The Whispers and The Wolf

Twenty-Seven

I decided to try and make the most of the evening on my own. I wasn’t going to be with Conlan every minute of every day, and if he was going to move in here, I should get used to being on my own. I turned off the lights in the kitchen and headed over to check that Conlan’s clothes were still on the patio where I left them. They were, so I nipped out to leave the patio key under his tshirt then went back in and locked it from the inside.

Having a bath was always my favourite way to relax so that’s what I did. I peeled off the red lingerie and set it aside to put back on before bed. “What my Alpha wants, my Alpha gets.” I giggled to myself. I connected my phone to my smart speaker and shuffled a Taylor Swift playlist. Delicate started playing and I laughed. Oh the irony.

“Is it cool that I said all that?

Is it too soon to do this yet?

'Cause I know that it's delicate

Isn't it, isn't it?”

I sang along as I swished my legs around in the bubbles. I couldn’t wait until Conlan was home. I constantly found him in my head. Found myself dreaming about our life together, our future. When I eventually dragged myself out the bath, the bubbles were gone and the water had cooled.

Quickly drying and redressing in the raunchy red set, I covered myself in my robe and headed into the bedroom. I lay on my bed and continued reading my book. I was almost half way through but was so distracted, constantly checking my phone. What time would he be home?

I’m not sure when or how but I eventually fell asleep, waking up to the sound of movement coming up the stairs. He was moving so quietly, he obviously didn’t want to wake me.

“Finally…” I muttered, stretching out my sleepy muscles. “I didn’t expect you to be so quiet. Come on my king.” I patted the bed beside me. His shadowy form just stood at the top of the stairs. I thought that he was facing me but I couldn’t see clearly in the darkness.

“Conlan…” I began. And then I smelled it. Rotten, sewage, rubbish. Not cedar and pine. Not Conlan. “Who are you?” He started to approach. “I said who the f**k are you? What do you want?” He flew toward me and I screamed. I screamed as loud and as long as I could. Repeating over and over as I dodged him. He was big and clumsy but he was strong and fast. I managed to slip by him and down the stairs but I fell down the last few and landed on my wrist. “Fuuuuck!” I hissed as I cradled my arm, bolting for the open patio door. I kept screaming until I was outside. When he caught me, he grabbed me and threw me on the grass.

“Please! Let me go!” I sobbed, pleading with him. His stench made me sick, he pinned my arms down under his. He put his face in my neck, smelling my scent and making me gag on his. I still couldn’t see his face, the only light coming from the small crescent moon above.

I continued my screaming and kicking until I felt his fist on my face, silencing me. I could taste blood and my vision blurred. “Conlan...” I squeaked. “Help me…”

“Fuckin’ shut it!” The prick on top of me growled. “He’s no goin’ to save ye now.” His growls turned to laughs. I tried my hardest to struggle against him as he shifted his position to drag me back inside.

It was the goosebumps I noticed first, followed by the scent. As my vision steadied, I saw the flash of white fur and heard an almighty roar as the guy on top of me was thrown off. A symphony of growls surrounded me, I saw shadows circling, heard jaws snapping. I heard a crack followed by a yelp, I saw my attacker go limp. It took until now to realise I was sobbing. Covered in his stench, lying on the grass with my robe open, sobbing. Conlan’s face was infront of mine immediately.

“Autumn, I’m here. I’m here baby, it’s ok.” He bundled me into his arms and held me close to his naked chest. “Avert yer eyes lads, remember this is your Luna!” He growled. I sneaked a peak at the wolves circling us, who bowed their heads at his command. “Campbell, get everyone up and out to patrol the whole forest. Find where this bastard came from and report to me every hour. I need to be with my Mate. And get rid of him.” He kicked the now dead attacker on my decking. There was a howl in response followed by a few more, then the padding of paws on the grass faded off into the distance.

“Don’t worry Mo Leannan. I’ve got ye.” Conlan soothed as he carried me indoors. I was hooked onto his neck like a koala bear, there was no way I was letting him go. He held me with one arm and locked the patio doors.

“Fat lot of use that will do.” I said bitterly, choking back another sob.

“Shhhh, Autumn. It’s ok, he’s gone. Nothings going to happen to ye now.” He sounded heartbroken, guilty even. He carried me upstairs, into the bathroom and sat me on the counter. “I’m just going to run the shower, OK.” He held my face in his hands, studying me. I nodded and he left me there to switch the shower on to heat up. I clutched my robe to my chest, needing some comfort in his absence. I was completely spaced out. “It’s time to get in baby, come on let’s get ye undressed.” He lifted me down and peeled my robe off then went to unclip my bra.

“It’s a front clip.” I said as I unhooked it, letting it fall to the floor followed by my underwear.

“Such a shame that we didn’t get to enjoy these.” He lifted the set off the floor. “But they are getting burned, we’ll have to get you some more”. I smiled, he knew just how to drag me out of any feeling I had that wasn’t happiness. He took me by the hand and into the shower, closing the screen over behind us. We stood in silence while he held me under the running water. As I began to breathe properly again, I noticed his chest was heaving. I tried to pull myself away but he held me tighter.

“I’m so sorry Autumn.” He cried. “I should’ve been here to protect ye. I wouldn’t be able to survive if I lost ye.” I managed to peel myself away and look up at him.

“Conlan, it wasn’t your fault. And look, I’m safe. Hey, look at me.” I guided his chin, forcing his eyes to meet mine. “You’re my hero.” I stroked his beard. “I don’t blame you, I love you so much.”

“What did I do to deserve you?” He tucked my hair behind my ear. “Let’s get ye washed… ye stink.” He let out a laugh which I returned. He poured some lavender body wash onto a sponge and washed my skin, placing the sponge aside to use his hands to help rinse off the bubbles. He massaged my breasts and rubbed me all over to make sure the bubbles were gone. Then he switched the shower off, stepping out and grabbing us a fluffy towel each. Once we were wrapped in them, I leaned against him and sighed.

“I’m exhausted, Conlan.”

“I know wee birdie. Let’s get ye dried off and into bed eh?” He did as he said then carried me into the bedroom. He sat me on the bed while he grabbed me some fluffy pyjamas.

“These are my favourites.” I said, running my fingers over the soft pink fabric.

“Call it wolf’s intuition.” He winked making me laugh. He was more like Sadie than I realized. He sat behind me and gently towel dried my hair before repositioning me at the top of the bed and tucking me in. As he lay down, I turned to face him and he enveloped me in his arms again.

“I will never let anything else happen to you, Autumn. I’d died before letting anything happen to you.” My eyes grew heavy before I could reply.

“I love you Mo Leannan.”