I had no idea what I was doing or where I was going. It was something I couldn’t fight, something thing deep inside of me.

It was dark but the moon light lit the way as I slowly made my way past the building at the bottom of the property, uncaring of who saw me or not. Dressed only in my pajamas, the forest beckoned to me as I slowly walked to the line of trees.

I took a deep breath as I stepped into the darkness. It was like with each step I felt stronger, the closer I got to wherever my destination was. It felt like something had awakened in me, driving me deeper into the forest. There was no stumbling, my footsteps were sure like I had walked the path a thousand times before.

I stopped under the canopy of the trees where only streaks of the moonlight touched the ground. Looking up I closed my eyes and took a steady breath.

My heart began to race, blood pumping faster. The heat inside me began to radiate from the center of midriff outward. I was being controlled by something that I didn’t fully understand but I couldn’t fight it even if I wanted to.

The pain that suddenly ripped through me, brought me to my knees. I dug my hands into the ground, closing my eyes. I gasped. The pain was indescribable, in every inch of my body like something was physically changing inside of me.

I lifted my head and opened my eyes. I saw the world differently. Everything was clearer, and could focus on the smallest object and see the intricate design of veins of the plant. This was impossible I thought before I inhaled deeply. I could smell everything from the humidity in the air to the plants and trees. Then I focused on a scent I recognized, Maverick.

Then I heard his footsteps. He was drawing nearer.

I gasped. His footsteps hastened.

“Victoria?” he said, when he cleared the trees.

I couldn’t reply. The pain was too intense to concentrate on anything else.

Maverick knelt as he watched me closely.

I gasped.

“Don’t fight it,” he soothed but did not touch me.

What on earth was happening? But there was no time to think or consider answers.

My hands in the soil began to change. I looked down to see a fur covered paw. Midnight black. I breathed, heavily feeling my body change.

The moment the pain subsided, I looked up to Maverick. He stood, pride shone in his eyes.

“You’re beautiful.”

I was a wolf. My wolf.

He walked closer and touched my head gently. I clung to his touch, knowing he was meant for me. I could feel his wolf deep inside of him.

I whimpered.

“I know.” He bent on a knee in front of me.

He bowed his head and I watched as he began to transform in front of me into a huge black wolf.

Can you hear me?

It was Maverick’s voice in my mind.

Yes.

He walked closer and touched his nose to mine. I had never felt so complete and content as I did in that moment. Everything else but the two of us dropped away. Nothing else mattered but him.

You feel it?

Yes. I replied.

I took a step and then another one.

Take it easy. Maverick cautioned me.

I wanted to run, free. I lifted my head to the sky and felt the warmth of the moonlight against my fur. For once, I felt like I was exactly where I belonged. There was no doubt, no hesitation.

Suddenly, I felt a fraction of pain and I was lying on the ground. My human form. I looked down to see dirt on my clothes as I looked at my hand and flexed it. I had never felt so strong.

Maverick transformed and was bent beside me.

“You okay?”

I looked up to him. I nodded, absentmindedly trying to take it what had just happened. It had felt magical.

“Victoria?” He touched my face.

“I feel…” He helped me sit up. “I’m fine.”

“Can you stand?” he asked, looking me over.

I nodded. I felt so much stronger than before. The weakness that kept me bed bound was gone. I stood and dusted the dirt off me.

Maverick stood beside me and I turned to him. “I feel strong.”

The connection I had just experienced with him, bringing me closer. Our wolves and our hearts.

I lifted my hands to his face. He bent to touch his forehead to mine.

“I know,” he whispered, like he could feel exactly what I did.

“I love you.”

There was no logic to the words I whispered to him. I had only known him a short time but I knew without a doubt that I meant every word. I would live a lifetime loving him with all of my heart.

“I love you too Victoria.” He pressed his lips to mine.

I clasped his face as I moved my mouth against his, needing more. To be closer. I needed him.

Our hearts beating in union, under the bright moon.

He picked me up and I lay my head against his shoulder. He carried me back to the house and only set me down when we were back inside his room, the door closed.

In the darkness I could feel him, just like he could feel me.

I love you. This time, his mind spoke to mine.

I love you too. I managed to reply. It was amazing. I stared at him in the darkness, in awe of what we shared.

I felt like I had a deeper understanding of our connection and what it meant. My wolf had unleashed a whole new understanding, bring me closer to him a way I had never thought possible.

He moved closer first. I want to touch you.

I put my hand to his chest and felt his heart beneath my splayed hand. I closed my eyes, feeling my heart beat alongside his.

His hands moved to rest on my hips and my hands moved around his neck as I lifted my lips to meet his hungry kiss.

There was only one thought, one need. To be as close as two people could, skin to skin.

Clothes were discarded in a flurry of heated kisses. Then Maverick pushed me up against the wall and I gasped when his hands lifted my hips and I held onto him.

I wrapped my legs around him, securing myself to him. His breath hot of my neck as he kissed me. I arched into him. I wanted him so badly, more than I ever thought possible.

“Maverick,” I whisper his name.

His mouth covered mine, the ache between my legs intensified. Our tongues dueled and tasted in heated hungry kisses. A physical need that went beyond anything I had ever experienced gripped me and I had to have him.

Something animalistic had been awakened in me and needed appeasement.

“Now,” I commanded to Maverick.

He sheathed himself in my heat in a long deep thrust. Our bodies moving in union, our bodies fit perfectly together. I held onto his shoulders, digging my nails into his skin.

His mouth covered mine as our bodies moved together. I gasped and panted, needing more. I needed all of him.

“Faster,” I whispered, trying to reach the pinnacle.

His hips met mine with each deep thrust and I opened my mouth to release a silent scream as I trembled, closer.

“You’re mine,” he said and I nodded.

It was possession, need and want.

I was so close and then I was falling. I cried out as I came, holding not him so tight I knew I would leave bruises. He drove into me, faster and faster. Then he shuddered as he came.

I held onto him, trying to catch my breath as he dropped his head to rest on my shoulder. Our bodies still joined in heat and sweat. I didn’t want this moment between us to end, I wanted to stay like that forever. With him.

He carried me to the bed and lay me down. I stared up to the ceiling, feeling the monumental change that had happened between us. This was stronger than just a mating. I moved my head to stare as him as he lay beside me. What I felt for him went beyond human love and I knew in that moment I would give my life for him.

His eyes held mine. I knew he would do the same for me.