Chapter 5 - Aurelia

As we walked back to camp, May was muttering under her breath. I couldn’t make out exactly what she said, but I did catch her saying his name… Logan. I found myself smiling just thinking about him.

I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone like him. He just has this… this presence. He exudes a level of confidence, respect, and danger that makes me tingle all over.

I want to know more about him. “Well,” May demanded, hands on her hips stopping just before we reached my group’s cabin. “Well, what?" I asked, blinking in confusion. Had she asked me a question?

“Ugh, you are such a space cadet. No wonder you were dumb enough to go into the forest alone when dangerous animals like that wolf and hunters. And barefoot to boot,” she rolled her eyes while I narrowed mine.

“Anyone ever told you that you’re a bitch?" I questioned, glaring at her. “Watch your mouth,” May snapped, poking me in the shoulder. I growled, like actually growled. What the fuck? I blinked as we both took a step back from each other at the sound. I’ve never growled before. I mean, I’ve made angry sounds. Who hasn’t? But that growl sounded animalistic.

“Was… was that you?" she stammered. ‘Quick. Think of something to say. She can’t know.’ a voice in the far reaches of my mind said. “No… maybe... it was..,” I shook my head and glanced at the tree line. May followed my gaze and took steps further from the forest. “We should get inside,” she said. 

Whatever she’d wanted from me was forgotten in fear of some imaginary wolf. I closed my mouth, deciding not to ask what she’d wanted. It didn’t matter. I just nodded and followed her into the cabin and went straight to my bunk. My mind was reeling from everything.

The wolf I first saw lurking at the edge of the forest with the red eyes, the mangled body of the wolf, those hunters killed. Then there’s this strange gravitational pull I have felt since I laid eyes on Logan, not to mention that growl and voice in my head. What was wrong with me?

I was back in the clearing, but all signs of the dead wolf were gone. I looked around; it was strange. I didn’t hear or see any other animals. It was just me. I turned my eyes up just as the moon positioned directly above me.

It wasn’t the same as the last time I was here. The moon is full tonight. I closed my eyes, basking in the light of the moon, feeling a power growing deep inside me. 

My eyes shot open as I heard the sound of twigs breaking. Looking around again, my eyes fell on a wolf standing directly across from me. This wasn’t the same wolf I had seen before. No, this wolf’s fur was red, it was the same shade of red as my hair, and its eyes were the same green as mine.

“Beautiful…" I whispered in awe. “Thank you, Aurelia,” a voice spoke. I furrowed my brow looking around, but I saw no one. Did the voice come from the wolf? “You’re catching on. That’s good. We don’t have much time,” the wolf spoke.

“What do you mean? How are you even able to talk? Wait, this is a dream,” I shook my head, trying to rationalize what was happening.

“Something like that. You’ll understand everything soon. When the moon is full, everything will be revealed. Find the red-eyed wolf. You’ll need him. We both will,” she said. “Wait, who are you? What do you mean we’ll need that red-eyed wolf?" I questioned. But she met me with silence.

“Aurelia!?" a voice called out, and I felt someone shaking me. I groaned, opening my eyes. I was back in my bunk. “It was just a dream,” I muttered to myself as I sat up. Elyse is looking at me, worried. “Aurelia, are you alright?" she asked.

“Yeah. Why?" I questioned, throwing back my blanket to get up. “Well, I’ve been trying to wake you up for over an hour. If you don’t hurry, there won’t be any breakfast left at the dining hall,” she answered, stepping away to let me get up.

“Oh, sorry about that. Usually, I’m up at dawn. The joys of growing up on a ranch,” I sighed, slipping my feet into my shoes. “I’ll meet you at the dining hall. I want to grab a quick shower,” I said, getting a change of clothes and my shower supplies.

“Okay, just don’t take too long,” Elyse nodded as we left the cabin. She headed to the right for the dining hall while I went left to the girls’ bathroom. I let the dream replay as I showered, trying to make any sense of it. 

I chalked it up to everything that happened. Seeing that wolf with strange eyes and then finding that dead wolf. It’s the only thing I could think of.

I’m not known for dreams like this. Hell, I generally don’t even remember my dreams when I wake up. Once I was dressed, I brushed my teeth and brushed my hair into a high ponytail.

My mind was still on that red wolf in my dream as I left the bathrooms. “Ugh..,” I grunted as I ran into something and found myself stumbling back, landing on my ass. “What the…" I started to question, getting angry. But the words stopped as I looked up and saw Logan.

He had changed his clothes, still wearing the same work boots but now wearing a black, gray, and white short sleeve flannel work shirt with the top three buttons left undone where I spotted thick chest hair the same color as his facial hair.

“You alright, pup?" he asked, leaning a ladder against the building before offering me his hand. Pup? I cock my head to the side, finding it an odd thing to say.

My eyes continued to travel down his body. I wondered if that hint of chest hair was a sign of how hairy this man is. He’s like a literal wolfman. That thought made me laugh a little.

“Something amusing? By the way, my face is up here,” he teased. I fought the blush and looked up, making eye contact. “Yes. I was thinking, given how hairy you seem to be, you're like a wolfman,” I explained. He laughed, it was brief, but it was a laugh. 

“You can call me that if you like. Now come on. Up,” Logan said, taking my hand and yanking me to my feet. I yelped at the sparks I felt surging through my skin from where he touched me.

Logan didn’t seem surprised by the sparks when I looked at him. But he certainly felt them. “You alright?" he asked. “Um yeah, my ass is big enough it can take a little pain,” I answered, trying to make light of the fact I fell. 

His eyes glanced down, and I could feel myself starting to blush as I realized he was looking at my ass. “Well, it’s good to know it can take some pain. But I meant more about how you were doing after last night, finding that wolf,” he explained, looking back at my face.

“Oh. Um yeah, I’m okay. I feel so terrible for the wolf. I hope it didn’t have pups. No one should be without their parent, worse if it were a female,” I frowned. He nodded a little, those unique blue eyes looking at me as if he could see into my soul. 

“He was a male. I saw his pack while I was laying him to rest. I can’t say for sure if the pups in the group were his. But I’m sure Rowan informed the park rangers so they can be more vigilant,” he assured, somber.

“I hope so. Hunting for sport like that, hunting a creature that only recently was taken off the endangered species list… it’s appalling,” I said, trying to control my anger.

“I fully agree. But given how close that was to the camp, I’m setting up security cameras. Wouldn’t want those poachers getting too close to camp and someone getting hurt or an injured animal getting close and scaring campers,” he said, nodding his head to the ladder.

“That’s very… vigilant of you. And thoughtful. But on the girls’ bathroom?" I raised my eyebrow at the box of cameras he had. “On the back facing the tree line. Got no interest in seeing anyone around here naked,” he commented. Yet the way he looked at me, I felt like I was the exception to that.

“Good to know you aren’t some perv, Jimmy,” Darien startled me as he walked up next to us. “Now, how about you take your hands off the underage camper,” he added with a sneer. 

I blinked, realizing we were still holding hands. Reluctantly I let Logan’s hand go, and he was equally reluctant based on how long it took for him to let go. His eyes cut to Darien, and I swore I heard him growl. “Call me that name again, boy, and I’ll crush your voice box,” Logan threatened.

And based on his tone, he meant it. Darien visibly gulped and looked like he was about to either piss or shit himself, maybe both. Logan’s tone, however, had a different effect on me. I found it hot as hell. 

“Darien, do you have a reason for lurking around the girls’ bathroom?" I questioned. “I was looking for you. Elyse said, you came here,” he answered like that made sense. And in a way, it did, but why didn’t one of the girl counselors come looking for me. “So come on,” he said, grabbing my hand.

“Still creepy. For future reference. Don’t ever come looking for me. You aren’t my counselor, and you give me the creeps,” I wrinkled my nose, pulling my arm away.

“And never touch me. You touch me again, and I will castrate you,” I warned with a growl before pushing past Darien. “It was nice seeing you again, Logan,” I said, glancing back before hurrying to the dining hall.