Teach Me

Chapter 9: Fairy Lights

He led me through a door just off of the dining room revealing a sort of enclosed porch. The room had stacking glass doors, which were mercifully sealed against the rain. Comfortable-looking outdoor furniture was set out in a neat but inviting manner, almost like it had been staged for a magazine shoot or something. We went through this room, exiting a door that led down a couple of steps and out into the rainy night.

Alex opened the umbrella and I huddled beneath it, a chill running down my spine as a few icy raindrops made contact with my skin. Titan bounded past us, almost knocking me over in his eager rush to get out, but Alex reached out to steady me. As Titan raced off into the darkness, Alex closed the door behind us, sealing the warmth inside while we were stuck outside in the icy rain.

"You cold?" he asked as my teeth began to chatter.

"Uh... A little," I lied. The truth is that I was actually freezing.

"Want me to go back and get you something warm?" he offered, a look of concern on his face.

"No, I just need a moment to acclimatize," I tried to convince myself.

We set off into the rain, our bare feet squelching through the wet grass. I tried to keep pace beside him, huddling beneath the shelter of the umbrella. I was attempting to inconspicuously press my body against his, sapping at some of his warmth as he held the umbrella above our heads.

I should have been looking at the garden, but I wasn't. I was freezing and all I could focus on was the fairy lights up ahead, desperate for their promise of warmth. Much to my despair, as we neared them, I could see that they were wrapped around a gazebo or some similar structure. It had a base and a roof, but no walls or any type of enclosure.

My heart sank as I realized it would offer me no warmth, but Alex led me up the steps and gestured to an outdoor furniture set where I balled myself up on the rattan sofa, trying to conserve my warmth.

He shook the umbrella out before looking at me and chuckling, then he made his way over to a chest that doubled up as a seat and pulled a blanket out. He handed it to me and I don't think I've ever been more grateful for anything in my life as I accepted it eagerly.

"Better?" he asked, but I couldn't reply through my chattering teeth. Instead, I nodded dumbly as I burrowed beneath the warm red fabric.

He took a seat opposite me and I saw goosebumps erupt over his skin. Guilt wracked me and I wanted to give him the blanket back, but I was so cold. I considered maybe sharing the blanket with him, but the thought made me uneasy as I considered what that might potentially lead to.

"Um... Are you ok? You look cold now," I murmured gesturing to the goosebumps over his arms.

"I'll be okay. I think I'm going to shift now. You joining me?" he asked with an eager smile.

Fear and despair filled me, but I understood my duties. I nodded and tried my best to hide the tears that were welling up in my eyes.

"Is something wrong?" he asked, curiosity and concern etched clearly across his features.

"No... Nothing is wrong. I know what's expected of me," I murmured, unable to restrain the lone tear that tumbled down my cheek.

"Something is obviously wrong. You're crying. I don't understand why you're so upset all of a sudden? Did I say something wrong?" he asked, feeling helpless.

"No," I assured him, though it was an obvious lie. "I just... I thought I had more time, but if you want to do it now, I'm ready," I tried to convince him, but my words were hollow.

"More time for what? Ready for what? What are you talking about, Lacy?" he asked, clearly not following.

"You want to mate and mark me, right? Isn't that why you want us to shift together?" I asked, trying to sound braver than I felt.

I knew this should be an honor, but he'd said we were going to take things slow. I was under the impression we were going to get to know one another better first, but clearly, he had other plans after all.