The Packless Wolf

Chapter 14

Reiki stared at the water as it trickled down from the cliff. After their spar, she hadn’t heard anything from Conri. She didn’t feel the bubbling tension just ready to break the surface coming from him as she always did. He was calm. This was a first for her. Was this what other wolves felt all the time?

When Conri first appeared, her dad had explained that alpha wolves were stronger, harder to control and not only was Reiki from a line of alphas on her dad’s side, but it was also the same on her mom’s side. When she was younger, it was much harder for her to control. Every time she got mad or she got anxious, he took over. The only reason her dad even allowed her to go to college with Fiona was because he had commanded Conri that he couldn’t come out while around humans. Still, he struggled a lot to try to break that command, while it also helped Reiki to learn to control her anger and anxiety.

Reiki brought her knees to her chest. She missed her mom so much. Her head turned to the sound of feet scuffing along the clay. Her heart skipped a beat at the sight of Jasper. She wrinkled her nose and looked back at the water. Why didn’t she smell him coming? She should’ve been able to but all she smelled was the waterfall.

Jasper smiled and sat crossed-legged next to her. He looked over at her and noticed her eyes becoming misty and silent tears started to fall. “Do I smell that bad,” Jasper joked? He knew rogues smelled like rotting flesh to the wolves in packs. Reiki said nothing. “Or maybe I repulse you so much you can’t stand the sight of me,” he asked, tilting his head down to look at her?

Reiki looked at him from the side of her narrow eyes. “No and no,” she replied bluntly. “I was just thinking about stuff.”

“Ok,” Jasper nodded. He turned to watch the waterfall. He could feel Reiki didn’t want to talk. She would talk when she was ready.

They sat in silence for a little while. Reiki noticed that at some point the few inches gap that separated them was no longer there and she could feel the heat radiate from Jasper. She wondered who moved closer. Judging by the marks on the clay, it was her. Stupid mate bond. “I miss my mom,” Reiki announced softly. “I barely remember what she looks like. We have pictures, of course, but my dad had put them away.”

Jasper flinched a little. He wasn’t sure what to say. You should tell her, Cyfrin said.

Not right now. She hurts too much. “I understand,” Jasper replied. He elected not to go into further detail. He didn't want to bring it up either.

Jasper stiffened when Reiki laid her head on his shoulder. He went to wrap his arm around her, but he was cut off as Reiki stood up. Her cheeks were red. “Well, I guess we should be getting back. It’ll be dinner soon.” She quickly turned and started to walk from the waterfall. Jasper stood and quickly caught up with her. It was a few minutes after they started that a smile escaped Reiki. “Hm, you smell like the waterfall,” she whispered to herself.

Jasper smiled. He was sure he wasn’t supposed to hear that, but he did and it made him happy to know he would remind her of something that meant a lot to her.