Howl for Me
Shifter Saga Book 3
Published by Olivia Hale
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Copyright 2012 Olivia Hale
Disclaimer: This story is a work of fiction and is intended for mature audiences only. All characters are 18 years of age or older.
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It was that time of year. The time of year when the chill of winter slowly gave way to the warmth and life spring brought. Corbin strode down the path from his cottage to the market, a bounce in his step as he watched his village slowly transform. The annual wolf mating ceremony was his favorite of his clan’s traditions, though he would never admit it to his friends. During this time it was like a new life had been breathed into the residents of his village. Wolves, young and old alike had a new energy, a certain glow in their cheeks.
Corbin whistled happily as he padded down the dirt path, waving at neighbors decorating their houses in flowers and banners. He grinned as he passed a young couple walking hand in hand, whispering and giggling in each other’s ears. Though he had yet to find a mate for himself, he loved seeing his friends happy. Corbin smiled as he saw a large black wolf coming towards him on the trail.
“Hey Liam!” he called, nodding at the wolf. Liam panted happily and wagged his tail as he passed Corbin. Corbin was happy for his friend. While it was accustomed for wolves to mate with their own kind, Liam had chosen a different mate- a young stag named Riley. The news had made waves in his village when it first broke, but now the wolves had begun to see Riley as one of their own. The two were to be officially pronounced before the elders this coming ceremony. Corbin had taken a liking to Riley right away. He was hard not to like with his infectious laugh and pleasant personality. And Corbin had to admit he wasn’t half-bad looking either.
Corbin, however, had his eyes on another. As he walked into the bustling market, Corbin’s eyes roamed the crowd, searching for his object of desire. There, standing behind a stall loaded with brightly colored flowers was Holden. Blonde-haired and blue-eyed Holden, the wolf Corbin had known for almost all of his nineteen years. Corbin smiled to himself, and made his way through the crowd to Holden’s flower stand. Holden grinned as he saw his best friend approaching.
“Hello,” Corbin greeted shyly.
“Hey Corby!” Holden replied brightly. Corbin blushed at the way Holden used his childhood nickname. He was the only one in the whole village who still called Corbin that, and the wolf boy found it oddly endearing.
“How are sales going?” Corbin asked, trying to ignore the way his pulse raced at just being near Holden.