Chapter 0272

“You’ve outdone yourself again,” Viona said, appearing at my elbow with a clipboard. She’d remained my assistant lately, even after finding a new temporary living situation, and I was grateful for her presence. “This place looks amazing.”

I smiled, glancing around at the decorations and layout. “Thanks. I just hope everything goes smoothly.”

“With you in charge? How could it not?” Viona nudged me playfully. “Seriously, Hannah. You should be proud.”

My eyes swept the clearing before landing on Noah, standing across the way. My stomach tightened at the sight of him; the wind tousling his hair made my knees weak. Today, my wolf was particularly restless, anticipating a good run through the forest, making it even harder to ignore my attraction to him.

A little while later, as the opening ceremony began, Noah and I stepped onto the stage. The crowd fell silent, all eyes on us. For a moment, I was acutely aware of our proximity, the heat from his body radiating toward me like a miniature sun.

Noah cleared his throat and began his annual speech. “Welcome, everyone, to our annual Summer Hunt. This tradition has been a part of our pack for generations, bringing us together in celebration of our true nature…”

As he spoke, my eyes scanned the crowd. So many familiar faces, all looking up at us with expectation and excitement. My gaze landed on Zoe, near the front. Her expression was unreadable, but I saw her eyes flicking between Noah and me. No doubt she wondered why we were still together, calculating when she could swoop in. “…and now, let the hunt begin!” Noah concluded, his voice pulling me back to the present.

A cheer erupted from the crowd. Noah turned to me, his eyes surprisingly intense—his wolf seemed equally restless. “Ready?” he asked quietly.

I nodded, though uncertainty gnawed at me. I hadn’t shifted in so long. What if I couldn’t do it? The embarrassment was a daunting prospect.

Noah began to shift beside me, his body contorting and changing. In moments, a magnificent silver wolf stood where he had been. My breath caught in my throat. He was beautiful, powerful, everything an Alpha should be.

My wolf stirred, excited by the proximity of her mate. The urge to shift, to run alongside him, was overwhelming. Before I knew it, I was shifting too, the change easier than I’d expected. As I settled into my wolf form, I heard gasps from the crowd. Confused, I looked down. My fur, usually a plain chestnut brown, gleamed in the sunlight; it looked healthier, almost sparkling.

I glanced at Noah, finding him staring at me. His wolf eyes were wide with what seemed like admiration. He nodded toward the forest, silently urging me to take the first step.

With my heart pounding, I took a tentative step forward. The wind rustled through my fur, bringing with it a symphony of scents—earth, leaves…prey. My wolf reveled in the sensations.

For a moment, I stood there, feeling the wind in my fur and the sounds of the forest rushing through my keen ears. Then, up ahead, I saw movement: the sacrificial doe, perking her head up a hundred yards into the forest. Her eyes locked with mine, her pupils dilating, and time seemed to stand still. Then, she ran. I ran too, faster than I ever had.