Page 5 of Wolf Heart

“Sorry, I don’t know either of them.” I scoot back so they can ogle her all they want as I’m on a mission to find out about the Crescent Moon pack and hoping my wolf will finally come out at sensing our mate.

“I’m Dex,” the golden man says, then nods to the man beside him. “And this is Aspen.”

When I don’t say anything, Vella huffs and dips into a curtsy that I’m sure flashed them her boobs. “I’m Vella and looking forward to the ceremony tonight. Aren’t you both?”

To avoid hurling into my mouth, I turn away and take the path down to the river. Let those three do whatever they want. I don’t have time to waste on anyone except finding the one who can coax my wolf out of hiding.

I’ve never been one for sappy romances, but I can’t stop the way my heart flutters that one of the wolves here could be the one. I imagine that he’ll be from another pack, of course, and able to take me back with him. Then I’ll never have to experience Casey’s bullying or the pitying looks or snide comments from anyone ever again. And Mom will probably be glad I’m gone anyway.

Tears sting the back of my eyes, but I brush them away quickly with my hand.

“Hey, there’s no need to cry.” A guy skips a rock across the water. He’s wearing a snug T-shirt and jeans with bare feet. His hair is tied behind his neck and is the color of the night sky. His eyes are the bluest silver I’ve ever seen. “It’s the full moon tonight.”

His smile lights up his whole face.

“Are you okay?” He looks at me with concern and takes a hesitant step toward me.

“Yeah.” I force myself to breathe.Don’t get too excited, Juniper.“Yeah, I’m good.”

He cocks his head to the side as though he’s studying me or does his wolf sense something about me? “What’s your name?”

“Juniper.” I swallow and damned if I don’t feel light-headed. What’s going on with me? Meet a handsome guy and I lose all sense of myself.

“Michael.” He picks up another rock and hurls it at the lake. It skips once then sinks. “Do you want to go for a run?”

And his words twist in my gut ’cause I know how this is going to end. “I-I can’t.”

He blinks, staring at me. “You can’t run? But you’re standing and you walked over here, I saw you.”

“No.” An awkward laugh bubbles in my throat. “No. I mean I can’t…can’t shift.”

“Oh, is that all?” he says like it’s no big deal. “Then we'll stay in human form and you can show me the land.”

I tuck my hair behind my ear and nod like I’ve forgotten how to be suspicious. This man is a stranger and yet, he seems fine with me not being able to shift, and hope flares in my chest. No one has ever cared about me not shifting since I passed puberty. “Just to the edge of the forest and back?”

His eyes sadden in the corners and it makes me regret the words immediately. But my father taught me not to be too trusting of men or wolves. “Sure.” He lets out a breath. “I’ll even give you a head start.”

“What?” I step backward, hating myself that I got wrapped up in the idea that this guy might be special and could help me.

“For fun.” He holds up his hands. “We won’t go far from the group so you can feel safe and call out any time if you want. But it’s the best high. Trust me.”

His eyes twinkle and I can’t help but nod in agreement.

"Even in human form."

No one else has offered to run with me except my dad and that was so long ago.

I move into a light jog and his footsteps sound behind me.

We roam through the crowds and he follows me. And for once in my life, I feel powerful, I feel in charge. The minute I do, something changes inside me. I don’t know what it is, but my senses are working in overdrive.

I’m running. The sunlight is blinding, but I know every inch of this forest. I love it. My lungs burn as we hit the woods, but I’m not stopping. Michael’s hot on my heels. He doesn’t say anything, but I can hear his heavy breathing and the pounding of his feet hitting the cool earth. I dart to the left and he chases after me.

The thrill of the hunt with me being the prey has a feeling of euphoria sparking in my chest. There’s a stirring behind my heart and a gasp breaks free of my chest. My wolf. I-I feel her.

This is it. This will make my wolf come out.

Michael is my fated mated. I feel this with every fiber of my being. I don’t hold back as I leap over a fallen log and dart around a marshy hole.

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