40
I’ve always been a clumsy mess in my human form. But tonight, I don’t care if I trip and fall. Letting go of perfection frees me, allowing me to move further with each racing paw. I bound across the forest, glancing at the wolves around me to analyze their movements.
The more I move, the less I feel like I need to rely on anything but my own paws. Something in my mind clicks into place, like I was made for this. I lean into a sprint, stretching low to the ground until I double in speed. Within seconds, I overtake Noah’s pace, gaining on him with every huffing breath through my snout.
Noah’s silent paws cut through the forest, thrusting him forward like a low-flying black jet. My shifted eyes allow me to track him, softening the heavy blanket of darkness. But I don’t need my vision; my sense of smell creates a constant pull toward what I seek. With every tree I blast past, the wind combs my fur, sending shockwaves of pleasure through me.
Without warning, Noah doubles back faster than I can prepare to dodge. He hardly misses me by half an inch. The thrill it ignites in me propels me faster, especially as Noah rejoins my side.
Before I know it, he guides our pack to the mountain’s lookout point, forcing everyone to come to a skidding halt. Below us, the three rivers meet the ocean, cutting through mountainous forests to meet the glittering, moonlit horizon. It’s the most breathtaking view I’ve ever seen, yet my eyes stray from it.
Noah’s nose puffs heavy clouds into the frigid air. Silky, onyx fur glistens beneath the Moon Goddess’ gaze, softly dancing in the wind. But it’s his gorgeous, golden eyes on me that stunt my breath.
Omega, I really am serious. I’ve never seen a wolf move like you. Run like you. It feels like... He smashes his forehead against mine, giving me an affectionate grunt. You were made for this. I feel like I’m finally seeing you, and I–
He steps back. With the sharp silence that falls over the pack, I stop myself from panting. The energy in the pack shifts with us, and I can’t place why.
When Noah throws his head back to howl, I don’t just shiver; a roaring emotion hits me with his song, the melody transcending words as he pours out his heart.
I think this song is for me.
Wolves all around me join Noah, jolting every hair across my body. Their emotions wash over me, crashing higher and higher within me until I spill over, throwing my head back to howl with them.
Noah’s ears rotate with my newfound sound, his soul pulsating with mine. With a deep breath, he resumes his song with twice the vigor, harmonizing with me. Within seconds, the whole pack follows his lead. Except with Noah morphing his song to my note, they’re technically following me.
I’ve never heard something like this come out of me. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever allowed myself to be this loud. This emotional. This real. The more I merge my heart and emotions with the pack’s, the more I can feel every one of them within me.
In my heart, I’m crying. Crying for all the days I lost without this family. Crying for my parents who aren’t here to feel it with me. Crying for how much I cherish every second of it, now that I’m here. My wolf expresses that and more, weaving in and out of the voices surrounding me.
By the time Noah falls silent, allowing everyone else to finish the last note of their song, his eyes lock on mine.
I know he feels everything in my heart, but something in them tells me he understands. How desperate my need is to belong.
I draw closer, and he meets me there. His warm snout caresses mine, pushing a whimper from me.
But instead of cuddling me like I crave, Noah pads past me through the forest, peeking back for me to follow. The rest of the pack trails home, guided by Lilian to finish the ceremonial blessings. I wanted to see how our Luna guided mating rituals, asking the Moon Goddess to bless participants with a deeper bond, or even pregnancy, but that can wait for next month.
Wherever we’re going, it feels important. Enough to walk there, rather than run.
Noah’s shoulders capture my full attention, rolling and contemplative with every step. When he freezes, I perk up, my senses heightening in alert.
Noah’s ears pull back when we meet eyes, his tail wagging. Cute. So cute.
Giving me a tender rub with his side as he passes me, Noah points me to the stream, its mouth meeting one of the three rivers.
Look at yourself, Omega. You have to see how beautiful you are.
My heart quivers and skips as I approach the soothing, slow river, itching to use it as a mirror. But when I peek over the riverside, I’m awestruck by more than my own reflection.
Noah’s warm presence beside me glistens in the water, my polar opposite in size, color, and posture. I’m stark white, my smooth fur revealing every speck of dirt and leaves cluttering my slender wolf. I’m larger than a wild gray wolf, but I’m still small for a shifted Lycan: not a gargantuan bear like my regal mate. It’s so unfamiliar. But at the same time, we look more like ourselves - the souls I feel deep inside our bond. I feel like I can finally see myself. It’s enough to make my wolf legs quiver, unable to grasp reality. But here I stand, cold mud sinking between each bare paw pad.
Goddess, I feel that.He huffs, shaking his fur out from head to tail. You’re so clearly... you.
Whether I want it to or not, my tail wags. It excites us both, inspiring Noah into a playful sneeze.
Tracking Noah’s gorgeous, slinking form in the reflection, I whimper in delight as he nuzzles against my cheek. We’re the most beautiful beings I’ve ever seen, Noah.
He whines, surging our bond with his love. But then he dips beneath the boulder beside me, disappearing from sight.
My head tilts in shock. When he doesn’t return, I slink into cautious steps toward the small opening until I recognize where I am – a narrow cave entrance leading into a cozy nook.
I hadn’t realized how much bigger I was; this “narrow” nook is Noah’s massive den.
My heart rate spikes as I enter, unsure what Noah has planned here. When I find Noah sitting on his haunches, waiting for me with puppy-dog eyes, my nerves melt away.
My shy Alpha.
He lightly wags his tail, peeking at me with his head bowed - just as shy as when I first visited his den. I drag my nose along his cheeks and neck, relishing in his humming purr.
His warmth soothes me, but there’s a hint of sadness in him. Mourning. When we meet eyes, Noah whines.
He guides me into the deepest corner of the cave, flopping against the stone with a grunt.
My paws stutter in place. Noah, what are we...?
Cuddle with me. Just cuddle.
Noah’s alert ears soften as my tail wags on its own. I circle in front of him, unsure how to fit us together.
Noah’s tail lazily thumps against the stone floor. Just flop on me. Wolves have no personal space.
So that’s why I like molding myself to your body every night?
Noah’s breath escapes his lungs in a huff as I plop into the natural opening between his four legs. But Noah’s burly body pays it no mind. He curls around me, tucking his chin over my front legs. His overpowering scent is so soothing that every muscle softens. My head naturally drapes over his neck.
Even our wolf bodies fit together,I say. The same ache in his heart surges, and I whine. What are you thinking about? Is there something wrong?
Noah whimpers, tucking me in even closer. His pain burrows into my heart.
I know, Noah. I can feel it. Talk to me.
Today was just– He tucks his nose into my fluffy belly, hiding his eyes. I’ve never felt anything like this. You’re so special to me - more than special. And I’m just so sad. I can’t believe I spent so many years of my life without you. Losing all that time to know you. What if we only have a decade or two left, like our parents?
I whine with him, squishing my snout against his. That kills me to think about. But I meant it when I said every second with you would be worth it. Even if all we have is tomorrow, this is right where I want to be.
His slicked-back ears soften, flattening with love. All I want is to be here with you too. Thank you for finding me, Omega.
Thank you for waiting for me.
Noah and I huddle in his den. Our collective warmth makes it impossible to keep my eyes open. With soft rain dripping at the entrance, I’m lulled to sleep against Noah’s chest.
But when I wake up next, it’s with a jolt. Noah is already awake, still in his wolf form. He lifts his head off my side to gaze into my eyes, and I shiver at the icy breeze on my bare skin. Then I gasp; I’m fully naked.
“I shifted back?”
Yes. In your sleep.He tucks me closer, blanketing my bare skin with his warm fur.
I stroke his head, unable to contain my grin; he must’ve stayed in his wolf form just to keep me from shivering. Noah’s ears relax beneath my touch, but it’s not enough to erase the tension in his eyes.
You were whimpering just before you woke up. Did you have a bad dream?
I sigh, curling deeper into his fur. “It was about that wolf. The one who attacked you.”
Oh, sweet Omega...His ears droop, but then one flicks to the side, stirring his tail into action. Well, feisty Omega is more like it. You’re a powerful wolf, and you haven’t even trained before. You made an angry Alpha twice your size escape with his tail between his legs.
I bite my lip as I smile, indulging in Noah’s doting stare.
But a part of me can’t let go of my discomfort. “Did you know that wolf? You called him an Alpha.”
Not really. It’s just easy to smell Omegas, Betas, and Alphas apart after a while.
“Wait a minute– ‘Not really’ doesn’t mean ‘no.’”
Noah’s right ear rotates back in thought, and I have to giggle. He delicately boops my nose with his, wagging his heavy tail with slow, sleepy thumps.
You’re right. I can’t personally memorize thousands of wolves, but that Alpha has challenged me before. Back before I became the top Alpha.
My heart flips. “And?”
And nothing came of it. This is why I didn’t mention it - it might seem like a big deal, but it’s actually common. Repeat challengers are especially common. Certain wolves tend to land in a middle zone of dominance, and sometimes I think it must force them to fight more often than me. But fighting against challengers is just part of an Alpha’s life. My title will be challenged for as long as I hold it.
I ache at the thought. Especially since Noah was looking straight at me when it happened, pulled away from safety by my panic. “Did I put you in danger?”
No, sweet Omega. This was my fault for turning my back to the crowd and seeming vulnerable. I won’t deny it, he was dead serious about that challenge. He probably waited for a chance for weeks.
“Weeks? What about before then?”
I put him in his place recently, that’s all.
My stomach flips. “But you still don’t think he challenged you for a reason?”
Noah grunts in dismissive annoyance, flopping onto his side. He probably has one. It doesn’t matter though. He got his ass kicked by my mate.
I groan, burying my face into his extra soft belly fur. With slow, deep thumps of his tail, Noah licks my bare back until I burst into laughter, squirming away from him.
But as we settle back into each other to sleep, I can’t shake one fear. That wolf seemed too serious for it to be a regular dominance battle. Then again, I’m no expert on wolves. That much is obvious.
That Alpha wanted to kill Noah. The thought digs into my stomach, forcing me to curl inwards. Noah is there to cuddle me tighter, but it doesn’t help the fact that he could be severely injured if I hadn’t shifted. Or dead. Intrusive thoughts trickle in, escalating until one stabs me in the chest in particular - a vivid nightmare of shifting too late, the attacker wolf snapping Noah’s neck in two.
Noah licks my cheek, startling a gasp from me.
I can feel your thoughts spinning. It’s okay, really. I’ll tell you if there’s ever any danger.
I nod, sinking into him. “Okay, yes. I trust you, Noah. I just don’t trust that wolf.”
Noah tilts his head, staring deep into my eyes. If you’re still worried, I’d rather trust your instincts. I’ll keep an eye on him.
“Thank you. That’d make me feel better.”
He snuggles into me, letting out a soft sigh.