The Obsidian Pack

Nirvana.

This is mine.

The whistling of the wind.

The tussle of the leaves as they flurry in the air around me.

The clapping of branches against each other.

The breaking of twigs beneath my paws.

The moon as it sits perched on its temporary throne in the sky, all make me feel alive.

I.

Feel.

Everything.

Every inch of fur as it blows in the wind.

The muscle in my forepaws extending while my hind paws propel me forward.

And this is how it is for a while. Just me and the forest. Then there’s a shift. Like someone added weight to the wind and I can't explain it. It is so jarring that it stops me in my tracks.

All of a sudden I know what it is…or who. Like knowing something you don’t remember learning. I sensed her before I could see her. I couldn’t explain it but I knew she was there and that she was in trouble.

I closed my eyes to catch her scent. Then, letting my instinct take over, I went running. And as I came through a clearing of trees, I see her. Surrounded.

Five male wolves, all inching closer.

Waiting for her to make a move in reciprocation. And I could see her. Debating whether she was going to give in and if so, to whom.

I wanted to go in there. Pull her away claim her my own. Even though I had to fight against every instinct in my body, I would only move if she needed me. The male wolves, sick of waiting started to make their move. They growled almost in unison making it too clear that one of them will be the winner.

Just as one of the bigger wolves was about to make physical contact I could no longer hold back. I jumped in front of her. The forest floor shaking under my alpha paws. Four of the five wolves immediately back off and run in different directions with their tails tucked between their legs.

Only one remained. I wonder how stupid he has to be to try and disobey an order from an alpha. Just as I ready to show him who's boss I notice what is Nick my right-hand man in the council and the closest thing I have a best friend.

The cloud of rage that circles me disappears as Nick runs out of sight.

Then there’s just her and I standing there in the middle of the Forest; the trees and the leaves, and the wind, and the branches all quieting around us.

I turn around to face her and I see her sitting there on her hind legs, eyes glued to the dirt.

Statuesque, if not for the rapid rise and fall of her chest.

I could feel her. And from the way her jet black fur stands up in my presence, I could tell that she could feel me too.

I move closer, slowly closing the gap between us.

Daring her, needed her to look up.

I am hyper-aware. Like standing on a cliff’s edge over a riverbank in the moments before you make the decision whether or not to jump. You access the risk. And you have two choices. Either you jump and take the risk: you feel the wind in your hair and you come as close as you can get to flying right before you fall into the water.

Or, you stand safely on the edge, looking over at the beauty. Not apart of it but safe.

I had always prided myself on my ability to teeter.

I knew, with her, I’d have to choose.

*******************************************

“Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! God you idiot! You just stood there.” I knew I looked crazy. Yelling at my-self in the mirror. But I didn’t care. A chill crawls across my skin as I think about how bad last night could have been if he hadn’t shown up.

I should have been more focused on the time than on studying. Being caught out at night, doing a full moon during mating season. And I was actually stupid enough to think that running home in wolf form would be safer. I was almost… I can’t even think about it.

I pick up my books and head downstairs.

“Honey, I was thinking we could invite the Varg’s over,” My mom said. Way too sweetly. She had been pushing me to choose Taga Varg as a mate. It is moments like this where I am happy that mating can’t be forced. Now coheres is a totally different thing. You can push someone so hard they agree to a mate under duress, like in the woods. I make a low but audible gasp. It grabs my entire family's attention.

“You don’t have to be so dramatic. He’s a lovely boy.”

“I am so glad you think so mom. You can have him.”

“Ama!” Dad almost growls. “You need to take this seriously. You must choose.”

My mom and Dad exchange looks. “What is going on?”

“Letty already put Warbe’s name in the book. We could be putting your name in”

“Your mom has something to tell you” my dad booms as he shoots his eyes from my mom to me.

Ok. But right now I have to go. Can we talk later?

“Please,” Dad says. My six foot seven, three hundred pounds of muscle dad seemed so small.

Immediately, everybody sat. As if we all knew we’d need the brace of a chair. Dad opens his wallet and hands me a folded-up piece of paper.

I almost want to borrow the glasses around my mom's neck. “twenty-thousands dollars?”

“We…Your mom and I borrowed money from the Varg’s. Part of the deal we made with them is that we would try and get you to marry Taga.”

You sold me! I jump up. Inking the chair to the ground.

No! What. We borrowed money from them. They said we have as long as we need to pay it back. But, it got us talking and we thought it would be a great idea.

I can’t believe you.

He’s already one of your best friends.

What is the money for then.?

It's less of a payment of sale and more of a…” mom scrunched her face as she searched for the words.

“ Bribe. This not your decision to make!” I yell running out of the house.

My other best friend Maige is beside me. And I can’t stop thinking about how lucky she is. She met her mate when we were young. It usually doesn’t happen like that. But before Maige and Warbe knew it they had chosen it. Honestly, young mating is as unusual as linking. It's our version of soulmates. Only more. It's like one wolf’s soul recognizes its other half. Like two pieces of a magnet. You can resist for a little bit. But once you get too close, you attract. Then you’re together forever. Linked Wolves are faster, stronger. It is even said that they are telepathically connected: mind and body. Like one dies and so does the other. But that is rare. So rare I'm pretty sure it an urban legend. Or a story the council made up to force its youth into mating so they can ensure the wolf packs life-line and power: considering were the biggest.

I don’t know what’s gotten into my family. They have never pushed the mating thing. Now it's all they can think about. Honestly, the way they talk about the little black Moleskin notebook that keeps the record of all the mated couples you think it gave you superpowers or something. And trying to bribe me. It's not like them. I cant help wonder what they are not telling me. I know its something.

“Ama! Are you even listing to me?” Maige says as she punches me in the shoulder.

“Ouch! What was that for?”

“For not listening.”

We walk in silence for a while, Maige staring at me until she jumps in front of me, stopping me in my tracks. “What's wrong with you?”

“What? Nothing? Maige stands there, arms folded across her chest in defiance. I know she won’t back down.

“I was studying last night in the library. And before I knew it the sun had set. And I thought it would be best to run home as wolf. And I know it was dangerous and stupid. I push out before she gets the chance.

I don’t even realize what I am doing and before I know It I am spinning in a circle. Looking for something. And just like that, I know it.

He’s coming.

He’s here.

For a second, there's nothing. No day, no world, just him.

I don’t question whether he is feeling the same thing. I know he is because both of us are walking towards each other. But then we stopped. Knowing we were about to pass the point of no return.

I put my hand in my pocket and feel the check. The spell is broken. I look over and I see Taga looking at me.

There is a big grin on his face. Automatically I smile back. He jogs up to me pulling me in an embrace similar to what I imagine getting hugged by a grisly bear would be like. He kisses the top of my head like always.

He notices. I can feel it. And he’s angry.