'You're thinking very loudly about your human concerns, love,' I heard Joel say into my mind. 'Let the wolf out. The pack will survive without us for a few days. We are always available for them in case of emergency and they know that.'

I relaxed and felt the wolf's presence truly take over. For the first time in weeks I was completely comfortable and didn't feel like I should be somewhere else.

Initially, I paced myself to Joel's strides. The run was fun, but the pace was too slow. I bolted in front of Joel by a body's length and he voiced his displeasure at me.

'Unless you have...