Chapter 13 – Picnic
It's been nearly a week and my wounds have finally healed. I've spent most of my time in the basement trying to stay away from Ranger and Miranda. Lia has been itching to go for a run and today is the perfect day.
Ranger has been away for a few days in the city managing the family's software and security company. Last night, I felt the cheating pains through the mate bond and knew that Ranger was sleeping with someone else in the city while Miranda was still here. Miranda, who is completely oblivious to his cheating, was happily shopping with her minions today. Ursa, was out running errands and I was going to enjoy a little freedom today. Max is going to meet me beyond the tree line to go for a run so that we can avoid the patrols.
"Coast is clear Lucy." Max mind linked me. I went up the basement stairs and slipped out the kitchen back door.
I walked into the woods and heard a rustling sound coming from behind a bush. A large dark brown wolf stepped out and I knew it was Max. "Lucy, hop on my back, you can shift when we're away from here."
I climbed on the back of Max's wolf and wrapped my arms around his neck. "Hold on tight." He mind linked me and we took off running towards a denser area of the forest. The forest looked beautiful this time of year. The trees and bushes that were scattered between the evergreen pine trees had turned to very vivid colors of fall. I admired the bright hues of orange, red and yellow, as Max ran faster and faster.
We reached a beautiful riverbed and I hopped off of Max. "I'll be right back." He said to me as he went behind a tree to shift back. A moment later, Max stepped out wearing a pair of shorts and a shirt.
Someone had placed a picnic basket and blanket under a tree near the riverbed. We walked to the tree next to the river. "I wasn't sure if you would be hungry now, or if you'd like to eat after our run?" Max asked me.
I was feeling a little anxious about shifting again and the pain involved. It might be a good thing if we eat after, in case I throw up. "Let's eat after our run."
"Sounds good. How about you go behind that tree and take off your clothes. Put on the large white shirt I left there for your shift, it's ok if it rips off when you shift. I'm here to help if you need anything."
Being naked was something that was normal in the wolf community, but I still wasn't used to it. I stepped out from behind the tree in the shirt and he walked over to me. I felt really anxious about shifting again and the pin involved.
"Lucy, take a deep breath and relax. Picture Lia in your mind and let her take control. Feel yourself merge into her and become one." His soothing voice guided me.
I heard the bones cracking and dropped to my knees, the pain was intense for a moment and then I heard the shirt rip off me. I opened my eyes and was standing on all fours. That was much faster than the first time I thought and much less painful.
I looked up at Max who was staring at me in complete shock. I wondered if I looked deformed or something. His mouth was hanging open and I stepped back feeling ashamed of myself. I let out a low whine and brought my head down.
"Lucy! You are the most beautiful wolf I have ever seen." He said in awe and continued to admire me. "Is it okay if I touch your wolf?"
I pressed my head into his abdomen, and he let out a chuckle. "Oh Lucy, do you have any idea how special and rare you are?" He said as he stroked my neck.
"I told you we were special." Lia chirped in my head. "Now can we pleaseee go for a run?" She asked.
"Lia's ready for her run now?" He asked.
"She sure is." I mind linked him.
"Okay let me shift and we'll go." He walked around behind me removing his shirt and slipped his shorts off, he shifted in a few seconds.
"Show off!" I rolled my eyes.
"I've been doing this for years; you'll get faster too." He laughed.
We took off running and racing through the woods. I let Max lead the way and enjoyed the fresh crisp air running through my fur. Running felt so good and Lia was happy.
Max mind linked me. "Lucy, let Lia take control and I'll let Milo out so they can run together too."
I saw Max's green eyes darken as his wolf Milo took control. "All right Lia, it's all you girl." I told her and she eagerly barked and took over.
Lia ran fast and Milo was chasing after her. They yipped and playfully barked at each other as they jumped logs and big rocks. An hour later, we had circled back around to where we started, and Lia trotted over to the river to lap up water. Her golden fur was glistening in the sun light and in the water reflection.
Milo's tongue was hanging out and he jumped right into the water splashing us in the process. "Come on in, the water is refreshing."
"Don't you remember the swimming pool, I can't swim." I reminded him.
"You can't, but Lia can. It's a natural instinct for wolves." He told me and Milo barked happily.
"All right Lia, let's see what you can do." She jumped right in and paddled away with ease. Twenty minutes later, Milo was climbing out and Lia had spotted a big fish in the water she was stalking.
Milo shook out his fur and Max mind linked me. "If you're hungry, we can have our lunch now." He motioned towards the picnic basket with his head.
"I'll be right there." I linked back and Lia plunged her face into the water and came up with the fish in her mouth flapping around. I heard Max laughing as Milo yipped. Lia climbed out of the water and dropped the fish on the grass. She ate half and shared the other half of her catch with Milo.
"Are you ready to shift back?" Max asked me.
I nodded and headed back behind the tree where my clothes were. Five minutes later, I was naked on all fours breathing hard. I wondered if I would ever get use to that. I put my clothes on and headed over to Max, who was already dressed and getting our lunch out.
I sat down on the blanket and he handed me a ham and cheese sandwich. "Good thing I didn't pack tuna, we've already had fish," he jokingly said. He set out grapes, pretzels and some big chocolate chip cookies, then handed me a bottle of water.
It was wonderful being out here watching the river flow by. I haven't been on a picnic since I was little. Thanks to Lia, I even enjoyed a swim today. I couldn't help but think to myself that this was the best day I've had in years and I owed it all to the man sitting next to me.
We sat under the tree eating in silence before he spoke. "Lucy, you're a golden wolf. Did Ranger happen see your wolf the first night you shifted?"
"No, he found me after I had shifted back."
"A golden wolf is said to be the strongest wolf of all, even stronger than a pure white wolf. With some training, you could challenge any Alpha and win!" I couldn't help but laugh at what he just said.
He paused a moment, "I'm the fastest runner in the pack and I couldn't catch Lia." He said. "I'm sure that she wasn't even trying to run at her fastest pace either." He eyed me.
"He's right." Lia said.
"How could I be some super strong wolf; I've been weak my whole life. I can't even defend myself from bullies. My mate was so disgusted by my weakness that he rejected me." I said almost choking on the word rejected. It still stings.
"I don't know why the Moon Goddess does what she does, but I do know that you're very special. A golden wolf who's also elemental is rare, I'm not sure if we've ever had one."
"Max, do you think that Ranger will let me just leave after he has officially mated and marked Miranda?" I asked.
"I'm honestly not sure. If he marks her as his chosen mate, the mate bond will break completely, making it easier for you to escape. If you accept the rejection before, his wolf will weaken, and he might try to take it out on you."
"What happens if Miranda finds her real mate?"
"She already did. He rejected her last spring and she's been chasing Ranger ever since." He sighed.
"Do you think Ranger will hunt me down when I leave?"
"If he does, the north will be the last place he'll look. Trust me on this. The world's strongest pack and Alpha is north of us in Canada."
"What's the name of the pack?"
"Crescent Moon."
"Do I really want to go there? What if they kill me?" I asked.
"They won't."
"How do you know?"
"My good friend is the Alpha and he's got the same mark on the back of his neck as you."