Page 8 of Feuding with My Shifter Werewolf

As I watch her, a longing stirs within me, an echo of the ache that seized my heart earlier.

Is it possible that the tales of fated mates whispered among my people hold some truth?

I've always scoffed at such notions, believing that I'd missed my chance for that kind of connection. But now, in her presence, I feel a sense of possession that I've never experienced before.

Who are you?I demand silently, knowing she can't hear me. And why do you make me feel this way?

But even as the questions burn in my mind, I know one thing with sudden, irrevocable certainty.

She's mine.

And I will do whatever it takes to claim her.

Unsettled by the intensity of my reaction, I start to pull away. I let loose a howl, summoning Rex back to my side.

Keep an eye on her, I instruct him.Watch over her, protect her. Call for me if there's any trouble.

Yes, sir, Rex nods, his loyalty unwavering.

We both know that any threat to this woman will be met with the full force of my wrath.

As I melt back into the shadows, my movements are predatory, my aura deadly. But beneath that fierce exterior, a part of me yearns to be close to her, to understand the connection that hums between us.

For her, I could be anything - a protector, a partner, a lover. The depth of that realization shakes me to my core.

The forest comes alive around me, every rustle of leaves and snap of a twig heightened by my sharpened senses. The rich scent of earth and pine fills my nostrils, grounding me even as my thoughts churn with questions.

Who is this woman, and why does she stir such powerful emotions within me?

I know I should chase her off, maintain the isolation that has been my armor for so long. But I can't bring myself to do it.

Not yet.

Chapter Four

Kristen

Hours later, after wondering through the mountainside, I finally found the perfect spot to make camp. The small clearing is alongside a burbling creek, the gentle ripples and soft gurgling of the water adding a soothing melody to the tranquil scene.

Ancient, towering trees stretch their branches above, creating a verdant canopy that filters the sunlight into a warm, dappled glow. A ring of thick undergrowth surrounds me and provides a sense of privacy and shelter from the outside world.

Dried leaves crunch beneath my shoes as I survey the area, my gaze drawn to the vibrant wildflowers that dot the forest floor, their petals swaying in the light breeze.

"It's just perfect." I pull out my cellphone and snap a picture. Then I turn in a slow circle looking at my new temporary home.

"Get moving. We need to beat the sun," I talk to myself rather than allow the fact that I'm alone to settle too deep into my bones.

So, with the trees and nature as my witness, I set to work pitching my tent.

My muscles ache from the long hike, but it's a good ache, a satisfying reminder of the ground I've covered and the barriers I've broken through.

I work in a comfortable silence until a sudden rustle in the underbrush nearby makes me freeze. I slowly straighten, my heart pounding in my ears. For a second I swear I see golden eyes, but in a blink they're gone.

What the…

I scan the treeline, but there's nothing there. Just shadows and swaying branches. I shake my head, chuckling at my own jumpiness.

"You're in the wilderness now. A few noises are expected," I mutter to myself.

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