Visionary Wolves

Chapter 4: Lasting Impression

The two trained for a few hours and by the end of it, Hadleigh had found finesse that she hadn't ever possessed. The entire time, in addition to the training, she couldn't ignore the ease his fingers had floating over her frame or the friction of their bodies while pressing together. Their session felt more like choreographed dancing and with the final move, she was easily able to slip away from his grasp.

“Good work," Keiron said. They both shared a small smile. Hadleigh suddenly realized how rank her body was.

“Ugh. I need a shower."

“I don't smell anything bad." Keiron's voice was soft.

“That isn't gross to you? Eww, Goddess."

She waved her hand at her nose but then she wondered if she smelled differently to him. Instantly the intense perfume of damp earth and jasmine infiltrated her nose. She couldn't stop staring at him as he stood there sweating and panting. When their eyes met once more, she felt her stomach flutter.

“A deal is a deal," Hadleigh began. "But I don't want you to tell me something you know about me, I want to ask you something about you," said Hadleigh.

“Fair enough. What would you like to know?" Keiron placed his hands behind his back.

“About visions ... do you have them too?" she asked.

“Yes. I have for a few years."

“What did yours show you?" she inquired.

"That you're going to shift soon," he said. “You?"

"You could see that?! Did it say when?"

"No, there wasn't a date," he said, laughing.

"Then how?"

"The visions have become more intense, which makes me believe you're soon to bloom," he said, still looking at her. "But you didn't answer me. What do yours show you?"

"I think we're mated," Hadleigh said softly. There were tiny creases on his face indicative of surprise.

"Uh," he uttered. She could feel his stare and when their eyes met, she thought she saw a small smile.

Unexpectedly, a familiar voice could be heard from not too far away. The two stepped back and turned around.

It was Evan.

Hadleigh smiled at her friend as he trotted over.

“What are you still doing here?" Evan asked sternly.

“I'm training," Hadleigh said.

“Not you. Him." Evan pointed with his eyes narrowed.

"What's wrong, Evan?" Hadleigh inquired.

"It's okay Hadleigh," Keiron said calmly. Keiron gave Evan a warning glance.

“Let's take a day off. You've earned it," Keiron said, not looking away from Evan.

When he turned around, she watched as Evan's eyes were glued to Keiron's back. Keiron walked a few feet. Sensing a challenge, he turned around.

“Have you got something to say, Evan?"

Keiron walked back toward them. Evan glared at Keiron.

“It's best if we get it out in the open." Hadleigh could see that Keiron was being sincere. Evan looked him over once more and then he turned his head.

“I'm serious." Keiron offered one last time.

Evan ignored him. With that, Keiron turned, shifted, and sprinted off.

Hadleigh wanted to ask Evan more about what had just happened, but he changed the subject

“Have you been out to the edge of the eastern territory yet?"

“Maybe once but …" Hadleigh began. “I'm not supposed to do anything else like that until I've shifted. Donovan and Keiron will be pissed at me."

“Well, let's see if this supposed training has paid off," he paused. “If it hasn't, then I'll protect you. If it has, then you'll kick some ass."

“I'm not ready," Hadleigh said, trying to mask the fear in her voice. Evan stood next to her.

“When I had my first shift, it was during intense activity and stress. Have you ever heard of that happening?"

“Maybe something like that from our healer," Hadleigh admitted.

“I think a nice fight could spur on your change. No other way to find out unless we try."

Hadleigh pondered his suggestion. It seemed dangerous but she was sick of feeling like the odd man out. Being a burden on her pack, Evan, and her family, made her feel awful. And what kind of mate would she be to Keiron without being fully mature?

“Okay, let's go."

Evan and Hadleigh jogged to the outskirts of the eastern territory. By the time they got to the edge, the afternoon was upon them. While scanning the area, she could smell the other packs nearby. Her olfactory sense had improved over the last week.

Keiron must be right. It was both exciting and terrifying.

While they traveled farther beyond their lines, not only was there the scent of others but their voices carried. The two stopped short on the grassy hill and went prone.

“Want to take them on?" Evan asked, nudging her.

“Really?"

“C'mon. We could do it."

Hadleigh felt an intense rush. She nodded at him. His eyes became bright with the prospect of conflict. Evan was a skilled fighter and he enjoyed it.

They watched as a few wolves were walking in their human forms near a building not far away.

Evan glanced at her and then he nodded. With that, the two began to sprint toward the others. By the time the other wolves realized what was happening, Evan had shifted and was on top of one. Hadleigh began to use the tools she had gained.

While attacking, she felt fluid and calm. The outside world was muted and she felt her body in line with her mind. As she continued to fight one after another, she marveled at the skill Keiron had instilled in her. In only a few sessions, he had taught her to tap into somewhere new.

She felt zen.

All at once, her vision changed and everything had a sparkle to it. The edges of her foes were highlighted in white, helping her to see them better. Their attempted attacks were slowed down and hers were exceptionally fast. She punched one in the gut and then kicked another in the face. They fell rapidly, one after another.

A larger female wolf shifted and came at her aggressively. Hadleigh backed up and waited for her to advance. She sprinted toward Hadleigh but Hadleigh moved aside with grace.

It served to anger the shifted wolf who quickly turned around and went after Hadleigh again. Just as her challenger jumped in the air, Hadleigh athletically slid underneath her.

While gearing up for another attack, Hadleigh realized how winded she was after the intense exercise from earlier in the day. Evan was off to the left taking on a group by himself. He couldn't protect her now.

The large wolf postured aggressively and then dove upon her. Hadleigh fell on her stomach which knocked the wind out of her.

Her aggressor bit her on her back and shoulders. Hadleigh told herself to stay focused. Her diaphragm relaxed and she could breathe again. Her screams slowly morphed into growls.

As the wolf gnawed on her a few more times something clicked.

Hadleigh's body felt spiritually connected to something bigger, perhaps Selene, the Moon Goddess. She rose up on her hands and knees and her body's usual form, the one she had known for 19 years, disappeared as she shifted to her wolf self.

Her long front legs had auburn fur on them and she could feel the heaviness of her thicker coat along her back. She glanced down at what she had become, feeling the instinct to protect herself at all costs.

While she attempted to stabilize her stance with the heavy wolf still crushing her, Evan bounded from the direction he had been fighting. He dropped the assailant to the ground and went for her jugular, clamping so deeply that his back teeth were grinding.

Without going too far he stopped, let go, and stared at Hadleigh. As their foe stood considering another challenge, Hadleigh joined Evan's side.

The two bristled their fur and growled, adopting a warning, intimidating stance.

The large wolf considered attacking but the two began to slowly slink toward her. She knew she was outmatched and decided to run away.

Evan and Hadleigh rushed toward home. When they finally caught their breath back on their turf, they shifted.

“It happened!" Hadleigh was hopping up and down. Evan laughed boisterously in celebration.

“I told you! Wow, I'm so glad I got to see your very first time."

“Well, at a price. We almost got killed."

“No way. I had your back … oh f**k. You're bleeding," he whimpered. Hadleigh glanced down at her body covered in blood. “Shift. We'll get home much faster."

The two raced back together. All the way there, Hadleigh was overwhelmed by the hundreds of different scents that tempted her. The paths they sped by had nearly visible trails with aromas of other wolves, food, and plants.

By the time she arrived, to her surprise, it had stopped. With accelerated healing increased after healing, all at once it made sense.

“Let's get some food. They probably hunted this afternoon when we were gone."

“I want to at least clean where I was bitten," Hadleigh said. Evan shrugged and smiled. "You don't want to do the same?"

"Oh, no. I'm all good." Hadleigh realized Evan engaged in fighting so much that he paid no mind to wounds anymore. “I'll grab our usual seats. You want some venison?" Evan asked.

“Yes, thank you! I'll be right there."

Hadleigh walked down the hall and entered her bathroom. As she washed the lacerations, she studied them in the mirror as best as she could. They were deep but the pain was minimal. They were already healing.

As she glanced out her window she noticed her Luna, Rainy wandering down the road aimlessly and stumbling. To the right was her healer, Lucy, speed-walking over to Rainy. Lucy had a concerned expression on her face as she guided Rainy toward the front door.

If there was something wrong, Hadleigh's Alpha, James wouldn't speak of it, she was sure of it. It was concerning. As much as she wanted to find out more, Hadleigh was too hungry to continue investigating.

Once back in the dining hall, Hadleigh approached Evan with ravenous hunger. Energy coursed through her veins and simple movements were enhanced. Whether it was the adrenaline from the fight or her shift, she wasn't sure. They ate voraciously and smiled together, laughing every once in a while.

“Where did you get bitten?" Hadleigh asked with her mouth full. Evan lifted up his pant leg. Teeth marks were peppered upon his left calf. “They like to bite your legs?"

“When you fight, you'll bite wherever. You'll see. Fun, huh?" He raised his eyebrows in satisfaction.

“I think so. I feel so alive!"

“It's a great feeling."

“What else should I expect?"

“Everything will be more enhanced. All five senses and your instincts are improved, even in our current forms. Oh, and you'll start to notice age slowing."

"Two years equal one, right?" Hadleigh asked. Evan nodded at her then held up a big bite for her to eat and she munched on it. She covered her mouth and nodded in pleasure, the taste far more delicious.

“When Dinah shifted, didn't she talk to you about it?" Evan asked.

“No. She was so moody. When I asked her about it, she would snap at me, no pun intended," Hadleigh said. Evan chuckled.

“It can do that to you. Emotions get wicked intense. Especially around your mate." He glanced at her hopefully.

“I'm feeling strongly about everything." She smiled at him. He gave her a disappointed glance. “What is it?"

“Do you feel differently about me, at all?" he asked.