Chapter Eighteen
956 Words
JOE
I held my breath as I tuned into Everly’s emotions. She was silent, but not breaking eye contact with me. Clearly, her mind was elsewhere. Her breathing was a bit shaky. I felt revulsion and anger. My chest got tight as my own disappointment washed over me. This might not work out how I pictured. I waited so long only to mate to a stubborn human. Not only that, I messed it all up with that weird wolf episode. Suddenly, I felt raging desire. Hers. It was so strong I felt my pants getting a little snug and had to shift in my seat breaking the eye contact. She stood up, and the desire switched to anxiety. Panic. Ok, she was losing it. She is hanging around her longer than I expected.
“Everly what are—“ I started to ask what she was thinking, but she was already letting me know.
“You think that you smelled me and now my life as I know it has to end? That you just can come in my life, dropping this nonsense and I have no say in the matter and will just fall in line and accept this situation?!” She started to pace.
“It’s not like—“ I tried again.
“I have a life, you know. I have parents and friends and—and, and other prospects, thank you very much!” She snorted
“Everly, you can—“ I stood up to go to her.
“This is the worst ‘I’m-sorry-I-almost-killed-you-but’ excuse I’ve ever heard!”
“I would never—“ she cut me off again
“I’m leaving!” She shouted. She grabbed her jacket and phone and swung open my apartment door.
“Everly, you didn’t let me finish!” I shouted at her back.
She turned the corner and caught a glimpse of the atrium. Every wolf ear that was still up could hear us and they shamelessly stared down. All around her, heads were poking over railings and around pilars trying to see the new Beta Female.
“Everly. Please come back and we can finish this conversation. Privately.” I nodded to everyone staring at her.
Her face was crimson. She stopped, and stood up straight. She smoothed down her coat and ran her hand over her hair, attempting to smooth it.
“I, uh, forgot my things. Excuse me.” She turned and pushed past me in a brisk walk back to my apartment.
Once through the door she waited for me to follow her in and as quietly as she could closed the door.
She put her forehead against the closed door, resting her hands against it as well.
“Could they hear us?” She asked in a hushed whisper.
“Yes, and due to my ranking they are naturally curious.” I told her.
“Ranking. Right.” She took a deep breath and held if for a second. “That was humiliating.” She whispered so quiet.
I saw her body tremble. I felt her humiliation and sadness. I came behind her and put my arms around her.
“I—I hate making scenes. I am just so confused at what is happening. I truly can’t process this.” She said quietly. I turned her and put her face on my chest. I hugged her, her pain and fear becoming my own. There were no more words to say.
She sniffled, “You have a ‘rank’ here? What does that mean?” She asked.
“Well, I am the Beta of this particular pack. It means I’m second in command. After Andrew.” I said.
“Beta. Ok so you’re saying there’s more than one group of werewolves?” She probed.
“Yes, there are werewolves all over the country and world.” I stated.
“Right. So, being with you—What does this mean? I have to be a prisoner here? The only human in this wolf-y freak show?” She mumbled.
The last part kind of hurt. I’m proud of my pack and to be it’s Beta.
I didn’t say anything. I let her stay quiet, breathing in my scent. She slowly started to relax. I felt her exhaustion. It was late.
I lifted her legs up across my body and walked to the couch, draping her on my lap. Smoothing her hair, I let her rest there.
Sometime had passed. I was comforted by the weight of her, relaxing in my lap. Her scent consumed my mind. She had fallen asleep a while ago. I felt myself getting drowsy. I gently shifted her to stand up to walk her to the bed. Laying her down, she turned on her side immediately and I pulled the covers up to her shoulders. I leaned in to press my lips gently to her forehead. She was the most precious treasure. I was falling already. Even with her anger and confusion, I knew she was resilient. I turned to walk back to the couch when her hand reached our and grabbed the bottom of my shirt. “Stay.” She mumbled. I paused to see if she was just sleep talking. She opened her eyes, “Please? Stay with me?” She laid her head back down and opened the blankets behind her.
I laid down softly on top of the covers. Fully clothed, belt and all. I was not about to risk her trust again. She wiggled her behind as close as she could and pulled my arms to wrap around her. Her hair gently tickled my face but it wasn’t annoying. I took a deep breath as she sighed into her slumber.
- Writer
