The Heart of The North

A New World

I don't know how long I wait, but his wolf runs up to me at some point, and I can see the worry in his eyes.

"It's..." I wheeze, "It's happening...hurts so bad."

His wolf nudges me softly and I groan. His wolf looks at me with apology in his eyes, and I nod, "It's okay."

The worst wave of pain hits me next, and I scream in agony, digging my fingers into the snow and frozen dirt beneath it. I watch as my nails turn to claws, and my hands morph to paws with bright white and red fur. I close my eyes tightly as the pain fades.

When it's gone, I slowly open my eyes to see more than I ever had before. The owls hooting somewhere far away, and the stars look as if I've never seen them before. The snow is brighter, despite the dark. Moonlight shines through the pine in faint white rays. The few snowflakes seem more noticeable, as if I can see each of their individual shapes.

I spin, realizing I have four legs below me. I look down at myself before I catch an amazing scent. I turn to find it and realize it's coming from... Blair?

I tilt my head, still not used to the strange feeling of it.

His wolf stares back at me with a mix of emotions. Adoration, surprise, need, all of it.

"Mate." I stop when I hear his voice.

Did he just talk?

"Yes, I did." He laughs.

I tilt my head, pausing. I try to project my thoughts.

"Mate?" I ask.

"Do you feel it?" He asks.

I focus, looking at his massive black wolf. My veins surge with happiness, ecstasy, and power. I smell cut pine trees and a campfire.

"Yes..." I answer and a voice in my head chants the same word.

Mate.

His wolf walks towards me, nuzzling the side of my head. I return the gesture and he backs away, jerking his snout towards the deep forest.

I suddenly get the urge to run faster than I ever have, and I beat him to it.

He catches up fast, due to his Alpha blood he's much bigger than me. We run side by side, and I feel free as we weave through the trees. My worry and stress and trauma fade away, and it's only Blair and I.

We walk back towards the edge of the treeline as the moon lowers to the horizon, and the sun begins to show from the other side. All of the sudden, I feel myself changing again, only this time, it's not painful.

I look to Blair and see he's shifted too, and very, very naked. I blush before realizing I am too, and I quickly cover myself with my arms in shame.

He laughs, "Here, let's get you back."

Luckily, no one is back when we get there. As soon as we're back, I slip on the dress I had gotten a few weeks before. I turn to Blair.

"So... that's it? I'm a wolf now." I look at my hands.

"You're more than a wolf. You're my mate." He smiles.

I smile brightly at the word, "Why didn't we know before?"

"Well, your wolf was... dormant, I guess. So neither of us picked up on it because you were basically human." He says.

"So... how does this mate thing work?" I ask.

"I have to mark you at some point, by biting you," he points at the base of my neck, "Here. You know how you can hear me in your head when we're shifted?"

"Yes..." I answer.

"The mating bond would allow a permanent mind link if you reach out, even in this form. As well as our emotions connected, and we'd be joined in power so each of us would be more powerful." He explains.

"Would it hurt?" I ask.

"Compared to last night? No. But it would hurt a little at first." He says.

"Can you do it?" I ask after a moment.

"...Arie." He says.

"What? Blair, it'll be worth it." I assure him.

"Don't tell me you're saying this because you want the strength to challenge your father." He says, standing up angrily.

"He's not my father. Maybe to the Kingdom but he's not, and no, I'm not. Yes, I could use the strength too, but I'd do it without. I was going to do it without." I stand and face him.

"You're actually planning on marching? With what army? That's a suicide mission!" He yells.

"I don't know yet, it's not thought out, but that's not why I'm asking you to mark me!" I yell back, tearing up.

"Then why? Huh?" He raises his hands in the air in a frustrating manner.

I don't reply, the words stuck in my throat.

"That's what I thought." He scoffs and turns to walk out the door, and the fear that pierces my soul at that moment is indescribable.

"I'm doing this because I love you!" I cry, and he spins around with shock on his face.