Alliance of Shadows: NEIL

Flirting and Friendship

Every chance I had, I made her stand in front of the mirror and repeat all the good things about herself. Several times a day if I had the chance. Slowly, she regained her lost confidence. With each passing day, I watched her evolve into a much healthier version of herself. I encouraged Izaria to keep pushing as we jogged through the forest on a well-worn trail.

Since I threatened his life, I hadn't seen or heard from John. His silence was all the confirmation I needed to know he was a sick bastard. Again, I regretted not listening to Colton when we were still in high school, but there was nothing I could do now. It’s not like I had the means to go back in time and beat the living daylights out of myself.

Life had returned to a more peaceful routine, and even the Omega’s seemed happy about my ever-changing mentality. I still had to prove the pack meant something to me; that they were far more important because how could someone rule without the backing of his people. My father had taught me everything his father disregarded, opting instead to guide me down the path of righteous compassion and a strong moral connection to the people we served. To him, a king without his people or one that didn’t care to offer basic respect to the lowest-ranking servants, was no king at all. They were tyrants that always became cocky assholes who eventually met their end through a kingdom-wide mutiny.

For now, I was focusing on my future Luna. The little woman the Goddess had sent just for me.

Since I started working with her, she’d become open and carefree. However, it was only around me that she behaved that way. She was still skittish around public, constantly looking over her shoulder as if she expected the monsters from her past to come after her at any minute.

It wasn't just the physical changes, although those were undeniably impressive. Her once frail form now radiated strength and vitality. Each muscle was defined and honed through dedicated effort, and the early morning sunlight filtering through the forest canopy cast a golden glow on her, highlighting the sheen of sweat on her toned skin. The rhythmic sound of our footsteps on the forest trail was accompanied by the gentle rustling of leaves and the distant call of birds, creating a serene backdrop for our morning jog.

The forest seemed to celebrate her progress. Lush greenery enveloped us, with rays of sunlight piercing through the gaps in the foliage, casting dancing shadows on the ground. The scent of pine and earth mingled with the fresh morning air, invigorating our senses. Izaria's movements had gained a fluid grace, a testament to her hard work and determination. Every step she took resonated with confidence and resilience, a stark contrast to the tentative and hesitant strides from just a few months ago.

I found myself constantly glancing at her, admiring the subtle curve of her muscles and the graceful way she navigated the uneven terrain, the way the path just seemed to open for her. The mahogany tresses of hair, slightly damp from the exertion, was falling from the ponytail she’d put it in. Each stride she took was purposeful, each breath steady and controlled, a symphony of strength and endurance.

As we continued our jog, a surge of pride and fulfillment welled up inside me. The forest trail had become witness to our journey, a silent testament to unwavering perseverance.

Her eyes, once clouded with doubt and fear, now shone with determination and a newfound sense of self-worth. The healthy flush to her cheeks was a visible sign of her inner strength, a reflection of the progress she had made and the obstacles she had overcome.

I paused for a moment, leaning against the nearest Evergreen to catch my breath while taking in the view. The forest, with its quiet strength and timeless beauty, mirrored the transformation we had experienced together. In that moment, I knew that our journey was far from over. There would be more challenges to face, more obstacles to overcome, but with Izaria by my side, I felt ready to embrace whatever lay ahead. Her presence was a constant source of inspiration, a reminder of the power of persistence and the incredible beauty that could emerge from unwavering support and dedication.

Glancing over my shoulder, I noticed her stumble over a tree root. Reaching out, I just managed to catch her before I twisted, landing on my back with her supple body flush against mine as I took the brunt of the fall. The forest floor was unforgiving, littered with sharp stones, larger, in-ground stones, and the hard ground hid the danger of tree roots.

The feeling of being awe-struck by how solid she had become in only two months of hard work filled me, and I took a humbling pride in my persistent support I gave Izaria. There was a healthy flush to her cheeks, and her eyes sparkled brightly. The little bit of body fat she did have had completely transformed into a tightened set of very sexy abs, arms, and legs.

I was spellbound by her natural gorgeousness as she slowly lowered her head to willingly give me a scorching kiss. “You are so beautiful,” I whispered against her lips, making her giggle. Taking it further, I said, “You remind me of my morning coffee, sweet and strong.”

“So, you say,” she grunted. Her eyes were gleaming mischievously, and I knew then that she was joking with me.

Little devil, I thought as I resisted the urge to take her then and there. She had no idea how much strain she was putting on my self-control. “And I will keep saying it no matter what because it’s the truth.”

She tilted her head as she looked at me, a slow smile splitting her face as she giggled. The sound was like music to my ears, a sweet, innocent melody that only made my admiration for her grow stronger. Her eyes gleaming with mischief, she teased, "So, Mr. Dane, is it almost report card time?"

"Oh, you're ready," I told her firmly, a smirk flitting across my face. The confidence in my voice was unwavering, a testament to the hard work and dedication she had put into her transformation.

Giggling, she said, "It's kind of hot that I get to date my trainer without getting in trouble."

Her playful words were like a spark, igniting a warmth inside me that I could barely contain. The thought of our unique relationship brought a smile to my face, and I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of pride and affection for the incredible woman she had become. Still, I had to wait.

All Hallows was approaching fast (I had only one and a half months left to get her ready), but everything seemed to be going okay. She was happier, much more full of life than when she first arrived.

I kissed her again. The soft, feminine curves under my hands made me wish we had more time. It made me wish I never made that promise to Clara and my father. Since we were preoccupied with her health, I never bothered her about s*x. I had assured her that I would wait until all the bad stuff blew over, and she was feeling better about herself. Assured her that I was willing to wait until she was ready.

“Come on, we got to head back to the house for your doctor visit,” I said, checking my watch for show.

She groaned, protesting as she rolled her eyes.

I felt like I was missing something crucial. The way she seemed to change when surrounded by the forest reminded me of a memory from my childhood, but I couldn't pinpoint it. She appeared so at home with nothing but the fresh air and nature all around her. Each time we entered the path, the trees seemed to give her space. The roots I dodged appeared to vanish when she passed. When we left the course I mapped out, Nature herself seemed to weep for the loss of the brightness that was Izaria’s spirit.

Choosing to walk back, we took our time, chatting and laughing until my phone rang. Pulling it out, I wasn’t expecting the name on the screen. It was Dre.

Yeah, of course I immediately answered his call! “Hey, man, what’s up? It’s been a while.”

“A while? Neil, it’s been near on a year since we last spoke. How have you been? I, uh, I’ve kind of been worried about you,” he stated without preamble.

“Yeah, but I recall a time when you left me nothing but a letter to explain your absence,” I grumbled. Yes, I was holding a grudge from years before. During a time before work, school, and training had us drifting apart slowly. Yet, like the tides ebb and flow, we always found a way back to one another.

“Dude, serious?” He asked, and, for only a moment, I could hear the femininity in his voice. Just a moment, though. He was good at hiding. “We were fourteen, Neil. I had to go to the Sage Tower for training because I unlocked my abilities too early. Remember that, Mr. I Can’t Let Some s**t Go?”

I chuckled, “I can so let stuff go. I just enjoy pissing you off.”

“Ass,” he grunted. “Listen, Kaden’s getting antsy without a call from his Alpha. Wanna give him something to do?”

“Pull weeds?” I suggested.

Dreson snickered. “I really don’t give a crap what work you give him, but you best do it soon or you won’t have your super wolf. I’m about to strangle my baby bro, man. Lend me a hand. Please?”

Glancing at Izaria, I bit my lip, “Send him, but straight to my office first. I need to give him a hush order.”

“Oh, damn,” Dreson replied with a whistle.