Chapter 39: Relief

We ran and ran... and ran some more. Sometimes we stopped to wrestle one another or rub against each other's fur but for the most part we couldn't stop running. All of our stress and frustrations seemed to dissipate with each step. Having so much freedom was incomprehensible and utterly enjoyable. They did this every night... and I could more then get used to it. I felt like part of a family, a real shifter family, while joining in with them. A pack run was meant to bring the pack together and it was working perfectly. I wanted to stay with them forever and do this every night.

When we had run out each and every drop of energy we had left we headed back to the house. As we closed in on the back door I wanted to crawl the rest of the way. My body was sore from all the exercise, but it was more then worth it.

I shifted back to human form and grabbed the door knob. I looked around to all the others still in animal form and asked, "Does this mean I won the race?". Logan was the first to change after me and immediately was in the defense. "Heck no", he pushed the door open as he spoke and stood inside with his hands on his hips and chin up. "This means I won", he said in a cocky tone. I mocked, "Once a cheater, always a cheater". He feigned hurt and then winked at me.

Eric walked in next looking less angrier then usual. He said to Logan, "Sparring tomorrow for the real winner?". Logan was opening the fridge and pulling out a sandwich when he grimaced and responded, "I'm still getting over the last time you beat my ass". Eric smiled as he said, "Chicken shit", and walked out of the room. He smiled... seriously, as God is my witness, smiled. I did not think it was possible. He even had a little dimple on his left cheek with this new expression he graced me with. The black stubble on his face was not enough to cover that cute feature. Did I really just think of Eric as cute... what was wrong with me?

Chase and Michael walked in fully clothed. Logan and I looked at each other as if we had missed the memo. Logan then shrugged his shoulders and took a big bite of his sandwich as if he had no care in the world. Chase brought over my dress and held it open for me. I put my arms through the sleeves, but it was still draped open. I was about to button up the front when he walked around to stand in front of me. He started from the bottom button and worked his way up fastening each one. This felt extremely personal, but Chase looked at ease like it was perfectly normal.

Chase finished with the last button, straightened my straps, and then smiled down at me. "Thank you", I said a bit shyly. "You're welcome, darling. I will see you tomorrow. Goodnight.", he responded with a bow. My gaze followed Chase out of the kitchen. I was starting to get used to his strange behavior it seemed.

I looked to Michael but he was obviously having some kind of mental conversation with Logan. He threw Logan some shorts and Logan caught them in mid air, with the hand not holding the sandwich. "Yes, master", he teased Michael out loud. Michael growled back jokingly.

Michael walked up to me and asked, "Do you want me to grab your leftovers for you?". I was very hungry but Michael had already done way too much for me. I was staying in his house rent free and eating his food without contributing or even hunting for replacements. I did not want him to grab me food as well. I could do it in my own. "I can grab it", I said more confidently then I felt. His dominance reached out and he headed to the fridge while saying, "Do not be silly, Little Wolf. Have a seat and I will warm up your food.". Logan was now seated at the bar in his shorts so I took a seat next to him.

Michael placed the food in front of me with a fork and a glass of water. He proceeded to warm up his food from earlier too and sat next to me. We all ate our food in silence. I think we were all starving after all the calories we burned the last couple of hours running.

I finished every bite of food and every sip of water. I went to get up and get more, but Logan beat me too it. He filled my plate again, warmed it up and sat it down. He even filled my glass before making himself two more sandwiches. These men were too good for me.... too sweet.