Chapter 26
The quiet forest is transformed by the moon’s silvery glow, as it hangs high in the sky. The late hour brought with it a thick blanket of darkness that consumed everything in its grasp. Sneaking out of the house, I tiptoe with bated breath, my heart beating like a thunderous drum
The moment I step outside, I’m grected by the coolness of the air against my skin and the sensation of damp grass underfoot. Waves of liberation sweep over me, offering a momentary escape from the overwhelming pressure of the day’s occurrences.
But it’s not enough. It’s never enough.
My heart races with anticipation as I make my way to the edge of the forest, my stops becoming faster and more determined with each passing moment. Before me, the towering trees cast a formidable presence, their skeletal branches extending towards the sky. As I pause for a moment, my eyes capture the captivating sight, prompting me to undress and venture into the mysterious shadows.
Swift and seamless, my body twists and turns, the sensation of bones rearranging until I am transformed into a powerful wolf. I can feel my senses sharpening and my muscles tensing, as if preparing for something exciting. The intense emotions of anger and frustration pulsed within me, like a ticking time bomb waiting to detonate.
I dart into the forest, emitting a deep growl, my paws creating a rhythmic thud on the forest floor. The wind whistles in my ears, bringing with it the unmistakable fragrance of pine and earth. It’s a thrilling, intoxicating experience, where my heart races and adrenaline pumps through my veins.
I push myself to the limit, running faster and faster, until the sights of the forest blend into a vibrant tapestry of green and brown. I don’t have a destination in mind, and I have no interest in finding one. All I know is that I need to run, to feel the wind on my face and the freedom in my bones, if only
for a little while.
In a gradual shift, the anger and frustration that had been building inside me start to fade away, making room for a tranquil and focused state of being Out here, in the wilderness, I am free-free from the expectations of others, free from the judgment and ridicule that follow me like a shadow,
Even in the midst of my run, the memories of the day’s events loom over me, creating a sense of unease. The way Nadia had tripped me in front of everyone, the way Gavvyn had looked at me with disappointment-it all weighs heavily on my mind, threatening to drag me back down into the depths
of despair.
Ignoring the thoughts, I divert my attention to the comforting cadence of my breaths, the constant throb of my heartbeat. I allowed the forest to surround me, its gentle embrace cocooning me in a sense of security.
For a brief moment, I am at peace.
But as time goes on, the exhaustion slowly creeps in, and my muscles start to ache from the effort. Coming to a halt, I gasp for breath, my chest rising and falling with each heavy pant. As the moon hangs low in the sky, the forest floor is transformed into a mystical landscape, with shadows stretching out in every direction.
Taking a brief moment, I focus on my breathing and find my center once again. Despite being held in check, the anger and frustration still linger, ready to resurface at any moment. Like an unstoppable force, I know they will come back, but for now, I find solace in the peacefulness of the night.
With a parched throat, I eagerly head towards the tranquil lake, savoring the sensation of the cool grass brushing against my paws. I reach it just in time, and I lean over to drink from the edge, feeling the water trickle down my throat. With each lap, I could taste the pureness of the crystal-clear waters of the lake. Each sip of the drink provided a soothing relief, like a healing balm for my weary soul.
Out of nowhere, a loud c r a c k shattered the silence, jolting me and making my ears perk up in fear. Instinctively, I bared my teeth and emitted a low growl, my heart pounding in my chest as I braced myself for the unseen danger in the darkness.
But then, emerging from the shadows, came a figure – a majestic wolf, its fur as dark as midnight, gliding gracefully towards me. As I recognized the familiar silhouette, my growl faltered and my heart s k i p p d a beat. Axton stepped into the moonlight, casting a haunting glow on his features.
His wolf form was a sight to behold, powerful and commanding, with a grace that belied his strength. I observed his approach, mesmerized by the
Chapter 26
curiosity shining in his eyes and the wagging of his tail in a friendly hello. Against my own will, a wave of admiration washed over me, acknowledging the Alpha he truly is.
He drew closer, and I could feel the warmth of his snout against my leg, a gentle nudge urging me to join in on the fun. Hesitating for a moment, I could still feel the weight of the day pressing down on my shoulders, but eventually, I let go and surrendered to the pure bliss of the present.
With a gleeful yip, I sprang up and eagerly pursued him, my feet brushing against the soft blades of grass as I playfully chased him through the moonlit forest. Exhilaration surged through me as the wind whipped through my fur and my heart thumped in my chest, offering a much-needed respite from the consuming turmoil.
The sound of Axton’s soft howls and barks filled the night, blending with the rhythmic rustling of leaves as he effortlessly weaved between the trees. I trailed closely behind, mirroring his actions with an intense determination, my senses acutely attuned to the excitement of the chase.
For a while, all thoughts of Nadia, Zeke, and the pack dissolved into the background, consumed by the pure exhilaration of running wild and untamed. In that moment, there was only me, and Axton, and the vast expanse of the forest stretching out before us.
However, as the adrenaline faded away and fatigue took over, we gradually came to a halt, gasping for air and feeling the weight of exhaustion. The tension slowly dissipated from my muscles, leaving behind a profound feeling of serenity and fulfillment that had been absent for far too long.
I turned to Axton, and in that moment, our eyes locked in a wordless connection. Words became unnecessary as we locked eyes, our primal instincts taking over, just two wolves in a silent conversation. As we walked back to the edge of the lake, I couldn’t shake off the overwhelming feeling of gratitude I had towards him. Settling down by the water’s edge, we marveled at the sight of the moon hanging high above us, casting a soft glow on the rippling
waves
The sensation of transformation washed over me like a gentle wave, accompanied by the cool night air that kissed my skin, signaling my return to humanity. Beside me, Axton mirrored my movements, his bare skin shimmering softly under the moon’s gentle glow as he transformed back into his
human form.
As I settled next to him, I could feel the gentle embrace of the soft grass beneath me, while Axton’s arm wrapped around my waist, drawing me nearer. Feeling his arms enveloping me, I melted into his embrace, savoring the cozy sensation of his body against mine, and let out a contented sigh.
“Hey,” I felt his warm breath against my skin as he murmured, his voice a gentle, intimate whisper. “How was your day, Chesnut?”
I turned to him, feeling the weight of exhaustion in my eyes as I met his gaze, revealing the depth of emotions swirling inside me.
“It was… eventful.”
With a silent understanding in his eyes, Axton drew nearer and lightly brushed his lips against my forehead, creating a gentle sensation.
“Tell me about it.”
Contemplating whether to unravel the tangled threads of the day’s events, I let out a heavy sigh.
“What about you?” Seeking a momentary break from the chaos, I deflected and focused on the peaceful stillness around me. “I’m more curious to hear about your training progress. How much time has passed since then?”
“About a month.” With a soft chuckle, Axton’s eyes gleamed mischievously. I could feel his playful nature as his fingers lightly traced idle patterns on my back, causing me to laugh. “Oh yeah… You know, I heard some crazy stories during training. I couldn’t believe it.”
Feeling curious, I couldn’t resist playfully nudging him to see if he would reveal more. myself for a comfortable view of his face.
“Spill it, then, I could use a distraction.”
“I heard that you, Chestnut, dumped milk on the future Luna of the Thomholde Pack”
Lying down on his chest, I feel the steady rise and fall as I position
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Chapter 26
1 groaned, the memory of the milk cascading over Nadia’s hair and the distinct smell of dairy filling the room, mingling with the frustration and humiliation that lingered within me.
“Great,” I muttered, rolling my eyes. “Just what I needed – another mark against my name.”
However, Axton’s response caught me off guard, instead of commiserating with my frustration, he couldn’t help but burst into laughter, his contagious chuckle vibrating beneath my fingertips. Amidst his laughter, he managed to utter a few words,
“You have to admit, it’s a story that will be remembered for generations to come.”
Despite my imitation bubbling beneath the surface, Axton’s contagious laughter filled the air and I couldn’t help but feel a reluctant smile tug at the comers of my lips. As his hand glided across my back, I could feel the soothing pressure of his touch, as if he was trying to melt away any remaining
stress.
“I can’t believe I’m finding humor in all this mess,” With a hint of acceptance and amusement, I admitted it in my voice. With a playful scoff, I press a gentle kiss to his chest, feeling the warmth radiate through my lips. “I kinda wanna kick myself now for not having my phone, ’cause I would’ve loved to get a pic of her with milk on her hair. I would’ve totally used it for blackma I, it was so funny.”
Pushing myself up, I find myself staring deeply into Axton’s eyes, captivated by their intensity. I felt a surge of connection as I pressed my lips against his, and his understanding gaze met mine, his eyes reflecting the intensity of the moment. As he held me close, his warmth provided a momentary sanctuary
from the turbulent emotions swirling within.
“Nadia’s being a b**h,” The words escaped my lips in a murmur, carrying the weight of frustration and anger. “Man, she slapped me like a ton of times today, hate not being able to fight back.”
As Axton pulled me closer, his fingertips danced along my back, creating a comforting sensation that eased the inner turmoil.
“I don’t really know her,” With a hushed tone, he confessed, his voice barely breaking the silence of the darkness. Leaning down, he kisses me again, his warm lips and wet tongue sending shivers down my spine. “But if it makes you feel any better, Nadia must just be jealous because you’re prettier.”
His words were so unbelievable that I couldn’t help but roll my eyes, the sour taste of his obvious lie lingering in my mouth. There was a small part of me that clung to the idea that Nadia’s cruelty had some connection to her deep-seated jealousy. However, in my gut, I had a stronger understanding. Something dark and wicked fueled Nadia’s actions, far beyond the scope of mere envy.
Allowing myself to sink back, I released a sigh, feeling the familiar weight of frustration settle upon me. I just have to know what that was. Everything seems to come easily to Nadia, as if she is constantly being presented with opportunities on a silver platter.
So what else could she want from an orphan like me, who had nothing to offer?