MARLOW #6
"I got the job. As a carpenter. I will be building log houses and furniture for the Santoro family!"
I beam at him.
"I could say I’m surprised, but I was sure Renato would give you the job! You’re the perfect candidate, and he’d be an idiot not to hire you!" I plant a loud smooch on his cheek. "Congratulations, baby! I’m really happy, because I know carpentry isn’t just your job, it’s also your passion."
"That’s true, but… there’s something else."
"Yeah?" I perk up, listening closely.
"It’s even better."
"What could be better?"
"I’m a mated monster now, Marlow," he says with seriousness. "My crazy pheromones… that used to make people’s libido go crazy are no longer a thing!"
I’m gaping at him, my mouth hanging open.
"What? How come?"
"In Renato’s mansion there were a few people, and no one picked up my scent, like it usually happens. No one felt the urge to jump on someone else and fuck. It was just… normal."
I have to admit, it doesn’t fully register at first. After all, that was Fenn’s main problem, a powerful trait, drawing people in, spiking their libido, a part of his nature. And now it’s been put to sleep? Transformed? Calmed down?
"My other side… it’s tamed now," he whispers almost shyly.
I simply gape for a moment, then burst into happy laughter. "Really! Damn! That’s great news, dear Fate! I’m so happy, Fenn! It'll make things so much easier for you," I whisper, feeling overwhelmed with joy.
I have to admit that a part of me is also breathing a sigh of relief.
That fear I once had that I would be jealous of him, that I wouldn’t be able to sleep peacefully, worrying about the effect of his pheromones on nearby omegas, and even alphas, used to wear me down, but it looks like Fate has been merciful once again.
Fenn’s voice changes, becoming slightly more emotional. "And I have you to thank for that. I feel like I… took on your scent, Marlow. My own is gone. You’ve gotten into my system, deep. I can work normally without bothering people. Our Bond made it possible for me."
Wow. An enormous weight has been lifted from our lives, and for Fenn, it means the possibility of living an almost normal life. It truly is another miracle, and not a small one this time!
It also means, in a way, his freedom.
"Come…" I whisper, my voice a little shaky as I take his hand.
We slowly walk to the kitchen and sit down together at the table for brunch. That pleasant, excited energy lingers between us the whole time.
The exchanged smirks, quick looks, and blushes are absolutely wonderful. I can't seem to get enough of the sweet, comforting air surrounding us. I thoroughly savor it, basking in every moment of it.
Then, without even needing to talk about it, we both stand up and head out to the porch, sitting side by side, one of his arms wrapped around my shoulders while his other hand intertwines with mine as we look out over the green hills, the swaying cherry canopies, and the wide flower beds surrounding us.
"You know, maybe I could do some… household chores, or mow the lawn?" Fenn suggests. "I just…" He hesitates, his voice slightly breathless. "I just crave… normalcy, you know? I want to jump right into it, into our everyday life."
I let out a huff of relief and turn my face toward him. Oh, I understand him so well.
"Same. But before we do, we can just sit here and… breathe. And just be. I dreamed about a moment like this, us, on the porch, you know? "
Fenn gives my fingers a gentle squeeze and nods.
For a moment, we simply sit there, lost in each other's eyes, almost spellbound, our skin tingling with that special thrill, those legendary butterflies fluttering in our stomachs.
Then he speaks.
"I… don't have a family anymore. I lost touch with my brothers. But you do. Have you thought about what they'll say?"
Those words could have pulled me out of the rosy haze I've been happily floating through. They don't.
"This is my life, my happiness, Fenn. I’ll build it the way I choose. I plan on calling my dad tonight and telling him the news, but I want to keep my eyes on my own path."
I lift my gaze to the sky, where the heavens brighten into a diamond-blue glow, weightless and boundless. Raising my hand, I point upward.
"I won't let a single cloud drift across my wide-open sky."
Fenn lets out a soft laugh and glances up too.
"You know, I’m excited for every new day with you. I want to face it all together. To live like ordinary people, despite me being a monster. A small, peaceful, sweet life."
I straighten up, strong emotions welling inside me.
"Monster… that’s what they see. But being human comes from the heart, not the body. That’s how I feel about it," I say firmly, my hand traveling up toward his gland, visible over the collar of his T-shirt. The tips of my fingers softly brush over the one I marked yesterday.
Either it’s his own healing ability, or the regeneration that is happening between fated mates, but it’s just a faint scar. A perfect mating mark; Fenn is a taken alpha now.
He closes his eyes, enjoying my touch, and responds as if hearing my thoughts again.
"You know, in truth I don’t mind being a monster as long as I'm yours."
"That works for me!"