Mine

Chapter 1

The stars had never shined so bright. Each speckle glistened like perfect little diamonds amongst the vast inky backdrop above the balcony where the lone figure stood. His shoulders were perfectly square and underneath the luxurious fabric of his suit, I had every inch of skin and muscle memorised. Strong arms, primed with youth - tanned skin from the constant work outdoors and that small line of hair that ran from under his navel to below his pants. Perfection.

I could feel his agitation and getting closer, he sensed me - just as aware of me as I was him. He didn't move as I came up beside him, resting my head on his back I longed to shed off his layers of clothing so all I would be touching is his warm skin. Looping my arms around his waist he finally relaxed before taking my hands in his own and pulling me around to stand in front of him. I felt so small, so vulnerable and unworthy in the company of the most perfect male specimen I had ever come across.

"You are a vision." He whispers into my ear and closing my eyes I shiver with need. "The most beautiful she-wolf I have ever seen."

I swoon, leaning against him and just enjoy being held.

"Shall we dance?" It's not really a question and with the band playing softly from inside, we move around in perfect sync as if we had rehearsed it a hundred times or more.

"Oh Nate, tell me I'm yours!" I beg as he carefully cradles me in his arm, arching me down in the finale move of our routine. Bringing me back up to face him, he smiles causing my heart to bloom with love and hope.

"You are mine and I am yours, it's how it's always meant to be, mate."

I part my lips, anxious for his kiss as he lowers his face towards mine.

This is it.

Beep! Beep! Beep!

After slamming my hand down on the old windup alarm clock, I rub my face and groan. Just five more minutes...

Getting up, I stretch and shaking my head I try to leave my dreams where they belong. Just like the feelings that haunt me from that imaginary place I seem to take myself to each night. Kissing Nate, let alone having him say any of the stuff he does in my dreams is never going to happen.

Just like getting five minutes of snooze time in.

Pulling on my boots I pray it hasn't been raining overnight thanks to the new hole in the toe and quickly chuck my hair up in something that resembles a ponytail. Kissing my fingers, I plant the kiss on my parents photo that sits beside my bed and leave the ex-tack turned my bedroom behind. The barn is freezing this time of morning and rubbing my hands together in the arms of my sweater, I am actually looking forward to going into the main house for five minutes of warmth the heating in there offers.

In a perfect world I'd be living in a house. I'd also have heating available. Best friends last forever and not just until times get tough. Then there is the ultimate perfect world perk - parents don't die. In a perfect world for a wolf shifter, pack is the one aspect of life you're able to rely upon. You may not all be related, but you are united. You work together; look out for one another.

I don't live in a perfect world. I used to, until my parents died. These days I only get to see it, walk amongst it and surround myself with it. Every day. I don't get to experience it though, no I just watch from the outside. Alone.

Well, maybe not completely alone.

Opening the back door as quietly as I can, I freeze as someone is already in the kitchen. The coffee machine is on and so is the oven, yet I relax now I've sensed who it actually is. Nate's familiar form is the closest thing I have to a friend. Probably explains my soft and mushy feelings towards him in my dreams. He smiles as he sees me, the kind of smile that every girl wishes a guy would send her way and memories of my fantasy hit me hard. It is ruined though as the familiar shadow of pity behind his hazel eyes gets my attention instead. Distracting myself, I think of the breakfast I need to put on over the thought of what those lips would actually feel like on mine.