Chapter 32

A Chapter by Tina Kline

Armand felt like he was coming out of some terrible nightmare, which he concluded he was.

The snow continued falling, accumulating so far to around a couple feet. The Douglas Fir tree branches hung low with their burden of it.

Coyotes yapped and sang, it continued to get colder and Armand felt the darkness drifting away from him.

He enjoyed watching Mr. Redwood and Mr. Thunder’s attempts to win Miss Starfire for their Mate. He was hoping Mr. Thunder would win in this competition and become Miss Starfire’s Mate.

Miss Starfire and Mr. Hunter had only recently reached maturity and were enjoying the exhilarating thrill of at last being able to Shape Shift. Miss Starfire in her Wolf Form was ash colored with radiant orange brown eyes. Mr. Hunter in Wolf Form was coal black with greenish yellow eyes.

Once Miss Starfire reached her maturity both Mr. Redwood and Mr. Thunder went into intense pursuit of her.

Armand thought Miss Starfire was enjoying all the attention. So far Mr. Hunter hadn’t shown any interest in any female Wolf Person.

But with all the Packs now visiting back and forth he’d soon spot someone or she’d spot him. Armand was sure of this.

Armand spent his time with Miss Fern. She was pretty, she was fun and she wanted him.

She loved to play in the snow and often they loped together through the cold snowy dark Douglas Fir and bare limbed Broadleaf Maple trees.

Armand enjoyed the time he spent with this pretty Wolf Girl and he felt his heart healing and the dark wound in him left by the ripping of Miss Feather from his life.

And Miss Fern left no doubt that she wanted Armand as her Mate.

Then there was Quetzal who was once again being tortured because of Shasta, but this time it seemed it was his doing.

But then Armand wasn’t too sure about that. Quetzal was obsessed with her just as he had been when she had used her Magic on him before. And that obsession was the only reason Mr. Stonevalley hadn’t had her killed long ago when the rest of the captured Others had been killed.

And it seemed like long ago to Armand. It had still been warm then, now there was deep snow covering the ground, the Village and the forest.

Armand was starting to feel alive again.

He walked with Miss Fern along a path made by some other Wolf People that led a ways into the forest.

She walked a little ways ahead of him and Armand watched her, smiling. Suddenly she turned.

“I hope Miss Starfire becomes Mates with my Pack Leader.” She said.

Mr. Redwood being her Pack Leader Armand didn’t want to say anything negative but he hoped Miss Starfire would pick Mr. Thunder to be her Mate.

He kept his smile in place. “You understand that Mr. Thunder is my good friend.”

Miss Fern laughed a light airy sound. “I understand, maybe we shouldn’t be thinking and talking about them but us instead.” She hugged herself at that moment.

They were just inside the forest in a very secluded place. No other Wolf People were nearby. It seemed very silent all of a sudden. Armand had an eerie feeling the forest was waiting for his response just as eagerly as Miss Fern was.

She’d given him the perfect opening to say what he had been considering for a short while now.

“Umm.” Armand said.

“Yes?”

Should I wait until I’ve thought of it longer? Am I going too fast? Armand wondered. He shook his head. Seize the opportunity for this chance could easily be yanked away from him.

“About us.” Armand said. “Will you be my Mate?” He felt horribly breathless as he asked, his heart beating erratically all of a sudden. A wave of dizziness hit him.

He had a sudden clear vision of Miss Feather at that moment.

Armand wanted to squeeze his eyes shut, to make the vision of Miss Feather go away, but he didn’t.

Miss Fern, who squealed with utter happiness, flung herself into Armand’s arms.

He caught her up into his embrace. “Yes! Yes! I’ll be your Mate! Oh, Armand, how I love you!”

Armand found himself laughing, feeling totally happy and free. He swung Miss Fern in a circle, his dizziness gone. So was the vision of Miss Feather. He felt he had made the right decision in asking Miss Fern to be his Mate.

Later, walking back to his house Armand and Miss Fern came across Mr. Redwood and Miss Starfire having a heated conversation. They could easily tell Miss Starfire and Mr. Redwood were both angry about something.

The area was clear of any other Wolf People who wisely decided it was best to give Mr. Redwood and Miss Starfire some space.

But Armand wasn’t willing to do that, Miss Starfire being his little Wolf Sister. He hurried over to where they were, Miss Fern at his side.

“You’re getting too demanding Mr. Redwood.” said Miss Starfire.

“You’re young, listen to the wisdom of someone who’s been around a while. I have lots of life experience and knowledge that comes with a long life.” said Mr. Redwood.

Miss Starfire put her hands on her hips. Mr. Redwood ate her with his eyes; he was very hungry to make her his Mate.

Armand saw the look he was giving his younger Wolf Sister and felt a bolt of anger strike him.

“What’s going on Miss Starfire?” Armand asked in voice that was cold, as cold as the look he gave the Pack Leader.

“He’s being all bossy.” complained Miss Starfire.

“This is between us Armand.” said Mr. Redwood.

“Oh, is that so?” asked Armand. “You forget I’m the Pack Leader’s oldest Son and Miss Starfire is the Pack Leader’s Daughter.”

“I do not forget. That’s why Miss Starfire is the ideal Mate for me. And I am a Pack Leader. Perfect for a Pack Leader’s Daughter.”

Miss Starfire laughed.

“I do love you Miss Starfire.” Mr. Redwood said to her.

“So does Mr. Thunder.” She said.

Miss Fern went to Miss Starfire. “Mr. Redwood can give you so much more. Love and so much more. Isn’t that important?”

Miss Starfire looked down. “I don’t know.”