Book 2 Chapter 9

Daphne’s Point of View

I jolt awake in a cold sweat, and it takes me a moment to realize where I am. Once the fog of sleep has lifted, I look to make sure that I have not woken Caleb up. Thankfully, he is still soundly sleeping and was not disturbed by my movement. For a moment I am jealous that he is able to sleep so soundly when lately I have been consumed by nightmares. Knowing that I will not be able to find sleep again I carefully remove Caleb’s arm from around me and slip out of bed.

My wolf was itching to be free, and since no one else was up I decided that going for a nice morning run would clear my head. I quickly throw on a pair of shorts, and a shirt and grab my shoes as I quietly walk out of our bedroom door. It does not take me long to make my way out of the house.

As I start walking towards the woods, I cannot stop my mind from wandering back to my dream. Somehow in my dream my parents were still alive. Caleb had gotten tired of me not producing an heir and was returning me to them. In the dream we had returned to my former home and Caleb had told my parents that he had made a mistake. My mother in all her glory was there to snidely remind me that it was only right that my child had died since I had killed her son. My father was shaking his head in disappointment as he told Caleb that I was an abomination, one that should have been terminated. Even though there was no physical violence in the dream, I felt as beat up as ever.

Recalling the words that my mother had spoken in the dream; I truly wonder if the Moon Goddess has decided that I was not worthy of raising pups. Although I had once believed that she favored me at least a little because Caleb was my destined mate, was that the only happiness that was meant for my life? Could I be happy not being a mother?

Finally reaching the edge of the wood line I forcibly shake my head to dispel my thoughts. Right now, it is time for my wolf to run. She deserves to be free and wild, and I have not been attentive to her needs lately. I ensure that I am alone before stripping down and shifting into my wolf.

I feel the burst of excitement as her paws hit the earth beneath her. Taking a long whiff, I enjoy the clean crisp air up here in the mountains. I start the run out slow, taking long leaps and stretching out my muscles that have not been used lately. Soon I feel loose and free and start dashing deeper into the woods, allowing my wolf to frolic.