Lily's heart raced in her chest as she sprinted through the dense forest, her breaths ragged and heavy. The moonlit night illuminated the path before her, casting eerie shadows on the snow-covered ground. Determination propelled her forward, for this was not a mere game of chase-it was a test of wills and an undeniable bond between two werewolves.
'Let him catch you, Lily. Show him your desire to be his mate,' Dina exclaimed excitedly, echoing the primal instincts that governed their kind. She flexed against Lily's control, trying to take control to end this cat-and-mouse game.
Lily's resolve hardened. She understood the longing they both felt, the desire for a mate, but she couldn't allow herself to be fueled solely by instincts. This was a pivotal moment-a chance to make a conscious choice, to prove her strength and worth, to choose the mate for herself.
'No, Dina,' she replied firmly. 'As you said before, we are not prey. We are the daughter of an Alpha, and we will continue to act like it. We will make him work for it. I want him to see me, see us as an equal, not just a prize to be won.'
Now transformed into a magnificent silver-furred werewolf, Berric was now in control. He pursued her relentlessly. His towering presence and muscular build gave him a commanding advantage, but Lily was determined to prove her strength and independence. If she could outrun him, it would signify her readiness to stand as an equal, not just as a mate.
'She's already worthy,' Garrett said.
'But our sister is right. We need to ensure that she can take care of herself. We cannot always be there, and she needs to be able to hold her own until we can get to her,' Berric responded.
Berric's powerful paws pounding against the forest floor echoed through the trees, driving Lily to push herself to her limits. She dodged branches and leaped over fallen logs, her instincts and Dina guiding her every move. The scent of the earth mingled with the exhilaration of the chase, fueling her determination to evade Garrett's grasp.
Garrett's deep, resonant voice filled her mind, almost causing her to trip. "You're fast, little she-wolf, but I won't let you get away so easily. Show me what you're made of!"
Confusion tinged with alarm washed over Lily. 'Who is that?' she questioned, her voice trembling.
Dina's excitement was palpable. 'That's Berric, his wolf form! It's the first time I've heard him speak. This chase has awakened something within him.'
'How was he able to speak with us?' Lily asked Dina.
'I do not know, but do not get distracted,' Dina responded, now in agreement with Lily that they needed to win this game of tag.
The forest seemed to whisper its secrets to Lily, guiding her through the maze of trees. With each step, she felt a newfound sense of liberation, breaking free from the expectations that had weighed her down. It had been so long since she had been on a run and feeling the wind whip through her hair elated her.
Berric's growls reverberated through the forest. He and Garrett were frustrated that they could not catch her. Each time he got close, she ducked or twirled away from them.
'Too slow,' Lily teased as she once again evaded Berric. Berric's pursuit was relentless, his every movement calculated and purposeful. But Lily would not be caught easily; her determination burned bright.
Lily's heart soared as she caught a glimpse of the clearing and the back door to the villa. 'Almost there!' Lily thought. She darted towards it, her body moving with a grace that defied the boundaries of her human form.
As Lily entered the clearing, she leaped over a fallen tree trunk, her feet barely touching the ground as she propelled herself through the air. She glanced behind her, expecting to see Berric closing in, but instead, she saw Berric skid to a stop at the edge of the clearing, a look of awe on his face.
Berric's deep voice rang out, filled with admiration. "Little she-wolf, you have impressed me. No one has ever outrun me in their human form."
Lily turned to face him, her chest heaving with exertion. "Well, just wait. I am full of surprises. I have strength and skill and can stand by your side as an equal."
"There was never a doubt of that, she-wolf," Berric responded. She was more than he had ever imagined-a force to be reckoned with. Berric let out a triumphant howl, a resounding declaration of his respect for her courage and agility. Lily joined in, tilting her head back to let her melodic voice compliment his.
"How can I hear you? I am not part of your pack," Lily asked.
"Your guess is as good as mine, she-wolf," he replied, his voice tinged with a hint of wonder as he slowly approached Lily.
Lily tilted her head to the side, showing her neck in a display of submission. Berric huffed in approval. He nuzzled her gently. Lily rubbed her hand through his fur. Berric shivered at her touch as it almost ignited the lust in him again. This alarmed him as he craved her touch now. What caused this? He stepped away to break the contact, which eased the feeling a bit.
"You're beautiful," Lily said. "I didn't know you were silver." Silver wolves were rare and known for their strength. Most were dusky grey, but Garrett was truly silver.
"I don't often run with others," he confessed, his voice infused with vulnerability. "But with you, I want to share that experience. Will you run with me on the next full moon?"
He knew shifting was painful for an Omega when they did it at will. He did not want her to be hurt. He wanted the experience to be as pleasurable as possible. Garrett and Berric would wait to see her wolf.
"Absolutely. The next full moon," Lily nodded.
Author Notes: Thank you reading! If you want to see what Garett's wolf form, please visit my author page, K.I.S. Novels, on Facebook!