Relief washed over Anton when the wolf had finally left. And yet an unexplainable sadness had overcome him.

Ever since he met the wolf his emotions had been raging. Fear, anticipation, anger and list. Attraction.

He didn't understand any of them.

One part of him was glad the wolf had gone. The other, larger part, had chided him for his stupidity.

Why did he let it go?

He didn't understand any of it.

It was almost midnight now. Almost five hours since he had opened the door and let the wolf leave.

Now he was sprawled on the couch, he had gotten up every ten minutes in the past hour to check for the return of his wolf. Because that's what it was, he realised.

His anger was directed at the creature that had walked out the door. For leaving.

Anton hadn't closed the door the last time he'd checked. His long legs were thrown onto the sofa seats and his head rested on the arm rest. The fire was now only smoldering coals as the outer temperature began to freeze the room again.

At least he had retrieved a shirt and track pants to keep moderately warm.

But he couldn't care now. His wolf was gone. Into the cold night. And if it had to brace the cold, then so would he.

His heart ached at the thought of it not coming back. If it didn't, he didn't think he would survive. This reasoning alone made no sense to him, but he knew deep down that it was true. He could never again survive without his wolf by his side.

His drooping eyes were casting their last glances at the furniture around the room.

The cold was chilling his skin through the slit in the door. His brain was pounding against his head. Stupid, stupid, stupid...

Why had he opened the door?

This last question made him decide. If the wolf returned he wouldn't let it go again. As wild as it was, he was determined to make it his. Even just to calm his emotions down. Nothing could change his mind.

With that the cold finally made him sleep.

A cold, dark dream of a sunrise lighting the world. He was walking along the side of a mountain, his hands were freezing cold. His breath clouded intensely before his eyes and coloured in the tints of the rising sun.

Shivers were attacking his body, his teeth chattered and he couldn't feel his toes.

But the worst part was the loneliness.

In blazing winds and freezing air, he stood all alone. And then he fell into the snow. He sat on the cold fluffy powder and watched the amazing sight. The colours were more vivid and vibrant than any dream was supposed to be. It all seemed too real. Too true.

Fear made him shiver harder. He couldn't fight it. He could only watch as the intensity around him become more and more. In the wide open space of the mountains and valleys; he felt claustrophobic. The colours, sounds and scents overwhelmed him. And his brain was shutting down.

It was an overload that he couldn't cope with and he only wished for one thing. His wolf.

He wished and hoped the wolf would return and not leave him like most of the other people in his life.

Within a second the wind changed direction. It was now gentle and soft. The previously bright and confronting colors were their beautiful and calming tones. And a warmth spread through his body. Something that warmed his heart before it calmed his soul.

And then he was finally fully asleep with a last metallic click reverberating in his ears.

***

He didn't know what time it was when he opened his eyes. Sleep was stuck in the corners and his whole body was stiff and crooked.

His arms reached over the side above his head. The empty air greeted him as he stretched.

A yawn followed as the rest of his body was waking up. His legs straightened from their bent position and bumped into a large lump at his knees.

His body froze but he didn't dare look down. Ever so slowly his hand glided over his chest, down his leg and to his knee. Harsh bristles poked at his fingertips and a low whine had him quickly withdraw his hand.

He wasn't quick enough though as a flash of white was suddenly above him. Both paws were pressing on his biceps and he swore they moved and felt his muscles. Before he could comprehend anything else, a warm, rough tongue was licking at his cheek, over his chin, his lips.

Electric sparks were warming his blood and a heavy weight fell off his chest the moment he looked into the crystalline orbs of blue.

"You came back."

His voice was rough and choked, then answered by a low whine. His hand stroked the neck of the big wolf sprawled atop him.

"You came back to me!" He hadn't thought to ever see the wolf again. He hadn't expected it to come in and keep him warm.

His wolf, which he now realised was indeed a female, was here to stay.

He would bloody damn well make sure of it.

She was his wolf.
His.

And he would show her that she didn't have a choice but to stay.

Because he wouldn't let her go. No matter what, she was his.