The Lost Wolf

Chapter 15

AVA’S POV

            I stand here waiting impatiently for Liam to finish what he is doing for us to go for our walk together.  Ever since this moment between us this morning, he is the only thing I have been able to focus on.  Each moment which passes, feels like eternity to me.  There is this need for him to be near me.  His touch, and just to be close to him. There is a sense within me of being unfilled which can only be cared for by him.

            This need has begun to weigh on me as I continue to wait.  What is taking him so long, I think to myself.  Maybe, I should just take a step right outside in the garden to get a breath of fresh air.  I’ll just let the servants know as I head out in case he comes looking for me.

            As I step outside, it feels good to take in the fresh air.  Being inside all morning has started to wear on me and make me feel confined.  I am beginning to loosen up and relax as I make my way towards the peonies before me.

            This garden is breathtakingly beautiful, and has many of my favorite flowers.  Someone has taken great care in tending to these.  I begin to feel a warmth swell up within me as I make my way looking through all around me.  This castle is vast and has a cold appearance with the gray stone walls, but they have been livened up and warmth flows through the walls and grounds from the love which has been instilled all around me.  There is so much love and care swelling deep within from the landscaping and décor, and down to the love and care in which you feel from all who I have met within. 

            I feel more at home here than I ever felt at home.  I strangely feel at peace ere, as if this is where I have always been meant to be.

            As I make my way through the garden, admiring all before me, I hear a deep growl coming from deep within the forest.  This growl does not feel like one in which I have heard before, but it brings a shiver down my spine in fear.  There is something dangerous to this growl.

            I slowly backup towards the front of the castle to find my way to escape inside, but before I can move too much further, I see a large grey wolf with deep yellow eyes breaking through the forest walls.

            He stops short of coming any further as I can feel his eyes penetrating me.  There is a look of anger in his yellow eyes.  But there is a strange familiarity to this wolf, as I stand there, unable to move staring back towards him.

            Before I can utter a sound, I catch out of the corner of my eye, three large wolves hurdling towards the forest where the grey wolf came from.

            I stare in disbelief at what is happening before me.  I know I should be scared, but the fear which was consuming me a minute ago, has since left me since the three wolves appeared.  I feel safe and sense that they were not here to hurt me, but was there to protect me from the grey wolf.

            What is going on with me?  Am I losing my mind?  Any normal person would be hiding inside for protection right now, but here I am still standing in the same place.  I am not moved a muscle since the three wolves appeared and am just staring in curiosity and wonder.

            I move closer to the edge of the garden, trying to peer from the distance for a view of where the wolves disappeared but to my dismay, I am unable to locate them.

            “Come inside,” I hear from behind me.  As I turn around, I notice Cordelia motioning for me from the front door.

            “But….there’s wolves,…,” I begin to say.

            “Oh, it’s nothing to worry about.  Sometimes they stray this way a bit from the forest, but they are typically harmless.”

            “Are you sure?  There was one which looked fierce and dangerous with gleaming, yellow eyes.”

            “We’ll have the guys check out the area and make sure he’s gone.  I promise, there is nothing to worry about.”

            To be honest, I don’t feel scared but feel more alert to my surroundings.  I take one final look towards the forest before sighing and heading towards Cordelia.

            “Are you okay?!” she asks as she grabs me and pulls me into a big, tight hug. “I hope they didn’t give you too much of a fright.  Just know that we secure our grounds and no unwanted animal will roam here.”

            “I’m really okay, I promise.”

            Actually, it feels good being checked on afterwards.  I’m not used to having someone worrying about me and checking on how I feel.  My parents were more cold in this sense of raising me.

            “Why don’t we grab some coffee in the family room while we wait for Liam?”

LIAM’S POV

            As I wrap things up with my pack, my sister comes running into my office.  “Liam, there’s a rogue entering our territory.”

            “Daniel, James…,” I begin to say.

            “Ava is outside in the garden!”

            “S***!” I quickly transform into my wolf and make my way outside as quick as I can make it as my strong pack members follow suit. 

            I can feel my heart beating in fear.  I need to make it to her before the wolf gets near her.  Nothing can happen to her; I snap at my men.  This is my fault, if I had not been taking so long in my office, she would not have been outside without me.  I should have been there with her.  I promised her that we were going to go for a walk this morning.

            My body is enveloped by fear and anger.  As I make it outside, I see her standing and staring at the wolf.  Why isn’t she moving?!  Why is she just standing there, just staring?

            As I catch the eyes of the grey wolf, my whole body becomes consumed with anger.  Who is this wolf and why is he on our territory eyeing my mate?

            My men and I chase down the wolf but he quickly makes his way back from where he came from.  This makes my anger flaring through my whole body.  We have lost the wolf and are unable to sense him anywhere.  I send my men to keep looking and not to stop till they have found him. 

            I need to check on Ava.  I have to make sure that she is okay and that no harm came to her.