The Whispers and The Wolf

Nine

Ch9

As he slowly advanced towards the house, I felt like I couldn’t breathe. Shivers ran down my spine and limbs like nothing I had ever experienced before. What was happening? Was I having some sort of seizure? A stroke? Surely this man wasn’t evoking such a reaction from me?

With a trembling hand, I unclicked the lock and pulled down on the handle, carefully opening the door. He continued to approach, purposefully walking down the garden path. I could see his shoulders and chest moving rapidly, yet he was walking slowly. So so slowly. My lips parted ever so slightly as I got a closer look of this man.

This God-like figure of a man. Mr Maxwell stood about 6 and a half feet tall and seemed to be just as broad. His immaculately shaped beard framed is chiseled face to perfection. And his eyes. His eyes were the most stunning mix of blue and green, swirling together in enchanting pools. He stopped 8 feet away from me and just stared. Stared into my soul for what felt like an eternity. Tucking his shovel like hands into his jacket pocket, his breath quickened but he refused to look away.

His stare was so intense I was compelled to lower my gaze and bow my head slightly. It was then I had a chance to look at this jacket. The hunters jacket. Glancing back up, I noticed the beanie hat covering his head.

“The market…” my voice was barely above a whisper. He tensed, I knew he heard me. It was him, it was Mr Maxwell I saw talking to Sadie in the market. Clearing his throat, he attempted to speak but no words came out. He shifted his weight nervously from one foot to the other and I was surprised. I wouldn’t have taken him as the nervous type. I opened my mouth to speak again but stopped, as he about turned and started back up the garden path again. He ripped the hat off his freshly shaved head, throwing it on the ground and growling as he stamped it into the gravel on the drive. As he reached for the handle on the truck, I flew forward, no longer able to control my own body.

“WAIT! Don’t go!” I screamed, running towards him up the path. He stood behind the truck door, leaning against it, studying my every move. “Why did you run?” It didn’t sound like me, my mouth was dry and my voice shaky.

“I can’t…” he managed, his voice a low growl that made my body shudder. I wrapped my arms around myself, unable to take my eyes off of him. He closed his eyes, throwing his head back and inhaling deeply. He exhaled, groaning with what seemed like frustration. “You’re scared”, he said, lowering his chin but keeping his eyes closed.

“I…I…” I couldn’t speak. I was under some kind of spell; my body numb and my mind scrambled. I wasn’t scared of him, I was fearing for my health. What was happening to me…?

The next thing I knew I was in his arms, he was carrying me to the house. I must’ve passed out. As my senses returned, I started to panic. My breath hitched in my throat, my lungs on fire, my heart threatening to burst out of my chest.

“Shhhhh, it’s awright Mo Leannan,” he grumbled. What did he just call me? I couldn’t keep my eyes open, his movements were rocking me from side to side until I felt him lowering me down on a couch. I heard movement from the kitchen and managing to squint my eyes, I could see him heading towards me with a glass of water. “Here…” his voice cracked as he held out the glass to me. Pulling myself up, I couldn’t concentrate on anything except that familiar brain fog setting in. Really? Now is not the time!

Reaching out to take the glass rom him, my fingers gently brushed his as he passed it to me. It was like a jolt of electricity shot up my arm, warming my whole body. I don’t know why I didn’t drop it to the floor. I brought the glass to my lips and took a sip of water, his eyes watching me intently. Pushing my glasses onto the top of my head, I rubbing my temples with my forefingers. “What… what happened?”

“Ye fainted” Mr Maxwell grunted, continuing his intense stare. “Are ye awright?” He frowned with concern, towering over me from in front of the couch.

“Yes, I think I’m OK. I’m glad you were here…” Embarrassment washed over me, I suddenly realized that I don’t know his name. “I’m Autumn.” I offered, hoping he would take the hint.

“Conlan Maxwell” he replied. He finally looked away, gazing out of the windows to the hills surrounding us, breathing so heavily his whole body was heaving.

I couldn’t reply. I simply watched him as the voices in my head became clearer with every passing second.

“Conlan…” the Whispers repeated. “Mate…”

“Mate?” I questioned out loud. His head snapped towards me, his eyes burning into me as he took a step back to steady himself.

“Ye feel it?” He questioned, his eyes never once leaving mine. The goosebumps and the shivers had continued this full time but when our eyes met, a knot formed in the pit of my stomach, the likes of which I had never felt before.

“Feel what? What is happening to me?” I sobbed, rubbing my hands down my face then running them through my hair. I didn’t know what was happening to me. The Whispers had never let me down before but I had no idea what they meant. Mate? I don’t even know why I repeated it.

He looked devastated by my reaction, quickly correcting his expression to one of stony intimation. He made a beeline for the door, not closing it behind him as he stormed towards his truck.

“Wait! Conlan WAIT!” By some inhuman strength, I climbed off the couch and began to follow him as I heard the melody coming from my laptop, someone was trying to video call me. “Fuuckkkkk!” I groaned under my breath, slamming the door and returning to the island to answer the call.

“Are you OK Autumn?” Gemma, my creative director asked. “You look a little flushed?”

Flushed is one way to put it… “Yes Gem all good, what you got for me?”