It was a pressing question for sure, but it was far from the most pressing. As we ran through the woods, the smell of heat seeped from Jules’s pores. Strong heat. Intense heat. My efforts to break it hadn’t made so much as a dent. His heat was stronger than ever.

I looked into his wolf’s eyes. I saw Jules looking back. Just Jules. The sight of him made my insides feel like they’d turned to mush. It was a good thing wolves can’t speak because if I could have spoken then, I’d have said, “I love you.” I wouldn’t have been able to hold it in. No way. I might have been big and strong, but I wasn’t that strong.

When we got to the peak near the bend in the river, we caught a scent. A stag. Our ears pricked up at the same time. We scented the air, taking the measure of our prey. He was young and fit. A worthy opponent. It was a long, drawn-out hunt. I didn’t run ahead. I didn’t leave Jules’s side. When we brought the stag down, I was the one who made the kill. When it was done, I lowered my head to honor the stag.

I looked up at Jules. He took a few steps back and sat on his haunches, watching me. I bit down on the stag’s neck, but instead of tearing and eating, I lifted it up and dragged it over to Jules, dropping it at his feet. He looked down and considered my offering. I could tell he knew what it was: a gift from an alpha to his omega.

After we’d eaten, we found a sunny spot in a clearing and lay down to sleep. Jules lay close to me. So close, our shoulders were touching. He sighed and blinked a few times. I could tell he was wired so I turned my head and lay my neck over his, gently pinning him down. His breathing lengthened and it wasn’t long before he was sound asleep. I followed him into slumber, but before I did, I closed my eyes and offered up a prayer, a plea, my heart’s truest desire.

Love me back.

Please, love me back.