"Howling Hearts: When Hunters Love the Beast"

x – Undern

d through the trees. Dew clung to the grass like morning stars, and the air carried a rare st

eone nearly dropped their cereal into the campfire. No one talked about the scream from the day before. Or the thing Rhe

ing at a croissant and pretending not to notice V

he no

one n

ching, talking in hushed tones. But there was a certain gravity

" Elias said as he dropped down bes

though the words came a little too

. "Observant with a

lf and nudged his shoulde

t a sixth sense for w

_____________

g, Aiden glanced s

ice low, "you're

e leather-bound book resting in her la

ing

"Dreams. Feelings I can't quite explain

ded. "Yea

the way the light played across her face. There was something grounding about her. She didn't ask f

e said suddenly. "But lately... it

"That's the nicest thing

I mea

to keep from smiling too much. "We should wa

st and offer

_____________

nd Elias had wande

blue and still, framed by the gold-tinged l

do after this trip?" Elias asked,

lat rock and pulling her knees to her chest. "I have plans. Stud

. "And you think bei

now. "Being here makes me feel... different.

answer r

er, and for once,

brought us here fo

ace him. "You b

choices. And I'm choosing to stay

heart skip.

_____________

the freedom to wander, rest, or explore within the bounds of the main clearing. It was their

g something in his notebook. He didn't see her

u d

tly. "God, warn

That's good. I

not you you. Jus

row, amused. "I look

tic li

e beside him and let the s

act all goofy, but you're n

grinned.

you're afraid that if you stop joki

Something in his e

anyone who made me want

into something quiete

you jus

_____________

r washed the forest in amber light, Aid

t say much

hed a leaf from her ha

his shoulder just slightly

't go u

ally b

turn. She didn't feel bitter. Not exactly. But she did f

asn't a ligh

was a s

ice-and she still

_____________

in. But the tales were lighter now-funny, warm, full of fri

red blankets, and stol

at the edge of the forest

ow, that