Wolf-Shifter

Dancing among the Stars part 15

Namid watched as thin gray clouds walked across the full moon and bowed her head in embarrassment, as more tears fell to the ground. "Ylva…why must I walk this path?"

"What path, my cub?" a distant voice crooned. The branches rustled and parted to admit a pale-skinned woman and kind gray-blue eyes. "There are many trails along the stars…"

"This one, the one I walk now." Namid replied, "I hate it...I hate choosing whom to love!"

"Why hate the path you walk, why hate life, child?" Ylva walked over to her and placed a hand on Namid's flat stomach, "When you carry it…"

Namid gave Ylva a confused look, "Great Mother, I know I must put my people before my heart but still…"

"Go to him," the wolf goddess whispered, disappearing as the wind picked up, "Heal his heart…"

Namid nodded and broke into a run one thought driving her on.

Rakab.

She burst through the bushes, panting and heart pounding. Her sharp eyes made out a figure sitting on a bench in the garden and, slowly, she walked over to him. The figure turned to her and Namid recognized the familiar gaze. "Rakab, I'm sorry." She whispered.

"Did you think I would accept an apology after all we've been through?" his voice was cold.

"No, but—" Namid was cut off as Rak spoke: "Then we don't need to speak anymore."

As Rakab began to leave, the she-wolf frowned, "Look, the real reason I loved Salem was for my people…but I didn't realize I had forgotten a member of my clan."

"Who?" Rak whirled around to face her.

"You."

She closed the distance between them and took his hand, "I'm truly sorry for the way I treated you. Really I am."

Rak reached out with his other hand to cup her cheek, "I'm not one to hold a grudge against you."

"Aren't you mad?"

"If it means you will go back to Salem, no." Rakab replied, chuckling.

"Good." Namid smiled slightly and moved closer to Rak who took his chances and kissed her. Surprisingly, Namid didn't protest, but instead deepened the kiss. Pulling away, Rakab smiled and heard Namid laugh, sweet and full of life. "I wish you were my mate," he thought. "Then we could forget our troubles and go home…"

"Namid?"

She turned to him, eyes questioning.

"Do you really want to love this prince?"

"I have to, Rak."

"No, forget what others want for one minute, and answer truthfully. Do you love him?" Rak's voice was emotionless and almost longing.

Namid averted her gaze and whispered, "I-I don't really know…"

Rakab was stunned. His dancer seemed so broken, so unsure of herself…she wasn't the fighter he once knew.

Namid turned away, "I've said all I need to say, Rak. Salem will be wondering where I am…" She began up a garden path to the Court.

"Meet me here at midnight tomorrow."

She understood what he meant and nodded.

Back at Wyvern's Court…

Namid sat on their bed, and Salem leaned against a bedpost, just watchng her with his eyes, arms crossed over his chest. After a while he said, "You look pale."

"I haven't been feeling the best." She admitted.

"Should I go for a doctor?"

Namid shook her head. "No."

"You sure?" he asked.

"No" she repeated, feeling tired.

Salem shrugged and turned away to look at the sky, "Who was he? Your friend back in the gardens…"

"A childhood friend of mine, driven out of my clan by others…" Namid stood but swayed on her feet, she gripped the bed for support. Taking a tentative step, she lost her balance and felt the room swim as she fell forward.

He rolled her on her back, calling to her, garnet eyes worried…

The room blurred, sounds and colors distorted…

Blackness.

A/N: Not my best chapter…I'm quickly running out of ideas! Help! ANY suggestion would help.

-Notebook