Blood Floweret

« Chapter Thirty-Five »

After last night, their souls were still soaring. 

It was as if nothing to break their moment of truly flying on their paws. They both knew it was because they had truly found their happiness, and no matter how bad life got, they would hold onto their joy. They would hold onto each other. Life was too short and went too quickly to live in misery from things they couldn't control. 

While everyone was still sleeping, they snuck out of the house hand-in-hand. Cassius was snickering beneath his breath because he had drawn all over Emmett's face with a permanent marker before they headed out. She could only roll her eyes, the prank war between them almost never-ending. 

When they reached the edge of the forest, they paused to let their wolves free. Bones realigned, fur rose with goosebumps of excitement, and then they looked at each other. Their breathing was perfectly in sync, their eyes connected in a flurry of emotion, and then they took off in a single heartbeat.

She was growing overly fond of chasing her mate through the woods. Some part of her was growing restless and even when they had run till their lungs nearly collapsed, she still wanted more. It was an odd feeling that blossomed in her chest, yearning for something far beyond. As if something out in the world was calling to her soul, waiting to be discovered. 

Cassius ran by her side, paws stretching into the earth with each stride, and his ears were perked toward the unknown with green eyes glowing. She could almost see it in his expression, he was feeling the same way she was. Maybe they both felt the calling, a true purpose they needed to chase--to take the adventure of a lifetime. They couldn't deny their wild hearts were beating with the very rhythm of freedom.

They ran through the forest in a flurry of paws and wild eyes. They passed patrolling wolves several times, turning each time to avoid crossing Aloysius territory, and eventually, they came upon the river. It was a place that held many memories and when they slowed down to stop for a bit, she greedily lapped up water between pants.

Suddenly, Cassius leaped over her and landed in the river. His tail stuck straight in the air and he gave her one mischievous look before he started pouncing in the water. She snorted, laughing in her mind, watching as he played in the river with yips of joy. Eventually, he stopped and looked at her expectantly.

She shook her head. He leveled her with a look. 

Before she could blink, he covered the distance between them and gently clasped his jaws around the scruff of her neck. She lost her footing on the slippery riverbank and he easily pulled her into the shallow part of the river with him. She stood up, sputtering and shaking her fur vigorously, and then she clacked her teeth at Cassius. 

He grinned, wolfishly, and she flattened her ears. 

He wiggled his bum, crouching down, and completely ignored her warning growl as he lept on top of her. Before she knew it, she had engaged in his childish play. They splashed about in the water, chasing each other and occasionally pushing the other down with a victory howl. Their fur was completely soaked by the time they decided to climb out. 

She shook herself, water flying directly in her mate's face. 

He gave her an unimpressed look, dripping wet, and she bat her tail in his face. 

A low growl erupted from his chest as he shook himself and then he leaped onto her back once again. She tried bucking him off but he placed his paws on either shoulder and eventually managed to pull her down. She flopped in the grass in surrender and then Cassius began licking her fur. 

Her wolf was positively flattered that their mate was grooming them and a deep, rumbling purr set deep in her chest. Cassius continued to lick every inch of her fur, pausing when he licked her paw and she jerked it back because it was ticklish. The glint in his eye said it all and he licked her paw again, she rolled on her back in an attempt to get away, and he snorted. 

She let her jaw fall open in a silly grin and then rolled onto her side once more. Cassius sneezed, which was the cutest sound she had ever heard, and then he drew closer to her. She closed her eyes, enjoying the warm breeze that drifted through the forest and the sun that warmed her fur. She felt him bump against her back with his nose and then he laid down with her, resting his head over her shoulders, and she let out a content sigh. 

Life was good. Not because it had treated them fairly but because they chose to see the good in others and themselves. They were kind, not because everyone was kind to them, but because that was who they wanted to be. They might face a challenge tomorrow, or a tragedy the next, but once the path was found it was easier to travel. She knew what she had to do if anger rose again, she knew what to do when people hurt her, and somehow it all just became easier. Like talking about her past, that didn't seem so hard now, and that was how much she had grown. 

There will always be pain in life. Without pain, there is no growth. There will always be struggles and every day is a new opportunity to overcome. There will always be things that happen and cannot be controlled, and it's a lesson to let go. There will always be someone trying to destroy everything but it just strengthens the meaning of self-peace. It's all a matter of thinking and intellectual understanding because everything happens for a reason. 

Cassius spoke in her mind, 'Whatcha thinking?' 

She didn't open her eyes, basking in his warmth, 'How far we've come.' 

'Me too. But I've also been thinking...' He trailed off. 

'Yeah?' 

'What if...we never stopped?' 

She lifted her head to look at him over her shoulder, 'What do you mean?' 

His green eyes were shining, 'I mean, why come this far, only to come this far? Why not keep going?' 

Something in her soul stirred with excitement and yearning at his words. Yes, she rather liked what he was saying, but she tilted her head and replied, 'You mean running?' 

'Yeah,' He breathed, 'Just running with the wind, living in our fur and going wherever we want? I've always wanted to know what that felt like...just being a wolf and nothing else. I've never had the chance...until now.' 

She was quiet for a moment as she thought. 

Cassius continued, 'I just...I've been having these feelings. I can't always explain it but it makes me want to unleash my true inner wolf and just live.'  

'Me too,' She admitted softly. 

There was nothing more said as they closed their eyes, simply enjoying each other's company in this moment that would live on forever. Maybe there were decisions to be made, things that would change their life, but they would do it together and they would follow each other anywhere. Their hearts were inseparable, their souls intertwined for eternity. 

And, for today, they dozed off beneath the sun. 

♦      ♦      ♦      ♦      ♦       ♦

It's official, Vascal has my heart.

Can anyone take a wild guess about what's coming?

 I apologize for the delay! I haven't forgotten my promise to you guys, I just didn't have a single second to myself these past few days. Everything was happening all at once and I admit, I feel exhausted down to my bare-bones right now, but I'm always excited to write! Especially for Vascal and you guys! Forgive me?