Chapter Twenty-Eight

Dom

Standing in the fresh air, surrounded by Moonpeak wolves ready to join together for the monthly community bonding was the closest I'd felt to home in a long time. The running was a good distraction from June. I told myself she was with Smokey, that she was strong and would push through her first shift just fine, but I couldn't keep still regardless. At training I was a mess, and Amelia was happy to hand me my ass for being distracted. But tonight, tonight was the pack run under the full moon, and that I could put some focus into.

Stretching my arms skyward, I watched the gathering excitement in the open field around me. Wolves I hadn't seen in years were now glancing my way with curiosity. I knew what they must think of me. Of all of us. But I wasn't about to let that get in the way of knowing them again. With each familiar face I approached I got a hug, a handshake, or a smile. Not one of them seemed to hold my absence against me, and a few of them nearly cracked my serious mask, telling me I looked just like my dad when he was younger.

It was almost too much to handle. I was so filled with love from this pack, and it shamed me more that I had left it to Evander. But, no matter my feelings, I had followed Amelia, and nothing I could do now would change that fact. She did get one thing right, though—I knew a hell of a lot more tricks now than I would have if I had stayed in the mountain range.

"What's up with you tonight?" Jack asked, and I turned to see he was talking to Amelia, who was on the edge of the field.

"Everything all right?"

"Yeah," she said absently, curling and uncurling her fingers. She was antsy. "Yeah, but I have an off feeling. I don't see Naomi yet, maybe that's it."

"We'll find her," I said. "We already know she's under that roof with Evander. But tonight is the full moon, she's got to come out to run, and we can see what June was talking about."

"Dom's right," Carson offered, taking one of Amelia's hands long enough to give it a reassuring squeeze. "We'll find her. June said she's healthy, we can work with that."

"You're right." She relented, rolling back her shoulders and looking up at the sky. "But I still feel off tonight."

"Maybe it's the bond with the warlock?" Aaron offered, joining us at the edge of the gathering. The Blightfang now together for the first run back in Moonpeak.

She made a face. "Don't remind me, I'm going to have to do all my running close by. But no, I don't think that's it."

The chatter in the clearing died down as people noticed Evander coming from the pack house, already in his fur, with Naomi's wolf walking beside him.

"She's here!" Carson said, taking several steps forward before I caught his wrist.

"Stop," I said, my heart pounding. Naomi, after all this time. She was a sister to me, just as much as Amelia was. She seemed steady on her feet; she didn't look as though she'd been skipping meals or anything. It was just as June said, physically she was fine.

"Why?" Carson glared at me. "She's right there!"

"Don't make a scene right at the run," I said. "We'll get close to her while the pack is out in the mountains and try to talk to her then. Is that good with you, Amelia?"

We turned to her for confirmation, but her expression was unreadable.

"Amelia?" Aaron asked.

She shook her head. "I finally find her, and I can't make my mind focus on her at all."

"What do you mean?" I frowned, looking between Naomi in the distance and Amelia right by my side.

"Something's . . ." Amelia curled and uncurled her fingers again, then her eyes shot to mine. "You have to make sure we have contact with Naomi tonight. I don't feel right, something is going on and I can't let it interfere with us getting to her."

"I got it," I said, and Aaron held out an arm.

"No, I've got it." He looked pointedly between me and Amelia. "Evander will be watching you both closely, I can get in close enough to check on her. Dom, stay with Amelia, I'm worried."

She scoffed, snapping out of her daze long enough to be offended. "I don't need a babysitter."

"You're stuck with me anyway." I slung an arm over her shoulders as she rolled her eyes, but I didn't miss those curling and uncurling fingers again. "It's all right, I'll be with you for as long as you need me."

She managed a nod, then Evander's sharp howl caught our attention. A glance up at the night sky told me the moon was rising and the run could begin. I shifted, and so did everyone else with varying stages of speed. Once Moonpeak was wearing fur and fangs, Evander howled again, and we were off.

My heart leaped. Claws to the earth, I was more than happy to run with the pack. Bodies around me, running together under the moonlight as one pack. I was just one piece of a whole, and it was blissful.

At this point, even Amelia was doing better now that she had her fur on, and I was relieved to see it, though her ears and nose kept jerking south, as though something entirely too interesting was distracting her.

When it was time to leave the trees right around the village, I thought Amelia was splitting off so as to not stray from Jerod. When she shot like a bat out of hell straight for a white dot at the far end of the houses, I slowed down.

We got it. Make sure she's okay if you need to, Aaron said.

I jerked my head his way, nodded, then trailed Amelia. The white dot that seemed to be her target was a wolf. Not a wolf I knew, but if they were wandering around Moonpeak, then they had permission to be here, or Smokey would have been all over them. Amelia tore through town, and I was trying to stay on her heels when I saw it all unfold.

Amelia, a big gray wolf in her own right as an alpha's child, towered over this other wolf. I thought it was a kid at first, until I got close enough to sense that it was a full-grown female. Despite her size, she had the aura of power befitting at least a beta wolf, and she was frozen in Amelia's path.

What the hell is happening? I asked, but Amelia immediately shut me out. I was not welcome in her head.

Amelia bounded toward the smaller wolf, stopping right in front of her. They stared at each other before she circled the smaller female. When Amelia lifted her head and howled, my reality shifted.

Amelia made the mating call, and she announced her claim before the whole of Moonpeak as the new wolf joined her.

It explained everything. Amelia's weird feeling, the way she was distracted in this direction. When the wolves began to get more . . . exploratory , I knew it was time to bow out.

I ran back to the rest of the pack, my mind reeling. Amelia, mated. Of course it was always possible, but after living among so many other supernatural beings we hadn't put much faith in finding our own mates. It was far too unlikely to be another kind of shifter or a human or anything else out there. But, despite this catching me off guard, I was beyond happy for her. A little envious, but happy. A mate for Amelia meant a luna for Moonpeak once she claimed her place and killed Evander. It would be good news for everyone.

Evander ran the pack down from the village and then up the side of the neighboring mountain, and it wasn't hard to catch up to them. Aaron, Jack, and Carson had questions about the howl, and once I'd confirmed Amelia's mate, I could all but feel the excitement among us. Finally something good had happened to one of us. It had been a long damn time coming.

For a good hour Evander zigzagged us around the gorgeous scenery, light filtering through the leaves overhead as we crossed into forests and the full glow of the moon washed over us when we were in the open. I noted when Aaron began to draw closer to the front to where Naomi was. Good, hopefully he would learn something useful about how to help Naomi tomorrow.

The moon was bright. Smells tickled my nose—the game that had dared to stray into Moonpeak lands. Unsuspecting rabbits, deer, and a few other creatures that had crossed this trail earlier in the day. My stomach growled. Nathan and Anna didn't look any better off. We were all ready for the moment Evander would release the pack to the hunt.

In the meantime, I ran with Jack, nudging him off balance and laughing when he almost fell over. I ran with Carson, a bit of a chase through the trees as he tried to keep up with me. I ran with Nathan and Anna as we taunted each other, leaping in each other's way and moving at the last minute. It was glorious.

Evander finally slowed the pace, easing the run for the weak and elderly, the ones that didn't have the same stamina as the alphas, betas, warriors, and trackers among us. It had been hours. Evander brought us to a stop by a crystal clear stream. The pack was happy to take a short break, lapping up water and sniffing around.

I lay on my belly by the stream, drinking my fill, and then enjoying the feel of the cool grass under me. Nathan and Anna did the same.

My ears perked up at a distant sound. The cheerful howling of welcome. A new wolf was born tonight.

Moonpeak! Evander called to all of us. We welcome a new wolf.

Suddenly, we were all on our feet. The pack collectively threw back our heads and howled the welcome.

Could it be June? Carson asked me.

I sent him the mental equivalent of a shrug. The answer would come soon enough since Smokey would be sending any new wolves on to meet the pack. But a part of me dreaded it. Did I want it to be June? Did I want something to happen if it was?

I eyed Amelia's large gray wolf, curled around the smaller white one. What was it like? What was Amelia feeling? And how could this affect our plans?

Moonpeak , Evander called, distracting me. Make your way to the village at your leisure. The moon will release us soon.

I shook out my fur, turning to Nathan and Anna.

How about that dinner? I asked.

Yes! Anna cried, her wolf excited for the thrill of the hunt.

Go! Nathan said, and we three raced off.

Run, run faster!

The wolf in me was elated. We raced through the stream, splashing our fur as well as Nathan's and Anna's. Over the stream, down the slope, we wove and dodged around trees and rocks alike.

The chase was everything I needed it to be. Nathan had seriously grown as an alpha wolf, that was for sure, because he made me work hard for every inch I gained in front of him. There were times he was in the lead, too, and Anna was at our heels the whole way.

Meat!

My wolf and I raised our nose to the wind. Winding back toward the mountainside the village sat on was the enticing scent of a deer. A buck, specifically, and I shot to the side sharply, taking Nathan by surprise.

Hey! he called, but I ignored him. He turned onto my path but I had already gained several feet on him. That buck was mine!

The scent of it had brushed against low-growing plants. It left prints in the soft earth, and my wolf went wild with the sight of them and the smell of the prey.

Delicious! my wolf cried . Smell!

I wanted to chuckle at how excited my wolf was. It was like we were just pups again. But the scent was enticing. Very enticing.

And very much not a buck.

The beast we had been hunting was ahead. The buck saw the running wolves and bolted. I pressed forward, but the new smell was distracting.

I was nearly on the buck's haunches when Nathan shoved me aside, causing me to nearly tip over while running at full speed.

Get your head in the game, Dom! Nathan cried.

I shook my head and ran. We were on top of the buck in an instant, it didn't stand a chance.

But no sooner was our prey good and dead did my wolf practically drag our head into the air again.

Scent! Follow!

And with little other choice in the matter, I did.

I walked forward, trying to figure out what it even was. I could eat it. I could fuck it. Was it a wolf? What was that?

Dom? Nathan asked. You okay, bud?

I'm gonna eat the liver if you don't get back here , Anna teased.

You will not, you glutton , Nathan snapped.

I ignored them, and my walking quickly turned to running. Weaving through the trees, I pushed into the rocky open ground that would lead me to the village if I kept going. But I didn't even take one step into the clear ground before my world spun.

A stunning wolf. Shiny black coat, blazing yellow eyes. She stood tall with long legs and a narrow frame. Sleek. Elegant. My heart pounded even as I registered there was something familiar about her.

I took a deeper breath, tasting the scent on my tongue, and still making my way across the wide fields to her. And I knew now who it was. The registration of it hit my face a split second before it hit hers.

June.

Our eyes met and widened. She was running across the clearing to me. Her long strides were powerful as she bounded over the grass, but there was something new about her. She wasn't used to running yet. This was a new wolf. A wolf figuring out her body. Her fucking perfect specimen of a wolf body.

And I wanted her. I wanted her more than I'd wanted anything in my entire life. My wolf did, too, and he was happy to explain why.

Mate . He said it. I knew it before he told me, but the word was a trigger. It made the gears in my head spin.

Fuck .

June, she deserved better. She deserved the world. She didn't deserve someone like me.

Mine! the wolf in me insisted.

And he was right. I growled. We were almost on top of each other now. If she deserved the best, then I would just have to become the best. But that was a problem for another night, as our wolves met in a collision of fur under the moon's grace in the open field.

June. She ran her neck and sides along me. Scenting on me. She was probably confused as hell, none of this was natural to her, but her wolf certainly knew what she wanted at least. And so did mine.

June? I prodded. Hopefully she had figured out this much yet.

Dom , she answered. What is . . . Why do you smell so . . .

What is your wolf telling you? I asked gently.

She didn't answer, but I could tell she was flustered. In the way she smelled, in the way she moved. If she was human right now, she'd be blushing from head to toe.

That made me grin.

I loosened my control a bit and let my wolf explore June as he wished. It was pretty apparent that June's wolf was in control as well. They rubbed all over each other. Scents entwined, and it was such a fucking tease for me. Hopefully June was handling it all okay. This was going to end in a very serious talk later. But for now I was just happy to have her, to be near her. This was spinning my world around, and the state of the pack was about to be in chaos once we challenged Evander. I had known before that I wanted to watch out for June during the conflict ahead, but now I was terrified that something could happen. Her association with me had just made her a target for Evander.

The moon was making its descent by now, and her hold on me had loosened enough that I knew we could shift soon.

June. I got her attention as our wolves were curling around each other. I'm going to shift into my skin. Do you think you can do the same?

I don't know, she answered. I can try.

That would have to be enough. I pulled back the reins from my wolf and began shifting. It didn't take long to ease back into my human skin. The moment I had hands I plunged them into the fur at June's neck. It was so soft. Her smell, shit, even in this form her scent was so strong. For a moment I wondered if I'd spend the rest of our lives drunk on the smell of her.

Her shift was much slower than mine. Her wolf licked my cheek once, and then she took half a step back to try shifting. My heart ached. It was a slow process of several minutes as she slowly shrank. Her arms shifted first and she whimpered. Another stab through my heart. Slowly but surely, her limbs began to look more human. Her teeth changed. Her tail disappeared. Her claws changed to fingers and toes.

As she slowly formed back into the June I knew, I held her. The last of her shift left her panting, eyes closed. I pulled her onto my lap, holding her in my arms as her breathing and heart rate finally slowed down.

"Ow," she said softly.

I reached up to brush the hair off her forehead, still slick with sweat. "It gets much easier. This is the hardest day you'll ever have with it."

"Good." She sighed, then looked up at me. "I can't believe we're supposed to be bonded."

"Is it that bad?" I asked.

"No." A sly smile spread across her lips. "I don't think I'd be ready to try this with anyone else, I'm glad it's you."

My heart felt like it would explode. I had hoped, but I had pushed it all down and away. Now, every feeling I had for Juniper Gunn flooded to the surface.

I pulled her up closer to my face. She tilted her head back, eyes wide, and I leaned down to kiss her. Our lips met, hot and hungry. She let out the smallest moan as our mouths entwined. Tasting me firmly but slowly. "That was way better than in my dream," she mused.

"I'm going to have to get the details on this dream," I said.

Aaron padded over, not too close, and set down a bundle of clothing. I nodded my thanks, and he left.

"June." I kissed her forehead, then reached over to grab the clothes. "We need to go somewhere and have a talk. And I want to get inside somewhere before we're disturbed by anyone else."

June groaned and curled into a tighter ball in my arms. "I think it's too late for that."

I glanced up. A long line of wolves were sitting, watching, around the outer edges of the clearing. Aaron, Jack, and Carson looked about as amused as they could possibly be. Amelia wasn't paying much attention since she was hovering over her little female, but she did give me a nod.

"Here," I said, offering June an oversized sweatshirt. She pulled it over her head as I stood and yanked on the pair of shorts Aaron had brought me.

I sighed, looking for the one I needed to speak to. There, near Smokey and some of the warriors. He was already shifted and even wearing clothes. June and I must have been occupied with each other for quite some time.

"Evander," I said. "I request a house for a newly mated pair."

He nodded sharply, arms crossed as he watched us. "South street. Last house. It's already empty and ready for new occupants."

It would do for now.

I led June in the direction of the house and away from the clearing of eyes on us. I didn't like the look some of the males were giving her.

"Are you okay with sharing a bed? Beyond that, we can go as slow as you want."

"Yeah. I just want to get inside."

"Of course." I leaned down to kiss the top of her head and took her away.

My June.

My mate.