t fully connect with them this far out. I paused, letting out a howl. Familiar voices, As well as yips of unfamiliar ones, further out, answered it. My ears perked forward. This wasn’t good.

She impressed me with her will and stamina for someone with a body that was human she had unmatched strength and endurance. ‘How are you keeping up with me at this pace?’ ‘When you’re hiding so much and nearly everyone who's truly known you disappear from your life, you find a coping mechanism mine was running. Add that I can pull from the surrounding energy, I will keep up.’ She spoke through her mind. She bounded through the brush and trees, still graceful and barely leaving a trail. Pride burst through me. ‘Can you go faster?’ I asked. “Let's try. This must be urgent!” She seemed almost panicked. I picked up the pace, and she launched at full speed, following me. If we kept this up for a while, we'd be there before sunset.

We were nearing territory. ‘Slow down,’ I urged her. ‘You need to stick close; my people don't know you.’ She was panting as she slowed to a walk. As we crossed into territory side by side. I paused, letting out a chilling howl, then I linked with the others. 'Returning with a friend, is there a problem I need to know about?' I sent out to the first high-ranking wolf I could come in contact with. ‘Evander? Finally! Rouges have been sniffing around. We have chased them off for the time being.’ Elijah stated exasperatedly. ‘Dam it! is Diablo around? I have someone with me he'll want to see.’ I told him. ‘Really? Which way are you entering I can send him to meet you?’ he asked ‘Southeast, we are already across the border.’ ‘I'll send him. He's not going to want to leave right now, so I hope this is important.’ ‘It is,’ I stated. Looking up at Aurora, whose eyes darted around, looking for danger. ‘They have handled the threat. All is well. Your brother is coming to meet us.’ There was an apprehension that blossomed after the relief of the threat being gone. There was no way to know how this would turn out.

After a half-hour brisk walk in. I could smell him. The black wolf meandered out of the trees into the clearing. He paused, glancing at me before looking up at her. He stopped sitting on his haunches. As we approached him. Aurora looked at me and I met her gaze. "Blake?" She called out in question. "How? How can this be possible?" She stammered, as we came before the jet-black wolf whose coat shone a rainbow effect in the fading sunlight. The raven wolf cocked his head, intelligent eyes stunned into recognition, meeting her gaze. Surprise seemed to wash over him. He looked her up and down, stood, then barked happily, wagging his tail. He ran a circle around her, taking her in, then shoved his head under her hand. She fell to her knees, stroking him with tears in her eyes. “We should get to the homestead for food and clean clothes,” I said. She was in a daze; I took her hand in my mine, as I shifted. Her other hung fingertips brushed the black wolf's fur as we continued to the center of our territory. Tears gently rolled down her cheeks. But I stayed silent, not knowing what was going on yet. Nor did she seem to notice my nakedness, either. I yanked the towel from the strap of her bag where she had knotted it, as opposed to taking the time to stuff it in her bag and wrapped it around me.

The closer I got to the homestead, the more whole I felt in my life. This was right, this was good. But I worried about her dream that brought her sprinting here after days of the languid movement. Something was on the theoretical horizon.

She came out of her daze as we came to the first few homes tucked into the landscape. Diablo licked her hand when she stilled. "We need to get you inside. You’re not dressed for this weather. Tonight will be colder than lastl." Diablo made a sound of agreement. "I'll take her to my place; I know you have someone to check on. We will be there when you’re done." The wolf paused, stepping back and noticing our joined hands for the first time. He looked at me before turning to his sister, sniffing the aroma of the surrounding air, no doubt testing his sister’s state of virtue. I rolled my eyes at the pissing match we would soon be dealing with, as the two most dominant wolves in the pack would most likely be at odds with this. Satisfied for the moment, he nuzzled her hand and walked away towards his cabin.