[Karmic Wolves 2] Finding Lenora

River

The cold, unforgiving concrete beneath my paws feels rough as I sprint toward the gates, but I don’t slow down. I can almost taste the freedom just beyond. In a swift movement, I leap up the ledges we installed to avoid raising the giant golden gates that guard the kingdom. With each bound, I climb higher, muscles coiling and stretching as I ascend.

Finally, I stand at the top, my breath steady as I glance back at the expansive lycan kingdom. From here, I can see everything—the tall towers, the cobbled streets, the people going about their day, blissfully unaware of the turmoil inside me. My heart aches as I look forward, toward the forest. The lush, purple trees stretch endlessly before me, inviting me in. A forest full of secrets and freedom. It’s calling to me, and without hesitation, I leap off the gates, letting the wind rush past me.

For a brief moment, I’m weightless, suspended in mid-air. The adrenaline surges as I land with a hard thud on the other side of the rushing river. The thrill of it makes my pulse quicken. This is what I need—the open land, the wind in my fur, the reminder of who I am. I let out a deep breath, letting it settle as I start to run. Fast. Faster. My paws strike the ground, propelling me forward. The trees blur past me, their purple hues flashing like streaks of light. The earthy scent of soil and moss fills my nostrils, heightening my senses and getting my blood pumping. This is my escape, my release.

I let Lenora’s air magic flow through me, embracing the sensation of becoming one with the wind. My pace picks up, faster than ever before. The world around me becomes a hazy blur, the trees bending in my wake as I fly through the forest, unrestrained. I run past packs and villages, mere shadows in the corners of my vision. None of it matters right now. It’s just me and the wild, dancing together in perfect harmony. I’m free, truly free, for the first time in what feels like forever.

Slowing down, I hear the familiar sound of rushing water. I approach the river, and the sight of it makes me smile—a bittersweet reminder of when Lenora first shifted. This is where it all began. Where she finally acknowledged me as her soulmate, and we ran side by side in our wolf forms, free and connected. My lycan form, which I rarely reveal, had made its appearance that day, an unspoken symbol of my trust in her.

I pause by the water’s edge and stare at my reflection, at the giant black wolf looking back at me with those piercing blue eyes. My heart aches as I recall what happened next in this very spot—our mating, our marking. It was the beginning of everything and, at the same time, the end of the simple life we once knew.

Unable to hold onto the memory any longer, I shift back to my human form, my body protesting slightly as the fur recedes. The cool air on my bare skin feels like a shock, but I welcome it. Stripping off my clothes, I dive into the river without hesitation. The cold water rushes over me, soothing the fire beneath my skin, washing away the weight of the world that clings to me. I dive deep under the surface, admiring the play of light on the rocks below and the vibrant marine life darting around. Down here, it’s quiet, peaceful—everything the world above isn’t.

After a while, I float, my body bobbing gently with the current, eyes closed as I let myself drift. For the first time in a long while, I allow my mind to slip into a memory of happier times. Times when Lenora was here with me. When the future didn’t seem so uncertain.

A sudden crunch of leaves snaps me out of my reverie. I freeze, listening closely. Someone’s here.

Damn it. Why now? And why here?

I quickly swim to the bank, the urgency making my movements clumsy. I pull myself onto the shore, reaching for my shorts when I see her.

A true goddess.

My breath catches in my throat.

She’s standing just a few meters away, and I can hardly believe it. She’s here. Lenora. My mate. She’s standing there, looking at me with those brilliant purple eyes that have haunted my dreams. Her long, white hair, tinged with the faintest purple at the ends, falls past her waist, cascading down her back like a waterfall of silk.

I stare at her, unable to tear my gaze away. She’s more beautiful than I remember. She’s wearing a golden bra-like top that clings to her delicate form, and a short golden skirt that barely covers her thighs. Why is she so bare? It doesn’t matter. She looks stunning. Her body—petite, yet curvy in all the right places—draws me in like a magnet. My wolf stirs inside me, possessive and growling at the thought of anyone else seeing her like this.

But it’s not just lust I feel. It’s something deeper. The ache in my chest is almost unbearable. I want to reach out, to touch her, to hold her close and never let go. I can’t stop staring at her, my eyes devouring every inch of her as if she might disappear at any moment.

She licks her lips, and I’m a goner. I want nothing more than to kiss her, to pull her against me and never let her out of my sight again. Her light cheeks have a rosy pink tint, I look down.

Ohhhh that may be why… I’m still naked, I got so entranced by her beauty that I didn’t exactly pull my shorts back on, oh f**k, my body would have given everything away.

Heat rushes to my face as I quickly turn away, pressing down firmly on my little soldier.

Fuck, down boy, don’t do this to me right now.

My body is betraying me, every muscle tensing, my arousal impossible to hide. I curse under my breath as I shove my legs into the shorts, breathing heavily to keep myself under control.

But when I turn back, she’s gone.

No.

Panic surges through me. I whip my head around, scanning the area, but she’s nowhere to be seen. It’s as if she vanished into thin air. I race forward, desperately searching, but every step I take turns up empty.

She was here. I swear she was. I only looked away for a second. Maybe she teleported. But why? Why would she leave without saying a word? Did I imagine the whole thing?

I drop to my knees, my heart heavy with despair. The image of her standing there, so vivid, so real, haunts me. But now… I don’t know what to believe.

Tears slip down my cheeks as I scream her name, my voice echoing through the forest.

“LENORA!”

I collapse onto the soft purple grass, staring up at the sky, defeated. In the distance, I see a faint glimmer—a giant bird, soaring high above. I watch it until it becomes a mere speck, disappearing into the endless blue.