My Secret I Never Knew

Embrace

Neesh’s POV

Four months, one week and two days. That’s how long ago I found out he was my mate. That night I was so happy, dancing to my heart’s content until I saw my mother and father. I decided I wouldn’t leave my mom right then and there. My older brother, Nixon, lived in the Pack with dad and I was all mom had. My parents used to live together at Silver Lake when they first mated, my dad would come to the Pack during the day and every other weekend. Then my dad moved back to the pack house when I was two because he was needed more frequently, my brother went with him. Alpha John was nice for allowing the arrangement for as long as he did.

My brother’s wolf half was stronger than his witch half, whereas my witch half was stronger and more dominant. He got a wolf on his 16th birthday and I got Ophelia the following year on mine. 

I couldn’t leave mom alone and I couldn’t let go of Zack. So I spent as much time with him as possible, but kept my walls up because I couldn’t let him all the way in. Now I don’t have to hold myself back, now I can be with him completely.

After dinner Zack and I raced up the stairs to the top floor of the Pack House which was the Alpha floor, where Zack’s room was. We made it down the left hall and quickly made it to his room. I stepped in first, breathing in his delicious ocean scent as he locked the door behind us.

“Are you sure you’re ready? We can wait.”

“I am sure, I am very sure. I love you and I want all of you. NOW” I pulled him to the bed on top of me and began kissing him.

“This is going to hurt, are you sure?”

“I’ll be fine. I am ready I have been ready since our birthday.”

“You know I could light candles, put rose petals down. Or maybe get us a room. I want your first time to be perfect babe”

“You’re such a girl sometimes geez. I am fine. The only thing I need for this to be perfect is you. I have waited four months, one week and two days for you and I to do this. Please let’s do this, please just love me right now.” 

“Babe, I will love you now and everyday until the end of time.” 

He took off my dress and kissed my neck, he started to move lower leaving a path of hickies. He got to be left breast and kissed it before wrapping his mouth around my n****les and sucking it while moving his tongue in a circular motion causes my back to arch. He completed the same motion with my right one before stopping and smiling at me. 

“You’re soaking my sheets and I haven’t even gotten to the best part yet.” he chuckled

“Really, like you really want to talk right now dude.” I scolded him, he laughed again then kissed my body again going down to my belly. He continued kissing downward and spread my legs, I could feel his breath on my right thigh before I felt him gently bite down. I moaned in pleasure. The next thing I know I felt his tongue licking my juices making me moan more and I arched my back again. The feeling was so amazing but got even better when he started making his mouth vibrate at my core, before I knew it my body started to shake. My legs wanted to close but he held them in and allowed me to ride out release as I screamed in pleasure. My breathing was heavy as he climbed up and hovered over me.

“Does the countdown to wanting me again start now or after I give you all of me?”

 “You are such an asshole, did you know that. ”Four months, one week and two days

“Some Days. You’re about to feel a little pain and pressure, I need you to breathe through it then let me know when you’re ready for more, ok.”

I nodded and then noticed he was out of his clothes, and positioning himself between my legs. He placed his tip and my entrance and slowly slid inside of me. I froze it hurt more than just a little, and I felt a tear on my cheek. He kissed it before telling me to breathe and taking my lips into his and kissing me. I forgot all the pain and pulled him closer, deepening the kiss and moaning into his mouth. I wrapped my legs around his waist and pulled him deeper into me. He understood what I was doing and he began to move his hips backwards and forwards, slowly first then the thrusts became faster and deeper. My moans became screams of passion and as my nails left my mark on his shoulders. Our moans filled the room then Zack kissed my neck sending chills down my body, I felt his canines gently glide on my skin. Finally he pierced my skin marking me and the pleasure resulted in both of us reaching our peaks, exploding together. He licked my mark, sealing it and then gently pulled out of me, laid beside me and pulled me onto his sweaty chest.

“Eww nasty you’re covered in sweat.”

“So are you and it’s all your fault.”

“We should go shower.”

“Maybe we should, or maybe we should have round two then go into the shower for round three.”

I smiled, enjoying his embrace for a moment before starting round two with him.

Nikki’s POV

Dinner was ok I guess, everyone was talking and I was stuck in my own head. My birthday is next month, well technically I’m a few weeks since it’s at the beginning of the month. This is the first year I won’t be celebrating it within the Animal Sanctuary, this will be the first year I won’t be able to sit at the waterfall and make the lanterns float. It’s been a family tradition since before I was born. Now, I’m stuck here for two months because of stupid people wanting to do stupid selfish things in an already stupid and selfish unfair would.

“Nikki, Nikki.” I was pulled from my thoughts and looked to see Eric standing over me with his hand on my shoulder.

“Are you ok, everyone is leaving.” I looked to see the table was empty, and Holly walking hand in hand with Anthony. While Neesh and Zack were practically sprinting upstairs, probably going to the Alpha floor. I looked back at Eric and his eyes were so full of concern, I gave him a forced smile and shook my head yes.

“Here, I'll put the dishes away.” Eric said as he grabbed my plate, everyone else had cleared their dishes. Only mine and his remained, I said thank you as I left the dining area and began to walk towards the back doors of the pack house.

I don’t know how to feel right now, I left last year the day AFTER my birthday just so I could continue my parents tradition. It was one of the few connections I had left to them. Our family home was sold, all of our family pictures and keepsakes just gone. Mrs. Lee had a few pictures of my family but I didn’t feel right asking her if I could have them, they were her memories of us.

All of a sudden I felt ice water rolling down my head, “WHAT IN THE ENTIRE HELL!” I yelled as I stood up. I don’t even know when I had sat down, I was on autopilot and I looked around realizing I was at the bench in the Garden. My mother helped create this garden, I turned and locked eyes with Eric.

“I’ve been trying to have a conversation this entire walk and you have heard NONE of what I said Nikki.” He was right I didn’t even know he was following me much less talking to me. My brows furrowed at him.

“Where did this ice water come from?”

“Oh, I got it out the kitchen. I thought you might’ve wanted a drink but then I realized this situation caused for me to pour the water on your head, so penny for your thoughts.”

I rolled my eyes at him, “it’s nothing “

“Liar” he states as he pulls his shirt over his head and starts drying my face and hair with it.

“I hope that’s clean you.” 

“Clean enough now talk”

“It’s nothing “

“Liar, and here I was thinking you were the most honest out of the group.”

“It’s not something that you would find important, it’s stupid really.”

“You don’t know what I find important or not, just stop beating around the bush. That’s not like you Nik, tell me what is on your mind.”

“My birthday, I Uhm I’ve never spent it outside of Crystal Lake. My parents and I use to make these lanterns that float on the water, mom would paint images on them while dad and I would place wishes and our dreams in them. We would light them then let the float down the stream that went into the A.S., it’s been a tradition since before I was born.”

“That doesn’t sound like it’s not important, I do have one question though. You said they did it even before you were born, Uhm what’s the significance of the day they choose to do it?” I looked in his eyes and took a breath no one knows about my family’s tradition not even Rebecca or Candice, why am I always telling him things.

“My parents were born on the exact same day an hour to the second a part from each other. My dad always said that he knew mom was made just for him because why else would she be born an hour after him. He had other reasons too but that one always made me smile the most. They started the lanterns in kindergarten. My grandmother used to help them, their birthday was a sacred day so they got married on their birthday. Imagine my dad’s happiness and pride when little old me was born on their special day. We all shared it together.” I smiled, my dad always said that our family was meant to be, he was an amazing man. I waved my hand over a patch of dirt subconsciously allowing my magic to flow as I thought about them.

“How long have you been able to use magic so well.” Eric asked while pointing at the Hydrangeas that replaced the dirt patch. I pulled my hand back placing it on my chest and placing my other hand on top of it.

“The day16, it was strange. I was expecting to find my familiar so we could bond, but I never did. That night I was completing my family's tradition, the animals gathered around me as usual and all of a sudden my chest began to feel heavy but light at the same time. Wind seemed to pick up it’s pace and I saw my lanterns glow purple and my drawings began to look a lot more detailed like how my mother’s used to be. My body started to glow as well and I started feeling like I was connecting to the woods and everything around me. I felt things that I didn’t understand and I started to panic. It was overwhelming, Rebecca saw the glowing and found me. She hugged me until everything stopped, the next night we left to search for answers but in the year we’ve been gone we came across nothing that explains fully what happened. Rebecca is still looking for answers and I still haven’t met my familiar. I have been practicing magic but I still don’t have full control.”

“From what I saw during the attack you had pretty good control, Anthony and I are almost 19 and still can’t control our energy the way you did to protect Candice.”

“That was instinct not control, just like this flower instinct. I didn’t try to grow this. Anyway, I’m tired, walk me to my room creep.”

“You mean cabin?”

“No room I have a room on the Delta floor in the pack house. Sometimes I’ll go to the Alpha floor in Holly’s room but I’m pretty sure she’s busy with your brother. My room is two doors down from Neesh’s. Technically guests stay in one of the guest cabins or with a warrior’s cabin, but I’m more than a regular guest.” I say licking my tongue out at him.

We left the garden and he walked me to my room, before leaving he gave me a hug and forehead kiss. I went to the walk-in closet and grabbed a sports bra and boy shorts to sleep in. I'm so glad I always keep clothes here. By me I mean Neesh and Holly who refused for this closet to ever be empty, freaking shopaholics. I walked into the adjoining bathroom and started the shower leaving the bathroom door cracked so steam does fill the bathroom too much. I let the hot water ease my tense muscles and grabbed my favorite body wash, smelling it deeply before applying it everywhere. It reminded me of my mother, I loved the smell. After a refreshing shower I dried myself and got dressed, I push the door open to find a newly cleaned Eric in my bed reading a book. His back was propped against my headboard, only wearing purple and black basketball shorts with his amazing abs glistening from what I can imagine was a quick shower. He cleared his throat causing me to snap out of my gaze and look into his eyes that held confusion.

“What happened there?” He asked, pointing at the giant bruise on my left abdomen. “You forget already that we all were attacked yesterday. Why are you in my room, didn’t I lock the door.”

“I picked the lock and I’ve never stayed in a pack house before so I figured I would at least for a night. Why have you been hiding that, is that why you went swimming with your clothes still on?”

“Didn’t try to hide it, I forgot about it. If I remember you pulled me into the lake BOTH times so I didn’t really have time to put on a swimsuit.” I stated, rolling my eyes before yawning. He huffed while shaking his head then lifted one side of the covers and motioned for me to get into bed. I climbed into bed between the sheets while he stayed on top of them, he began to hum one of my favorite songs and I let sleep overcome me.

Three Weeks later 

Eric’s POV

I slipped out of bed early to go to the kitchen and  make Nikki some breakfast. I had been staying in her room at the Pack House. She would sleep under the covers and I would sleep on top, sometimes I would wake up with a comforter thrown over me. I wanted to do something special since it was her birthday and since we graduated yesterday I didn’t have to go to school today.

I ran into Neesh, Candice and Holly on the stairs,  “What’s all this?”  Neesh asked.

“I thought it would be nice to make Nikki some breakfast in bed, she’s been training kind of hard this last few weeks and she’s been stressed about her birthday so I thought starting off the day with some red velvet French toast and fruit would be great for her since it’s one of her favorites.”

“Awww that’s so sweet.” Holly and Neesh exclaimed in unison while Candice looked at her nails.

“What are you ladies up to?

“Oh well Neesh and I are getting a few last minute things for the party tonight and Candice is going to the Spa to relax a bit.”

“Ok and is everything set?”

“Yea pretty much, the graduates that are being honored will be at the same table. Well except us, we all will be at the Alphas table. My father insists, oh and your father is coming from Crystal Heart today with you and Anthony’s graduation gifts.”

“Ok great I guess, let me get this food upstairs before it gets cold.” I continued up the stairs and down the hall to the room. I peeked in seeing Nikki was still asleep, I walked in and closed the door behind me and sang Happy Birthday as I walked over to the bed. She smiled sitting up in the bed. “What is this sir?”

“This young lady is part one of your birthday present.”

“Oh part one huh, how many parts are there exactly”

“That is for me to know and you to find out. We will head out once you’re done with breakfast. We do have a few surprises before the Graduation party tonight.”

“Graduating a full two weeks early shows how amazingly intelligent you all are.”

“You’re such a sarcastic ass at times do you know that, and after finals there’s no more schoolwork to do so I consider us pretty smart for petitioning to move graduation up.” 

After breakfast we got ready for the day and headed out, due to the attack that happened during Candice’s party we had to have a driver for our car and a SUV of warriors following us at all times.  I planned the entire day with a little help from Holly, Neesh and a reluctant Candice. That girl has had a bigger stick up her butt than usual for the last few weeks and no one really knows why, not that I care too much. Nikki has been trying to be her friend and has been getting treated like crap in return. I looked over at Nikki as she looked out the window, today was going to be amazing for her. 

Our first stop was her favorite movie theater, I didn't get what was the big deal until we sat down. It felt like I was sitting on a toasty marshmallow, the heated seats were amazing, then the food was REAL food. Not just that movie popcorn or nachos, no burgers, pizza, pasta, steak whatever you wanted delivered right to your seat no standing in lines. AMAZING. Our second stop was shopping which I knew she would love since we went to a record and book store, full of rare classics, Thank you Holly. I never even knew about this place, and we both left with at least four bags of purchases. Next the girls recommended this place downtown to go ice skating, skating was something I didn’t know about her and I was interested to see how good she was at it. We arrived at the rank and she was really excited, I watched her for a bit. She was so grateful and beautiful with every glide and spin, she was smiling widely. I was pretty sure she had forgotten I was there for a while, eventually she asked me to join her and I hesitated before sliding out onto the ice and going around in circles a few times with her.

We spent so much time at the rink I wasn’t able to take her to the Ferris wheel, but I think she enjoyed everything so far by the way she was smiling as we were driving back to the Pack House.

“We had another stopped planned but I guess we can go tomorrow if you would like, I’m sorry I planned so much with us only having a limited time to do it all”

“Why are you apologizing you goof, I had an amazing time like the best time.” I smiled  we an hour before the party started so she got ready in her room while I used Neesh’s room. 

As I finished up I heard a knock at the door, and I opened it to find three frowning faces. Anthony, Zack and Mack walked into the room taking seats. We had only 20minutes left before the party started and I was excited to dance tonight plus I had another surprise or two.

“What is the deal with you and Nikki bro?” Anthony asked

“What?”

“Are you guys dating now or what?”

“Not dating just good friends, I do care about her but we are friends”

“See that’s kind of a problem man” Zack stated '' You're not dating but you’re out here serving breakfast in bed and going to Ferris wheels to gift this girl jewelry. Our women are looking for us to top you on their birthdays” 

 Mack just sat there arms crossed nodding in agreement.

“Technically I haven’t given her the jewelry yet, we didn’t have enough time for the Ferris Wheel.”

“Bro you’re killing us here, I’ve told you for years those romance books are destroying your brain.”

The guys talked on while I ignored them until my alarm went off, I told the guys that we needed to go. The girls didn’t want us getting them from the room, we were heading to the party first and they would be making an entrance.

Nicole’s POV

Today has been amazing since the moment I was awoken by Eric singing happy birthday. So much thought and effort went into tonight. First my favorite dining theater, which I am pretty sure Eric knew nothing about. He was so amazed by the seats and food it was actually pretty funny watching him, he was like a kid in a candy store. The music/bookstore was great too, and I’m pretty sure he spent over a thousand dollars on stuff. He surprised me the most with Ice Skating, I’ve always loved to glide and twirl on the ice. I always felt weightless on the ice like I was floating, none of my burdens existed when I was on the ice and I would always get lost in my bliss. I realized after a bit that Eric was laced in skates but was just standing on the side watching me. 

“Why are you just being a creep, come on get on the ice”

“I..I.. I think I’ll just watch you for a bit.”

“You’ve been watching me for hours, come on join me, it’s my birthday and you have to.” I realized pretty quickly it was his first time and he was so adorable trying to keep from falling. Eventually he got the hang of it and we went around in circles before having to leave. The girls were all in my room as we got ready, talking about my day so far. Even Mack’s mate Lisa joined and I could see that Luna was right about her, she had no manners. The Omegas brought us snacks and she wouldn't even say thank you and commented every two minutes on her education status compared to what she believed theirs was. I apologized on her behalf and I got dressed in an actual dress. 

The girls all wore strapless silk dresses that flowed down their bodies and pooled at the ankle. My silky purple dress was backless with thin straps and the front top of my dress was filled with purple glitter. While the rest of the dress was silk that caressed my body down to my mid thigh. Before exploding into ruffles that flowed behind me exposing the front of my legs. Neesh had styled my Locs into a crown on the top half of my head and loose waves on the back. Then she placed a real tiara on my head and gave me a light touch of makeup for a natural look.

We finished up then started making our way to the ceremony building where the graduation party was being held. We walked up to the building and as we walked down the hall to the main doors I heard our names announced, we walked in and everyone was staring at me screaming SURPRISE!!!

Holly and Neesh hugged me while Lisa and Candice smiled and were clapping. I was a little sad at the distance my best friend was putting between us. I didn’t understand it and I didn’t have time to figure it out before I heard Eric’s voice behind me.

“Can I have the pleasure of the first dance?”  I nodded at him as we headed to the dance floor.We danced, ate, danced, Alpha congratulated the graduates, we ate more, I got an amazing 12 tier chocolate cake while everyone sung Happy Birthday, and we danced more before Eric asked me to go for a walk with him.

 “Where are we going?”

“Someplace special, I found it our second week here.”  After walking for what felt like forever we reached the end of trees behind the cabins and I was amazed. There was a small pond in a clearing with a blanket placed by it. The blanket had paper candles and art supplies on it. I looked at Eric with tears brimming my eyes.

He smiled at me and I walked over to the blanket with him following behind and we made lanterns, we filled them with wishes then sat them in the water after lighting them. I heard purring and looked behind me to see Midnight and StarBella, I jumped up from the blanket and hugged them. A Harpy Eagle flew over to Eric and he petted him, I smiled waking over to them.

“This is Eli, he’s my familiar and I needed him here tonight to give me a little strength for what I have planned.”

“Which is?”

“This pond flows in from the ocean, the same ocean the stream back at Silver Lake feeds into. I am going to use my magic to guide your lanterns into the sanctuary. But before I do that I need to give you your gift.”

He pulled out a jewelry box and gave it to me. I looked at him then looked back at the box opening it. Inside was a golden locket with a Celtic heart engraved on the front and an infinity symbol engraved on the back. I hoped the locket and a beautiful melody began to play while some of my happiest memories projected in front of me, including memories of my parents I didn’t know I had. Eric walked to my side and held his hands towards the lanterns that started to float away under the moonlight. I leaned my head onto Eric’s chest as my locket played and the lanterns drifted away.

“Best birthday I’ve had in a long time. Thank you”