by AJ Skelly
“How strong do you like your brew?”
“I tend to like it pretty strong. Are you a regular coffee drinker?”
“Sometimes. Glad we agree. Coffee is only good if the spoon stands up in it.” He winked at me, and I felt my mouth curve up. It was easier to forget my anger and frustration at this situation with the easy banter between us. Maybe the whole month wouldn’t be absolute torture?
A quick glance at the sink let me know Sam had done up all the dirty dishes from my baking escapade. It sent a sudden curl of warmth through my stomach.
“Sorry. Guess I kinda pooped out last night. I don’t generally leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight.”
“That’s okay. Do you even remember getting into bed last night?”
“I really don’t,” I confessed.
A devilish glint lit his eyes. “You don’t remember professing your undying love for me? I’m wounded!”
I snagged the pillow off my bed and threw it at him. He caught it lightly and tossed it back to the bed.
“Not funny, Sam,” I retorted even as I felt my cheeks flush and my mouth tip up.
He chuckled, picked the percolator up, and aimed the sink nozzle into it.
I raised my arms above my head, still trying to work out kinks; Wolf appreciated the stretch, too, though she would have preferred to be doing it in fur. Sam’s phone buzzed.
Grabbing it, he glanced at the screen, and his face fell. “Dad,” he muttered as he swiped his finger over the screen to take the call.
“Hi, Dad.”
With my new senses, I could hear Mr. Wolfe’s voice on the other end but still wasn’t attuned enough to catch the words, but judging by the way dread was writing itself all over Sam’s face, I started to get nervous.
The call wasn’t long, but Sam just stood, eyeing his phone for a few seconds after it ended.
“What’s wrong?” I whispered. I didn’t know why I was whispering, but it felt appropriate.
Sam cleared his throat. “Um, that was Dad. Remember the Gathering I mentioned yesterday?”
Snakes writhed in my belly as I nodded.
“Dad told me we’re having it tonight. At sundown. So about an hour and a half from now.”
Shivers worked their way over my skin. Tonight? In an hour and a half? “What exactly am I supposed to do?”
He raked a hand through his already-tousled hair. “Dad will make the announcement that I bit you.” He swallowed. “In the wolf world, everyone will know that means we’re together. After, we’ll stand out by the fire pit and everybody who is able to come will walk past us, scent you, and let you scent them. Then we’ll probably go for a pack run.”
I felt my eyebrows drawing together. Scent me? “What does that even mean?”
“It’s the way we identify our own pack. When you scent someone, it’s like taking a fingerprint of their unique smell. Your wolf will commit it to memory. It will probably only take one whiff for you to get everyone down. Wolves are like that with smells. It’s also kind of like a pack initiation. By trading scents, it’s like a wolf handshake.”
“Do I have to be a wolf for this?”
“No, you’ll do it as a human.” His eyes were a little troubled, and I wasn’t sure if it was because of the announcement that he bit me, or something else.
“How do you scent someone?” He swallowed again. My stomach dropped.
He came in close. Really close. In my bubble close. Like he was going to kiss me close. I stepped back.
“What are you doing?”
“Trying to show you how you scent someone.”
I arched my eyebrows. “You scent someone by leaning in to kiss them?” I tried to keep the accusation out of my voice, but I’m not sure it worked.
Sam let out a frustrated huff.
“No. I wasn’t trying to kiss you. Scenting is just a little personal.”
It was my turn to swallow as I held still. It felt more like an act of trust with Sam standing so close, swearing he wasn’t trying to kiss me. He searched my eyes for a second before slowly lowering his head to my collar bone.
Every muscle in my body went rigid as Wolf flopped onto her back, pushing me to completely surrender to whatever it was Sam wanted to do. I crushed that thought even as my heart rate picked up.
His nose skimmed my collar bone, up the side of my neck and behind my ear. Goose flesh raised all over me as I felt him inhale, then slowly exhale as he pulled back. He didn’t step back though, but remained close, scrutinizing my face.
My brain was frozen, mouth hanging open. Letting Sam scent me had been somehow deeper than letting him kiss me. My mouth opened and shut, searching for words, though none came out.
“Sunshine and roses. Just like when you were human,” he said then grimaced. “Sorry. That probably sounded creepy.”
I chose to ignore that and focused on the technical. Scenting. My knees quavered.
“I’m supposed to let how many random strangers do this to me?”
“And you’ll scent them, too.”
My hand clapped onto my forehead. This was too much. It felt like too much of me. Part of my brain realized all I was doing was taking a quick sniff of someone. But with the wolf side of me in full gear, it was more. A lot more. It was for sure more personal than a handshake.
“Meg?”
“I need coffee,” I blurted.
Chapter 27
Sam
Meg looked rattled. I was rattled. Scenting her had been delicious. Wolf was on high alert, and the rest of me was distracted, too.
“I can finish making coffee. Since everyone will be here in an hour or so anyway, I might as well make the whole pot,” I said, glad to have anything else as a diversion. Scenting had never been a turn on for me, but scenting Megan definitely was. I shook my head to clear it as I finished filling the pot to the brim. Everyone not sick or out of town would be at this Gathering.
“Um, will…will scenting be so…personal with everyone?”
My ears perked up. It felt personal to her, too? That was a good sign, I thought.
“I doubt it. Most of the time, scenting is similar to a handshake, but a little more up close, if you will.” I paused. “How personal was it?” Dying to know her reaction, I watched her swallow and fidget as she cleared her throat.
“I think that just wasn’t at all what I was expecting.” Wolf sobered some. I was hoping for more. Like maybe fireworks. I nodded, not trusting my voice. She sighed, and I glanced back to find her eyes screwed shut and her mouth a thin line. She opened her eyes, met my gaze, and bit her lip. I raised an eyebrow.
“This is really awkward and embarrassing.” She stopped.
I lifted my eyebrows as I put the heavy percolator onto the counter and gave her my full attention.
She stammered, “Can…do—I mean…” then all in a rush, “Can I practice scenting you?”
I laughed. I couldn’t help it. Wolf was elated that she wanted to scent me. Or at least try it out. I wondered if she would find it attractive. Hopefully.
“Sure.”
With the speed of a turtle, she came over to me by the sink. Gingerly standing on tiptoe, she leaned in ever so slightly and sniffed. Like she had a cold. I bit back a grin.
“Was that it?”
“Not quite.” I smiled. “Let your wolf do the work. Like you did when you were baking last night.”
“Hmm. That was easier. I picked up a little canister and let her sniff. I can’t exactly do the same to you.”
“I’m a little large for a canister. Just lean in and let her get my scent.”
On tiptoes again, she leaned in, clearly still leery of getting into my space. I wanted her in my space! She inhaled a little deeper this time, though still not letting her wolf lead.
“Don’t be afraid of it. It’s a perfectly natural nicety in the pack.” When she glanced up at me, still skeptical and uncomfortable, I lightly circled her waist and brought her in closer. Her eyes went wide, and panic momentarily f
lashed across her face. I swallowed back the urge to kiss her senseless and instead dropped my hands and made myself respond clinically.
“When you’re scenting someone, it’s okay to get closer to them than would be appropriate by human standards. You don’t have to actually touch their skin with your nose, but you do need to get in close.” Even though I had thoroughly enjoyed raising goose bumps on her a few minutes ago, it wasn’t entirely necessary I get that close to her.
I held still, heart picking up as I tipped my chin back.
She was only standing an inch or two away, so she didn’t have far to lean in. My eyes closed as I felt the warm rush of air leave her as she exhaled before she came a hair’s breadth away from my skin and breathed deeply. Wolf nudged me to reciprocate, but I held back. She didn’t immediately lean back, and I stayed still as a statue. I could sense the change in her when she let her wolf take over but was unprepared for her touch. Her hand came up and cupped the back of my neck as her nose touched behind my ear.
Have mercy, it made my knees weak.
Her wolf must have sensed something in me because her wolf faded, and she quickly stepped back.
I cleared my throat, determined not to spook her.
“And the verdict is?”
“Snow and pine.” Her cheeks colored lightly. “Though I think I already knew that.”
I raised my eyebrows. That was news to me. I was pleased she’d already picked up my scent.
“So think you can let your wolf to the surface to scent about forty-five more?”
She rolled her eyes. “Not like I have a choice.”
Chapter 28
Megan
Sundown came not long after we’d finished the pizza, and people came with it.
Sam had suggested we wait out by the fire pit, and I pulled my coat tighter as much for my nerves as to ward off the chill breeze. I was thankful Cade and Raven, and I assumed, their parents, were first to arrive.
Mr. and Mrs. Rivers hung back and waved to me as Cade and Raven made their way over to us.
“Hey, guys,” Sam said.
“Beta bro.” Cade slapped Sam on the shoulder. “Beta lady,” he said to me with a hint of cheek.
Sam glared. Cade grinned and shut up.
“Hi, Megan,” Raven broke in, rolling her eyes at her brother. “Did I get everything you needed for baking?”
“Absolutely.” I was grateful to have a topic I was totally comfortable with. “Actually, I made you some mini cheesecakes as a thank-you. They’re waiting for you in the fridge.”
“Oh, wow! You didn’t have to do that.” Her smile was so genuine it helped put me at ease.
Before we could continue conversation, tires crunched the gravel and my new in-laws stepped out of a dark SUV. I felt Sam stiffen at my side and felt my own wolf tighten, instinctively anxious on his behalf, as well as nervous at being near Dominic Wolfe.
He stepped regally to the edge of the fire pit, nodding deeply to Mr. and Mrs. Rivers and then to us.
“Samuel, how about we get a fire started?” he called out. His voice still carried the distinct edge of the Alpha, but for the first time, it held no traces of anger. I felt Wolf exhale, and I joined her relief.
“You good for a few minutes?” Sam said quietly. I nodded, and he and Cade went to go help stack firewood within the stone circle. Mr. Wolfe took Sam aside and whispered something in his ear. Sam shook his head, and Mr. Wolfe frowned slightly before bending down and handing Sam a stack of wood. I wondered what that exchange was all about.
“So this is your first Gathering?” Raven asked.
“Definitely. Anything I should know?” I tried to keep my voice light.
She laughed. “Nah, just the usual meet and greet.” She smiled at me, but her eyes were curious. I gave her kudos for not peppering me with questions. If I had been her and my second-in-command had a newly wolfed girlfriend, which Raven had to realize by now, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to remain quiet on the subject.
Mary walked over and motioned for Raven’s parents to join us. She made introductions.
“Steve, Amalie, this is Megan. Megan, Steve and Amalie Rivers.”
“Good to meet you,” I got out.
“The pleasure is ours.” Amalie smiled back. It was clear that Cade and Raven got their dark coloring from their dad. Their mom was almost white-blonde. The adults moved off a few paces after a few minutes as other people started pouring into the back yard of the cabin.
Wolf was having a heyday with all the new smells and sounds. I was glad Raven was there while Sam and Cade were getting the fire started. Tammy came over not long after, and we made small talk together.
“So how are things?” Tammy asked, her eyes insinuating more than a casual question.
“Um, all right,” I said honestly. I wasn’t great, and at the moment I was a little terrified of what was coming. A distinctive twinkle shimmered in Tammy’s eyes.
“I remember Sam’s first Gathering as Beta. He was so nervous that he would do or say the wrong thing. He was so distracted that he didn’t even realize when he set his own tail on fire.” Raven snorted, and Tammy had to pause through a fit of giggles. “We’ve never let him live that one down!”
My mouth tipped up, and I found myself laughing with them, some of the tension leaving my shoulders. Tammy had a good read on my situation, and she clearly enjoyed reliving her cousin’s mishap. I appreciated the story and her efforts to make this less scary.
Sam and Cade sidled up right at that moment and Sam took one look at Tammy before rolling his eyes.
“Tammy, you didn’t.”
“Oh, Sammy, I did,” she replied with a saccharine smile.
“It was not one of my finest moments,” Sam confessed to me as the glow of the growing fire lit up his face.
“Liar, liar, pants on fire,” popped out of my mouth before I could stop it.
Sam processed for a second, mouth opening in shock, then burst out laughing the same time Cade did.
Grinning, Wolf nudged me, pleased at my teasing. We all sobered about ten minutes later when Dominic stood up on a three-foot section of stump as a makeshift podium.
“Thank you all for coming to tonight’s Gathering.” His voice boomed in the hush as logs crackled and sparks flew up into the night sky. Nerves attacked my belly, and Sam reached for my hand. Much like the first time we met his parents, I wasn’t sure if it was more for his benefit or for mine. Dominic continued.
“We have some shocking but exciting news. As I’m sure some of you have now surmised”—he glanced at us and our joined hands—“our Beta has found himself a girl.”
There was cheering and clapping as my face flushed and Sam forced a smile. His grip on my fingers tightened.
“Historically, there would have been a large celebration and a lot of fanfare with a Changing Bite taking place publicly—” There was a collective gasp and a few sharp intakes of breath as he enunciated the words. “—but it was decided that this would be done more quietly and without all the elaboration for the comfort of those most intimately involved. Full approval has been given by the guardian, George Carmichael, with whom many of you are familiar, for these current circumstances. I expect this is a shock to many of you as the last time our pack was expanded by a bite was over two hundred years ago. Traditions will still be upheld. George Carmichael has known of our existence for over seventy years.”
I fervently wished Grandpa was here with me now and noticed Dominic conveniently left out his lack of approval.
“Is it any wonder that his granddaughter has fallen in love with the allure of the Wolf and the charms of our Beta?” Mr. Wolfe cracked a charismatic smile, and there was foot stomping and more clapping. I wanted to melt into the ground. Sam stood resolutely beside me, clinging to my hand. His smile was friendly enough, and I tried to paste a matching one on my own face. Mr. Wolfe continued, “With that being said, please let me introduce to you our newest pack member and partner to my son, Megan.”
/> I tried not to hyperventilate as roughly forty pairs of eyes focused on me as I now clung to Sam’s hand. Mr. Wolfe’s speech had not been overly long or overly approving, but it had been received well enough, and now I was the focus of everyone’s curiosity.
Sam squeezed my fingers and then his voice sounded in my head. You’re doing great. Let me know if you get too overwhelmed.
I squeezed his fingers back. Sam was more relaxed now. Dominic was saying something else, but the words were lost in the rush of blood going past my ears. Wolf rubbed her head against me for moral support, which I found both odd and comforting.
Remember to let your wolf do the scenting. Let her up to the surface, and she’ll do the rest. Sam’s voice echoed inside my brain. I about had a panic attack on the spot as I realized that every person there was queuing up, ready to come sniff and be sniffed.
Mr. Wolfe headed the lineup. Anyone else. Could no one else scent me first? Wolf quaked but braced herself against me, giving us both courage. He stopped at Sam first, though they must have been as familiar with each other’s scents as they were their own. Maybe this was all just formality, and it wouldn’t send my knees knocking and my guts churning as it had when Sam had done it.
Once Mr. Wolfe was in front of me, he leaned down and quickly ran his nose the length of my neck, not touching me, for which I was profoundly thankful. I realized he was holding his own neck out for me, and with an encouraging squeeze of Sam’s hand, I consciously called the wolf up and let her satiate her terrified curiosity of Dominic Wolfe.
Slowly I leaned in and closed my eyes. I imagined I was sniffing another spice container with the wolf. Pine and grass.
I opened my eyes. Mr. Wolfe nodded once and then Mary was there. “Congratulations, dear.” She beamed.
I smiled weakly and cautiously repeated the same scene—spices. It’s just like smelling spices. It was easier to do if I kept my eyes closed. Mary’s scent reminded me of lilacs.
Raven, Tammy, and Cade had all managed to get to the front of the line, as if sensing my need to practice my scenting a few more times.
