Her Pack

Nathaniel

I awoke suddenly to loud pounding on my door and Jade yelling my name. I stumbled to my door as I wiped my eyes blearily, yawning as I swung the door open. "Wow you look like shit." Jade greeted bluntly and I rolled my eyes. "Having your mate upset and refusing to speak to you for a few days will do that to a wolf. Now what do you want?"

"Ivy just texted me to let me know she's going out on a run this morning, you need to go make sure she actually stays safe this time!" she exclaimed and all of the exhaustion went right out my body as I immediately started running down the hall for the stairs. "And Hunter is already waiting for you outside!"

I just threw my hand up in acknowledgement before turning the corner and taking the steps three at a time. I was barely able to make it through the backdoor and off the patio before my wolf form tore through my shorts and I sprinted straight for the trees. Hunter was already in his wolf form and just greeted me with a nod as I flew by before following on my heels.

Our paws carried us quickly through the quiet morning forest and I huffed with displeasure as I kept my wolf under control. He had been exceedingly difficult the past few days, whining and pacing constantly as he longed for our mate and pushed me to go and see her but I respected her need for distance right now.

'Do you think she will head to Lake Vernon again?' Hunter's serious voice broke through my haze of worry and I quickened our pace a bit. 'More than likely. She always goes there when she runs and has mentioned how much she enjoys the cool morning air from the water.' I responded and soon began to slow as we approached the lake clearing.

I immediately caught her sweet honeyed strawberry scent, my wolf calling to her longingly in my mind with a mournful howl. I took another inhale of her scent as we crept to the edge of the trees, trying to calm him as we gazed upon her slim form seated near the water.

Her silver blonde hair was pulled back into a long wavy ponytail and she wore a dark green sports bra with black leggings and matching shoes, a jacket tied around her waist. With a glance to Hunter he nodded and we circled the clearing in opposite directions, scenting and listening carefully for any signs of rogues before coming back together again.

We both relaxed a bit as the area was clear and I slipped through the edges of the trees, watching my mate closely and guarding her as silent as a shadow. "I know you're there." Ivy's normally soft voice broke the air with confidence and I froze. "I don't know if you can understand me or anything as a wolf of course. But I can feel you watching me and I wanted to say thank you."

I ignored Hunter's cautious nudge to my shoulder and slipped through the last few trees to peek my head fully out into the clearing. Ivy's emerald gaze immediately locked on to my movement and I heard her heart rate pick up a bit as she gave a small gasp. I remained motionless, watching her closely as her face slowly broke into a smile before I allowed my paws to move a bit closer.

"Are you here alone today? Or did you bring that sandy colored one with you?" she asked curiously as she glanced around again and Hunter slid silently from the trees behind me, standing at my right flank. Her eyes lit up as she smiled, turning towards us and folding her legs beneath her.

"Oh I remember your grey coat, you were there when I was attacked too. Thank you." she nodded to Hunter with a small smile and he wagged his tail before disappearing back into the trees. She watched with interest for a few moments but I could tell her human eyes lost track of him quickly when her brows raised.

"They way you both move so silently is impressive for your size. I can't even see that wolf anymore even though I know its there." her gaze was bright with interest as she looked back to me and gave another smile. "I guess you can understand me then?" she asked and I just tilted my head curiously, unsure of how to proceed.

After a few moments I stepped forwards again but paused when Hunter huffed behind me, one of my ears flicking back towards him while my eyes remained on Ivy, her eyes following my ear twitch with curiosity. 'What?' I linked with frustration and he sighed. 'You should be careful. She was attacked by a rogue, you might scare her-' he said and I quickly cut him off with a snarl, turning slightly to bare my canines.

Hunter's wolf gave a quiet whine of submission before he turned and trotted away, maintaining a small perimeter and keeping watch. I shook out my fur restlessly and glanced back to my mate, pricking my ears curiously as she just continued to watch me.

"I remember crawling out of this water and holding this hand out to you, touching your soft fur as you put your head in my lap. I immediately felt safe and knew that you wouldn't hurt me." she murmured as she held out that hand again and I moved a few steps closer. I paused and looked at her closely for any signs of fear but she only smiled and kept holding out her hand.

I finally gave in with an embarrassing whine as I hopped the last few steps towards her and practically fell on my side, tail wagging furiously as she giggled and ran her hands through my fur. My wolf rumbled happily as the mate bond tingled between us and settled his fears and I was content to just lay there forever.

As her hands stroked through my fur I heard her heart speed up a bit and glanced at her curiously but her smile was still wide so I shrugged it off and practically snuggled into her side with a large sigh. We sat there for thirty minutes or so, Ivy's voice soft as she talked about random things.

I couldn't help but perk up a bit when she mentioned Aiden and her heart rate sped up again from the surprise of my quick movement but her smile remained as did her hands in my fur. She soon stood to return home and I walked at her side, no longer worried about scaring her as her fingers stayed tangled in my fur.

"I'll see you again tomorrow." she smiled as we reached the edge of the trees, dropping a kiss to my snout that had me frozen with surprise as she headed for the back porch. She turned and watched until I withdrew into the forest once more and then finally went inside.

I immediately began running for home, my spirits much higher than before as Hunter ran at my side. 'She's not scared! I think I need to tell her the truth.' I thought to Hunter excitedly and his fur brushed against mine as he nudged me happily. 'I think you should too. Keeping it from her is only damaging your relationship at this point.'

'I just have to convince her to come see me again.' I said and he nodded. 'You might want to start by getting her flowers or something she really likes.' he offered and I agreed. 'That's probably a good idea. I'll try to text her when we get back.'

'And I will ask Jade text you what she likes.' he chuckled and I bumped him affectionately. 'Thanks man, you're a great friend.' I said and he shrugged me off with a fake growl. 'Don't get soft on me now Alpha.' he joked and I laughed. 'Me, soft? Never!'

We shoved each other once more before settling into a race back home for breakfast.

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A/N: Hope you are enjoying the story so far! Don't forget to vote and comment if you are!