NAAL'S POV

I run fast and hard until I can barely breathe, and then I run some more. I keep running into I can't feel my legs any longer and even then I push myself to go further. It isn't until I reach that familiar scent that I finally slow down and collapse onto the snow. My lungs feel as though they are going to burst and my muscles are aching in places I didn't know I had. But what hurts the most is my heart.

"Naal? Can you hear me? Naal please answer man." I hear the desperation in Luka's voice but I have no sympathy for him. For four years I sat idly by as Luka treated Raelynn as his own. He is oblivious to the fact that his wolf is already attached to her and in a sense it is helpful for me. 

"Naal I know you must be pissed but it's late and your parents said you didn't go home. Please just let me know you're ok." My wolf snorts and ignores the plea. Ever since he used his Alpha command on me my wolf has been hiding in the back of my mind. He is just as pissed as I am but we both know we must respect our Alpha... and our best friend.

If he truly was your best friend he would allow us to spend time with the human as well. My wolf growls in my mind and I bury my head further in the snow.

It's not as simple as that and you know it. I tell him trying to be the reasonable one.

We must stake our claim. His growls become louder and I try to push him farther back in my mind.

We can't-

Yes we can! His voice is deep and angry but I'm angrier.

NO WE CAN'T! HIS WOLF HAS ALREADY CLAIMED HER! IF WE INTERFERE WE WOULD BE GOING AGAINST OUR ALPHA. AND MY BEST FRIEND!

WHAT KIND OF BEST FRIEND HOLDS ON TO A GIRL HE DOESN'T LOVE?  His voice booms all around my mind and I can do nothing to ignore it.

He is right... of course he is but that doesn't matter. Luka is protective and possessive of Raelynn and in turn he won't allow many near her. Anger builds at the thought of his selfishness and in turn causes me to howl out, the sound piercing through the woods and breaking my heart over and over again.

Why must I feel this way for her? Why couldn't it be someone else? I've tried so hard to like the other girls but my heart will go no further. It belongs only to that blue eyed angel that is Raelynn Dawson and I hate myself because of it. When she disappeared for those three years I nearly went berserk. I searched for her every night secretly hoping that she was just hiding out in the woods like she always does but she wasn't. She was nowhere to be found and that caused my wolf to sink into a depression. He was always quiet and whimpering for her making me have to put on a show of strength for the both of us. I barely knew the girl and already she was gone. It was such torture for me and yet Luka seemed so strong. He was upset as well of course having episodes of disappearing into the woods for days at a time, but afterwards he seemed fine. How he could be so strong when I felt so weak I don't know, but I was going to harness that strength one day.

For a human she loves nature and wildlife just as much as us wolves and I adore that about her. I like her hair, how full it is and how it bounces and sways with her every movement. I like her eyes and how uncommon they are, to the point that even her sister doesn't have those amazing eyes. I like her laugh and her smile; it just... it lights up everything around her and makes everyone happy. Her teeth have straightened and that adorable gap is gone but instead has been replaced with such a stunning smile that allows her to get anything she wants. It's either that smile or that pout that sucks you in. I like her awareness to all that is around her... even though she only seems to be focused on Luka most of the time... But it's ok because we are still friends... and we always will be. 

But when she touched my wolf... When her perfect little fingers touched my fur for the first time I felt like the moon goddess herself was blessing me. But the look she held for Luka... I want to be bitter but she is so happy with him and I want her to always be happy...

Anger courses through me and I try my hardest to relax again but my wolf doesn't want to make it easy for me.

I'm not one for mood swings. I find them annoying, meaningless and weak. It's not that I don't have feelings I just don't know why people have those outbursts. Being controlled and calm allows the mind to thoroughly think through the situation and act wisely and not on impulse. Luka is like that sometimes... but he has a weakness... we both do.

Raelynn. She causes such a frenzy of emotions to stir in me that I feel helpless. Anytime she is near me it's like my consciousness begins to slip away and my wolf gives me such boldness that I normally don't have. I like being reserved and observant, it keeps me entertained and informed, but Raelynn... she just makes everything so complicated. And I know Luka has the same problem. While my brain turns to mush and my anger is my number one residing emotion, Luka is possessive and competitive. It drives me crazy!

I get up from my lying position in the snow and begin to pace around. I need to calm down and think clearly. Luka doesn't care for Raelynn like I do. I mean ok he cares for her that's for sure but he doesn't love her. 

I figure if Raelynn is in love with Luka it's because she is grateful for him saving her life all those years ago. So all I have to do is seem like a hero to her and continue to be her best friend and when we both mature she will fall for me. I need to be dependable, honest, reliable and trustworthy. I need to be someone that she can lean on and go to when she needs me. Maybe I should be a little funnier too... I love to hear her laugh. I continue my pacing completely unaware of the footsteps drawing closer to me. Its scent is what I catch first and then I hear its growl.

Turning I see Ralph growling at me in a protective manner. In any sort I am much larger than him and stronger but I admire his dedication to Raelynn, which means she is nearby.

"Calm Ralph." I hear her voice and my heart begins to pound. The moonlight looks so beautiful on her as her eyes sparkle almost looking silver. I walk towards her slowly so she won't be alarmed. When the moon shines on me her eyes widen and she runs to me.

"Oh Naal! Are you ok?" She hugs me tightly and I rub my face into her hair. She smells good. She continues to hold me before she pulls back and anger takes over her soft features.

"Are you crazy? You're parents have been looking for you! It's almost midnight you butthead! You could have been hurt! Or worse! Big bad wolf or not you're not invincible! You march right over to that tree and wait for me to get you some clothes do you understand?" I nod my head and wait by the tree, awed and more than happy with how worried she was for me. She will make such a perfect Beta female. She has all of the qualities necessary to keep her level headed and fierce all at once.

I watch her disappear into the two story house twenty feet away from the tree line. Ralph stays outside, probably to keep watch of me and Raelynn returns five minutes later with a pair of sweatpants and a baggy t-shirt most likely belonging to her father. Handing me the clothes she pouts.

"Here get changed ok?" She rubs her arms and turns around to give me some privacy and I shift back to my human form. The winter air bites at my skin but it doesn't bother me. I change quickly and touch her arm.

"Do you mind if I-"

"If you're going to ask to come inside then don't because mom has set an extra plate for dinner and dad has made up the guest room. Come on." She takes my hand in hers and leads the way to her house. Upon entering I am greeted to the smell of chicken and potatoes and my stomach growls, loudly. Raelynn giggles at the sound and hits my arm.

"How long were you out there?" She asks leading me to the living room. I shrug and continue to allow her to pull on my hand.

"Not sure but," I look over at the time, "If it's 8:00 right now then it's been over six hours." She sits on the couch and whistles, calling Ralph to her side.

"What happened?" A soft blush touches her cheeks and I smile at her concern for me.

"There are times when a wolf wants to take complete control. This was one of those times. I was... upset about something and Luka had said something to me that resulted in my wolf taking control over my body. I needed to get away from him and get some peace of mind." She nods her head slowly and pets Ralph.

"So something upset you and you didn't want to hurt anybody so you ran away?" I smile wider and sit beside her.

"You're very smart did you know that?" Raelynn giggles and hums to herself.

"I don't think I'm that smart, I just know how to listen well. That's what my teachers tell me." I hear footsteps above me and I realize that I haven't seen her little sister as of yet.

"Either way you are perceptive and that is a very good thing." She blushes and looks away.

"Is there something wrong?" I ask feeling her embarrassment rise at my question.

"Come on Raelynn you can trust me." Slowly her head turns back to me and she gulps.

"Ok but you can't tell Luka." The fact that she trusts me with a secret and not Luka makes my heart swell with pride.

"I promise I won't say a word to him." She nods her head and is about to speak when Mrs. Dawson walks into the living room.

"Dinner time Lynn. Ralph can come too." They both smile at her comment and the wolf perks up at hearing his newly appointed name. Mrs. Dawson looks just like Raelynn that it gives me so much hope for her beauty in the future. Both girls have the bright blue eyes and soft lips. Her hair is light brown like Raelynn's while Abrielle's hair is a darker shade of brown. Both girls look like their mother while their father is white like me with brown eyes and brown hair. Abrielle takes a little from her father too. Just thinking of the little girl and she pops out from behind her mother.

"Mommy who's he?" She asks holding on to her dress. She peers at me from behind her mom's legs and scrunches her face. She isn't as social as Raelynn was at that age.

"He, sweetie is Naal. He is the future Beta of this pack and a good friend of our family. You've already met him before." She moves to the side so Abrielle is in plain sight and puts a hand on her shoulder. "Go ahead and say hi. He's really nice." She looks at me skeptically before stepping closer to her mom. Raelynn laughs and gets up.

"Elle you can't be afraid of Naal. He's the nicest and sweetest werewolf I have ever met. He is so nice that I'm pretty sure he poops rainbows." Both sisters laugh at this as my cheeks burn red.

"Lynn that's not very funny." Mrs. Dawson says trying her hardest not to laugh as well. My heart is soaring at her compliment so I chuckle with them to lighten the mood and we all walk to the kitchen. Looking at the table I see that Mrs. Dawson made stuffed chicken with mashed potatoes and a lot of vegetables. It looks delicious. My stomach growls again and Raelynn and Abrielle burst into laughter.

"That's what you get for running around at all hours of the night young man." Mrs. Dawson says cutting up Abrielle's food. Raelynn sounds exactly like her mother when she is scolding me... how adorable.

"Ah Naal I'm glad to see you in one piece. The young Alpha was having a panic attack when he found out you weren't home. I'm a little surprised he didn't know of your whereabouts. I thought you guys were attached at the hip." My wolf growls in the back of my mind at the memories of Luka's command but I remain impassive. There's no need to get all worked up all over again.

"No daddy Luka said something to Naal that made him upset. So he ran away." She looks to me for acceptance and I smile softly. She is so damn cute.

"Raelynn you know it's not respectful to speak for someone else." Her father scolds. Raelynn looks down but I take her hand and squeeze it in assurance.

"I don't mind it Mr. Dawson. Whatever makes her happy." The two parents look at each other and then back to me.

"Is that so Naal?" Mrs. Dawson asks as she begins to eat her own food.

"Absolutely. Raelynn is very expressive and opinionated, if I didn't let her speak now I know for a fact I would hear it later on." Everyone laughs and starts to pass around the vegetables.

"So Naal are you excited for high school?" Mr. Dawson asks. I look to him and smile.

"To be honest sir I don't really care for all of that excitement. I want to get in and accomplish as much as I can before I take on the full-time position as Beta." He nods his head and sips his wine.

"Are there no extracurricular activities that you wanted to join?" I think to myself before I answer because I notice I have the full attention of the table.

"I enjoy poetry a lot. If they had some kind of club for that I would happily join it." Mrs. Dawson's eyes seem to sparkle as I say this.

"Chris used to read me poetry when we first started dating. I was in love with Shakespearean sonnets but he found it hard to interpret so he would create his own." She looks to him from across the table lovingly and all of a sudden my heart starts to beat faster. I want Raelynn to look at me like that someday.

"Yes my poems were amazing weren't they baby?" They both laugh.

"Were they not good?" I ask intrigued. Mrs. Dawson looks to me and laughs even harder.

"Oh no his poems were terrible, but it made my heart swoon that no matter what he always tried." I smile at their open display of adoration and refrain from touching Raelynn.

"That sounds funny mommy." Raelynn says with her mouth full. Abrielle does the same and their parents just shake their heads.

"Did you want to join any sports Naal?" Mr. Dawson is very inquisitive, just like his daughter.

"Luka says he wants to join the swim team. I prefer baseball. I wouldn't mind trying it." Raelynn looks up to me smiling.

"I like baseball. I like hearing the loud crack when the batter hits the ball. I told my daddy I want to try little leagues but he said when I'm older." She touches my arm and I know that her parents are watching so I turn to her and give the most adoring smile I can muster and she just smiles even wider.

"Well if I make it on the baseball team then we can practice together. How does that sound?" Her eyes brighten at my suggestion and I gleam in pride.

"Do you promise?" She asks holding out her pinkie. I've seen her do this handshake with Luka before which means she really trusts me as well. I hold out my pinkie to hers and lock it.

"Do you promise?" Her little pinkie squeezes mine.

"I promise." She answers as a blush appears on her face.

"I promise too."

We both turn back to the table to see her parents watching us curiously.

"As long as I don't lose my father-daughter time with my Rae then I am ok with her getting some extra practice." Mr. Dawson raises his glass to me and I raise my glass of water.

"It's a deal."

***

"Raelynn do you remember earlier today when you said you wanted to tell me something important?"

Right now I'm sitting in Raelynn's room, with her room door open. Not her parent's doing but my own. I don't want people to get the wrong impression of me and she is only nine years old.

"Oh yeah." She whistles and Ralph trots in slowly. Rae sits on her bed and Ralph nudges my leg slightly before resting his head in her lap.

"Did you still want to talk about it?" She plays with Ralph's ears and stares at his fur.

"I guess." I wait patiently for her answer as she stalls for time.

"I told Luka I love him." I clamp down on my tongue so I can stop the growl from escaping my mouth.

"Yes..." I say my voice coming out hoarse and strained. 

"Well... do you think he loves me back?" That is not the secret I wanted to keep. My wolf struggles with control but I force him back not willing to reveal my feelings to her yet. Giving up the fight for control, my wolf chooses to give me a terrible headache that pounds in the back of my head. The jerk. I pause before answering her question because I know she is vulnerable right now.

"Raelynn... Luka cares for you and I'm sure deep down he does love you, just not in the way you love him. He has a lot of responsibilities and obligations that he must heed to and sometimes he gets very caught up in those responsibilities that he may forget about those who care about him." She buries her face in Ralph's fur and sighs.

"Will he ever love me one day?"

"I don't know Raelynn. But I care for you." I say smiling softly. I don't think I can utter the words I love you to her yet, but one day I will. Raelynn smiles at my comment and looks up to me.

"I care for you too Naal. A lot. You're one of the best friends I've ever had. And I want us to be best friends for a very very long time ok?" Raelynn gets under her covers and Ralph snuggles close to her.

"Ok Raelynn we will be the best of friends. I will tell you my secrets and fears and you will tell me yours." She nods her head and fluffs her pillow.

"And Naal?"

"Yes Raelynn?" She sits up a little bit and smiles.

"I'm glad you ran here. I knew I could cheer you up." I walk over to her bed and kiss her forehead.

"I'm glad I ran here too. Good night Raelynn. I will be next door if you need anything." I hear her breathing begin to soften and I walk to the door. I almost don't hear her last few words but everything in me is glad that I did.

"I'll always need you Naal."