Cingulomania
(n.) A strong desire to hold a person in your arms

Selene was wrong. These wolves weren't feral. They were damn right possessed. As I looked into their soulless black eyes, whatever hope that I had of helping them vanished immediately. There was nothing left of them. Just an empty body driven by an unknown evil.

Six of them charged at me, their movements imprecise and driven by blind rage. Destroying them was easy since they all had a similar fighting pattern. I would just dodge their snapping jaws and swiping claws before attacking them from behind.

Their blood tasted most foul, nothing like I had ever come across. The black liquid almost burnt my tongue with its acidic like taste and that only confirmed my suspicions that there was another party behind this.

Someone was targeting us but who?

The fighting quickly ended and I went around to make sure everyone was alright. There were minimal casualties on our side since slaying the enemies had been easy. Too easy.

For a while, I focused on helping heal the injured with my powers and cleaning up the mess left on the battlefield. Once everyone had been settled, I headed into the pack house to clean up.

I went for a quick shower before slipping on some pyjamas. I didn't bother doing anything with my hair as I quickly located Selene in her study. She was with her mate in there so I decided to knock to be polite.

"Come in," Ophelia spoke. I pushed the door open to reveal a large white office. The space was open with natural light streaming in through the glass windows and had minimal modern designs and pieces. It was such a stark contrast to the deep mahogany and warm oak colours I was used to back home.

Home; what an interesting word.

I needed to speak to Kieran soon. See how he was holding up.

"I'm sorry Artemis, but they were all beyond help," Selene began, breaking me out of my thoughts.

"Those weren't feral," I interrupted her before she could continue. "Those were possessed soulless creatures. I don't know whose controlling them or where they're coming from but we have an unknown enemy out of there," My mind was spinning with all the possibilities, trying to remember if I'd ever come across anything like I've seen today in any book.

"Are you sure?" Ophelia asked, her brows pulling in concern as she looked between Selene and I.

"Yes. I tried looking into their minds and there was nothing but rage and bloodlust. It wasn't even their own. It was way too strong and forced to be their own emotions pushing them. They had no instincts either since they all charged towards their own death,"

Silence settled over is as we all mulled over what I had explained. I could feel a dull ache settle behind my eyes and exhaustion slowly creep over me.

"I'll speak to the others and inform the Elders what happened. For now, everyone get some rest," Selene suggested. I nodded and headed back to my guest bedroom to crash for the night.

I got comfortable in my bed before picking up the smartphone Quin had set up for me. I only had a handful of contacts so I quickly found the name I wanted and called.

It didn't even ring twice before someone picked up. I could hear shuffling and mumbling for a second before he spoke.

"Artemis?"

"Hey Kieran," I couldn't stop the slow smile spread across my face at the sound of his voice. I also couldn't help but replay our last moments together before I left. My lips tingled with the memory of his.

"Are you alright? Is everyone okay?" The worry in his voice was evident.

"Yes I'm alright. There were minimal casualties on our side since it was an easy win," I explained.

"Isn't that a good thing?" He asked, probably hearing the confusion and suspicion in my tone.

"It was too easy and I know someone else is involved. This wasn't a typical rogue army. I just don't know who or why they did this," I sighed, my headache worsening.

"I'm sure we'll figure this out. Just don't exhaust yourself and get some rest," He reassured.

"How's everything on your end? Miss me too much?" I teased, giggling as he gave a low playful growl across the phone.

"Of course I miss you. And so does the pack. Your training program is doing well. I've already signed blueprints and contracts for the school and orphanage to be rebuilt. I've also made plans to expand the pack lands and maybe send more pack members to human colleges to have a more expansive skill set," I listened to him explain all his plans and visions for our pack and I felt a warm feeling settle in my chest.

It was obvious he had been holding back when I was around to make me more comfortable. He was a  natural born leader with a dominant and intimidating personality, though he was verging on abusive due to his personal struggles. So he held himself back for my sake and that only made the warm feeling in my chest grow.

I liked seeing him take the lead and I would be sure to tell him that when I got back.

"So, hows the Moonlight Pack treating you?" He asked.

"They're treating me good. Their population is a bit smaller but they export a lot of silver and metals to other packs and human towns so they are quite wealthy,"

The Moonlight Pack was quite close to the Silverclaw Guardians so I had managed to see all of my friends yesterday when I got here. They were also allied with the Moonlight Pack and had joined the fight today. Ophelia was one of the only female alphas in the world and she did a great job of running her pack. Selene was the acting Luna and spirit wolf, which was another thing we had in common.

"When will you be back?" This was only my second night without being close to Kieran and I was missing him more and more.

"Tomorrow evening. I just need to settle some things before I can leave," I stifled a yawn and I heard him chuckle over the line.

"Get some sleep Artemis. I'll see you soon,"

"Goodnight Kieran. Take care," I murmured, feeling my eyes droop.

"Artemis?" I hummed, too tired to form an actual response.

"Dream of me," I couldn't help the large stupid grin that grew on my face as I answered back.

"I already do. Goodnight," and with that, I put the phone down, feeling like a giddy teenage girl who had just talked to her crush, which to an extent I was since I was still technically a teenager and I was more than crushing on Kieran.

That night, just as I promised, I dreamt of Kieran and I, and the bright promise of a future together.