Warrior Wolf (Complete)

16. Lake

As Rose finished summarizing her files and was about to leave the tent, her colleague, Oliver, called out to her, "Hey Ronald, you look troubled. Why don't you let out your wolf and go for a run? That always works for me when I feel down."

Rose paused, appreciating his concern. "Thanks, Oliver. Where do you usually go?"

"There's this wonderful spot I found, just twenty minutes south of here. Trust me, you'll feel better. You can thank me tomorrow," he said with a wink.

Rose nodded, considering the idea. She hadn't let out her wolf in a long time, and maybe Oliver was right. It could be exactly what she needed. With a deep breath, she ran towards the forest, allowing herself to shift into a semi-transformed state, her senses sharpening as her claws extended.

As she reached the spot, her breath caught in her throat. The full moon hung high in the sky, casting a soft glow over a serene lake filled with blooming aqua jasmine. Their sweet fragrance filled the air, mingling with the cool breeze. But what truly took her breath away were the thousands of fireflies, their tiny lights reflecting off the water like stars within reach.

Rose closed her eyes, letting the beauty of the moment wash over her. The air was cool against her skin as it slowly transformed into fur. She fell to all fours, embracing her full wolf form-a sleek, black wolf now standing where Rose had been.

Wading into the warm waters of the lake, steam rose around her, the hot spring relaxing her tense muscles. She felt a sense of peace she hadn't known in months.

But her moment of tranquility was shattered by the sound of a twig snapping. Rose's head whipped around, and her eyes locked onto a majestic brown wolf standing at the edge of the trees, his golden eyes fixed on her. He approached slowly, his powerful presence sending a shiver down her spine.

"Who are you?" His voice echoed in her mind, using the gift of mind-linking given to wolves by the Moon Goddess.

Rose froze, unsure how to respond.

"I haven't seen you here before," the brown wolf continued, his voice curious but edged with authority. "Are you from a neighboring pack?"

Her heart pounded with the fear that if he got too close, he might memorize her scent and uncover her disguise the next time they crossed paths in the army. As he approached, she bared her teeth and stepped back further into the water. When he was near enough, he sniffed the air and said, "I can't tell your scent. All I can smell is this aqua jasmine. You're a mystery." The thick floral aroma had shielded her identity, leaving him none the wiser.

"Now, I know you can hear me," he said, his tone softening as he closed the distance between them. "Tell me your name before I make you. I know you aren't a nobody. I can feel the power emanating from you. Are you an Alpha's daughter?"

Rose couldn't help it-she let out a sound that was the wolf version of a laugh, her eyes sparkling with mirth. "I'm an omega. You're an Alpha, I can tell."

"Why would you lie about something you can't hide?" His voice was gentle, as though he were trying to coax the truth out of her. "Tell me, who are you?"

Rose sensed something different about this wolf. He was starstruck, perhaps, or just not as aggressive as most Alphas would be in this situation. "I'm not lying. I really am an omega. Who are you, anyway?"

"I'm Christopher," he said, his eyes never leaving hers. "I stay in the training grounds. Why is this beautiful wolf hesitating to tell me her name?"

No one had ever called her beautiful, except her father. The compliment warmed her from the inside out. "I'm Rose," she finally admitted.

Christopher's ears perked up, and he took a step closer, his eyes locked on hers. "Rose," he repeated, savoring the sound. "A name as beautiful as the wolf it belongs to."

Rose felt a warmth spread through her, making her heart race. "You're quite the charmer, Christopher. Do you make a habit of flattering strange wolves in the middle of the night?"

Christopher's tail gave a small wag, a sign of amusement. "Only when they're as captivating as you are." He circled around her slowly, his gaze never leaving hers. "There's something about you, Rose. Something... different."

"Different how?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady, though the proximity of him was making her nerves dance.

"Powerful, yet gentle. Mysterious, yet familiar," he said, stopping in front of her. His voice dropped to a soft murmur. "Like the moonlight on this lake-beautiful, elusive, and impossible to ignore."

Rose felt a shiver run down her spine, but it wasn't from the cold. She looked into his eyes, feeling a strange pull, like she was being drawn into him. "You speak like a poet," she teased, trying to lighten the mood, though her voice came out softer than she intended.

"And you, like a muse," Christopher replied smoothly. He leaned in, so close now that she could feel the warmth of his breath. "You must meet me here again, Rose. I feel like I've only just begun to know you, and I want to learn more."

Rose's heart skipped a beat at the intensity in his voice, but she wasn't ready to let her guard down so easily. She smiled, a playful glint in her eyes. "Maybe I will, Christopher. Or maybe I'll just keep you wondering."

Before he could reply, Rose darted away, her form blending into the shadows of the trees. She heard him call her name softly, but she didn't look back. Instead, she let out a soft, teasing laugh, her eyes dancing with mischief, leaving Christopher standing by the lake, enchanted and longing for more.

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Author's note:

My dear reader,

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