8. Play

Flynn pov

I heard the beautiful strong howl that could only belong to my mate as the howl called to me. I was just locking the pack house door when she howled. My wolf stood straight in my mind and basically tore through my human skin forcing me to find her.

I had been trying to follow her brother's wishes but I couldn't hold back any longer. My large gold paws made loud thumps because I didn't care about being quiet, just getting to my mate.

I slid to a stop just before the boundary line. I jumped over and continued my run. I was pushing myself to my limit trying to get to my beautiful mate. I stopped when I saw her. She was a beautiful red wolf with fur that gleamed like rubies. Instinctively I stepped toward her but accidentally snapped a twig...

Maria pov

I heard a stick snap and bolted before I looked behind me. It was the golden wolf from my dream! His fur was like pure gold and his muscles rippled as he chased me.

I weaved between trees, leaped over streams and dodged rocks. I heard an excited growl and felt the wolf's breath on my heels. I turned abruptly and ran towards the pack house. My heart was pounding from fear. I rapidly barked in distress before I was tackled.

By contact, I knew this wolf was my mate. I relaxed my muscles and felt his growl on my back from where he laid on top of me to stop me from running. I rolled over and gave a wolffish grin. I could tell he'd had his wolf longer than me because he snorted in laughter. I licked the side of his face from his muzzle up to his eye. His coarse fur stuck up awkwardly.

It was my turn to snort and then he rubbed his head against mine to smooth the fur. We stood up together and I was just big enough to put my head under his neck. I rubbed my head against his neck and he tucked his head down.

I took off running and felt him chasing me. My tongue was hanging out the side of my mouth. Suddenly the ground dropped out from beneath me and I began to roll down a hill. When I stopped I had landed in a puddle of mud. My gold wolf came barreling after me, but slipped in the mud and fell on top of me. I started to snort and nestle into his neck.

I heard Jeremy, Matt and Ryder's growls as they approached. The gold wolf startled me by jumping to his feet and taking off in the opposite direction.

I whined pitifully and flattened my ears to my head. I rolled to my stomach and slowly approached my Alpha.

'What's wrong?!' Jeremy asked. I shook my big head pathetically and trudged over to the lake. After washing the mud off I stared at my reflection and imagined my gold wolf beside me. My head slumped to the side and I sighed, the cold air made my breath look like steam. Jeremy barked and turned to walk away. Defeated, I got up and walked after him.

I shifted at the tree line and tugged the sundress over my head. I walked into the house and ran straight up to my room. I changed into my pajamas and locked my door, from the inside this time.

My window was still open from last night and through it, amongst the pulsing music from the party, I heard my golden wolf's strong howl. Eagerly I leaned out the window and responded.

I crawled into my soft bed and curled up, hugging a pillow as if it were my mate.

~~~

"TURN THE BLOODY MUSIC OFF!" I screamed down the stairs. "IT IS SIX IN THE MORNING, AND I HAVEN'T SLEPT YET!"

Very quickly I heard the music turn off and people murmuring goodbye. I turned back into my room and cuddled up to my pillow. I heard a click, click, click on the hardwood outside and then my door was bumped open.

In walked my golden wolf and my face broke into a grin. I shoved the pillow off my bed and he jumped up. I cuddled into his fur and fell asleep quickly.

Vaguely I remember someone's hand running through my hair and hearing "Sleep well, my love."