Morning Run
1198 Words
*Ariella*
Beth smiled at me as we stood, both shifting from foot to foot, my arms were crossed over my chest and hers were placed inside her hoodie pockets.
I felt groggy, barely having any sleep.
Alpha Gabriel had finished, dripping onto the floor behind his desk where he stood, then he buttoned his pants and stepped back.
“Do you want me to stay while you dress or…”
“No…” I said softly, still leaned back on the desk with my head hanging over the edge.
He paused. “Okay…” he said in a defeated tone. “Please lock the door when you leave…”
“Okay…” I responded and watched as he appeared from behind the desk, not sparing a glance. I watched him from an upside down angle as the door closed behind him. I pulled myself to a sit and hunched over myself.
“f**k Ari, you dumb little horndog…” I paused and sighed at myself. “He feels so good…” I reasoned back. The wolf inside me growled, defeated almost, but she couldn’t argue with that notion.
I escaped to my room and showered, but when I laid down my body heated to unbearable levels, I couldn’t get him out of my mind, all I could do was toss and turn. Miserably trying to beat away his presence over me.
Just as soon as I could fall asleep however, a knock came to my door, just before my alarm would go off for my morning run.
“Yeah?” I asked, agitated as I opened the door. I was caught by Beth’s bright grey eyes staring at me. She grinned happily but then gave me a worried glance as she beheld my weary appearance.
“Sorry, did I wake you?”
“I was just about to get up…” I said softly, “What’s up…”
“Well Esen had said he'd seen you out running in the mornings. And I don’t have a workout partner like he does so wanted to know if you wanted to join me?”
“Uh… yeah… sure…” I had missed having a training partner, but it was rare I trained with other females considering any at the farm almost never liked how close I was to the leader and the head wolves. “Let me uh… get changed and stuff.” She nodded excitedly.
I splashed water on my face, licked the droplets from my dried lips, shook a suppressant into my palm and stared at it for a moment. They didn’t seem to be working to control me when it came to him, only dampening it enough to keep the other males in the house at bay. I dropped it onto my tongue and washed it back with a few palm fulls of water before I pulled on my tight workout pants and a slim black tank top.
I slipped on my shoes before I turned and left my room to meet Beth on the other side of the door.
“It’s chilly out…” she warned.
But I shook my head, “This is warm weather for me, it’s too muggy here.”
She laughed and smiled, “I keep forgetting you’re from the North.”
Now we stood chatting with one another, laughing at small talk while we waited for her mate and his workout partner.
I was horrified when I smelled sandalwood sneaking into the air before I turned toward the walkway to see Beta Esen and Alpha Gabriel walking side by side.
His hazel eyes locked on mine, like a hunter locking onto his prey. I wanted to shrink, my wolf howled angrily inside me, wanting to break free from my body and claim him. He was as much prey to me as I was to him in our dynamic. Even though he was the son of the man who ordered the death of my pack, I craved him. And three times over I had given into his influence. I was no better than a b***h in heat.
“Ella, you’ve met Gabe before, and my mate Esen.”
I nodded, the alpha and I still locked in a battle of who was going to look away first. Alpha Gabriel lost as the beta clapped his hand down on his shoulder, startling him to look in his direction.
“Sorry, he was still asleep.” Esen said jovially.
“Sorry to keep you all waiting… I didn’t know we would have company…”
“Well you guys always train together. I figured since Ella is the only other she-wolf that actually works out that I’d have her join me.”
“I’ll be honest though this humidity has my stamina all messed up.” I joked and her and Esen laughed.
“It’ll do that.” Beth responded.
“Oh c’mon, I’m sure the rate you train at you’ll be acclimated in no time!” Esen added.
“Yeah, Esen said you were running circles on his times the other morning.” Beth laughed.
I blushed as they boasted, “I think I was just frustrated and running off steam.” I teased, “My cousin and I got into a political argument and I was upset.”
They laughed. I looked back at Alpha Gabriel and his lip curled in a devilish Grin. I was certain he had seen me crying in the garden the night before I had met Esen on the track… I tried to avoid his gaze but found I was drawn to it, helplessly falling into it every time I was unlucky enough to catch it.
“Well…” Alpha Gabriel’s voice, even at barely a whisper, seemed to bellow. It commanded attention as much as a yell would. “We should start, shouldn’t we?”
“You guys go first. Get ya a head start.” Esen teased, nudging Beth with his arm.
“Oh, you wish.” Beth Responded, “I bet Ella could outrun both of you little shlups.”
“Shlups!?” Gabriel laughed.
“Oh man!” I laughed, “I haven’t heard that word since…” I paused.
“Since?” Beth led.
“My uh… my dad… Used to call people shlups. He uh… passed when I was 9.”
“Oh… Ella, I am so sorry!” She squeaked, placing her hand on my shoulder. “I didn’t know!”
“No! Beth, it's okay! I thought it’s funny! I’ve never heard anyone else use that word!”
“Are you sure?” She asked, worry plastered her slate eyes.
“Yes! It’s okay! I promise I really thought it was funny!”
“Way to go Beth.” Esen Teased.
“Esen!” She pouted.
“Beth! It’s okay!” I urged, “I promise!”
“Can we please just start?” Gabriel’s eyes rolled in his head as he watched us. We all gave nervous laughter and nodded.
“Yes please, I made this so awkward.” I said laughing, Esen and Beth joined me in laughter as we nodded then turned to the track before starting.
- Writer
