Renegade luna

13. Ripples

ARLO POV

Nova's words sunk into me. This was the most she had told me. Calculated, thoughtful, careful. I really underestimated her, I think she was trying to protect me, but she had only worried me. I needed to find out more, but it needed to wait until morning.

"I understand. I'm an alpha, every decision I make has consequences that don't just affect myself. They affect my pack."

"So do you like being Alpha?" her question caught me off guard. No one had ever asked me that. I thought for a moment.

"Not really no" she blinked in surprise.

"it's not all adoring fans and money. Any moment, I could be called back to the pack for an emergency. I am responsible for the lives of so many. It's a lot of responsibility. I never really get the chance to drop my guard and just be me." I breathed a sigh of relief. I don't think id ever said that out loud, not even to myself.

"I guess they were alike in that way." she smiled up at me softly.

"Your right." She was smiling at me, a gentle, genuine, cautious smile. The torch flames were illuminating her golden hair. Her wet skin was glistening. My wolf was stirring. I wanted her, so desperately.

"Is this what you wanted?" I asked her, letting any and all defenses drop.

"Yes," she whispered. I put my hands around her waist and pulled her to me. I smelt her air and breathed her in.

"I'm getting wrinkled." she sighed. I let her go, taking the hint. Still, I was making progress.

"We can get out." I started back to the water's edge.

"Hey, Arlo... can we see the stars here?" she asked.

"Yeah, I didn't think it was going to be cloudy. Why?"

"well, you showed me two of your favorite things. How about I show you mine?"

My smile was enough of an answer for her.

NOVA POV

Arlo wrapped me in a towel. He had a stash hidden. Then he led me out another side tunnel, back into the clearing. I lay down in the soft, cold grass and he lay next to me.

"It's a wolf thing, isn't it? the fact we aren't freezing to death right now?" I mused, staring at the sky, getting my bearings.

"It sure is." he snuggled closer to me.

"So which is north from here?" I asked him. He gazed around, then pointed. He was right.

"That way, why?" he asked curiously.

"Oh I was testing you", I smirked. "You were right."

"I'm an alpha. I'm always right" he huffed.

"So back when I was living in my van, I went off the grid a lot, so I could see the stars. I taught myself the constellations and how to find them, because then, no matter where I was, I could always feel at home if I could find them in their given seasons"

Arlo did something I didn't expect. He sat up and looked down at me. His deep eyes locking with mine.

"Thank you, that is probably the most personal thing you've told me about you."

"It was only fair," I mumbled, feeling myself being pulled by his gaze. I shook my head and pushed him down next to me, but instead, he scooped me up and pulled me to his chest.

"So what can we see?"

He held me close, as I showed him all the constellations, and told him their stories and their histories. He listened eagerly and asked questions. For the first time in a long time, it felt like I was talking with a friend. No wolves, no fear of death. Only myself, Arlo, and the stars.

I couldn't resist. I leaned up and over and kissed him. Deep, longingly kiss. He cupped my face gently. I closed my eyes, getting lost in the sensation. Every inch of our skin touched felt electric. He pulled back for air, but I went back, I wanted more. Arlo with me, quietened my mind and pushed away all the fears that ate at me.

He rolled me over gently, so he was on top of me.

I could feel his excitement but I couldn’t go that far yet. But still, I needed him, I needed him to take it all away. I needed to keep this feeling, of being free, of being me that I found right here with him.

“Arlo… bite me.” I panted as we broke for air.

I didn’t need to ask twice. He bit my mark and I cried out in utter bliss.

We lay there quietly, Arlo stroking my hair and my skin, kissing me tenderly until the red dawn rose.

He stiffened, and quickly, untangled himself from me, getting to his feet. Panic rushed through him.

"Arlo, what is it?"

"some pack members were attacked in the city"

"What, by who?"

"the illuminated. members of the high alpha pack". His eyes were wide. My breath hitched and my blood ran cold.

The ripples were starting and they were only going to get bigger.