The Wolves of Ossory

21. Exposed

Alma

I watched as my sister left, only turning to look at Ophelia when she cleared her throat.

"I feel like you could use a run," she said gently and it felt like she had read my mind. Artemis was pacing the whole meeting, begging me to let her out. She really wanted to meet Ophelias wolf.

"You have no idea," I sighed, meeting her green eyes and giving her a small smile.

"Then, we will talk." She added and took my hand, leading me out of the dining room and outside. The tingles our touch gave me left butterflies in my stomach

Once outside, Ophelia removed her clothing, her back towards me and I had a very hard time adverting my eyes. She had the cutest teardrop butt, and I wanted it.

She glanced back with a smug smile on her lips and then lunged forward, shifting into a large red and grey brindle wolf. She turned to me and I admired her beauty, her gold eyes looking at me with adoration. Red wolves were rare. I had never seen one or heard of one being alive until now.

"You are a beautiful wolf!" I exclaimed. She came over to me wagging her tail and Artemis was trying to claw her way out.

My turn! Let me out! She whined. I shushed her and told her to wait a little bit.

I pet the big wolf's head, earning a low grumble of approval. Her eyes closed and she rolled over. I gave her a belly scratch, in turn causing one of her hind legs to kick rapidly. Her wolf lolled its tongue out in happiness.

I stepped away from her and began to undress as well, my back to her. I heard a small woof and turned to wink at her, stashing my dress on a lawn table and shifting to Artemis.

Thank you thank you thank you! She howled to me, prancing over to Ophelias wolf and nuzzling her. I could tell Artemis already loved this wolf, even if she couldn't recognize her as our mate. She was radiating so much joy.

I let her have full control and her and the red wolf played. They ran through the gardens, yapping at each other. Artemis followed her closely, which made sense since we didn't know anything about these grounds.

She showed us the land, bringing us to the Cliffs we nearly died on. Her wolf whined, looking at Artemis sadly as if she was saying she was sorry. Artemis licked her snout in reassurance and off they went again.

We came to a small pond with Lilly pads floating on the surface and the red wolf plunged in, Artemis following suite. They swam around before Ophelia ducked under, coming back up as herself. Artemis gave me back control and I shifted as well.

The pond wasn't too deep and felt nice and cool. I didn't know what to say, so I just studied this beautiful woman infront of me. Finally, she broke the silence.

"I like your wolf. She is beautiful. What's her name?" She asked.

"Artemis. And I should say the same! I have never seen a red wolf before. She is magnificent." I complimented her back.

"Oh I know. She never let's me forget it either, that little b***h," she snorted back, laughing lightly. I liked her laugh. "Her name is Opal. All the wolves in our pack are red for the most part. It's part of our blessing, I suppose," she shrugged nonchalantly.

"There is an elephant in the room we should address," I sighed.

"We are in a pond, Alma. Not a room. But go on," she joked with me.

"I won't say that I know you are my mate. But I know that scent is what called to Artemis and let her know our mate was near. And that scent seems to be coming from you. She likes you. She really likes your wolf, and usually by this point, she's argued with me enough about someone not being our mate. With you, she doesn't argue with me. If anything, she encourages bad behavior," I laughed nervously.

"I would agree. Opal has not stopped badgering me about you since we saw you fall from that cliff. She was furious that I didn't help you, threatening me with never speaking to me again. And when I touch you, I've never felt that feeling before. Cormac had felt those tingles when he met Erin, but it wasn't the season yet. When it was the season, they recognized each other right away," Ophelia said to me, moving closer so we were almost touching.

"And your smell," she leaned forward, tilting her head so her nose was right above my marking spot. Goosebumps spread over my whole body. "that smell is one I could inhale all day. Lemon grass and mint." she finished and I couldn't take it anymore.

I slid my arms around her neck, pushing our naked bodies together, smelling her arousal along with mine. I buried my nose into her neck, peppering it with small kisses. Her hands roamed my body through the water and I let a small moan out.

She pulled back a bit and I was worried I went too far when she cupped my face with both her hands.

"I have waited so many years for this, Alma. It feels like it's been a lifetime. You are more beautiful than I could ever have imagined," and with that she gently kissed me, and it felt like everything clicked into place. Artemis cried in my head, feeling she had finally found her other half, even if she couldn't recognize her fully.

"Ophelia," I said, pulling away just a bit.

"Yes?" she urged me.

"I haven't told anyone. About, you know... me. And my preferences for uh.." I trailed off, trying to find the words.

"I understand. I can't imagine the pressure you have had on your wee shoulders," she squeezed my shoulders with a small smile.

"I will wait for you," she said and something in me snapped.

"No. I don't want you to wait. I want to be with you and I am done pretending I'm someone I am not. I was made this way. The Goddess doesn't make mistakes, and she made me without mistake. I'm ready now," I told her, pulling her back into a long passionate kiss.

It was time I stop hiding myself from the world, starting with my sister.

We made our way back to the castle in our wolf forms. I felt lighter, like this new chapter in my life was about to begin and I would come out stronger and better for it. When we shifted and dressed, I smiled at her excitedly and she returned it.

"You will do great, lassy! I'll see you in a bit you sexy queen." she blew me a kiss and I walked into the castle, heading to my room and changing into something more comfortable.

I am ready to talk when you are sister. I linked Maeve, taking a deep breathe and trying to muster up some bravery.

Heading your way. She replied and my heart lunged into my throat.

After a moment or two, I heard a knock at my door.

"Come in," I called out.

"Alma, why didn't you tell me you sensed your mate? This is great news! That means we can go home! And in only a few days, too! Who is he? Where is he?" She was very enthusiastic and speaking quickly.

"Maeve, just come sit down I want to talk to you," I told her calmly, trying to slow my heart beat and breathing.

You are doing good. I am here. Artemis assured me.

Maeve sat next to me on the bed, beaming at me and giving my a tight hug.

"When can I meet him, Al? Did you meet him in town? How did you know, when did you know? How-"

"It's Ophelia." I cut her off and her jaw dropped.

"What about Ophelia?" she asked slowly and I stood up, pacing.

"Ophelia is my mate, Maeve." I stated.

"Oh. Was this a surprise? I mean I can't imagine finding out my mate was a woman-"

"I'm not f*****g surprised, Maeve! I mean, yes I am surprised I found her, but I'm not surprised it's a woman. Goddess, Maeve you are so daft." I laughed angerly.

"But, Al, I've never seen you date anyone besides men... I am confused," Maeve furrowed her brows at me and I felt the tears coming on.

"Mavy, you remember when I went to the bathroom on our 18th birthday and was almost late for our first shift?" I started, sitting back down next to her.

"You were late, but yes. Why?" she asked me.

"I was under one of the staircases. With Fable. We had been seeing each other for a year in secret," I sighed, a few tears falling onto my lap.

"You and Fable? Is that why she's distant? Why she doesn't want to be around us?" she asked, her voice getting a bit higher.

"In part, yes. I'm sorry, Maeve. I should've told you. I was ashamed and I didn't want to let our family down. I tried, Maeve, I tried to date men and tried and prayed I would grow out of this, but I just can't. It's who I am," I sobbed, covering my face. "And I am no longer ashamed to love who I want to love. I cannot lose anyone else over the fear of what others think," I hiccupped. She sat with me for a while, letting me calm down. When I glanced at her I could see she was crying as well.

"Alma. You're wrong. I am sorry. I am sorry that you felt I wasn't a safe place to come to with this. I am sorry I haven't been here for you and for being so ignorant. And most of all, I am so sorry for being the type of sister you couldn't talk to for all these years. I was too wrapped up in trying to be perfect and make sure everything would go as planned, I didn't even stop to mend our relationship and see how you were doing." Maeve's voice was sagging with emotion and she pulled me into another tight hug, making me cry even harder.

"Alma, I love you, regardless of anyone you could possibly love. Anyone would be lucky to call you their mate, and I know our parents will stand by your side proudly. I'm sorry if I haven't seemed the most accepting, but you're wrong there. I would accept you in any way, shape, or form, regardless of who you love." She cried into my hair, her hand holding the back of my head, and we sat there, crying and snotting all over each other.

"Um, is this a bad time?" Grady popped his head in and asked, looking at our current condition. We both laughed and ushered him in to join our little hug.

"Alma found her mate," Maeve chuckled.

"Yeah? Who's the lucky gal?" Grady asked, a smile stretching across his face.

"What?! You knew?" I sniffled.

"Uh, duh? I have eyes and ears, Al. Maybe make sure you mask your scent next time you're running around our castle, sullying the corridors," he laughed and we all bursted out laughing.

I felt waves of relief wash over me as I held my friends, relishing in this moment and thanking the Moon Goddess for these two.

"Even better, now we can go home! You'll be queens!" Grady chirped.

"Yes, I suppose that's right," Maeve stated, chewing her lip a little.

"I suppose we will have to talk to Lord Haven about all of this," I sighed.

"Since we're telling all our secrets, I must confess, I feel a pull towards Haven. Aila cannot recognize him, but our brief encounters have been everything the mate bond claims to be. This stays with us, understand?" Maeve looked between the two of us and we both nodded. I squeezed her hand.

"I hope you know, we are here for you," I told her and Grady agreed. Maeve sighed.

"Well, I suppose we better get on with it then. Let's go talk to that crabby man,"