It took us two hours to get to the edge of the pack land. We covered forty miles which is pretty good going, but I could tell Gale could do better.

We stopped at the edge of the territory. My legs already hurt and my lungs were exhausted. 

"I'm holding you back aren't I?" I said slumping myself against a tree.

"Don't be ridiculous, Robyn," Gale replied sitting next to me, but in a more controlled manner.

"You're an Alpha now. You're stronger than you used to be. I run like the wind, but you run like a gale," I said in-between heavy breaths.

"I think I've always run like a Gale," he joked. I looked at him and smiled. "If you are suggesting that I should leave you behind you can think again, Robyn Blossom. I would never leave you for anything. So...are you ready to cross the border or not?"

I nodded and allowed him to pull me back to my feet. 

"Have you ever left the territory?" I asked and he shook his head.

"Never."

"Then what are we waiting for?" I asked as we both stood motionless just behind the invisible borderline.

"Hold my hand," Gale ordered. I took it gladly and we both took a big step into the unknown.

"Well that was anticlimactic," I said from the other side of the border.

"What were you expecting? Fireworks?" he joked a wide smile on his face.

"Shut up," I scolded.

We ran all day and all well into the evening. It wasn't until 6 o clock when the sun had just started going down, that we stopped for the night.

"Gale, I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted," I said leaning against a tree amongst the fallen leaves.

"It won't be long," Gale replied his voice smooth and soft.

"I never asked. Where are we going?" I questioned. "What's the plan?"

"A few years ago, I read a book in the Pack library, about a peaceful lake in the North. We can build a little house there and live happily ever after. It can be our new special place," he explained smiling more with every word.

"That sounds like a beautiful life," I said closing my eyes and imagining it. "But how do you know this place exists?"

He shrugged.

"I don't. And if it does, it may be hard to find because there's a reason it's so quiet and peaceful," he explained. "But if we don't find it, we will find somewhere equally perfect, Robyn. I promise."

By 6:30, the forest was dark and Gale had just returned from collecting firewood whilst I gathered some berries and edible plants. 

The fire was soon lit warding off the icy air beginning to settle in again. After we had eaten, I found my self-collapsed on the floor hardly able to keep my eyes open. The warmth of the fire relaxed my muscles and Gale's soft fingers gently stroking my hair comforted my mind.

I was warm and not alone. 

What more could I need?