I was running along side Astrid, across the field. It was pretty windy today, which cooled me down. I sneaked a glance and winked at Astrid.
After a few more minutes we stopped near the patch of trees. We heard something whining. It sounded distressed. Me and Astrid glanced at each other.
I'll go. Astrid started walking towards the trees. I quickly realised what she was doing and ran in front of her, stopping her.
I looked behind me cautiously. No, you stay here. I'll go. Astrid tried to walk around me but I blocked her path. I rested my forehead against hers, looking into her electric blue, wolf-y eyes.
Stay . . . Let me go. I'm not going to lose you.
. . . Fine.
I rubbed my head against hers. Go to Flynn. I watched as she walked to stay beside Flynn. I proceeded to walk into the woods.
Be careful Harry. Astrid told me.
I'll be back, don't worry.
I entered the area of trees, my body camouflaged. I sniffed the ground, snarling slightly. I rounded a corner to stop. I saw a picture of Astrid pinned to the tree, a knife stained with blood below it.
She's in danger . . . I need to up my game if I'm going to protect her. I turned to the left and saw a pool of blood mixed in with the soil.
I looked behind me and I saw a wolf body. I quickly rushed over. Whether it was a shifter or not, the wolf was dead. It had multiple cuts and a knife embedded into its gut.
I need two strong men, NOW! Two men from my pack immediately came running in. I gestured with my head to the body. They picked it up and carried it out. I followed them.
The blood was fresh . . . that means the wolf was killed earlier in the day. That's the sound we heard, the wolf howling for help! I could've saved them!
If I was faster . . .
I came from the trees, growling. Astrid ran over.
Are you okay?? I saw the body . . .
I'm fine baby, I'm . . . okay. But the thing is, I wasn't fine. I was agitated. Whoever killed that wolf, I will get revenge.
Astrid rested her muzzle on my neck. I know you're lying.
I nipped playfully at her ear. Later. Astrid pulled away, sitting next to me. I lay down on my stomach, resting my head on my paws. Astrid placed her head beside mine.
Just sleep Harry.
That's what I did. When my eyes opened, the sky was turning darker by the minute. I noticed Astrid asleep beside me.
Astrid. Wake up. I nudged her head. Her eyes blinked open. I just realised she had shifted from her wolf form to her human in her sleep. She gradually got to her feet.
I stood up to my full height. My head was levelled with Astrid's. You want a lift? I didn't need to ask because Astrid was trying to get onto my back. I lowered my body to make it easier.
You up? I felt Astrid nod against my neck. I raised myself, sprinting out the field towards the fence. With a giant leap I landed on the other side, heading to my house.
When we got home, I ran up to my room and shifted back. I jumped into the bed, moaning quietly.
"Move up," Astrid mumbled. I smirked, grabbing her waist and pulling her down onto the bed.
Our noses touched. Something came to my mind. "Why are dogs such bad dancers?" Astrid wasn't expecting this so she moved her head to stare into my eyes.
"What?" I repeated my question. "I don't know . . . Why are you smirking?"
"It's because they have two left feet!"
"Oh god . . . Yeah, that was, uh, really funny," she said with a roll of her eyes.
I thought Astrid would manage a snappier comeback than that, because that was the last thing I heard that left her mouth I pulled her to me and lowered my lips to hers.
As our lips touched, my nerves tingled all over my body. I clutched desperately, not wanting this moment to end. I felt my hands pulling her closer . . . as close as possible.
The urgency in the kiss was unbearable. I wanted her, more than anything. She ran her hands through my hair, pulling my head to hers.
I run my hands under her shirt, the warmth of her stomach warming me up. As I'm about to discard her shirt from her body, she grabbed my wrist, halting me.
I disconnected my lips from hers. "Astrid, are you okay?"
"I'm fine," she said, breathing deeply. "I'm just not in the mood tonight." Something else was wrong . . . The way her face scrunched up, her words stuttering, her voice sounding strained.
I sat up, hovering over her body. Then I realised. Her hands were over her side where she got stabbed.
"You're in pain!" I hissed quietly. When I tried to lift up her shirt, Astrid swatted my hands away with her own. I quickly grabbed them, pinning them above her head.
I held them with one hand while the other lifted up her shirt. "Astrid . . . " I shook my head, sighing. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't want . . . to worry you." Astrid winced as I touched her side.
"Sorry. I'll go get some ointment. Don't go anywhere." I kissed her head, sprinting out the room, towards the bathroom.
I grabbed the ointment, getting back to my room. When I turned from closing the door, I froze.
Astrid was standing up, a knife held across her throat. I saw the carrier of the knife.
"Jay," I said calmly, "what are you doing?"
I tried to walk forwards. "Don't!" Jay shouted, pressing the knife harder against Astrid's throat. "Otherwise she gets it!"
"Jay . . . Don't do this."
"Why shouldn't I?" Jay growled. "If it means you die too then that's fine. At least you won't have a happy life."
I made eye - contact with Astrid. My eyes seemed to ask You okay? Astrid nodded. She made a tiny flame on her fingertips. I nodded.
As Jay was talking, he didn't expect Astrid to elbow him. Jay was winded which gave me enough time to shoot a punch across his face, grabbing the knife.
Astrid ran behind me. I held out my arms protectively. I passed the knife to her. I stormed over to Jay's wounded body and forced him to stand.
I clenched my fist and punched him across his jaw. He fell to the floor, groaning with pain.
"You mess with my family, that's not good. But when you mess with my girlfriend . . . That's not going to end well."
I summoned the air underneath Jay's body, lifting him off the ground. Luckily I knocked him unconscious.
"Dad!" I yelled. He came running in immediately. I gestured to Jay, shoving his body out of my room and slamming the door shut.
I went to Astrid who was still in shock, her back against the wall. I slid down next to her. "You okay?"
"I - I'm fine. Just a little jumpy."
I wrapped her up in my arms. "I'm sorry baby, I should have checked everything was locked. But don't worry, I'll protect you. Always."
Astrid shifted and moved to sit in between my legs. My arms found her waist as her back leaned against my chest. "Always . . . " I whispered softly. I fell asleep to the comfort sounds of Astrid breathing.
