Visions of Wolves

Back again

Finally the day came. I hadn’t slept much since the heat episode, so I was light headed from excitement and fatigue. Alex had an important meeting so Ally and Mabel fetched me. 

They stood at the airport gates with a sign that had my name spelt out in glittery teal paint. I ran straight over to them. I hugged Mabel first but Ally swooped in and picked the both of us up in her arms. We all giggled and I felt my eyes start to tear up.

“Aww honey, it’s ok!” Mabel said hugging me to her chest.

“Oh c’mon,” Ally joked, nudging me with her shoulder. “It’s barely been a month. But if you’re this emotional to see us I’m going to stay clear of you when you see Alex.”

On the drive back to the village I told them about my whole heat episode. Both of them nodding as though this was no news to them.

“She’s my Aunt,” Ally said half turning to me while still concentrating on the road. “Meredith I mean, she’s my Aunt. She travels a lot and Alex had asked her to stay nearby just incase something like this happened. I really hope…I hope you found some clarity, being back home I mean.”

I stared out the window of the passenger seat, I didn’t want them to see my face. “I did. But also I didn’t. This still feels, sudden. I think about Alex all the time and I don’t ever want to experience that heat ever again. But I’m angry, angry that my body can just betray me like that. I’ve met some guy and now that’s it? He’s my destiny? I barely know him.”

“It’s only natural Teal, don’t fight it. It’s just going to make it harder for you and everyone else.” Ally’s tone caught me off guard.

“Ally, enough.” Mabel chimed in from the back. “She has to feel this out for herself.”

“I just don’t understand. The bond is so strong and we’re not saying run away and change your name. I’m just saying that destiny has a plan for you, stop fighting it.” Ally countered.

“What if…what if I’m just a burden?” There it was, the words that had been hanging on the edge of my mind, words I didn’t dare say out loud until now. “I’m human. Rogues are already trying to claim his position, I’d just be…holding him back. I’d be weakening his claim.”

I caught Ally give Mabel a look in her review mirror. “Where did this come from?” Ally was the first to break the silence.

“Alex told me.”

“I’m going to throttle him I swear,” Ally said gripping on the steering wheel so tightly her knuckles went white.

“He’s not wrong,” Mabel almost whispered from the back.

“Mabel!” This time it was Ally who was reprimanding Mabel. I felt my chest go tight.

“I understand your reservations. This isn’t easy and there are risks.” Mabel stared out the window as she spoke.

“What would you do?” I replied, eventually breaking the tension building as we spoke.

“After the whole ordeal you just told me, I’d let the marking happen but keep it a secret. No one else needs to know, not yet. Buy yourself time to make a name for yourself in the village. Play the game too.” She was already formulating a plan. “Ultimately it’s your choice Teal. But Ally is right about one thing, destiny can be pushy.”

We spoke about more mundane things as the drive continued. Things like renovations Mabel had planned for the hotel, travel plans Ally and Adam had for when things calmed down. As we turned onto the familiar highway I felt a sudden rush of excitement.

I could feel my body tingle all over. I used the car mirror to add a little bit of makeup to my face and felt the excitement rise even more when Ally turned up the radio.

We drove into the compound singing at the top of our lungs. As we neared the entrance of the main house Adam and Jay walked out.

I jumped out, gave them a wave and then went to get my bags. By the time I had offloaded them from the boot Adam had reached the car and bear hugged me off the ground, swaying me from side to side.

“You’re back! Finally! I’m bored of this lot.” He said waving a hand over Ally, Jay and Mabel. “Ok maybe not you,” he said to Ally giving her a kiss on the forehead.

“It’s good to see you again Teal. Here, let me take your bags up to the room.” Jay gave me a quick one arm hug and then grabbed my bags.

I looked around, clearly a little too obviously. Where was he? Jay caught my train of thought. “He’s up in the communal lounge, he’s waiting for you.” He added a wink and then carried my bags effortlessly towards the pack house.

I strolled in behind him. Trying not to look too eager, but my heart was screaming at me to run to Alex. I climbed the stairs, slowly making my way to the lounge and took a deep breath before opening the door.

The room was dark barring a trail of candle lit lanterns leading to the balcony. I stepped inside, closed the door and let me eyes adjust. On the balcony, leaning against the railing was Alex. He wore chinos, a pale blue button-up shirt and a dark blue jacket.

I could feel my cheeks going red, the blood rushing to my face as I made my way to him. The way I was drawn to him felt other worldly. As though we were two magnets being pulled towards each other.

“Hi,” I said bashfully as I stepped onto the balcony. The balcony was lined with more candles. The table and chairs had been taken away and replaced with blankets and big fluffy pillows. At the edge of the blanket was a variety of cheeses and snacks as well as a bottle of champagne in an ice bucket.

“Hi,” he said back, smirking. Clearly pleased with himself and my response.

“Who’s all this for then?” I said jokingly. He laughed and then strolled over to me. I couldn’t help by rake my eyes over his body from head to toe. He was just as beautiful as I remembered.

He put one hand on my waist and the other against my cheek. Towering over me he brought his lips right down to mine. It took everything in me to stop my knees from buckling. As our lips were about to touch he whispered, “it’s for my mate, have you seen her?”

With that I couldn't wait any longer. I pushed my lips against his. Kissing him with the full force I’d felt pulling us together. I felt him smile beneath my kiss before he pulled away. He took a step back, letting go of my waist but trailing his other hand down from my cheek along my arm until landing on my hand. He lifted my hand to kiss it and then led me over to the big pillows lying on the edge of the blanket.

We sat and chatted about our lives over the past month. I couldn’t believe how easy it was to talk. I’d been nervous about seeing him again. I had wondered If the feeling would still be there but it was. We spoke a lot about our families and friends growing up, as well as books and movies. The conversation just flowed.

The champagne went straight to my head and I felt myself sliding further and further down the pillows until I was on my back and my eyes grew heavy.

“We can go in, if you’re getting sleepy?” He said watching me and gently sweeping stray hair off my face.

“No no, I’m not tired, just resting my eyes,” I lied. I was no where near ready for this to end.

A stray breeze made me shiver and he leaned in closer. He was propped up on one elbow, his body lying against mine. I turned my head to nuzzle into his chest. He drew circles round my face lightly with the tips of his fingers. It caused tingling sensations to shoot down my body.

I felt light, and carefree, and tired. I was properly tired for the first time in the past few weeks. His fingers travelled from my cheek down the lengths of my arm. It was so soothing I don’t know at what point I fell asleep.

I woke up to the gentle kiss he lay against my forehead, “I think it’s time we head in.” He guided me through the now quiet house and to his room. I could barely keep my eyes open as we walked.

He pulled back the covers and I climbed in. He took off my shoes and then pulled the covers back over me and I drifted off almost instantly.

_____________

I dreamt of us in the forest again, lying together under the trees. The sun shinning down in rays through the leaves. I dreamt of the fire, the women dancing in their white tunics to the beat of the drums. This time I joined them, swaying my hips and arms.

I woke up at dawn with the light just seeping through the curtains. He held me in his arms, my back flush against his bare chest.

I slowly rolled over to look at him, trying to make my movements as smooth as possible as not to wake him.

I examined his face, every inch of it, taking in every interesting, beautiful feature. He breathed a heavy sigh out, without opening his eyes. “Good morning,” he whispered.

“Morning,” I whispered back. I gently traced feather light circles with my fingertips across his face as he had done mine the night before. He purred under my touch, smiling but still not opening his eyes.

I drew loops, each loop getting longer and longer across his skin. I trailed my fingers from his temples down to his cheeks then up again. Then from his temples down his neck and across his collar bone and back. Watching carefully as his skin rippled under my touch. I then trailed from his collar bone down to his chest and back. I continued that loop, going ever so slowly from his collarbone down and then back until my fingers reached the top of his sweatpants. 

I saw the smile grow on his face, the slight blush in his cheeks when I trailed my fingers along the top of his waist band, dipping my finger just inside the elastic.

I could feel my heart start to beat faster as I dared to make the next move. He hadn’t stopped me, not yet. He just smiled while I explored. The room was quiet other than the sound of our breathing, my breath now heavy and staggered.

I stilled my hand for a second, my fingertips just inside his waistband before I pushed past the elastic and gripped him.

Like a predator catching his pray he grabbed my hand threw it above me and swung his leg over my waist. I shrieked as he moved his whole body over and straddled me, using his other arm to pin my remaining hand above my head too.

The cheeky grin he gave me sent a hot flushes down my body, pooling at my core.

“Good morning,” he whispered again

“Morning,” I giggled back.

He freed my hands and dropped to his elbows. He kneed my legs apart so that he could lie flat against me. I could feel him through his pants now pushing against the inside of my legs.

He cupped my face and we kissed. He sat up momentarily to pull my top off, I wriggled out of it as fast as I could. He then made light work of my bra and continued to kiss me deeply while massaging my chest.

He trailed kisses down my neck, my chest, my stomach before sitting up again. He gripped the top of my pants and stilled. “Is this, this ok?” He asked. I nodded and he yanked my pants and panties down off my hips and legs, throwing them onto the floor.

He crawled back up the bed until he was flush against me. I reached down and pushed his sweatpants to his hips. I gripped him, moving my hands slowly up and down. He moaned in my ear.

He shifted up and grabbed under my knees forcing them to bend and my legs to widen. He stilled, settling against my core and stared into my eyes as he slid in inch by inch. We both took our time, enjoying each other’s bodies until we shuddered in bliss together.

He led me to the shower after that, where we explored each other's bodies more. Taking turns to lather and rinse each other from head to toe with a soapy sponge.

By the time we were done I was exhausted again. It had been everything I hoped and imagined it would be. I got dressed for the day but went back to bed to lie down and get just a little more sleep before officially starting the day. Alex however, headed to his office.

By the time I woke up it was mid morning. I had missed breakfast but helped myself to some toast in the kitchen. I then headed back to the room and arranged my luggage so that It would be easier to access throughout my stay.

When I went down to Alex’s office I found him, Jay and Adam hovering over Alex’s desk looking at various maps and documents.

It was Adam who finally looked up and saw me in the doorway. “Why hello there sleepy, long ride yesterday?” He said sarcastically. Alex shot him a deadly glare but Adam’s contained giggle just made his shoulders bob more.

“Did you manage to get anything to eat? You missed breakfast.” Jay at least was trying to make conversation.

“Yes I’m all good thanks.” They hadn’t moved from where they were standing and I suddenly felt like I was intruding. “I was thinking I might just go walk around the perimeter,” I motioned towards the main entrance. “I can see you’re all busy.”

“Yeah that would be great. I won’t be much longer here, I’ll come find you,” Alex seemed stressed, that soft, beautiful face I saw this morning was now riddled with concern.

“Ok great, see you guys later then,” I waved them off and they each gave a nod back.

The next few days followed the same routine. I’d wake up late, have breakfast, go for a walk, check my mails, watch Ally and Adam train or help the delivery workers before having dinner with everyone on the balcony. It felt right, as though I’d been doing this for years. At night Alex and I would head off early, lying in each other’s arms and chatting until we fell asleep.  

I started to make friends too. Slowly learning the names of the shifters who worked in the house. I’d even managed to find my role in the kitchen chopping vegetables or washing dishes. I was starting to feel more like myself, more than I had in a long time.