Heartsong (Green Creek 3)

“I’m a wolf. I dream of wolves. I don’t know how else to dream. It’s always been this way.” It was close to a lie, but not so close that she’d be able to tell.

“You’re important to me.” She said it stiffly, like she wasn’t used to expressing her emotions. Oh, Michelle cared about her pack, but sometimes her concern felt… mechanical. Almost perfunctory.

“Thank you, Alpha Hughes. I won’t let you down.”

“I know you won’t.” She glanced over my shoulder before looking back at me. “I need you to be on your guard.”

I was confused. “For what?”

“The wolves in Virginia. They… we don’t know what they’ll do. What they’ll say.”

I wasn’t worried. “It’s probably just a simple miscommunication. Easy fix.”

“Maybe,” she said. She began to tap her fingernails on the desk again, a habit I thought came from nerves. “But if it’s not, do what you need to in order to protect yourself. I expect you to return whole. Stick close to Ezra. Don’t be out of his sight.”

“Is there something else I should know?”

She shook her head. “Just keep an eye out, okay? That will be all.”

I stood as she did. I was surprised when she came around the desk again and took my hand in hers. Her eyes filled with red, and calm washed over me. It was soothing, being here with her. Part of me balked at how easy it was, but I knew my place. I was a Beta wolf. I needed an Alpha.

I needed her.

“You don’t need to worry about me. I can take care of myself.”

She smiled, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “I know you can. But you’re mine. And I don’t take that responsibility lightly.”

I left her standing there in the middle of her office.

When I exited the house, the day was bright. I hoped winter was finally on its way out. The air still had a crisp bite to it, but the sun was warm.

I thought about going home, but I wasn’t ready to face Ezra. I was still a little pissed off he’d been talking to Michelle about me behind my back. I knew he did it out of concern, but it still irritated me.

And the thought of being cooped up with him for a long car ride didn’t help.

Instead of turning toward home, I left the compound and headed for the refuge.

The thick trees blocked out most of the sunlight. There were still patches of snow on

the ground. I stopped as I entered the tree line, cocking my head and listening to the sounds of the forest. It was teeming with life. In the distance, deer were grazing. Birds were calling, calling, calling.

I crossed an old, rarely used dirt road.

I was alone.

I stretched my hands over my head, popping my back.

I needed to run.

I left my clothes and glasses in some bushes near the road. I dug my toes into the earth, slowly breathing in and out.

It started in my chest.

The wolf and I were one.

The first time I shifted hurt more than anything else I’d felt. I’d been on the cusp of puberty, and my skin felt like it was on fire. I screamed for days on end, my voice breaking and going hoarse, but still I screamed.

The wolves I’d been with weren’t pack, but they were close enough. They cared for me even though I wasn’t theirs. The Alpha held me against his chest, brushing my sweat-slick hair off my forehead. “Find it,” he said, his voice a growl. “Find your tether, Robbie. Find your tether and clutch it tightly. Let it wrap around you. Let it pull you to your wolf.”