Chapter 15 Peace

The sun hung in the middle of the sky when I opened my eyes. Quinn was wrapped up in my arms. I had a vague memory of last night’s events. I wondered if it had all been a dream. I pulled myself together and went outside to find some coffee. Two unfamiliar faces around the campfire. It seems last night had really happened. “Good morning,” I greeted them. “Good afternoon,” Casey responded. “These are our new recruits from last night, Max and Ash.” Each person waved as their name was called. I sat down at the fire and chatted with them. Like I surmised, each of them were newly turned and had no idea what werewolf life was like. Casey educated them.

My pack grew quickly. There were nine people who now relied on me. What was I going to do with them all? Where would we stay, we couldn’t camp in the woods forever. What about food? How was I going to keep everyone fed? Quinn and I had the college cafeteria…I had no idea how everyone else how or what the others would eat. Jules’ voice pulled me out of my thoughts, “Alpha, I took your prize to my buddy. He can properly tan the hide and fur so it will stay nice.” It took me a moment to figure out what he meant, “Oh right! Thank you. I appreciate you.” Jules nodded stiffly.

I stood up, sauntered over to Casey, and knelt on the ground beside his chair. “Casey,” I began softly. “Our pack is growing. I’m worried about housing and feeding everyone. We can’t camp out in the woods forever.” Casey took a deep breath, “You’re right. We need to find long term lodging. River and I are fine in the RV, it was her idea in fact. But everyone else?” I heard leaves rustle behind me, I smelled Quinn. She kissed the top off my head and murmured, “Good morning Cutie.” I blushed bright red. “What are we talking about in such hushed tones?” She asked. “Our pack is growing,” I answered. “And I don’t know where to house them or how to keep them fed.” She was quiet for a moment before responding, “Let me work on that.”

“Have you met the newest members of our pack, Quinn?” Casey asked. She shook her head. She introduced herself to Max and Ash. I asked them to tell us about themselves. Ash started, he had grown up in a small town an hour or two to the west. He was on a visit to his friends when he was attacked and turned. He had a background in carpentry and construction thus was handy with power tools. Max had a similar situation. He was with friends on a camping trip. He was from the big city six hours to the north and wanted to get away for a week or two. The trip had ended and his friends had all gone back home. Max wanted to stay an extra to enjoy the fresh air. He was attacked that night and was turned into a wolf. I told them a little about me and how my pack was born.

It grew dark when I remembered Quinn and I had classes to get to in the morning. We had to get back to our dorm and prepare for the next day. “We will be fine Reese,” Casey stated. “Go take your classes, be a kid. We will be here when you get back,” River finished. It was cute how they would finish each other’s sentences. Quinn and I held hands as we began the long walk back to school. “I’m going to tell the dean that Sloan dropped out. Left to go to the city. Hopefully she will buy it.” There was a moment of silence. We had buried his body in the clearing where we found him. I had left a large stone as a marker. I missed him terribly.

Quinn and I sauntered in our dorm building and up the stairs. It was strangely quiet. As Quinn opened the door to our room, I noticed a white slip of paper on the floor. Someone had slid it underneath our door. I picked it up and read it. Classes were postponed for another week. People banded together to look for Sloan. He disappeared for almost two weeks. My emotions overwhelmed me. I fell to the floor and sobbed. Quinn was beside me instantly, she held me. “Trash can,” I exclaimed through sobs. I felt my stomach churn. Quinn slid a trash can under my face a split second before I heaved. She held my hair away from my face and rubbed my back.

All the emotions from Sloan’s death, the recent additions to my pack, and the associated stress, and the life I had taken from Chad; everything just poured out of me. My back arched viciously as vomit poured from my mouth. Eventually my stomach wriggled less and the puke subsided. I held on to Quinn for dear life, the room was spun. “Let it all out, baby,” her voice soothed me. “Get it all out.” I couldn’t stop the tears. I had lost so much in such a short time. I had lost my parents, my life, my ability to be an irresponsible young adult. I lost my best friend. I wasn’t even close to thirty years old yet and I had the weight of the world on my shoulders.

“Why Quinn, why?” I sobbed “Why did he have to kill Sloan?” My chest felt impossibly tight, I couldn’t breathe. She held me close. “I didn’t want to kill him. I swear I didn’t. He made me do it. He was going to hurt you, hurt everyone.” My voice was thick and raspy. “Why would he make me do it? It feels horrible. I can’t take it. I can’t stand feeling like this!” “Sweetie, listen to me,” she breathed. “You are not alone. I’m right here with you. You are safe.” She stroked my hair and massaged my neck. “You’re okay, baby. I’m not gonna let anything happen to you.”

I’m not sure how long we stayed on the floor, I bawled my eyes and Quinn comforted me. “Come with me,” she gently got me to my feet, “you’ll be much more comfortable on the bed.” She sat down at the head of the bed and sat me down beside her, I laid down and put my head in her lap. She gently massaged my head and neck. Her fingers felt wonderful, I felt some of the tension leave my body. I relaxed a little, my breaths became deeper and slower. “That’s my girl,” Quinn cooed. “Nice deep breaths.” A tingle ran down my spine and I shivered. She had called me her girl. ‘Her girl ’ had a very nice ring to it.

“Thank you Quinn,” I breathed. “Thank you for everything.” She smiled down at me, “Of course, I’m happy to help.” I listened to the sound of her breath, it helped me to relax. Quinn’s presence soothed me, the way her fingers felt on my skin, her perfume, the sound of her breath. She made me happy. She helped calm my anxiety. Slowly the tears stopped. She repositioned her body so we were laying next to each other. She preferred to be the ‘big spoon’ which suited me just fine. It wasn’t long before I fell asleep in her arms.

I pushed open my eyes, the sun shone through the drapes. Quinn looked so beautiful. I couldn’t help but smile and think how lucky I was. I could look at her all day. “What are you looking at, Pretty Lady,” she asked me sleepily. My smile was so wide and I blushed bright red. “You’re beautiful,” I whispered. “Nah. I’m not even wearing makeup.” I shook my head, “You’re beautiful with or without makeup. You’re kind and gentle hearted, how much you care for and take me and the pack. That makes you beautiful on the inside. Your gorgeous smile makes you beautiful on the outside.” It was Quinn’s turn to blush bright red. “Oh stop.” “Nope, no way,” I replied and kissed her. A moan escaped her lips, “Oh my,” she breathed. I giggled. We spent the day in bed, cuddling, kissing, watching movies on Quinn’s laptop. Just being together in each other’s arms.

The next morning I was feeling a little guilty for being away from the pack because we didn’t have classes this week. The whole reason I left was to attend classes. Quinn gently lifted my chin with her finger and looked me in the eye. “They are okay. No one is chasing them. No one is hunting them. You need to relax and rest. I’m keeping you here with me this week and you’re going to like it.” She said the last line teasingly. I smiled, “Oh really? Make me!” Her eyes flashed with desire. “You’re asking for it now!” Her hand slipped behind my neck and she pulled me in for a kiss. Once again, fireworks. I felt dizzy and lightheaded. Her kisses made my world spin.

“Come on, I’m taking you out.” My breath was short from the kiss, “Where are we going?” Quinn smiled mischievously, “You’ll see.” She riffled through my closet and muttered to herself. “Yes!” She exclaimed. She brought out a familiar dress. It was the black knee length with a chain for a belt she had bought me on winter break. A playful smile crossed my lips. I dug in my dresser and pulled out my fishnet stockings. “Oh baby,” she looked like she wanted to pull my legs apart and lick me up and down. “Hey, you said we were going out, so let’s go out!” She moaned softly and said, “Yes! We are going out.” She shook her head in an attempt to clear it.

Quinn and I walked hand in hand off campus, through the woods, and into the little town. There was a quaint coffee shop all decked out for the winter holiday season. Coffees in hand, we strolled around until we found the bookshop. We picked out books we thought the other would like. We bought them, returned to the coffee shop, snuggled down on a couch and began to read. Ironically enough the book Quinn got for me was werewolf/vampire fiction. She giggled at the irony. I had picked a smutty lesbian book for her, Her head was always in the gutter. “Maybe I’ll learn some new tricks to use on you,” she winked at me.

After we read for a few hours, Quinn took my hand and took me to a movie theater. It featured classic monster flicks. How this girl was able to read my mind I had no idea. We cuddled in the recliner seats, the armrests could be lifted up for maximum cuddles. We giggled quietly at the over-the-top, excessive acting. The monsters looked hilariously fake. We had a blast. I couldn’t help but watch her as she giggled at the movie. She was so beautiful it almost hurt. I squeezed her hand twice, she winked at me and squeezed my hand twice. My heart beat rapidly on my chest. I was head over heels for this girl.