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“Are you sure? I don’t want you overdoing it.”
“It’s an important event for the pack. Of course, I’m going,” Jane said, reassuring me. “I’ve been feeling better today, anyway.”
Pride swelled in my chest at her confirmation, instilling me with confidence that she could uphold her role in the pack. It was nice to know that she took it seriously.
Reaching for her hand, I pulled it towards me and pressed my lips against her skin. “I’m glad to hear it. We’re heading out at eight, and the two of us are going to head somewhere special to me after. We’ll stay there for the weekend if you still feel ok.”
While she looked intrigued, the curiosity got the better of her. “If we’re running there, how will we get our things there?”
I chuckled at that and gave her another kiss. “Don’t worry about the details. Everything will be figured out. All you have to do is relax and enjoy yourself.”
“I feel like I’ve been enjoying myself a lot lately.”
“Good. That’s how it should be,” I quipped, releasing her hand as I left a peck against her temple.
“All right then,” Jane murmured, smiling up at me. “I will be prepared to enjoy myself some more.”
***
By nightfall, I stood in the backyard with Jane by my side as the full moon sat high in the sky. It was a relatively clear night, much to my satisfaction, and I had the feeling it was going to be a good one.
Pack runs were always good for morale, and with the baby on the way, I figured it was as good a time as any to strengthen our connection as a pack. Plus, it was Jane’s first one with us—it might even be her first one in general.
“You ready?” I asked her, already feeling as if my inner wolf was pacing with anticipation for the adrenaline rush ahead.
With a warm smile, she nodded. “Lead the way.”
Delight moved through me as I gave in and let my wolf take the reins. Surrendering my human form, I wasted no time getting the process started.
In the blink of an eye, I was on all fours, looking through a lens different from my regular perspective, and everything around me seemed to come alive. From the scents in the air to that feeling of tangible life beneath my paws, the world became something brand new.
With a shake of my body, I eased into that different feeling and found Jane next to me, waiting for my lead.
Remembering it wasn’t supposed to be just the two of us, I geared up, lifted my head, and howled toward the sky. Holding on to that long note, those instincts took hold, and I was itching to get running.
Darted across the backyard, I went straight for the woods with Jane in tow, invigorated by the wind as it moved by me.
Before long, I heard quieter howls and barks in return, confirming that the others were coming. Without having to wait, I caught their various forms in my peripheral and sensed their presence as they fell into step.
Dodging trees and any other obstacle, we cleared land fast, tearing through the tenser parts until we reached clearings and meadows along the way.
Charging on, I could feel the tether I shared with Jane as it tightened and seemed more durable than ever. Gone was the frail, nearly non-existent bond we had, blessing us with the ability to feel everything on a deeper level. The empathy and connection between us were unlike anything else, and I knew I was incredibly blessed to have it for myself.
Running with my fated mate by my side only made the run all the better.
I knew the woods like the back of my hand, which made it easy to navigate with multiple wolves behind me. Recalling various landmarks and usual scents, I led us toward the isolated lake that didn't compare to the other beach I took Jane to.
But that sudden flash of pain hit me before I could anticipate it. Immediately, I realized it wasn’t my own, and I knew it had to be Jane. I stopped in my place as the others ran by me, and I turned to find Jane standing there beneath the canopy of trees, smelling of confusion.
Feeling there was no better time to test our telepathic connection, I located it within my mind and reached out to her.
Are you all right?
In her wolf form, she panted before letting go of a quiet whine. I just had a premonition about Sam trying to harm the pack. He’s planning an ambush, but I don’t know when.
There was no escaping that rush of anger that consumed me. Any mention of Sam brought that emotion to the forefront of my mind so easily. It didn’t matter what our past was or what he was planning to do about it—there was no way in hell I’d let him hurt anyone in my pack.
Forcing that habitual frustration down, I reached for her again. Did it seem urgent?
