Loving Young

Chapter III

As I stepped out into the clearing, the scent of pine and smoke curled through the cool night air. The sun had already dipped below the horizon, leaving behind only the faintest traces of purple and blue in its wake. In the heart of the clearing, the bonfire roared to life, its flames dancing and crackling with a wild energy that cast shifting shadows across the faces of the pack. Around it, pack members lounged on tree trunks and blankets, their laughter and chatter weaving into the night like a song only they knew. Smaller fires dotted the edges of the clearing, where smaller groups huddled close, their voices low and intimate.

Pups darted between legs, their high-pitched barks and playful growls adding a layer of innocence to the scene. Their energy was boundless, a stark contrast to the more relaxed pace of the older wolves gathered nearby. I lingered on the outskirts, my eyes scanning the crowd as if they had a mind of their own, searching for something-or someone. I forced myself to shake off the lingering thoughts of earlier, focusing instead on the hum of life around me.

My eyes wandered across the gathering, searching for a distraction. The familiar faces of packmates blurred together until I spotted a flash of red hair near the bonfire. Elene. Her laughter rang out, light and carefree, and for a second, I almost envied how easily she could slip into the joy of the moment. I wasn't ready for it yet. Not completely.

Nyx stirred inside me, her presence a soft nudge, urging me to join the others. I tilted my head, catching Elene's eye. She smiled brightly when she saw me, her face softening in a way that made me feel like everything else could wait. I could lose myself in that moment for a little while. Just for now.

"Lexa!" Elene's voice cut through the noise of the bonfire, and the playful challenge in her tone tugged a smile from me. As I moved toward her, I could see the mischief dancing in her eyes.

"What's so funny?" I asked, doing my best to sound casual, though my mind was still tangled in thoughts of earlier.

Elene's grin widened, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh, just Talia is on the rant about the new recruits," she teased, glancing at Talia, who stood nearby with a look of exasperation.

"They're driving me insane," Talia groaned, rubbing her temples. "One of them nearly dropped a pup today-held him like a sack of potatoes!"

Elene snorted, giving Talia a playful nudge. "Let's not forget how clumsy you were when you started in the nursery."

Talia narrowed her eyes but couldn't fight the smile tugging at her lips. "Yeah, yeah. Some of us just happen to learn faster than others."

With a huff, Talia excused herself to join another group, leaving Elene and me standing in the fading circle of laughter. The playful light in Elene's eyes dimmed slightly, replaced by something more serious. She stepped closer, her voice dropping to a low murmur.

"Care for a stroll?" she asked, though the weight in her tone left little room for refusal.

I hesitated, but the weight of my own thoughts made the offer hard to refuse. "Yeah, that sounds good," I said, my voice just above a whisper.

Together, we stepped away from the warmth of the bonfire, leaving the noise and the comforting smell of wood smoke behind us. The trees loomed larger as we walked deeper into the woods, the sounds of the party fading until the only noises were our soft footsteps and the rustle of the leaves beneath them.

For a while, we didn't speak. The silence between us wasn't uncomfortable, but I could feel the tension that had been building all night creeping back in. I knew what was coming, and the unease coiled in my chest refused to loosen.

"How long have you known?" I asked finally, my thumb absently rubbing the smooth surface of a small stone in my hand. The question came out softer than I intended, but pointed all the same. "About what Josh wanted to talk to me about?"