This night had been exhausting. I was finally back home from closing the bar and all I wanted to do was get a hot shower. I was embarrassed of Nick overhearing me, but why should I be? It was my honest opinion in the moment. Why do I care what he thinks? Because heâs the Alpha. He babied me more than I cared to admit. He let me get away with things he wouldnât let other wolves get away with. And I know itâs from the guilt he has over saving me when I begged him to let me go to my mother. I blamed him for so long after that night. But tonight it has been ten years since he pulled that little girl from the fire. I donât blame Nick for anything, Iâm thankful he saved me but I never told him and I donât know why.
I striped down to my bare skin with every intention of getting in the shower and going to bed. Yet my bones aches for a release and I couldnât deny the wolf inside me. I took a deep breath and allowed my bones to break into new forms. I fell to the ground on all fours as my hands turned into paws. I moaned loudly as my mouth and nose turned into a snout. The sweet release overcame me and I shook out my auburn fur. A quick leap from the window and I felt the windy breeze from the roof. I jumped off and landed on my paws in the grass. I needed to run.
I took off, leaving my thoughts in my bedroom. With a clear mind I knew exactly where I needed to go. I stopped just before my paws hit the river. I dipped my nose in the cold water and splashed it in the sky. A howl escaped me as I cried to the moon. Even ten years later I still felt the pain. It has dulled over time but I donât think it will ever go away. I should have called my dad to check on him, but I was so busy in my own head that I didnât even bother. Now there was a new ache in my heart. What a shitty daughter I must be.
My ear perked at the sound of another in the woods. I breathed in deeply to catch a scent. Derek. What was he doing out here? I opened my mind to link in his own.
Careful, Iâm beginning to think youâre following me.
You would be so lucky.
His wolf appeared in my line of view and only came closer to me.
And what do I owe this pleasure?
If itâs pleasure youâre looking for, you found it.
He brushed his coat up against mine before flicking his tail on my snout. With a few more steps he stretched out and I heard a pop! His body began shifting back to his human form. He sighed heavily and laid his bare body in the grass. Being a wolf makes it easy to ignore a naked body unlike humans. Itâs a second skin to us, not sexual in nature unless the wolf is aroused. I took his lead and morphed next to him.
âI heard you howl.â He locked his eyes on mine. âThe sadness in your voice...â he trailed off and brushed his thumb against my cheek. âWhatâs wrong, Em? This mating ritual got you that tore up?â Derek had no idea about my mother. He knew she wasnât around but I never gave him the details. And tonight wasnât going to be any different.
âMaybe Iâm just lonely.â I leaned ever so gently against him, but it was enough to spark an interest that hasnât seen light since I first turned him down. His hand lifted to my hair, running his fingers down the length to my ass. He lifted his hand again and gently brushed my shoulder and caressed my arm.
âI have a cure for that.â He licked his bottom lip like Iâd seen him do in the bar to many females.
âThen what are you waiting for?â That was all the invitation he needed. He gripped my shoulders and pulled me into his chest. His lips found mine in a hungry pull. He wrapped his body around mine until I laid perfectly flat in the grass, his body hovering over mine. I could smell the lust getting stronger as it seeped from his skin. I didnt dare break the kiss until he did. He stared into my eyes as if he was making sure he was still given permission. When he saw no hesitation in my eyes he lowered his body down to mine and his lips found mine once again.