Chapter 11

Autumn

I sat with Oliver next to me on the couch in my apartment. The tv was on, and it was making noise, but all I could think about was that kiss. That simple peck on the lips turned into sensations in my body that made my mind feel like it needed more. I somehow wished he would have kissed me sooner. I snuggled into his chest, and he wrapped an arm around me tighter. He was my mate, and I could feel what that meant, but I wasn’t ready.

Marking sounded like marriage, but more. Our souls would be intertwined, and we would be able to even share thoughts and feelings through an invisible, nearly unbreakable bond. Even in death, the living partner yearns for the touch of their mate…. And he said he was immortal. What if our attraction is only physical?

And deep down something was trying to tell me to just trust him and let him mark me. What was it? Why was I feeling like there was almost another part of me? And why do I feel so connected to a man I met only Saturday? Sure, I worried about him when he was gone, but I think that was normal… well given all the stuff that’s happened that is.

There was also the fact that he was a werewolf… what if he all of a sudden lost it like Mr. Razer did? He almost killed me because I hugged Oliver thinking he was a dog, what would Oliver do if I hugged a friend or my dad or something? From what I gather, they are much more passionate and protective. I looked up at him, he was watching tv, his eyes looked like he was talking to the others in the room. Then his eyes quickly darted to me. “Do you need anything?” He asked. “No, I say shyly, looking down. He put his finger under my chin, so that I could look him in the eyes. “If you ever need anything, have a question, even if you think it’s small, let me know.” He said concerned. I nodded.

There was something I needed, but I was too shy to say it after what already happened. I wanted to kiss him again. The way it felt, the way we connected screamed to me that this was something to be tried again. I sighed and just decided that it was better to stay snuggled up under his arms.

At 6:30, they seemed to be done talking. Everyone but Oliver left out the room, and it was just me and him. My stomach growled. He took my hand and let me to the kitchen without saying anything. I had a small square table, and some bar stools from his place in the corner. He turned on the electric stove and pulled out some broccoli, and boiled it on the back burner while he chopped some of the last of the steak into cubes and put them in the pan and seasoned it well. He made some instant mashed potatoes with butter to top it all off, and slid me a plate.

He made me a plate first, then himself. He found an old emergency candle and lit it between us, turning off the lights in the living room to make it dimmer. We sat opposite sides of each other, and the candle flickered in the dim light just over the stove. His eyes reflected the light back, but somehow that made him more handsome. His hair was slightly messy today, and he was still in a tailored suit. I was in my black leggings and purple tank, so I felt a bit out of place until I put on a nice black cardigan. He chuckled.

“I’m sorry our first date has to be in your apartment,” He apologized sheepishly with a smile, rubbing the back of his neck.

“It’s ok, you can’t control what other people like that do.” I say, taking my first bite. It was good. He could cook, and everything was perfect. I audibly hummed at how good it was, he chuckled.

“I’m glad you like it.” He said with a smile. He intertwined his fingers with mine, and looked at me, and then my lips. I smiled at what he was thinking, because I was thinking of it too… and we both leaned in, and kissed. The moment our lips met, it felt like the first day of summer. His touch was like he knew my every secret, and I loved every moment.

He kissed me tenderly, like I would break under his touch. I pressed myself into it more, to let him know it was okay. We began to kiss a little more passionately. He got up from the table and picked me up, sitting me in his lap where I was sitting. I wrapped my arms around his muscular shoulders.

He growled and I jumped back off him, breaking our kiss. I didn’t understand what I had done wrong, and I backed away a bit, looking at him. He looked hurt, “Sorry... I should have told you that’s normal beforehand, don’t be scared.” He said quietly walking to me. He pulled me into a hug. I hugged him back. I honestly just wasn’t expecting that.

-------Oliver------

Her little heart beat out her chest while I held her in my arms. I showed her affection the wolfs’ way without telling her in advance. Up until this point, she had only known growls to mean aggression. I internally sighed, I’m already messing it up. I thought.

After her heart slowed, I let her go, and she held my hand, to my surprise. “I’m okay,” she said looking up at me shyly. I smiled. I turned back on the tv with the remote, and let her lean on my chest until she softly lay sleeping. I held her in my arms and smelled her scent. She was so calm, and she was all I needed. She clung to me in her sleep on the couch, and I just wanted to hold her just a little bit longer, and kiss her one more time…. But my Ipare phone vibrated. It was midnight, and I had to go to a meeting. One not for prying eyes. I put her in her bed.

I traded with 5 warriors downstairs to sit in my apartment, and drove to my suite in the top floor of the packhouse. I gave the keys to an Omega that was waiting for me, and I went into the grand lobby. This building was made in the 20’s. The walls were the same gold and white marble, over the top grandeur befitting the owner of multiple hospitals. Only ranked pack members lived here with their pups, and everyone else next door. As Alpha, I had my own private elevator. The secretary at the lobby desk let me know that everyone was already in my suite. I got off and looked at everyone on my white couch. I tried to go for a modern look with big windows and white walls, but they were messing up my aesthetic.

“Let’s get this over with.” I grumble, sitting in a chair in my living room. Beta, Elder Marcos, Clint, his second, and myself all needed to discuss some things.

“First off, I know Wyatt is probably planning something.” I say to start the meeting.

“But he knows she’s not his mate.” Blurted Clint.

“Yes… BUT he feels disrespected. We never settled anything official, we were both just doing shit dirty.” I state flatly.

“We could schedule the Red Room.” Said Beta.

“No, since I am in the loop, I know, but the other elders will question why you were involved with that urchin. They also have no clue that the Luna is human, only that he found her.” Said Marcos.

We all hummed in agreement. They would most likely try and force me to find a she wolf mate if they find out before I mark her.

“But even if they did know…. What I am going to tell you must NOT leave this room.” I eyed them. They were loyal, the only ones I could trust out the whole pack with something like this.

“Autumn, your Luna, is descended from a line of ancient ones, I don’t know if that’s why Wyatt is after her so bad or not, but she has a dormant wolf…. any pups she carries by a wolf… will be a hybrid of ancient blood.” I say seriously. They fell silent.

“Ah, so she is a daughter of the Frosted Ones…. I should have known.” Marcos rubbed his chin. “Oliver if she dies, you will be more than without a mate… Phillip will ensure this entire pack is without life.... You should mark her, and move her here.” Warned Marcos.

“I will respect her wishes.” I say with authority. He bows his head. “As you wish.”

“What of the vampires? We were just in the park, and they were attracted to her human scent like flies.” Said Clint.

“We will make a tighter patrol on the South and West Sides. No Vampire is to be allowed entry. They can go to West Port Clinic.” I growl, getting growls in agreement.

“That might start a war Alpha, those who need medical care will get sympathizers.” Said Elder Marcos.

“They started a war when they killed my father, and left him dead in the fucking street.” I point with clawed finger.