That made me beam.
“Dorian, I don’t know what to do. How to… how to start.”
“I like to get on all-fours,” I said. “Touching the earth grounds me, makes me ready. I take in the scents, but I know as a wolf, they’ll be clearer, so that makes me keen to shift. I sort of sit back and let the wolf take over. It’s still me, but there’s a different driver. Kind of?”
She let out a sound that was more like a growl, and I knew she was already on her way. I took off my clothes and shifted, enjoying the way everything changed, grew more focused.
Stark white amongst the shadowy trees, Margo confidently strode towards me on four legs. I waited for her to try to make me submit again, but she pushed her face against mine in a somewhat affectionate manner. She sat then, waiting for something.
I let out a small bark before dashing into the forest. Margo followed. We came upon the others, and Margo hesitated, her entire body tensing. The dominance within her reminded me of Mara, but like Amelia, Margo was more than wolf. Her otherness resonated even in wolf form.
Unbothered, Amelia headed straight for Margo, licked her nuzzle, then turned her back. Margo relaxed. She sniffed at Ryan with curiosity, but he wasn’t the least bit threatening unless he had to be. We were able to set off together without any problems.
At first, Margo moved unsteadily, as though still figuring out her new body. Soon, her confidence grew and she relaxed.
We raced each other. Margo stood out. With her ice-white coat, she would be a better hunter surrounded by snow. At first, she struggled to keep up before suddenly outrunning us all as she found her pace. She was fast, and more importantly, carefree. There was nothing aggressive about her—she was simply enjoying the speed and the freedom, the new scents and sights.
I took the lead, losing Amelia and Ryan who were likely letting us explore alone. I wondered if it had been Byron’s idea for Amelia and Ryan to join Margo’s first run. They were a good choice.
I found a trail and followed it. Margo mostly observed and followed, ruining a couple of hunts before she figured things out and finally managed to snag a rabbit. She tore it apart as though half-starved. I waited for her to finish the meal, but she nudged half the remains over to me. My heart sang because her wolf had met my wolf as almost an equal. Despite the fact she was dominant, we wouldn’t have any problems. I knew Byron was likely concerned about the addition of yet another dominant wolf, but Margo was different. She had to be.
We ran some more, rested in a sunny spot, even splashed about in a brook. We lay next to one another, catching our breath, but Margo whined softly, rolling over and patting me. There was something hilariously dog-like about the way she wanted to play. We play-fought for a little bit, both of us careful and restrained until Margo ran again.
I worried that she was after a scent, that she had lost control, but she led me back to our clothes. I was so proud she found her way. This time, she didn’t hide, and we shifted back together.
She grabbed me as I reached for my clothes and kissed me hard, unconcerned about everything else. I held her tight, remembering our last kiss, and how close it came to being our last.
Then she abruptly pulled away, a horrified look in her eyes, and threw up on the ground next to us.
And I laughed.
Later,she was well enough to head back to the alpha’s house. Amelia and Ryan were close by, still as wolves, so I knew they were keeping track of us.
“I’m so sorry,” Margo said, looking mortified. “I don’t know what happened.”
“It’s normal,” I said. “Emotions are heightened, and that can be unsettling when you shift back. A lot of new wolves throw up what they’ve eaten. It’s the norm.”
She looked disgusted.
“Come on,” I said. “You had fun, didn’t you?”
Her eyes shone. “I did. It was nice keeping up with you out there. It felt so… alive. But,” her face fell, “shouldn’t I have sensed death out there?”
“Did you catch anything?”
“I’m not sure. There are so many smells that it’s confusing. I’m not sure what I’m smelling half the time. My head hurts.”
“It’s overwhelming at first. Next time will be easier. In a year, this will be nothing for you.” I reached for her hand. “I’m so glad you made it.”
“Me, too. Thanks for being there for me. Then and now. You make everything easier.”
“Do you…” I hesitated.
“What is it?”
“You kind of get now what my place in the pack is, right? I mean, you understand what it means to be dominant. Because that’s what you are.”
“I don’t know. I mean, I feel like me.”