Chapter One: Reunited

Maddy. Maddy Smith. She was the only thing that Rhydian could think about as he searched the mountains for her scent. He had looked everywhere. Finally, he howled in his desperation. He had this desperate longing for her; more than anything, he just wanted her by his side. And then he heard it. The howl. And then he grinned.

Racing down the bank of snow, he transformed into the wolf and met her at the bottom. The two were reunited, nestling in each other's fur. Rhydian was more than happy, delirious with joy. He had his Maddy back. They stepped away from each other and turned back into humans. And then they crashed into a huge embrace. Rhydian clutched her to him, never wanting to let her go again. Maddy looked up into his eyes and Rhydian leaned down and gently kissed her. When they broke apart, Rhydian was grinning madly.

Maddy smiled and said, "You came all the way to Canada for us?"

"Anything to see you again," Rhydian told her. "What I said before, it's still true. I still love you, more than anything. I never want to leave your side again."

"Oh, I love yeh, Rhydian," Maddy said as she leaned in for another kiss.

"Come back with me," Rhydian said suddenly as they stopped.

"To Stoneybridge?" Maddy asked, her accent still as strong as ever.

"Yes." Rhydian paused. "Whitewood's changed. She's on our side now. And Tom and Shannon really miss you. So does Jana."

Maddy smiled. "Of course I will," she said simply.

"Really? What about your parents?" Rhydian asked.

"I'm eighteen now, Rhydian," Maddy said. "I can make my own choices now. If they want to come, then fine. But if they don't, they can't stop us from being with you."

"I love you," Rhydian said, looking into her eyes.

"Follow me," said Maddy. "I'll take yeh to the den." Her eyes turned from brown to yellow and she transformed into the wolf. Rhydian did the same and raced after her.

"You're what?" Emma Smith burst out once they had reached the den.

"I'm going, mum. I'm going back to Stoneybridge," Maddy said again.

"You can't! You'll get exposed!"

"Mum, I can take care of myself. And besides, Rhydian will be there." Maddy smiled.

Maddy managed to persuade her parents and she and Rhydian caught the next flight to the UK. Maddy couldn't wait to surprise her friends when she returned. Night fell and Maddy fell asleep on Rhydian's shoulder. They arrived safely and travelled to Stoneybridge the next day.

"I'll tell them to meet me at the Kafe," Rhydian told Maddy as he got out his phone to text Shannon, Tom and Jana.

"The Kafe?" Maddy repeated. "I thought we'd go to Bernie's."

"Bernie's isn't there anymore," Rhydian explained. "Katrina's mum took it over and the K's called it the Kafe. With a K."

Maddy laughed, though it a was a bit sad for her that Bernie's was no longer there. Everything seemed to have changed since she left. "So does Katrina work there?"

"Yeah, she used to but I think she's gone into hairdressing now. All the K's used to work there."

"Tell me what other jobs people got," Maddy said, grabbing his hand and intertwining it with hers.

"Well, Jimi works for his father, Kay's gone into modelling, Kara is studying science, Liam archaeology, Sam football coaching, and Jana and my mum work at the Kafe but Jana doesn't really need the money. Shannon works at Segolia and Tom-"

"Segolia?" Maddy questioned.

"Ah, yes, you weren't here," said Rhydian. "Well, it's a bit of a long story and I think Shannon had better tell you it. Anyway, and Tom is doing his medical degree now, he's going to be a doctor."

"Tom - a doctor!" Maddy smiled. "That's a major achievement."

The two of them reached the town square and looked over at the Kafe. It was a few moments before Maddy spoke.

"I can't believe I'm back here."

Stoneybridge looked the same as ever, with its cobblestone streets and blue-grey skies. Maddy snuggled against Rhydian's chest with one hand intertwined with his, as she looked down at the new café. Her brown hair blew in the slight breeze and she sighed with slight pleasure to be back.

"I'm just glad I found you," Rhydian replied quietly.

"Let's go into the Kafe," said Maddy and the two of them went inside.

Rhydian's phone buzzed and he looked at it. There was one new message. It read: K Rhydian me and Tom will b there soon. It was from Shannon. Rhydian frowned since Jana had failed to reply. She had got her first mobile only recently but she had seemed confident to use it. Rhydian shrugged. Maybe she was running there or something.

"Oh, and one more thing, Mads?"

Maddy turned to him. "What?"

"You might want to know that Tom and Shan are together."

"Tom and Shan!" Maddy burst out. "Aww... I'm so happy for them."

"I'm happy," Rhydian said and hugged her close as they went to find a table.

A woman with auburn hair and glasses followed by a dark-skinned man came in through the door of the Kafe. "MADDY!" Shannon yelled as soon as she saw her, shortly followed by a similar reaction from Tom. Maddy was crushed in a group hug with her best friends, pleased that they still cared so much about her.

"Any ideas where Jana is?" Rhydian asked.

Shannon's face grew troubled as she and Tom slid into the opposite bench. "I don't know, Rhydian, and that worries me. We haven't seen her since yesterday."

Rhydian frowned. "Did she say anything yesterday?"

"Why?" Shannon asked.

"I think she might have run away, though I can't think why," said Rhydian. "Have you checked the caravan?"

"Yes, and she's not there," said Tom. "We thought she might be at the Smith's old place with Ceri but she isn't."

"Wait, Ceri lives at my house?" Maddy interrupted.

"Yes," Rhydian replied. "Did she say anything?" He pressed.

"She looked a bit mopey," Shannon mused, "and I'm sure she said something about… the pack? Or was it…?"

"Aran." Rhydian stood up. "She's been missing him ever since he went to help Meinir. I bet she's gone back to the wild to find him."

"You can't assume all that," Tom said.

"I know Jana," said Rhydian. "We'd better find her."

"Rhydian!" Maddy burst out. "I thought today was supposed to be a reunion!"

"I know but it can't be if Jana doesn't know you're back," said Rhydian. His face softened. "I'm sorry, Mads," he said gently, "but I'm worried about Jana. Her foot hadn't entirely healed and the pack might see her as lame. They could turn against her if they see she isn't well. They might think she isn't enough to lead the pack. Aran was supposed to come for her when he foot had healed but it hasn't yet."

Maddy considered this. "Alright, I'll help you find her. But when we do, someone is going to tell me the whole story of what happened since I left and we're going to have a reunion party… with everyone from school there too."

"Deal."

A/N: For anyone who's already read this, this is the edited version. I originally made Maddy twenty but decided to lower her age to eighteen to stay closer to the story in the show. Thanks again and please read and review!