“My family won’t bite.” Taking a breath in, he closes his door before walking toward me.
“Come around back.”
My father and mother exchange glances with one another before they busy themselves with cutting the meat on their plates. I set another place at the table, just for him.
Dallas pauses at the screen door before coming inside. He’s looking at my family, unsure if he really should be here.
“Dallas, come in, sit down. Help yourself! Would you like some wine to drink, or I have beer?” He looks around at what everyone else’s glasses are filled with.
“I’ll take some wine, thanks.”
“Dr. Valentine, how are you?” My mother’s voice is pleasant on the ears, welcoming a strange wolf into our meal.
“Good, thank you.” He keeps his voice very polite toward her.
“Dr. Valentine—”
“Please, sir, call me Dallas.”
“All right, Dallas. What brings you here?” my father asks sternly.
“Dad!” My voice raises in embarrassment.
“I just saw the smoke from her fire. I live across the lake, so I thought I would just stop by and say hi.” He looks at my father, holding his eye.
“Those leaves were giving off a lot of smoke.” I look toward the fire pit. It’s smoldering with just the faintest wisp of smoke spiraling toward the waning sunlight. An uncomfortable silence follows.
My sister and her mate stand up, holding hands, smiling at each other. “We have an announcement to make.” He kisses her hand.
“We’re going to have a pup.” I knew she went into her heat, but I didn’t want to ask because the last few times weren’t very successful.
Getting out of my chair, I hug her to me. “I am so happy for you.” My mother starts crying—her first grandchild. Even my father’s eyes are watering. Everyone sheds happy tears, grateful tears. I send a prayer of thanks to the moon. They have been trying for years and years.
Dallas is sitting there looking slightly uncomfortable, but maintaining appearances.
Once the excitement has calmed down, plates are cleared into the sink. Fresh tea is put out with dessert plates.
My mother goes to the fridge and pulls out my cake. I can’t help the stupid smile that spreads wide across my face. Nothing is better than this: my family happy, enjoying themselves. It’s like the past never happened and the future is just so full of hope.
“Happy birthday, Rya.” Excited, everyone is cheering. Dallas looks at me in question but says nothing.
All of them join singing happy birthday to me. This is the first time I have someone other than my family sing happy birthday to me since I shifted. His voice is masculine and deep against my ears. Mom places the cake in front of me with all twenty-three candles lit. Looking out the window, I see him, just the shadow of him watching us…my family celebrating another year of my life. Their voices are raised loudly, so I know he hears. He knows it’s my special day, yet he’s not sitting at my table with me.
“Make a wish.” I look at everyone’s expectant faces and wish for my own happiness. I’m selfish, but that’s what I ask for.
I blow out the candles in one go. Dallas leans toward my ear and whispers, “You should have told me it was your birthday.”
“It’s not a big deal.” I glance at him with a shrug of my shoulder.
“You’re wrong! It is a big deal.” He pulls his mouth away from my ear. I need to get up to cut the cake.
Handing my family slices of cake, I ask, “Dallas, would you like a piece?”
Eyes of Caribbean blue sea bore into me. “Yes, I’d like a piece.” I hand him the plate, and he takes it, letting his fingers touch mine. We make eye contact just a moment longer than it should, and it’s my turn to start blushing. He notices while I try to look some place other than his eyes.
He’s growing out his hair. I can almost fist it with my hand and pull his mouth on mine if I wanted to. He’s starting to cloud my mind. It’s unfamiliar to me, thinking about this male wolf who almost kissed me. I can still sense the way his lips almost brushed against mine. That thought sends such images inside me, fantasizing about his lips on mine. Instead of all my night time dreaming of Clayton, Dallas is now stalking his way inside my thoughts. Even my daytime thoughts are starting to include him.
The tension between the two of us is like a string, pulling tight at the ends, ready to snap at any minute. It’s taunting us, having a good laugh on our behalf.
At work, we try to pretend it doesn’t exist. I can see it in his eyes when he looks at me, looking at my lips. I have to pretend I don’t notice the wolf’s eyes that have a dominance now in his stare. He tries his best to suppress his nature, at times having to leave the room flushed with an excuse of needing to check something in his office. Nothing has happened between us since that night.
I can see the way his head turns, mouth slightly parting in an easy smile. It gives me feelings deep down in my stomach that makes me want to reach out and touch him.
Even though my stomach is full, I hunger for something else. My chest rumbles inside; it’s sudden, without warning. I look back up; his eyes haven’t left mine. The table is hushed. I’m mortified now. Getting up, I go to the sink and start to do the dishes.
“I’m sorry,” I mumble to everyone.
It’s like I’m so malnourished from being so alone for so long, he has something that can satisfy me. I want to let myself indulge in him…
My father gets up, grumbling that he needs some air. Dallas is right behind him. The mates of my sisters practically run out. I can see them through the kitchen window, standing by the fire. Dallas, with his hands by his side, eyes my father, my sisters’ mates surrounding him. Shoulder back, head held high. I try to turn my ears their way to listen in on what they’re saying to each other.
My father looks at the lake, nods his head yes, wiping away at his eye. A long discussion with hand gestures and posturing toward Dallas. He holds himself still, listening as they all give him something that’s on their minds. Dallas nods in agreement with everything they say.
“How long have you been interested in him?” Her voice hits my back with my sisters standing behind her.
“I’m not.”
“Don’t lie. We always can tell when you’re lying. We just let you believe that we’re tricked by your words.” That takes my breath away with her truth.
“I just think that he’s nice.” The plate in my hand almost falls back into the soapy water.
“Has he met his mate yet?” There was a hint of sadness in her voice.
“She died.” They all inhale a breath.
“So he’s free to be claimed.”
“Mother, I have a mate.”
“Who doesn’t want you.” It’s spit out by my sister. Her disgust for him rolls off her body in powerful waves of contempt.
Looking out the window, I can see that my father is shaking hands with Dallas, along with my sisters’ mates. Giant grins are on all their faces.
“What pack is he from?”
“I never asked. All I know is that his mate died and he’s here. That’s it. I don’t want to talk about this again.” Turning to look at my mother, I let her know this conversation is over.
My mother goes to open her mouth again. “Stop, Mom.”
The males enter the house, Dallas giving me a once-over before looking away.
“Time for presents!” my sister cheers.
Bags are placed in front of me, and everyone watches as I open gifts bought with love. Each one has a special meaning to the buy. I feel overwhelmed with emotion. I don’t need the presents; I just need this. How it is right now, in this moment…this is the best feeling.
Dallas sits close to me on the couch, not touching, just there beside me. I can feel the heat of him soaking into my skin, and a shiver passes through me. This is how Clayton must feel with Kennedy beside him. This is how he must constantly feel by her presence, a constant state of arousal.
My family stays well into the night, laughing and telling Dallas stories of when I was a small pup. My mother tells him I was born in the month of abundance, that I’m a giver, always giving what I had to others. It starts with a yawn by my father, stating he needs to get to bed, that he’s too old to stay up so late. My sisters follow, leaving Dallas, who doesn’t look too keen to go anywhere except where he’s sitting.
My stomach is fluttering to be all alone with this male wolf.
“Do you want anything else to drink or eat?” I’m at the sink, putting away the dry dishes.
“No, I’m fine.” His voice has dropped lower. He’s standing right behind me now. I hold onto the sink with my hands to steady myself. I can feel him taking the hair tie that binds my braid. He doesn’t say a word. His nose rests against my head, inhaling. He unravels my hair; it’s loose, wavy. His fingers start to run through it. This is the first time a male has groomed me. Strong fingers run through the pale blond hair; my scalp is tingling.
His warm breath tickles behind my ear, then the softest kiss is placed on my neck. The collar of my red shirt is pulled to expose the skin of my shoulder. He tastes me with his tongue. My legs are going to give out; I can feel it.
“Rya.” His hand on my hip turns me to face him.
It’s slow motion glorious the way he steps into me…the way his male body brings quivers to my skin. Soft lips brush against my cheekbone, a nip to my jawline. I can feel his head pull away just enough for our eyes to meet. He doesn’t let me have time to decide; he decides for me. His lips are gentle against mine. A hint of tongue glides out against my mouth. I move my mouth with his lead, hands wrapping around his neck, pulling myself into him. A rumble deep inside of him shakes me. I’m shaking.
I can’t get close enough as I rub against the part that makes me quiver. He gives a moan, biting softly on my bottom lip. I can smell myself, my body’s response to drive him forward, signaling to the wolf that I am receptive to his advances.
A hand that was on my hip slips inside my shirt, and his palm, so smooth, traces my ribs resting just under my bra line. I moan into him; this feels beyond what I ever thought possible.
Lips against lips, his tongue tasting mine, hand running down my spine, feeling every vertebra. Cupping my ass, he presses himself into me. His other hand is at the base of my neck, my hair tangling in his fingers.
He’s sweet, soft velvet.
It’s a divine seduction as he woos me with pleasure. He’s treating me like artwork that he’s painting with his body, his mouth, his tongue. He’s trembling, lips now against my neck, inhaling deeply. I’m so aroused, my open desire for him pulsing in heavy rhythms along all my nerve endings. I’m aching for something more, some deep need that hasn’t been sated yet. My hands have made their way inside his shirt. Claws have come out against his back, lining them with my marks…
My head angles back as he scrapes his teeth against virgin flesh. He is unleashing my chaos.
I’m in chaos.
His mouth captures my moans in his, the friction of him rubbing into my core leaving me panting. I’m memorized in a bliss-rush. My boundaries are blurring…
Pulling himself away from me slightly, he says, “I should go.” We take this second to breathe in fully before he’s on me again, taking my self-control with every nip of his mouth.
An erotic battle, his claws are out, gripping me firmly to him so I can’t move. His mouth sucks on my skin, pulling it into him. My eyes are closed as he picks me up. He carries me somewhere; I don’t care where we go as long as he doesn’t stop the feeling he’s giving me. Laying me on my bed, he positions himself between my parted legs and begins to rub up against me, stimulating something deep inside.
“Dallas.” I moan out his name, and his lips are there to swallow his name down inside of him. My shirt rises on my body; his shirt is off. Did I take it off?
He’s looking down at me. My bra is exposed for his eyes. The only male wolf that has ever wanted to see my flesh.
His chest heaves up and down, and his tongue traces where bra meets flesh. My heels dig into the back of his legs to put more weight against my center. His hips rock into me, up and down, impossibly slow. His muscles down his stomach clench and flex with each breath, with each roll of his hips.
He’s back on my mouth, kissing harder with more of a need male wolves have. Teeth scrape against my neck, lingering over where a mark can be placed.
“I should go.” He’s saying this yet still kissing me. My thighs are squeezed around him, not letting him move away. He’s tasting every curve of my breast without going into the fabric of my tiny bra. Teeth bite softly at the hardened peaks, driving me insane for more. I want more than what I should have. My back arches, pressing more of my chest into his mouth, demanding more, moaning out for the night air to take my lust up to the moon.
“I need to leave.” His resolve wins out as he gets up, putting his shirt back on. With his hand, he helps me up.
“Happy birthday, Rya.” His lips brush against my lips again. I try to pull him back on the bed, but he’s unmovable.
“You make it difficult to stop.” He kisses my eyelids, both my cheeks. He places a lingering kiss to the place that can only bear one wolf’s mark.
Walking him to the door, I feel lust drunk and giggly, swooning over the male in front of me.
“Lock the door behind me, Rya.”
“Why?” I reply, breathless.
“So I can’t get in.” A quick kiss is placed against my lips before he leaves. I lock the door behind him, thinking, could Dallas be my imposter, my fake…my fraud?
Chapter Nine
Fork Tongue Road
Twirling.
That’s how I feel. Like I can spin around in circles singing to the moon in thanks and praise for this change, this new beginning for me. I even have the music on this morning getting ready for work. It’s as if every musical note is absorbing in my body as I sing along to the song.
This is another first for me. Usually, I don’t get as involved in singing as I do my makeup. Just a hint of eyeshadow to maybe bring out my eyes more. A very light tinge of red lip gloss. I kiss the mirror, leaving behind an imprint of my lips.
Looking at the mirror, the person staring back at me has brighter eyes, like a snake shedding its old, faded skin. My face looks like it’s glowing and pink. The fake smile that always looks back at me is now being replaced by my heart’s smile.
I feel so good.
My face keeps getting redder and redder with the thoughts of him and that kiss, that first kiss that will be with me for my lifetime.
He’s like my own personal sun, warming me from the inside out. I twirl again inside my home, whose smell is almost my own.
My heart skips a beat just thinking about him. He might really like me. Maybe I might have a chance. Just that dim ray of hope has me giddy with excitement. I tried to call him yesterday to see if he wanted to hang out or anything. He didn’t answer his phone, so I was forced to leave an awkward message, which made me embarrassed. I didn’t want to come off sounding too eager, but I just couldn’t help it.
I’m actually so nervous to go to work today and see him. I need to try to calm myself or else everyone will be able to smell my excitement if I let my emotions get the best of me.
Walking to work, I have to restrain myself not to skip down the road.
I look in at everyone’s yards. Neat piles of leaves dot the grass, evidence that they just couldn’t get all the yard work done in one weekend. Soon I will be smelling the whiff of frost on the earth. The trees are starting to look lonesome with the dropping of their leaves, leaving behind a carpet mosaic of crimsons, oranges, and yellows.
Today, the sunrise is blood red in the sky. Such beauty in nature, all you have to do is look. The days are shortening, and the nights will start to get colder. I can’t wait to light my fireplace when the snow starts to fall.
Taking a deep breath before walking in, I try to act cool.
Like I always fix my hair for work and wear makeup. Looking around, I can see a light on in his office. Aurora isn’t here yet.
I knock softly on his office door, and my heart beats wildly in my chest.
“Come in.”
When I look at him, I give him my best heart smile; it’s from my soul. It’s true and without restraint.
What greets my eyes isn’t his smile. Instead, he has fading bruises. His throat is torn up, as if another wolf was trying to tear it out.
“Rya, sit down.” I take a seat directly across from his desk, hands in my lap or else they will try to touch him. He’s not giving out any signals that he wants me to touch him.
“What happened?” My heart is starting to sink.
“A disagreement.” That’s all he says before a quiet takes hold.
Sighing to himself, he seems as if he wants to say something but doesn’t know where to begin.
He’s looking into my eyes, which are full of concern.
“What happened, Dallas?” Standing, I try to touch his face, but he flinches away. My hand goes to my side before I sit back down.
I’m holding my breath for some reason, as if I’m waiting for something bad to come out of his mouth. The bottom of my stomach starts to choke. A small breath catches in my throat as I bite my bottom lip with his extended silence.
“Are you hurt?” I try looking for more than cuts and bruises.
“No!”
“I’m sorry.” For some reason, I feel the need to apologize, but I’m not sure why.
“You have nothing to be sorry for. This was my—I came to you.” His eyes close slightly, jaw twitching in tension.
“What happened?”
“Your mate doesn’t like what belongs to him being touched.” His voice is even, hands folded on his desk. His shoulders are tense. Maybe a flash of teeth is shown for just a second before he reins himself back.
“He has someone else. I’m—” He stops me from saying anything else.
“He’s your mate. I thought I could fool myself, that something so good could come along, that I could be blessed again. I was wrong. You have someone for you, and I would just be your Kennedy.” He’s not looking at me. He’s holding onto his hands in a vise grip.
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