by M. K. Harper
“There’s so much to tell you, but I feel like the rest isn’t my place,” she says, looking at Dax. He nods his head. She leans in and presses a lingering kiss to my forehead. “I love you so much, and I’m so sorry, Inds.” With that, she gets up and leaves me and Mr. Bardot alone. An awkward silence settles between us. Eventually he takes Mom’s vacated seat and reluctantly takes my hand in his. I’m too shocked to do anything other than let him. He clears his throat before speaking.
“Pack Bardot and Pack Ames built this town years ago,” he pauses, looking between my eyes to see if I’m understanding what he’s not outright saying.
“You’re a....” He nods before I can finish the question. Well fuck me sideways. I’m not sure what to do with that. “Once upon a time our packs lived in harmony, but that changed about two generations ago. The way Pack Ames does things, doesn’t sit well with Pack Bardot, but that’s a story for a different day. You just need to know that you aren’t safe with them, so never trust an Ames or anyone they associate with.” He looks at me with such intensity, waiting for my agreement. I nod, knowing he won’t accept anything less.
“The first day I saw you, I could smell you.” I scrunch my nose up at him and he laughs. “Feral’s put off a certain scent. At first I just assumed that it was one of Pack Ames’ members. Let’s just say they have a thing for holding mates hostage as a form of torture.” My stomach drops and I feel bile rising in my throat.
“But when our eyes locked, I knew that you were so much more. Had it not been for the Feral scent masking it, I would’ve known the moment I stepped foot through the door.” He runs a hand through his hair, his knee bouncing nervously.
“I’m confused. What would you have known?” I ask.
“I would have known that you‘re my mate.” The room spins and I momentarily wonder if I’m going to black out for the second time in less than twenty-four hours.
Chapter 12
“Say what now?” My voice sounds slightly panicked, rightly fucking so in my humble opinion. At some point during my freak out, I must’ve snatched my hand away from his. He reaches back out and sandwiches it between the two of his, stroking one of his thumbs across my wrist. Shivers trail down my spine at the simple touch.
“Do you feel that?” His voice is low and soft, a hypnotizing sound that makes me want to curl up in his lap. I nod, because there’s no point in lying.
“I thought it was one sided, that I was just a silly girl with a crush.” I look away, feeling too raw and flayed open to meet his eyes.
“Not at all.” He places a gentle finger under my chin and turns my face back towards his. “Our circumstances have just been less than optimal. I knew you had no idea what I was. There wasn’t an ounce of recognition when I spoke to you that first day. Unlike with your mom, she could’ve spotted me a mile away. Lycanthrope carry themselves a certain way. We have an air of lethality to us. Humans have a predisposition to know when they’re in the presence of a more deadly predator. After you’ve been exposed to our kind for a bit, and now that you know about us, you’ll be able to pick up the differences more easily.”
“I also promised your mom I would keep my distance from you for the time being. Our situation is a bit different from most. You’re still a minor and I’m your teacher.” Dax scrubs a hand down his face, his annoyance evident. “If it weren’t for my need to protect you, I would resign immediately. I need you to know that. No job could ever matter as much as you do.” My heart starts to beat erratically. He’s saying things I didn’t dare dream he ever would. At least not to me. I don’t know what to say or how to feel, though. So much has been thrown at me since last night, I’m just trying to process it all and not have a nervous breakdown.
“I know this is a lot to take in, and I don’t expect you to suddenly develop feelings for me. But I can tell you that I care for you immensely and I hope you’ll one day feel the same way about me.” His eyes hold so much tenderness. That sweet smile of his tugs at his lips. Doesn’t he know that I already do feel that way about him? And that’s a scary realization. That this man before me is the one I’m supposed to spend forever with and I’m not bothered by that in the least. I don’t know his favorite color or his favorite food. I don’t know what little things bug him or what he enjoys doing outside of work. Oddly enough, none of that really matters in the grand scheme of things. I’ll learn all of it in time, for now it’s enough to know that I’m not crazy and he’s feeling that same draw to me just as much as I am to him.
“Can I ask you something?” I look up at him, afraid to hear his answer.
“Anything,” he replies.
“Are you upset that it’s me? Do you only want to be with me so that you don’t end up like my father?” The thought of Dax turning into what my dad is makes me physically ill but I don’t want to be his bandaid. Obviously these mate bonds don’t always get it right, otherwise my parents would’ve been mated, right? I mean, how can you love someone so much and then be told that it’s not enough, that there’s another person who fits your missing piece better. For all I know, Dax has already found love and I’m just an intrusion.
“Oh, baby...” His hand cradles my cheek and I melt at the way he so naturally calls me that. “The moment our eyes connected I wanted every piece of you. I wanted to hole up in a cabin for days and explore everything about you. If I didn’t think you’d run for the hills, I would’ve done just that. The pack your father was brought up in was small and probably didn’t have the pertinent knowledge that’s passed down through larger packs. I’ve known my whole life that there’d only be one person I was meant to share my life with. I haven’t felt any desire to be with a woman until I laid my eyes on you. Do you get what I’m saying, Linny?” He pins me to the spot with his stare as his words sink in. Is he saying he’s never been with anyone in that way? It’s almost laughable considering how mouth watering he is.
“How old are you?” I blurt out, not able to keep the thought locked away. I mean, women must throw themselves at him. Tits McGee being his number one fan.
“Twenty-one,” he answers with a massive grin. The age gap isn’t too bad.
“I’ll be eighteen in eight days,” I say, for some insane reason, knowing good and well that it looks like I’m counting down the days till I’m legally able to jump his bones. I look up at the ceiling, silently asking God why he made me this way.
“I know.” His grin grows impossibly bigger.
“I swear I didn’t mean it like that.” I laugh, because really...what else can I do?
“Uh huh,” he says playfully, tucking a pice of hair behind my ear.
“And Tits McGee?” The question just tumbles out. Apparently I’m on a roll.
“Tits McGee?” he sputters, amusement dancing in his eyes.
“Allana...” I say her name like it’s a bad word. Dax bursts into laughter, his head thrown back. His throat flexes with the movement and I have the sudden urge to lick it. I’m still staring at him like he’s a Grade A piece of meat when he finally gets control of himself. When he takes in my heated stare, his eyes darken and his hand moves to cradle the back of my neck, his thumb stroking the sensitive skin just below my ear.
“You keep looking at me like that and I won’t be able to wait eight more days, sweetheart,” he rasps against my ear. I gulp, trying to fight the urge to push him further. I’m dying to know what happens when his restraint snaps. Apparently having a mate sends my inhibitions flying out the window. And Mom was worried about alcohol...
“As for Allana,” he pulls back to look me in the eyes. “Her family has pushed for us to be together since we were kids, but I feel nothing for her. There has not, nor will there ever be, anything between us. You’re it for me.” The sincerity in his eyes makes my palms sweat and my mouth suddenly dry. For the first time, it’s really sinking in that he’s mine. It’s good to know that jealousy I’ve been feeling is explainable.
“Okay,” I say quietly. I have so many questions but I don’
t know how to prioritize them. I go with the one that seems more urgent first. “So I’m half Lycanthrope, does that mean I’ll go all wolfy too? Is it only during the full moon?”
“No, you won’t go all wolfy,” he chuckles. “Any kids we have will probably be able to shift, but if you were going to, you would have around puberty. And no, we aren’t prisoner to the lunar cycle like books and movies would have you believe. The only effect a full moon has is on us is heightening our senses. We’re more deadly on a full moon versus any other night, but our strength does build the closer we get to it. We’re at our weakest the days after. Make sense?” I nod. For the most part it does, but I’m sure there’s so much more I still don’t understand. I rub the back of my head, the dull ache I’ve been feeling has now turned into a throb.
“Are you in pain?” Dax asks, concerned.
“I just have a headache,” I tell him.
“You hit your head pretty hard when Christian charged you.” His eyes darken again, but not with lust. This time they’re full of rage and promising revenge. He grabs the empty glass on my nightstand and goes to the bathroom to fill it. When he comes back he pops open the bottle of Tylenol someone brought in and hands me two.
“Those should help.” I toss them back and wash them down. I lay back, curling up on my side. Dax leans down and presses a sweet kiss to my forehead. The simple gesture feels charged with electricity. A brand being burned into me but without the pain. He moves back and I grab his hand.
“Are you leaving?” I’m sure I sound needy but I can’t find the strength to care. The thought of being away from him right now has my palms sweating for an entirely different reason.
“Someone would need a goddamn forklift to remove from your side. And even that might not be enough,” he states with conviction. Without a second thought, he lifts his shirt over his head and kicks off his shoes. I take a moment to memorize every ripple of his abdomen. He’s built perfectly. Dax peels the covers back and slides into bed with me. With care, he gently pulls me against him. My head rests on his chest, his arm beneath me. The position should be uncomfortable, but he’s better than any pillow I’ve ever slept on. His body is warm and the sound of his heartbeat is the best damn lullaby I’ve ever heard.
“Get some rest, baby.” He kisses the top of my head. “I’ll be right here when you wake up.”
With that promise, my eyes close and I drift off into a dreamless sleep.
Chapter 13
By the time I wake up, it’s dark outside. The space beside me is empty and panic grips at my chest. I’m slightly disoriented and terrified that I dreamt the whole mated to Dax thing up. Concussions are funny like that, right?
“Dax?” I call out, my voice trembling. My door flies open a second later, the man himself barreling in like he’s expecting a fight.
“What’s wrong?” He kneels in front of me, his eyes and hands raking over me, looking for any sign of damage.
“I just didn’t know where you were,” I confess, leaning my head against his chest. My hand unconsciously fists his shirt. Feeling slightly embarrassed at my sudden need for him, and not wanting to let on just how much I don’t want to be away from him, I throw out, “I have to pee.” As if that explains my panicked shout for him.
“Okay, let me help you up.” Dax puts an arm around me and leads me to the bathroom. He’s still standing there, staring at me.
“Um, I got it from here,” I say, not needing an audience while I relieve my bladder.
“I’ll turn around. The pain pills might make you groggy, I don’t want you to fall,” he replies, like that’s totally acceptable.
“Nuh uh. Out.” I point to the door. No way his he getting his first glimpse at my girly bits while I tinkle.
“Linden,” he starts, a determined look on his face.
“Mom!” I yell. “There’s a boy in my bathroom and he won’t get out.” I’m starting to wiggle, my bladder impossibly full. Thankfully Mom comes through the door a second later.
“Let me guess? He won’t let you pee in peace?” She gives him a look, but there’s warmth in her eyes. I’m full on dancing at this point, afraid I’m going to piss myself any second.
“What are you doing?” Dax asks, trying his best not to laugh.
“That’s her tinkle dance if you must know, and it means we’re seconds away from an accident. So you need to skedaddle before you’re mate loses all bladder control,” she answers him, much to my horror.
“Mom!” I screech in embarrassment. Dax shakes his head and leaves with a smile on his face. I yank down my sleep shorts and sigh in relief when my bladder deflates.
“You should probably know that wolves are possessive and protective. Might as well get used to it.” She smiles at me. “And also, Dax is the one who changed your clothes last night.” I look down, it just now dawning on me that I’m not wearing what I was at the party.
“What the hell, Mom? How are you so blasé about all of this?” I question her while washing my hands. I’ve never even had a boyfriend before but suddenly I get a mate and it’s completely normal. I feel like we’ve skipped so many steps. Where the heck is my lecture about boys and getting my heart broken? When I turn to her, tears have filled her eyes.
“I never knew how the Lycanthrope gene would effect you. I always hoped since you didn’t shift, that you wouldn’t see any repercussions from it. But I’d never know for sure, and my worst nightmare was you one day needing a mate and not having one. Just because your wolf doesn’t make an appearance, doesn’t mean that there’s not a tiny sliver of one in there.” She taps my chest.
“To know you’ve found yours, makes my heart happier than you could ever begin to imagine, Indy. I know that man will love and take care of you for the rest of his life. What more could a mother ask for? You won’t have to date a million frogs to find your prince. Besides, have you ever tried to come between a male wolf and his mate?” Her eyes widen comically. “Not something I ever care to do.” We share a laugh before she pulls me into a hug.
“Are you okay with all of this?” she asks, still holding me tightly.
“I thought I was crazy, Mom. He walked into the classroom and I knew I was so screwed. One look was all it took and I was his. How insane is that?” I pull away and look at her.
“It’s not insane, sweetheart. It’s just the way of his people. Of your people. It’s beautiful and special. But you do need to be careful. I know his status in this town gives him leeway, but he’s still your teacher. We don’t need anyone digging around our past.” I nod in agreement, knowing we have to keep our relationship a secret until graduation.
“Linny? Everything okay?” Dax asks from the other side of the door. Mom laughs and pulls it open.
“Freakin’ wolves...” she mumbles as she exits. “Good luck getting Linden to conform to your possessive ways.” She pats him on the chest. “She tends to march to the beat of her own drum. One that’s usually off beat and a bit erratic.”
“Gee thanks, Mom. You sing such high praises of me. It’s a miracle you didn’t scare him away while I was knocked out.” I cringe just thinking of all the stories she would’ve had the time to tell him.
“Don’t worry, I don’t scare easily.” He winks at me and I melt into a metaphorical puddle. Just then, my stomach decides to voice it’s outrage at being denied sustenance. Both Mom and Dax laugh.
“Come on, we ordered pizza. It’s should be here any minute,” Dax says, linking my hand with his and leading us towards the kitchen. I sit on one of the barstools and watch in fascination as he comfortably maneuvers his way around our kitchen. He grabs some paper plates and sodas from the fridge. He slides a Coke over to me and takes a Dr Pepper for himself.
“I saw you drinking them all week. That’s your favorite, right?” He points at the can of Coke. I nod, not realizing how much he’s been paying attention.
“And Dr. Pepper is yours?” I ask.
“Yep.”
“Favorite color?” I throw out
.
“We’re doing this?” His eyes light up.
“Why not?” I respond. “We should probably know the basics about each other, don’t you think?”
“Fair enough. It’s green, like the color of grass,” he answers. “Yours?”
“A deep orange, like the sunset. It was one of my favorite things, watching the sun go down every night through my window.” I remember how I used to long to see it from outside my confines, in the fresh air with all the sounds that came from being outdoors.
“I already know your favorite food is an Oreo.” He smiles. “Mine’s lasagna and my least favorite is pimento cheese.” I laugh.
“That’s really specific. Do I sense some trauma there?” I joke.
“You have no idea.” He shivers in disgust. Even his grossed out face is adorable. I’m pretty sure everything that he does is.
“Oreos are actually my favorite snack and sometimes dessert. Actual food would probably be pasta, in any form. Least favorite is seafood. If it lives in water in general, it’s a no for me.” Now it’s my turn to shiver in disgust.
“Good to know,” he says, smiling at me fondly. The doorbell rings but before Dax can move to answer it, the door is thrown open and in walks a flustered Chevy carrying way too many pizza boxes for his stick-like arms.
“Bitch!” he cries out, tears streaming down his face as he drops the pizza on the counter and pulls me into him. “You scared me to fucking death you, whore.” He sobs against me as I try not to flinch from the pain his death grip is causing. The wounds on my shoulders scream in outrage.
“Too much, she’s hurt, remember?” Dax plucks him off of me.
“Fuck,” Chev says, looking even more distraught. I wave him off.
“You’re fine. And I’m fine, promise. Trust me, it wasn’t my intention to get kabob’d by a...wolf?” I say it like a question, not knowing how much Chevy knows or what I’m allowed to tell him. Im guessing it’s a no-no to go around admitting that werewolves are real.
