I carefully survey the course. Bells and cans dangle from above, to entangle a careless wolf. The ground is also covered with leaves, twigs and tripwires ready to catch an unsuspecting wolf by surprise. I crouch low to the ground and slink my way to the entrance of the course. Hunter stands at the finish and explains to the rules.

"As Lilac has already explained, you have to navigate the course without making a sound however, you also have to keep an eye on your target. When you're hunting in real life, if the target is looking in your direction while you are moving, your cover is blown." Hunter points at a light." When this light turns on it means the target is looking at you. Stop and wait till the light turns off. If the light turns red, you have been discovered and you fail."

Hunter whistles and I begin. Staying low to the ground I weave my way through the cans and strings. I am about to step down just as the light turns on and I freeze. While I am frozen in place the glare of the sun reveals a glimmer of thread like a strand of a spider web in the early morning's glow. I almost stepped right on the wire. The light turns off and I move again, avoiding the wire.

I stalk carefully through the mess of leaves and twigs, carefully placing my back paws were my front paws have been while I keep my head low and my eyes on the light. My every sense is on high alert. I'm even controlling my breathing. Finally the end is in sight but I must maintain my calm until I finish the course.

I come to a tangle of tripwires laid out in a grid, blocking the finish line. No doubt this is the spot that trips everybody up as everyone watches me with bated breath. I gently place each paw into the grid before moving each paw forward to the next Square, carefully navigating the wires.

I hear a whistle and my heart sinks. Did I mess up? I am soon relieved of my worry when Lilac begins to cheer. I'm at the finish line.

Hunter slowly claps. "Good job, but stalking your prey is only part of the job. What good is stalking if you can't run your pray down. I saw your slip up when you were chasing the rabbit. You have a lot to learn." I look down. Way to stomp on a good mood, jerk. "But we can easily improve that." A faint smile makes it's way onto his face and my wolf wears a goofy grin while I wag my tail. He takes off his shirt and I catch myself staring. My eyes go from his chest to his abs, following his happy trail. I feel my cheeks get warm under my fur and I quickly look away. What am I doing?

Hunter shifts and urges me to follow him. We get to the edge of a path and he crouches down before springing forward, running like a bullet that had been fired from a gun. I run after him, trying my best to keep up. He makes his running look easy and effortless. My legs ache and I am nowhere near him.

We run the path as it weaves its way through the forest till we come to a narrow mountain path with a shear cliff on one side. I push myself faster but the narrow path doesn't allow me to pass him. I push myself forward and jump over him, catapulting off of his back. Finally I'm ahead of him. The path opens back up and I push myself harder, trying to keep my lead. I am panting, my lungs burn as I see the houses coming back into veiw. But like a flash of lightning, Hunter passes me, barely breaking a sweat. But how? I feel myself losing steam as my mate pulls further ahead. My vision begins to blur and my paws feel like walking on glass. My legs collapse from under me.

Hunter looks back to see me laying sprawled out on the ground, out of breath. He slowly pads over to me. Hunter looms over me while I breathe heavily. I flinch as his face comes closer to mine. Then he gently licks my forehead. He urges me to get back to my feet and I walk back with him to the house. A person is waiting for us by the house holding our folded clothes.

I grab my clothes and shift while behind a tree. When I come out Hunter has already shifted and is waiting for me.

"You did good out there. How are you holding up?"

"I feel like I'm going to pass out. Do you always run that fast." I say between breathes.

"I like everything fast." He smirks. I see a tantalizing twinkle of mischief in his eyes. Deep down I feel my heart beat quicken.

"Really, I'd like to see that." I say with a purr before I can stop myself. What the hell just came out of my mouth?

His lips quirk up in a devilish smile. Suddenly he grabs my hand and my heart rate accelerates, pounding in my chest. Where is he going to take me? Hunter seems to take notice as his smile widens.