Sweet success.

The hunt was better than any of us could have predicted. A large variety of animals were claimed in the night's excursion. Enough for the gathering as well as the winter coming. The aroma of the preparing meat from the smokehouse wafts through the air causing a rumble in my stomach.

Looking to Grams cabin through the tree it is time to bite the bullet. Halting in my spot my breath shakes, fists clench, feet shifting from heel to the ball of my feet. Just on cue my phone dings with the incoming text. Pulling it out from my pocket for a glance it's from Sophia. 'It'll be fine, she will understand.' It reads. Chewing my lip I know she is right. We had a long discussion last night with one another about this. It felt right to tell her. As it should. Returning the phone to my pocket I have to force my legs to move. The house looks dark from outside. Reaching for the knob the door is locked. Frowning at the Oddity. The back door is never locked. We don't lock our doors around here, no need.

Looking through the window, nothing moves, no lights can be seen. Something doesn't feel right, the wolf rises sniffing the air for any danger. Nothing to detect.

Coming around the side the wood by the house is neatly stacked, untouched. My throat constricts making it hard to swallow down. Licking my lips they have become suddenly dry.

Trying the front door it is locked as well. Looking around, nothing seems to be out of place. Reaching for my spare key is a habit I'm not used to, it takes time to locate it in my pockets. Stepping in nothing is heard other than my own footfalls. Calling out nothing answers me back.

Where is she?

The lack of activity sends a shiver to grip my heart, fear-driven adrenaline flows out to pump the blood faster through my veins. "Grams? Are you home?" Calling once more but still no answer.

Scanning the kitchen it seems to not have been used since yesterday. The wood stove is cold to the touch when I pass by, she always has that thing going complaining about the cold.

My mouth is becoming dryer, swallowing causes a cough to shake me slightly.

Taking the stairs two at a time the doors are closed. Nothing. No heartbeats heard. No sound. Nothing. Sweat forms its beads on my forehead to run into my eyes.

She wouldn't just leave, would she?

Taking out my phone to call her the chime can be heard coming from downstairs. Following the ringing it is charging on the counter by the stove; completely forgotten.

This feels surreal. Like a bad dream I need to wake up from. Calling out for her again I can't hide the shake to my voice.

Unlocking the backdoor I search the shed and garden. All logic is lost to this singular task. Find her. No fresh tracks indicating of her or anyone else being around. Sniffing the air the subtle undertone of moist leaves and prey blows in the breeze but nothing out of the ordinary.

She wouldn't just leave. I have to keep reminding myself but its starting to become harder and harder to believe that to be true.

Eyes clamp shut when a flashback comes to my inner eye of a small pup crying out for a mother that never came. Two days I roamed that house. Empty.

I feel the moisture running down my cheek as a tear slips past my lids. "Grams!" Yelling it loud to no avail.

I feel the moisture running down my cheek as a tear slips past my lids. "Grams!" Yelling it loud to no avail.

The wolf begins to pound against the barrier of my mind wanting out. My vision blurs with every hit he gives. He wants to search for her himself.

My legs quiver with the need to stay standing. The war over control rages with neither of us giving ground. We almost miss the sound of tires crunching on gravel until the growing sound causes focus to shift to the vehicle coming up the driveway. Headlights peek through the treeline casting its light over me before turning the bend to the front of the cabin.

Sprinting towards the front the former Alpha is helping Grams out of his passenger side. Her eyes crinkle at the edges from the warm smile spread across her lips when she thanks him. He closes the door heading towards the woodshed while she makes her way towards the cabin.

Eyes land on me, "Cage?" She asks. Slow deep breaths are taken in, large steps to close the distance before my arms come up to pull her into me. Pressing my cheek to hers, taking deep breaths through my nose. I feel her hand rubbing my arm while the other pats my back. "Now what has gotten into you? I thought you might apologize to me but grovelling isn't like you." I can feel her smiling against my cheek.

"I couldn't find you." Whispered emotions I struggle to maintain. Finally releasing me she sighs before placing a hand on my shoulder and squeezing.

Barrett is waiting patiently while I rein myself in to address us. Eyes focus back in before nodding my head to him, he nods back. "Since Cage is here I will let him help you while I head home for the evening. Goodnight Valorie, Cage." He doesn't wait for us to answer before leaving.

Grams takes my arm to pull me into her cabin. "Now Sweetheart, tell me what happened." She guides me to the table before busing herself in the kitchen filling the kettle and placing it on the stove. My fingers scratching at the skin causing it to redden."Are you hungry?" She inquires but I shake my head no. She watches me closely before coming over and sitting at the head of the table, placing a hand over mine stopping my fidgeting.

"Cage," she starts but I grip her hand to stop her before she continues.

My tongue feels dry as it sticks to the roof of my mouth. My tongue darts out but it feels like sandpaper across my lips. "I thought you were gone." Telling her.

"I was gone to Lisa and Barrett's home."

"That's not what I mean Grams. The house was empty, cold. Your phone was on the counter." Gesturing towards the phone still resting, charging on the counter. She looks towards it before looking back to me.

"I shouldn't have let it go dead. Im sorry." She apologizes. "Sweetheart, I wouldn't leave you like that. I haven't yet, I won't now." She rubs my arm in an attempt to comfort me but I still feel lost and alone.

"What would I do if you were gone?"

She gives a half-smile. "Honey, you are old enough you don't need me anymore. You have a mate now. Trust that everything will be fine. I know that isn't easy for you but getting upset isn't going to fix anything. I won't be here forever."

I know she is right but it's a hard pill to swallow. My leg begins to shake under the table, the wolf presses along the ridges under the surface of my skin. "I'm not ready for it." Confessing to her my head hung low.

Her hand reaches up to push the hair out of my eyes. "None of us ever are." She points out before the whistling kettle has her rising from her chair to pull it off the heat. We remain silent while she fills our cups. Placing mine in front of me before taking her seat across from me sipping quietly to herself. Watching the swirling liquid as it slows its motion, taking in the smell has my body melting into the seat beneath me.

The mug is hot when I place my finger on it before bringing it to my lips. "I have to go home soon. I have to get up early and pick up Sophia, she needs a ride to work tomorrow." I can feel my eyes beginning to droop from the exhaustion I caused myself.

"And she called you did she? Thats a good start." Grams smiles.

My lips pull themselves up to mirror hers, "Ya, she called me last night after I left here. Told me I needed to come apologize to you as well because apparently, I'm an ass." A chuckle presses its way up my throat. The girl has a way of making me smile even when she isn't here.

Grams's teeth point out past her lips "Good. I'm glad she understands how you are already." She hums before taking my empty mug and place it in the sink. "Go home and get some sleep Sweetheart, I will see you when you get back tomorrow." Pressing my cheek to hers I linger for longer. She steps back before sauntering over to the sink to rinse the dishes.

Stepping outside the air feels chilly sending a shiver to run through me. Stuffing my hands in my pocket I feel a slight vibration coming from my cell. Taking it out the screen is lit up with Sophia's name flashing across the screen. Shit, I should have called her back or sent a text.

"Sophia I am so sorry. I got preoccupied with my Grandma. I wasn't ignoring you intentionally.′ Scratching the nape of my neck I feel the embarrassing heat like a scolded child.

"Wow, Hotshot I never pegged you for one of those guys." She giggles.

"What kind of guys do you mean?"

"The kind to kiss ass and beg like a bitch." She bursts into laughter, " I thought you were above that."

I feel a tick in my jaw forcing a yawn to stretch the muscles out. "I'm not a kiss-ass or a bitch. I just had a bit of bad evening."

There is a pause over the phone before Sophia finally responds. "I'm sorry, do you need me to let you go?" Her voice is timid, not something I'm accustomed to with her. "I just called to bug you mostly, when you didn't respond to my last text I got a bit worried. I don't mean to bother you if you aren't in the mood."

Pinching the bridge of my nose I need a release from these emotions. Blowing out a breath slow "No, it's fine. I'm just an idiot that's all. I couldn't find Grams earlier and I kind of freaked out instead of making some calls. It was stupid and childish."

She sighs "doesn't sound stupid Cage. Is she okay?" Inquiring to how Grams is comforting.

"She's good, just out visiting people apparently." It is hard to think I haven't noticed this before. Am I that distracted? "Anyways," needing a change in subjects, "you said mostly earlier, what's up? I'm on my way home so I can get some sleep. Need my help with anything?" A grin is starting to grow with the thoughts coming to my mind. Her laugh chimes through the receiver.

"Keep dreaming. No. Actually, my car is gonna be ready tomorrow after work. Any way I can convince you to bring me to get it?" I can hear the slightest intake of breath while she waits for my answer.

Taking my time before responding; Make her wait on it just a little longer. "Oh, I know a few good ways you could convince me."

"You are such a pervert ya know that."She scoffs.

"I don't know what you're talking about, all I said is I know a few ways, you're mind went there. Gutter minded are we? Honestly, Sophia, I thought you were a respectable lady."

She must have pulled the phone away from her face because her voice is muffled as I hear her burst into laughter. It takes her a few seconds to breath before she comes back. "You ain't right my friend. Seriously though can you? My uncle can't bring me until Thursday and Wayne leaves for work before my shift ends. I rather not have to wait."

I want to tell her no so I can continue to pick her up in the mornings. Must not be greedy. "I guess I can. So needy. Not a good quality to have you know?" Exhaling loud.

"Pfft, whatever. Thank you. I'll see you in the morning. Will you want coffee?"

"Ya sure, black please and you are welcome. Goodnight Soph." Ending the call and heading straight to bed. Early rise with My little Spitfire.

Heading out of the territory and off to her house the urge to rush grows within me. The wolf pressing me faster. I have to remind myself to not speed, animals are becoming active with the season and I don't need to hit anything. I'll be there soon.

Before I know it I'm on her porch knocking. Stuffing my hands in my pockets I'm feeling suddenly nervous. Wayne has been the buffer between us this entire time, now I feel lost for words. A need to check my reflection for anything out of place. My wolf, however, is bursting at the seams, no nervousness for him. He feels he has already impressed her. Arrogant.

"It's open," Sophia calls me in. Opening the door to her home it is like her clinic, organized; a place for everything and everything in its place. I notice she's a minimalist when it comes to decor there isn't much to see. No throw pillows on the couch or needless decorations covering the tables. Most things on her walls seem to be in the stairwell and hall upstairs, a few furs and racks of various varieties, some pictures in homemade frames of twigs and string, beautifully crafted to match the woodsy look.

"In here," her voice drifts in from the kitchen. Entering the small area she is at the counter filling two canisters from her coffee pot. Popping the lids on before turning my way holding one out for me to take.

"Ready to go?" I ask before sipping the dark liquid before I can say something stupid. Its warmth pleasurably burns on the way down.

"Almost." Smiling before heading to the living room. "Goodbye." She yells out through the house. It isn't long after she is answered by pounding paws and clicking of nails on the hardwood floors. Two cats make their way to her first before the black dog comes down and spots me, snarling.

Shit. He remembers my smell.

Reaching down Sophia picks up the large orange cat that stands with outstretched paws before turning to scold the dog. "Keno! No. Go on now, back to bed." She is stern, looking straight at him while his brown eyes dart back and forth between us before landing back at me and lifting his lip. I push my dominance out for him to back off but she already has the cat put down, moving towards him. He tucks tail and whines while climbing the stairs. Not daring to look back. "I'm sorry, he isn't normally that aggressive without a reason." She is baffled by his behaviour. I'm not. The cats have already run off to get away from me when I pushed the wolf forward.

"Don't worry about it, I'm a stranger to him. Come on before we are late." Dismissing the notion completely in hopes she will forget about it.

Humming in agreement she heads out the door and I grab her forgotten mug off the coffee table. Passing it to her when we are in the truck. "Thank you so much I always manage to forget something." She expresses. Sipping it down with a small moan and sigh.

My pants are already starting to feel constricted. I thought it was going to be difficult with just her scent but if she keeps that up we may not make it to work. Turning the key and flipping through music to try and distract myself. She reaches for my arm excitedly. The spark it creates shoots through me and I almost moan myself. She doesn't seem to notice, telling me to go back. Its something rock sounding but she seems to know the words so I leave it on.

Starting off down the road I can't help but steal a glimpse of her out of the corner of my eye. She is running her fingers across her palm and up her other fingers before balling it into a tight fist just to release it. Her eyes scan over her hand in an examination at the unknown sensation. Guess it was felt.

Turning her head she quietly sings to the window as she watched the landscape pass by. Her voice is beautiful, naturally talented. "You're good at that." Glancing her way I can't help but smile. Her Nose scrunches up while her eyes search mine for my meaning. The confusion on her face makes my smile grow. Adorable.

"Your singing." Chuckling at her.

"Oh," she looks away with a heat to her face. "Thanks, didn't think you could hear. There is better than me out there though." She states with a puff of air out. Humble.

"Doesn't mean you aren't talented," I tell her.

She looks back at me with a smirk "flattery will get you nowhere Hotshot. But thank you."

Singing the whole way I join with the few songs I know. She no longer tries to hide it. Laughing and belting out to the ones that seems to really enjoy. Watching her the music seems to come straight from her soul. Weaving through the air to wrap its rhythm around you, pulling you closer. I could shut my eyes and see the joy she is pressing out.

Parking the truck in an empty space near the side we exit the vehicle, heading to the gate that's already been opened. Upon entering, I can see why it has been opened earlier than usual. Brenda is taking paperwork from an elegantly gloved hand. Tall suede boots, designer jeans, and an expensive jacket are worn by the volunteer. Brown tresses curled to perfection cascading down her back; they bounce when she turns our way.

Kirsten.