All the things I didn’t know.

Willow (Charlie’s POV)

I watched Cohen as he walked away. Admiring the way his muscles pulled against the fabric of his white T-shirt, drooling over the way his sleeve of tattoos accentuated his toned arms, and taking the liberty of checking out his firm butt. Something I had never bothered to look at on another guy. Then again, Cohen makes every other guy I’ve ever met look like a bridge troll. I stared unabashed until he disappeared around the corner and I heard the click of the front door. Immediately I missed him, I missed him to the point of feeling a pull on my heart as if part of it was being dragged away. If I felt like this now how will I feel when this mate bond he’s been telling me about takes full effect? How does he stand it? Then it dawned on me, does he feel the same? Maybe he doesn’t? Great, another thing to be unsure of.

I know I want to try this whole wolf thing even though everything about it scared the living hell out of me, How will my body turn into an animal without it killing me? How is there a whole a*s wolf that lived in my mind? ‘Don’t be afraid we are one’’ my supposed wolf answered me. ‘Thanks for that. Super helpful input’ I said, my voice laced with sarcasm. ‘ What is your name? What do I call you? I can’t just keep calling you wolf’. ‘Don’t worry dear girl. All will be revealed on your birthday.’ Must she be so vague all the time?

I allowed myself to fall back into the huge bed. It was luxurious and cozy but I couldn’t get comfortable. It made no sense because it was a carbon copy of the bed I slept in last night but it didn’t feel the same. As I tossed and turned it dawned on me. It doesn’t smell like Cohen. I wanted to be wrapped in his scent, it soothed me. Eventually I realized I wasn’t going to be able to get comfortable and gave up on having a nap and opted for a shower instead. I stripped off my clothes and stepped into the steamy box. As I washed myself I couldn’t keep my mind from envisioning what it would feel like to have Cohens hands working their way up and down my body. I wanted to feel it for real. I wanted to feel his body under my hands, his whole body. Every part, some more than others.

Eventually after I dragged my mind out of the gutter and made sure every part of me was washed and the important parts shaved I got out, wrapped myself in a impossibly large, fluffy towel and exited the bathroom. I stepped into the walk in closet expecting to find my suitcases where I left them but was pleasantly surprised to see everything had been hung up and organized,

Normally I’m a leggings and T-shirt, or jeans and a hoodie girl. Or more often then was probably socially acceptable sweat pants, kind of girl, but tonight I wanted to look good. I know I’m going to be meeting a lot of new people tonight, my dad warned me that he had been holding people off to give me some space to adjust but he didn’t think he could hold them back much longer. But they weren’t who I wanted to impress. It’s safe to say I haven’t exactly been looking my best in front of Cohen, exhibit a) being a sweaty mess in my underwear and exhibit b) a haphazard wrinkled dress thrown on in a rush, I wanted to show him that I knew how to take care of myself. I guess I wanted to show him he could be proud to have me by his side, he always looks so effortlessly put together.

I stood in the closet for what seemed like an eternity pondering dozens of options before finally settling on something sexy, but classy. By the look of the girls today I think the female population here has filled their quota for the trashy look. I’m not one to judge and I’m all for female empowerment but a silver backless mini dress at 10:00 am on a Tuesday seems like a little too much.

I heard my phone ding as I shut off my blow dryer and rushed over to check it. I felt a pang of disappointment when I saw it was my dad and not Cohen.

- hey kid. I have about another hour worth of work to do here then I’ll come get you for dinner. Need anything? Love ya

He really is sweet. He seems super busy so I don’t know how much time we will actually get to spend together but I’ll happily take what I can get when I can get it. I quickly messaged him back;

- I’m good! But thanks! And sounds good I’ll see you then. Love you too.

I finished blow drying my hair and decided to leave it down, soft loose curls fell down around my shoulders. I moved on to my makeup and kept it light, I had always gone for a more natural look and I had never been very skilled at makeup. After the hundredth time you poke yourself in the eye you conclude that maybe eyeliner just isn’t for you. Once I was satisfied with my hair and makeup I got dressed. I slipped into some black skinny jeans that hit above the ankle and my red strapless peplum shirt with a sweetheart neckline, it showed a little bit of cleavage while still remaining respectable. The part I was most excited about were my shoe. Mom and Brad had bought me a pair of red bottoms for my birthday last year but since I was one of the tallest girls in my school they made me look like a giant whenever I wore them, but here, here I appeared to be considered quite short. I guess it’s a wolf thing to be so tall.

I was ready and I still had half an hour to kill. I was dying to go down to see Cohen but he said he had to check in with some of his businesses so I don’t want to bug him, he’s 21 how many businesses could he possibly have?!

I settled for calling my mom but it was a short call as they were moving tomorrow and she was crazy busy. I sat scrolling through my phone as I felt my anxiety start to creep in. I chose to do what I always did when I was feeling this way. Dance like an i***t in my room by myself. I opened my music streaming app and chose something light and fun, Fall Out Boy’s cover of Dance with somebody by Whitney Houston. I was dancing around like an i***t with my eyes closed when I felt someone watching me. Then I smelled the most delicious smell and my eyes snapped open. He was back.

“I knocked but no body answered” Cohen smirked while leaning against the doorframe with one hand behind his back. He looked yummy in navy dress pants and a white button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. “That was adorable, and you look amazing”

I smiled wide before realizing he was keeping his hand behind his back as he came further into the room. “What are you doing here? I thought you had work to do?” I questioned him in jest. “Well”, he started “I did and I did get through most of it but I couldn’t get my mind off you. I didn’t want to bother you but I couldn’t sit still any longer. I was wandering around my place killing time when I stumbled upon the most perfect reason to come interrupt you”.

“Well, I’m all ready so you’re not interrupting anything but you’ve peaked my interest”, I responded playing along. “Oh I certainly hope I have peaked your interest” he teased with a wink and a flash of that breathtaking smile. He was like a predator toying with his prey. “Close your eyes and reach out your hands” he instructed.

I did what he asked and I felt something soft being placed onto my awaiting hands. I open my eyes and saw Willow my stuffed wolf. “Thank you!” I cooed “where did you find her?” “I was drawn to the guest room because your smell was lingering there and I missed it” he blushed a bit, “and I saw a little leg peaking out from under the bed. I knew I had to give it to you … again”. Again? I looked at him puzzled and then I remembered. I remember the curly hair little boy standing with me under the willow tree out back handing me a stuffed grey wolf and saying ‘I got you this so you won’t forget me. Maybe when we’re big we can find each-other again’. Tears welled up in my eyes and threaten to spill over, I threw my hands around his neck and he lifted me up off the ground. As if automatically I wrapped my legs around him clinging to him like a koala bear. “I’ve slept with her every night since the day you gave her to me. I can’t sleep without her. I never understand why she was so special to me but now I do. She came from you. Thank you” I said muffled by his neck as I cuddled into him.

I leaned back a bit and was instantly caught by his lips, I could live attached to these lips happily without complaint.