"It's great to see you too," I said. "You look amazing." I blushed at my words. But he just laughed.
"So do you," he said. And as he spoke, I thought I saw his eyes trail down my body. Was it my imagination, or did I see a flash of hunger on his face? Or was the firelight playing tricks?
A split second later, his eyes were on mine again, his expression playful.
"You coming for the pack run tonight?" he asked. "It's going to be amazing."
"Of course," I said. The wolf inside me was itching to burst free. "Amazing?" I asked. "Because you're going to be leading it?"
"Exactly!" He laughed. And then his face became serious. "I'm really glad you came," he said. "My crowning wouldn't be the same without you."
"I'm glad I came too," I said. "How does it feel to become the new alpha?" I expected him to burst into a chorus of enthusiasm, but his face remained serious.
"It feels good," he said. "But ... it's a heavy weight to carry." He motioned to the crowd of people around us. "These guys are gonna to be my responsibility after tonight. I have to protect them. Lead them. You know?"
I nodded. He had matured so much since I'd seen him last. I felt a welling up of intertwining emotions – pride, and that old familiar desire, and something deeper, underneath it all ...
But none of it could be put into words. I just opened my arms and fell into another embrace with him. He laughed, a joyful ringing out that bubbled up beside my ear as I held my head against his chest. And then he wrapped his arms around me again, and held me close. My eyes welled up with tears – of joy, or sadness, I wasn't sure.
I don't know how long we stood there for, with him holding me. The world fell away. I closed my eyes and sank into him, and he into me. But at some point, the sound of drumming died away, and a chattering developed amongst the crowd. Heatherer slowly unfolded me from his grasp, and looked into my face.
"Time for the ceremony," he said. Excitement danced with the flickering firelight in his eyes. "I'll see you on the run."
"I can't wait," I said. I felt drunk with the relaxation of his embrace. He left me there, at the front of the crowd, and went to the area before it, where the old pack alpha Zur stood – a grizzled, middle-aged man who was ready to relinquish his leadership. Beside him stood his wife, Ryla. It was said that she was a seer – that she could see into the future.
The crowd was quieting down, gathering closer. Zur raised his hand, and a hush came over the throng.
"The time has come," Zur said, "for a new leader to rise. Someone young and strong and capable. That someone I have chosen is this man. Heatherer." He clasped Heatherer on the shoulder, and Heatherer smiled, looking with confidence into the crowd. In his face, I could see his willingness to protect and lead the pack.
"I know that I've made the right decision," Zur continued. He turned to his wife, Ryla, and she began to speak.
"And I," she said. "I have seen the future, and know that, under Heatherer's guidance, the pack will thrive." Like Zur, Ryla was middle aged. She was still beautiful. Her cheekbones were high, and her eyes clear and bright as she addressed the crowd. Her gaze roamed across the sea of faces.
When they reached me, they stopped. A contemplative expression came over her face.
"You," she said. My face began to burn as the crowd turned to look at me.
"Me?" I squeaked.
"Yes, you," she said, her eyes boring intently into my own. "You are like me. You have the vision as well."
"I don't understand," I stuttered. I was burning with the agony of embarrassment, weighted down by the hundreds of eyes upon me.
"Look into your dreams," she said. "They tell of the futur
e." And then her gaze left mine, and she fell