13. Irina
THIRTEEN
IRINA
Despite Octavio’s assurances, Brian’s lingering presence weighed heavily on my mind, casting a dark shadow over the fragile sense of peace we had managed to carve out for ourselves. With each passing day, my anxiety only seemed to grow, gnawing at my insides like a relentless beast hungry for destruction.
Octavio, ever the optimist, seemed hopeful that Brian’s unwelcome intrusion would be nothing more than a fleeting nuisance, easily brushed aside in the face of our new found happiness. But try as I might, I couldn’t shake the nagging feeling of unease that had taken root in the depths of my soul, festering like an open wound that refused to heal.
My mother, perceptive as always, was quick to pick up on the subtle shifts in my demeanor, her keen eyes betraying a hint of concern as she watched me go about my daily routine. Despite my best efforts to conceal my mounting anxiety, it was clear that I was unable to mask the turmoil brewing within me.
“Are you all right, Irina?” my mother asked softly, her voice laced with genuine concern as she reached out to touch my arm.
I forced a smile, attempting to mask the tumult of emotions swirling within me, but my mother’s penetrating gaze saw through the fa?ade with unsettling ease. With a heavy sigh, I relented, allowing the fa?ade to crumble as I confided in her the depths of my fears.
“It’s just... Brian,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper as I spoke. “I can’t shake the feeling that he’s not done with us yet. I keep feeling like he’s watching me all the time. I hate the sensation of having to look over my shoulder all the time.”
My mother’s expression softened, sympathy shining in her eyes as she wrapped me in a comforting embrace. “I understand, Irina,” she murmured, her words a soothing balm to my troubled soul. “I am worried about him, too. About everything to be honest.”
“I don’t like him coming into the shop and threatening me with my father when he doesn’t even know the man. Or maybe he does… I don’t know…”
Mom, who knew Piotr better than everyone, frowned. “Your father always had a way of getting involved with the wrong sort of people, which is what I hated most about my life with him. You are never safe. He has fingers in every pie.”
Feeling bolstered by her admission, I continued. “I know, and now I’m worried that he might have hired Brian to follow me so he can eventually come and get me. If he ends up selling me to Damien then that’s the end of my life, I will never be free. I’ll be locked away by that evil man, used only to procreate. Because that’s why he agreed to drop Father’s gambling debts for my hand in marriage, right? So I can give him the ‘beautiful babies’ he wants. Urgh, it’s disgusting.”
As I poured out my fears to my mother, her reaction was immediate and visceral. With each word that spilled from my lips, her expression hardened, her features contorted with a mixture of fear and determination. It was as if a switch had been flipped within her, igniting a fierce protective instinct that brooked no opposition.
“We have to leave, Irina,” she declared, her voice firm and resolute as she began to gather our belongings with frantic urgency. “Now, before Piotr and the others find us. You might be right. Brian might be a warning of what is to come.”
Her words hung heavy in the air, laden with the weight of unspoken danger, and I felt a chill run down my spine at the gravity of her words. The threat of Father and his associates loomed large in my mind, casting a shadow of fear over our fragile existence.
But even as my mother busied herself with preparations for our hasty departure, I hesitated, torn between the instinct to flee and the lingering sense of responsibility that tethered me to this place. I couldn’t shake the feeling that running away would only delay the inevitable—that sooner or later, we would have to confront the demons that haunted our past.
“Mother, we can’t just leave,” I protested, my voice tinged with uncertainty as I grappled with the enormity of the decision before us. “We have a life here, people who care about us. We can’t abandon them. Plus, won’t we actually be safer here where we have people who care? Without Octavio and the others, we’re alone and we can’t fight anyone, just me and you. We won’t stand a chance.”
My mother paused in her frantic movements, her gaze locking with mine in a silent exchange of understanding. In that moment, I saw the conflict etched on her face, the fierce struggle between the instinct to protect her child and the desire to stand her ground against the forces seeking to destroy us.
But as the minutes ticked by and the threat of danger loomed ever closer, my mother’s resolve hardened, her determination solidifying into an unbreakable resolve. With a steely glint in her eyes, she turned to face me, her voice firm and unwavering.
“Irina, listen to me,” she said, her words a solemn vow forged in the crucible of adversity. “We will face whatever comes our way, together. But for now, our priority is survival. We cannot fully trust Octavio. I know you want to, but you have to be smarter than that. Once upon a time, I trusted Piotr too!”
And with that, she resumed her preparations, her movements swift and purposeful as she gathered our belongings and made ready to depart.
As my mother urged me to leave, her voice tinged with urgency and fear, I couldn’t bring myself to comply. The thought of abandoning Octavio, of leaving behind the new found sense of security and belonging that he had brought into my life, filled me with a profound sense of dread.
“He’s not like the others, Mother,” I insisted, my voice trembling with emotion as I tried to convey the depth of my feelings. “He’s different. He makes me feel safe. He is someone I can trust, I just know it.”
But my mother’s eyes bore into mine, her expression a mask of skepticism and disbelief. How could I possibly trust a man I had known for barely a month to keep us safe from the dangers that lurked in the shadows?
“How can you be so sure, Irina?” she challenged, her voice laced with doubt and uncertainty. “You barely know him. How can you trust him with our lives?”
Her words struck a nerve, dredging up memories of a lifetime spent in fear and uncertainty, constantly on the run from threats both real and imagined. But amidst the chaos and turmoil that had defined my existence, there had been moments of fleeting respite, brief glimpses of peace and safety that had sustained me through the darkest of times.
“I’ve been scared my whole life, Mother,” I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper as I laid bare the truth that had long been buried deep within my soul. “But when I’m with Octavio, I feel... I feel safe. For the first time in as long as I can remember, I feel like I belong. I know he cares about me, I can see it in his eyes. And the World Walkers do, too. There is peace in this town between the wolf clans for a reason. That isn’t easily achieved, so it makes me think people here can be trusted.”
My mother’s expression softened, her gaze searching mine for any sign of doubt or hesitation. But as she looked into my eyes, she saw only the unwavering conviction that burned within me, a steadfast belief in the bond that had formed between Octavio and myself.
“Trust me, Mother,” I implored, reaching out to grasp her hand in mine. “I know it’s a risk, but I believe in him. I believe that he will do whatever it takes to keep us safe.”
And as we stood there, locked in a silent embrace, I knew that no matter what dangers lay ahead, I would face them with Octavio by my side, my unwavering faith in him serving as a beacon of hope in the darkness that threatened to consume us.
“Mother, we have to believe in him,” I implored, my voice tinged with a quiet urgency. “He’s proven himself to be loyal and steadfast. He’ll do everything in his power to keep us safe. He promised me, and aside from Brian being a nuisance, we haven’t had to deal with anything bad. This is working for us.”
But my mother remained hesitant, her gaze clouded with lingering doubts and fears. How could she place her faith in a man she barely knew? The weight of our decision hung heavy in the air, casting a shadow over our fragile resolve.
Reluctantly, my mother nodded, her expression a mixture of resignation and apprehension. “I’ll try, Irina,” she murmured, her voice heavy with uncertainty. “But I can’t promise anything. If things get worse, then we have to run again.”
I reached out, grasping her hand in mine, drawing strength from the fragile connection between us. “That’s all I ask,” I replied softly, my words infused with a quiet determination. “Together, we’ll get through this.”
As we stood there, united in our shared resolve, I couldn’t help but feel a flicker of hope stir within me. Despite the challenges that lay ahead, I knew that as long as we had each other, we would find a way to weather the storm. And with Octavio by our side, I dared to believe that we might just emerge stronger after all of this was over.
As I surrendered to the embrace of sleep later that night, my mind became a battleground, haunted by the specter of nightmares that lurked in the shadows of my subconscious. In the darkness of my slumber, Damien’s figure loomed large, his presence casting a pall over my restless dreams. His tall stature, his white hair, those piercing gray eyes of his which chilled me to the very bone…
I found myself trapped in a nightmarish landscape, the air thick with a sense of foreboding as I fled from the relentless pursuit of my tormentor. Each step felt like an eternity, the weight of fear pressing down on me with suffocating intensity. He was getting closer to me with every passing step. Nothing was going to help me escape him, it was absolutely impossible…
Or so it seemed…
But just as despair threatened to overwhelm me, a familiar face emerged from the darkness, a beacon of light in the shadowy abyss. Octavio’s features came into focus, his eyes ablaze with determination as he reached out to me, offering a lifeline in my darkest hour.
In that moment, the grip of fear loosened its hold on me, replaced by a sense of safety and security that washed over me like a warm embrace. With Octavio by my side, I knew that I was no longer alone in my struggle, that together, we could face whatever trials lay ahead.
As if by some silent agreement, we slowly edged closer to one another. The space between us dissolved, replaced by a magnetic pull that only intensified with each passing second. Our gazes locked, breaths mingling in the crisp night air. I wasn’t sure what had happened to Damien in that moment, but I truthfully didn’t care. The nightmare had become the perfect dream and I wanted to embrace every moment of that.
My fingers gently wove through Octavio’s hair, tugging him closer still. The smell of his cologne mixed with the faint hint of my perfume filled the air, creating an intoxicating scent that heightened my deep arousal.
As Octavio drew ever closer, my lips parted slightly, my breaths coming in short, shallow gasps. Octavio pressed his lips against mine, tenderly at first, then with a growing hunger that mirrored the passion raging within him.
I eagerly reciprocated, my hands exploring his body, a tangible yearning burning between us. Our kisses became more forceful, our bodies moving rhythmically as our desire reached fever pitch.
The passion between us burned so fiercely that the world around us seemed to fade away. In this ethereal moment, nothing mattered except the powerful connection that bound us together. Nothing could get me out of here. Not Damien and not my father either. This was the safety that I wanted my mother to understand…
But what was happening between me and Octavio was not something I wanted her to see…
My lips trembled against Octavio’s, my senses overwhelmed by the intensity of our shared passion. As our embrace tightened, my heart pounded in my chest, echoing the same rhythm as Octavio’s. Each touch sent shivers down my spine, heightening my desire and leaving me breathless. Octavio, too, was consumed by the heady rush of emotions, his body aching with need as he longed to taste the sweet nectar of my lips once again.
He didn’t need to say it, I could just feel it. Our connection was just that powerful.
“I know this might sound crazy,” I said softly, my fingers caressing his cheek, “but I feel like I’ve known you forever.”
Octavio cupped my face gently, his thumb stroking my cheek bone. “That’s because you’re my mate. It does feel like we’ve known one another forever because we’re soul bonded. We have always been together, and we always will until the end of time.”
He looked into my eyes with such intensity that it made my heart flutter. His gaze bore into my very soul, reflecting his desire and admiration for me.
Maybe this was what I had been feeling, too. He saw it as a wolf mate and I had been considering us soul mates. Either way, it was the same thing. We were tightly bound by an invisible string that would keep us together in every life time.
I liked that.
I needed it.
I returned his gaze, my eyes soft and yearning. “That’s because I believe our souls have been connected since we first laid eyes on each other. I just knew it the first time I saw you, and I think you did too.”
Octavio brushed his lips against mine again, our connection becoming more tangible with each touch. The cool night air surrounded us, adding to the intensity of our passion. “I sure did. You have no idea.”
I began to undress, my movements smooth and calculated, revealing my sensual curves with every inch of clothing I discarded. My body glistened under the moon light, the shadows accentuating everything about me. I wanted Octavio to see all of me, even the vulnerable sides of myself that I usually hid away.
He had earned it all. Not just my heart but my soul as well.
Each movement served to enhance the allure of my form, culminating in a final reveal of all of me. I turned to face Octavio, my eyes sparkling with desire, beckoning him closer. Octavio looked powerless against my spell, his body reacting involuntarily to my tantalizing presence.
My lips curved into a knowing smile, my hand trailing down his chest, stopping at the hem of his shirt.
“You know, we could just stay here and talk all night,” I whispered teasingly, my breath caressing his ear. Octavio’s pulse quickened, the scent of my perfume enveloping him like a soft blanket. I knew he wouldn’t be able to resist me. He never could.
Gently pushing me onto the bed, Octavio allowed his hands to explore the contours of my body, his finger tips grazing the softness of my skin.
His touch ignited a fire within me, my body trembling under his touch. The desire that had been simmering beneath the surface burst forth with ferocity, consuming us both. This was what I needed to happen in the night time hours.
This was so much better than allowing Damien to haunt me.
I responded by running my fingers through Octavio’s hair, my nails scratching lightly along his scalp, sending shivers down his spine. My lips parted slightly, inviting him closer. As Octavio lowered his mouth towards mine, I arched my back, offering him access to my breasts.
I couldn’t shake off the reality of him tasting my breasts. That was truly one of the most electrifying experiences of my whole damn life. I couldn’t wait to recreate that in my dreams.
I moaned softly as Octavio’s tongue circled my nipple, sending shivers down my spine. With every gentle suckle, his hands trailed lower, finding the hem of my skirt. He carefully lifted it upward, revealing my soft, toned legs beneath.
His gaze roamed over my silhouette, tracing the curves of my body before finally resting on my slender calves.
As he continued to undress, his hands moved with an ease born from familiarity, expertly removing each article of clothing. When he was fully undressed, he revealed a body that was to die for. The best wolf shifter body I had ever seen. The only one too. Muscular yet lean, his well-defined physique show cased years of dedication to fitness.
But it was more than just the way that he looked. There was something raw and vulnerable about him, and I found myself even more captivated by his presence.
I ran my hands along his chest, delighting in the feel of his warm skin against my own. My finger tips explored the contours of his muscles, taking note of every ripple and indentation.
Octavio grasped my hand, guiding it towards his erection. He watched as I touched him tentatively, my eyes searching his face for permission… not that I had ever waited for permission in reality, but it seemed like my dreams were much slower and more intense.
With a nod, he encouraged me to explore further. Slowly, I wrapped my fingers around his length, my breath catching in my throat as I encountered his firmness. Octavio closed his eyes, relishing the feeling of my gentle touch.
His cock twitched in response, his body demanding more contact. As he gently took my hand, he positioned it in a rhythmic motion, allowing me to get the hang of things. I listened intently, watching his eyes for any cues. Tonight, in this dreamscape, it was clearly all about him.
I was determined to make sure he enjoyed every moment of our encounter. Taking his lead, I moved my hand in sync with his rhythm, slowly increasing the pressure as he deepened his breaths. The atmosphere in the room became electric, charged with anticipation and desire.
Eventually, everything shifted and our bodies pressed against each other, melding into one another as if we were always meant to be. Octavio held me close, his arms wrapping protectively around me, making me feel safe and cherished as he thrust deep within me. My heart raced, overwhelmed by the passion coursing through my veins.
This was everything that I wanted, everything I didn’t even know I needed, and I loved every moment of it.
But in the midst of the happiness, there was a deep under current of fear. Almost as if that needed a way to manifest itself, Octavio started to lose his shape. He began to dissipate and I soon found him slipping through my fingers like grains of sand. I couldn’t keep hold of him however much I wanted to, and I had to admit that was even scarier than being chased by Damien. The fear and terror I felt was much more raw and visceral.
Now that I had Octavio in my life, I couldn’t lose him, no matter what.