Two months later… 

As the sun ducked below the western horizon, it cast a gold glow over the rising of the full moon in the east. Andy leaned forward on the railing, watching the ending of the day fade quickly into the beginnings of the night.

“You’re a million miles away tonight, Andy.” She glanced over her shoulder at Doctor Michaels, smiling at his approach. “Nervous?”

“A little bit. It’s my last run with the pack—“ 

“Oh yes, and I’m sure that within that week you’re gone the entire pack will descend into a throng of mischievous puppies that go paint the town red.”

“Does anyone actually use that term anymore?” Andy laughed. She could see the amber sparkling in Doctor Michaels’ eyes, but this time, she only took comfort from the man, not fear.

“I do.” He grinned. He came up to stand hip-to-hip with her at the railing. “Miranda and I will watch the puppies while you’re away. You have nothing to fear.”

“I know, I know. It’s just, everything is still so new… and…”

“Then reschedule if you feel uncomfortable.” He canted his head as she shook hers no. “No?”

“I pushed off too many of Nate’s invitations the past two months, if I decline this one, I don’t think I’ll ever get the chance to see if we can try again.” She stared down at the lake, trying to let the shimmering reflection of the water center her. “I need to see if we can.”

“Because you feel that what happened before was all your doing; your mistake.” It wasn’t a question. Andy grumbled inwardly, knowing he knew that he had hit the mark on the nail. “There are always two sides to every story, Andy.”

“I know. I know.” She turned a glare on him, but it bounced off. “How’s Miranda taking it?”

“Your leaving?” Andy nodded. “As well as one could expect.” Which meant that she was probably going to give Andy disdainful looks and the cold-shoulder treatment. Andy may have been Alpha to Miranda’s Beta, but there were times she was sure it was the other way around in Miranda’s eyes. “Do you know why she’s so opposed to you leaving? It’s not the Pack. She and I have watched the pups before, when Elizabe—“

“You can say her name. It’s all right, James.” Andy placed a hand on his arm.

“Elizabeth was still here.” He finished. “I don’t believe its Boston itself.”

“It’s Nate.” Andy answered. “I don’t know why though, he never did anything to her! She’s never met him.”

“None of us have, but we’ve heard the voice mails and the phone calls.”

“You know, it really sucks having a private conversation with wolves at the door.” Andy grumbled. It explained how Miranda always knew what her and Emily discussed, even with the door ajar and a meeting occurring in her office. “I mean, can I have a little privacy?”

“The Alpha’s life is Pack life, just as the life of the Pack is the Alpha’s life.” He explained; no apology evident in his voice. “While I agree with Miranda that I think this Nathan has been less than gentlemanly towards you these past few months …”

“Don’t you start.” Andy poked his arm. “I get it enough from Miranda.”

“You’re still very new to this life and very young. Still, I remember young love.” Doctor Michaels’ gaze grew distant, as if he was looking back into the past. “Have fun in Boston.”

“Heeey, I’m not leaving yet.” She poked him again. “Come on, let’s have one last run before my drive tomorrow. I want to see if we can catch that rabbit on the south side.”

Doctor Michaels smirked. “You mean the one who’s constantly outsmarting you?”

“Yes, that one!” Andy exclaimed, and then stopped. “Oh, funny. Really funny.” Andy gave him one last smile and then concentrated on the Change. As the moon climbed higher into the night sky, it splashed silver over two wolves running towards the lake and the rest of their Pack.