APPETITE
Page 45
"How do you know what he's thinking, Charlie?" Becky asked, smiling at their interaction.
"I dunno," she said, looking at Becky, her expression somewhat surprised. "I just...I don't. Not really. I just kind of get this...feeling, I guess? I sense what he's thinking?" She looked back at Damien. "I don't know how, though."
"It's your love, your bond, it shows how strong it is, how strong it will be between you," Diane said, smiling at the pretty brunette. "It's a very good sign, Charlotte."
"I hope so," Charlie said, smiling back at her before turning her attention back to Damien. He laid his head back down in her lap and closed his eyes as she started stroking his fur again.
They sat like that for the rest of the evening. Others would come and sit for a little while, talking with Charlie or the other Dimeos, but Charlie noticed they never stayed long. It struck her that they didn't want to intrude upon the family too much, and she grinned widely, realizing she was part of that family now.
"That's quite the smile," Becky said, her eyes on her friend's face.
"Yes, I imagine it is," Charlie laughed.
They decided to call it a night shortly after that. Charlie, Becky and Anna took Anna's car back to the main house. They arrived just as the majority of the pack did, and Charlie couldn't hold back her laughter at the sight of the big staircase teeming with wolves. She slowly thread her way through them, knowing some of the wolves wanted to scent her as she went by. She heard Becky hiss behind her and turned to her friend.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"Their noses are cold," Becky said, grimacing as another wolf nosed at her hip.
"You're the one that wanted to be all naked and have sessie time," Charlie said, turning back around and continuing up the stairs.
"Oh please. Like your thighs were covered in blood when you left the house this afternoon."
"Oh...shut up, Beck," Charlie said, laughing and flipping her friend off over her shoulder.
"Such a classy broad," Becky said, making them both laugh. She sped up and looped her arm through Charlie's and they climbed the last few risers together.
Charlie stopped short when they reached the landing and she saw Damien leaning against their door. He moved towards them, stopping when he and Charlie were less than a foot apart. Becky gently disentangled her arm from her friend and stepped back.
"I'll see you inside, Char," she said, her eyes moving back and forth between the couple. Charlie nodded but didn't respond. "Good night, Damien."
"Good night, Becky. And thank you," Damien said, glancing her way and giving her a smile. She shrugged off the thank you and head inside.
"I thought I wasn't going to see you again until tomorrow?" Charlie said, reaching out and taking his hands.
"I just wanted to say good night, my love." He tugged her to him and wrapped her in his arms. She circled his waist with her arms and laid her head on his chest, closing her eyes with a sigh. They stood like that for a few moments before Damien put his hands on her shoulders and gently pushed her back to look at her. "You should go in now."
"Yeah," Charlie said, her voice suddenly thick as emotions began swirling in her head.
"It will be alright," Damien said, moving a hand to cup her face gently.
"It will be glorious," Charlie whispered, going up on her toes to give him a soft kiss. She smiled at him as she took his hands in hers and kissed each of his palms. "You make me believe in miracles, Damien. Good night." She let go of his hands and moved around him towards their apartment. Damien turned to watch as she stepped inside and closed the door behind her, a thoughtful smile on his face as he considered what she said.
Charlie leaned against the door for a moment, fighting the urge to go after him. They were supposed to be apart tonight. She knew they were supposed to be apart tonight. She knew it was tradition. She knew that all couples stayed apart the night before their mating. She knew it gave them time to reflect on their bond, their connection, their need for each other. She knew how important it was. She knew all of that. Understood all of that. Accepted all of that.
"Doesn't mean I have to like it," she laughed quietly to herself.
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