"Well...yes. But I didn't know you were that good of a cook, you see," he said, squeezing her to him.
"Got to feed the beast, eh?" Charlie asked with a giggle.
"Exactly," he chuckled. "Now go to sleep. We've got a big day ahead of us." He kissed the top of her head lightly, making her smile.
"Yes, we do," she said with a happy sounding sigh. She closed her eyes and was asleep within minutes.
The next morning dawned clear, the rising sun moving a Technicolor sky through purples, violets, pinks and blues. Charlie awoke to find Damien sitting on the edge of the bed watching her.
"Morning," she said with a yawn, stretching cat-like beneath the blankets. "How long have you been up?"
"An hour or so." He smiled, but his eyes were serious.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, dolcezza," Damien said, reaching over to caress her cheek. "Nothing at all. I didn't want to leave without a goodbye."
"Leave?" she asked, still a little fuzzy.
"I have to go and prepare for this afternoon," he said, trying to give her a reassuring smile.
"Oh. Right. The hunt." She shifted on the bed to look at him. "I really can't go out?" she asked.
"It's tradition, my love," he said, shaking his head.
"Fine," Charlie huffed, pretending to pout. "You better bring back a bigfoot or something." Damien chuckled at that before leaning over to give her a brief kiss.
"I will see you soon, dolcezza," he said, looking into her eyes for a lingering moment. He gave her another quick kiss before getting up and heading towards the door. He stopped, turning back to look at her. "And Charlotte? Make sure you wear a dress."
With that he turned and left, closing the door gently behind him. Charlie watched him go, feeling the heat hit her face as she stared at the place he had been. She wasn't sure how Damien was going to expect her to show her appreciation, but she could think of a few that wearing a dress would make a lot easier. She giggled to herself, grabbing his pillow to her and breathing his scent in before snuggling down to get a couple more hours of sleep.
She was awakened a few hours later by her bladder, regretting splitting that bottle of wine with Becky the night before. She stretched with an audible groan before kicking the covers down and getting out of bed. She padded over to her dresser and threw on a pair of shorts and t-shirt before heading to the bathroom. She could hear the downstairs shower start and quickly finished up. Charlie headed down to the kitchen, deciding to make her friend's favorite breakfast.
By the time Becky made her way to the kitchen, the homey smell of biscuits in the oven was mingling with the savory smell of ground sausage sizzling away in the skillet. Charlie was singing along softly with the music coming from the living room.
"Is that biscuits and gravy I'm smelling?" Becky asked, getting a coffee cup from the c-upboard next to the sink.
"It is," Charlie said, smiling. "I thought you might like a treat."
"You spoil me, Char."
"Yeah, I do," Charlie said with a shrug, making Becky give a little snort of laughter. "But you know what? I'm happy to."
"Need me to do anything?" Becky asked, leaning against the counter and watching Charlie stir the gravy in the pan.
"You know the drill."
"Okay. Okay. Getting out of your way," she said, moving to sit at the breakfast bar. She took a couple sips of coffee and watched her friend for a few minutes. Charlie was singing along to 'Cold As Ice', and Becky smiled, thinking about how much more relaxed and sure of herself her friend seemed.
"Where's tall, dark and besotted?" Becky asked.
"'Tall, dark and besotted'? Funny, Beck."
"I thought so." She took a sip of coffee. "So where is he?"
"He's preparing for the hunt."
"Already?"
"Yup." Charlie turned off the burner and moved the pan to a cool side of the stove. She grabbed a towel and moved to take the biscuits out of the oven, shaking them on to a waiting plate before placing the baking sheet in the sink. "I think he has to meet with Darian and then the men he's hunting with."
"Only men, huh?" Becky sniffed.
"Call off the bra burning, Ms Steinem. He's the pack member, so it's men. If it were me, it would be women."
"Bra burning? Really? I think I'm more suffragette, my friend." She batted her eyes dramatically at Charlie over the rim of her coffee cup.
"Nice, Beck," Charlie laughed, getting two big bowls out of the cupboard and dishing them both up. She placed them on the breakfast bar before coming around to sit next to her friend. Becky was already eating, a look of pure happiness on her face.
"Mmmm, Char. I missed your biscuits and gravy," she said between mouthfuls.
"I showed you how to make it, Beck."
"I know. It just tastes better when you make it." Charlie just laughed and shook her head, but Becky knew she was pleased with the compliment.
"I am so glad you've taken all of this so well, Beck," Charlie said after a few moments.
Becky looked at her speculatively for a minute. "Did you expect me to faint?" she teased.
"Oh ha ha."
"Really, Char. It's weird. It is. And I don't know that I won't be a little overwhelmed when I'm surrounded by people who change into wolves. But it won't freak me out."
"Yeah. I don't think it will, either." Charlie considered her friend briefly. "You're amazing."
"This is true," Becky said, trying to sound serious but not quite succeeding. They ate in silence for a bit. "I can't believe you fainted."
"I know," Charlie said with a self-conscious laugh. "And once he explained everything I got really pissed off."
"Why?"
"I was mad that he didn't tell me this before, you know? Because...I think because it was so shocking. I had just made up my mind to stay a few more days. I had just decided that maybe we had a chance of something. And then I find out he's something more than human. I felt almost tricked." She took a bite of gravy-soaked biscuit and chewed for a moment before continuing. "I was so pissed. I told him I wanted him to stop being a werewolf."
"Really? What did he say?"
"At first he changed to the wolf to avoid answering me."
"He didn't!" Becky said, looking at her friend closely. Charlie looked back at her friend and nodded. "Dork," Becky said with a giggle.
"Doofus," Charlie laughed.
"Dweeb."
"Dingus."
"Oh my god, Char," Becky laughed, "now you know what you can name your kid."
"Dingus Dimeo!" they both said, bent over with laughter.
"That would be one way to keep that tradition alive," Becky said when they finally calmed down.
"I think that is one tradition we can let die," Charlie said with a chuckle, clearing the breakfast dishes and putting them in the sink.
"You think?" Becky asked, pushing Charlie out of the way and filling the sink with warm soapy water.
"You know, thinking back...as mad as I was...I don't know that I could have left him," Charlie said, leaning against the counter next to the sink.
"From what I've learned, you probably couldn't."
"No. I mean....I don't think I could have brought myself to even try to leave."
"Why do you say that?"
"The next day he was gone, running errands or something, and I was going to get in the shower when I noticed all this wolf hair all over the hallway floor, and the thought that went through my mind was that my boyfriend sheds." Becky giggled at that, making Charlie giggle a little herself. "And I think that's when it first really hit me that I was falling for him. Or had fallen for him." Charlie amended with a shrug. "That night was when he proposed, and said he would live in my world if I wouldn't live in his."
"That's...that's love, Char. That's what it's all about."
"I know," Charlie said, drying the dishes as Becky placed them in the drain. "I was still so overwhelmed, you know? Confused. But that...that love...I knew it was real. I just didn't know...anything else." She dried
the silverware and put it away. "Actually, that's not really true. I knew I needed to call you."
"I knew something was up when you called. I just had no idea it would be..." she gestured with her elbow.
"Yeah?"
"I could just hear it." She finished washing the gravy pan and rinsed it before placing it in the dish drain. "For what it's worth, I'm glad you stayed."
"Me, too," Charlie said, drying the pan and putting it away.
They worked together cleaning up the kitchen, their conversation moving easily to motorcycles and Becky's search for a Royal Enfield. By the time they were done cleaning they had moved on to debating which celebrity had the nicest butt and if it was a superpower and if so how they could use that superpower for good. They ended up sitting in the living room, laughing so hard their abs hurt, creating new superheroes whose powers came from their bodily functions, and deciding who would play them in the movies.
The day flew by for the two friends. They talked. They watched a little TV. They listened to a little music. Before either of them knew it, it was time for Charlie to get ready. She took a long shower, carefully shaving her underarms and legs. She decided to completely shave her sex, giggling to herself as she imagined what Damien's response would be. He'd never complained about her hair, never even hinted that he didn't like it, and considering how often his face was between her legs she was certain he didn't mind it at all. She paused, wondering if it was taboo for werewolves, if she might be breaking some kind of pack law. She looked back down at herself and, realizing she was half done already, figured that if it did, it did; it was only hair and would grow back.
She finished up and got out of the shower, standing on the mat, looking at herself in the mirror. She catalogued everything about herself frankly; her full breasts that hadn't seen perky since she turned 21, her soft abdomen – proof that she liked eating far more than exercising, her hips that flared out nicely from her waist, the way her legs tapered down to her ankles. Finally, she looked at her scars.
She noted the way some scars were a shiny pinkish color, and some were almost cafe-au-lait. She saw drops of water slowly running down a couple of the deeper ones, and sighed. Closing her eyes, she splayed her hands over them, caressing her abdomen like Damien did at times. She felt the different textures, easily knowing the difference between healthy and marred skin. She smiled, opening her eyes back up and looking at herself again. Damien had to be able to feel the difference, too, but he treated every inch of her as his most treasured gift.
She grabbed a towel and dried herself off before wrapping it around her hair in a turban. She got out her cosmetics – what little she had – and carefully made herself up a bit. She took the towel off her head, hanging it up before grabbing her comb off the counter and slowly running it through her hair, combing it until it was glossy and smooth and just barely damp. She put on her bra and panties before leaving the bathroom.
She walked over to the bed and picked up the dress she had bought for tonight when she had gone shopping with Eva and Diane last week. It was red cotton, with a Peter Pan collar, cap sleeves, and empire waist. The skirt was full and stopped just above her knees, with a delicate lace detail at the hem. She slipped it on over her head and moved to the full length mirror. She had to admit Eva was right – it was perfect for her. She twirled in front of the mirror, gauging how high up the skirt went. She considered for a moment, head cocked, before reaching under her dress to remove her panties, blushing madly as she did.
"You better bring back something huge, cowboy," she said to herself with a giggle. She slipped on her keds and head back downstairs. Anna was coming to escort them to the ceremonial grounds, and she didn't want to keep her – or Damien – waiting.
"What time is Anna coming?" Charlie asked, walking towards the living room. She stopped just inside the room as Anna and Becky jumped apart to opposite ends of the couch. "Well then, I guess that would be now, wouldn't it," she said with a giggle.
"Hi Charlie," Anna said, her voice thick. She cleared her throat. "You all set?"
"I am. Sorry to have kept you waiting." Charlie looked at Becky, snickering a bit at her flushed cheeks. "You need to freshen up, Beck? Maybe...?" she wagged her eyebrows suggestively at her friend.
"Oh hardy har har, Char," Becky said, standing up. "Not like she was fucking me against the patio wall."
"Oh shit! You heard that?" Charlie asked, her cheeks getting red.
"No," Becky laughed. "But I found your guys' clothes out there, and it wasn't too difficult to figure out what happened."
"And now is the best time for you to bring it up?" Charlie said, nodding at Anna.
"Please, Charlie," Anna said, putting her arm around her shoulders. "There's actually going to be a lot to see tonight and tomorrow night. No guessing necessary."
"I know. I know," Charlie said, a small smile playing on her lips.
"What's that look about?" Becky asked as the three turned toward the door to head out. She reached out and took Anna's hand.
"Just...nothing."
"Huh. It didn't look like 'nothing'."
"Just thinking about it all, you know?" she said with a shrug as they walked out to Anna's waiting Subaru. Charlie got in the back seat and buckled up. "It still seems like a dream sometimes." She drummed her fingers on the seat next to her thighs. "But a really good dream."
She was quiet for the rest of the ride. Just looking out the window while Anna and Becky talked quietly in the front seat. They turned down the road to the ceremonial ground and Charlie leaned forward, her excitement rising. Anna pulled over to park the car and Charlie jumped out almost before she'd come to a complete stop.
"Eager much, Char?" Becky teased as she got out.
"What?" Charlie said, walking ahead of them. She turned around, walking backwards to keep talking to Becky and Anna. "You guys are just too sl- Ooomph!" she grunted, tripping over something and falling hard on her ass.
"Are you alright?" Anna asked, rushing over to her as Becky laughed.
"I'm fine," Charlie said, standing back up and brushing off her backside.
"No. You're out of control," Becky said, chuckling as she helped her friend brush the dirt off the back of her dress. Luckily it hadn't rained in over a week, so the dirt was dry and came off easily.
"I am not."
"O. O. C," Becky laughed, emphasizing each letter.
"Oh...shut it," Charlie said with a giggle, poking her friend in the shoulder as the three walked together. She had her hands splayed over her stomach as they came into the clearing around the stone, sure if she moved them the butterflies in there would burst out.
Cheers and howls rang out as the assembled pack spotted Charlie. She smiled at everyone as she made her way to where David, Diane, Eva and Darlene were sitting, trying to hide her shock at just how many of the people milling about were naked. She glanced over her shoulder at Becky, chuckling to herself at how unaffected her friend was by everything. She took a seat with Damien's family and was just starting to relax into the conversation when howls sounded from the woods on the far side of the clearing.
"Rise, Charlie, it's time," Diane said, reaching over to give her hand a squeeze.
Charlie stood and walked towards the stone on legs that felt like solid lead. She knew what was going to happen. She knew Damien would bring her his kill, and she would have to accept it or reject it. But knowing and doing were two totally different things. She stood up straight and faced the woods as another volley of howls rang out into the darkening evening.
Her breathing quickened as she saw the wolves slowly start to emerge from the tree line. They walked around the stone and sat, forming a sort of half-circle behind her. She counted 15 total, and thought she recognized Lewis among them, even though she couldn't place any of the others. She knew Darian and Grant and Tony were there, but she couldn't pick out who was who.
The wolves behind her suddenly howled in unison, making Charlie jump slightly. She glanced over towards Dami
en's family to see if they'd noticed and his mother gave her a gentle and reassuring smile. She took a deep breath and turned her attention back to the woods.
Damien slowly emerged, his jaws around the neck of the biggest elk she had ever seen. She released a breath she didn't even realize she had been holding and mentally chided herself for ever doubting his ability. He dragged the huge animal towards her, and she could see the muscles in his haunches bunching and straining. He laid the carcass at her feet and raised his head, looking at her over it.
Charlie looked down at the elk. It must have weighed over a thousand pounds. The antlers easily spanned four feet and were nearly as high. He must have worked very hard to bring this one down. She knew the others were not allowed to assist in any way. She raised her head to look at Damien. He was panting slightly, his ears forward. Blood coated his muzzle and chest.
APPETITE Page 43