“This can’t be. Is this…the same clearing?”
If I’m not standing in the exact same clearing as before, then this one looks remarkably similar. Off to my right is a tree with a gnarly scratch mark on it, three ragged lines scraped across the bark where someone, some wolf has dragged their claws.
“Was that there before?”
I make a mental note to remember that tree.
Again footsteps and then Jasper appears once more. He comes running right at me and I can barely brace myself before he slams into me and I go flying backward, hitting the soft earth with a thud.
“Ow, hey, watch it!”
When I look back up at Jasper he’s no longer wearing his workout clothes. He’s in a crisp white tee, a black blazer, fitted black pants, and combat boots.
“Watch where you’re going, Bonehead,” he says, his face screwed up in disdain.
“You ran into me!” I call back.
“You should be more careful.”
Wait…this feels oddly familiar.
“Here.” He extends a hand to help me up and the second I take it sparks ignite in my fingertips, fizzing up my arm and into my chest.
“Jasper?” I lean forward, trying to get a better look at his face, but he stares back like I’m a stranger. “What’s going on?”
His expression twists like he’s gone from staring at a stranger to his worst enemy.
“I don’t know who you are, okay Bonehead? But stay away from me.”
And with that he’s off again, running out of the clearing.
I follow once more.
Back in the forest the rippling river runs at my side again. I run and run but can’t catch Jasper, until once again I emerge into a clearing.
To my right is a tree with scratch marks.
“It is the same!”
A growl breaks the otherwise quiet night and all I can do is watch as a large and fearsome wolf leaps from the shadows into the moonlight. His midnight fur is sleek and shiny, blacker than black. His green eyes are vibrant and glow emerald. Jasper’s wolf lands and digs its claws into the soil, skidding to a stop.
“Jasp?” I ask tentatively.
His lips curl, he huffs and backs away, growling the whole time. A warning.
Stay back.
“It’s okay,” I say. “It’s me. It’s…Max. Your mate.”
He snaps his jaws, twisting his muzzle.
I risk a step forward, lifting a hand like I’m going to cradle his face. What do I need all these fingers for anyway?
“Jasper.” I stare into his brilliant eyes. “Do you recognize me?”
Then to my surprise he whimpers and backs away.
“It’s okay—”
