Chapter Two

BAILEY

I think that I might have to stop reading fantasy novels, or maybe just lay off the werewolf romances because for the last week I have done nothing but dream of wolves and it’s killing my sleep. Even more annoying, I think they’re getting slightly worse every night. I go to bed dreading what type of sleep I’ll get.

The dreams will vary. The first night I dreamt of the dark wolf that was watching me from the forest, but last night I was running with him and what’s even weirder is that I think I might have been a wolf too. We were racing side by side and it was thrilling but when I wake up, I’m left sweaty and red faced. As if I have physically been running as the wolf.

This week I have been settling into my new home and exploring the area. Mostly, I’ve been sitting in my garden, wrapped in a blanket with a hot drink and a good book. I don’t think it can get much better, other than starting work, which is today.

People seem to hate me when I say that I love my job and that it doesn’t feel like work to me. Being a Vet feels good to me and I never get bored. If I wasn’t so excited for my first day at Rosa’s Clinic, I think my lack of sleep would be getting to me this morning. I’m trying not to worry about it too much as I’m sure the dreams will fade away eventually. Sooner rather than later I’m hoping because it’s the only bad thing I’ve experienced since moving here.

I cling to my hot travel coffee cup as I walk out to my car. It’s a very cool morning. I wrap my coat around me because I do not want to spill anything down my brand-new pink uniform. I look like I belong in a child’s doll collection and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

I wait inside my car for a few minutes, waiting for it to heat up whilst enjoying my morning coffee when something catches my eye. I look to the side and see a wolf and if I wasn’t mistaken, it looks like the same wolf I’ve been seeing everywhere. In my dreams and following me around town. I don’t know if I should be afraid or comforted that this animal seems to be watching over me. My instincts are telling me that I’m okay, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to get out the safety of my car and walk up to thing. You know, because it’s a wolf!

Shaking off the odd feeling towards the animal, I begin my short drive to work. When it’s the warmer months, I think I might walk and enjoy the gorgeous views however not today. It’s freezing out there.

When I get to the clinic and step outside, I’m slapped in the face by the cold temperature. I walk very quickly from my car and towards the warmth.

“Here she is!” Cheers Rosa as soon as I step inside.

The three of them, Rosa, Clara and Steph are sitting on one of the sofas in the reception area. Three sets of eyes putting me in the spotlight.

“Am I late?” I panic, looking up at the clock.

Clara laughs. “Rosa wanted us all here before you.”

“So that we can watch you like this, and it not be creepy at all.” Steph adds with a smirk.

Rosa rolls her eyes playfully. “Oh stop it you two, it’s Bailey’s first day!” They all walk over and we exchange our good mornings before Rosa leads me over to the reception desk. “Bailey, you didn’t get to meet Sara before.” Rosa gestures to the timid brunette woman behind the desk. She’s really pretty and clearly very shy. “She’s our receptionist Monday to Friday.”

“Tilly only works every other Saturday.” Steph adds because of course, she’ll be in school.

I lock my belongings away in the staffroom locker before entering my clinic room.

“So, you have everything you need in your room now, including all your tools and your laptop.” I dropped by last week to learn the software that Rosa uses for her work data and I’m pleased it’s easier than my last job. “I’ll keep checking in on you but if you need anything, I’m only in the next room.”

Rosa has only given me small jobs to do this week to get me settled in. I’m fully capable to handle the bigger treatments but I appreciate her giving me the time. It is a brand-new space for me. I don’t want to fall flat on my face and embarrass myself.

I can’t wait to build up my own clientele and relationships with the animals and their owners.

“You can always drop by our rooms?” Steph adds as we begin to separate into our own workspaces.

“Of course!” Clara nods. “You’re welcome to pop in and join in on my appointments.”

“Thank you.” I smile, happy that everyone is being nice. There’s nothing worse than not getting along with your co-workers.

I disappear into my room as the clinic opens and my first day officially begins. I’m able to finish my coffee and make sure that I’m logged onto the system to check out my appointments for the day before my very first appointment.

It’s a fury ginger cat that has arrived with simple ingrown nails. Not too much to handle, just a fussy and sensitive approach as the cat is obviously nervous. Not a lot of animals enjoy coming to the vet. It’s just like how I don’t like going to the dentist.

“Are you liking your move so far?” Miss Redford, the cat owner asks, she’s very friendly and likes to talk. I don’t really mind so much as it fills the silences and I enjoy talking about crap as much as the next person.

“So far it’s the best decision I’ve ever made.” I smile up at her and she grins wide.

“Just ignore all the horror stories.” She laughs.

I look up at her again. “Horror stories?”

“Oh yeah.” She eagerly nods. “Wolves and kidnapping, it’s always been a little scary myth around here but that’s all it is.” She rolls her eyes. “Just old stories handed down in generations. No need to worry.”

Well, with a wolf stalking me it is a little concerning. I don’t say anything and keep silent, returning to talking about nothing.

I’m still feeling slightly peculiar as I walk Miss Redford and her cat out to the reception where Sara sees to her bill. I’m about to go and collect myself a new coffee as I have spare time before my next appointment when I see Nero. What is he doing here? He’s talking with Rosa by the front doors. They’re both in deep conversation and are talking quietly. Rosa looks concerned and Nero just looks at the floor, frowning.

“Hey Bailey, you wanna help in here?” Steph calls from her room, “I need your opinion.”

I cast a look back to see Rosa and Nero continuing to talk and then back to Steph. I nod and walk towards her to join in on whatever Steph needs me to assist her with.

I have a feeling that Steph pulled me away to distract me but when I see the bloodied up dog in her room I forget all about what was happening in the reception and my focus is solely on helping the injured animal.

After my lunchbreak I look through my appointments for the afternoon when a howl can be heard. Suddenly my head becomes sensitive and as the howl continues, it becomes painful. I hold onto my head, holding back the tears and a piercing shoot runs through my head. My eyes close and my body begins to shake.

“Bailey?” I hear Clara but she sounds faint through the pain. “Are you ok?” Thankfully the howling stops and my pain comes to an end. When I am able to breathe again, I look over at Clara. She’s now kneeling beside me looking concerned. “Has the pain stopped?”

I nod breathlessly. “I don’t know what happened.” I look out of the window to see the familiar black wolf sitting in the distance. It’s pacing the edge of the clinic’s ground, almost disappearing into the wooded area. “I see that wolf everywhere.” I look back to Clara. “I think I’m going crazy.”

She laughs but if I’m not mistaken, she sounds sympathetic. Like she feels sorry for me. “You’re not going crazy.”

“So you can see that wolf too?” I ask, looking back at the animal. I feel like it can see me.

“The huge black wolf?” Clara asks, looking out the window and if I’m not mistaken, a look of pride crosses her expression. “He’s a regular.”

“He’s always outside my house.” I watch the wolf pace around and Clara smiles.

“He’s watching over you.”

“Is everything ok here?” Rosa asks from the doorway and Clara jumps.

“Bailey had a headache.” She quickly explains herself and then exits the room.

Rosa furrows her brows. “A headache?”

“I’m ok now.” I assure her.

“You’re sure?” She asks me as she steps inside. “You can go home if you’re not well?”

“Just a passing thing, probable because I’m not sleeping well.”

“I have some tablets to help?” Rosa asks.

“Really? Because at the minute I will try anything.”

Rosa kindly smiles. “I’ll give them to you at the end of the day but let me know if you’re still experiencing them.”

I agree and thank her for the tablets. When I’m alone again, I look outside to see the wolf has gone.

***

The wind rushes past me as I go as fast as I can.

My legs carry me effortlessly.

He runs beside me, loving the chase as much as I am.

I giggle but all I hear is a bark.

I look down at my feet and see paws.

The black wolf looks right at me as he catches me up and pounces.

He catches me but I feel safe against him as we tumble on the forest floor.

I finish on my back with him hovering over me.

The wolf stares into my soul, truly seeing me and my heart reaches out to him.

Pain!

The pain returns and I cling to my head as the wolf howls once more, waking me from yet another dream. So the tablets only worked for a little while.

What is happening to me?

NERO

I can feel her pain and my wolf can’t help but cry out for her. He wants to help her and so do I but until Bailey learns how to connect with her wolf, all I can do is watch.

It’s not easy to do when she’s in so much pain. Her wolf is trying to come forward and force the connection because she’s so close to me now.

If Bailey had been raised in a community pack like mine, this wouldn’t be happening, but she didn’t and she has no idea who she truly is.

I share her dreams, I’m the wolf who runs beside her. As true fated mates we dream together and Rosa believes it’s a sign of how strong we will become as a mated couple and pack leaders. Seeing as we are dreaming together without having the bonding ceremony yet. It’s a long tradition of two parts. On a full moon we have mate under the stars, witnessed by the pack. It can be daunting but over the years we have made it so the couple is hidden in the woods, surrounded by the pack to give the couple a little more privacy.

The second ceremony is running as wolves and eventually mating in our other form to secure the bond. I don’t know how it works exactly but it’s tradition for a reason and every mated couple has to do it.

There’s the standard mates, they see each other and are drawn together. They know that they’re mates and it’s because their wolves match one another for good breeding. Once the ceremony is done, they will share thoughts and dream together.

Then there’s fated mates, like me and Bailey. It usually only happens for the Alpha’s or Beta’s and this is a deeper connection. You know your mate before you have even met, you share thoughts, look through each other’s eyes if they wish you to and can hear one another think. Like a permanent phone call that you can mentally turn on or off. You also dream together and can send a signal, like a location share almost. Even take away each other’s pain and soothe them. A lot more of an intimate bond.

The pack knows of Bailey and what’s happening, so we’re all looking out for her. Even members she hasn’t even met yet.

This is a rare occasion and dangerous. If Bailey’s wolf gets angry and pushes herself through with Bailey not knowing what’s happening or not wanting it to happen, she could die. Not only would that be awful, but my own wolf will suffer.

Until we think of a plan of action to help Bailey though this and reveal her true, she wolf self, all I can do is follow her around and watch. I try to take away some of her pain but it doesn’t seem to help because we haven’t got the secured bond yet.

I’m just hoping we can get through this. I need to get close to her and be someone she can trust because without me and my wolf, I don’t think Bailey can.