Chosen by the Fates

Sol

Sol ~

Hati’s song resonates through every particle of the air. Flocks of ravens, eagles, and owls head the call, all diving at the spider-like thing before us.

This time the corrupted creature is just a little larger than our wolves. Its husk is made of a carapace much like that found on arachnids. Not all arachnids are web builders, some are burrowers and hunters. This thing behaves similarly.

In the distraction of the flurry of winged creatures, my family pins the thing's forward legs to prevent it from the lightning-fast strikes. I leap in tandem with their assault, landing on its back.

The creature’s exoskeleton may have given it the advantage against normal wildlife, but my wolf is a creature of the beyond, and our maw slices through it as my wolf tears into its back.

The thing pushes and struggles against the weight of my wolf. Each movement sends black muck flying.

It isn’t long before my family and I have taken it down. The creatures of the air swirl above us before departing.

No one was injured this time, although we were lucky. This corrupted creature was more defined than the last and was a more difficult monster for us to hunt with its unique advantages.

At least my wolf is well worn from an entire day of pursuit.

***

We are gathered at the pack house discussing the events of the day, including the hunt and Aisling’s request to meet her friends about the corruption. What we call corruption, she seems to call the void. The conversation has shifted for the moment to Loki sharing what he witnessed in the beyond.

Hati’s voice is contemplative, “So you believe Aisling was aware of where she was while in the Beyond?”

Loki nods.

“Interesting…” Hati mutters, their eyes distant.

Skoll’s eyes are on me, “It would seem your mate is not what she appears.”

I nod at that, “I have had my suspicions that there is something different about her…” I share my experiences with the intangible part of her which almost feels wolf-like. “… I wasn’t sure, but by her own admission, she is aware of and tied to the beyond just as we are. Loki’s experience, and her knowledge of the corrupted confirms what she has shared.”

Hati watches me in rapt fascination, their features writ with intrigue. “And you say she has dreamed of your wolf, and believed you were connected to the wolf? Have you also dreamed of her in this way?”

When I nod, Hati smiles mischievously, “Well that surely is something.” Their eyes dance with an inner light. “Perhaps the wolves are not the last of the kin?” Hati’s eyes find Skoll’s. The two join hands, fingers entwining.

I bow my head in submission to Skoll, “I promised to give her answers. I would not risk this pack, but I trust her with myself.”

Skoll nods slowly, “Is now the time, then?”

Aisling needs to know the truth, for her own sake and for mine. “I believe so.”

“And what of the others?” Skoll is referring to Aisling’s invite to speak with her friends.

“I do not trust them.” My voice is a growl, I struggle to contain the pain of jealousy in my gut.

Luna smirks knowingly at my jealous growl, pulling me into her embrace to rest her head on my shoulder. The warmth of my sister calms my nerves. My wolf is asleep, but Aisling being around men who may have put her in danger sets me on edge.

Skoll’s voice is gentler than usual as she watches my reaction, “Then go. Share what you will and learn what you can.”

***

I check my phone only to find Aisling has still not replied. My muscles are sore from spending so much time as a wolf. The artificial hot springs at the spa is typically empty at this hour so I decide to relax there while I wait for Aisling’s reply.

When the familiar scent of lavender, honey, and vanilla wafts through the men’s locker room, I am pleasantly surprised.

Aisling’s here.

My heart pounds at the thought of seeing her. I turn the shower water to the cold side as thoughts of her wearing so little and waiting for me in the water hardens every part of me.

When I step out, the sight of her is even more alluring than my imagination. Her eyes fall on me from the far end of the hot springs, wandering across my body. The length of my c**k hardens under the weight of her intense interest in my body.

Babump.

My heart resonates, reverberating throughout my body. I keep my eyes on hers, resisting the impulse to let them wander. I know I won’t be able to control myself the moment I let myself look at her body.

Babump. 

Mine, my wolf growls even in its sleep. 

That part of her which feels more wolf than human seems to extend from her, toward me. However, at this distance, my wolf is untouched and remains in slumber.

I am slow to approach, internally keeping an eye on my wolf as I glide through the water to move closer. My wolf may be asleep, but my heart is all over the place as our proximity closes.

Babump.

My senses are overwhelmed with her scent, and her body’s response to me. I hear her breath catch, her heart bound in tandem with mine, and her scent mingles with the smell of her arousal.

By the time I reach her, I feel as though I’ve crossed an excruciating eternity through a desert. She is my oasis, the only one who can quench my thirst. Despite my concerns, the sight of her this way draws my mouth into a long smile.  

“Did you rest well?” I manage to ask around my erratically beating heart.

Babump. Babump.

She nods slowly, and her expression seems confused. I realize I never told her that I live here. She must be wondering why I’m here. “I should have told you; I live here. I must admit I was surprised to find you were staying in my family’s tower. And I didn't expect to find you here.” I gesture to the spa.

At this distance I can see the collection of mist on her lips, making them glisten invitingly. The rippling light of the water reflects across her features. From here I can also see that her blush is so dark, even her ears are pink. I force my eyes back to hers as I become aware that they were wandering.

I wonder how much sleep she was able to get. “Are you feeling any better?”

She nods again. But then I watch an interesting change flit across her features as some sort of internal conflict plays out behind her gaze.

For the first time since our one date, I see something I hadn’t dared to hope for. Trust. Interest. Curiosity.

My wolf stirs, but my attention and focus remain wholly on Aisling. As someone who has been a hunter for centuries, I recognize the volatility of a moment when prey is on the verge of fight or flight in every cell of my being. Her body is tense, poised, muscles twitching, eyes wide on me. The air feels charged and primed for a singular choice which will change everything in a single second. Here and now, Aisling is emotionally at that precipice.

If I reach for her, or say the wrong thing, what happens next could be unpredictable.

And so, like any good hunter, I wait.

I watch as her expression shifts with unspoken thoughts clashing within the solitude of her own mind. Emotions play across her features and body like they are an ever-shifting painting across a canvas.

Betrayal, Judgement, self-reflection, pain, jealousy, caution.

Desire, arousal, curiosity, worry.

Then I watch as she closes her eyes to collect herself quietly. The rise and fall of her breasts slowing with the calm which settles across her inner storm. Her muscles untense, her eyes open, focus returning to me.

When I am sure the fragility of the moment has passed, I consider what to say. She must be worried about going home, but after discussing everything with the pack I would prefer to keep her close for safety reasons. After some thought I finally speak, “Your house should be safe now, but it may be better if you stay here-“I hesitate, reining in the turmoil of jealousy at the thought that it will include staying with Ashleigh, “-with your friends.”

I know it will help her to have people she can rely on staying with her for her own protection.

But. Not. Him.

I want to be the one to protect her.

Taking in a slow breath, I continue, “This way I’ll be nearby, and you’ll be within the wards here. At least until we solve this together.”

She is watching me with new-found curiosity as she answers, “Thank you. You didn’t have to help me at all. But you still listened to me and did help. I needed sleep badly. I was exhausted and desperate.” She almost looks embarrassed as she finishes, her eyes dropping demurely for a flicker of a second.

It shouldn’t have taken a monster outside her home, and sleep deprivation for my mate to know she could come to me. I should have been someone she could rely on from the beginning. I bow my head submissively.

It is not enough of an apology, but it is more profound than any words could convey. For wolves, submission is an act of deep respect and absolute trust.

“I should have been there sooner.” My low baritone mingles with the sound of dripping water. When I raise my gaze to meet hers once more, her eyes are dancing with the light of some new emotion.

Certainty.

Her focus is entirely on me, as if seeing me as I am for the first time. My pulse quickens, my wolf stirs once more, restless in its slumber as my body reacts to our mate.

When she finally speaks, her voice is tentative and hopeful, “You were, though. Weren’t you?” Her eyes search mine, “You are the golden wolf?”

It is something I’d planned to tell her, but she is the one to ask first. My wolf drowsily shifts as if hearing our mate’s call. I hesitate to answer, turning my observation within to my stirring beast, uncertain of whether my wolf will stay asleep.

I am acutely aware of her hand as she reaches out for me. When her fingertips brush my forehead to push my hair back from my eyes, an electric jolt blooms with the contact. The tingling races through my skin, along the length of my jawline and down my neck. I feel myself shudder as the feeling spreads through my body.

My breathing becomes quietly labored as I battle my wolf threatening to awaken, and the arousal elicited by the feel of Aisling’s touch.

The final straw is when that invisible part of Aisling that feels more wolf than human abruptly rushes into me. I feel her energy dive within me, pressing against my wolf. My wolf surges awake at the contact.

Suddenly our souls have become inexorably entwined.

I feel as if the wind has been knocked from me. My eyes widen, the energy of my wolf joyously dancing with hers. Sparks of pleasure course through every cell of my body. The sound of thunder fills the air, mist rises around us, and a cool sprinkle of rain sparkles through the air between us.

Badump!

My heart feels ready to burst from my chest.

A thought that distinctly does not feel like my own purrs softly through my mind, Mine. Mate, my wolf calls in reply as it tangles with whatever part of her that I am feeling.

Her pull is the inescapable gravity of a solar body.

Before I realize it, I have taken her wrist in my hand. An explosion of electricity dances between us. I take her hand in both of mine and rest my forehead against her hands.

Every part of her body is responding to me, and with my wolf awake I am a slave to her call.

“If I said I was…?” If I meet her gaze, I won’t be able to hold back. I keep my eyes lowered as I ask.

Her reply is fraught with a million unspoken words, "Then I owe you thanks for more than just today."

The tone of her words resonates through me, drawing my eyes to hers. And in that moment, I am lost.

I feel her hand against my lips, sparks dancing through my mouth. I chastely kiss her hand. She moves closer, and as the distance closes my wolf howls. Arousal hardens the length of my c**k, my mind and self-control crashes down around me.

I can feel the heat of her body as if it is tangible against every part of my own skin. Her scent mingles with the mist surrounding us, compelling me to press myself against her. I want to feel the length of her body against mine, the warmth of her core against the hard length of me. To kiss her lips and find out what that charge between us to do with our tongues and mouths tangled together.

She closes the distance first, her lips finding mine. My entire body stiffens and then gives out into the feel of her soft curves. My wolf and I are one as we growl into the feel of her mouth and body on ours. 

I release her hand, grabbing her shoulders to pull her closer. I can barely restrain myself from biting her, my teeth brushing her lips as electricity courses and dances along every part of my skin. My senses are overwhelmed by her intoxicating scent, and the feel of every touch sending sparks through every part of me.

She whimpers into our kiss, and my wolf and I surge forward at the pleasure of that sound, pinning her against the edge of the hot tub. I can feel the heat of her inner thighs and core against my erection, and it drives me toward the brink of madness. 

I don't even remember hearing the sound of thunder, but another shower of cool rain sprinkles across us.

Her energy swirls around and through my wolf, and I am driven by the desire for our physical bodies to feel as close.  

A frustrated growl escapes me as I fight to regain my self-control and break the kiss. Breathless I bend forward over her, but the scent of her neck is too tempting. I bury my face in that smell at the curve of her neck and collar bone, and too late I realize I can feel her pulse thrumming through the sensitive skin of her neck. My breathing is heavy, and I struggle against my wolf even as I savor the feel of my teeth grazing her.

Every muscle in my arms and shoulders tenses and painfully, I pull back a little, panting. 

I have to tell her. She has to know. I have to warn her about this. I’ve never lost control of myself like this in my centuries of life, and I am suddenly afraid of what my wolf could do.

What I could do.

Breathless, I give her the only answer about my identity that I am able, “I am.”Before I can manage to say more, her friend Tiffa’s voice calls out.

“Aisling?! Are you in here?”