She sighed and the corner of her mouth twitched as a tight grin played at her lips. “You already know everything I could possibly say.” She wasn’t looking for a response and I continued to hold her gaze captive. A hiccup of humorless laughter erupted from her chest. “Of course you do. Nothing seems to get past you.”
I dropped my arms. My hands slid into the front pockets of my well-worn jeans. Her eyes broke free from the hold I held on them and followed the movement. “I’m so sorry, Falcon.” Her words were whispered but they rang loud and clear. “I don’t know what else to say.”
“You do, mo mhuinín. You just need to allow yourself.” When she looked up she was glassy eyed once again. My wolf pushed at his bonds. He wanted to reach for her. To pull her close and tuck her into our side where we knew she would fit perfectly. He wanted to console her and protect her. None of those things were what she truly needed though. She didn’t need to be coddled. She needed to recognize her own strength. There was a difference between fear and weakness, but she had to accept that they were not the same thing. It wasn’t up to me to fill in the blanks but I would give her a push if necessary. Something told me that she was on the verge of understanding all on her own. So, I continued to resist my need to grab her. The internal struggle between beast and man was growing tiresome.
“Allow myself…” she huffed and shook her head like she was unable to wrap it around the bizarre notion. “Now there’s an idea that has merit.” She turned from me. The wind shifted and blew her hair wildly around her beautiful face. She ran her hands through it – in a failed attempt to tame it – and walked a few paces before turning back the face me. “Fear is a funny thing. It can consume the strongest of us. Make us feel weak, alone. It can suck all the hope from your life before you ever realize the level of influence it has on you. I thought I was doing a good job of keeping it in check, of keeping it in the past. That was until my transition. Until my bond with you began to solidify right there in my living room.”
I couldn’t hold back the growl that vibrated deep within my chest. If she heard it she made no indication and continued on. “It was a tsunami of emotions that crashed over me all at once. Joy, wonder, calm, a sense of all-encompassing rightness.”
She smiled before adding, “It was even a bit comical. I mean, let’s face it. I’d been doing my best to push your buttons from the moment you entered my life.” She had been quite aggravating but I never really tired of her antics. I had found that fact rather bewildering at the time.
“You did well at portraying indifference. Even though I knew I got to you.” I couldn’t help but grunt in agreement which rewarded me with an actual smile. It lit up her entire face but was short lived. It fell away much, much too quickly. My wolf growled his displeasure.
“After the happy came the bad. The fear that I had long thought forgotten came rushing to the forefront of my mind. All the things he said...” She cut herself off with a cough before continuing on again. “Everything that I wanted – that I hoped for – didn’t matter anymore. All that mattered was your safety and the only way to keep my fears from becoming reality was to close myself off. To stay away from you so that he wouldn’t figure out you were my true mate.”
“I can handle the cat, Chloe.” It was time for her to accept what I already knew. I wasn’t going away. It didn’t matter to me if there was some sort of consequence for being her mate. I could handle anything that cat could throw at me. As long as I had her. I wouldn’t allow anything to happen to her and I had no fear where the panthers were concerned. The pack was stronger. The new found power brought on by the Potential bond radiated off of Connell. He couldn’t really explain how it felt. I supposed it was like having an adrenalin boost that never dispersed. He was stronger. Faster. He didn’t seem to tire, ever. Once our bond was able to solidify, I had a feeling that I would receive the same advancements. It was of no consequence though.
“You don’t know him like I do.” I didn’t like how that sounded. She dropped her eyes. “You don’t know the things he has promised he’d do.”
“It doesn’t matter...”
“Of course it matters, Falcon. The vile things Cyrus is capable of…” Her shoulders hunched and she seemed to be folding in on herself right before my eyes. It was time to put an end to this.
“No,” I closed the distance between us but still didn’t touch her. She met my fiery gaze with one of her own. Cutting her off had the desired effect. My animal growled with pride. She didn’t even flinch when I crowded her. There was no fear toward me or my wolf and there would never be cause for that to change. “You are the one that fate has chosen for me. It is my destiny to cherish and protect you.”
Her head dropped down but I wouldn’t allow it. I grabbed her chin in a firm yet gentle hold and forced her to look back up at me. “You are mine, Chloe Weever. We may not have much control in the world but this we know for sure. Everything else will play out as it should.”
She searched my eyes, her tear filled orbs shifting back and forth. She could easy make out the resolve that reflected in my own. We would deal with whatever came our way. Together. It’s how it was supposed to be. The realization must have hit her like a ton of bricks because her body seemed to almost sag in mollification. She collapsed into my arms. Her arms wound tightly around my waist as she buried her face into my chest and cried.
9
CHLOE
All the fight I had left seemed to evaporate as I collapsed into Falcon’s waiting arms. Before my actions even registered in my brain I was sobbing into the fabric that stretched across his hard chest. There was no stop to the torrent of tears this time and I wore all of my vulnerability on my sleeve. I should have felt slight – exposed – for displaying so much weakness. But, with him I welcomed the comfort that seemed to overwhelm any other sensation. It was safe to break down in front of him. He wouldn’t judge me. Of that I was sure. The absence of scrutiny was very therapeutic. All of the tension that had been pent up over the last three weeks seemed to bleed away with one embrace from the man that held me without question.
I think I was able to squeak out another attempt at an apology between hiccupped sobs. Even if it came out recognizable, it fell on deaf ears. The tightened hold he had on me was a good indicator that he didn’t need it. I returned his embrace as I wrapped my arms around his trim waist and clung to him with everything I had. I couldn’t believe that after all of my avoidance this man would want anything to do with me. Much less hold me throughout my current dramatics.
That thought sobered me some. Though the tear-fest was somewhat justified, I needed to pull myself together. The tightening in my chest had released enough now to breathe deeply once again and after a couple of unflattering sniffles I was able to gain some sense. Awareness flooded me. My blubbering wasn’t the only cause for the trembles that pulsed throughout my body. Falcon’s skin vibrated as if the wolf below the skin was about to tear free at any moment. I had caused his control to waiver. My conscience filled with regret but I pushed it aside. There would be time to feel sorry later. Right now I needed to help him hold off his shift. Not knowing what to do, I searched his intense eyes.
“How can I help you?” A growl released from somewhere deep within his chest and it sent a shiver throughout my entire being. Falcon emanated power and the effect it had on my body caused a blush upon my cheeks. His eyes flashed, more wolf than man. The wolf enjoyed my outward embarrassment.
“Control your thoughts, little Potential, or I won’t be responsible for my actions.” My blush deepened at his admission and I couldn’t help but smile at his playfulness even though I could see the rigidness of his stance. “I need to run. It is the only thing that will completely calm my wolf.”
The air around us was overly charged with his need to shift. I reached up and placed my palm against his scruff covered cheek. I wasn’t convinced that he would make it all the way to the clearing and cramming an agitated werewolf into my tiny excuse for a car didn’t seem like
the best of ideas. “Will you be able to make it that far?”
He leaned into my touch and his eyelids fell closed. The wide expanse of his chest grew with every deep breath he took. When his eyes reopened, it was like looking at smoldering ash. The fire had receded some but his wolf was still very present. “My wolf is controlled enough. Your touch helped to quiet him.”
Now was not the time to swoon but I couldn’t help but melt at his words. I was lost for a moment and he raised a knowing brow as I gawked at him. I let my hand drop from his face and cleared my throat before I spoke out loud. Mind speaking was apparently too intimate for my current lack of hormonal control. “Okay, let’s get out of here then. I should probably drive, right?”
He nodded in agreement. A smirk pulled at the corner of his mouth. He had the ability to render me brainless and he knew it.
I stepped to the driver’s door as he made his way around the back of my car. I studied his stride. Searched for any sign of strain. Falcon’s movements remained fluid. His gate was controlled and it carried him gracefully to the passenger door. He peered at me over the roof of the car. I don’t know how long I stood there before I realized I was staring…again – lost in my own head…again – when the loud creak of the door’s hinges startled me back into the here and now. His earlier smirk grew into a full blown smile that had me narrowing my eyes at him and trying not to let my body melt into a puddle on the cement. The sound of his deep chuckle drifted to my ears and I quickly got into the car. Stupid hormones…stupid wolf.
I basically fell into the car when I tried to sit in the driver’s seat. My fingers hardly grazed the wheel and my feet couldn’t reach the pedals at all. My height was considered average for a female but these shifters were giants. It made me laugh to think of both Falcon and Connell – the two with the largest builds – folded up into this small sedan together.
My attention turned toward the seat beside me and I could hardly contain my glee. Immediately, steel grey eyes narrowed in my direction, but my smile never wavered. Even with the seat all the way back his tall frame was hunched over. His knees were pushed up into his chest and he grunted his disapproval. I knew I needed to get him to the clearing fast but I couldn’t help but enjoy the site before me. He growled, not sharing in my amusement. The sound made my smile grow wider as I started my car and drove toward our destination.
We rode in companionable silence. Neither one of us felt it necessary to say more. It was nice to feel that content with how our conversation played out. Even with the silence between us, I could still feel his consciousness as it brushed against mine. It was a strange sensation. Yet, it was completely comforting to know that he was always there.
I pulled onto the seasonal road that led out to their property. Someone must’ve been out here earlier in the day with a plow. The road was clear and I highly doubted you would find any member of the highway department venturing out this way. This road was definitely off the beaten path.
“We have the guy that plows the shop’s lot come out here as well. Connell called him this morning when we decided to head out here today.” His outward answer to my internal questions had me second guessing whether or not I had been speaking out loud. “You are projecting your thoughts pretty openly.”
That was so weird.” I shook my head at the absurdity. It was going to take some time to get used to how our bond operated. “How do I stop myself from hurling every thought your way?”
“You don’t need to stop.” His gravelly voice made my body want to shiver in delight, but I was able to fight it and throw an exasperated look his way. He answered it with a knowing grin. Obviously, he was still very much inside my head and easily picked up on the effect he had on me.
“See,” I huffed as I pulled the car up behind their black truck to park. “That smug little grin of yours is a prime example of why I need to learn some control. A girl needs her privacy, you know?”
He just chuckled at me before he opened the door to get out. My eyes were still locked with his gaze. His deep grey eyes pulled up at the corners. The look that he gave me made him seem younger. More carefree. It was a look I had never seen before. Falcon Tonalee was being playful and I’ll admit…I liked playful Falcon. I liked him a lot.
A deep laughter filled my mind then. Momentarily stunned by the rich sound, I almost missed the nearly rebellious glint that enter his eyes. The damn wolf had heard every though again.
“Falcon…” But before I could even begin my reprimand, he was out of the car and I was left staring at the empty seat he vacated. The only sound was that of my still idling car as I got my bearings back. Apparently I wasn’t the only on in this wacky relationship that liked to push buttons. “Well played, wolf. Well played.” I shut off the car and grabbed my spare set of gloves out of the console. Once my hands were protected, I pulled my faux fur lined hood over my already windblown curls and pushed the driver side door open.
An icy blast of wind hit my face and I shuddered. The cold may have taken its sweet time to arrive this season, but it has made its presence known. I shrugged my coat tighter and rounded the front of my car. Once there, I stopped short. In front of me stood the massive silver wolf that was my mate. The same wolf that I had come to refer to as my guardian due to the sentinel role he had played since my transition.
Falcon was a gorgeous man in his human skin. There was no denying that fact. Just like there was no denying how his wolf was just as handsome. His silver coloring seemed to almost shimmer as the wintry breeze flowed through his fur. It looked so soft that my fingers itched to touch it. A growl sounded from the huge animal and I couldn’t fight the smile that took me over.
“Can I touch you, wolf?” I didn’t know why I had started to refer to Falcon as “wolf,” but it was an obvious fit as far as terms of endearment went.
“Is fédir leat a toich gcónaí dom, mo mhuinín. You can always touch me.” His eyes flashed as I stared into them. They were the same steel color as they were when he was human and I found that I could easily get just as lost within them. I forced myself to close my eyes for a moment. It was the only way to pull out of my trance.
With baited breath, I moved toward him. He was massive. His head reached me at shoulder level and his chest was very broad. Even with the thickness of his fur, I could easily make out the abundance of muscle he held. It rolled and tensed with every small shift and movement. Every part of him fascinated me, held me captivated.
The moment that I finally allowed my fingers to brush through his coat, I was done for. An overwhelming sense of rightfulness flooded every fiber of my being. Before my brain was able to catch up to my body’s instinctual reactions, I had wrapped both arms around my wolf’s neck and collapsed into him. A sound that resembled a purr rumbled from his chest and vibrated right into my heart. “I am so sorry for how I have acted. I truly am, Falcon.”
“Níl aon ghá, there is no need.” His chest rumbled once again. The same deep sound caused me to shiver, but not from the cold. “Your reasons were admirable.”
I held him tightly for a few moments longer. A lone tear escaped my watery eyes and I let it fall. There was no questioning it now. This was what I needed. What I wanted. The new connection between us was beginning to blossom and it felt like nothing I had ever experienced. It was magic. Pure magic.
The shifting of his weight from one foot to the next caused me to pull back and release my hold. He needed to run and here I was basically laying on him.
“You won’t hear a complaint from me, mo mhuinín.” His ruff voice blanketed my mind.
“Out of my head, wolf.” I batted him on the nose. “Go. Run, frolic, be free!”
His lip raised with a mock snarl and he grumbled lowly within my mind. Something about an irritating female? That brought a smile to my face once again. Not many things surprised me about Falcon, but his playfulness was a shocker. I would’ve never believed that side of him existed if I hadn’t witnessed it myself today.
“It didn’t until y
ou.” Before I could respond his head swung toward the woods. “I need to run the perimeter with Connell. Stay in the truck where it’s warm. I won’t be long.” And then he was gone. I watched as he disappeared through the thick brush at the tree line.
As I turned to make my way toward the truck – where I was sure my cousin sat nice and toasty warm – I was stopped short by yet another wolf. This one sported the dark, smoky colored coat of Dane’s. His dark eyes were trained on mine.
After our earlier run-in today, I knew I needed to apologize to him. To everyone really. Mostly Dane though, considering his close bond with his brother. Now was as good a time as any, especially when I felt the way I did at that moment. My body felt relaxed and I was in a good place emotionally after my talk with Falcon. It had been so long since I had smiled this much. Genuinely smiled. I knew my cheeks would be sore by the end of the day. Dane noticed my smile and tilted his big wolfy head as if to ask a question. The action was so canine that I couldn’t hold back my jeering.
“What’s that Lassie?” I patted my knees as if to call him forward. “Timmy fell down a well?”
His head dropped to align with the broad expanse of his shoulders. A mischievous growl sounded and before I could react, he leapt. His big paws pushed at my shoulders and I fell backward into a drift of wet snow. I shoved at the oversized puppy that pinned me to the cold ground, but he didn’t budge.
“Get off of me, you big brute! I’m going to freeze to death.” He shifted some of his weight off of me, but before he moved completely, he licked the entire side of my face. “Yuck! Dane, that was so gross!”
Intended (The Potential Series Book 2) Page 5