The Whispers and The Wolf

Nineteen

I couldn’t help but feel a little rejected. In bed, wrapped in my housecoat and blankly staring into the darkness outside. Why did I ask him to come back tonight? I was livid with myself. Of all the feelings that were bubbling inside me, anger was the strongest. How the f**k could I let myself fall into this trap? What was the wolf thing, all an illusion? Conlan was full of s**t. If I meant anything to him, he would just sleep with me already. Was he grooming me? All these thoughts flew through my head as the tears poured from my eyes. I thought I was lightheaded from all the crying, the lack of sleep.

“Hush” They Whispered. “All will be well.”

“You told me to trust him, that he was my fate.” I choked back a sob. “You never let me down...”

“Trust… he is your fate… all will be well… Trust…”

I don’t know what time it was when I fell asleep, or when he appeared next to me, but I woke up around 4 am with him spooning me from behind, breathing heavily in a deep sleep. My feelings were betraying me, I felt so happy and content in Conlan’s arms, but when he wasn’t here I doubted every single one of his intentions. I sat up, trying carefully not to wake him. He stirred, but went back to snoring right after. I watched him while he slept, enjoying that warm and fuzzy feeling he caused inside me. I could see us together. Our future bright and happy. But I had to stop falling so fast. I needed space to make sure this was what I really wanted. He began to mumble in his sleep, incoherent mutterings, but I could make out a word here and there…

“Autumn… Luna… love…”

Love. It couldn’t be love. We had only known each other 2 days? I couldn’t trust him yet and still didn’t know much about him. What age was he? When was his birthday? What was his actual job? His favourite colour? Meal? Film? I put my head in my hands, just sitting there in the dark lost in all these thoughts when I felt his hand on my back.

“Hey, what’s going on wee birdie?” He stroked my back tenderly.

“Why did you leave me?” He sat up beside me in an instant.

“There was an emergency on the boarder.” He didn’t stop rubbing my back as he spoke. “One of my young lads caught an abnormal scent and we had to trace it. I’m their Alpha, they needed my guidance. I have to protect them. To protect you.” He kissed my temple. My heart thawed. Why was I being so selfish?! “I’m sorry, baby. I didn’t want to leave ye, Goddess knows I didn’t want to leave ye.” He kissed my shoulder then pulled me in closer.

“I’m sorry.” I sniffled. “I thought it was me, that I did something wrong.” The tears streamed down my cheeks endlessly.

“Ye’v nothing to be sorry for. I should’ve told ye why. This might happen from time to time. It’ll be easier once we’ve mated.” He explained. “Communication will be… easier.”

“I can’t be arsed with your riddles right now Conlan. I need sleep, I have a 9AM meeting.” I was harsher than I meant to be. “Sorry, that was rude. Can we just go back to sleep.” I pleaded, rubbing my eyes.

“Aye, let’s go back to sleep.” He kissed me, falling back asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. It took me a little longer but in his arms, it was easier than it used to be.

…

My alarm went off at 7AM, making us both groan. I switched it off and stretched, but lucky Conlan rolled back over and fell back asleep. I chose my clothes before heading into the shower and washing my hair. After my shower, I got dressed in the bathroom in my black flare yoga leggings and a pink half zip sweater with my pink crocs. Drying my hair off with a towel, I stepped out to the bedroom expecting to find Conlan. But he wasn’t there. “Again? Seriously?” Thinking he’d disappeared on me, I sat at my dressing table and began to dry my hair.

I nearly jumped out of my skin when I caught his reflection behind me in the mirror. “Dammit, Conlan, I near about s**t myself there!” My hand on my heart, trying to slow my breathing. That cheeky smirk graced his lips.

“Sorry baby,” he bent down and kissed me on the cheek, placing a coffee on the dressing table in front of me. “For you.”

“Thank you.” Was all I could say. I blushed, he was so thoughtful. “What are you doing today?” I asked before taking a sip of my coffee.

“I don’t have anything until lunchtime so was thinking I could hang about here? I don’t want to leave you just yet, not after last night.” He looked into the cup in his hands, perched on the side of the bed.

“Listen, I understand. I was just tired last night. And it’s still so much-“

“To take in, I know. I’ve only ever been around my people so I forget ye don’t know aw our ways yet.”

Yet. Now, that was sweet. It meant there was hope that he was in this for the long haul. That he was willing to teach me.

“I mean, aye that’s fine. But I have meetings all morning so it might be boring for you.” I continued to sip away. “And there will be men in these meetings so I want not a peep from you.”

“Werewolf’s honor,” he held his free hand over his heart.

“You’re a no righter.” I laughed. I continued to dry my hair as he scrolled on his phone laying on the bed. I applied my skincare and filled in my eyebrows. A bit of bronzer and mascara would do it, and I was done.

“Beautiful as ever, Mo Leannan.” He stood and kissed me. We both knew how this would end by now, so I stopped the kissed before we got too heated.

“My meeting is in 15 minutes and I can’t have you getting me all hot and bothered.” I said as I stroked his cheek. He fake pouted then planted a kiss on the top of my head. “Are you going to stay up here?” I asked, collecting my now empty cup and standing at the top of the stairs.

“Not a chance.” He scooped me in his arms and carried me down them.

“I can walk on my own, you know.” I giggled, loving every second of this.

“My Queen doesn’t have to walk when I’m around.”