(30 min before the festival)

"ALEX!" I scream. "Where is my kimono!"

Alex appears from the other room and hands me my kimono, "Impatient are we?"

I grin, "A little, yes."

I hold up the kimono, it has a pretty light blue floral, paw print design all over it. I hug it like a little kid and put it on over my tank top and my pair of shorts.

Alex helps me fix it up and position it right and I twirl around, examining myself. Alex straightens my hair and pins my bangs back with a flower hair clip.

I grin from ear to ear and hug Alex, "Thanks for the help."

She hugs me back and I glide out of my room.

I giggle to myself, "Hehehehe…..I feel so giddy, so excited."

Alex rubs my head like I'm a dog and I wag my tail, "You goof, time to go."

I twirl around real quick and skip out of the house.

Outside, I transform into my wolf spirit form so I could get there faster and not get my clothes dirty. I am full of energy, so I bolt down the road to the festival. As I draw near, I'm practically prancing, with little hops in my step.

I hide in the woods near the festival and return normal. I step out and wait at the place where I am supposed to meet Leo.

I yawn, my energy suddenly drained. My fangs glow white in the moon light and so does my silver hair.

I hear footsteps behind me and I look over my shoulder as someone says, "Wow…..you look amazing…."

I smile as Leo comes up beside me. I examine him and smirk, "So do you. Amazingly handsome."

He leans over and kisses my forehead. "Ready, my wolf princess?" he asks.

I play punch him and reply, "Hold it there cowboy. I'm a wolf warrior, not helpless like those pitiful princesses."

He laughs and leans his head against mine, "Whatever you want to be called, I'll always be by your side tonight."

I laugh louder than he did, "You're so cheesy!"

At this point, we're both cracking up.

As we enter the festival gates, the party is brought to life. Leo and I went everywhere. Eating cotton candy, winning stuffed animals, and all of the above. It was great, and no one said anything about me ears and/or tail.

It's near midnight and I am getting sleepy. I yawn and rub my eyes.

Leo holds my hand and asks, "Ready to go, sleeping beauty?"

I shake my head no, "Just let me regain my energy for a minute. Maybe a bench?"

Leo sighs and picks me up bridal style, "I've been waiting for this all day."

I curl up in his arms and grab a quick nap. When Leo finds a bench, I wake up and sit directly next to him, my hand holding tightly onto his.

Leo leans against me and sighs, "Thanks for coming with an idiot like me."

I reach up and kiss him on the cheek, "You are who you are…..and no one can change that."

In the distance, I hear a wolf howl.

Leo looks up at the moon and asks, "Is there really wolves around here?"

I pay no attention and gaze at the moon. I take in a deep breath and let out a long howl. It lasted a whole minute before I ran out of breath. I listen for a second and then the answering howl echoes in the still air.

"What was that all about?" Leo asks.

I frown, "It's a male wolf from a nearby zoo, he could feel my presence and was just sending out a test call."

Leo doesn't reply but looks like he's thinking. I get under his face and look into his eyes, "You're jealous, aren't you?"

Leo turns his head away to hide his blush. "Aw, do you wish you can communicate with me like that?"

He frowns, "It's not just that…..I wish I can run along side you, be by you and howl to the moon together, be with you always."

I hold his hand tighter, "Even though we're different, we can always be together. You know that…."

He turns his gaze to the moon again, "Yes, I know. I just wonder what it would be like if we we're the same, both human and wolf, being able to understand each other. No matter how far away we are from each other."

I look down and think for a minute, "Do you like me Leo?"

Leo grabs me around my waist and sets me on his lap, "No Alana…..I don't like you. It's more like love to me."

I turn completely around and face Leo. I lean forward slowly and lick Leo's cheek. I still keep my head close to his, our noses nearly touching, and I feel his warm breath on my face.

We slowly begin to move closer to each other. Finally, our lips touch and we kiss. Neither of us know what we are doing so it is a bit awkward at first.

The kiss is gentle and soon becomes more passionate. I wrap my arms around Leo's neck to deepen the kiss. As we become accustomed to it, Leo's tongue asks for entrance.

I didn't want to fight and granted his wish. Leo memorizes every inch of my mouth and he begins to play with my fangs.

I decide to make things interesting and pushes his tongue out with mine. We wrestle for dominance and I am the victor. I enter Leo's mouth and do the same that he did with mine.

I nip at his lip for fun and soon we finally part, out of breath. "I love you too…" I finally whisper in his ear.

He grins and says, "That was my first." I wrap my arms around him and I reply, "Mine too."

After a few minutes of silence, Leo says, "I should get you home."

I hold onto him tighter and mutter, "Let me stay like this for a few more minutes."

He holds me close as I travel into my soul.

My wolf spirit appears before me and asks, "What would you like to know?"

I fidget with my fingers and say, "Are you able to connect and/or awaken other people's animal spirits?"

She lays down and replies, "Yes, it is possible for me to do." "

What animal does Leo has? Please tell me!"

My animal spirit is silent for a second, "A brown alpha male wolf. Fitting for his personality and soul. What are you planning Alana?"

I blush, "You heard what he said to me….."

She shakes her head, "Sometimes love blinds people. If I force his animal soul to wake, I have a bad feeling to what might happen."

She begins to force me out and the last words I hear are, "You are who you are…..and no one can change that…"

I open my eyes and see Leo half asleep. I pat his cheek and say, "Walk your dog home now?"

He smiles and picks me up and holds me bridal style. I hang on his neck and smile sadly to myself.

He carries me to my front door and sets me down gently, "I'll see you after school tomorrow."

I smile and he pecks a kiss on my lips. He waves good-bye and walks home.

I sigh and walk inside. Neko jumps up to meet me, "How was the date?"

My ears twitch and I say, "Like a fantasy. Where is Alex?"

Nala runs in the room and says, "Alex went out to a meeting, won't be back until tomorrow afternoon. She put us in charge of you."

I smile but keep my eyes down, "I already ate….I'm going to bed…"

I kiss each of them on the foreheads and slowly walk to my bedroom. I take off my kimono and flop down on my bed, falling to sleep in my shorts and tank top.