Breaking the Bond that Binds.

Chapter 29 - Truce

"I thought I told you that it's not safe for you out here." Paul stopped in front of me. He must be incredibly fit because he was running at a good pace and he was barely breathing hard, only a little sweat on his forehead and neck gave away his body had been working hard.

"I had to get out. I've been locked away for days." The place was dead, just like I remembered it. I'd only spotted a few people on the street and no one was on the path. It was still the boring armpit of the world. "My wolf is dying for a run."

"Follow me." Paul started jogging towards the bridge. I followed, he sped up and it was fun trying to keep up. I loved the feel of the light rain on my face and I wished my wolf could run free. Paul was the only good thing about coming back here. He was as stiff as a board but you could see he was a good person. We crossed the bridge and headed along the main path through the parkland. There were sparsely placed lights on the path giving off a feeble glow. He ran, then turned off onto a rough track that lead to thicker bushland. There were mounds built along the way and I realised it was probably used by dirt track bikers. Eventually, we stopped. We were in almost total darkness, well for humans anyway.

"Does your wolf want to go for a run." Paul smiled. His wolf instantly leapt out and rolled happily in the dry leaves. My wolf growled joined in, letting out small howls or joy. I can't describe the excitement I felt letting my wolf free to run and even better he had someone to play with. Even when I lived with my family we never ran or played together in our wolf form. I was in heaven, in fact, I can honestly say, I know coming from me this is extreme but, it was better than sex. My wolf leapt out and jumped straight on to Paul who was pawing at the ground, his tail wagging and daring me to catch him. He bolted into the brush. I followed leaping over logs and through bushes to catch him. He was always just ahead, he was so fast. My wolf's eyes were blazing red. He had never been so free and so happy. I could feel every muscle in his body humming and the power of each stride as he pushed himself harder to catch Paul, it was exhilarating.

Paul went in all directions, occasionally looking back. His teeth flashing and his tongue darting out to catch the rain as it fell on us. We ran, dodging and ramming each other as we crossed paths for a full hour until we both slowed down to rest. We stopped in a clearing where a huge tree had fallen. A nice warm dry hollow had formed in it's belly. We shook off the rain from our thick fur. Paul was a deep brown wolf with amber eyes. He was huge. We sniffed at each other and then curled up together under the tree truck, noses buried in each others fur to rest and enjoy the warmth. Our heavy breathing sent up puffs of dust until we both settled down and only our sleepy low growls could be heard.

....

I could have stayed there all night but Paul's wolf got out and stretched, shaking it's huge head and body. Next minute he went back to Paul.

"It's time to go back." He looked down at me still curled up in my wolf form, my red eyes pleaded for a little longer. "We have to head back." And he started making his way back to the track. Grudgingly, I followed in my wolf form for as long as I could. Close to the main path my wolf came back to me. We jogged slowly back to the flat. I was euphoric. My body felt the best it had felt in ages, brimming with energy and life. For the first time, I understood the true bliss of being a Lycan. What had just happened was the human equivalent of having sex all night and coming multiple times. We didn't speak all the way back. There was no clue what Paul was thinking. I was happy enough for both of us. We must have looked a bit suspicious though, we were both covered in dirt, bits of twig and leaves from our hair down to our runners. We looked like we'd been rolling around in dirt and we had. I couldn't help but smile. I let out a wof woooof!! Paul looked at me, the tiniest smile possible made it to the corners of his mouth...he got how I felt.

.....

I opened the door to the flat and found the lights on. I could have sworn I turned them off but as I looked up I saw Damien sitting at the dining room table with an open bottle of champagne and glass in front of him. Paul ran into the back of me when I stopped suddenly. He stared. I stared.

"We've just been for a run." I pulled a bottle of water from the fridge for Paul and me. "Best run ever." I punched Paul in the arm. I was still on a high and couldn't stop smiling. He still hadn't uttered a word. "Wolf got your tongue." I thought it was funny anyway.

"Running? You both look like you were rolling around in the dirt." Damien's voice was like ice, cutting shreds of us both.

"Then we let our wolves run. I had an absolute ball." Just thinking about it made me grin like an idiot. "That was the fucking best, thanks Paul."   I gave him a quick hug, pulled a bit of leaf out of his hair and finished off my water.  I fell into one of the dining room chairs utter pleased with myself.

"I better be off. I came to say goodbye. Your plane tickets are in your back pack." Paul finally spoke. Damn, I think I'm going to miss the walking talking buff mannequin. I jumped up and went in for a second hug but he put out his hand instead. It really wasn't good enough but I took both of them in mine. "Thanks for every thing. Keep in touch mate." I looked him in the eye. "I want to go for another run. I've never been so happy." Maybe his mouth twitched, but I couldn't really tell and then he was gone. It kind of took the wind out of my sails a bit.

I dropped into one of the dining room chairs and looked at Damien.  "Are you here to say goodbye too?" It felt like Damien and I were in the middle of a staring match.  His face was  scarily vacant.

"To say goodbye and I thought we could have a celebratory drink." Damien filled my glass. It was a strange thing to celebrate but I could see it from his point of view.  I assumed for him it meant that he was now in a position to find a mate and solidified his role as Alpha. His father would have to take a step back and let him rule the pack without interference. More importantly he must be relieved that my life and the intense feelings that came with the visions, aren't barging in to his any longer. He felt nothing for me now, no longer carried the heavier portion of burden of our twisted bond. As for me, I can sit at the same table with him and there's no threat of pain taking me out.  

We'd come a long way from the first time we set eyes on each other on his 18th birthday. It seemed a million years ago and I was a very different person.