The Wolf's Song

Stealth

Diana

I woke up before dawn, at the time of feeling the pleasant tingling that ran through my extremities. A pleasant pain ran through my skin, lodged in my thighs, in my hips... But where at other times I might find discomfort, I got only pleasure, remembering the precise cause of that pain.

Michael wasn’t in bed, but that didn’t surprise me, and looking up at the ceiling I sighed. There was no way this man was getting more sleep than I was. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stay awake long enough to see him sleep, or even wake up any earlier.

Still, the telltale sound of his footsteps soon announced it, and he entered the room, dressed only in dark pajama pants and with a smile on his lips. He held two mugs containing a steaming liquid and approached me as a smile crept up his lips.

The sight of Michael’s shirtless body took my breath away, but then I remembered what it had been like to have him against me. His body was in tune with mine, dancing across my skin and even managing to guess the corners of my body; the heat of his skin, matching mine, as our lips merged, and as my body opened for him...

“Good morning.”

The whisper of his voice cuts my breath, and why not say it, the thread of memories as well. I blushed and raised my face as his lips got mine, and I covered myself with the sheets, aware as I was that I was naked in the middle of his bed and that the morning light brought a lot to the vision of my body that probably, in the dark I did not possess. Suddenly, I felt slightly shy and self-conscious, but he didn’t seem to notice.

“Did you sleep well?” he asked, handing me a cup of tea.

“Very well, thank you,” I whispered, as I took a sip of tea, and looked at him suspiciously. “How come I never wake up before you?”

He laughed and ran a long, slender hand through his hair. "I am a very light sleeper and need very few hours of rest,” he said.

“That’s not fair,” I said, avoiding his gaze, “I always get knocked out and you have time to wake up before I can go to the bathroom to clean myself up a bit.”

He laughed again and placed a hand on my cheek while kissing me. His lips got my cheek, then the corner of my mouth, and finally, my lips. I lost myself in him, in his green tea and honey breath and until I finally sighed against his mouth. I could easily get used to this.

“You’re perfect in the mornings, especially now that I’ve been able to spend the night with you,” he whispered, and the blush crept up my skin as I caught his hint. “But don’t worry, I’ll give you time to get ready. Francis has come for a moment to bring me some things, so I recommend you to get dressed before going downstairs.”

He kissed my forehead then, and I watched him leave, with mischief drawn in his smile and his eyes shining in a dangerous way.

I smiled like a fool then and stood up, as I made my way to the bathroom. I took a shower and washed my hair, scrubbing my face vigorously to remove any glimpses of makeup that might have run off during the night, and gave myself time to dry my hair and brushed my teeth before heading out.

In doing so, however, I was faced with doubt, as really, I couldn’t go down for breakfast dressed as I was yesterday. The prospect made me frown, and I decided to ask Michael for permission to leave some clothes there at some point, since I spent so much time at his house, anyway, that I needed to, or else I would be stealing shirts from him for as long as our relationship lasts.

I then picked out the smallest items of clothing I could find in his closet and got ready to leave, but the two men’s conversation distracted me.

I heard some voices, I walked down the stairs following the path of the carpet, being very careful not to make any noise when I stepped on it. Luckily, Michael’s house is silent as a tomb, so I thought I had succeeded.

“We didn’t get anything.” Francis’s voice, the closest to me, affirmed. I didn’t see them, but I sat down on the last step in time to pay attention.

Michael sighed and then said:

“I know it’s impossible, but I know what I saw. I didn’t imagine it.”

“I know.” Francis’ voice is conciliatory. “But we’ve been searching all night and we didn’t get any trace. Probably, if he had shown up here, he would have left something to follow, even if it was ephemeral.”

“The rain could have washed it away,” Michael argued.

“Maybe, but it’s impossible to go through the forest without leaving even a trace. Just a footprint, or a scent trail that sticks to the bark of the trees.”

“Anyway, we’ll keep looking, if that’s what you want.”

“It would be nice to do it, but I don’t know if it’s a waste of time,” Michael affirmed, with a tone of voice that revealed to me the internal frustration he felt.

“Eavesdropping?” asked the third voice, making me jump.

I turned and looking straight ahead I saw Robert, who was dressed plainly and looking at me with a raised eyebrow, speculatively. His hair was tousled and wet, and he had entered the room so quietly, I couldn’t help but curse Michael’s house for not causing a peep.

“Good morning to you too,” I replied to Robert, wanting to stick my tongue out at him. But no, to do so would be terribly childish of me.

Michael then appeared in the doorway and looked at me, one eyebrow raised on his face as well and his arms crossed. I smiled and stood up, trying to look as innocent as possible, though I doubt it made much difference just now.

“I see you’re up.”

“I was bored out of my mind up there,” I finally said, at the same time that I got closer and planted a chaste kiss on his lips. “Can we have breakfast? I’m starving.”

He looked at me with no concern, and I walked past him. Francis greeted me with the same politeness and friendliness he always showed, and I noticed a gleam of amusement on his face. At least he was not annoyed by my intrusion.

“Would you like to stay for breakfast?” I asked then, pouring more tea into my cup. I thought Robert wanted to say yes, but Francis beat him to it.

“Actually, this has been more of a quick visit, but we’ll get to it soon.”

Both men said goodbye to Michael then, and as they left, I heard Robert complaining about being hungry and Francis replying that they would stop for food.

Michael’s eyes got me then, analytical, and full of questions, as he crossed his arms.

“Well?”

“Well, what?” I answered innocently, trying to pretend that nothing was happening.

“Won’t you tell me what you were doing eavesdropping?”

“I wasn’t eavesdropping. I just didn’t want to interrupt them. Besides,” I hushed him before he cut me off, “it seemed serious what they were talking about, and I wanted to find out what was going on. You don’t tell me about these things,” I affirmed, and my voice sounded terribly childish.

“If I don’t, it’s for a reason, Diana,” he answered, sighing.

“I thought we were past this stage of overprotecting myself,” I told him, as I slipped into his arms. He looked at me but didn’t reject the contact, and I understood that was a good thing. “Michael, for better or worse, you’ve made me part of your world, and that means I also need to know about what’s going on in this forest. Somehow, it affects me too.”

He looked at me, his eyes lost on mine, but finally, he sighed and kissed me, and I felt like I had won my small victory in this battle.

“You are a danger,” he affirmed.

“I know,” I answered with a smile.

“Let me go at my own pace with some things,” he asked then, “I understand there are things I have to tell you, but give me time to do them.”

I nodded, not very convinced, but understanding that it was the best I would get, at least for the time being.