Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
Wyatt
After a long day of overseeing electrical work at the cabin, I'm ready to go for a run.
Maybe hunt up some dinner. But first, I have to ensure all the work crew makes it off the property.
We do our best to vet anyone we have to bring onto Pack land, but there's always a chance we'll miss something. Even paranormals aren't infallible.
I watch the workmen pack up for the day, keeping track of where they are at all times.
There will be several days of this routine before all the work is complete.
My wolf is restless with so many strangers in and around our den.
It's a good thing Andrew isn't here at the moment.
My beast would be much more territorial.
When the last of the crew has gotten into their trucks, I watch them drive off, letting Cordelia pick up surveillance as they drive toward our border.
Walking back into the cabin, I look around at the mess. Definitely the definition of it'll get worse before it gets better. But it's almost finished, so I'm not too upset about the clean up that'll have to be done before the appliances are installed.
My wolf sends pulses of happiness to me. Our den is ours again for the night. No strange people wandering about, though he'd be even happier to get their scents out as well. One thing at a time.
Streaks of coral and red decorate the sky by the time I've tidied up what I can. Stripping down, I let the wolf take over and we run out into the woods. There's nothing quite like a stroll in nature to wash away the tension of a long day of having to be on guard. No place to be, nothing to do.
Deeper into the trees we go. Darkness falls, and while the forest isn't truly silent, there is a certain still quality that brings peace. We lie on the bank of a creek, muzzle resting on paws, taking it all in.
A scent on the subtle breeze catches our attention, but we don't move. In near silence he stalks. He's getting better. We will let him get closer before making a move.
It's difficult to keep the anticipation under control. Our predator, who doesn't realize he is actually prey, will sense a change in our heartbeat if we allow the thrill to take over. Closer and closer he comes, closing the distance between us.
My wolf rises slowly and stretches, not a care in the world to any outside observers. Nothing to see here.
Padding on silent feet, we lead our mate in circles, making him work to find us.
He comes close a couple of times, but the predator becomes prey as we sneak up behind him and pounce.
Wolf and vampire roll across the forest floor, no longer attempting silence.
I shift to human form when we come to a stop with me on top.
"Got you!" I say, my still-elongated canines grazing Andrew's neck.
"Maybe I let you," he replies.
Seconds later, I find myself pinned underneath him.
"I'm hungry, Wyatt. Feed me."
Andrew's fingers shift to claws, and he runs one down my bare chest, drawing blood. Before the wound can close on its own, Andrew's tongue captures the liquid, wasting none of it.
"I'm sorry I've been so wrapped up in my work that I've been ignoring you," he says, slicing another line, then lapping up the pearls of red nectar. "I'll try to do better with balance."
"More," I beg, not even ashamed to do it.
"My poor baby. So neglected."
He knows what I need, and I love that he doesn't judge.
Claws bite into my arms, my belly, and my thighs. My mate drinks me in, never letting the pain ebb, only intensify. The moment his mind touches mine, ecstasy explodes through me. I float in a sea of bliss for a small eternity.
"You suffer so beautifully for me," Andrew says, a smear of blood still on his chin.
"I love you." The confession slips out in this unguarded moment. Even with the mate bond, it feels like it should be too soon to say it, but that doesn't make it any less true. Fate knew what it was doing when it gave me Andrew.
A rogue scent registers vaguely in the periphery, but I'm too blissed out to care. The only thing that matters right now is nurturing the growing connection between Andrew and me.