Chapter 3

With a gasp I awoke from my slumber startled that was having a dream about that boy and how he was so close I could feel the cool heat radiating from his skin, the soft whisper of his breath on my neck, the sweet smell of his skin. I shook these thoughts from my head and looked at the clock beside my bed. 6:30 a.m. I rolled out of bed knowing I would have to get up soon anyway. Slipping out of my clothes and into my sports bra and running shorts I grabbed my socks and tennis shoes and walked downstairs into the kitchen.

"Miss. Ceressa, what are you doing up so early?" a startled voice came the stove. I quickly turned and saw Amber. I cringed when I looked at her face. A large purple and black bruise was forming above her left eye and her lip was swollen.

" I was going for a jog in the woods and maybe a little hunting," I answered in a crisp voice.

" Ok well have a nice trip and your father," she stumbled over the word," said to tell you that you are all going over to the Macarthys for dinner tonight." I nodded my head and finished lacing up my shoe.

When I started my run I was deep in thought about the dream that I had had. Why was I dreaming about Daedalus? Why has he been in my thoughts ever since that quiet exchange last night?

"Gggrrr!" a playful growl came from the bushes that surrounded the meadow I had run to.

" Jake come out from there," I said laughing. And out walked a beast that had a least a good 6 in. height advantage over me, but instead of attacking the furry wolf walked over and nuzzled me in the neck.

" Jake cut it out," I laughingly told him as I pushed his head away. A shimmering light surrounded the giant silver and black streaked dog. As the light faded the human features of my boyfriend came into view.

"Cess, what are you doing out here?" he asked pulling me close to his muscular body.

" I was planning on going hunting.." I started.

"Well then," Jake said," Don't let me interrupt." He kissed me then pulled back and cursed when a howl went trough the air.

" And I thought they wouldn't notice I was gone," he laughed as he began to step away, but I didn't let him get to far. I threw my arms around his neck and began to kiss him with probably more urgency than I really need too. His response to the kiss was like magic as he lifted me off my feet. We could have stayed like that for hours, but another howl cut through the air.

He sighed and pulled back already changing his form. Within seconds a wolf was standing before me.

" Will you come by later tonight?" I asked the shaggy looking dog. He nodded his head and left through the underbrush.

I quickly started up my jog again, but this time I was hunting.