Sacred Bond: A Human Mate for Beta

Chapter Eight

EVERLY

It was late in the afternoon by the time I made it back down the path and called my ride. It was Diego again.

I was in a haze of some sort. I could feel it. I felt overly optimistic and my thoughts kept taking me back to Joe. Our twenty minute encounter altered me. I missed him or...something. I wanted to smell him, to touch him and hear his voice. I felt an internal chaos the further away I walked from the peak where he last was. After sending a few texts and a quick internet search to see if Crescent Ridge Lodge was real, I was silent the remainder of the car ride. It wasn’t until I saw Bianca staring out the window of the cabin that I snapped to reality. How could I even begin to explain this to her? 

I scramble to get all my hiking gear out of Diego’s car. I’m quickly realizing he must be the only Uber in the area. Doing pretty well for himself, too.

The front door opens. “What the hell is going on? That “cryptic” text you sent? You met a GUY in the WOODS?” Bianca is very concerned. I had texted her as soon as I skimmed the website for Crescent Ridge, confirming it was in fact real. It had the same logo from the bartender’s tattoo of the wolf on hill howling at a Crescent Moon. He must’ve been proud to work there or something.

“He was just out there hiking, too.” I said, calmly. Bianca came and grabbed my walking sticks and helped me to the door.

“But now you’re going on a date at a lodge? Tonight? I know you are adventurous, Lee, but is this smart?” Lee was my nickname Bianca had given me when we were younger. B and Lee, best gals. Bianca is my anchor when my head is up in the clouds. Literally. Where I am free spirited and untraditional, she is grounded and reasonable. The perfect mix for a friendship. I sigh and grab her shoulders, “I know it sounds crazy, but I can’t describe it. I know it’s ok. Can you trust me on this?” I ask, looking into her dark eyes. 

“I happen to think it’s the cutest ‘meet cute’ EVER! You go, Everly!” Jordan says from the front door. I give her an excited smile as I lug my stuff to the front porch. I set down my gear and whisper to Jordan, “I’ll tell you all about it in a second,” as we walk inside together. Carly is lounged across the couch. Jordan goes towards the kitchen where there are brown grocery bags full of groceries we ordered for delivery.

“Guys, I know ‘no boys allowed', but when I was hiking today the most GORGEOUS guy was on the trail. Call me an opportunist.” I laugh with a shrug.

“Oooo is he tall?” Jordan asks from the kitchen. 

“Please, this guy must meet ALL of Lee’s criteria for her to ditch us on our girls trip.” Bianca scoffed. She continued, “Tall, blonde, clean cut and brown eyes. It’s her kyptonite.” Bianca lifts Carly’s legs to sit under them draping them over her lap. “Hey! So I have a refined—pallet.” I joke and toss a pillow at her, playfully. “I just want to go out for a drink and I will meet you out later!” I say. “AND I’ll have you know, this guys isn’t a typical kryptonite. He has the lightest eyes. They almost look gray, and dark hair. He’s tall though.” I think of him and I feel my inner core flutter. Oh boy, it has been a while since I have even kissed someone. Just thinking about him has me all bothered. 

Bianca wraps her arm around her waist and starts to chew her nail. She’s nervous for me and I appreciate it, but I know Joe means me no harm. 

“Hey, it’s a public place, right? I say go for it.” Carly says, pulling her water bottle to her lips. She’s the last to recover from last night. 

“Yea, share your location with us on your phone and meet us out later! Then we can dance our asses off!” Jordan encouraged me. 

I look at Bianca, waiting. She throws her hands up, exasperated. “Well I already know, there’s no stopping you. Be careFUL!” I walk over and give her a squeeze. “If he really is a ‘swell guy’ he’ll bring his friends out so we can ALL have some fun”, Carly wiggles her eyebrows at my suggestively. We all laugh. “Who wants sandwiches?!” Jordan claps her hands together and started unpacking the brown grocery bags.

The sun is setting as Diego pulls up to a black, iron gate with a guard at the post. 

“Hey folks, what can I do for you?” The guard cheerily asks. He’s young and fit and has a mischievous smile playing on his lips as he leans down into Diego’s car window.

I roll down the back passenger window. I’ve seen a lot of Diego these last two days, but it’s just a habit to jump in the back seat. 

“Hi! I’m here to see Joe. Big guy, gray eyes.” I pantomime height to the guard. 

“Ohhh! Of course, you can pull up to the front to drop her off, sir.” The guard says and gives Diego a hang tag that says ‘15 minutes’ for his car. 

My window is still down as the gates open slowly. 

“Beta, she’s here.” I hear the guard say into his walkie talkie on his shoulder. 

Beta? Ok, is this a military operation? 

Diego pulls up a long tree lined drive that opens to a circle with a fountain in the middle. It’s not running, probably because of the cold. I fluff my hair and check my teeth in the rear view mirror, sitting forward. Diego catches my eye on the mirror gives me a thumbs up. I see Joe with his hands in the pocket of his jeans, boots and a hooded jacket walking down the last of the long steps to the drive. My heart feels like it’s skipping around like crazy. He opens my door for me, as I scoot to the opposite side of the car. Diego gives me a brief, “I’ll see you later.” I hardly heard him having made eye contact with Joe. All my other senses disappear.

Joe offers me his hand to get out of the car. I slide me legs out, being sure not to pull a Britney Spears and flash everyone in my short black mini skirt. My leg length boot heels clack on the cement as I stand, feeling the instant warmth of my hand in Joe’s. I turn and smile at this handsome, and chivalrous guy. Not that I need help getting out of the car, but I am damn glad I had an excuse to touch him. “Hi Everly,” his voice like velvet on my name. I feel goosebumps as I can’t speak and just smile at him. He turns and leads the way back up to the most extraordinary wooden log lodge I have ever seen. It looks five or maybe six stories tall with green metal roof. The front peak was completely angular windows. He gently squeezes my hand and brings my attention back to him and the pleasant warmth. “This place is gorgeous! You’re staying here?” I ask, impressed. 

He looks back at me, hesitant. “Uh, yes. I am staying here.” He lingered on the word awkwardly. He runs his free hand through his hair. I hear laughter close by. It was perfect timing like they were a part of our conversation, but that’s probably me being sensitive. They can’t hear me from across this huge atrium-type front room. There was a little cafe with bistro style seating inside to the left. To the right was more seating, some cozy with throws and some around a couple of flatscreens. 

Joe nods in acknowledgement to the attendant behind the bar and heads to a small booth in the back corner. “Here, let me take that.” As he offers to take my coat off. I slide my arms out and turn to look at him. “Thanks.” We are just standing there, next to the table. My jacket draped over his one arm and his other is lifted to gently stroke my face again. I feel overwhelmingly fuzzy in my head. Like a force has taken over controls of my body. I lean in expectant for a kiss, breaking eye contact to look at his full lips. He doesn’t reciprocate and instead smiles. I jerk back, “Oh my God! I did it again! I promise I don’t ever come on this strong. You haven’t even bought me a drink yet.” I try to joke to lessen the embarrassment I feel. Geez, Everly! Get it together, woman! 

He kindly chuckles and brushes off, motioning his hand for me to take a seat. I sit and so does he. He leans back in the booth as I lean my arms on the table towards him, compelled by his scent and his easy smile that's so quick on his kissable lips. 

Shit, doing it again.

“What’s your first drink of the night?” He asks. “Orrr maybe I can guess it?” 

I smile. This will be fun.