Chapter 7 Davey
DAVEY
The next morning, I felt different when I woke up. Like a whole new person. And in some sense, I was. I was a mated omega. Claimed by the sexiest alpha I’d ever met. And he was a freakin’ wolf.
My fingers immediately went to the mark on my neck and traced the shape of it. At the time, the pain was sharp and deep, but now it was just a beautiful reminder that I was his. His mate.
Yesterday, I didn't even know fated mates were real, and now I belonged to an alpha wolf shifter who made my entire body hum with happiness. And he belonged to me. Talk about a Christmas miracle.
Michael's arm was draped across my waist as I snuggled back against him. His lips brushed against the sensitive spot where he'd bitten me, and he sighed. "Morning, Davey."
“Morning.” I rolled over to face him and traced my fingers across his stubbled jaw. "I can’t believe last night actually happened."
"It happened." He took my hand and pressed a kiss to it before holding it against the left side of his chest. "Feel that? It beats for you now."
I splayed my fingers against his warm skin and closed my eyes. "I never believed in love at first sight. Thought it was just something in stupid movies."
"And now?" His hands slid down my back and tracing the curve of my spine.
"Now I think those movies weren't stupid enough." I kissed him hard and wrapped my leg around his hip, pulling his morning wood toward mine. "I didn't know it could be like this."
We lost ourselves in each other again, and I surrendered completely to this new reality of having someone who always wanted me. The bond between us pulsed like a living thing, and I could almost see the invisible threads that tied us together now.
Later that morning, we showered together. Michael washed my hair and kissed water droplets from my shoulders. His hands were gentle but possessive, even as they lingered on the mark he'd left.
Every time his fingers brushed against it, pleasure sparked through my body like a climax.
"Do you wanna go for a walk?" he asked as he toweled me dry. "It's beautiful out, and there's a path that runs along the river."
I nodded and pulled him in for another kiss. "Will I ever stop wanting to touch you?"
Michael laughed and nipped at my bottom lip. "I hope not."
I dressed warmly for the walk, but Michael only had on a henley and jeans. He didn’t even put on socks before stepping into his boots. Fresh snow had fallen overnight and covered everything in pristine white. Our breath clouded in front of us as we walked hand in hand to the treeline.
"Look at that view." As we rounded a bend and the mountains came into full view, their peaks were gleaming in the sunlight. The river beside us sparkled with ice along its edges, but the center flowed dark and swift.
Michael squeezed my hand. "It's nothing compared to you."
I bumped my shoulder against his. "Are all wolves cheesy like you?"
"Nope. Just me." He winked and tugged me along the path until we reached a small clearing. The river widened and a wooden bench faced the water. Michael led me to it and brushed off the snow before we sat.
"Would you like to meet my wolf? Properly, I mean. Not just a glimpse through the window."
“Yes!” My heart skipped a beat. "Do you mean right now?"
"No one comes down this trail in winter. It's too far from the main resort buildings." He looked back, and the trail was definitely empty. "I want you to know all of me, Davey. As a man and a wolf."
"Yes, please." I bounced in my seat and clasped my hands in front of my chest. "Show me, show me, show me."
Michael chuckled and walked a few paces away before he began to strip off his clothes.
My breath hitched at the sight of his gorgeous body out in the woods. He was definitely made for the outdoors. He folded each article of clothing and placed them on the bench beside me. "Don't blink or you'll miss it."
I didn't blink.
I stared at my mate, completely mesmerized by the way his body began to change. It was like watching water flow from one container to another. His skin rippled and shifted during the transition from man to canine, and within seconds, there was now a magnificent wolf.
"Oh my god." I reached forward to touch his fur. “Can I touch you?”
Michael took a step toward me, moving slowly.
I slid off the bench and kneeled in the snow. He was beautiful with light silver-gray fur and the same amber eyes that seemed to look straight into my soul. The wolf was massive, and when I slipped my fingers through his thick coat, his ears perked up and he nuzzled my chest. "You’re so soft."
I stroked down his neck and along his back. "And you're huge. I knew wolves were big, but wow."
Michael circled me and rubbed his body against mine.
I laughed as his cold nose pressed against my cheek. "Can you understand me like this? Do you think the same way?"
He nodded and licked my face.
We stayed like that for nearly an hour so I could explore every inch of his wolf. I also used the opportunity to talk to him non-stop, telling him things I might have been too shy to say to his human face.
"I've never believed in anything the way I believe in this," I told him as he lay with his head in my lap. "In us. I should be freaking out about how fast this is happening, but it feels like I've known you forever."
Michael rumbled in agreement and licked my hand.
Eventually, the cold began to seep through my clothes.
Michael noticed me shivering and immediately trotted a few paces away before transforming back to his skin. "You're freezing." He pulled me into his arms and let his body’s warmth transfer to me. "Let's get you back to the cabin."
"That was amazing." As we walked, I curled into him. "I think you’re the most beautiful wolf I've ever seen. You're the most beautiful man I've ever seen."
His face softened, and he leaned down to kiss me. "You're everything I've been waiting for, Davey Carter."
By the next morning, I felt like I'd known him for years instead of days. I woke up before him and watched the sunlight spread across his sleeping face. His features were relaxed as I traced my finger over his eyebrows, then down his nose and across his lips.
"Mmm, that tickles," he murmured without opening his eyes.
"Sorry." I didn't stop. And I wasn’t sorry at all.
He smiled and pulled me on top of him. "Good morning."
“Good morning.” I kissed his chest and then blew a raspberry on it. “I just like touching you.”
“That’s good because I like you touching me too.” And then we did. All over. Twice.
After breakfast, Michael mentioned wanting to let his wolf run for a while.
"Yeah, you should." I’d been feeling more Christmasy since meeting my mate, so I wanted to explore a bit on my own. If we were having our first Christmas together, I needed some kind of gift. "I saw there are some Christmas crafting classes at the main lodge. I might check them out."
His eyes lit up at the suggestion. "You sure you'll be okay on your own for a few hours?"
"I think I can manage." I kissed him quickly. "Besides, I have some gift making to do."
Michael's smile turned sly, and he waggled his eyebrows. "I can think of one thing I want that doesn't require shopping."
I smacked his arm and then kissed his cheek. "Go run, wolf-man. Work off some of that energy."
We parted ways outside our cabin. Michael headed toward the forest trails while I headed to the lodge. The crafting class was set up in a large room with windows that overlooked the mountains.
When I arrived, about a dozen other guests were gathered around tables filled with art supplies.
"Welcome!" A cheerful woman with tinsel in her hair greeted me with open arms. "We're making Christmas keepsakes today! Choose whatever project speaks to you."
I wandered around the tables and explored the options. There were ornaments to paint, wreaths to assemble, and candles to decorate. But what caught my eye was a small station for clay sculpting.
The instructor noticed my interest and came over. "Ever worked with clay before?"
I shook my head. "Not since elementary school."
"It's forgiving." She smiled and handed me an apron. "And we have these beautiful glazes that turn all sorts of colors when fired. You can make something really special."
I sat down at the clay table and thought about what to create for Michael. I wanted something that would represent our bond. Something meaningful.
I started with a small lump of clay and began to work it between my hands. An image came to me slowly. First a wolf and then a human, curled together in a circle. I wasn't an artist by any means, but there was something therapeutic about shaping the clay between my fingertips.
Time slipped by as I worked to perfect each detail with the wooden tools.
"That's beautiful." The instructor leaned over my shoulder to check on my progress. "Someone special in mind?"
I nodded, not sure how to explain. "My...partner."
"Well, he'll love it. We'll fire these overnight, and you can pick them up tomorrow to take home. Would you like to choose a glaze?"
I selected a soft gray for the wolf and a warm tan for the human. As she helped me apply the glazes, I thought about how just days ago, I'd been coming to this resort to be alone, looking for a peaceful Christmas break from my hectic life.
Instead, I'd found Michael. I'd found my mate. And somehow, miraculously, I'd found home.