by Terri L Vest
Foster couldn't help the sense of relief that swept over him. She was feeling the same as he was, and it had to mean something! He discreetly began to move closer to her. He didn't intend to do anything but he felt a pull to be as close to her as possible.
As he closed the distance between them, he tentatively reached out to take one of her hands into his. As he made contact, a spark seemed to run up his arm. Reika jumped as well so he knew she felt it too. He waited to see if she'd pull her hand back but soon realized she wasn't going to. The corners of his mouth turned up into a very satisfied smile before he could stop it. He'd never felt this attracted to anyone before and he couldn't believe the pull she had on him even now.
"Reika", he said in a low, husky voice, "I can't begin to understand what's happening between us, I only know that something is. I have to ask if you are feeling it too."
Reika was mesmerized by his smile, his voice and his presence, and could only nod her response. She did feel a growing attraction to him. It was almost more intense than she could make sense of, and it worried her for a brief moment. But when he smiled at her response, the one that seemed so sexy and inviting to her, her worry slipped away and was replaced by peace. How that could be, she didn't know. She only knew that she felt happier when she was with him than she'd felt in a very long time, and maybe more than she'd ever felt in her life.
Foster had leaned in closer to her when he had softly asked her his question and he found that he was only inches away from her. He noticed that her breath seemed to be a bit quicker and he could almost hear her heart beat and the rapid pace it seemed to be caught up in. Her sweet breath tickled across his face and her beautiful emerald eyes almost seemed to invite him closer still. "Sweet Reika, I find that I desperately want to kiss you," he whispered. "Would I be totally out of line if I but sampled the softness of your lips?"
Reika's breath caught and her heart raced wildly. This amazingly handsome man desired her and more unbelievably, she wanted him too! Before she could sit and over think things, before she could act responsibly, she shook her head no, inviting him to sample all he wanted to.
Foster slowly leaned in and gently captured her mouth with his. Her lips were soft like rose petals and her breath was cool and refreshing. He couldn't believe how right it felt to kiss her. His heart sang with pure happiness and in that moment, he knew that she was in fact his intended life mate.
Any resistance or thoughts of acting responsibly melted away the moment Foster's lips touched her own. Her heart fluttered with the excitement of this first kiss and she couldn't imagine anything being as beautiful, or more wanted, than this! She couldn't believe it when her body seemed to have a mind of it's own as she found herself leaning into Foster, trying to get closer. She longed for him to take her into his arms and hold her tightly. As the kiss deepened, a soft moan slipped out of her and when he did put his arms around her to draw her in closer, every muscle and every bone in her body seemed to turn to jelly.
Foster couldn't believe how fortune had smiled on him! He'd been searching for his mate so very long! Never would he have thought it possible that a distant distress call could ultimately bring her to him. To have someone like her come to him, someone so very pure, strong, compassionate and fierce - he knew he'd been blessed beyond comprehension.
Reluctantly drawing away from her, and hearing her moan of protest, he looked into her eyes and knew that she desired him as much as he did her. However, he would never take her like this - alone, in the woods, without any blessings from her father and mother. No, he had much more honor than that and he knew she did as well. When she became his, he wanted it to be done with her parents blessing, hiding nothing, and happily shouting to the heavens his gratitude for being so blessed!
"Sweet Reika, I want you as much as you want me, but we won't begin anything in the dark, hiding from everyone. We must find a way to get your parents to accept me, despite my being from another pack. With as deeply as I feel for you, and I do feel it deeply my love, I won't dishonor you by taking you in the woods like secret lovers."
Reika took several deep breaths trying to push back the lust she was feeling. He had stirred something in her that she'd never felt before but she knew that what he was saying was not only true, but very honorable, and she loved him for it. She gazed up into his eyes, studying him, trying to figure out where he'd come from and how things had moved so quickly. He could see both the confusion and wonder as it crossed over her features.
"I know my love, it's difficult to understand how we can feel so deeply for each other so quickly, but there is a name for it. It's called imprinting, and I believe it's happened to us. When two wolves come together that the universe has meant as life mates, it seems to trigger this imprinting process and awakens their desire. It only happens like this to those who are meant to be together, and it is my belief that we are two of those people. When two wolves do find each other and imprint, it can't be undone and it is to the detriment of both if they are kept apart. We must talk with your father and show him what has happened. I believe it's only with proof that he will see we are meant to be together!"
Reika had heard of it, and had even seen it happen with a few couples within her pack. But she also knew that it didn't happen for everyone, and not everyone believed in it. She wasn't sure how her father believed, but she could only hope that he'd seen it too and was a believer! "How are we going to bring this to father. He's not aware that I've even met you", Reika worried.
"You're right, he isn't, but your mother is. Do you suppose that she could be of any help in softening the shock to your father?" he asked.
"You're right! Mother does know of you. I've even had a glimpse or two that she may even suspect an attraction between us! I caught her looking at me in a strange way when I was thinking, or talking of you! Mother understands my desire to mate for love rather than traditions. Perhaps she can be helpful in swaying father." Reika's thoughts slipped away with her ponderings on how and when to approach her mother. She didn't notice that he had become quiet and thoughtful himself. Returning her attention to him she asked, "Do you suppose that I should try to talk to her tonight and see what she thinks?" she asked.
Foster's thoughts had taken him to the secrets he carried, that he had even kept from Reika herself. He knew he needed to tell her before things went any farther. "Before we can pursue what we are feeling, there are some things I must tell you first. If after you know, you still want to go to them, then we can discuss how to approach your parents."
Her excitement slowly slipped from her face. She saw the seriousness on his face and felt a pit of worry begin to grow in her stomach. "What is it? By the look on your face, I'm not sure I want to know, yet I know I must."
Seeing the worry on her face, his voice softened. "I'm sorry to worry you, my love. It was not my intention. There are a couple of details that may harden your father against me, making everything more difficult." He took a deep breath and knew the best way to say it was straight forward and honestly. "Though you know that I am from a different pack, what you don't know is what pack that is, and what position I hold within it."
Reika smiled, relief spreading across her face. "Silly, I don't think father will harden against you because you are from one of our ally packs. And unless you are the lowest one among them, which I seriously doubt as I would have sensed it, I'm sure my father will be reasonable once he sees that we are meant to be together!" The excitement that had slipped away returned and she smiled widely with the growing love shining brightly in her eyes.
"That's just it, my love," he said. "I'm not from an ally pack. Quite the contrary, I believe we have probably been your biggest rival for many years."
Her face dropped and she noticeably drew away from him. "What? You're from our biggest rival pack? Then, that means, . . . Are you saying . . . you're from the Carbon County pack?" she whispered.
"Yes, my love. I am. But we've had no battles in many years. I've been thinking it was time for a truce
to be reached and perhaps an attempt to join the two packs, or at least become allies! We would become an unbeatable force that non would dare to threaten and we could help each other protect and defend if anyone ever did!" Foster had brightened with the new thought of aligning the two packs. They were already strong forces separately, but together, they would be unstoppable. He could see that the thought of it had slightly calmed her shocked reaction. He knew there would be difficulty when he took it to his pack, and to hers as well, but he felt that the reward would justify the effort!
Reika's once stiffened, shocked body relaxed a bit with the thought of aligning the two packs. She'd been around pack politics enough to know that joining two large, strong packs, would be the ultimate dream of most any pack. However, she knew that the endeavor would not be an easy one! "How would we even go about getting the two alphas to agree to sit down and talk about it? Are you close enough to your alpha, or hold a position that he would lend an ear to your thoughts?" she asked in a voice full of both worry and hope.
"Ok, well, that's the other thing I needed to tell you," he said, now shifting his position to fully face her and hopefully be able to stop any retreat she may attempt at first. "You're right, I'm not the lowest, or even a lowly pack member. You could say I do hold a powerful position within the pack. And as to being able to get the alpha's ear, it won't be a problem because, it's with me every day, rather closely you could say." Foster smiled a mischievous smile that could only mean one thing.
Studying his face for a moment longer, she suddenly knew what he was inferring. With wide, shocked eyes, she quietly said, "You're the alpha of the pack, aren't you!??" Raising an eyebrow in a manner of confession, he nodded.
Reika jumped up shouting, "Oh My Gosh! How could you not tell me this before now??? How could you keep such serious and possibly life altering news from me? The ALPHA!?? You're the ALPHA?? Oooohh, my father is going to kill me!! He'll never give his blessing to this, to us." She paced and was motioning with her hands as she shouted. Though her father would be very pleased that she would want to mate an alpha, having it be the alpha of their rival pack was something totally different!
Foster rose from the ground and let her vent her surprise and shock for a moment. He knew he should've told her sooner, but really, they'd only had the time at the cafe and now here in the woods. There hadn't been an opportunity to tell her any sooner! After a moment, he reached out to catch one of her arms while saying, "Reika, think about it my love. There hasn't been an earlier opportunity to tell you. I wasn't sure I should have done it this early, but seeing how you're taking it - it's better to tell you now and see where it takes us before we get to the point of no return. Though, I have to tell you, it will completely break my heart and leave me devastated if you choose to never see me again", and with that, he released her arm and stepped away to give her some space, allowing her to make her own decision of what she wanted. He would never force her to do anything she didn't want to, no matter how much it would hurt him.
She watched him as he made his confession. Her own heart twisted with sadness with the thought of never seeing him again. She knew that wouldn't be an option. Having time to think, she realized he was right. He had told her at the first available opportunity. He could have kept it hidden, and worse, could have taken advantage of their moment earlier, but he hadn't. He was truly an honorable man and she realized even more that the fates had stepped in to guide their paths. Even now he had given her space to come to her own conclusions. He could have used the attraction they had for each other to sway her thoughts. But instead, he stood apart from her and allowed her the time she needed to come to terms with the information and her emotions. She slowly raised her eyes to meet his own and saw the worry that rested within them. Her heart swelled at his possible sacrifice in an effort not to sway her and she began to realize the full impact of their imprinting. She was meant to be with him. She wanted to be with him - and she was willing to weather any struggle that came with it, no matter the outcome.
Smiling, she stepped forward and reached for his hands. Seeing how small hers were inside his own large ones, she almost felt protected in the strength that wrapped around her own. "You're right, you have shared your news at the first opportunity. You have also honored me by allowing me to process it all on my own, without sway from you or our connection. And because of this honor, I want to assure you that I won't be deciding to end our connection. On the contrary. I feel it more strongly now than before and I count myself very lucky to have been guided to one of the most honorable and kind men I could ever know. The fact that you're an alpha from our rival pack may complicate things for us, but if you're willing to continue, so am I!" Finishing her statement, she stepped up to him and gently kissed him on the lips, hoping to project the deeper emotional connection she now felt.
Foster was both stunned and amazed. He had dropped quite a large information bomb on her and she had handled it much better than he dreamed she would. She would have been justified to walk away, knowing the large hurdles they'd have to face if they remained together. But instead she'd handled it with grace, compassion, wisdom and love. His heart swelled with his fortune in finding her and the growing love he was feeling for her. When she stepped forward and kissed him, all worry melted away and he knew that they'd be ok from here forward. He wrapped his arms around her and drew her in as close as he could, kissing her lightly at first, then taking it to a much more passionate level. Each time he was surprised at the love in his heart for her, something would happen and it would grow even more. He knew he would die for this woman to keep her safe, if that's what it took, and he would suffer anything he had to in the effort to form an alliance between both packs. His biggest desire now was for them to join with the blessings of both packs and move into the future with the love and support of all!
CHAPTER TWELVE
They had stayed a while longer, talking about their future and the things that would have to happen to get there. Reika soon realized how late it was getting and worried that her mother may come back, or had already come back, to check on her. "I have to be getting home. It's gotten really late and mother could worry," she said.
"Come, my love, let me walk you back. I'll not have any stray wolves coming upon you to threaten you in any way!" he teased. He knew she was a strong little wolf but he wasn't taking any chances after what had happened in the woods before.
"Foster, you know I'll be on my own territory. It's not necessary for you to go so far out of your way to see me home. Besides, you are still the alpha of the rival pack and you can't be found on our land without an invitation from the alpha!" She smiled while saying it, but meant every word. She wouldn't have him putting himself at risk for the silliness of walking her home.
"Alright, my love. I'll walk you to the boundary then say good night." He hid his intentions of watching to be sure she was safe, behind the very sexy smile he gave her. He was not worried about what her father might do to him should he be caught. "Are we to still meet tomorrow for lunch?" he asked.
"Of course! Maybe I'll have some news on whether mother can help us with father by then!" Taking his hand, she led him towards the boundary. Upon reaching it, he turned her to him and leaned down to place a tender kiss upon her lips. He regretfully kept it short knowing that she needed to get home and he needed to get back to his own pack to start the wheels turning on the idea of uniting with the Sweetwater pack! "Good night love. Until I can see you tomorrow, may our dreams be filled with each other and the growing love we feel."
She smiled up at him with warmth and promise in her eyes. "Goodnight my love. Until tomorrow." Kissing him again quickly, she turned, shifted quickly into her wolf and ran back towards home. Foster reveled in the speed and beauty of her wolf! Shifting into his own wolf, he followed her at a distance until she'd reached her home. Turning around quickly and stealthily, he headed for his own home and eagerly awaited their lunch date!
* * * *
Claire had felt the need to
check in on her daughter just before she was going to turn in and had found her bed empty. The party had been over hours ago and she wondered what had drawn her away from her bed. She knew her feet had been sore and tired so the thought of her taking a walk was the last thing she would have considered. She decided to sit and wait for her and took a seat in one of the chairs in her bedroom. She had only waited about 30 minutes when she heard Reika outside through her open window. She was in wolf form and had come running in from the woods, which Claire thought to be a bit strange.
As she shifted back, she started to climb into her bedroom window so as not to awaken anyone and realized her mother was sitting in one of her chairs. Claire hadn't bothered to turn on any lights since wolves had great night vision and she could see everything clearly. "Did you have a nice run dear?" she asked. "I thought you were all worn out from the party."
After Reika got all the way into the room, she turned to her mother and smiled. "It was a wonderful party and I was tired, but a part of me just needed to run off some . . . well, I don't know exactly what it was, but the cool grass felt wonderful on my hot tired feet!" She thought to leave it at that, not get into what she needed to talk to her mother about, but meeting Foster tomorrow for lunch put a bit of a time crunch on the subject so she decided to push ahead.
"Mother, there is something very important I need to talk to you about. I don't know that it's going to make you very happy and I only ask that you hear me out before you respond," said Reika.