The Golden One

I See You

I wake up with the sunshine glaring down in the bedroom while wrapped in a warm embrace. But it wasn't Michael's familiar scent that filled my lungs it was... Christopher.

I bolt upright, his arm flopping from my waist to my lap. I look down and realise I'm only in my underwear.

Great, just great, I'm a slut.

Christopher groans from behind me and pulls me back into a tight cuddle.

"I'm not a morning person sunshine, please don't make me get up yet." His sleepy voice sends my body into overdrive. How can he be so sexy just waking up? My body is stiff in his embrace but it soon relaxes. His breathing becomes slower as he falls back asleep. I should move out of his arms, I should get up and leave him to sleep, but I don't want to.

This mate bond has me going crazy, the guilt is swimming around my mind and body. Only yesterday I was in the arms of another man never dreaming of leaving his side, and now here I am snuggled up with my mate after only knowing him for 24 hours.

With that thought I release myself from his hold, I can't lie with him like that. Not when my heart yearns for another man. I'm so stupid.

Cursing myself, I pick up some clothes and tip toe to the bathroom. I hop into a steaming hot shower hoping it will scold away the guilt and shame I feel for my actions. Sadly it doesn't, completely changing my morning plans I decide a run might ease of some of the guilt. I dry myself off and change into khaki green leggings and a baggy white T-shirt, hurriedly throw my hair up in a ponytail and leave the bathroom.

In the bedroom Christopher is still asleep. I gaze at him, admiring his beauty before shaking myself out of it and quietly exiting the room. I make it out of the front door and onto the grass to do some stretches before I head off for my run.

I love running in human form, it's more of a challenge for me; my wolf is so fast and agile running is easy for her. In human form I have to work a little harder.

Branches tug at my clothes and hair as I breeze past. When they scratch at my skin it heals quickly, quicker than any other wolf would heal. Yet another bonus of being "The Golden One" I think. I keep running and find myself in the same clearing I was last night. It looks different in daylight but I recognise a lingering smell.

Shit! I forgot to tell Carl about the rogue I'd encountered last night. I make a mental note to tell him when I return.

I walk up to the tree line where the rogue came from to find a pool of black liquid behind the bush. It has that putrid stench to it and I could tell it came from the rogue. I decide to end my run there and head back to talk to Carl.

As I run back to the pack house, Christopher runs across the grass to meet me, eyes frantic.

"Where the hell did you go?" He's worried and a little angry. He grabs my shoulders as we meet on the field.

"I went for a run." I say coldly, shrugging him off. I don't like this possessive side to him and he senses my displeasure at his actions.

"I'm sorry, I was worried. I couldn't sense you in the pack house and I panicked. Our link hasn't been created so I couldn't call for you." He scratches at his neck awkwardly, I guess it's cute that he cares. I'm just not used to this level of... neediness.

I relax slightly and look up at him. 

"I'm fine, I really can look after myself. You just haven't seen it yet." I wink at him trying to shift the tension with some light-hearted chat but he only nibbles at his lip and furrows his brow.

"Listen, about last night—" He starts to speak but I cut him off. 

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have invited you into the bed. It was too soon, I was just feeling vulnerable after the dream." My voice is strong and emotionless, his shoulders fall at my cold statement.

"I didn't mean to take advantage of you." He says sounding crestfallen. I feel bad for giving him whiplash with my emotions but I'm really struggling to comprehend this myself.

"You didn't. I asked you to join me." I smile, but I know it's an empty gesture and so does he.

"Can I take you for that date after the feast tonight?" Uncertainty is coating his voice. He seems worried I'd reject him now. It's not that I don't want to get to know him, it's just that last night was a little too much too soon for me.

"Yes, I would like that." I smile a fuller smile this time. I was looking forward to spending time with him, just fully clothed and out of the bedroom. He stands taller at my response, happy I didn't reject him. I hope he knows I wanted to do this, just at a slower pace. 

"I'll see you later, I have some business to attend to." I run into the house leaving Christopher standing on the grass half naked, needing to escape the awkwardness. Why did I have to invite him into the bed last night?

I make my way to Carl's office and knock softly on the door. I had to tell him about the rogue I met. He calls for me to enter and as I walk in, I see he is bent over his desk shuffling through papers and chewing on his lip, deep in thought.

"Ah Meila, please sit." I walk over to his desk and sit down. He sits too, ready to listen to what I have to say.

I explain my encounter with the rogue last night; it's appearance and stench and the fact it seemed to want help rather than confrontation. I explained I found myself out there again this morning and there had been the pool of black liquid emitting the same putrid smell as the rogue had. He listens carefully and moves his hand over his mouth, thinking hard.

"Thank you for bringing this to me. I'll have some men search the grounds to see what they can find." He sits forward, clearly something else is on his mind. A smile crosses his mouth before he speaks.

"So you and Christopher, huh? I thought I caught your scent on him this morning as he was frantically searching for you. You ran out on the poor boy?" He has a devilish smirk and as I shift uncomfortably in my seat, he's now almost laughing at my discomfort.

"I'm only teasing, Meila." I blush as a knock interrupts us. Thank f**k. Emmett, the wolf who had shown me to my room on our arrival, enters.

"Sorry to disturb you Alphas, but there is a woman here... She claims to be a friend of Alpha Meila's. She says you're expecting her." He says not making eye contact with either of us. I had totally forgotten to call for her, but who am I kidding, she's a Seer; she knew she was needed here.

We stand and make our way to the front door.

Ayoke stands impatiently, arms crossed and her toe tapping on the steps outside. She stands tall and proud as always, her long thin frame wrapped in her usual red cloak. Her long dark hair is braided tightly down her back and her dark skin looks radiant under the sun. At the sight of me she raises her arms in exasperation.

I walk over and pull her into a hug. My best friend is here.

"You didn't tell these damn wolves I was coming?" She grumbles as she hugs me back.

"I didn't know myself." I offer, pulling back from the hug.

"I said I'd see you Sunday." She smiles.

"I just thought you got the days wrong." I shrug.

"You know me well enough to know I never get anything wrong." She winks and we chuckle. "I saw you needed me. And I had to meet this mate of yours." She squeals with excitement and I shuffle my feet, looking at the floor.

"You spoke to Michael?" I ask shyly, unsure if I wanted to know the answer.

"No. I'm a Seer, Meila, I saw it." She speaks coyly. This b***h!

"And you didn't think to tell me!" I snap at her, stamping the floor in a temper tantrum. She just laughs and pulls me into another hug.

"C'mon, let's head inside and catch up." We link arms and head inside together.

Carl lets us use his office and leaves us. We proceed to sit, chatting and laughing together like we hadn't spoken for weeks. I told her all of the drama that unfolded with Michael and Christopher, the other Alphas and their apprehension of me and my abilities and now the strange encounter with the sickly rogue. She takes it all in and sighs.

"You realise you've been away for less than 48 hours? What an adventure for your first time leaving our territory!" She lightly slaps my arm as she talks. My eyes fall to the floor.

"Hey, things are going to be ok. Trust me." She winks, she always does that when she has seen something positive in my future. Sometimes I think she peaks a little too much into my life, but who am I to judge? It's not my power, I don't understand how it works.

"You have a date tonight right?" My eyes open wide because I hadn't even mentioned it. I slump back and cover my face with my hands, a little groan escaping my lips.

"It's too soon Ayoke. Michael literally left yesterday afternoon and I've already shared a bed with him." I groan again at the thought of last night, it wasn't unpleasant; it was so comfortable, blissful even, but that was the problem.

"Oh baby girl, that's part of the mate bond. The Moon Goddess has put you together for a reason. The pull you feel to him is natural. Embrace it, don't fight it." She pulls my hand away from my face and grips it tightly. Her eyes flash white and her body becomes ridged.

"You had a dream." Her voice has deepened, her eyes continue to glow white.

"I did, it was dark but I heard and felt things." I answer, knowing to just go with it to help her sight.

"I can see it. It's a laboratory." Her voice is still deep and smooth, her hand twitches in mine.

"What else do you see?" I ask encouraging her to take it all in.

"I-I see you." Her hand rips from mine and her eyes return to normal. Her breathing is heavy and her face ripples in pain.

"It wasn't a vision of the future Meila, it was of the past." Her face is filled with fear.

"You were young, very young and in a laboratory with two adults. They were testing you. That's all I saw." She sighs and looks awkwardly up to me. I look equally unsure as it's not something I remember from my past, but then I don't remember anything before Alpha Francis found me.

"What does it mean?" I ask, voice slightly shaking at this revelation.

"I don't know." She shrugs as she speaks.

The door opens and Carl enters, he clearly senses the tension as he looks awkward in the doorway.

"Sorry I should have knocked." He fiddles with his long locks.

"Not at all, it's your office." I return to my calm self and smile at him.

"The Alphas are in the meeting room, are you happy to talk with them?" Ayoke stands and turns to him, looking him up and down.

"Lead the way handsome." She purrs and I swear he blushes at her comment. We follow him into the meeting room where everyone has gathered again. Ayoke stands at the top of the table scanning everyone. Her eyes linger over Alpha Damien slightly longer than the others and her brow furrows slightly. She clears her throat ready to speak.

"I'll keep this short 'cause I hear there is a feast and I am hungry!" She places her hands on her hips as she talks. I chuckle internally at my sassy little Seer. 

"I have brought copies of my notes on Meila and the prophecy. Large scale prophecies and visions come in little pieces and often have to be put together to complete the puzzle. If you turn to page two of the notes you will see the translation of the prophecy is muddled. It has been translated through multiple languages and the meaning may have been watered down or changed, like that game... Chinese whispers? It does speak of the Golden One bringing the rise of Werewolves as well as mentioning a fall. It's not clear which comes first or if both will happen. I can attempt a full reading from Meila to see the prophecy for myself but it's dangerous." She turns to me, concern on her face. "I've not performed one before, I've heard it can be painful and even result in death." I reach out to hold her hand.

"I trust you Ayo, let's do it." I give her hand a squeeze. I really do trust her with my life.

"It needs to be performed on a blood moon, and luckily one is due two months from now. This gives me time to prepare everything ‘cause it's not a simple ceremony." Surprisingly everyone nods along with her. Damn, can this girl can control a room.

"Does that mean we can eat now." She claps her hands with glee and I chuckle. Everyone breaks off into conversation and Carl approaches us.

"Very well spoken, Miss Ayoke." He says in a shy voice, his cheeks flushing red. Oh my Moon Goddess, he fancies her!

"Please just Ayoke or Ayo, and this isn’t my first rodeo." She winks at him, does she like him too? Eeeek! This would be some fun drama for me, watching it unfold instead of experiencing it myself.

"Can I give you a tour of the grounds?" He asks, extending his hand.

"Sure thing handsome." She coos at him before turning to me and flashing a grin.

"Don't wait up baby girl." And they walk off together. I recoil at her words as they slip out of the room. I know she's joking but she's so free with her words and emotions, something that doesn't come naturally to me.

I slink up to my room avoiding everyone so I can take the opportunity to rest before the feast. I make it into the sanctuary of my room and release a deep breath.

I start to get myself ready as I’m not just getting ready for the feast, I am getting ready for a first date. A first date with my mate.

I look at the small bag I'd packed; I really wasn't prepared for this. I rummage through and find my strapless red jumpsuit which I know hugs my curves in all the right places. I lay it out on the bed along with a diamond collar necklace and my nude Jimmy Choos. I have always enjoyed dressing well.

I have a quick shower and wash then dry my hair. I pull it into a low sleek bun, releasing some baby curls at the front to frame my face. Since my outfit is red I move away from my usual red lip and opt for a nude gloss paired with bronze smokey eye. I slip into my jumpsuit and clip on my diamond collar. As I check my reflection in the full length mirror, there is a knock at the door.

I walk over to answer and when I open the door my mouth drops. There in front of me is Christopher dressed in a grey tailored three piece suit with a black shirt, no tie and the top two buttons undone. His hair is tamed and combed back and he's trimmed his stubble to match his suave look.  He smells delicious and I feel my body leaning towards him. His mouth is similarly hanging open as I watch him scan over my body to my eyes.

We clear our throats at the same time then chuckle at our reactions.

"May I escort you to the feast, m'lady?" He bows, one hand extended to me and the other behind his back, just like Prince Charming in the movies.

I giggle and curtsy.

"Yes sir, you may." I take his hand and he links his arm with mine then we walk together, giggling and chatting like we have known each other for years.