Before I had even made two steps backwards the wolf to which I had presented the bird licked his lips eagerly and buried his nose in its feathers. My heart leapt with excitement, and when he raised his head he offered me praise, as well as a share in the kill. With a stomach rolling with butterflies such as mine I could not dream to eat of it, but my eyes glanced around to the two wolves he further offered it to. This was the first step towards me becoming the pack’s most valued hunter – already I had brought a meal that at least a couple of my pack mates could share in. I realized then how little socialization I’d had with my pack before this day, having spent the majority of my time amongst my family. Quickly I stored Tristan’s name in my memory, and the fact that the white female was a healer – though I’d not caught her name.

Despite the rush of my new alpha’s approval beginning to wear off, butterflies still roiled within my stomach. I was a confused by their ensuing presence as more wolves joined the group. One laid down beside Tristan, while the other moved to stand amongst us. My brows lifted as I looked upon his tousled fur, giving him an almost rugged appearance. Black fur fell over a masculine figure, and the cinnamon that blanketed his neck and back seemed to highlight his broad, strong figure. My heart leapt at the sight of him, and finally the excitement that had my belly doing flip-flops stilled. Something about him made me want to walk straight over to him and say hello. And then he spoke, his voice deep and stern, Haziel. I am embarrassed to admit that for a moment I stared. But he was just so handsome! And there was just, something…else, that I couldn’t quite put my paw on.

When Eden introduced himself, my head snapped back to attention and I felt heat rush to my cheeks, hoping no one had noticed the way I had been so fixated on the wolf of ebony and cinnamon. I did my very best to remain focused on Eden, but I kept taking glances at Haziel out of the corner of my eye. Well, whatever nerves I’d had about him catching me staring were pointless. He hadn’t looked over at me even once, his gaze seemingly fixated upon Eden. I suppose mine should have been as well. You couldn’t say I didn’t try, hearing as Solitaire introduced himself and spoke of his capabilities and willingness to help the pack. I knew I should be formulating something to say to Eden, to tell him of my aspirations within the pack, but I was transfixed. What in the world was wrong with me?! All my life I had wanted nothing more than to matter, to prove myself and my worth, and I was letting myself be distracted by a handsome boy? I had to focus!

Eden spoke again, and his words kept my attention trained on him. He would join in the hunt with Solitaire? I had to ensure he would join in the hunt with me. So I took a deep breath and spoke up, wanting to sound older than I was. “I will hunt for and with you, Eden; it is my greatest strength and I will continue to prove it to you.” That was when another male joined the gathering, asking a bunch of questions, and Eden’s answers gripped me entirely, even if the inkling to steal a glance at Haziel itched at the back of my mind. He expected strength of us, and I was ready and willing to prove mine to him. He pledged to lead us and yet live alongside us. Despite my wanting to live up to everything my mother’s had made themselves, his words excited me. He was giving me, and all of us, an opportunity to make ourselves known as a strong group of wolves, and I had no intentions of letting him down.