Chapter 1

• My heart is pounding in my chest. It's as though each of my limbs are at war, because I am forcing them to run away from him. My entire body is trembling and I have to use everything in me to move forwards. My wolf is howling in anger, battering against my control. She doesn't understand why I am running away… and she disagrees wholeheartedly. It takes every shred of self-discipline and strength to hold her at bay.
• My fingers become numb as I touch the final door handle and for a moment I'm actually unable to open the door. Cold fear spreads down my spine as I wonder if my body will rebel and simply wait for him to find me. Relief washes over me as the door gives way. Fresh air filling my lungs. The oxygen acting as a soothing balm to my racing heart, but I know I can't stop. A dull pain has begun to grow in my lower belly, causing me to double over as nausea spreads through my stomach. Breathing heavily through my nose, I press on, the pain growing with each step I take away from him. I shudder, unsure of what consequences this might bring, but I press on. I feel for the keys in my jacket and sprint towards my car. Behind me I can hear heavy footsteps beating against the ground.
• "BELLA!" His usual calm-as-ice voice is frantic. A spurt of energy spreads through my limbs at the sound of the anger in his voice.
• "Shit!" I whisper as I jerk the door of my truck open, wincing at the screech it makes. I don't dare look back, knowing that if I see him, it will be game over. My body will never allow me to leave. With trembling fingers I push the key into the ignition, press down on the gas pedal and fly out of the parking lot. Away from him. My mate. My other half.
• "Bella?"
• I jerk awake, my heart still racing in my chest. Sweat collecting at my brow.
• "Steady, it was just a dream, Bells."
• My father's rough hand awkwardly pats my knee, while he alternates between turning his concerned eyes from me to the road and back. I close my eyes tightly, the dream already fading. My wolf is pacing back and forth within me, alert, but confused as to what has caused such a strong reaction within me. We never share dreams, but she's always quick to react to my emotions. I force a deep breath in through my nose and out through my mouth.
• "It was just a dream." I whisper over and over until I can feel the tension release from my body and the dream disappear from my memory.
• "I'm OK," I say calmly, before opening my eyes.
• They instantly widen in surprise. The landscape around me is breathtaking. I must have slept for a long time. My new surroundings a far cry from the painfully dry land of Mesa, Arizona. The place that had been my home for all of my life. Up until now.
• Around me there are towering trees as far as the eye could see, majestic mountains stretching towards the sky and a rapid moving river beside the small road we were on.
• I close my eyes, wanting to connect with nature's loving presence. Quickly whispering the familiar spell, I reach out with my mind to greet this rich and lush piece of land. A giggle growing within me as I feel its joy. I can feel the wind dancing through the leaves, the cool water flowing in the river, the warmth of the sun. So much life.
• "Dad, this place is beautiful!" I whisper, keeping my eyes closed as I explore the connection to this new place that will soon become my new home.
• My wolf barks in excitement, begging for a good run. A sense of elation and deep belonging spreads through my entire body. Finally, a place where we can run without fear of being caught.
• Before releasing myself from the spell, I send the land a loving "Thank you", allowing myself to feel its soft caress, before releasing it from my mind. Never have I been able to connect with a land so quickly and intensely before. I can't wait to see what it will be like when I am able to physically touch it. Run my fingers through the dirt, touch the rough bark of the trees...
• A gruff laugh can be heard from my father's direction.
• "Guess you like it here, huh?"
• "Why did you ever move?" I ask unthinkingly. Immediately wishing I could take it back as I see the sadness grow in my father's eyes. His mouth turning grim.
• "It's a long story, kiddo."Would you like to listen.