Chapter 5 My wolf Shadow

Her head throbbed as she stumbled from the bedroom into the kitchen, hunting for painkillers. She grabbed a glass of water, took a sip, and then nearly choked when she spotted Hunter and Tod lounging in the living room. Water sprayed everywhere.

"Morning, Dahlia," Hunter said, grinning like he'd just won something.

"Morning," she muttered, suddenly hyper-aware of her bedhead and ratty pajamas.

She bolted back to the bedroom, then reappeared seconds later, peeking around the corner like a kid caught sneaking cookies. "Why are you here so early?"

"If you checked your email, you'd know it said 8 AM. You know, if we want to actually make the flight?"

"Right. Give me ten minutes." She showered in record time, threw on clothes, and found Tod had already packed her bag.

She hugged him. "Thanks for packing my bag. You're a lifesaver."

"Love you. Be safe and call every night."

"Okay. Kiss Jason for me." She turned and followed Hunter outside, where the car was idling. The driver held the door open, and she flashed him a quick smile. "Thanks."

She glanced at Hunter. "I need coffee. Like, desperately. Please

"Got it," telling the driver to swing by a coffee shop.

"Happy now?" Hunter asked, watching her sip the coffee like it was the elixir of life.

"Why are you staring at the clock?"

"Because I'm pretty sure we're not making that flight,"

"Relax. It's a gorgeous cold sunny day. Let's enjoy it."

He laughed as the car pulled up to the terminal. They grabbed their bags, checked the gate number, and without thinking, he put his hand out and she took it as they broke into a sprint, laughing all the way.

The attendant was about to close the gate when Hunter shouted, "Wait! Hold up!"

"Cutting it pretty close, huh?" the guy said, taking their tickets with a raised eyebrow.

They finally settled into their seats, and Hunter helped her with the seatbelt.

"Hunter," she said, grabbing his hand, "I hate flying. Like, really hate it."

"Want me to put on some music?" he offered.

She shook her head. "Just...don't let go of my hand."

"I'm not going anywhere," he said, squeezing her fingers. "Want me to distract you with a story?"

"Sure," she muttered, staring out the window. Her grip tightened, fingers laced with his. She leaned her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes. Breathe in, breathe out. His scent calmed her. Safe. She felt safe.

She stood there, staring at the cabin, isolated, quiet, almost too quiet. Unease crept in as she took it all in.

Inside, the fireplace crackled, casting a warm glow. A man greeted them, and Hunter stepped outside with him briefly before returning.

"Which bedroom do you want?" he asked, gesturing toward the stairs.

"Doesn't matter," she replied, glancing around. "This place is incredible." Her smile faltered as Lupin crossed her mind-anger, longing, all tangled up.

"So, what's first?" Hunter asked, breaking her train of thought.

"A snowman," she said without hesitation.

"Alright, suit up then," he said, tossing her a coat.

They headed out back, the snow sparkling under the fading sunlight. They rolled snow, laughed, and pelted each other with snowballs until she slipped and fell backward. Hunter rushed over, kneeling beside her, leaning in-until a low growl cut through the air.

His head snapped toward the sound. Dahlia scanned the area. My wolf, she thought. Shadow. Then the scent hit her-familiar, comforting, like home.

"Did you hear that?" she asked, voice low.

"Yeah," Hunter said, glancing around. "Let's get inside. You're soaked."

They started back, but Dahlia paused, her gaze fixed on the tree line. She could feel him there, her wolf. The pull was almost magnetic, but she turned and followed Hunter inside.

After changing, they sat by the fire. Hunter eyed her, his brow furrowed. "You're holding something back. What is it?"

"Just tired," she lied, avoiding his gaze. "I need some air. Let's take the cocoa to the patio."

"The patio? It's freezing out there."

"Since when are you scared of a little cold?" she teased.

They stepped outside, and she sipped her cocoa before setting it down. As she turned to say something, Hunter leaned in and kissed her. A low growl cut through the silence. She pulled back and saw him, her wolf, standing there, eyes locked on Hunter.

"Dahlia, go inside," Hunter said carefully, his voice steady as the wolf approached.

But Dahlia darted forward, wrapping her arms around the wolf's neck. He nuzzled her, his fur warm against her skin.

"I missed you too," she murmured, scratching behind his ears. "You came all this way to see me? There's a town nearby, you know."

He huffed, almost like a laugh, and she grinned, resting her forehead against his.

Hunter froze, staring at Dahlia like she'd lost her mind. "You just hugged a wolf. A wolf, Dahlia!"

"He's mine," she shot back, defiant. "His name's Shadow." Hunter grabbed her arm, yanking her back. Shadow growled, baring his teeth, low and threatening.

"Get inside," Hunter snapped, shoving her toward the cabin.

"No!" she spat, glaring at him. "You're being mean..."

Shadow lunged, pinning Hunter to the ground. "Shadow, no! Don't kill him!" Dahlia stared. Shadow nudged her, then jerked his snout toward the trees. She took off running, her boots crunching through the snow. Shadow kept pace behind her.

She ran until her lungs burned, collapsing onto the icy ground. Shadow nuzzled her, his warm breath puffing against her cheek. "I can't...keep going," she gasped, shaking her head. "I don't get it, Shadow. He seemed alright. Why'd he hit me?" Shadow whined softly, pressing closer. Then he pointed to something. A cave.

The cave was utterly dark. "Shadow, I..." she started, but then he shifted, and suddenly Lupin was standing there.

"Did I hit my head?" she laughed weakly, her legs buckling beneath her.

When she opened her eyes again, he was dressed, poking at the fire. "Lupin," she whispered.

He turned to her, stepping closer. "Dahlia, I didn't know how to explain it to you," he said, his voice low. She instinctively backed up.