The Bond

The wind shook the branches of the tall birch trees newly budding in the cold spring air. The gray sky threatened rain and the forest welcomed it. Having been through a harsh bare winter, all the photosynthetic organisms waited patiently for the precipitation.

My nose wrinkled at the thought. I could already imagine the feeling of the icy droplets pulling down on my fur and the stench of wet dog that would cling to it. I knew I had to head back to the house before the rain could start. I sniffed at the cold air now, smelling the many birds and wildlife that lived in the forest around me. I was relaxed in this part of the forest and I felt like I could explore. The rain wouldn't arrive for another hour and a half at least so I had time.

I wagged my tail excitedly while padding through the dense thicket. I only came to a stop as the sudden smell of coffee beans and sandalwood passed over my scent glands. It was an odd combination and one I had sometimes smelt on this side of our territory before. For a while I ignored it but feeling adventurous, I headed off towards it.

I could tell the direction the scent was coming from was north. Shade Pack territory was a vast expanse of woodland to the south of a small city called Wheaton.

Curious people from the city liked to hike as far into the woods as they could, which reminded me to keep myself quiet and low to the ground in case they were out today. It wasn't that I hated humans. I had some that were my friends from school. But, if my father were to find some trespassing too far into our territory, who knows what he'd do. Keep your distance from them. I told myself. It was better that way.

I came to a halt as the wind weakened the scent slightly pulling me from my thoughts. My paws were now numb from the frozen ground and my nose was a little too dry. The snow had finally melted but it wasn't fully Spring yet so the freezing chills made me shake my fur to warm up. I needed to concentrate to find the scent again.

I recognized the clearing which was the last area before the wire fence marking the end of our territory began. The pine trees were thick here but beyond the wire fence was the town and our territory boundary. I'd never traveled past the fence since it was against our pack's law. I took a step towards it tentatively. The wire fence was bent and could be easily passed through with no problem. I paused as a cloud moved to reveal the sun. I could now feel the sun's rays beating on my creamy coat covering me in a layer of warmth. Finally, I thought.

The scent was still strong enough to follow but the feeling of dread engulfed me knowing it went past the fence. I was about to turn back when the sound of a twig snapping caught my attention. My heart skipped a beat.

With a growl, I turned towards the sound, my ears twitching, listening, trying to hear for any more signs of movement. My hair stood on end until I caught the whiff of another wolf's familiar scent. Relief surged through me.

"How long are you gonna stalk me, Avery?" I inquired with a growl. Now that I knew it was Avery, I could spot her tawny fur bristling from behind a pine. Like her human form, her wolf was beautiful. Her tawny fur and blue eyes always sent a wave of envy over me. I hated it. She was my younger sister. My chosen Beta next in line. I shouldn't be envious of her.

"You didn't spot me for a while this time. Are you feeling alright, Aylin?" She padded to the clearing, her tail flicking with triumph. I ignored her as she bit at my muzzle playfully.

"I was distracted," I whined. The scent that I had been following was too dissipated to follow now. I huffed in annoyance. Another thought suddenly made me back away from her suspiciously.

"Did he send you?" I growled bitterly. I had left the house early that morning to avoid talking to my father. His scent was a dark cloud of anxiety and it could only mean he was anticipating discussing something with me that I wasn't ready to discuss. Avery stepped back, her blue eyes flashing hurt.

"No. Father wasn't even up when I left to find you." She looked at me now in curiosity. "Are you avoiding him again?" I let out an exasperated huff. The last time I avoided him he wanted to talk to me about choosing an Alpha once I became Luna. I didn't know what he wanted now but I'd rather prepare myself this time.

"Maybe. He has to discuss something with me. I can smell it." I turned towards the way home shaking off some black leaves that had clung to my paws.

"Oh, I see." Avery came up next to me as we walked back home. "I think you'll be just fine." She said energetically. My sister was always looking at the bright side of things ever since we were young. I looked at her admiringly. She was going to make a great Beta and I didn't quite know if I deserved her.

"Well, you haven't found your Bond have you?" Avery asked, biting at my ear. I growled fending her obnoxiousness away.

"No. I've met all the guys in our pack and none of them were Bonded to me." I wrinkled my nose in disgust. I never really liked the system of Bonding. It sounded so strange despite actually being quite simple. Half-wolves have a Bonding system that links them to a mate. Once a half-wolf comes into contact with their Bond they will feel their heart skip three beats and a slight pull will come from them. Emotions and mental images can be shared between the Bond and it's said some half-wolves can even feel their Bond when they are in pain. Most half-wolves find their Bond right away but a few have never found them. I was hoping I wasn't in the select few and quickly dragged that thought to the mental box in the back of my head labeled "Deal With Never".

"You'll find him, Aylin. You just need to have fun at the Festival and socialize." Avery teased reading my worried expression. I looked at her sternly. She mimicked the look then after a second I snorted a laugh. I batted a paw at her ear making her duck. She bumped me with her side in response.

Once Avery and I finally made it back. I glanced at the pack house which was around 100 yards away. One long road connected our house to the pack house and then ran on for about a mile before entering the outer neighborhoods of Wheaton where the rest of the pack members lived. We stared at the back of the main house where we exit and enter when going to the woods. The house belonged to our father, the Alpha. Six beds and four baths that could house any visiting pack Alpha's if needed. Only Avery, father and I lived here now though since our mother had left.

"You should go see what Ben is up to today," I said turning to Avery. Ben was her Bonded mate and lifelong best friend. Once I became Luna, Avery and Ben would be my Beta pair.

"He is expecting me." She nodded but then turned her nose towards the house. "You'll be okay?" She whined worriedly. I licked her muzzle and stepped back to shift to my human form reluctantly. The sound of snapping of bones and a burning ache that shot throughout my skin and muscles didn't bother me this time as I had other things to worry about. When I turned, my sister was already gone, off to see her mate.