Love Among Shadows

by Smokey Moment

  This way was barbaric. It was outdated. No one did it that way. Times had changed. The women fought for equality and won. And soon the males began to court them properly. She wondered where he got the nerve to revert back to behavior that had been long gone from their culture. She had sought council with an older Harou beta female named Praya, and was told all about the old ways of mating. Praya herself had been married to a male who forced her to be with him. It was the life of a wolf.

  The males believed humans had influenced their women, changing them over time. Trinity was glad the change happened even though she found herself under the same circumstance. Mated by force. And as she lay there with him sitting at her side, she couldn’t help but think about what the future held. There union was complicated.

  Trinity sighed loudly. She hoped Osimi would not be overly concerned. She could leave. Blake was not holding her there. She was there for reasons other than a desire to be with him. They were mated. And she was pregnant. She was staying.

  He was now the father of her unborn child. And he had flaws. They started out flawed. But the baby needed a father. And she needed his protection. So, she was there to stay. It was no longer about her. But she still needed to tell him. And that would be his torture. Her payback was his not knowing. The pain of wondering. The pain of being in love and not getting anything back in return. Not yet. She would make him suffer. Even though she was starting to care.

  “What did you tell him?” she asked. “I told him no. That you were fine. But I was guessing because you won’t let me in. I don’t know what to think. I want you to stay with me. To want to be here,” he said. Trinity turned over on her back and stared at the ceiling.

  “I don’t know how I feel. And I can’t make you any promises,” she said. Blake rubbed her hand gently. Trinity turned from him and closed her eyes. She was tired. Being pregnant was taxing. She felt the physical demands being pregnant was placing on her body. She needed to rest.

  “I’m tired Blake. Can we talk about this later,” she said, as she turned on her other side, away from him. “Yeah. It’s fine,” he replied. He stood and paused then kissed her on the back of her head. He slipped into jeans and a tee shirt and ran down the stairs. He opened the door and paused, his hand holding the doorknob, as he thought about going back. He hated to leave her. He was still working on her forgiving him. Still catering to her. Hunting for her at all hours of the night. And being at her beck and call.

  Blake shut the door and walked down the road. He ran once he got through the trees. He ran towards the single redwood that stood amongst dozens of pine trees. Osimi would be waiting. They had something they needed to do.

  T

  he warm bath was just what Phoebe needed. She laid back and began rubbing her chest with a washcloth, as her mind wandered. She raised her toe above the suds and wiggled them. The apple delight, bright red nail polish by City Nails, looked good. The pedicure helped her daily stresses. She worried about her family. Valentina seemed out of sorts, and Griff was up for a new promotion and was stressing about it.

  Phoebe felt the pressure of being the responsible one. She was the voice of reason and clarity for both her sister and Griff, and it was the first day things felt normal. Griff was in training and had a test that he needed to pass and Valentina was immersed in her work. Phoebe had the day to herself. No husband to bail out from his own anxieties and no worries about strangers abducting her sister.

  Phoebe sat up. She heard the door close. “Damn,” she mumbled, as she began to wash up. Either Valentina or Griff was home. She doubted it was Griff. He was working later hours in an effort to be prepared for the exam that would determine whether he got promoted or not.

  “Who is that?” she shouted. “Hey. It’s me,” Valentina replied. She could hear another voice. Valentina sounded too happy in her reply. Phoebe hoped her intuition was right. That the voice she could hear was Legend. Soon she heard laughter and the unmistakable deep voice came in clearer. It was Legend. Phoebe smiled. It meant her sister was okay. Her worrying was now over. But Phoebe couldn’t help but wonder what Legend had going on in his life and why he was taking such long breaks in between seeing Valentina. She still refused to believe he was married. He spent the night when he did come around and so it didn’t make sense.

  Phoebe wrapped a robe around her and walked from the bathroom to her bedroom. She could hear the television turn on. It was nine in the evening. Griff should be here in an hour, she thought, as she rubbed lotion on her body then put on a two-piece pajama set. Phoebe slipped her house booties on and walked into the living room.

  “Legend! How are you,” Phoebe said, as she entered and sat down. “Hey. You been okay?” he asked. “Yeah. Griff asked about you. He wanted to call you but Valentina said you don’t have a cell phone. Is that true?” she asked, giving Valentina a look. Valentina’s eyes bucked. She couldn’t believe how intrusive Phoebe was being. “Um…Yeah. I um…Don’t care for technology. Just a personal preference,” he replied. Phoebe looked inquisitively at him. “So how do we call you if we need you. What if something happened to Valentina, god forbid. We would need to call you. Right?” she said. Legend felt uncomfortable. He understood human’s reliance on it. But he had instinct. He had heightened senses. And he had imprinted on her. He had his ways.

  “I will know. I will be here,” he said. Phoebe furrowed her brow. “Know! You will just know?” she said. Legend looked at Phoebe. “Yes. I will,” he replied. Phoebe looked at Valentina. She hated how her sister trusted everything he said. But she understood that type of love and adoration. She had it for Griff. And so, she had nothing else to say. It was his and Valentina’s love affair. They were writing their own love story. And the smile on her sister face told her one thing for certain. He could do no wrong in her eyes. And so, she was through meddling.

  “I’ll be in my room. Griff should be here soon,” Phoebe said, as she stood up and folder her arms. Her face was tight. Her mood had shifted. Valentina and Legend watched her walk away. “Did I do something?” he whispered. Valentina looked back at her sister then back at Legend. “She’s fine. She worries. That’s all,” she said. Legend sat back. He understood. She wanted things to look right from her human point of view. But his life did not mirror humans. And he was unsure how to please her. He wanted her not to worry. To be happy to have him as a guest. Not stressed and filled with questions.

  But it was a complicated situation. Legend couldn’t help but see it was perhaps the reason the spirits wanted to keep them separate from humans. It was a delicate balance. Both sides were intolerable. Their differences would be enough to cause an uprising. He couldn’t tell her. But he would need to explain it all to Valentina one day. She would need to make adjustments, and he hoped she could. Their world would never allow her to live among humans. Life for her would change forever. And he still had not been able to determine if she could live that way.

  He sat thinking. Phoebe had a point. It wouldn’t hurt to have a way to get in touch with her. Especially with her being hunted. “I will get a phone. I do want you to be able to get me,” he said. Valentina lit up. “You would do that for me?” she said. “Yes. I would do anything for you.”

  “Hey,” Griff said, as he entered, his arms filled with carryout bags. Legend stood up and took a bag from him. “Everything okay?” Griff asked. Legend smiled. He was used to this question. It was a human favorite. A way of asking if there was something they needed to know about. “Yeah. What about you? Valentina told me you’re getting a promotion,” he said. Griff nodded. “Yeah. Going through the training now,” he said, as he walked into the kitchen to sit the food down. Griff was his usual jovial self. Valentina was happy to see he was back to normal.

  “Where’s Phee?” he asked. “In the room,” Valentina replied. Griff headed to his room. “Good to see you. I brought food if anyone is hungry,” he said.

  “You hungry? I brought food,” Griff said, as he closed the door. He jumped on the bed next to his wife a
nd kissed her head. “What’s wrong?” he asked, noticing her drab mood. “Nothing,” she quickly replied. Griff sat up. His wife was obviously in a bad mood. “Come on. Somethings wrong,” he said. Phoebe shook her head. She wasn’t sure she wanted to talk about it. She felt it wasn’t her business.

  But this was her husband. The one person she could talk to. It seemed he liked Legend. They were building a bond. If he was going to be with her sister it was important for the men to have a brotherhood. They would be in-laws. He had no friends outside of a few men he worked with. And his whole world revolved around his home life. Phoebe looked off. She wanted his opinion. After all, he was a man.

  “Griff…I don’t want to sound ridiculous. And I’m trying not to judge. You know how I feel about that. But Legend…He’s different. And I’m not sure I like his difference. Its Valentina’s business, but I just feel like he’s hiding something. Don’t you?” she said, looking intensely at him. She trusted his words. His opinion. He was fair. Sometimes to a fault. But Griff was also forthcoming when asked.

  “I talked to him. We talked about his life. He has a lot going on Phee. He’s not sneaky if that’s what you think. He’s not married. He wasn’t prepared to be in a relationship. I get a feeling that this kind of hit him out of the blue. Give the man a break. Nothing is wrong. He loves her,” he replied.

  He put his arm around his wife. “I know you’re worried about Tina. She will be okay,” he said. Phoebe laid her head on Griff’s shoulder. His words helped. Valentina was happier than she’d seen in a while. She hadn’t been in a serious relation in several years. And when she decided to date, she hit the internet with disastrous results. This was a welcomed union. Legend did seem to adore her.

  V

  alentina walked through the house and cut the lights off. She could hear Phoebe and Griff laughing and moving around in their bedroom. She could tell they were being playful. Phoebe seemed happy. Valentina was ready to move. She was looking online, but still hadn’t found a home. She wanted to talk to Legend about them living together. She wanted him to live with her. She didn’t see herself with anyone else, and she wondered if he felt the same. He said he did. But he was still disappearing and she had concerns. I’m going to ask him tonight. I want more from him, she thought, as she walked towards her bedroom.

  Legend dumped the tobacco leaves from his cigar. He replaced it with herbs he carried with him. He’d given one to Griff to smoke after he found out that Griff liked an occasional smoke at times. Griff loved the herbs and Legend knew he would want one for the evening. “Give this to Griff,” he said, handing it to Valentina after he sealed the cigar with his mouth. Valentina took it to her brother in law and returned.

  Legend lay on the bed. His shoes removed, but still fully dressed. Valentina sighed. This meant he wasn’t staying the night. “Are you getting ready to leave?” she asked, as she sat down at the vanity. Legend lit his cigar. “No,” he replied. “Oh. Because you’re fully dressed,” she said, looking in the mirror at him as he lay behind her in the bed. Legend took a drag. He watched her put a dab of perfume on her wrist. He watched as she brushed her hair then twist it into a bun on top of her head. Valentina removed her clothes and looked at him. Her long pause and intense stare were hard to read. She had no smile. Her face was serious. Her eyes direct and penetrating. Legend took a deep breath. Valentina reminded him of an alpha female. He sat up.

  Valentina gave a half smile. He hadn’t made love to her and she didn’t think this night would be any different. If he refused to touch her this evening, he would be the one missing out. She felt carnal. Her vagina felt powerful. And she would not give him anything. He would need to take it. She had already tried giving herself. It was his turn.

  Valentina turned and walked into the bathroom, naked and with purpose. Her stride was graceful. More feline than that of a wolf. Legend took another smoke and placed his herb cigar in a glass ashtray. He stood up. His heart raced. He got a clear message from her. She wanted him, and he needed to calm her fiery vagina.

  Legend removed his clothes. He walked into the bathroom. Valentina turned and smiled when he entered. She kept her back to him. The clear shower curtain with yellow daisies at the bottom gave a full-on view from both sides. Valentina looked again. Her eyes dropped to his manhood. She looked at him and grinned. It was obvious he would be inside her. He was hard. It was everything she already expected, from the times she rolled around in the bed with him. Their foreplay always had her ready to explode. He had already proved to be an excellent kisser. And based on how he laid on her and moved his body over hers, he was also a lethal lover.

  Legend pull the shower curtain back and stepped in. He walked slowly to her and wrapped his arms around her. Valentina felt like putty in his hands. She leaned her head to the side. The water pulsated powerfully, adding an element of sensuality to the moment. Legend began with tender kisses on her neck. Valentina took a deep breath. His lips felt good. His touch had her screaming quietly inside. She took his hand and guided it to her breast and it was all Legend could take.

  He turned her around. Water streamed down her face. Legend licked the water. Valentina chuckled. He was intense. The look in his eyes was fiery. Legend squeezed her mouth gently and she opened it in response. He stared at her then plunged his tongue inside it. His tongue circled hers with fierce intensity. Valentina moaned. His kissing became more forceful.

  “I want you now,” he said. “You have me,” she replied, as she raised her leg. Legend held her. “Give me the other one,” he asked. “What! Don’t drop me,” she whispered, as she put her arms around his neck and raised her other leg. Legend continued kissing her. Valentina pulled her mouth away. She stared at him. A slight smile spoke to his heart. Her way of telling him he had her completely.

  Legend entered her gently. Valentina winced from the sharp sting. His girth much more than she anticipated handling. “Ah,” she moaned, as he went in further. Valentina was hopelessly under his spell. And now she was captivated.

  “Damn. This is what I’ve been missing. Huh,” he said. Valentina moaned then pulled away. He had gone too deep. “Should I stop?” he asked. “No! Hell no,” she replied, as she moved up and down on him. Legend put her body against the wall. He needed more leverage. He had barely given himself to her. He wanted to take it easy. Human women were not equipped. But Valentina was no longer human. And she would need to be able to handle him sexually.

  Valentina kissed him fervently and moved vigorously on him. Legend grinned. She was broken in. She fit him perfectly. He could have his way. He pulled the curtain back and carried her to the bed. “Oh shit,” she said, realizing he was ready to move to the next level of love making. One where he would have more control. She could tell he was looking to dominate her vagina in an incredibly insane way. She braced herself. She had waited a long time for this.

  “Yeah. No more shower. I want you on your back,” he replied, looking intensely at her. She was in trouble. Her kind of trouble. Legend wanted her pleased. He wanted her to beg him to stop so he could make her cum again. And when she asked him to stop a third time, he would make her cum again. She brought out the animal in him. The alpha male he was.

  “Good morning,” Phoebe said, to a drained but happy looking Valentina. “Good morning,” she said with a grin. “Oh wow. I know that look. What! Tell me now,” she said. Valentina chuckled. “No. I can’t. I’m still in shock actually. Let me reflect for a moment,” she teased. “Tina! I tell you everything. Don’t be like that,” she begged. “Okay. Okay. Well first…He…,” she said, before the door to their bedroom opened. Legend came out with the same smile on his face as Valentina. Phoebe sighed. Their chemistry was delightfully unbearable.

  “Good morning,” Phoebe greeted. “Good morning,” he replied as he walked to Valentina and kissed her passionately. Phoebe watched, with feelings of envy and desire intertwining. His presence was an aphrodisiac in her own marriage. Griff had been performing more intensely and for longer peri
ods it seemed, since his arrival. Phoebe wondered if it was the herbs he and Legend were smoking. She planned on inquiring about what exactly it was. Something had her husband’s sexual potency enhanced. “Breakfast?” Phoebe asked. “No. I need to get going. Griff here?” he asked. “No. He left this morning. He’ll be back in a few hours. I think he went into town to get a new saw. The other one is getting dull.” Legend nodded and kissed Valentina once more, then left out. “Okay. He’s gone. I want blow by blow.”

  Shadows

  “I made tea,” Phoebe said, as she sat on the tree swing her husband built for her. The custom cedar planked two-seater swing was perfect. It hung from a wide branch, by a thick rope. It was painted in the early dating days of Phoebe and Griff. And to seal their love, they dipped their hands in paint and put hand prints all over it. It would be a reminder of their unity. Their togetherness. Phoebe’s marriage was improving while Valentina was back to square one.

  It had been a several days since Legend had been there and Valentina was back antsy. Phoebe didn’t want to talk bad of him. Valentina protected him fiercely and made excuses. Phoebe liked him. She liked how happy he made her sister. But his disappearing acts wiped out any happiness she felt. It was a see-saw love affair and Phoebe was indifferent to him. He had a power over Valentina. When he was gone, she was quiet. Withdrawn. And Phoebe always had to pick up the pieces and find ways to get Valentina in a good mood.