As the pack meeting drew to an end, I hung back, watching as each wolf stood and made their way in one direction or another. Slowly they dispersed in back to wherever they’d come from when we’d all emerged at Eden’s call. I was satisfied with the way things had gone – Eden had been pleased with the bird I had brought him, and I’d told him what I aspired to provide for the pack. From here it was up to me to prove I could do it. But even though things had gone well with Eden, I was still so distracted by Haziel. As the meeting had proceeded and then ended, I had begun to realize it was more than my finding him handsome or simply thinking he was interesting. It was something more, and for a moment it had puzzled me, until I recalled the way Mom had once described her bond with my father. To my consternation, I realized that Haziel was, in fact, my imprint. My imprint! The fates sure had been generous, pairing me with someone so dastardly good-looking.

Shifting back and forth on my paws, I finally took a step towards him. My mouth opened, but nothing came out, and so I quickly shut it again. I glanced down at my paws, then back up at him. What were you supposed to say to the wolf who was allegedly the completion of your very soul? ‘Hey there, I’m Alcmene, you’re my imprint…now what?’ And what did it mean for us? Sleekwing and Mom hadn’t stayed together, didn’t even live in the same pack, and yet here I was, a creation made by the two of them. I blinked rapidly, unsure what to say or do. And was it the same for him? Did he feel this overwhelming desire to be near me, the way I felt towards him? Would this wear off or would I always be consumed with a need to be around him? I was an independent wolf! I’d just proved as much by staying here instead of following my family. Damned if I was going to get all clingy with this Haziel guy just because my soul demanded it and my heart raced at the sight of him. Oh, it all seemed rather hopeless, and utterly confusing.

Realizing I probably looked a bit daft just standing there looking at him, I took a quick breath through my nostrils and broke the ice. “Hello, Haziel.” Really, hello?! That’s all I could come up with? I felt a bit foolish, but I didn’t want to say anything else and come off like a blathering idiot. So I clenched my teeth nervously, watching and waiting, hopeful that he would not reject me on sight. That was the last thing I needed.