32. Nikolas: Chase

*NIKOLAS*

It all happens over the length of a few heart beats.

One second we’re having breakfast, laughing, Claire’s smile lighting up the every inch of the cabin. The next, she gasps, her entire body going rigid.

“Claire?” I ask, alarm wracking through me. I stand from my seat, the chair tipping over in my haste, and reach out to her.

A pained hiss of breath leaves her and her panicked eyes meet mine for a heartbeat of a second. That's when everything changes in an explosion of fiery red and gold and green. My eyes widen, my lips parting in surprise.

Deep green eyes stare up at me from the floor beside the table before shifting to peer around the cabin in shock.

I watch her, more than a little stunned myself. Vivian had filled me in on the fact that Claire believed that she didn’t *have* a Shifting form. And while the fact that two powerful Shifters like her parents had had a child without the ability to Shift would be unlikely, it also wasn’t something entirely unheard of.

Claire looks as taken aback as I feel.

Her russet colored wolf form is petite and gorgeous and reminiscent of her human form. Her fur is short, but shines in a way that’s similar to the bright red hair that haunts most of my dreams. The wolf’s eyes are a familiar bright shade of green that takes me off-guard. I’ve yet to see a wolf with those color of eyes before. They’re stunning.

Her new muscles tighten, those same eyes flicking around the cabin as if searching for a way out.

Of course she is.

If this is her first Shift, her instincts are most likely screaming at her to be in the outdoors.

I cross the small cabin in a few quick strides and pull open the door for her and the russet wolf doesn’t waste any time. She streaks across the cabin in a blur of movement and takes off into the surrounding forest, disappearing among the trees.

I follow her out, ready to follow her. I don't want to crowd her though, so I take a moment to lock up the cabin behind me, hiding the keys beneath a rock near the entrance. Knowing that she’ll most likely want a moment alone to herself to get her bearings, I take my time stripping off the pants that I’d pulled on at random this morning. Anything a Shifter wears when changing forms ends up in shreds on the ground in their wake.

I leave my clothes, along with the robe I’d grabbed for Claire, in a pile at the edge of the tree line.

After a swift cursory scan over the forest’s perimeter, I Shift into my wolf form with a practiced ease. The fire that shoots through my blood, muscles, and bones is a familiar one. Years of methodical practice has made the change second nature to me now.

As I bound through the dense undergrowth of the forest, my senses heightened and attuned to the world around me, I feel that familiar and heady sense of freedom rush through me. It’s a feeling unlike anything else. The cool mountain air rushes past me, carrying with it the earthy scent of the forest and the tantalizing aroma of my target.

I've been running through these woods for years, ever since I first joined the Blood Moon Pack. They've become my home, my sanctuary, a place where I can truly be myself. And now, I'm on the hunt, tracking the scent of the one who has captured my attention like no other.

Her scent is intoxicating, a heady mixture of wildflowers and fresh rain that sends a thrill coursing through my veins. I've been drawn to her ever since she that first day I laid eyes on her, her presence stirring something deep within me that I can't quite explain.

As I round a bend in the trail, I catch sight of her shining russet fur through the trees, her sleek wolf form darting through the trees with grace and agility. She moves with a fluidity that is both mesmerizing and awe-inspiring, her fur like liquid fire in the sunlight.

My intention had been to tail her from a distance, to give her time and space to adjust to her new form, but my wolf seems to have other plans. The wolf in me isn’t content to simply stand sentry from afar. After the time we spent together in the cabin, I need to be close to her. And so, I follow her scent through the forest, my powerful muscles propelling me forward with ease.

Despite being caught off guard by her remarkable speed, because my own wolf form larger than hers, it isn’t long until I’m keeping pace with her. I push myself harder, my determination driving me forward as I close the distance between us. I feel the pull of her presence like a physical force, drawing me closer to her with an irresistible magnetism.

I finally burst into a small clearing, my eyes instantly drawn to her as I come to a stop. I eye her over, checking for injuries and making sure she’s alright. Her wolf stands before me, eyes locking with mine inquisitively as she takes in my presence. Her head tilts to the side in thought and it’s so reminiscent of her human form that I have to bite back a wolf-y smile. For a moment, we simply stare at each other, the tension between us crackling in the air like electricity. There’s a flash of recognition in her eyes and I wonder if she recognizes me from the times I’d watched over her during her morning runs in the park, making sure she stays safe.

The russet wolf approaches me on light, easy footsteps and a surge of anticipation courses through my veins. Her eyes hold a mixture of curiosity and mischief as she sizes me up. I stand my ground, meeting her gaze amusedly.

After circling me once, she begins to nudge me in my side with the tip of her nose, her movements playful and inviting. I can't help but chuckle softly at her antics, the noise coming out as a growly chuffing sound. With that same mischievous glint in her eyes, she starts to caper around me, her movements fluid and graceful. I take a step forward, her exuberance kindling my own levity as I begin to tease her in return. We circle each other, our movements mirroring one another. In that moment, I feel a connection forming between us, a bond that transcends words and logic.

She takes off into the forest and I follow, chasing after her.

We spend the afternoon racing through the woods together, our teasing nips and barks if laughter mingling with the rustle of leaves and the whisper of the wind. Claire's wolf moves with a speed and agility that takes my breath away, her energy infectious and irresistible. But eventually, exhaustion begins to set in for her, her playful antics giving way to slowing footsteps. With a shared glance, we both know that it's time to head back towards the cabin. As we make our way through the forest, I can't help but feel a sense of contentment wash over me.

The wind rushes through my fur as Claire and I weave through the woods together, our pace slower as we make our way back the way we came. Finally, we break through the tree line and the familiar sight of the small cabin comes into view.

My eyes are drawn to an extra car parked outside our cabin—one that wasn’t there when we left here earlier— and it sends an overpowering wave of protective instincts roaring to life.