Wren and Phelan walked hand in hand to the edge of the woods. He turned to her with a smile and said, "How do you feel about taking a run?" Wren smiled in return and said she'd love to. They walked over to the trunk together where she slipped off her shoes and placed them inside before walking over behind a large oak tree and undressing. She then neatly folded her dress and sat it on the groundat her feet. Sage was dancing happily in her head, excited to come out and meet her mate. After transforming, Wren instructed Sage to carry her dress, not wanting to reach their destination and being exposed.
Sage picked up the dress and pranced happily back over to where Lobo stood waiting with a pair of shorts in his mouth. The two wolves sized each other up and sniffed each other happily wagging their tails. Then Sage snuffed at him and bowed down in a playful stance. Lobo returned the gesture before racing away into the woods. As the two yipped and chased each other faster and faster the forest faded away to a sea of bright autumn colors around them. Wren laughed continously in her head as Sage played and flirted with their mate. Wren had never seen her wolf so happy.
It wasn't long before they reached the edge of the meadow and stopped. Lobo motioned with his head towards a tree, signaling his desire to shift so that they could better communicate. Sage happily spun around racing behind the cover of a tree and dropped the green dress. After shifting and putting on the dress, Wren stepped out to see Phelan waiting patiently for her. His hand out stretched waiting to recieve hers. Her hand in his, he turned and led her out into the meadow. They watched as a few deer caught sight of them and raced away into the distance. Over head a pair of red tailed hawks sang out to one another. Over by the brook a frog could be heard happily croaking away. Smiling, Wren stopped and took a moment to breath it all in. This was her special place, the sights and sounds spoke to her soul.
Phelan watched her and was filled with contentment. Smiling down at her he said, "I thought this would be a nice place to pass the time and talk. I was sure it held a place of endearment with you."
Puzzled, Wren looked up into his emerald orbs and replied, "Why yes, it is very special to me. This place has been my personal retreat all my life. But how could you know that?"
Smiling sheepishly Phelan looked away for a moment and a soft blush rose up on his cheeks. "Well, I have a confession, my love. This is the third time I've come to this meadow. The second time was on the midnight hunt. But the first time I happened upon it on a run with my gamma yesterday evening after we arrived at your pack house. I had went on a run to clear my head before the Alpha meeting. When we arrived at the edge of the meadow I laid eyes on the most beautiful creature I had ever seen standing right over there. Frozen with awe I was slow to react. Right before my eyes you transformed into a beautiful red wolf and dashed away. When his legs would finally respond, Lobo raced after you. But when I reached the mansion, you were gone. It was as if you had vanished into thin air. I had the meeting to attend so I was unable to continue my search. I instructed my men to help me find you. They were looking for you when I could not. Fortunately, I didn't have to wait long for you to find me. I'm very glad you did. I was actually on my way here in the hopes of seeing you again or at the very least, I would be where I first saw you. And I might have at least been able to feel closer to you."
Wren listened intently and then stiffened at the realization that Phelan had seen her shift. That meant he had laid eyes upon her naked human form. Nudity wasn't a big issue for were-people. But the thought of being seen naked by her newly found mate caused her much distress. Embarrassed she put her hand up to her mouth as blush crept across her cheeks. Phelan laughed at her modesty, then reached up and cupped her cheeks before kissing her tenderly. "You know, you're adorable when you are embarrassed."
Wren responded by hiding her face behind her hands and groaning. Phelan only chuckled and shook his head as he took her hand in his and led her on. They walked around the meadow making polite conversation as they went. They asked the usual questions. What their families and childhoods had been like? What their favorite colors or foods were? The usual things you wanted to know about someone you had just met. They then discussed their individual packs. Phelan described his pack's city in great detail to her. Then stopped as they reached the little winding brook. He leaned over and picked up a flat stone. Reaching back he gave it a measured toss and watched as it skipped four times down the top of the water in front of them. With a boyish grin and a look of satisfaction he turned and winked back at Wren. She giggled in return at how adorable he was. He walked over to her and pulled her close before lifting her chin and tenderly kissing her. The kiss quickly deepened and became far more passionate. Wren moaned a against him and he deepened the kiss even more, claiming every bit of her mouth as his own. Her head swam and her knees grew weak. Just as Wren thought she might faint he released his hold on her lips. With her still held firmly in his embrace his eyes bore deep into her baby blues.
They remained like this until he spoke again, breaking the deafening silence surrounding them both. "Wren, you can't imagine how happy I am that I finally found you. You've made me the happiest werewolf in the world. I never knew finding my mate would be this amazing. What I used to put value on now seems so trivial to me. I love my pack, but the thought of returning to them tomorrow fills me with a new kind of fear. I never fathomed such a fear in all my life. Now that I've found you I never want to leave your side. I confess there are thousands of lives that depend on me, but I'd give up everything for you. I know we only just met. But I must confess I pray you will return to Red River territory with me tomorrow. I know this is a lot to ask of you all at once. But I won't force you to go. I want you to choose were we go from here."
He then waited patiently for her to process what he had just said. Wren stood there, still held in his arms, looking up at him. He searched her face for any sign of what her answer might be. His heart sank when he saw her bite her bottom lip and look first at one eye and then the other. He was certain she was leaning towards remaining behind with her own pack. Her face saddened before she reached up and placed her hand upon his cheek. Then she spoke, "My dear Phelan, the thought of you unhappy breaks my heart in two. Here in your arms my soul is finally complete. You are all I've ever dreamed you would be. Here in this moment I can't imagine a life without you. I could have lived a thousand life times never knowing you. But I now realize after having found you, I can not exist without you from this moment on. I too only ever want to remain by your side. When you go tomorrow, if you leave me behind I will surely perish." Looking down at her his smile slowly widened at the realization that she was going to return with him.
His heart was bursting at the seams with pride and Joy he could barely contain it. Phelan wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her off the ground. Locking his lips with her's, he spun them around and around until he fell back onto the thick brown grass beneath them. As they landed on the ground he gathered her up and held her on his chest. "Wren, I promise, I will spend the rest of my life loving and protecting you. I will spend every moment attempting to bring you joy, to repay you for all the happiness you have just brought me."
They spent the next few hours in each other's arms tenderly professing their love and discussing their future. Experiencing pure bliss just being in each other's presence. When the time came to return and prepare for the evening celebration, neither of them wanted to leave. Rolling over onto his side he looked down at Wren resting in the crook of his arm. Tracing the side of her face from her temple to her chin, he leaned down and gently kissed her plump lips. "I think I understand why this place is so special to you. I could live an eternity with you here by my side. It's like heaven on earth." Kissing her again he continued, "But if we don't leave now I don't know if I possess the ability to restrain myself or my wolf." His face reflected his impure thoughts making Wren blush again.
Phelan chuckled at her innocence before standing and helping her to her feet. He offered her his arm and then led her over to the edge of the forest to shift. Leaning over and kissing her temple before watching her walk over behind a tree to undress and shift. His chest swollen with pride as he removed his shorts and allowed Lobo to come forward. After a moment Sage appeared holding the green dress in her mouth. The two wolves nuzzled each other and then raced away, back to the pack house to join the festivities.
When they reached the trunk, Sage darted off behind a tree to shift and dress. Once they were both dressed they walked back to the mansion arm in arm. They took no notice of anyone else as they went inside. They were in their own little world as they walked through the crowded first floor and ascended the stairs. Phelan allowed Wren to escort him to her room. At the door he held her tight and kissed her forehead. Smiling longingly at her, he said goodbye. Waiting only long enough to watch her turn and enter her room. As she closed the door he felt as though he floated on air all the way back to his room. Males that passed smiled and smirked as he walked to his suite. Females giggled or looked forlorn as he passed. Wren had fell back against her door clutching her chest and smiling as soon as the door was closed behind her. She was so wrapped up in her happiness that she hadn't noticed her mother and Anna, her sister in law, standing across the room. Her mother's eyes were filled with happy tears. Anna was also overjoyed for her mate's little sister.
After a moment Wren's mother cleared her throat, instantly snapping her daughter back to the moment. "Oh mother! He's simply amazing! He's more than I ever could have hoped for!" Wren gushed. As her mother and Anna rushed about getting her prepared for the festivities, Wren went on and on about her amazing mate. She was floating in the clouds as they did her hair and makeup, a silly grin and far away stare locked on her face. Luna Freya and Anna chuckled constantly between themselves, sharing knowing glances. Finally, they had Wren ready to make her grande entrance. As they stood before the floor length mirror admiring her beauty, both Anna and Luna Freya dabbed their eyes with tissues and sniffled.
"Oh, Wren, you are absolutely beautiful! Phelan will be pleased." Anna whispered into her ear. Luna Freya put her arm around her daughter and leaned her head against Wren's temple. Smiling lovingly back at their reflection, her mother told her, "Daughter, I've watched you grow all of these years. You make me proud. You are strong and beautiful. You have grown into an amazing young lady. Tonight marks the beginning of the rest of your life. My little girl is gone and my heart breaks at the thought. But the Luna I always knew you would become is emerging, and this makes my heart swell with pride. You will do great things. I can't imagine a better mate for you. Do not cowar from the life you are stepping into. The numbers you will lead may be intimidating, but no other she-wolf possesses your ability to understand, to care, or to lead. Trust in your abilities, daughter. You will make us all so proud! You are gaining a pack of your own. But never forget where you come from. The pack of your birth will always love and support you. And so will I."