I knew you’d like it once you got over the shock of it.
I looked down at my furry brown paws and saw the red cloaks lying on the gray rock like a bloodstain.
Can we run? I asked. I had never liked running in my human form but my wolf form? I thought it might be something I would enjoy.
Race ya. He thought and then was gone in a flash. But with my new wolf’s eyes I could easily spot him. The power that surged in my muscles surprised me. I effortlessly caught up to him. I tackled him easily in this form. What had I been so afraid of? This was amazing.
Our laughs echoed in my head as we rolled around in the dirt, grass, and twigs. He got away from me and took off running again. I knew that if I lost sight of him that I would still be able to find him. His scent, which had been potent enough when I was just human, invaded my senses and I thought it would never leave. The scent of pine and cinnamonwas now joined with a hint of citrus and wood. It was heavenly.
I surged my legs forward and sprinted after him. His laugh echoed into my head. Amazing isn’t it. He thought.
Incredible. I thought back.
I felt his smile in my mind.
I’m so happy that I got to experience this with you. He thought.
I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I love you. He thought as I caught back up to him.
We stopped. I nuzzled his wolfy neck like he had done to me. I love you, too.
I heard his sigh in my mind as he soaked in my words. He nuzzled my neck and thought, Cookies, cakes, and icing.
Pine, cinnamon, citrus, and wood. I thought back. I heard his chuckle in my mind.
We took off running again and playfully nipped at each other’s heels. We ran for hours and I never felt tired. I sensed it when Caeden began to lead us back to the river and waterfall. I was amazed that I was able to pick up on such a thing.
I stopped when we reached the river. I saw that he was moving towards the robes.
Caeden. I thought and my heart pitter patted.
Yes. He thought turning around to look at me. He was so beautiful as a wolf that I found myself gasping and at a loss for words. Or…um… thoughts.
How do I change back? I don’t know how to do this. I thought in a panic.
It’s okay Sophie. It’s not hard at all. You just have to visualize yourself as a human. You can do that right?
I hope so. I thought.
I heard his chuckle in my mind. You’ve done everything beautifully tonight. I have no doubt that this will be any different.
I was glad that at least one of us had faith in me. We hopped onto the rocks. He shimmered into his human form and pulled the cloak on. We’d both seen everything. There was no need to be polite now.
I closed my wolf eyes and pictured myself human like he said. I pictured my long brown hair, my slender hands, my knobby knees, and ten toes. My body vibrated and when I opened my eyes I saw human hands instead of wolf paws. I grabbed the cloak and wrapped it around myself.
“Are we going to do this?” asked Caeden and he sounded out of breath.
I stood and met his eyes. I knew he was talking about the bonding. “Yes,” I rasped.
He smiled. He took my hands in his large ones and grinned. “Do you, Sophie Noelle Beaumont, take me as your mate? Do you pledge your heart, your soul, your very being to me? Will you bond yourself to me?”
The air around us crackled with electricity and I swore I saw flickers of white light.
“You have my heart. You have my soul. You have my being. I am yours forever. I bond myself to you,” I spoke with confidence. I didn’t know how the words popped into my head but I knew they were the right ones to speak. He smiled.
I swallowed. “Do you, Caeden Henry Williams, take me as your mate? Do you pledge your heart, your soul, your very being to me? Will you bond yourself to me?” I gulped. For a moment I was unsure of his answer.
He smiled hugely. “You have my heart. You have my soul. You have my being. I am yours forever. I bond myself to you,” he said with conviction. His lips pressed against mine. One hand cradled my cheek while the other rested at the small of my back. Purple and white lights twinkled around us like fireflies. Magic, like he had said. A very old, very powerful, kind of magic was at work here. I felt a zing on my left wrist and when he broke the kiss I looked down. I saw Caeden look at his own wrist.
Caeden, was tattooed in elegant script across my wrist. I looked at him in awe and saw that my name was etched onto his wrist as well.
“Amazing,” I murmured. Tonight was just full of amazement.
We held our wrists together and looked at our joined names. A little thrill went through me. My name was forever marked on his body and his on mine. Everyone would know that we had chosen each other. Our love went above and beyond the realm of possible. I had found the man of my dreams and I was only eighteen. How did I get so lucky? Most people had to wait years to find a love like ours, if they ever even found it. We were blessed and I wasn’t about to forget it.
I hugged myself against his sculpted body. I nuzzled his neck much as I had done as a wolf. The scents of pine, cinnamon, citrus, and wood erupted in my nose. “I love you,” I said.
His hand gently rubbed my arm. “I love you more than words can express. You’re my other half.”
I sighed blissfully at his words.
“Come on,” he said. “You have to be tired. We’ll sleep in the cave and drive back tomorrow morning.”
Until he said it I didn’t realize how tired I had become. My muscles were sore and my eyes were heavy with fatigue. He led me to the entrance of the cave and told me to go on in and said he was going to grab our clothes. I crawled through and this time the journey hardly bothered me at all. I was growing used to it.
The yellow lanterns were still glowing when I entered the cavern. A minute or so later Caeden crawled through with our clothes. He stuck them in a plastic bag and then began rummaging through the bins. He tossed me a baggy long-sleeved shirt and sweatpants that must have belonged to him. I slipped them on with my back to him as he slid into something similar. The sleeves and the pants legs were too long so I had to roll them up to be able to walk. When I turned around he was pulling out sleeping bags and down comforters. He also had a space heater. I didn’t think it would be necessary. Since my shift I felt hotter. Like my skin was on fire. Even the long-sleeved shirt seemed to be too much.
He grabbed two pillows and fluffed them before setting them with the sleeping bags. He pulled out something else and began pumping it. I realized it was an air mattress.
He grinned. “I didn’t think the floor would be too comfortable,” he winked.
“You’ve thought of everything,” I breathed.
“I wanted tonight to be perfect,” he said.
“I has been,” I said and he smiled. My stomach flipped at that smile.
Once the mattress was pumped he covered it with the sleeping bags and lay down. He motioned for me to join him. I did and he pulled the down comforter against us. He spooned me against him and kissed my neck.
“Sleep now,” he whispered as his hands gently caressed my cheek and then stroked my hair. I felt his soft lips press against my cheek.
I felt my eyes grow heavy. “I love you, Caeden,” I said with a sleep heavy voice. “I’m glad you were here.”
“Me too,” he said but it sounded like he was in a tunnel. Sleep overcame me and I dreamed of full moons, wolves, and tattoos.
nineteen.
“Hey, sleeping beauty,” said Caeden when I finally cracked my eyes open. Light flooded the cave and for a moment I was shocked. I was surprised any light could penetrate in here. But then I remembered the natural opening in the ceiling which explained the light.
“What time is it?” I asked sitting up and yawning. I knew my hair must be a mess but it wasn’t like he hadn’t seen it.
“It’s almost ten,” he said.
“Really?” I asked shocked. I normally never slept passed eight.
/> “Yeah,” he said. “It’s normal to sleep a lot after you shift for the first time. I slept until almost two after my first shift. My dad was ready to send out a search party.”
I saw that he was dressed in the clothes he had worn yesterday. He tossed me the plastic bag that my clothes were in.
“Change over there,” he motioned to a dark alcove, “and I’ll get this stuff packed up and then we can head home,” he said.
I nodded my head and moved into the shadows to dress. Despite the pain of my transformation I had enjoyed the time just the two of us out here in the wilderness. No one was here to watch us or scold us or judge us. It had been wonderful. Despite my claustrophobia I was finding the cave to be a sort of sanctuary.
I pulled on my jeans and zipped the zipper. I slid the elastic band off my wrist and pulled my hair back out of my face. I eased out of the shadows to find Caeden folding the blankets neatly and adding them to the bin. He had let the air out of the mattress and it laid feebly on the floor. I came over to help him. I rolled the mattress up and handed it to him. He smiled graciously.
“Ready?” he asked.
“Yeah, I guess so,” I said and I knew he heard my reluctance.
He pulled me against him. My palms rested on his chest and he pressed his lips forcefully against mine. It was a demanding, take-all, kiss and I loved it. My mouth opened underneath his and he took advantage. His fingers twined in my hair. I swore sparks were flying with the heat we were producing.
“Ready now?” he asked pulling his mouth away from mine. His hand was still twined in my hair and his breathing was as labored as mine.
“Definitely not,” I said.
He chuckled. “Well, unfortunately we do have to go.”
“Darn,” I said and he laughed. He pressed his lips against mine again but this time the kiss was tender. His thumb gently stroked the side of my face. He tugged me towards the entrance and climbed out first. I climbed out after him.
The temperature had changed overnight. Fifty degrees had turned into thirty degrees. I didn’t know how I knew but I did. But amazingly enough I didn’t feel it. It could have been seventy degrees for all I knew. The cold no longer seemed to penetrate me. I wondered what the hot summers would feel like.
Caeden looked back at me and smiled. “I wish we could run as wolves to the Jeep but I didn’t think to bring a stash of clothes. Now that you’re a wolf we’ll have to leave some of your clothes around at various locations. It’s no fun shifting without clothes. But your stamina should be better now so it shouldn’t take very long.”
“Lead the way,” I said even though it wasn’t necessary. With my new senses I could clearly see the patch from which we had come.
Caeden was right. The mile long trek didn’t take nearly as long this time around. I didn’t even fall. Maybe being a shifter wouldn’t be so bad.
However, the ride back was just as bumpy and I still found myself getting queasy.
“Are you okay?” asked Caeden at one point.
I nodded my head scared of what might come out of my mouth if I opened it up. Caeden seemed to realize this and resumed his silence. When he finally drove out of the woods and parked in the garage I immediately hopped out, sat on a spare tire, and stuck my head between my knees taking deep breaths.
“I’m sorry,” said Caeden.
“Just give me a minute,” I huffed. I worked the cold air through my lungs getting rid of the lingering feelings of nausea. He waited patiently for it to pass.
“I’m going to have to remember to get you some motion sickness pills,” he said with a chuckle.
I looked up and glared at him. “I’m not exactly used to off-roading in the woods for your information.”
“Touché,” he said.
I stood up slowly making sure the movement didn’t spin my head. When it didn’t Caeden took my head and lead me into the house. The door had hardly clicked behind us when his mom came running towards us.
Amy jumped up and down on the balls of her feet as she clapped her hands. Her smile was huge and infectious. “How’d it go?” she asked.
I shrugged my shoulders. “I guess the way it does for everybody,” I said. I had no experience in this matter so how was I supposed to know whether it was good or bad?
Caeden grinned at his mom. “She’s a natural. She was amazing.” He nuzzled my neck. “I’m so happy I got to experience that with her, mom. It was incredible. I think she’s beautiful now but when she shifted? Wow,” he said. “She took to the transformation with ease. I couldn’t have hoped for more.”
“Did you have any problem shifting back to your human form?” she addressed me.
“No, not at all,” I said. “Caeden’s a great teacher.”
“Did you…” she hesitated.
“Did we what?” I prompted.
“Did you bond?” she asked.
“Yes,” I said, “and that was as far as it went,” I assured her.
And it was amazing.
I looked at Caeden. “Did you say that out loud?” I asked.
He looked at me puzzled, a wrinkle in his brow, “No,” he said, “I didn’t say anything.”
“Yes, you did. You said, ‘and it was amazing,’ I heard you,” I said getting hysterical.
“I didn’t say anything out loud,” he repeated.
“He didn’t,” added Amy.
My mouth popped open in a little O of surprise. “You mean, I heard your thoughts in human form? Think something towards me,” I said.
Like what?
“Oh my God,” I gasped. “This must be part of the bond!” I exclaimed.
“You think something,” he said. “I want to try and hear your thoughts.”
Uh, you’re hot. I thought directing my thoughts towards him.
His laugh filled the mud room. I think you’re hot too.
This is crazy. I thought.
More like amazing. Now we can hear each other’s thoughts when we’re human too. This is great. I wonder if your parents can do this.
I don’t know, maybe. I guess we’ll find out over Spring Break.
Oh right. He thought.
His mom was staring blankly at us and Bryce had joined her. He leaned down in his mom’s ear and said. “Those two are weird.” Amy swatted at her son.
“Are you guys… communicating telepathically?”
“Uh… yeah,” I said nervously.
“Wow,” she said.
“Mom, I need to tell you something,” said Caeden.
“Oh dear lord what is it now?” asked Amy shaking her head.
Caeden looked at me and then at his mother. “Sophie and I think it would be a good idea to go and see her parents over Spring Break to learn more about being mates and the bond and what it all means.”
Amy sighed. “I should’ve known it wouldn’t be that bad since it was coming from you and not your brother but we always go camping over Spring Break, Caeden.”
“I know, Mom. You and Bryce can still go but I think this is important. Sophie and I need to understand what all this means. They’re the only other mates. We don’t have much choice.”
She shook her head and sighed. “Alright, I guess I don’t have much choice. You are a man now and I can respect your need for answers. We’ll get your tickets tonight. Sophie, does your grandma know about this?”
“No,” I said. “Caeden and I just talked about this… yesterday.” Had it only been yesterday? It seemed so much longer. So much had taken place in the last twenty-four hours that it didn’t seem possible.
Amy ran her hand through her short, brown, curly hair. “Well, call Lucinda and let me know if she’s okay with it and if she is I’ll go ahead and purchase your ticket as well.”
“Oh, that’s not necessary,” I said. “My parents gave me a credit card and I’m sure they wouldn’t care if I purchased a plane ticket to come see them.” I gulped at the thoughts of planes. And flying. Turbulence. Shaking. My stomach was getting queasy at just the thought of i
t. I really hoped Caeden could indeed distract me.
“No, no,” she said and patted my hand. “Let me do this. I didn’t get you anything for your birthday and this would be a great gift. A chance to see your parents. Please, let me do this.”
“It’s really not necessary,” I said. “But thanks it means a lot to me.”
“Oh, you’re welcome dear,” she said and pulled Caeden and me into a group hug.
“I need some lovin’ too,” said Bryce and he joined us.
“I’m going to make some lunch,” said Amy already heading towards the kitchen. “Call your grandma and your parents.”
“I will,” I said already pulling out my cell phone.
“Hello?” said my dad. “Sophie? How’d your shift go?”
“It was great dad. Once the pain was gone it was amazing,” I said.
“I knew you’d be a natural. You’re a Beaumont after all,” he said.
“I was calling for a reason,” I said. “I have a question.”
“Okay shoot,” he said and I could picture him reclining back in whatever chair it was he was sitting in.
“Caeden and I would like to come see you and mom over Spring Break? We have a ton of questions about this whole situation,” I said nervously twisting a strand of hair around my finger.
I could hear his smile over the phone. “Sure, sure, that’s great. I miss my baby girl and I want to meet your young lad. Especially if we’re going to be stuck with him.”
“Daddy,” I scolded.
He chuckled. “I’m sure he’s a great boy but you’re my little girl so I’ve gotta make sure he measures up.” I could picture him rolling up his sleeves like he was preparing for a fight.
“No one will ever measure up to your standards. If you had your way I’d be a nun,” I said with a laugh.
“That’s not a bad idea,” he said and I could hear his guffaw. He sobered up and said, “But I’m not naïve, Sophie. This boy is your mate and I know he’s not going anywhere. I would enjoy getting to know him better. Man to man,” he said.
I looked over at Caeden who was leaning against the door jamb with a quirked brow. “Daddy, don’t hurt him,” I gulped.
My dad’s laugh filled the phone. “I won’t hurt him,” he promised.
Outsider (Outsider Series) Page 25
