The Heart of a Wolf by IntuitiveIntelligence.

A/N: So I just read Blood & Chocolate, and I loved it. Of course I was disappointed that there was no sequel, so here I am writing what I think might have happened. I do not own the characters because they belong to the lovely and talented Annette Curtis Klause, I do however own the overall plot. I know this first chapter is short, but I just wanted to get it out of the way before I got down to business. So do me a favor and review.

Chapter One: Promises of the Future

She followed him to the window the blood singing in her veins. Do I follow? Is it right to give in to Gabriel or will I regret it later? Thought Vivian as she watched Gabriel's muscular body slide through the window and out on to the roof. However when he looked back, his dark blue eyes full of what at first seemed to be animalistic lust but upon closer inspection swirled with a deeper emotion, her battle was lost. Sliding on to the roof next to him, her golden skin glistening in the pale moonlight she gave in. I am loup-garou and tonight I shall celebrate it with my mate. The idea of accepting Gabriel as her mate still felt foreign in her thoughts, but she was beginning to like the idea. Not that she would let him know that anytime soon.

When they reached the yard below, they raced each other to the tree lines , Vivian's tawny hair floating out behind her in a stream as her long graceful legs carried her closer to her destination. And trailing slightly behind, Gabriel inhaled the scent of her, his mate, his Queen and match in every way, reveling in the moment that he wanted to howl. As soon as they reach the safety of the trees, Gabriel discarded his pants and prepared for the change.

There was the quickening of the blood, and the prickles of fur emerging through their skin. Eyes began to glow golden, ears began to lengthen and a snout began to form. The slight snap of joints could be heard as bones began to rearrange themselves only to be accompanied by a great wave of pain rocking through their abdomen as their rib cage elongated and spine changed. Finally they found themselves on all fours, true loup-garous running beneath the bows of the forest as their paws kicked up the scent of fresh earth.

Vivian's tale danced proudly, taunting Gabriel as she raced ahead of him leaping with ease over felled trees and twisting her way through the undergrowth like a serpent. However the undergrowth eventually gave way to a forest glade and Vivian's fancy maneuvers wouldn't aid her here. Gabriel let out an excited howl as he began to gain on her, the sheer muscle of wolf straining under a thick coat began to overpower the smaller female. Then with a great leap, he brought her down, tackling her and affectionately nipping at her muzzle.

I will not let you win yet! Vivian growled using her back legs to spring him off her before pouncing atop him, trying to get Gabriel to present his belly. Amusement danced in his golden eyes at the fire his mate possessed. He knew Vivian would not give in easily, and that was part of why he loved her. It was this thought which caused him to surprise them both when his long canine tongue struck out and licked her muzzle. A confused sort of noise escaped Vivian's throat before she rolled off him and half-changed. She sat on her knees and stared at Gabriel who eventually followed suit and moved to her.

His hand reached out and stroked her neck, Vivian unconsciously turned into his touch hands that were rough with labor and covered in earth nothing like Aiden's hands. When Gabriel took his explorations lower, to caress her shoulder than collarbone, the small pucker of a scar from where the bullet had pierced her, and the swell of her breast she shivered. Bringing it back up he cupped her chin and forced her to look him in the eyes.

"I will not claim you tonight if you are not ready, Vivian. I told you I would wait for you Princess Wolf, and I meant it." He said responding to the scent of fear tinged in her arousal.

Vivian took his hand from him, tracing her claws over the slightly fur covered flesh before pressing a kiss to his palm, then gently nipping it with her elongated ivory teeth. She did not know why but Gabriel intimidated her, perhaps it was because he was truly her equal. The desire to mate with him was there, and they were both aware of it but emotionally she was not there.

"Soon, but… not tonight. Tonight I just want to learn you…" She whispered.

"You do, do you?" Gabriel retorted with the quirking of a brow. His old cockiness had returned to him and when he caught Vivian staring at his body he could feel the heat begin to rise to her cheeks.

"Then again… what I find might not be that impressive…And what's an Alpha female to do if her mate isn't up to par…" Vivian shot back glancing towards a certain portion of his anatomy which caused Gabriel to growl and push her on to her back.

Vivian tried to push him off her, but his steel like grip held her arms in place at the side of her head. Then she felt him grind his hips against hers and she knew that she stood very much corrected.

"What have you to say now, hmm Princess Wolf?" He whispered, with his breath hot on her skin.

"I suppose it will do." She said with a hint of despair, but her smile betrayed her true feelings on the matter.

"Good because it will be doing quite a lot in the future."

And before Vivian had a chance to respond, his mouth came crashing down on hers effectively silencing out any witty reply she had. Losing herself in the feel of him, she drank him in and memorized every contour of his lip. This is right, this is entirely right. Vivian freed a hand and tangled it in Gabriel's dark hair, her claws drawing blood on his shoulder as he bit a particularly sensitive area of her neck. Growling with pleasure, she felt her fear begin to slip away, in the future Gabriel, in the very near future.