The Whispers and The Wolf

Twenty-Nine

Sadie took me for a tour of the full house. It was even more captivating than the outside; all mahogany and exposed brick and stag heads. It truly was a Scottish haven. We wandered around and as she was showing me to the upper living room, I involuntarily stopped outside a closed door. My body acted on its own, my hand was on the doorknob before I knew what I was doing and before Sadie had even noticed I’d stopped.

She turned to face me. “Your intuition is strong.” She smiled. “That’s Conlan’s old bedroom- well I suppose it’s still his current bedroom sure!” She laughed. I opened the door without permission and went inside. It was a typical bachelor’s bedroom. The walls were a light grey colour and the carpet was the same. One wall had framed posters of cars spaced neatly, another was floor to ceiling windows and another had a large bookcase full of books and binders. The last wall had the bed against it. A large black leather bed with black bedding and grey cushions. It was unbelievably neat and organized. Immaculate, like him.

“Don’t think he looks after this room himself!” Sadie dragged me back to Earth. “He leaves it in a tip, I need to come in every morning and make the bed still!” She shook her head and laughed. “Come on. I’ll show you his office.” She said, leading the way to the room next door. It was similar to the rest of the house; all dark wood flooring and furniture, but was somehow brighter. There were white checkered curtains flowing in the breeze from the full length windows, behind the ginormous desk. I ran my hand along the polished wood, noticing the perfect pile of paperwork; the pen pot with several identical pens arranged neatly inside, the cigar case and matches, the brass photo frame. I picked up the photo and knew instantly who it was.

“Ciaran, Caroline and the kids.” Sadie smiled sadly. “Conlan looks so much like his Da.” And he did. The same eyes and jaw, the same smile and build. He had his arm around Caroline. She was looking at him instead of the camera, you could feel the love between the 2 of them. Ciaran was holding a wheelbarrow that the kids were sat in. It was a perfect photo. Both happy and sad at the same time. He really had been through so much.

“He loves Bruce and I,” Sadie continued. “And we’ve done everything we can to make him know how loved he is. But there’s nothing to stop the pain of losing yer parents, especially so young. Nothing except the love of yer mate.” She squeezed my arm. “He’s had to learn a lot about being Alpha on his own without his Da to teach him. We’re so proud and his parents would be too, Goddess rest them.” A grandfather clock in the corner chimed and we both jumped. “Let’s go get ye fed, darlin’, then we’ll go a walk of the grounds. I’ll get ye some wellies,” she said looking at my shoes. Before we left, I grabbed one pen and drew a heart on a post-it note, writing “Conlan + Autumn” inside, leaving it in the centre of the desk. Something to make him smile.

Sadie had a stunning charcuterie board lunch set up on the balcony looking over the fields. It was a bright and somewhat warm day for the end of September so we made the most of it, chatting and drinking wine outside all afternoon. She told me so many stories of Conlan as a wee boy, or a “pup” as she called him. By the time Conlan returned, I had had one too many glasses of wine and the tour of the grounds was long since forgotten.

“Ahhhhh!” I screeched when he appeared through the double doors. “Here he is!” I bounced up and straight into his arms.

“Sadie, for f**k sake, she’s human! She can’t handle as much wine as you!” He scolded her when he saw all the empty bottles.

“Oh shut it ya big bore! We’ve had a lovely afternoon.” She finished her glass.

“I missed you.” I slurred into his chest.

“I missed you baby.” He kissed the top of my head. “Come on, ye need a lie down and some water.” He scooped me into his arms and carried me inside and down the hall.

“Thank you Sadie!” I called out as he whisked me off. “Oh the elusive Mr Maxwell is taking me to his bedroom.” I giggled, wriggling in his arms and making him laugh. He laid me on his bed and took off my shoes. Someone appeared at the door with a tray in her hands.

“Thanks Rayne,” he said, taking the tray from her before she left and closed the door behind her. He sat it on the bedside table, filling a glass with water from the jug. “Here you, drink.”

I drank the full glass in one, then fell back onto his pillows, grabbing one and smelling it. “Mmmm. Smells just like my Alpha.” He laughed and settled beside me, stroking my hair. “I had fun today.” I hiccuped. “But I missed you so much.” He grunted a response as he continued to play with my hair. I closed my eyes, enjoying his touch, his presence, his scent. “I saw the photo on your desk.” He stopped but I didn’t notice, just carrying on my drunken word vomit. “I’m sorry that they died. I hope I’m the one to make you happy. That me and your future pups can fill that void. That we can live a happy life and make them proud” He was still, silent. I opened my eyes to see the tears streaming down his cheeks. “Hey whats up? Did I say something wrong?” I covered my mouth. I didn’t mean to upset him.

“No Autumn.” He wiped his eyes. “Ye said everything right. Yer all I’ve ever wished for.” It was my turn to cry. “Yer a dream come true.” He said kissing my forehead.

“How did that girl know to bring me water?” I hiccuped again.

“I mindlinked her and asked. Rayne helps Sadie run the house.”

“And why does Sadie work in the Market when you are rich?” I couldn’t help the questions. I wasn’t embarrassed, my inhibitions considerably lowered due to the wine I had consumed. And usually when we were alone, we didn’t spend the time talking…

“We own the Market birdie. She was helping out, they were short staffed.

“Oooooh, I seeeeeee.”

“Anything else you’d like to ask?” He chuckled, playing with my hair again.

“No but I do want to tell you something.” He tensed. “Noooo nothing bad,” I slapped his arm. “You know the mindlinking thing? Sadie said it was like voices in your head?” He nodded. “Well I kind of already have voices in my head. I hear Whispers. They tell me things. Give me guidance. They told me you were my Mate.” I giggled. “Isn’t that crazy?!”

“Not crazy baby. Not crazy at all.” He smiled but it didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“I’m glad you don’t think I’m crazy.” I yawned. I cuddled in close to him. “I love you Mr Alpha.” I smiled and closed my eyes again, falling asleep before he could even respond.