After a while, she began to relax and found herself expanding on her answers. Kane smiled at her, obviously pleased that she was making an effort.
“Our territories adjoin to the east, and with our packs under an alliance, we technically have miles and miles of forest to roam in now,” he explained, leaning back and sipping his coffee. “Personally, I love a good run over rugged terrain. How about you? When I first saw you, it was apparent that you’d just come in from exercising.”
“Yes, I’d been out with...a friend.” The faint smile that had been on her face faded as she recalled her last run. If only she’d known it was to be the last time she would ever be with Bryan, she would have savoured the time even more, storing every sight and sound and scent...
“And this...friend…would he be the young male who was looking daggers at me yesterday? Tall with sandy hair, and about twenty years of age?”
Elise hesitated, but knew Kane could find out from anyone in her pack. Her friendship with Bryan had been no secret. “Yes. That was Bryan. He had hoped to speak to my father about being my...mate.” She looked away, her eyes misting over.
“And you?” Kane prodded softly. “How did you feel about that?”
Staring at her hands, Elise whispered her answer. “I...I was hoping for the same thing.”
“I see.” Kane was silent for a moment, and then sighed heavily. “I’m not surprised. You’re a beautiful female and it would be strange if no one in your pack had wanted to mate you.” He continued slowly, seeming to chose his words carefully. “You know, Elise, sometimes our lives have moments of great disappointment. It’s difficult at the time, but we have to move beyond.” He reached across the table and put a finger under her chin, forcing her to look at him. “Our being mated was of great importance to the well-being of both our packs. It’s our duty to them to make this work, agreed?”
His amber eyes bore into hers, the authority of his position evident and, after a moment, she nodded in agreement. He was right. Duty to her pack, and duty to his, necessitated making this union work. He stood and extended his hand to her. Hesitantly she reached out, placing hers in his. Warmth enveloped her hand and slowly worked its way up her arm. Smiling encouragingly, he pulled her to her feet.
*****
Standing at the edge of the woods, Elise waited for Kane. After cleaning up from their morning meal, he’d headed up to the pack house to deal with a few pressing matters, saying he’d meet her in half an hour. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to run with him—it had been an activity that she and Bryan had enjoyed together—but knew that she needed to make their union work. Running could turn out to be one of the few things they had in common.
It was another lovely fall day. The trees were painted with orange, red, and gold while the sky was a bright clear blue. Heat from the rising sun was slowly burning off the morning mist but wisps still swirled low to the ground giving everything a faintly magical appearance. She loved this land and knew every square inch by heart. Closing her eyes, she visualized running down the twisting paths, leaping over fallen logs, splashing through streams. It really was the best place in the world and she couldn’t imagine ever being this comfortable or at peace anywhere else.
Inhaling deeply, Elise let the fresh, crisp air invade her lungs and energize her body. Kane was later than he had thought he’d be and she began to move around restlessly, bending to touch her toes, stretching her arms over her head then twisting side to side. She glanced towards the house. How much longer would he be? As Alpha, she knew his time would not always be his own, but did that mean that her time must be spent waiting, doing nothing? She stared deep into the woods. The land was calling to her. Did she dare go ahead without him?
Her father had expressly forbidden any pack member to go out by themselves. Hunters sometimes laid illegal leg traps and a wolf could be caught and shot before anyone in the pack was aware. That was how her mother had died...
“Good morning.” A voice spoke behind her and she jumped. Spinning around, she saw Bryan standing a few feet away. The sun was shining on his sandy brown hair, giving it a golden glow.
“Bryan!” She felt her heart leap with joy and she rushed over to hug him, only to have her friend step away when she was but a foot away. His movement brought her headlong rush to an immediate stop. “Bryan? What’s the matter?”
“What do you mean, what’s the matter? You know what the problem is.”
“No, I don’t.” Elise shook her head puzzled at the change in her friend. Bryan was usually so happy and easy going. Now he sounded bitter, a scowl marring his normally handsome face.