Chapter 10
Nadia
Later that night, when I was in my own bed, I dreamed I was a wolf.
Running, running, just to feel the wind in my fur.
My jaws were open wide, the air caressing my fangs before slipping past me, and yet still, my paws struck the earth, pushing me ever onwards.
In that moment, it felt like there was only me, the stars, and the night.
Then I heard the silvery sound of a wolf howl.
I didn’t stop running. That seemed an impossible ask. Like in this form, my body was a machine, and it had been created without brakes. I glanced back over my shoulder, seeing nothing but darkness.
And a set of silvery eyes.
That had my haunches bunching, my claws digging deep to get me moving faster. As if to make clear how hopeless that was, another wolf howl cut through the quiet. Heart pounding, we ran on.
But we weren’t alone.
Their paws struck the earth like a stick might a drum. The earth under their feet became a thin skin, vibrating in response to each step. They were coming, some instinct told me. They were coming for me.
And so I ran.
The burn of my muscles, the hot pads of my paws, the sound of my frantic pants drowned out every other thing but the noise of my own body. That insular little bubble built a false sense of security. My head was thrown back, and if a wolf could laugh, that’s what I did now.
Only for him to appear out of the shadows.
Little wolf. He wore the night like a mantle tossed loosely over his shoulders. I was forced to skid to a halt, head low and drawing in breath fast to take him in. Run all you like, but we will always find you.
The wolf circled with a whine, spinning around to see that a massive grey wolf and a paler grey one had come to a stop, the three of them forming a loose circle around me.
He stepped forward, staring down at me with eyes the same colour of the moon, wearing a smile I was yet to see outside my dreams.
Grey, I thought.
Yes, little wolf. As he kneeled down, the shadows swirled around him, revealing and obscuring marble-white flesh.
My head jerked back when he reached for me, but his fingers sank into my fur anyway, finding just the right spot to scratch.
I knew you would be a beautiful wolf, but I need you to shift now.
Shift? My whining started up again, my paws moving restively, but to go where?
Shift, beautiful girl. His voice was like a raven’s feather, drawn across my flesh. Shift and show me the woman within.
Grey’s words echoed in my head, crowding out all thought, all dissension. My wolf knew its master and so she instantly relinquished her hold on me. Fur peeled back, leaving me naked, cold, and lying on the mossy ground.
There she is. As I was pushed backwards, he followed, the ground somehow becoming as soft as my pillow-top mattress. My Nadia. I started to shift, to writhe on the ground/between my sheets. My mate.
This was the point when the dream started to fray.
My consciousness started to register the soft cotton of my bedding, the dimple in my pillow, but that wasn’t enough to dispel this version of Grey.
Hands wrapped around my wrists, pinning me to the ground in this dream.
My arms were pulled up slowly above my head and he watched every move of my body greedily.
Run all you like, my love, because I will never stop chasing you. He lunged forward and my whole body stiffened, somehow knowing those bright fangs of his would sink into my neck, only for his jaws to snap by my ear. Not until you are mine.
Ours.
My head rolled back to see the other two were still in fur, but the voice was unmistakably Tex’s.
The pale grey wolf threw his back and howled and that had the other wolf doing the same.
The howling got louder and louder, forcing me to clap my hands down on my ears, only for me to jerk up into a seated position in bed.
Y’know, when you wake up sometimes and it feels like you’re in some weird place between asleep and awake. I sat there, blinking furiously, still able to see the afterimage of the stars on the wall.
And them.
I shook my head, still feeling groggy and off balance, like my human feet weren’t the right ones to walk with, as I got out of bed. With a cracking yawn, I made a beeline for the bathroom then flicked on the light, only to be forced to stare at my reflection.
Were my eyes…?
They were firmly, resolutely brown my entire life. There was a period of time in high school I tried to convince myself that there were green or hazel flecks in them. Helena had shoved me and said they were brown, brown as mud, brown as the shit I was talking, until I begged her to stop.
So why did they look kinda silvery right now?
A frown corrected my observation. My brows blocked the harsh light coming from above and, sure enough, my irises reverted straight back to my natural colour. I snorted, shook my head, and smiled.
Just because I got a thrill every time one of the alphas called me an omega, it didn’t mean I was one.
Turning on the shower, I waited for the water to warm up, then jumped in, scrubbing myself down, and that’s when the memories resurfaced.
My hands were a poor substitute for Tex’s and Ethan’s.
Somehow I was sure Grey would be slow and sensual as he smoothed the soap over my body, but I had work today.
I scrubbed and shaved everything at speed, but each movement created a strange kind of ache inside me.
One hand slapped down on the tiled wall, the other working the soap between my legs as I felt the ghost of the pleasure I experienced yesterday rise.
“Not now,” I told my sulkily throbbing clit. “I’ve got to get to work, but…” The need to smile could not be denied. “Maybe later, if we’re lucky.”
I’d left the alphas’ house sometime late in the afternoon, and while Grey was nowhere to be seen, Ethan and Tex had escorted me to the front door.
A series of long, slow kisses and then the swapping of phone numbers led me to think there might be a repeat performance.
I guess that made sense. While my books were full of alphas who only let their fated mate touch them, the women’s magazines focussed on articles about eligible alphas and their romantic connections.
There was even an app called Howlr where betas could hook up with alphas.
Maybe I’d give it a go if things with Tex’s pack didn’t pan out.
With that thought in mind, I dried off and then went back into my bedroom to get dressed. Pulling on my bra, I hissed as soon as the Lycra and lace touched my breasts.
“What the…?” I looked down, then touched one nipple experimentally, feeling a sharp stab. “No. No, no, no, no.”
Every damn time I was close to getting my period, it felt like my breasts swelled to twice their size, and while that might get me a few looks as I passed guys on the street, my oversensitive nipples made the whole experience far from sexy.
This bra was tossed aside and then I pawed through my drawer until I found Old Faithful.
Full cup, made from a very unattractive shade of beige cotton, I felt the pain ease as soon as I slipped it on.
It was the ugliest damn thing and absolutely not something I’d want a pack of hot alphas to see me wearing, but if the signs were anything to go by, that wouldn’t be happening for a week anyway.
Shaking my head, I went to pull on the rest of my clothes, only to let out a hiss of frustration. I worked in an office, so the usual uniform of tailored pants, a crisp white shirt and heels were my go to. So why, when I went to pull my pants on, did I suddenly struggle to get them over my arse?
“Bloating…?” I said to my reflection. “Now, really?” Yet when I looked closer, I was able to pull my waist band away from my side easily. “What the hell?”
My second alarm went off, which meant I needed to get moving.
I found a shirt, pulled it on, then went back into the bathroom to do my hair and makeup before heading to the kitchen.
My beloved coffee machine was there and waiting, so as I popped a pod in, I picked up my phone, intending to doom scroll, when I saw I had a message.
Morning, beautiful. Why did I read that in Tex’s exact voice? How are you feeling?
I couldn’t help but smile. Though I barely knew the guy, him checking in with me didn’t surprise me at all.
Three little dots formed, and for just a second, the whirr of my coffee machine, my kitchen, my house disappeared and I was standing in his bedroom, facing him.
The skin around his eyes would crinkle as he smiled down at me, taking his time as he took in my business attire, right before he—
Another message popped up on my screen.
If you’re feeling a bit rough, I know a bloke who could help with that. Me. I’m that bloke.
I laughed at that, then typed out a reply.
Wish I could say yes, but some of us have to work today.
What time do you get off?
His response came almost immediately after mine.
Doesn’t that depend on you? I asked, grinning at my screen.
It would be an honour and privilege to get you off, he said. Just name a place and a time.
My thumbs went to tap out a reply, but something stopped me.
It was that feeling of lightness in my chest. Cool your jets, I told myself.
This is just a situationship. This man has a mate out there somewhere and I was trying very hard not to be jealous of that woman.
Before I could type out a response, a new message came through.
Tex is texting you, isn’t he? I blinked, then looked at the contact. Bloody hell, I told him to wait a day or two. Sorry, this is Ethan. My smile broadened into a grin. Look, don’t hold this shit against him, OK? He has absolutely no chill.
It’s actually nice that’s he’s not playing games, I replied.
Oh, so you like a guy who comes on strong? This was followed by a devil face emoji. Well, what’re you up to tonight? Got any other fantasies you want to fulfil?