Dream mate

Chapter 7 - Watched

Sam managed to keep her in bed for most of the morning before Hana escaped his affections. She managed to slip from their room while he was taking a shower, shouting a goodbye over sound of the water, knowing he would hear her anyway. It wasn’t like she didn’t want to spend the entire day wrapped up in him, it was definitely tempting, but knowing the rest of the pack were working on her birthday preparations without her made a twist of guilt guide her decisions.

On the way out of the packhouse, Hana noticed a certain brown bobbed wolf hovering nearby and decided to leave by the back door. Of the two of them, Sam was more distracting, but Marci had a magnetism about her which pulled Hana into whatever she was doing. Midnight ransack of the pack’s pantry... Sure, why not. Sneaking into Tommy’s house whilst he’s helping the Alpha... it could be fun. Wearing a nice low-cut top to Sam’s Alpha ceremony... Well, Hana couldn’t really say that one was a bad idea given her morning activities. Nothing Marci ever pulled her into was boring but, today, Hana had other plans.

Sidling around the Hidden Flower border, under the cover of trees, she made her way into town, effortlessly drifting into the flow of people going about their day. Everyone she came across gave her a large smile and a wave, greeting Hana and sharing their excitement for her big day tomorrow. A buzz charged the air and fuelled the activities going on around her. There was a happiness in every move as her pack members were setting up for her birthday party. A few wolves were blowing up balloons, whilst others put out furniture in the town square. Everyone was busy and she was eager to join in.

Quickly she was nabbed by Emma, the self-proclaimed baker for the pack. She was an older woman, with plenty of years of experience feeding everyone and making sweet treats for special occasions. As Hana entered her small shop, that seconded as a house, she greedily inhaled the warm waft of freshly baked goods, feeling her stomach ache with need. Her mouth watered and when Emma’s back was turned, she sneaked a pastry. The sugary treat danced on her tongue, pulling a satisfied smile to her lips, and it was well worth the sting of Emma smacking her with a tea towel when she was caught red-handed. Well, more like caught with a sugar-dusted mouth.

The older wolf put her in charge of decorating the large birthday cake and Hana happily set to work, placing her favourite sweets, icing and flowers on top. It didn’t take long, but soon another wolf pulled her away to help with another small job. Hana was given a group of knee-high pups to watch whilst their parents set up a gazebo in the town square. She chased them all around the pack, making them squeal with laughter every time she caught up to them and tickled them as punishment. She loved spending time with the young pups. Their innocence and creative minds, untouched by any negativity, was a marvel to see and playing with them often lifted her spirits. It cast her thoughts to a time in the future when she hoped her and Sam would have pups. She imagined them being together as a perfect family in their little home, as the Alpha and Luna of Hidden Flower. A giddy lightness stirred in her chest, spurring her on as she continued her pursuit of the little wolves.

The sun had set by the time the jobs had all run out. Everything was ready for the party tomorrow and the pack members had sent her on her way and headed to their own homes for the night. Hana felt the satisfaction of a productive day lift her head high as she walked back to the packhouse. Her hand reached out and followed the trail of fairy lights weaving around the pack’s border, leading her home and back to Sam. Quietly, she wondered if he would pick up where they left off that morning and felt a shiver of excitement that quickened her pace.

The lights danced like little sparkles of magic in the night, casting small glows of warmth into the forest beyond. The evening was still, only the soft pats of her footfalls breaking the silence, but even they were dulled in the open space. That’s why the crack of a twig instantly snapped her attention. It came from the darkness beyond the pack border. The sound struck at her heart like a hammer, making it pound with each the vibration of the force, sending messages of panic to every part of her body. Her eyes were wide open and glued to the area the noise came from. A blanket of shadows protected whatever was there. Whatever was still looking at her.

Though Hana couldn’t see anything, she knew what it felt like to be watched. It rose the hairs on her skin and attracted her attention like her eyes were pulled by a string. She stared into the trees, her senses pricking, waiting for anything that would justify her spike of fear. The world around her was silent again. Even with her ears straining for any sound, all she heard was her heavy breaths and the erratic thud of her heart. The chill in the air, which had been refreshing just a moment ago, suddenly felt like ice that rattled her bones. She wanted to leave, to get away from that spot, but the swell of unease kept her rooted. Turning her back to danger would be worse than standing still. She knew that from experience.

A flash of pure blue appeared. If she had blinked, Hana would’ve missed it. Her skin crackled with a sudden awareness of her vulnerability, and she took an unconscious step backwards. As her foot tapped against the pavement, she winced, the noise cracking around her like a beacon. A prickle crawled up the nape of her neck and her body tensed as two blue orbs materialised from the darkness. They instantly fixed to her. They felt heavy on her skin, dragging to her face before locking with her gaze.

She froze. Her heart stuttered. She gasped. Then, a flash of adrenaline raced through her limbs, jumping her into action. Turning on a dime, Hana sprinted towards the packhouse, fearing the moment she would hear the pursuit behind her. She pumped every last bit of energy into her legs, willing them to carry her faster. A pressure pushed against her back, urging her on, and she listened, guided by her instincts.

Suddenly, a heavy mass was in front of her and she crashed into it. Hana grunted from the force but quickly tried to claw her way free as heavy arms wrapped around her. She opened her mouth to scream but a hand covered the lower half of her face, stifling any noise she made. Hana thrashed, trying to push away the rising sense of helplessness that taunted her.

“Hana, stop!”

A familiar voice cut through the panic, and she darted her wild eyes up to the figure she was in the grips of. Her body sagged with relief, and she relaxed into Sam’s arms with a whimper. Tears filled her eyes, no longer held back by the rush of panic, and flooded down her cheeks. She nuzzled into the Alpha’s chest, basking in the safety he wrapped around her. Hands rubbed soothing circles into her back, and he made soft cooing noises until she had managed to calm down.

“What happened, Baby?” Sam asked, his brow was furrowed in concern but his eyes were constantly shifting from her to their surroundings and back again.

“There was someone watching me in the forest.” An involuntary shudder shook her small form, making his arms tighten again.

“That’s impossible.” His voice was a whisper almost to himself.

“It’s true, blue eyes were watching me. I saw them.” She cast her head down to their feet. “Don’t you believe me?”

“Of course, I do.” He spoke firm. “Let's get inside and I’ll take some of the guys out tomorrow to check it out. Okay?”

Hana nodded and the pair headed the short distance to the packhouse. She stayed glued to his side, worried it was the only safe place for her to be. Once again, he had protected her and once again she was certain she had found her mate.

“How did you know to come find me?” She sniffed out as they headed inside.

“I just had a feeling.” Sam smiled, wiping the last of her tears away. “Maybe, it’s the start of our mate bond forming?”

Hana’s eyes sparkled at that, nodding her agreement as a swell of excitement bloomed in her chest. She walked into their home, missing the confused glance Sam cast into the dense wood before he closed the door.