Winter Rose

Chapter 4: Coming Clean

My grandfather was sitting on the porch swing with my grandmother, “How was your run?” he asked, rubbing his thumb over the back of Mimi’s hand. 

“Uneventful.” 

“You work through what you need to?” He asked.

“You could say that.” 

“Good. I’m glad you’re doing the right thing.” My grandmother huffed at that remark. 

“Come on sweetie, let’s go get something to eat.” She said disentangling herself from my grandfather and standing up. 

“I’m not really hungry Mimi” I said as I followed her inside. 

“I’m not either.” She said with a conspiratorial wink. “Let’s go upstairs. I continued following her to our suite of the house, but when she turned towards my mother’s bedroom I paused. 

“Mimi-”

“It’s okay.” She said. I noticed the wooden plaque with my mother’s name did not clank against the door when she opened it. Looking towards the door my suspicion was confirmed. The sign had been taken down. “Damien is finishing yours up in his wood shop.” She answered before I could ask. The only belonging of my mother’s in the room was a framed photo from her senior year of High School sitting on the vanity. The sheets and comforter had been changed to purple along with the canopy around the bed. My make up was set up along the vanity and my clothes were hanging in the opened closet. 

“Mimi. I - Thank you. But I can’t. I can’t sleep here.” 

“Alex honey, you’re a woman now. You can’t continue to sleep with your cousin’s, plus it’s what your mother would have wanted.” 

“I. I. -” 

“Hush it’s okay.” She wrapped me in her arms and pet my hair. I began crying. Taking over her room like this, it just made it real. It finally sunk in that my mother. My beautiful, smart, mother. My best friend in the whole world is dead.” My soft cries turned into wails of misery and pain as I felt my heart shatter into a million pieces. My wolf howled out in pain alongside me until I lay there with my head in my grandmother’s lap whimpering. “It’s okay.” she just kept repeating that over and over again while she brushed her fingers through my hair. “It’s okay.” I lay there a while longer while my grandmother just held me. 

“I know it will be hard to stay in her room, but as a woman and future alpha you need your own space. Plus, it’s only until you graduate high school and marry. Then you and Theodore will be living in the Alpha suite. Your grandfather and I already have a cabin built on the other half of the property to retire to.” 

“Are you excited to retire?” I asked. “I mean finally, after all this time?” 

“I know it’s hard for you to understand, but I’m not mad at your mother for rejecting the Winter Alpha. Yes your grandfather and I are retiring late for Alphas, but your mother got to live her life to the fullest and have the freedom I never had-”

“Yeah and look where that got her.” I said angrily. 

“Yes, it got her two beautiful children, and I would not trade you or your brother for the world.” 

“Not even if you would have still had her?” I asked. 

“Your mother made her choice, and that was it there was nothing we could do. But in the end, even if I could turn back time and force her to marry the Winter Alpha I would not. She may have lived a longer life, but it would not have been a happy life.” 

“She wasn’t happy with him either though. He was an asshole Mimi. He belittled her, made her doubt herself and she hid away tucked in her room of solitude for three years. Which only made everything worse, and my father wasn’t much better. He impregnated and then abandoned her. Once she gave up her wolf, it’s like she lost all of her strength. The person you tell me about I only saw glimpses of.” 

“She did what she thought was right for you and your brother. She didn’t want you to grow up in this life. She knew you would grow to become an alpha.” 

“But she didn’t have me until after she gave up her wolf.” 

“No, but she was pregnant with you. That’s why she rejected the Winter Alpha. She had an affair with your father and broke off the engagement before the Alpha could find out. Everyone thought she broke off the engagement and then mated with the first male she could find to get pregnant so the Alpha wouldn’t hunt her down and force the union, but she did it to save our pack’s legacy. She wanted to raise you with as normal a life as you could have so you could make the choice for yourself to continue with the pack life and Alpha responsibilities or choose to lead a normal life.” 

“I didn’t - She never told me that.” 

“Of course she didn’t. She didn’t want you to know how hard it was for her, and she sure as hell did not want to influence your decision. But she did it. The pack was only able to help with child care due to pack laws. We take care of our own, as wolves you and your brother were our own, but the daughter who gave up her wolf, was not. She had to be excommunicated and contact was to be minimal. We helped out the only way we could financially by making sure we had a room and supplies to take care of you no matter which pack member’s house you were at, but could never send the supplies home. We watched you so she could work two sometimes three jobs to support you and rent the little apartment. When she met your brother’s father he was good to her and to you. We noticed the changes after their marriage, but could do nothing to stop it other than offer to take you and your brother more to limit your exposure. She was thinner, had stopped smiling, and it seemed the light had gone out in her except when she looked at you two and held you in her arms. We just assumed it was the loss of her wolf taking its toll. Until you told us the things he would say to you and her, and about the arguing. Your grandfather interfered with what he was saying to you, but pack law prohibited him from protecting her as she was excommunicated. I thought it was going to kill him. Not being able to protect his daughter, but he held it together for you and Malcolm. Then when you showed up that night, soaking wet with Malcolm and your mother didn’t come, I was sure I was going to lose him. But once again he pulled himself together and got the pack to safety. You saved him. You gave him hope, and I know he will stay until it’s his natural time to go. He has hope now. He’s looking forward to walking you down the aisle, to you having pups of your own, to seeing you lead the pack. All the things that were taken from him are now being given back. In grieving his daughter he has finally found peace within himself.” 

“If Papaw is so happy about this union why are you so against it?” I asked her. “I mean you and Papaw have been together since you were younger than me, and you seem happy.” 

“I am happy with your grandfather. He’s a good man. We may not be natural mates but I believe with all my heart he is my soulmate. I just wanted you to have the chance to choose that your mother wanted to give you.” 

“I do though, and I’m choosing this. I’m choosing this life. I want to be Alpha. I want to lead my pack and make everyone proud.” 

“And what about the young Winter Pack Alpha?” she asked. 

“What about him?” I asked.

“Do you want him?”

“Mimi, if I tell you something do you promise not to tell anyone, especially Papaw?” 

“Of course.” 

“I need you to say it” I insisted. 

“I solemnly swear to keep what is said in confidence in this room to myself and not speak of it to another soul.” She crossed her heart for effect. 

“I met Theo in the woods that first day when I went for my run alone.  I didn’t know who he was. My wolf just started going crazy and pacing the eastern perimeter of the property whining. Then his wolf stepped out and I knew he was my natural mate. I was prepared to reject him, because in my mind I was already promised to another. I fought my wolf and ran home. I avoided the eastern perimeter until today. When I walked in and saw the Ebony Alpha clinging to him, I wanted to rip her to shreds, and my wolf went crazy giving me a splitting headache. She was hyper and upset with me all week until we learned that Theo was the young Winter Alpha. So yes Mimi, I do want him.” 

“Then why didn’t you claim him right then and there?” She asked bewildered. “As his mate you know you have the right to do that! Right? You do know that right?” 

“Because, since he was born he was promised to the Ebony girl. They have probably been dating for years to get acquainted and know each other with the intent of marrying at eighteen. I wanted to use my six months to get acquainted with him. To show him that I am worth more than just being his mate. I want her to know that he chose me, not out of obligation because I’m his mate, but because he truly wanted me.” 

“And not her.” My grandmother finished, “Don’t pretend that isn’t part of it. I know you too well. Yes you want to confirm he wants you more than just in a primal sense, but you also want to put her in her place.” 

“Why does everyone keep saying that?” I asked. 

“Who else said it?” she asked, “I thought this was our secret?” 

“Theo said it today. He was pissed that I didn’t just claim him in the meeting hall. Then Em said it when I told her.” 

“Oh? And when did you have time for all these insightful conversations? As I recall you immediately ran off into the woods after arriving home?” She asked me coyly. 

“Does the promise that this conversation stays between us still stand?” I asked sheepishly.

“Yes.” 

“I ran to the eastern perimeter and met him after getting home. That’s why I was gone so long. We ran around the property as wolves. Then I snuck home to shower and Em surprised me in the room.” 

“Ah so Em’s shower was a cover up. I was wondering why you smelled so clean when the only water on the property is the river or pond which doesn't have soap. Why don’t you want your grandfather to know? He would be ecstatic that you are taking this seriously and pursuing the young alpha.” 

“Because Papaw wants me to pursue him by training and beating the Ebony wolf physically, which I will do. I don’t think he would approve of my being emotionally vindictive in my quest to destroy her every hope and dream.” 

“I don’t think you know your alpha as well as you think you do. He would be even more proud knowing you are taking the high road to beat her fairly physically, and emotionally. If you just claimed him she would still think she had a chance due to their history. You my dear are being very brutal yes, but practical. Remember all is fair in love and war.” She kissed my forehead and stood to leave, “I will not tell him any of this. But you might consider doing so.” 

After my grandmother left Em ran into my room and jumped on my bed. “God it would be nice to have so much room!” she said rolling around on my comforter. 

“Well you are more than welcome to spend as many nights in this stupid big, empty bed with me as you want.” I told her. 

She barked out a laugh, “And where would Mr. Winter sleep when you sneak him in?” 

Throwing a pillow at her head I rolled my eyes, “Like I would do such a thing.” 

“Why else would they give you a room with privacy?” Em waggled her eyebrows. 

“Definitely not for that. I said hitting her upside the head with another pillow. “Plus there is no way I would be able to sneak him in here where there are twenty three other wolves with excellent hearing and smell without everyone knowing immediately.” 

“Ugh. You are so dense. Yes they would know but as long as you’re not mating they won’t care. I’m not saying they want you to seduce him because that would be creepy. But they do want you to win this competition no matter what. So if “sneaking” a boy in your room for some PG-13 bonding will help, they aren’t going to stop it.” She threw one of the pillows back in my face. 

“Ugh. I can’t believe we are even discussing this right now.” 

“Well you being Alpha is kind of riding on this, so in a way it’s like your entire identity is on the line.” She shrugged, “No pressure.” 

“You are so not helpful.” I growled. “I revoke my permission for you to stay in my room with me whenever you want. You now have to knock like the omega you are.” I said feigning a hoity tone. 

“Knock Knock.” Damon said as he opened the door. “It’s finished. What do you think?” He said, holding the plaque up by it’s rope. “Alexandria Mae Rose”  it read. 

“It’s beautiful.” I said hugging him. 

“Glad you like it kiddo.” He patted my head and hung it on the door where my mom’s plaque had hung. 

“What did you do with my mom’s plaque?” I asked.

“Oh. It’s in my shop. Why? Do you want it?” 

“Yes please, I’ll hang it in the closet.” 

“Alright well come on down for dinner you two. I’ll bring it to you after we eat.” 

“Thank you.” Em and I followed him downstairs into the dining room. The food had been brought out and laid on the tables. Everyone was filing in to stand by their seats. Once Papaw sat, and the adults followed suit. I took my seat and the children followed my lead. Papaw led the prayer and Emma, Steph, Malcolm, and I started helping the younger children fill their plates. The prime rib was done rare, so we cut the pieces up into bite size pieces for the youngest three before piling on the loaded potatoes and corn. Finally we filled our plates. For dessert we had Mimi’s homemade strawberry rhubarb pie ala mode. The pie sat in front of me and I doled out a slice that Em would top with vanilla bean ice cream to each child as they finished their food. There were never any complaints at our dinner table, as dessert was a reward for only those who ate all their food. After dinner we gathered around the hearth as my grandfather lit a fire. 

My grandmother walked around handing out plastic wine glasses to the kids. I held out my hand and instead was given a glass one by Aunt Diana, who didn’t say anything as she continued distributing the real wine glasses to the adults of the pack. Aunt Clara went around pouring sparkling white grape juice in the kid’s cups. Once again I held out my glass, but Aunt Lydia filled mine with real mead, before moving onto the other adult’s glasses. I only swirled the liquid in my glass before glancing up to my grandfather who winked as he held his glass out. 

“I propose a toast. To my granddaughter Alexandria.” My grandfather said as he stood in front of the fire, “For being one of the bravest, intelligent, and thoughtful Alphas I have ever had the pleasure to know. As you embark on this six month challenge I hope you know you have your entire packs' support.” 

“To Alexandria” Everyone echoed, raising their glasses. As always my grandfather drank first. Then everyone stared at me. The adults too. I raised my glass and took a sip. It tasted of fruit and honey with a rich texture. Everyone else followed suit beginning to drink their beverages. If the children were surprised the adults followed my lead instead of my grandfather’s they did not show it. I continued sipping my mead, waiting for one of the adults to realize their mistake and take it away. My grandfather approached me as everyone settled into their seats mingling. 

“Enjoying the mead?” He asked. I nodded. “Good. Now that you’re going to be alpha you will be treated even more as an adult than you were before. All of the others will show you respect, you have more freedom to run on your own, and tomorrow you begin training with the rest of us so I suggest only having one glass.” he winked.

“But who will train the children?” I asked, shocked at my new place in the pack. I’m not Alpha yet I thought. I still need to respect my elders in the pack. 

“Em will take over that duty as Beta. After training with us you will observe her.” 

“Yes Alpha.” I bowed my head in respect. 

“Now go take your seat with the others.” He said, turning and walking to the fireplace. I sat beside Em and Malcolm put his head in my lap. I ran my fingers through his short curly hair. My grandfather cleared his throat once and the room went silent. 

“It was not by chance that the wolf council meeting was today. As the moon hangs high, full in all it’s beauty we are most powerful. Each full moon brings us back to the first. Not just the first full moon where we changed into our wolf form. But even farther back than that.” He threw copper shavings behind his back into the fire making it leap with new energy and turning the flames briefly green. The younger children still gasped and jumped at the spectacle while the older wolves just stared in apt attention holding their offspring. “Legend has it, the first shifter was a Viking. While hunting in the woods he stumbled upon a dying wolf. The wolf’s pack was nowhere to be found, so the Viking knelt on the snowy ground and held the wolf’s paw in one hand. Petting the wolf’s head with his other he sang to the wolf ancient tales of worlds and monsters of long ago. The wolf licked his hand showing gratitude to the human who refused to let him die alone. As the light left the wolf’s eyes, the Viking held on, until the wolf’s body lay cold. The wolf had noticed the Viking was also alone, and did not want to cross the bridge into the afterlife. Artemis called her wolf home, but he stayed by the Viking’s side. Finally, the goddess in all her wisdom under the full moon blessed the wolf and Viking making them one. The Viking gained the strength and senses of the wolf, and they both never had to fear being left alone again. Our wolves are more than another form, they are more than the heightened senses, strength, and speed they give us, they are our companions for life. They are the first ones there with us as our souls enter this world and they are the ones who guide us to the afterlife and the awaiting arms of our goddess Artemis.” Everyone stayed silent, caught by my grandfather’s story, feeling our own wolves respond to their ancestors as well. My grandfather sat. 

“Legend also states” my grandmother started her story as she stood, “That the wolf had become a lone wolf after losing his mate. Without his mate he left his pack as another Alpha pair emerged, and wandered alone just outside the perimeter of the pack that were once, long ago, his very own pups. When the Viking finally returned to his camp of comrades he found a beautiful woman with which he wanted to spend the rest of his life. The Viking had spent weeks getting to know his wolf, and knew of the mate he had lost, as he shifted from man to wolf time and time again. He had shown his ability to shift to the beautiful woman, and she had grown to love the wolf as much as the man. Making sure to pet him and run with him every chance she had.  Before his wedding night while his wolf slept, he took his bride to be out below the full moon and prayed to Artemis. He asked the Goddess to place his wolf’s lost mate into his soon to be bride, so his wolf would not be alone in this union. Artemis asked the Viking woman what she thought of this, and she responded she would only marry the man if she could give something to both him and his wolf. She explained that she loved the man, but that she had also grown fond of the wolf and her heart would ache anytime she would think of the loss he had had to endure. Artemis seeing the young couple’s compassion for her beloved companions granted them their wish and bound the woman’s soul to that of the wolf’s lost mate. The couple thanked Artemis for her kindness to the wolves. The next day the man’s wolf was awake inside him as they waited patiently for the beautiful woman. The wolf bayed and howled with uncontained excitement as the woman approached and he could smell his old mate, and see her reflected in the woman’s eyes. He thanked the man over and over again as they said their vows. As the couple had children Artemis continued to bless their family line with the spirits of wolves for companionship. And she has continued to bless their children’s children and so forth and so forth. It did not matter that the children married ordinary humans, as long as one parent had a wolf companion so did the child. It is said that to this day on rare occasions Artemis will still recycle the spirits of mated wolves at the same time, so that they may find each other once again. While in today’s society we exercise free will and choose our own mates for the most part, a shifter is considered to be very lucky to find their natural mate. It is a small blessing from the Goddess to let them be together again.” With her story finished my grandmother sat back down besides my grandfather taking his hand. 

“To the mates of the world, chosen or natural born. May those lucky enough to find love be blessed in their unions!” My grandfather toasted again. Everyone raised their glass and drank to that. With the stories told, the drinks finished, and the fire dying down everyone began to get restless. “Let us initiate the hunt.” my grandfather said dumping water on the remaining embers of the fire. 

Everyone rose at once, following my grandfather outside. As he shut the door we shifted under the full moon and ran loose across the property. We could hear the Winter Packs howls coming from the eastern side of our forest as they enjoyed the monthly fun. The pups stayed close to their parents in the fields, the full moon being the only night of the month they are allowed to run outside. Em, Steph, Malcolm, Drew, and I split up and began flushing out rabbits for the pups to hunt as their parents worked their way away from the pups to guard the perimeters of the fields. The pups howled with excitement as they chased down the cottontails pouncing after them, letting out deep throaty howls if they managed to bring one down. The elder pack members hunted large game back in the swamp of our property. Finally, my grandfather let out a deep, throaty, commanding howl. The pups gathered their kills and followed the older wolves back to the swamp. The elders had managed to take down three deer. Francis and Lydia crouched down as my grandparents hoisted the carcass onto their backs and they began walking back carrying the deer. Brittany and Adam followed suit as Diane and Damien loaded their deer onto their backs. I joined Crystal and helped haul back Brad and Clara’s deer to the ranch. The pups followed us back, continuing to carry their prey with pride, leaving the elders to bring up the rear. 

We hauled the deer up to the shed and crouched down maneuvering so they rolled off our backs. The pups each laid their rabbit with pride in a pile next to the deer. We all shifted back, and the parents took their children inside for a bath and to prepare for bed. The elders also went inside to shower and set up for the meat processing. The rest of us already covered in blood began butchering the corpses. Em and I butchered one deer, while Fae and Mae butchered the next, and Malcolm and Steph butchered the last. Drew butchered the rabbits. My grandma, Clara, and Diane came out to fetch the meat as we cut it free, taking it inside where it would either be vacuum sealed by Brad or ground and vacuum sealed by Papaw and Damien. The hides, bones, hooves, and antlers would be tossed aside for later use. After the elders packaged the meat Lydia, Crystal, and Brittany would put it in the freezer. Francis and Adam came out to begin cleaning the bones. After all the corpses were butchered Drew joined Francis and Adam in cleaning the leftovers. Em, Malcolm, Steph, and I finally went inside to shower and get ready for bed. After all the excitement of the day I didn’t even think twice about sleeping alone in my big empty bed as I crashed down not even bothering to pull the blankets over myself before passing out. 

I startled awake to the sound of someone tapping on my window. I glanced at the clock. It was five a.m I had only gotten two hours of sleep. Rubbing the still liquid gunk from my eyes I crossed my room to the window and opened it. Standing on an oak bough two feet away was none other than Theo. 

“What are you doing here?” I hissed at him. 

“Delivering these” he said holding out a bouquet of wild white lilies, “to celebrate our first full moon as a courting couple.” I took the lilies and stood aside to let him in. He broke out into a wide grin as he maneuvered easily from the tree bough to the sill and silently on the carpet. 

“My family will know you were here as soon as they wake up.” I whispered. 

“It’s okay, I’m here to give flowers to you. Not deflower you.” He whispered back with a wink. I groaned at the joke and rubbed my temples. 

“I regret to inform you that that ship has already sailed.” I smirked at him. His jaw dropped and a flash of anger crossed his face. Just as quickly as it appeared it was gone again. But it still gave me a small sense of pride to make him feel the envy I felt when I saw Jessica clinging to him. 

“Well I suppose it will be good that at least one of us knows what they’re doing.” He said with a shrug before stripping down to his boxers and crawling under my covers. I felt my jaw almost hit the ground. 

“Are you a virgin?” I hissed sitting next to him. 

“Is that a problem?” He asked, raising his eyebrows. 

“Is it a problem that I’m not?” I replied. 

“I asked you first.” His face was expressionless. 

“No. It’s not a problem. Just surprising.” 

“Why is it surprising?” 

“Nope. Not until you answer my question.” 

“No. It’s not a problem that you’re not a virgin. I do not like that someone else has touched what’s mine, but I also have to accept it happened before you were mine. Now it’s your turn.” 

I groaned, “Goddess I’m too tired for this shit.” I said rubbing the bridge of my nose. “I’m surprised you’re a virgin because you have been courting another woman for a while now I’m assuming from how she was hanging all over you today. And because you’re very attractive, so even if she didn’t jump your bones, I’m surprised no one else did.” 

“I would not have slept with anyone else since I was promised to her and it would not have been fair. We were saving ourselves for our wedding.” He said fiddling with his hands. “I’m not being insensitive, but I need to know. How many?”

“How many what?” I asked. 

“How many guys have you slept with?” 

I wanted to tell him it was none of his Goddamn business, but then remembered he’s my mate. I belong to him so it effectively is his business. “One. My boyfriend freshman year at my old school. We did it twice. So if you're looking for an expert, I’m not it.” 

“Did you love him?” 

“I thought I did.” 

“What happened?”

“He became obsessive, and possessive. He started acting like my mother’s husband after we crossed that milestone. I broke it off and never looked back. How about you? How far have you gone?” I asked, desperate to change the subject from the dark spots of my past. I would tell him. Just not now. Not like this.

“Until today I have only kissed and touched Jessica. We’ve gotten to second base and hand stuff, but that is it. But it never felt like when I kissed you today. Even when her and I were getting hot and heavy and handsy. It never made me feel alive like just kissing you did. Has it ever felt that way for you?” 

“No. Never.” I said holding his stare. My wolf was still growling at the thought of Jessica getting handsy with my mate. 

“Good.” He kissed me then and pulled me on top of him. I was in just my tank top and underwear and through the duvet could feel him reacting to me. God, he tasted so good. I buried my face in his neck and kissed him there playfully nibbling along his jawline and nipping at his ear. He let out a soft groan as I ground my hips against his and buried his face in the cleavage exposed by my tank top. He nipped at the exposed tops of my breasts and dug his fingers into my hips. I arched my back, throwing my head back, biting my lower lip to stop a moan from slipping out. He took the opportunity to grab my t**s while my back was arched and kneaded them over my tank top, using his thumb to circle and tease my n*****s until they were erect. I leaned forward getting on top of him under the covers and continued rubbing myself against his hard shaft with only the thin layer of my underwear between us, as his boxers no longer were effective in constraining his erection. 

He bent his knees and used my neck to pull me down closer to him so he could growl in my ear, “you’re going to make me c*m if you keep doing that.” He emphasized his words with a nip of my ear. 

“Good.” I whispered as I slowed my pace making sure to rub up against every inch of him. I gasped as he bit my shoulder, hard, to suppress a moan. He pressed his hand to my mouth to silence me as he began rubbing against me at a faster and faster pace. His teeth sank deeper in my shoulder and his free hand grabbed my ass. The bed was thankfully sturdy and did not creak once as we both climaxed. I suppressed a giggle as I tiptoed to my bathroom to grab a washcloth to clean him up. 

 “For f***s sake.” he whispered, “If dry humping you can make me c****x like that, I can’t wait to actually f**k you.” I rolled my eyes but smiled at him as I got under the covers. He rolled me over so I laid my head on his chest and he had his arm around me. 

“What do you think you’re doing?” I asked him. 

“What every man does after the c****x. Going to sleep.” He mumbled into my hair as he kissed the top of my head. 

“Well you can’t sleep here.” I exclaimed. 

“Wow. I see how it is. Just going to use me to get yourself off and then throw me out into the cold like a common whore.” He mockingly whined, throwing the arm that wasn’t around me over his eyes. 

“It’s seventy degrees out. I’m not throwing you out into the cold, and I am serious. My family can’t catch you here.” 

“I’m your mate.” he huffed, snuggling down more into my covers. I nipped his n****e. His hand shot to cover it and he flicked me in the nose. I nipped his finger. “If you’re trying to annoy me out of bed it’s not going to work. Just let me sleep for an hour. I’ll be gone before everyone wakes up. 

“I’m not sleeping with a stranger in my bed.” I said trying to push him out. 

“I’m not a stranger. I’m your mate, and if you push me out there will be a very loud thud that will certainly raise attention.” 

“I don’t even know how old you are.”

“Seventeen now go to sleep,” he said. 

“Not until you leave” I said as I continued to nip and push at him. 

“You didn’t care this much when you were dry humping the hell out of me, why do you care all the sudden if I’m caught here. You said it yourself they will be able to tell I was here in the morning anyways.” 

“Ugh. This is too intimate. I will not sleep with you.” This got his attention as he finally sat up. 

“This is too intimate?! You had my c**k in your mouth moments ago.” 

“This is different. I’ll be sleeping. I’ll be vulnerable, plus I snore and talk in my sleep. And what if I drool on you?” 

“I think it’d be cute to hear you snore and talk in your sleep, and I’m going to hear it at some point when you win this competition so why not get it over with now? And with how wet you were earlier I already have plenty of your bodily fluids on me, so a little drool won’t bother me.” 

I groaned. He was being impossible. And Goddess was that the actual time?! My clock said seven a.m. I grabbed it off my night stand and put it in his face, “Won’t your family notice you’re gone?”

“They don’t care as long as I show back up.” 

“And when you show up smelling like me and c*m?” He blushed then. “Alright, I’m going just so I can take a shower and sneak back into my own bed. This time.” I rolled my eyes as he shuffled back into his pants and t-shirt. He was out the window within minutes, and I prayed that no one in my family was up, or at least if they were that they where far enough away from a window that they wouldn’t see his golden fur booking it towards the woods. 

I finally laid down, but my sheets were still warm and smelled of him. I rolled in them breathing in the scent of him until I fell back asleep.