She woke up next to a lake in middle of a forest.
The air smelled like pine and wet earth and something she couldn't name but felt in her chest like a homecoming. None of it was real. She knew that somewhere in her soul, the way you know you're dreaming before you wake up.
A black wolf's gold eyes locked onto her with an intensity that didn't belong to an animal. The recognition was instant. Mutual.
"D-d-dex?"
The wolf bolted towards her, shifting right before reaching her. He pulled her into his arms and she wrapped her legs around him.
A sob escaped her before she could stop it. "I missed you, Dex."
He buried his face in her neck, breathing her in like he'd been suffocating without it. "Fuck. I miss you so goddamn much." His voice cracked on the last word.
His arms were shaking. Dex Drakenfell, who had never shaken in his life, was trembling against her.
