Bound

The Plan

 XAVIER POV

I had flown this route at least a hundred times before through Claire's eyes. Seeing what caught her attention. Appreciating colors and eddies of wind in foreign ways, over and over, until they became what my mind believed to be unshakable reality. That is, up until two weeks ago when she shut down our mate link entirely in response to Alexi. What a mess.

I shook that line of thinking out of my mind. Literally shook my avian head to dislodge the toxic thoughts. I had spent weeks raging against the threat Alexi posed to my relationship with Claire, but in the end, that didn't even matter.

She was so close.

Now it was my eyes drinking in the oscillating sea of green swirling beneath wings that surfed the currents in my unique way. It had a dreamlike quality to it. As if Claire's reality was the real one, and mine the foreign perception.

The full moon blazed in the skies, lighting up nooks and crannies that were usually only available for perusal during the daytime.

Excitement wove a delicious electrical feeling through my veins. Sensitising my emotional center until every racing heartbeat was a delightful pain.

She was so very close.

Over the border between pack territories, I soared through the night with three steps to get to one goal.

Step One; Circle the town.

After nearly two months of combat and all of its associated terrors, I had to know the lay of the land before diving in.

A bonfire flashed and flickered in the center of town on the green. Setting the already bright night alight.

Children and minute wolves raced around the flames; Toasting marshmallows, chasing tails, or dancing with the adults.

Denvy had sourced a branch with enough prongs to simultaneously toast an entire packet of the soft confection, and howled with absolute dismay when it overbalanced and fed the pyre in a fountain of sparks. A few tiny wolves joined in on the howling simply because they could, and a few full throated adults threw their deep melody into the mix with chilling harmony.

A band with ever changing musicians sat around the circumference. Currently a guitar, violin and conga player wove complex patterns together with ease, featuring in the howling with haunting tones as if it was a planned refrain.

The full moon cast a pearly light on anything not kissed by fire as the amassed creatures celebrated. The adults were dressed to impress, however the individual desired. Xandra wore a swirl of oranges and reds, jewels shining as she moved like little sparks, looking entirely as if a piece of the fire wandered off. She was laughing with one man in double denim, another in a tuxedo and a woman in a sleek wedding gown - complete with veil thrown back over her head and framing a jubilant face.

Step Two. Appropriate pants from one of the communal wardrobes Claire had scattered around the town.

It was a huge waterproof cherry wood cabinet holding plain clothes of all styles, so shifters in her pack didn't have to plan for clothes if they wanted to shift. They were Jenny's designs; Body forming, comfortable and tore off easily without damaging the garment.

Step three. Find Claire.

** A/N There is a piece of my soul in everything I write, and would really appreciate a vote or a comment about something that stood out to you, or made you smile :) **