The Power Within

Chapter Ten

The 45 minute car ride went by quickly. I found out that Mica and I do not have very many things in common. Our tastes in music were completely different. Winter was his favorite season, whereas, mine was spring. He loved spicy food, and I do not go near the nasty stuff. I wonder why we are mates. Most mates have extremely similar likes and dislikes. He does make me laugh, though, and he is handsome when he isn't acting like a cold, controlling, asshole. My thoughts stopped as Mica parked his little Prius. Even our cars were different. I drove a huge pick-up truck, and he drove a little hybrid car. 

"Here we are." He announced and unbuckled his seat belt. 

"It's beautiful." And it was. The river was straight ahead from the parking lot we were in. I could see a small, dirt pathway near the bank. The sun was shinning, the sky was a clear blue, and there was not a cloud in sight. The path led into the trees. I unbuckled as well, and stepped out of the car. The sound of the water rushing by was music to my ears. I walked quickly to the edge of the river. I snapped a few photos before I felt Mica's hand on the small of my back. 

"Already in photographer-mode, I see." His small chuckle had me smiling. 

I looked up at him, "sorry." I gave him an apologetic smile. "I can't seem to help myself, sometimes. It is really beautiful here." 

He nodded and gestured towards the dirt path. "Would you like to walk a little ways, the path follows the river for a couple of miles, and then makes a loop back here, to the parking lot."

"That sounds perfect."

Mica threaded his fingers through mine. "I love the little jolts I get when I touch you," he said, with a big smile on his face.

I looked down at our joined hands. Why don't I feel anything? I looked up and met his blue eyes. 

"You still don't feel anything, do you?" He asked softly.

I shook my head, "maybe it's like you said last night, maybe the mate-bond is different for me."

He kissed my hand that he was holding. "I'm sure that is what it is."

We walked in a comfortable silence for a while. Every now and then, I would pull my hand out of his hold to take a few pictures. At one point, he even helped me balance up on a dead tree so I could get a shot of a woodpecker up in another tree. As soon as I was done taking a picture, Mica would thread his fingers through mine. Maybe we really are mates. He does seem to love touching me. 

"Wanna shift and play in our animal forms for a little bit, before we head back?" He asked in a playful tone. "What other forms do you have besides your tiger?"

"I can change into an owl, and a wolf too." 

"A wolf! That's awesome! Now I am even more convinced that we are mates." Mica exclaimed.

I giggled at his enthusiasm. "Let's go run around." I headed off the dirt path, and found a small boulder to put my camera and clothes next to. Mica turned his back while I undressed and shifted into my grey wolf. I loved how many different smells I could sniff while I was in my wolf form.  His brown wolf joined me, after a minute. My grey and silver wolf form was bigger than his brown wolf form, but he didn't seem to mind. He nipped at my muzzle, and bounded off, further into the woods. I ran off after him. 

Centuries ago, our shifter ancestors were able to connect with a spirit of their animal forms. But, as more and more shifters started to feel superior to humans and witches, and after The Great War between all the races, the power was lost. One of the books my parents left me told me all about it. If the power had not been lost, I would be able to talk to a spirit of my owl, a different one for my tiger, and then another one for my wolf. I can't imagine how many headaches I would have listening to, and talking to three different spirits inside my head. I bet they would be able to help sort out this whole mate business with Mica, though. Too bad the power was lost hundreds of years ago. 

I caught up to Mica's wolf form easily. We raced, nipped, and played together. I had so much fun playing with him. We both trotted back to the boulder where our clothes were. Both our tongues were dangling out of our mouths, while we panted. I shifted and dressed quickly. Mica wasn't much of a gentleman this time, and watched me with lust in his eyes. I felt a blush creep onto my cheeks. He took his time putting his clothes on. I made sure to reciprocate the treatment. He was sexy, even with the small pouch on his stomach. His muscular arms and legs gleamed in the sunlight, and that wolf tattoo looked amazing. His manhood was erect. It was long, and thick, and had a small drop of liquid on the tip. I licked my lips. I wonder what he tasted like.

"Like what you see?" His voice sounded husky to my ears.

I nodded and walked to stand right in front of him. I laid my hands on his still naked chest. The dark hair on his chest felt soft under my fingers. 

"Kiley," he groaned. "I want to kiss you." He brought one hand up to cup my cheek, and his other hand held the back of my neck.

"What are you waiting for?" I asked, a little breathless. Being so close to him was overriding my senses. He still smelled like a bakery, and his skin was hot and soft under my hands. 

He brought his head down slowly, his eyes never leaving mine. His lips met mine. He brushed his lips, softly, once, and then again, against my lips. 

"Mmm," I moaned. "More, please." I whispered. 

His grip on my neck and cheek tighten, and he brought his lips down hard on mine. Yes!  I wrapped my arms around him, and opened my mouth when his tongue sought entrance. Oh god, he tastes divine. His tongue swept into my mouth. My last coherent thought was, this man sure knows how to kiss, before I was lost. Our tongues battled with each other, and his hands were suddenly every where. I let out another moan as he gripped my ass and brought me even closer to his body. His p***s poked my lower stomach. I brought one of my hands around to grab it through his slacks. I moved my hand up and down. He groaned and pulled back, letting us both catch our breath. His hand latched onto my wrist. 

"If you keep that up," he said, "I will take you right now."

I let go, and gave him a quick peck on the lips. "As hot as that sounds, I am not sure I want my first time to on the floor of the woods." 

He looked shocked. "You're a virgin?"

I slid my hands in my front pockets, "yeah, so." I hope he doesn't make a big deal about it.

He wrapped his arms tight around me, "now, I want you even more," he whispered in my ear. His light nip on my ear lobe made me moan. 

I pushed him away. "Down, boy." I said with a small laugh.

He put his shirt on, and we headed back to the dirt path. He held my hand the whole way back to the car. 

****************

After we finished our dinner, we both wanted to head back to the house. Mica had let me pick the dinner spot. I found a little barbeque joint with my phone. It was a mom-and-pop place. The food was delicious. Mica ordered the spiciest barbeque sandwich on the menu, while I had a mild, pulled-pork sandwich. We were both stuffed. On the drive back, we talked about Mica's restaurant. He was really passionate about his work. He told me all about how he and Luke opened the place years ago. Luke was in charge of the kitchen, while Mica was in charge of the dinning room. 

"You two seem to get along really well." I said.

He nodded. "Yeah, Luke has been my best friend forever. We played together every day, when we were kids, went to the same school, we did everything together. So, when he wanted to open his own restaurant, it was only natural for me to join him."

"Must be nice." I huffed.

He glanced over at me. "What do you mean?" He asked.

"I've never had a best friend. Ever. Growing up, Ben and Nora kept me isolated from everyone. They homeschooled me; I was never even allowed to go to the store. I mean, I know why they went to those lengths. It was just rough, and lonely growing up. I didn't make any friends until I went away to college, and even then, Mom and Dad made sure to remind me not to get too close to anyone."

Mica squeezed my hand. "Why did they do all of that? Just to hide you from Malcom?" 

"Yeah. Malcom's minions were the one who killed my parents. That bastard has been after me since the moment I was born." I looked out the window. The sun was sinking below the horizon, leaving pink, red, and purple streaks through the sky. 

The car was silent, both of us lost in our own thoughts, as the sun set.