Changing Fate

ch. 4

I was engulfed in his smokey pine scent. My mind wondered. What did he do? Start a campfire and roll around it, making it his perfume. I heard my cow friends' distant moos as we neared the group. The pace of his pony slowed as well to a choppy trot. "You should've called me!" Atlas spoke harshly. "I would've come and gotten you," he added softly. I looked at him confused. Ever since the school incident, Altas has avoided me as much as possible. "I did try calling. Asher's phone went straight to voicemail, but then my phone died." I mentioned. "Wow, Rhe!" Farrah exclaimed sarcastically. "You're training for the Olympics now? You ran so far!" "Sorry," I replied. "I take training for my school team very seriously. I just want to win, especially since this is my last year in high school." I knew everyone loved our school and our sports teams. School pride was one of the top priorities a senior like myself embodied.

"It would be easier if the school track field was open during the summer, allowing me and others to practice for the fall." I thought out loud, hoping it would ignite him into doing it. "Yeah, that's a good idea. Then I don't have to hunt you down in a cowfield," he replied. The ride home was enjoyable. Sitting behind Alpha Oliver was like sitting behind a bear. It was about a three-hour horse ride home to Lilac Falls. The sun had come up to roast me on this journey. My skin was beet red and blistering, I'd have to apply aloe when I got back, and no hot shower for me.

We rode towards the stables and dismounted. I felt my legs cramp up, probably due to dehydration. I instinctively reached out and held onto Alpha Johnathan for support. He didn't seem to mind and held me up effortlessly. "I'm sorry, my legs cramped up," I said. He asked if I needed help getting to my room, but Beta Colton gestured to Sybil instead. She looked hesitant but eventually helped me to my room. "It's alright, Alpha Oliver. My wife Sybil can help her," Beta Colton said.

Sybil left me at my door and hurried back to be by Beta Colton. Mates were like that, always wanting to be near each other. As I entered my room, I was greeted by the familiar sound of my favorite playlist. The catchy tunes and upbeat rhythm uplifted my mood and made me forget about the long day I had. Despite my off-key singing, I loved belting out my favorite songs in the shower. The acoustics in the bathroom were perfect for singing, and I found it to be a great stress reliever.

As I undressed and made my way to the shower, I turned up the volume on my speakers. The bass was thumping, creating a mini nightclub atmosphere in my room. I had strategically placed speakers throughout my room so that I could enjoy music no matter where I was. The steam from the shower filled the room, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. I couldn't resist dancing in the shower, even though the fear of slipping added an element of danger. As I lathered up, I wrote a grocery list on the glass door of my shower. I needed some snacks for my summer track practice to fuel up before the challenging workout.

Suddenly, I was interrupted by a loud banging on my bedroom door. Oblivious to the noise, I asked Alexa to turn up the volume. My favorite song was on, and I wasn't about to miss it. I wrapped myself in a towel and used my hairbrush as a microphone as I sang along, lost in the music. The song ended, and I asked Alexa to turn down the volume since my solo was now finished. I opted for some relaxing Reggae, it played just loud enough to annoy the silence void.

I was brushing my hair in my steam-filled bathroom unaware the guest at my door had entered my room uninvited and was standing behind me seathing. I knew the words to all my favorite Reggae songs, I was semi-humming and singing the tunes not as off-key as my solo venture. Finished up brushing my hair and putting it up in a towel to dry it I turned to leave walking right into the intruder.

I tripped over this person, and we both fell with them using themselves as the cushion, with myself landing atop them. My hair towel had come undone, and my wet hair fell around my face and shoulders. My towel started to slip off as I sat up straddling this intruder. The scent hit me! LILIES!! It was Asher! But he has a girlfriend. Why was he in my room? What was his purpose here? I grabbed my towel to keep it up. As I was about to speak, he sat up and hugged me tightly, nuzzling his face into my neck. I felt him sigh heavily and then whisper, " I was so worried about you when you didn't come back." I was sitting on his lap, totally confused about what he was trying to do. So, I wiggled myself out of his arms and knelt in front of him as he was sitting cross-legged on my bedroom rug.

"I'm sorry, what are you playing at Asher?" I asked accusingly, as I looked at him with a mixture of confusion and anger. He had just untangled himself from me and stood at his full height, staring down at me as he smiled.

"I'm glad you're safe, and you're home now," he said, his smile still plastered on his face. I was taken aback by his behavior. It was so strange and unexpected.

"YOU. HAVE. A. GIRLFRIEND," I said, slowly breaking down the words for him, in case he had forgotten. I couldn't believe that he was acting like everything was normal when he was already in a relationship.

He smiled at me again and left, leaving me standing there, wondering what had just happened. I didn't like the idea of my personal space being invaded by intruders. It made me feel uncomfortable and on edge.

I thought about discussing this with Alpha Alfred when he got home, but I decided that he had enough to worry about with Luna Nadine's dad. Instead, I decided to seek the advice of Mr. Mom (Beta Colton). He was always level-headed and could help me make sense of things. I finished drying off and dressed in some soft comfy capri cotton pants and a loose-fitting t-shirt, with my bunny slippers.

As I opened my bedroom door, I was suddenly hugged by someone with such fierceness that it felt like they hadn't seen me in years. Though I struggled at first, I eventually gave in and let myself be embraced by the warm and soothing hug. I could feel the person's heartbeat racing and recognized their scent of lilacs and lavender; it was Atlas. He then led me back into my room, which I was trying to leave, and shut the door with his foot. I was confused as to why Atlas and his twin brother were on the girls' side of the pack house and abusing their status as Alpha to bend the rules for their pleasure.

He was holding me so tight I felt faint. Moving my hand and placing it on his arm, he pushed me forward to look at him. His eyes searched mine like he had lost something and was trying to find it. I went to say something and his lips crashed into mine with such aggression and longing. His hands cupped my face as he kissed me. And I was back in his tight embrace. I am so confused now, I can't keep quiet any longer.