Lydia's POV:

"I don't think I've ever been so close to one this... big," Eren commented, standing about ten feet back from where I stood with Angus, detangling and scratching out the dirt from his hair with my nails.

He seemed more than content with his temporary change of a living situation, idling around the open grassy plains that was behind the gardens of this pack.

I looked at her a moment more, noticing the odd, almost nervous expression she had on her face the longer she looked at him.

A few children too watched from far away. As if they'd never seen a horse before.

"I suppose there's no use asking if horses get any use here. I'm sure the whole wolf body thing works wonders for you anyway."

"Yeah," She replied, "I've heard of 'em and the things humans use them for, but I really underestimated how big they were. It's almost kind of daunting."

I shrugged, patting Angus' flank.

"He's a shire, so he's especially big, a big baby too while we're at it... Don't you guys hunt things this big?"

"As small groups, yes. And those things are running from us and not just... standing here chewing grass... Not giving a shit that I'm an apex predator."

I let out a little laugh.

I wondered for a moment if some of that had to do with the fact that he could sense the 'apex predator' in me. Or if he just didn't care over the amount of grass he could eat and roll in here.

"Wanna hop on for a ride to see what it's like?" I offered.

Her eyes went round, raising her hands up to her chest with palms facing me before backing up a few more steps.

"I'm uh- quite alright. I think I prefer paws over hooves, and keeping my own feet on the ground. You'll have to tell me what the difference is once we get that wolf out of you."

I nodded with a grin, taking a moment to check his hooves and make sure all was right with him.

I'll have to take him out for a workout at some point today... Maybe I can get Eren or Luka to show me around the place.

As if the very thought of him summoned him to me, that fluttering feeling in my chest began, signaling his approach.

I turned my head to where I... 'felt' him but saw nothing amongst the tall grass.

My eyes narrowed at his absence, or I suppose the lack of perception I had to him.

I knew he was there. This feeling was one I'd recognized.

A few more moments, and Angus' head too lifted from the grass, face and ears pointed to where I was looking and snorted out a breath.

Eren was next to catch on.

"Ugh, how am I the one who noticed him last," She muttered, straightening her stance, "I'm loosing my edge. Show yourself, Lulu! You've been caught!"

Lulu?

I bit my lip at the thought of the childish nickname for the alpha of the pack, getting my attention snagged by two white ears peeking above the tall grass.

Two golden eyes followed, then a white tail raising and wagging.

Accepting his defeat, he stood fully to his intense height for a dog and walked his way over to us.

Angus bowed his head just enough to sniff Luka's nose in some sort of... interspecial greeting?

I don't know, and honestly, at this point, I'm scared to ask.

"You all ready for the upcoming hunt?" Eren asked him, and I rose a brow wondering what kind of response she was expecting out of him.

Wolf Luka let out a little huff, his tail drooping as if she'd just ruined all of his fun with that question.

Oh right... I guess they do have their little mind-reading thing.

Either way she looked like she got an answer, and looked back to me.

"Hunt?" I questioned, "Is this some sort of event?"

Apparently, I'd been reaching out my hand towards him, because the next thing I knew, there was the soft fur of his head beneath my palm and between my fingers.

My heart fluttered at the contact, and I fought to keep my attention clear.

"Yeah sort of," She began, either ignoring or accepting the way Luka was moving to rub against my back, wrapping himself around me the best he could, "It's a tradition we upkeep near the start of a new season. Typically we hunt by ourselves or with our mates or families, but hunting as a full pack keeps us strong and keeps morale high. It's a great way to fetch a surplus of meat both for each family, and some to dehydrate and store for whenever it's needed. Plus all the excess materials we get from the animal get donated for whatever is needed in the community, or traded out for something better."

Was it strange that it sounded kind of fun to me?

Which was quickly squalled by the realization that it was most likely something I couldn't participate in.

I felt my shoulder sag a bit, the realization apparently distracting me from what was happening to the wolf that was just pressed against my body.

"You can of course ride along with Angus with the rest of us for the start. You're just gonna have to leave the actual hunting to the wolves."

I jumped at the sound of his voice, then at the presence of him fully naked as the human I recognized.

"Luka- eugh. So help me, Luna." She scolded, untying the jacket she had around her waist and throwing it right at his chest, "You were the one insisting on modesty while she got used to this whole thing!"

Angus stepped away at the sudden rise in volume and action, taking his attention to another spot on the grass.

"This was an important conversation, and I wanted to add my input so that she knew she was welcome to be included if she so desired." He calmly replied, taking the time to cover up the front part of his bottom half.

I appreciated their little chatter to take away from the fact that my cheeks were bright red.

"If anything I want her to be able to witness it. Maybe the comradery will help awaken the wolf in her. Feeling the life and bond from the pack." He further explained

He was speaking almost perfectly to what I was thinking my mind.

Could he feel that I was bummed? Is that how this thing works?

I could tell he was looking at me, but I didn't have the confidence yet that I could do the same without getting completely over-the-top flustered.

"The um-" I cleared my throat, pulling my shit together, "The sound of a horse galloping won't spook your prey?" I questioned.

I knew that stealth was a pretty important aspect to the way canines hunted their prey.

I kept him in my periphery, enough to see him shrug.

"We're powerful beings, given the numbers we'll be in and our adept hunting ability, a horse will be the last thing on anyone's mind. I just really want you to be a part of this." He smiled in that... reassuring and comforting way.

God can he not be so gorgeous and uplifting for like five minutes? It's really hard to keep up with.

I surrendered into it with a sigh, turning my head to look up at him, and braving the internal rush that came with it.

"If you're sure, then I'd love to accompany you all. I wanna see how you Werewolves are in action."

"How we werewolves," He corrected.

Right...

"The dinner I'm gonna make us that night after the hunt is gonna be extraordinary," He spoke, almost like he was reminiscing about the future.

"Oooh you are really good a preparing meat. Can Milo and I come-"

"No," Luka deadpanned, catching even me by surprise.

I then found myself stifling a laugh at Erin's shocked expression at the immediate shutdown.

"You can come for lunch the day after, but I want to share that meal with her and her alone." He insisted.

She rolled her eyes with a purposefully dramatic huff, "Yeah fine whatever you have your mate now I guessthat's understandable. You've only been talking about wanting to cook for her like your entire life."

...Awe.

"Precisely," He didn't even react to the tease she'd thrown at him, I guess further proving just how true it was, "Anyway since sneaking up on you guys has become entirely more difficult with her mate senses, I'll take my leave and try again later."

I tensed feeling his fingers gently brush mine before slowly intertwining them.

"I only have three more people to attend to today, so I'll see you back home in a few hours, yeah?" His tone was hopeful and soft, mixed with those wide blue eyes it took me a moment to find my words.

"Yeah... of course," I finally found them.

He settled with that with a nod, stepping back and diving into the tall grass only to re-emerge as the white wolf he approached as. Bolting away to do what needed to be done, and leaving Erin to hurriedly search the grass for her jacket.