A Howling Heart
Chapter Sixty-one

The blue moon is ethereal. It has a glow so intense it gives it a hue that lights the sky beautifully. It makes it appear as seawater floating above us. The more light that shines down on Matias and me, the deeper our desire to solidify our bond grows until we are unable to keep ourselves any longer.

Our pack has returned to surround us, wolves eagerly waiting for a luna to join their ranks and for their Alpha to shift and step into his full role as ruler of the pack, unstoppable by the agile gifts that come with transforming from man into wolf. Matias holds me tenderly, but still, his need is hidden poorly behind each caress of his hands, each tender kiss, and every hopeful squeeze of his arms around my waist as we become one.

I lose myself in him and him and me, letting our bond take control until he is all I see, feel, hear, taste, and smell. He is my beginning and my end, my destiny.

I welcome it all with open arms.

The tension builds until the bond is final, howls ring out over the woods, and all the hidden wildlife comes to life as if in celebration of our mating. Matias cups my cheek, stroking gently with his thumb. "Anima Mea, my love, my fate. Forever in my arms and forever a part of this pack as my Luna." "Yes, my Alpha. Forever."

We sink back into a passionate kiss, swept away by love grand enough to outsurvive humanity. *NINE MONTHS LATER

With a swollen belly, I take a step toward Matias and level a challenging brow while scowling at him. He thinks he is going to win this one, but he is not. He may be Alpha to this pack and technically even to me, but he is not the supreme ruler of everything.

"Fae...." Matias warns, raising an expectant eyebrow at me as if I am expected to obey, but while I am, it isn't always the case. Regardless, I'm no longer listening. "You know you shouldn't be shifting....Not when you're so close to giving birth, Anima mea."

Apparently, the closer a Luna gets to birth, the better it is to stay in one form or the other, and considering it is more plausible that I remain in my human form, he has done nothing but give me grief for wanting to change here and there. It's not like I am doing it often. I just want to do it one more time. I know the baby will be here soon... I wish he would just be lenient once and not give me the world's longest lecture.

I sigh, wanting to appear timid as if he's defeated me with his stern tone of voice. "I know, I know...I just have the urge to..."

"It is instinctual, My Love. In time, you will be able to."

I huff angrily. "I don't want to wait!"

I hate that I sound pouty, but I just can't help it.

I throw up my hands. "This is the last time."

Okay... I might be lying.

He snickers with amusement before shaking his head.

"I heard that."

Oops! I always forget that he is in my head.

I eye the field behind him, and my hardened expression softens as the wolf in me begins to whine.

"My Fae, I want to run with you through the trees, too, but you cannot."

"I'll be fine... I really don't feel like the baby will come for a few more weeks anyway."

He rolls his eyes. "Nice try." He steps toward me, and I clench my jaw before darting around him. The transition is fast. My body is familiar with the rising sting of shifting bones, so with little effort, I change into the form that's one with the earth. A wolf.

Run.

I want to run.

My paws pound against the earth. Dirt, twigs, rocks, and grass move between my toes as my paws move me quickly through the trees. A howl pierces the air, shifting the tension in the forest, and I know my Alpha is coming. Matias changed.

His voice is in my head, angered.

'You don't listen!'

That's what made you fall in love with me.

'Fae! Don't make me chase you.'

Try and keep up.

'Fae!' His growl echoes in my head, and I laugh inwardly.

You are so uptight!

I will be fine!

I howl and move easily through the trees. I can feel the position of what's grown in the forest. The wind moves me and guides me through the trees. I enjoy the feel of the breeze through my fur. I don't know how I ever lived without this.

I feel Matias close, hear the branches snapping beneath the weight of thick, alpha paws. My Alpha. The thought makes me howl loudly. He howls in response but it's a sound of annoyance.

I cannot help who I am.

'You can follow directions.'

One quick little run. You can't even keep up.

'Ever considered I'm letting you win?'

Letting me win? If I could scoff, I would, but instead, I settle for a growl.

No one's letting me win.

Matias sounds amused when he responds in my head. 'Is that so? You don't think I can keep up with my pregnant wife?'

The mention of me being his wife makes me push myself harder and faster through the woods. I love knowing I am his, but his cockiness fuels my need to disobey.

'I am sparing your soft heart, my Fae.'

Don't. I don't need you to.

'Are you sure?'

You're bluffing. I am positive.

A piercing howl distracts me for a moment, and without warning, Matias has jumped onto my back. I hiss and buck him off, watching as he stumbles sideways before righting himself and charging as quickly and hard as possible. He shoots past me and howls with victory.

You caught me off guard.

'Anima mea, don't be a sore loser.'

I am not!

'Now come back to the house and give me my prize.'

Your prize? I think you're mistaken.

'You know what I want.' His husky words make my body quiver, and I whine as I near the house.

'You. Now come!'

Fine.

I begin heading back toward the house where I know he is when I catch movement out of the corner of my eye. It's seconds before I'm attacked.