“Ha,” I scoff. “You are an idiot if you actually believe the shit you’re saying,” I spit. “That woman knows exactly what she’s doing. How you don’t see it boggles my mind.”

“You make it seem like she knew about you. That she’s out to hurt you personally,” he defends.

“How do you know she didn’t? That woman watches every move you make. You think she didn’t notice the change in you and put two and two together. She hated me the moment she saw me, and I was just a kid. I’m telling you now, she knows a hell of a lot more than you’re giving her credit for. If you could just take a minute and look at all this from my point of view, I think you’d feel very different,” I turn to him and glare, “And if you defend her again, you can fucking walk home!” I turn on the radio. Pink and Nate from F.U.N. blast from the speakers, begging for just a reason. I laugh mirthlessly at the irony.

When we pull in the garage, he asks, “Should I come in?” I’d already decided what I was going to do on the drive here.

“You go on in. I’m going for a run.” When he opens his mouth, I hold up my hand stopping him. “Alone! No one will see me. I’m used to hiding and taking care of myself. Do not follow me or have me followed. I will stay on your personal property.” I exit the car before he can object. I close my eyes and call on my wolf, within seconds I’m itching to run so I do.

I race through the open yard, making sure to keep from the main areas of the house where someone might see me through a window. Once I hit the trees, I slow but still speed past trees letting my wolf roam. My nose is much keener in this form. I can scent Masen on every tree and rock, occasionally I get a whiff of Sniffer or one of the few others he considers friends.

When I get too close to the Pack property line, I circle back and let my wolf guide me. I’ve always been so careful about when and where I’ve shifted. The freedom of exploring his refuge in the daylight is exciting. I’m not sure how long I’ve been running when I find a tree with low enough branches for me to climb easily. The fallen leaves let the sun shine down through the branches, casting me in a warm glow as I rest my muzzle on my front paws. I’m not nearly as upset now that I’ve had some time to settle down. I’m almost ready to go back to Masen.

I startle awake to a deep howl piercing the darkness. My claws dig into the bark, keeping me from falling from the tree limb. The tormented sound rings again, and I realize it’s Masen. I give a short yip to answer him back. Before I can climb down from the tree, he crashes through the underbrush panting. His wolf is still magnificent, his size still astounds me. If I wasn’t a wolf, I wouldn’t be able to spot him. His black color leaves him to blend into the darkness seamlessly. His head thrashes back and forth as he scents the air. When his eyes find me up in the tree, he growls angrily. Why the hell is he mad at me?