The Fall

Chapter 4

Zoe- 2016

On the following Friday morning, a procession of cars filled with wolves began to arrive, signaling the onset of the Summer Solstice celebration. As I watched, a surge of emotions welled up within me, especially when I spotted my sister pulling up in a red Jeep adorned with a sizable bow on the hood. I couldn't help but seethe, although I couldn't quite pinpoint the exact reason for my anger. My gaze lingered on the Jeep, a gift from her mate, I assumed, given the upcoming proximity to her 18th birthday. I wondered if they could now discern their fated mates with certainty. Good luck, I thought cynically, recalling my mother's draining influence on my father and the unmistakable resemblance between Ava and Kamden.

Amidst the flurry of activity, I found myself assisting in unloading dishes. I had made a recent habit of helping with dishes after I started sharing meals with Kari and Porter. I had also taken on a role in preparing for the impending solstice festivities, finding solace in the distraction it provided from the weight of my recent losses.

"So, how do you celebrate the Summer Solstice? What kind of events are there?" I inquired of Kari as I helped with the dishes. My banishment had severed my connection to wolf traditions and celebrations, leaving me in the dark about such matters.

Kari hesitated momentarily as she tried to articulate the essence of the celebration. "Well, it's primarily a mating celebration," she began, her words carrying a hint of complexity. "Unpaired wolves from far and wide come together, hoping to find their fated mate. Some singles leave after the run tomorrow night, returning the following year if they remain unpaired. Others... well, they take advantage of the gathering in a different way," she added with a hint of awkwardness. "They engage in... um, relations. You see, wolves can't get pregnant or transmit diseases."

I nodded in understanding, although I knew that wolves could indeed get pregnant; it was just highly unlikely to conceive with a wolf who wasn't your true mate.

“It’s a good time to be free and have fun.” Her cheeks and chest are flushed.

"Ah, I see," I replied, finally beginning to grasp the nature of the Summer Solstice celebration. Our banishment had removed us from the sphere of wolf traditions when we were children, and I had no recollection of the purpose of this event. Essentially, it was a giant orgy in the woods.

“Lots of horny unmated wolves. You can have your pick.” My sister's mischievous voice cuts through the conversation as she twirls into the living room. Kamden follows behind. She gives me a smirk and I quickly turn around, putting the glassware away.

"Just keep in mind that the wolves will be running tonight and tomorrow," Kari interjected, her tone carrying a note of caution. “Energies will be high.”

"Where are they all staying?" I inquired, my curiosity about the logistics of the event piqued.

"Tents," Kari replied with a knowing smile. "The entire clearing will be filled with tents, and there will be bonfires ablaze, with festivities continuing for the next three nights. The third night is known to be the wildest of them all." Her blush deepened as she mentioned the third night, hinting at the kind of revelry that awaited.

As I considered the prospect of three nights of uninhibited celebration, filled with debauchery, primal urges, and wolves running together, I couldn't help but be intrigued. Thoughts about my sister and Johnnie had crossed my mind a few times over the past weeks, and I wondered if my virginity had played a role in their actions. Clearly, it had. Johnnie had been so blinded by his s****l desires that he couldn't differentiate between my sister and me. I had clung to my virginity as if it were something sacred, but now I questioned its significance. Did I want to be tethered to a mate, bound by the fates and instincts of our kind? No, without a doubt no. I had initially wanted to lose my virginity to a human, believing they treated women differently than wolves did. Wolves often engaged in s****l encounters for the sheer sake of it, unless they were mated. Unmated wolves, both males and females, embraced a wild, uninhibited sexuality, often with multiple partners simultaneously. I had convinced myself when I was younger that I didn’t want to risk a relationship with a wolf because I didn’t want fate to get involved.

But perhaps the Summer Solstice, with a throng of intoxicated wolves, was the perfect opportunity to bid farewell to my virginity before departing Aurora Falls, leaving behind this town, its people, and the life I had known.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, I climbed onto the roof to observe the spectacle below. Over 400 naked wolves would soon shift into their four-legged forms and embark on a frenzied run. Kari joined me on the roof, offering tidbits of information about wolf culture and their celebrations as the night unfolded. I had already witnessed two fated pairs collide into a tangle of limbs and lust, and Kari informed me that, for a gathering of this size, two fated pairs were considered quite typical. These were the only pairs that would likely meet during the entire event, as fated mates were irresistibly drawn to one another. Even in a crowd of 400, their scents would guide them unerringly to each other.

The group takes off in a run. The two couples are left behind, and although I cannot see them, I can hear a cacophony of pleasure echoing through the clearing.

Kari guided me inside and prepared a margarita for me. She returned with a purposeful air, heading toward one of the rooms downstairs that I had yet to explore.

"I have something for you," she said, handing me the drink before disappearing into the room.

I watched her with curiosity, and when she returned, my heart swelled with gratitude. In her hands were two matching dark purple suitcases, and she explained, "Luggage for your trip, and I got you some bedding. Extra-long for the dorm beds." Her smile held a touch of shyness, and though I wanted to refuse the generous gesture, I knew it would be more hurtful to decline.

"Thank you," I murmured, sinking down to my knee to unzip the suitcases. Inside, I found white bedding adorned with silver and pale yellow stars and moons. A shower caddy filled with essentials caught my eye, and there was an envelope as well, which I chose not to open.

"I'm very excited for you to start fresh and experience new things," Kari said, her eyes glistening with emotion. She was offering me her home, her pack, and her support. "I want you to know you always have a home here within this pack. If you need a place to come on holidays or summer breaks, there is always room for you here. If you are ever in trouble, the pack can help. Do you understand?"

"Thank you," I repeated, my voice trembling with gratitude and humility.

Kari led me back outside, and we refilled our margaritas as we mingled with the returning wolves. Nudity was a common part of wolf culture and community, but seeing so many naked bodies up close was a bit jarring for me. I maintained my composure, keeping my shoulders back, and opting to look straight ahead to avoid any awkwardness.

Kari introduced me to several wolves, some of whom I recognized from my old pack. Then she brought me to an older gentleman named West. It seemed Kari and Porter had shared my plans for college with him, he was an Alpha in Boston. They had even invited him to the Summer Solstice celebration. This act of parental concern touched me deeply. West was kind and offered me his phone number, suggesting that once I turned 18, he could inform me about the pack's runs. He also assured me that he was there to assist me with anything I might need.

The warmth and support of the wolf community tugged at my heart, reminding me of the void that existed within me. I couldn't help but wonder about the life I might have had in a pack and the kind of father my Dad could have been without the burden of my mother. I pondered whether my own pack would have been as welcoming and supportive as this one.

Throughout most of my life, I had been responsible for myself and my sister. When we moved to Aurora Falls, she quickly found solace in Kamden's family. She had been desperate to escape, but I hadn't understood what she was chasing. Now I realized it was the comfort of community and the support of family that had drawn her in.

I excused myself, fighting back tears in front of Alpha West. Both Kari and West seemed to sense the impending emotional storm within me, sharing a sympathetic look as I hurried away. My escape route didn't involve the back doors, as the porch was crowded with people. Instead, I opted for the garage, where fewer individuals lingered. My eyes were cast downward, unwilling to let anyone witness my vulnerable state—teary-eyed and red-nosed, mourning my parents and yearning for love and a sense of belonging.

In my haste to reach the refuge of my room, I failed to notice the towering figure standing in the garage doorway. The collision with his chest was swift, and I swear he let out a chuckle. An "oompf" sound escaped my lips, and when I finally looked up at his face, I was teetering dangerously on the edge of the stairs. He caught me by the forearm, preventing me from tumbling backward, but his grip was stronger than expected, causing me to slam back into his chest.

He wrapped an arm around me, and his voice was laced with a seductive quality as he murmured, "Easy there, little one."

"Excuse me," I mumbled, feeling utterly mortified, yet simultaneously paralyzed. His touch felt electric, igniting little fireworks along my skin wherever his hand made contact with my arm. He took a deep breath, his chest rising beneath my cheek, and I was acutely aware of the solid planes of his abdomen and chest beneath me, sending a shiver down my spine. My lips moistened, and his scent enveloped me, a powerful and enticing aroma—masculine, earthy, with hints of rosewood and cedar. I inhaled deeply, pressing my body into his, and let out a soft moan when his grip tightened in response.

Realization dawned upon me, that I was nuzzling into a stranger and I shook my head, pushing past him with stammered apologies. "Excuse me. Sorry, sorry," I practically sprinted up the stairs, my heart racing from the unexpected encounter and the unfamiliar sensations it had stirred within me.

When I am behind the security of my door, I exhale. Holy sh*t. I don’t know if a man's face and single touch has ever elicited a reaction from me. No, of course not, I am certain of it. I am excited, so incredibly turned on. It must be the proximity of having a man so close, the throbbing between my thighs has slicked my folds and I can feel that my panties are damp. All that from a little half hug? I haven’t been touched by anyone in months. I just started talking to people this past week. I think maybe I am a bit starved for affection. Because my reaction is a bit exaggerated. Yeah, that explains it, I tell myself.

I heard a chuff outside my door, and my pulse quickened. I froze, anticipating a knock that never came. I waited and waited, but there was only silence. I decided to lock the door and slid my dresser in front of it, a precaution I couldn't quite explain. The man from the garage didn't scare me, yet my reaction to him had been unnerving. It was as though if I opened the door and found him there, I might throw myself at him.

Restlessly, I wrestled with my covers, struggling to find sleep. The sounds from outside filled my ears, but the scent of that wolf lingered in my mind. Sleep eventually claimed me, but throughout the night, images of him flitted through my dreams, leaving me in a state of restless confusion.

In my dreams, I saw his sculpted body, massively broad and bronzed. Dark brown locks of hair cascaded across his thick brow, framing his perfect deep, rich brown eyes with flecks of gold in them, which locked onto mine. His chiseled, stubbled jaw and his plush lips grazed along my skin, whispering in my ear. It was pure insanity because the only thing he had said to me was, "Easy there." Yet, in these vivid dreams, his voice called out my name with breathless gasps and grunts, igniting a passion I couldn't explain.