Falling Rain

6

Mason 

    I carry her out of the aquarium room and into the next room where I had a table set up for our dinner. This is the butterfly room, Rain gasps and covers her mouth with her small hands as we enter. Just as I suspected, she likes it even more than the last room. I’m glad. I couldn’t think about where to take her until Father suggested this place, it is one of my Mothers favorite places to come as well. 

“What is this place?” She asks as I place her down at the table. She looks around with wonder in her eyes. 

“It’s actually my Mothers favorite place to come. This is a butterfly sanctuary, we already saw the aquatic center” A butterfly flies past her, landing on the edge of the table. She reaches out and it flies off. 

There is one more surprise I have up my sleeve for after dinner. For now I serve our food and enjoy eating a meal with her. 

“It’s so good” She mumbles as she takes big heaping bites of the chicken parmesan and mashed potatoes with peas. 

“Slow down, there's plenty of time.. And plenty of food.. Would you like some champagne?” I nod over to the bottle on ice beside us. 

“I’ve never had it before,” She says with uncertainty.

“Would you like to try it and see if you like it? I also have some juice” She nods and I pour the liquid into a flute glass, handing it over to her. She takes a small sniff of it before bringing it to her lips. Watching her lips part slightly, reminds me of our kiss earlier. I had lost myself a bit and kissed her, I am glad she didn’t freak out or make me stop, she actually let me kiss her twice. 

“It’s sweet and bubbly!” She laughs 

“A toast, to you.. The most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on” I raise my own glass towards hers and clink them together. She blushes deeply and looks down at her plate. I have embarrassed her, I only spoke the truth though so I am not sorry. I chuckle as I take a sip of my own. 

“Can I ask you something?” She suddenly says as she looks at me 

“Of course..” I am paying full attention to her now, lowering my fork and smiling at her. 

“Are you happy to be Alpha?” She looks at me seriously. 

“I knew it would be coming at some point… happy though.. I’m not sure… it is not something I feel like I can honestly say I deserve…” Not with me being an adopted son of Max and Annie. 

“How so?” She c***s her head to the side, waiting for me to answer. 

I had hoped we could put off this conversation for tonight but I will tell her everything, lay it all out in the open. She deserves to know that I am not of Alpha blood. 

“I am adopted, Max and Annie are my parents only by title. They took me in when I was thirteen. I am not of Alpha blood. I don't think the Alpha title should go to be but to one of my brothers. Obviously they are too young to take on the role. I had hoped my father would consider ruling until they were of age. He seems to think that blood doesn’t matter and truly wants me to rule. I cannot refuse him” 

“Why do you think you are less than them?” 

    Striker growls at me in the back of my mind, he has been asking me the same question for years. Just because I do not possess true Alpha blood does not mean I am any less than another other wolf in our pack. So he tells me repeatedly. 

“I… I don’t know.. My low bloodline always made me feel like I had to work harder than everyone else… to push myself to be better. To be the best” 

“And are you? The best?” 

“Aside from my Father, yes. I am the strongest wolf in our lands...” I admit. 

“So then why do you torment yourself?” 

“I do not know..” 

I told you to stop thinking that way… 

I push Striker to the back of my mind. 

“Anyways.. Are you having a good time?” I am desperate to change the topic. 

“Yes.. it’s really beautiful here. I don’t want to ever leave” 

“We can come back anytime you like.. Ready for dessert?” I walk over to a dessert cart near the corner of the room, I can feel her eyes on me. I come back with two trays, placing them on the table and removing the covers. Two slices of angel food cake with fluffy white icing. Her eyes widen slightly as she stares at it. 

“This is my favorite dessert. Angel Food cake with cream cheese icing.. I hope you like it” 

She takes her fork and cuts a small section, popping it in her mouth. She moans the next second and then sighs. 

“It’s so good!” 

“I’m glad you like it” I chuckle. 

Once we are finished eating we have some tea. 

“I have one last surprise for you” I glance at my watch, it should be dark enough by now. 

“What is it?” She asks excitedly. 

“Well.. that’s the thing about surprises… you have to wait and find out!” I scoop her into my arms, she wraps her arm around my neck and her other arm rests on my chest. She is finally comfortable being carried by me now. We go up a flight of stairs and onto the roof. There is a gazebo off to the side and a patio set with a couch and chairs. Blankets and pillows are placed in the middle of the opening. 

“We have a meteor shower happening tonight and I thought it would be nice to watch it together?” I suggest 

“Yes!” She smiles and holds onto me tighter, hugging me. 

“I have hot chocolate if we get cold. And we have lots of blankets and pillows to keep comfortable. If you want we can sit on the couch too” 

“I want to lay and watch it” She points to the blankets. I walk over and set her down gently, she reaches down to pull off her shoes. I stop her midway and slide them off her feet myself. She looks away, embarrassed, her face flushed. 

It’s getting darker by the minute, you can see the stars so clearly. I lay down beside her and stare up at the night sky. 

“Mason?” She whispers

“Yeah?”

“What’s your wolfs name?” 

“Striker… what is yours?” 

“Her name was Ember but I haven’t heard from her since before you found me… I think she died...” 

“You might be surprised, she could just be sleeping deeply. Waiting for the right moment to resurface” 

“I think you're going to be a really good Alpha…” 

“Thank you Rain.. that means a lot to me” 

    She moves slightly closer to me, I extend my arm and invite her into me. She hesitates for a moment before coming into my embrace. Resting her head on my chest, I wrap my arms around her and hold her close to me. Her fingertips tap on my chest in rhythm to my heartbeat. 

“I hope one day I can meet Striker. I bet he’s really beautiful” 

Striker starts to purr in the back of my mind, he likes hearing her talk about him. 

“You can meet him anytime you want to” 

“Can I meet him now?” She looks up at me through her eyelashes. 

How can I say no to such a beautiful creature? 

I slowly unwrap myself from her and get up. I walk behind the gazebo and undress. 

Behave. I tell Striker

I will be a perfect gentleman, trust me. I would never hurt her. 

    I shift and slowly walk out to Rain, she gasps when she sees us. There is no fear in her eyes which makes me feel relieved. Striker walks over cautiously to her, he lays on his stomach to show her he means no harm. Her hand shakily reaches towards us, her fingertips brushing through our fur. 

Striker purrs audibly towards her, making her giggle. 

“I was right, you are beautiful” She whispers. 

Striker lifts his head and licks her hand. 

I can sense her wolf, she’s in there somewhere…. He tells me 

She continues to pet us as we lay lazily beside her. 

“You’re so big Striker… such a strong wolf.. I’m grateful to you” She whispers as she rests her head on us. She wraps her small body around us and hugs us for a really long time. I hear her sniffling and realize she is crying. Striker lifts his head and stares at her, not sure what to do. 

Maybe I should take back over? 

Yes… maybe that’s best. I don’t know how to comfort her yet. 

Striker walks behind the gazebo and I shift, putting my clothing back on. I hurry back over to Rain and scoop her into my arms. 

“Why are you crying?” I soothe her hair back from her face. 

She shakes her head, “I’m just so… happy” 

    Her eyes are swollen by now but when she looks up at me through tear soaked eyelashes I cannot help myself, my emotions just take over. My lips come crashing down onto hers, she doesn’t stop me. I feel like if I didn’t kiss her at this very moment I may just die right here. 

    I could die now and be the happiest man in the world, knowing even for a moment I made her happy. Happy enough for her to cry, my mission is complete. 

    My tongue glides over her lip, begging her to let me in and she does. My kiss is hot and needy, her hands have made their way to grip my shoulders. I can feel her small fingers digging into my skin. It just makes me want more of her, she is breathing heavily by now. I pull back to let her breathe and trail light kisses down her neck. 

“Let me Mark you..” I whisper against her skin 

“Okay..” She mutters into my hair. I whip my head up and look her in the eyes, “Really?” 

    She looks me deep in the eyes and nods, “I trust you Mason” She smiles softly. This woman is so beautiful and gentle, I don't know if I’ll be able to stop with just Marking her… but for her sake I will. 

“Are you sure about this? It will hurt.” I warn her, once I start there is no going back. 

Striker is going crazy in my mind, he’s been wanting this since day one. 

“I’m sure” She assures me, moving her head to the side, giving me full access to her neck. 

Am I ready for this? 

Don’t over think it, she will be better once we do it.. The pain will go away.. 

    I wanted it to be special for her.. 

This is pretty special.. Being Marked under the stars is like something for a fairytale.. You’ve done well. 

    I continue to kiss her neck before going back up to her lips and giving her a final soft kiss, almost an apologetic kiss. I know this is going to hurt her. 

    I pull at the few strands of hair clinging to her neck, pushing them out of my way before I find the soft spot on her neck and extend my canines and bite down hard on her. I feel my teeth pierce through her soft skin. She cries out softly in my arms, I feel her fight me for a moment before she stops, it seems the pain has either stopped or made her pass out. 

I’m so sorry. 

    I lick the spot on her neck and seal it off. Her blood tastes slightly sweet but not overwhelming. I pull back and look at her, she is indeed passed out.