Brandon and I played in the snow for hours. I loved the color of his wolf’s fur, a pale golden hue. It complimented my snow-covered white fur. He buried his nose in my fur, inhaling my scent. I licked his face in return.
We spent most of the time chasing each other. My wolf was happy to run with Brandon’s wolf for the first time. She was getting impatient since we never phased but when he finally agreed, she was insanely ecstatic. She had been waiting a long time.
His wolf tackled us to the ground and I whimpered. I used my hind legs to kick him off me and circled around him, my paws sinking in the snow. The snow level was considerably low compared to my home territory.
I used my nose to throw snow in his direction. The snow hit him in the face and he shook his head, shaking like cat coming from the rain. My wolf purred, finding him adorable. Once we phased, she knew we were truly mates. I just hoped she was right.
He playfully tried to bite my ear and I tried to bite his in return. He chased me through the woods, my heart beating rapidly from the adrenaline. He was the predator and I was the prey.
I wove between trees and jumped over cliffs. I heard Brandon gaining speed but I didn’t look back, only focused on the land blurring before my eyes.
I finally dug my heels into the snow so we could rest. I laid down on my belly as Brandon came up beside me, wrapping his tail around me. He laid down with me, licking his paws.
We overlooked a beautiful view of a river, frozen over from the winter ice. The top of the pine trees danced on the wind’s command, and the sky was a clear aquamarine blue. His territory was almost identical to mine, and soon his home would be my home.
He touched my nose with his and I leaned closer to him, resting my head on his shoulder. I sighed in contentment.
Everything was peaceful.
I hadn’t experienced this much peace in a very long time.
It’s time to phase back, Brandon reminded me and my wolf groaned. She wanted to spend more time with his wolf. And I wanted her to be happy for once.
Catch me.
I took off without warning, loving the way he chased me.
Once I got to a clearing with nothing but snow, I propped myself on my front paws and howled.
I was quickly tackled to the ground by his huge wolf. My wolf happily stayed on the bottom, looking up at our beautiful mate.
I knew what she was thinking and I agreed wholeheartedly.
Mark me. I told him.
Marking was only done by the male wolf to mark his mate. It signaled that I was off limits, that I belonged to someone else.
He nodded, not having to be told twice.
He wanted it more than I did, I could see it in those depths of his.
Brandon took a step towards me and opened his mouth to reveal his extended canines.
My wolf eagerly laid still, anticipating the marking. One of my friends told me that it hurt at first, but then the pain would recede to pleasure.
Brandon sunk his canines into my neck and I howled.
I was not expecting that.
Pain shot through my neck, all the way down to my paws. I tried to get him off me but his hold was too strong. My neck throbbed with an intense heat and I wanted it to stop. I tried to pull my neck away from his grasp but by then, I was too weak.
I whimpered.
Amy? Was the last thing I heard before my eyes drooped and my vision blurred.
*****
I woke to the sound of an angel’s voice.
“Amy?”
The angel was gentle, as if he thought the sound of his voice would hurt me. The angel squeezed my hand with his much bigger one, as if he could send me his strength.
I opened my eyes slowly, not wanting to wake. My body was slow to respond and I felt drained.
I looked up into the eyes of my mate.
“Brandon?”
Then I looked down and screamed.
We were both naked. In the woods. Alone. And he was staring at me.
I tried to cover myself with my hands but it didn’t really help. I tried to cover myself with snow but it only made me colder.
I didn’t remember the part where we phased to human form!
“Look away!” I shrieked as he kept on staring at me. I blushed, insanely embarrassed.
Oh God, how long had he been staring at me for?
Brandon sighed and shook his head. Finally, he looked away and I felt something soft touch my bare shoulder. He was offering me a blanket.
“Take it.”
“Where did you get-?”
“Me and my wolves have a few blankets scattered around our territory for this exact reason.” He explained. That was a pretty smart idea.
I took it and wrapped the maroon blanket around my shivering body. Brandon turned his head back to me but I flushed and trained my eyes on the ground. He was still naked.
“What happened to me?” I asked, trying to fill the silence.
“You fainted.”
“Right.”
“Does it hurt?” Brandon looked at my neck and I touched it tenderly. Even though it should’ve still hurt, it didn’t.
“It’s fine. There’s no pain anymore.” I admitted.
“Can I see?” He edged closer and heat rushed to my face.
I swept my hair over my shoulder, offering a full view of my mark.
He touched it gingerly and goosebumps rained down my arm.
“It’s almost fully healed.”
“You know what they say about marks that heal in a short time, right?” I smiled and he stared at me. “It means we’re both going to live long, happy lives.”
“That’s a superstition.” He said unenthusiastically but gave a small grin.
“Well, I happen to be very superstitious.” I teased and he stood up.
I touched my mark again, unable to wipe the giddy smile from my face.
I was his.
Brandon offered me his hand and I took it as he helped me up, “Let’s head back,”
Don’t fall. Any scrap of my conscience told me. But it was too late.
It was our birthright to fall in love.