Is It You

Malachi POV 8

“What’s my schedule look like for this weekend, Amy?”

I sat on the swing chair out front with my legs stretched out on the porch railing. It was a few minutes past 11PM and the sun had long ago set. The darkness settled around me and I had no choice but to embrace it. I was having trouble falling asleep and an empty bed was not helping.

Saturday is January 12th. You agreed to attend a beach trip with Beta Wildon and his mate. Gamma Declan was also invited but he declined.

Right, I had forgotten about that. Most of my time wasn’t spent having fun so he thought an impromptu beach trip would have cheered me up. I didn’t agree. Somehow I managed to make it a planned thing instead and we agreed on a date. Now sitting out here alone felt like the perfect time to take a swim. Anything to preoccupy my mind.

“You okay out here?”

Adira stood by the front door with a worried look on her face. She was wearing silk shorts and white V-neck which left her open to the chilly night air. Her hair was still neatly limp on her head and she shuffled closer to me. I made space for her on the swing and she sat down.

“I came down for some water and saw you out here. Is everything alright?”

I rubbed my temples and looked at her again. A week had passed since the induction ceremony and I was so happy she had settled well with the pack. A few people started visiting now, leaving gifts and asking to speak with her for advice. I could tell she was trying to get used to it all and be brave. A few times she even told me how I managed to do this all alone for so long. I was happy she was here.

But sleeping in separate beds was...

Well...until solid information arrived, she said she wasn’t my true mate so I couldn’t force her too.

“You couldn’t sleep, right?” She continued.

I sheepishly grinned. “My wolf is restless. I thought I needed a bit of fresh air but it doesn’t seem to be working.”

“What is your wolf’s name? I haven’t met him yet” She asked with curiosity.

“His name is Marcel. He’s been dying to meet you but I figured it was best to give you time to adjust.”

She looked out at the darkness and laughed. “Can I see him?”

I swallowed. Marcel didn’t have much restraint and I hoped he didn’t jump her. I got up from the swing and went down the steps to the front lawn. Adira still sat there watching me intently as I removed my shirt and unbuckled my pants. As expected, Marcel couldn’t wait and I started to shift, tearing my jeans and underwear in the process. He landed on all fours and shook out his fur. It had been a while since my last shift and it felt good to release control for a while.

I watched Adira come down the steps and carefully patted our head.

“Your fur is beautifully black,” She complimented.

Marcel started wagging his tail and I immediately knew where this was going. He launched himself at her, pushing her to ground and started to lick her face. Adira grasped his fur in her hands and started laughing.

“Marcel!” She shrieked in between giggles.

I managed to reign some control in and pull Marcel off her. She sat up, her backside covered in dirt and her hair a mess but she laughed at me heartily. I was worried for nothing, it seems.

“Bad wolf,” She teased. “Now I’m going to have to take another shower”

Marcel playfully growled at her and gave her cheek one more lick with his tongue. She accepted it and gave me a blissful smile.

“My father used to have sleepless nights too,” She spoke lowly. “My mom would shift with him and let his wolf play. It usually helped.”

I see where she was coming from now.

I let Marcel give her one last lick then let the shift happen again. I returned to my human body in a matter of moments and Adira had her back turned to me. I was naked.

“We both need a shower though. I’ll go first” With that, she walked off. I followed shortly after and went to my room.

After showering and changing into shorts minus a shirt, I met Adira in the living room curled up on the couch. She had a few of my favorite snacks spread out on the coffee table and a jug of water. She was fresh in a white sleeping gown that had thin straps and her hair was caught in a disheveled bun.

“I can’t sleep either,” She admitted, “So I figure we could watch a movie. You in?”

“What movie did you pick?” I asked as I joined her on the couch.

I slid up next to her in the corner and rested my chin on her shoulder, trying to get comfortable. She didn’t push me off or complain but eased back and breathed a breath of contentment.

“I was thinking of Avengers or maybe Blended,” She stated.

“I haven’t had some action for a while so Avenger works” I picked.

“Great,” She beamed. “Amy, play Avengers in the living room”

Broadcasting the specified movie in 3,2,1

The flat screen lit up and the title card came across the screen. Adira pulled on the snacks, poured it into a nearby empty bowl and held a chip to my lips. I could definitely get used to this. Halfway through, we had finished two bags of chips and the entire jug. I wasn’t concentrating on the movie anymore either with the scent of her flowery shampoo mauling my senses. I pushed my nose into her hair and took a deep breath. I felt her tense on me.

Somehow we had moved into a compromising position. I was against the couch and she was in front of me, between my legs and her back pressed against my chest. I put my hands around her waist and pulled her into me more. She smelled like heaven and felt soft against my hard body.

“Malachi,” She breathed softly.

I knew she was telling me to stop, little did she know I’d been trying to control myself all night. I put my lips against her collar bone and pressed a gentle kiss to it. She shuddered against me and I heard her gasp. I continued a trail up her neck and behind her ear, pushing away the strands in my way.

“You're so soft,” I whispered to her. “I just can’t help myself”

A loud scream came from the television and it shook us both out of the trance we were in. I could feel her heart beating out of her chest and I was pretty sure mine was doing the same. I refocused on the movie but somehow I eventually fell asleep, still holding onto her as if my life depended on it.