by D. M. Shane
I pointed upward.
“Forty?”
I kept pointing.
“Fifty-five?”
I pointed upward again, and her eyes grew as round as saucers. “Remember, we’re immortal. Think bigger.”
“One hundred? Two hundred?”
“Four hundred,” I answered. She rolled her eyes and laughed in doubt. “Honest truth.”
“You’re yanking my chain. You barely look thirty.” She laughed again.
“I was eight years old when King James VI of Scotland died, love. I witnessed the Great Plague kill thousands in London. I fought in the American Revolution. Saw the invention of the first airplane. Even met Charles Darwin once.”
She stared at me in awe. “Okay. Wow. So, you’re immortal, but can you be killed?”
“Yes. No one really knows how long we can live, though there are some immortals who have reached a thousand years. We age almost imperceptibly. Most injuries heal quickly. As for death, well, the only ways to kill us include an injury to the heart or brain, beheading, burning in fire, or excessive blood loss from severe injuries.”
She paled. “And that’s not gruesome or anything.”
“You asked.” Not that I wanted to discuss such morbid things, but I wouldn’t avoid her line of questions either. If Aislin was going to be my mate, she would learn these things, anyway.
“So, if you live so long, why aren’t there more of you?”
“There could be, but we often take decades or even centuries to find our Aeternus. And, we like to keep our existence private.”
“Can you mate with someone who isn’t your Aeternus?”
“Yes, but it isn’t common. Most of us would rather wait for fate, and when we find our true mates, the connection is instantaneous. We’re not attracted to others in that way usually. We may sow some wild oats once in a while, but once we find the one, that’s it for life. Also, Aeternus are infertile until the bond is complete, and after that, they’re only fertile for three days surrounding the full moon. So we don’t have to worry about unexpected pregnancies.”
She digested that with a quiet sound of interest. “What about humans?”
“No. There has never been a human mate. Nor can we impregnate them.”
“What happens if a human finds out about you then?”
“Ah. That’s where certain skills come into play. You know that trick I do you love so much?” I asked. She rolled her eyes in disgust, surely remembering the afternoon she spent holed up in the bedroom with a bucket. “Well, some of us can plant memory blocks in someone’s mind, like the one that prevents you from remembering certain things. There are few of us who can do it though, me being one. We’re called Soul Shadows.”
“Okay,” she answered, pondering the information I had imparted. My mate was much more open to information than she had been in the beginning, and I was glad for it. None of this had been easy for her. “What’s next?”
“Well, I thought maybe, if you’re up for it, that you might like a tour of the compound. Then this evening, I’d like to take you up to the lake for a picnic dinner. Tomorrow, we’ll go into town for the service. What do you think?”
Her eyes lit up at the suggestion of the tour, but dampened when I mentioned the service. Sensing reservations, I reached across the table and took her hand in mine.
“If you’re not ready, we don’t have to go.”
“No, it’s not that. I’m just sad is all. I want to go. I never got to say goodbye.” A single tear rolled down her cheek, and I reached up to brush it away, my thumb lingering on her cheek for a moment.
“If you change your mind, all you have to do is say so. Okay?” When she nodded in answer, I smiled. “All right, let’s go. It’s a gorgeous day outside.”
We headed down the driveway to the main walking path. Ahead of us lay the community garden and the green. Past that, the guardhouse and the road south out of Eagle Ridge. To either side and behind were cabins. A left would take us east toward the security building and the canteen. A right would lead us west to the library and the infirmary. The path leading up behind my cabin and into the mountains would take us north to the lake, but I was saving that for later.
“Left, or right?” I asked, giving her the choice.
She chose left. As we passed between some cabins, Aislin took them in, commenting on how cozy they all looked. Occasionally, we’d catch someone in a window waving hello as we passed. A few people passed us on the path, stopping to introduce themselves to my mate. Aislin surprised me by taking the time to speak with each individual, getting to know them.
Rounding a corner, we came upon the canteen. It sat parked between two cabins, overlooking the green. We entered, and I explained to Aislin that this was where the community took many of its meals. Community meetings and celebratory events were held here, and it also doubled as a shelter should the weather turn dangerous. On the other side of the canteen, I showed her where the little store sat attached. This was where we stocked any groceries we didn’t make, grow, or hunt ourselves.
From there, I led her to the security building behind the canteen. Corbin and Gideon were inside. Madigan and James, whom Aislin had already met, were out on rounds this morning. Corbin stood up slowly, a pained expression on his face. He was still bothered by the information I’d shared with him the day before, but he quickly hid his discomfort and crossed the room to introduce himself to my mate.
“I didn’t get to thank you yesterday. For helping me,” she told him.
“It’s no bother, just doing my job.” His face was unreadable, his voice slightly brusque. He was uncomfortable. She smiled, and eventually, he offered one in return before returning to his seat in front of the monitors. Aislin cocked her head as he walked away from her. His abruptness caught her off guard. I whispered in her ear not to let it bother her, that I’d explain later.
“This is where we monitor all the cameras that surround our territory,” I explained. She looked around in awe at the vast system of monitors, keyboards, and various computer equipment. “We take our safety seriously.”
“I see that.”
I purposely brought her here so she could see the measures we took to keep our community and everyone in it safe. I needed her to know this. I needed her to know she was safe.
As lunchtime approached, I led Aislin back to the canteen. Isabelle, Camille, and Nora had just finished setting out the meal, and Pack members were lining up to fill their plates. A simple beef stew, fresh bread, sliced cheeses, and grapes had been set out along with various beverages. Aislin and I helped ourselves and then picked a table away from the main crowd. Occasionally, others came up to introduce themselves but thankfully kept their interruptions to a minimum so as not to disturb our meal too much. Aislin took everything in stride, seeming to enjoy herself.
After lunch, we headed past the community garden, across the green, and toward the other side of the compound. As we passed the garden, she asked a few questions about how the community thrived, and I explained how we did almost everything off the grid. We relied on growing and hunting most of our own food and using solar energy. We piped fresh water in from a nearby spring.
When we reached the wooden platform, she stopped and stared silently. “Is that what I think it is?”
“That depends on what you think it is,” I answered. Aislin was smart. She could figure it out if she hadn’t already. I suspected she had, and her next statement proved it.
She eyed me cautiously. “Public punishments?”
“Yes, and no. Generally speaking, it’s only used for serious infractions. Usually, punishments involve things like community service or hard labor. Otherwise, it’s normally used for outdoor weddings and other community events.”
“I stole a vehicle, Arkkadian. That’s fairly serious.” She clenched and unclenched her jaw as she continued staring at the platform.
“Is that what’s bugging you?” I asked, taking her hand.
“Yes.”
Only then did I
realize we’d never talked about her punishment. Truth be told, since I’d decided not to punish her, I’d kind of forgotten about it. “You have nothing to be worried about, love. Under normal circumstances, maybe some community service, but your situation is anything but normal. You weren’t being defiant; you were running out of fear. I think you suffered enough with a concussion and a broken wrist.”
“Oh.” She looked at me and then acknowledged the platform again. “When was the last time you used it? For punishment, I mean.”
“You really want to know?”
“Yes.”
“Kane,” I answered honestly.
Aislin looked at me with shock. “Kane West?” she asked, her voice pitching high.
“He was exiled.” I launched into the story about how he had taken the young girl and later challenged me after he was caught and punished.
Her face paled. “You said you grew up together.”
“I may have hedged a little on that, but only that. We’d only just met, and you didn’t know you weren’t human. I couldn’t exactly explain that.”
“Makes sense. I’d have probably thought you were insane,” she admitted. “Hell, I thought I was going insane.”
“I’m over three hundred years his senior. He’s always been trouble, though, even from the time he was a child. His father was an alcoholic and murdered his mother in a drunken rage. He used to beat on Kane a lot. Even as a kid, Kane was always breaking into someone’s home, stealing or vandalizing something. His father’s frequent drunken behavior exacerbated the already troubled child. He even started harassing teenage girls, which ultimately led to his banishment. Damn shame, but it’s better he’s gone from here.”
It would be even better if he were dead.
From there, we continued on our path toward the rest of the cabins, with the library and infirmary beyond. As we passed by more homes, men and women came out to greet Aislin, and she once again invited them into a conversation, getting to know each one. I beamed with pride at the sight of her fitting in so well with the Pack. Her integration into our society was going so much better than I ever could have hoped. The nervousness she’d exhibited yesterday was nowhere to be found.
Once the last had said their goodbyes, we continued toward the library. It also housed several classrooms and an entire computer lab. Since we lived so far from the nearest town, the children here needed a place to learn, and our library provided everything they could need.
I followed Aislin as she wandered through the aisles of books and smiled at the joy written all over her face. Her love for books was clear, and it made me happy knowing I could provide her with something she loved so much.
“See anything you like?” Watching her peruse the stacks was like watching a child in a candy store. Pure joy.
“I love books. Ever since I was a kid. The stories, the characters, all their adventures. Books were the one place I could escape the real world. There are so many choices here.”
“Well, the library is at your disposal. We even have a paranormal romance section.” I smirked, letting out a little laugh when her eyes went wide and her face turned bright red. Oh, yes, I’d seen the book.
“I can’t believe you saw that,” she replied.
“Oh, yes. I even read it aloud to you in the hospital.”
The mortified look she gave me was priceless.
A glance at my watch told me it was nearly four o’clock, so we meandered back home to prepare for our picnic, much to my mate’s delight. I think she was happy not to be discussing her choice in reading material any longer. At least not with her own personal “werewolf.”
As we worked side-by-side packing everything we needed, I kept thinking about this evening. The more time Aislin and I spent together, the more strung up my wolf became in his desire to bond. The last few weeks had been nothing short of torture, and I’d spent plenty of extra time in the bathroom taking care of every urge. I knew I couldn’t hold the beast off much longer.
It didn’t help that every time we passed each other in the kitchen, one of us brushed up against the other, sneaking touches here or there. By the time we left the cabin, my wolf was clamoring to sate its craving.
41
Aislin
Following Arkkadian, I rounded a bend in the trail, and like a technicolor dream, the glorious view of a clear mountain lake surrounded by towering peaks in the distance opened up before me. I gasped at the sight, trying to take it all in, but there was so much to see. Every color, every sound, they were like a fine-tuned melody playing nature’s song.
The trail ended at the edge of a clean sandy beach on the shoreline. Great silver firs and ponderosa pines lined the lakeshore, interspersed with the occasional larch, spruce, or hemlock. Purple forget-me-nots and yellow buttercups dotted the serene landscape while little fat bumblebees flitted bloom to bloom, their tiny wings defying everything nature said they couldn’t do. Smooth as glass, the lake’s surface perfectly mirrored the sky, giving everything an otherworldly feel. All was quiet, except for a few songbirds singing in the trees and the buzzing of those busy little bees.
Never had I seen such beauty. This hidden paradise was a boon to my damaged soul, healing me from within. Giddy with excitement, I kicked off my shoes and socks and dug my toes into the soft sand. Over my shoulder, Arkkadian watched me, his smile genuine, his eyes burning bright with love.
“It’s so beautiful,” I told him, wandering to the water’s edge and splashing my feet around. The water was cold and sobering, and I quickly jumped back out. “Oh, my God, it’s freezing!”
Arkkadian laughed from somewhere behind me, his joy and passion bleeding into the connection we shared.
Together, we set out the blanket and the basket of food. We sat in silence for a time, enjoying the food and being in each other’s company. We watched the sky fill with brilliant pinks and purples as the sun slowly sank toward the horizon. It was so relaxing just being present in the moment and not having the weight of the world on my shoulders for a little while.
Nearing the end of the meal, I summoned the courage to ask Arkkadian the one burning question that had plagued me for weeks. The one I was too scared to ask before now. “Will you show me your wolf?”
As if he’d been waiting for this moment, Arkkadian let loose with a small whoop, and his face lit up with excitement. “I was wondering when you might ask. I’ve been dying to show you, but I was afraid of scaring you.”
“You’re not dangerous, are you?” I eyed him.
“No. Not to you, but be forewarned, he may be a bit—how do I say this—enthusiastic. My wolf has been craving the bond since the day we met, and it’s been difficult to keep him in check.”
I tensed at his admission. “Oh.”
“He won’t hurt you, love. I promise. Do you still want to see?”
“Yes.” I so desperately wanted to see. More than anything.
Arkkadian stood and stripped, removing every article of clothing until he stood before me in all his glory. I couldn’t help but stare in awe. His body was a magnificent sight. He was a solid wall of well-defined muscle, lean and strong. Like the first night I’d met him, he radiated power and mystery, but this time, I felt no intimidation. Instead, I felt love. Pure, radiant love.
Arkkadian knelt down on the ground, and the air suddenly shimmered. In the next instant, a very large, very black wolf with a silvery-white star upon its chest stood in his place. His eyes were still the same bright blue that had bewitched my soul the night we met. My eyes went back to the star, noticing its similarity to my own silver eyes. Was it a coincidence? Or was it truly fate? My gut told me it was the latter.
I sat up on my knees, legs bent beneath me, and beckoned the wolf closer, despite my heart pounding a tattoo into my ribs. Most normal people wouldn’t dare approach a wild wolf, let alone a wolf this size. Had I been standing up, his head would have reached mid-chest. The black wolf in front of me easily dwarfed a wild wolf three times over. He was splendid.
Majestic. Regal. Proud.
The wolf approached slowly, surely sensing my unease at his unnatural size. I reached out a cautious hand, and his nose met my fingers. I leaned closer, eased my hand up and around the back of his ears, and gave a scratch. He tilted his head into my hand in response. His dark fur was sleek and soft as silk as it slid through my fingers.
Then, out of nowhere, I was on my back on the blanket, staring up at black fur and sharp canines. The wolf—Arkkadian—had knocked me over. I almost panicked until I realized his tongue was playfully hanging out of his mouth in a lopsided grin. Then he leaned down and licked my face. I giggled, and his reaction was to nuzzle me all over. His attempt at tickling me, I supposed. I tried to roll away, hysterical with laughter as he dug his nose into my ribs first, then my armpit, and even the side of my neck. I was severely ticklish, and somehow Arkkadian had found all my most sensitive spots, making me shriek with uncontrollable mirth.
Without warning, Arkkadian jolted upright, instantly on alert, ears cocked. His head jerked toward the forest, picking up on some distant sound I couldn’t hear. Placing himself between me and the trees, he let loose with a low growl, baring teeth that could probably shred through the hide of an alligator. I never wanted to be on the receiving end of those.
Turning my attention back to the situation, I looked around us but didn’t see or hear anything unusual. Until I realized there were no birds happily twittering. No bees buzzing. It was eerie. Arkkadian’s hackles were up, and he continued to growl in warning.
“Arkkadian? What’s going on? You’re scaring me.”
Arkkadian kept his eye on the woods, but our connection rippled with a feeling I could only liken to danger. Then the air shimmered again, and Arkkadian reappeared next to me. “Something’s wrong. Listen to me. I’m shifting back. I’m not going anywhere, but if something happens, you run. You take the trail and run straight to Gideon’s. You know the way.”
“But—”
“No. You run and you don’t stop until you get there. Do you understand?”