Something ran through the woods toward us at full speed, and we stopped before it reached us. The thing was large and heavy, and I instantly knew that it was a werewolf, even though I had no idea which wolf it would be.

I took a deep breath and released it with a small whoosh, growing nervous but knowing damn well that I was not going to leave or get off the path I was following. I widened my stance and stared at the area the thing was coming from, ignoring the creature that had decided to follow me on my journey through the woods.

I could tell that it wanted me to go and run in the other direction. It wanted me to go before this creature was able to get to me, but I didn't leave; I couldn't...

Curiosity filled my body about this werewolf that was coming at me at full speed, and I couldn't help but wonder if this wolf was a friend, especially since it was coming at me at such a fast pace and not in this threatening or intimidating manner.

"Don't come out of hiding or hurt this wolf," I said, my voice barely above a whisper while I talked to the creature that was with me, even though I couldn't see it. "I think this wolf is a friend."

However, I didn't get out of my defensive pose, not trusting this wolf fully and wanting to be prepared if it wasn't a friend like I had thought and hoped.

The creature didn't seem to like what I had told it not to do, and it seemed to let me know in a way that I only could understand. However, it didn't move from its spot, and it waited with me, waiting for this wolf to appear out of hiding.

Finally, the wolf appeared by jumping from the bushes and onto the path in front of me. The wolf was a dark gray with blotches of black throughout his fur. His eyes were a deep blue color, and I couldn't help but gasp and take a small step back because I recognized those eyes.

Declan...

The creature moved closer to us but stayed hidden when I made a small signal to keep it back and away from us.

The wolf, Declan, bit back a small whine and laid his ears to the back of his head. He took a step back and lowered his head, silently indicating that he was not a threat and that there was no need for me to be scared of him.

I licked my lips and bit back a small sigh of relief when he did that, and I couldn't help but slowly nod, silently telling him that I understood and knew he wouldn't hurt me. "Does the Alpha know that you are out here?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. I hesitated before I took a step toward him, and Declan wagged his tail but didn't seem to answer my question.

He bit back a small whine before he took a hesitant step toward me. He kept his ears pressed to the back of his head, and a look of worry and nervousness flashed through his eyes while he stared at me.

I held back an eye roll and pressed my lips into a thin line, biting back an annoyed sigh. "Does the Alpha know that you are here?" I asked and raised an eyebrow in question, studying him. "Is he allowing the wolves of this... community to talk with me?"

Declan hesitated and wagged his tail, shrugging as if he didn't care and wanted to do this anyway. He bit back a small whine, and a look of nervousness flashed through his eyes before he took a step toward me.

I took a step back, hesitating ever so slightly while I shook my head and bit the inside of my lip, and Declan stopped and stared at me with wide eyes filled with shock and surprise. "Don't," I said, ignoring the hurt in his eyes and the stinging pain in my heart. "I don't want the Alpha to be mad at you if you aren't allowed to be near me. I don't want you to get kicked out of the community."

Declan bit back a tired sigh and laid down, and I watched as he laid down in front of me. He closed his eyes and wagged his tail, and I had this feeling that he was asking Jason if he was sure that he was ok for them to talk or interact with me.

I took another step back and pressed my lips into a thin line while I waited for his Alpha to confirm that he was allowed to be near me, and Declan instantly opened his eyes and looked at me with an annoyed look on his face. "What?" I asked and raised an eyebrow in question while I studied him. "I didn't do anything. I only took a step back so that I could give you more space."

Declan growled and rolled his eyes, and the creature moved closer to us as if it wanted to make sure that I was still safe. He placed his ears closer to the back of his head, and he didn't seem to notice the creature that was closer to us.

I raised the eyebrow higher in question, growing amused and not even annoyed that he had growled at me. "What is that growl for?" I asked and cocked my head while I studied him.

He slowly blinked and looked at me, unamused. He tried to tell me something, even though he knew that I couldn't hear him because I wasn't a wolf myself.

I held back an eye roll and pressed my lips into a thin line. "You should know that I do not know what you are saying," I said. "I don't know why you are talking to me like I should."

Declan wagged his tail and gave me a sheepish look. His whole body sagged with relief, and he stood before he started to walk over to me, silently indicating that he was allowed to hang out with me and be near.

I breathed a small sigh of relief, and my shoulders sagged from the tension that I had felt because I was worried that Jason wouldn't allow it. "That's good," I said before I cleared my throat and shifted on my feet. I hesitated before I started to walk over to him, and he continued to walk toward me. "Does that mean I can pet you?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Declan nodded and stopped in front of me before he started to lay down in front of me, studying me with something in his eyes that I didn't know and didn't like. He slowly blinked and wagged his tail before he reached out to touch me with his nose.

I moved my hand and placed my hand on his nose, and I bit back a small smile while I rubbed his nose before I started to move my hand down his neck.

Declan nuzzled my arm and made this weird noise in the back of his throat. He wagged his tail and closed his eyes, and I could tell that he was happy that I was able to see him in this form.

I bit back a small smile and slowly nodded while I continued to stroke his neck. "So am I," I said, my voice barely above a whisper before I hugged him, and Declan hugged me back with his head around my shoulders.

So am I...