Winding between the trees, he slowly increased his pace, tentatively avoiding roots and brambles underfoot. But the longer he ran, the less mind he paid to the undergrowth, and soon his paws thundered across the ground as loudly as the pulse ringing in his ears.
‘Run…Run…Free…Forget,’the wolf inside howled, longing to be as unchained as the wind.
He could feel himself floating away, the wolf's legs carrying him somewhere far from the designated path. His mind wanted to forget, wanted to leave behind the past and all the thingsthat hurt him. But as he barrelled through a thicket of purple heather, he slid across the muddy ground and into a copse of silver birches. His wet nose twitched as something deep and familiar drifted into his nostrils, picking out the musky scent between the trees. The disorganised thoughts coursing through his brain slowed as he stopped to sniff the bark.
Rubbing his face across it, he stood up on hind legs and pressed his feet against the trunk, following the scent to the next tree, and the next.‘Safe…Safe…Follow,’his brain whispered, or was it—the echo of a voice thrummed across his senses like a bow drawn across a bass note.‘Yes…’he called back,‘Yes…Follow.’Then he was coursing through the trees again, head pressed low as the scent led him across the dips and brows of the forest floor.
A howl cut through the trees, making his head snap up and the empty branches shiver. The air burst from Oliver’s lungs as he smashed head on into something solid and dark, both of them landing in a clatter of limbs in the undergrowth. Pieces of disturbed brush flew everywhere as Oliver rolled onto his front, belly slung low to the ground.
The alpha snarled, teeth bared—no, not snarling. Growling. Softly.Purring, almost. Oliver darted to his feet, the dark wolf mimicking his movements. They circled one another for the briefest of moments, until recognition cut through the confusion.
“Reed.”
The name tremored across their fragile bond, the flicker of something familiar. Then,“White?”he echoed back.
Lucas drummed his feet against the ground, spraying soil across the bushes. Oliver dropped to his belly again, pressing his muzzle to his paws as he stared up at the alpha with cautious eyes. The black wolf clacked his jaws, huffing out a clouded breath as he padded over the muddy ground. Lucas pressed hismuzzle between Oliver’s ears, making the pounding in his head cease.
“Why here?” Lucas said, the words in Oliver’s mind still stunted but much clearer than before.
“Escaping,” he replied, pushing his nose into the thick mane covering Lucas’ chest. “From my brain.”
Lucas let out a low whine as he slid his nose beneath Oliver’s ribs, flipping him over so his legs were pointing towards the sky. Then he stepped over him, covering Oliver completely. The alpha was warm. So impossibly warm that Oliver felt the urge to bury his face in the spray of grey fur across his belly.
“Why didn’t you return with the beta?” Lucas asked, licking Oliver’s ears and making the white fur stand on end.
“Wanted to be alone,” he said, wiggling beneath the alpha’s ministrations. He braced his paws against Lucas’ chest, pushing him back until their noses were touching. Letting his frustration and anger buzz across the bond, he said, “Not happy with the alphas. Not happy with you.”He pictured Alfie, his rag-tag clothes and blank expression. Then the fear.
“Cruel. Not how we do things. Pup should feel safe.”
Lucas’ hazel eyes were almost iridescent as pale moonlight shone through them. Oliver wasn’t lying; he was pissed off beyond belief. But in reality, he had been so spooked at seeing Patrick’s name again that his first instinct had been to run home and curl up under a blanket.
“I’m sorry,” Lucas said, dropping to his haunches. He slid his body alongside Oliver’s, dropping his head until his muzzle rested on the ground. Letting out another low whine, Lucas exposed his throat as the rest of his body went still. “Right about Special Branch. Forget those left behind.”
Oliver huffed and ran his face along the expanse of the alpha’s throat, accepting the apology as he inhaled the deep, woody scent of Lucas’ fur.
“Not pawns.” he said, rolling over until the alpha’s enormous head was pinned between his front legs. “Pups.”
Lucas dropped his gaze. “I know,” he replied, shifting onto his back. “Should have protected you. And pups.”
Sighing, Oliver nipped the tip of Lucas’ ear. “Forgiven.”Because how could he not? Lucas wasn’t a part of his world, just as Oliver wasn’t a part of Special Branch. It’s why he was so pissed off with Callahan and Blake. Theyknewit was wrong, but forced the issue anyway.
Lucas nipped him back, his huge fangs pinching the flesh of his barrel chest. “Ouch!” Oliver yelped, pulling back. “Big teeth.” He nipped Lucas again on the soft skin of his underbelly.
Lucas growled, though it was a playful sound that caused Oliver to bound backwards like an excitable puppy. The alpha followed, his immense body throwing up leaves as he rolled over. They circled one another again, playfulness fizzing through their bond and up Oliver’s spine. He leapt into the air and smashed his front paws onto the ground. Lucas accepted the invitation, ears swivelling forward as he slammed his own paws into the undergrowth.
“You’re bigger. I’m faster,” Oliver taunted, his tail swishing back and forth.
Lucas lurched forward. “Think so?”
“Know so,” Oliver replied, kicking up the cool soil. He let out a playful yap before turning on his paws and starting up the hill. “Old man.”
And then they were running,sprintingthrough the trees like a hurricane. A holly bush shook as they hurtled past, Lucas’ massive paws making the ground vibrate and Oliver’s heart race. All thoughts of Patrick Coletta evaporated as the alpha nudged his back legs, threatening to send him tumbling into the night. He responded by flacking him in the face with his tail.
“Dirty tricks,” Oliver yapped, feinting to the left, then ducking to the right as he slid under Lucas’ nose. Twisting, he pushed off from the ground and launched himself onto the alpha’s back, teeth bared, as he bit down onto his scruff.
Lucas barked as they both overbalanced and unceremoniously tumbled into a heap next to an algae infested pond. Then the alpha was over him again, bearing down on him with that intense gaze.
“Trouble.” he said, the bond thrumming as he shoved his muzzle into Oliver’s neck. “Knew when I first saw you.”
