Rutting Season

10

Tessa stood in the group and listened to the chaperone. “All right, group. Bring your pack and leave everything else. It will be brought back for you. Today, we will be hiking as a group. Once we reach our destination, we will have a picnic lunch and shift. Remember, these activities are for you to get to know each other, so make good impressions and choose wisely. Once the bond is created, it can’t be undone.”

She eyed the crowd for Racyn. His white hair made finding him easier, and she spotted him on the far edge of the group. His golden eyes met hers, and he gave her a half grin, the right side of his mouth turning up.

She shouldered her bag and tightened the straps as she walked to him. “Good morning,” he greeted her, and she returned his smile. “Good morning to you, too,” she answered. “What do you think about today’s activity,” she asked, choosing a safe topic to start their hike.

He shrugged one shoulder, his eyes on the trail. “I think this has been their best idea so far. I dislike some of what they make us do.” he grimaced, and she laughed.

“So, about last night. Um, I,” she was cut off by Racyn. “It’s okay if you've changed your mind.” She was still conflicted inside, but something made her go with it. “No, I haven't changed my mind. That’s what I wanted to say. If you still want to, I mean.”

She sighed, feeling awkward, and looked at him with a sideways glance. His golden eyes were intense. “Tessa, have you really thought about this? I know you could have your choice of men, and you have plenty of time to decide. It’s unfair of me to have demands when it’s so difficult to find a mate.”

She lay her hand on his arm. Wait,” her voice was demanding, but her eyes were tender as she paused their walk. He turned to look directly at her. “Race, there’s nothing wrong with wanting a mate who truly loves you. I’ll be honest. I’m not in love with you, but I am drawn to you in a way I've never felt before. I think with time, we could be very much in love.”

She felt the heat of embarrassment on her face and neck as she looked into his eyes, but he didn't look upset. Instead, she saw a spark in his eyes that wasn't there before. He stepped closer to her, his height and size making her feel delicate as he put an arm around her waist and pulled her close.

Her chin tilted up so she could keep eye contact. “I couldn't ask for anything more. I’m honored that you would choose me. When we get back, I will make my offer.”

Her mouth felt dry. She was nervous about her decision, but her body tingled with excitement from being pressed against him. She drew in a deep breath, calming her racing heart. “I’m scared,” she blurted out, then but her lips. That’s not what she was going to say.

Racyn’s hand was still on her waist, and he used the other to trace the side of her face. “You’re the one with all the power. You have nothing to be scared of. From the moment you bumped into me, I’ve known I would either leave here with you or alone.”

She grabbed his hand and brought it to her lips, kissing his fingertips. “What if we do this and you realize it was just physical attraction and we don't even like each other? You’re an alpha, and I just graduated. I don't know what I want to do with life. We’re so different,” she told him, her fear, needing to hear his reassurance.

He shook his head, a small smile on his lips. “I’ll support you as you decide what you want. We will reach our goals together. We will have a wonderfully happy life.”

She relaxed and hugged his waist. “Okay. We better catch up with the group. We have plenty of time to figure things out when we return.” He laced their fingers together, and they walked side by side.

Tessa thought about how her parents would respond when she told them the news. Choosing Racyn meant she would be leaving their pack to live in Canada. She would miss them. They hiked the rest of the trail silently but still holding hands. When they arrived at the edge of a large forested area, the chaperones set up a circle of chairs to relax. "We will be remaining here with the packs. You have the rest of the afternoon to run in your elk form. Be back at dark where there will be trucks waiting to take us back to the pack," one of them instructed.

Racyn quirked an eyebrow at her, and she grinned back at him. "Ready to stretch those legs," he teased, and she nodded. "Yeah. I'm just going to step over there." Tessa pointed to a large tree nearby. With her packmates, she was more comfortable taking off her clothes, but not in front of him. He walked off a few feet in the opposite direction to give her more space, and she quickly discarded her clothes and shifted. She stood tall and slim in her doe form and walked out to meet him.

Racyn was impossible to miss with his large size and unique eyes. He brushed his body against hers and nudged her neck with his nose. Tessa took that as her cue and took off through the trees. She could hear his hooves beating the ground behind her. It would be easy to catch up to her, but the males enjoyed the chase.

The feeling of being in the trees with the shade of their branches overhead and the soft grass on the ground was magical, like being in another world. The sounds of the other forest animals were like a soft song playing in the background, and Tessa felt so much joy that she pushed herself into a full run.

She lept over logs and curved around bushes and trees until she came to a small stream. It was clear and running gently. The water was only a few feet deep, and she stepped into it before transitioning back to her human form and sinking down into a kneeling position to cover her breast.

Racyn splashed into the water a few seconds later, and she admired the speed at which he shifted back to his human form. She was still new to the change, which took her a little longer. Settling into the water, he moved closer to her. "Today is definitely my favorite. I loved the activities yesterday, but this is even better," she told him. Her head was tilted back, wetting her hair to keep the strands out of her face. When she righted herself, he was close enough to touch, but he didn't reach for her.

Feeling bold, she moved until they were inches apart and reached for him, brushing the loose strands of his hair away from his face. "Race," his name was a plea on her lips that called to him like a siren's song, but he resisted, choosing to watch her next move instead.

Tessa's hand went to his shoulder, and she pulled him into her for a kiss. Their lips met in a soft caress at first, and he made a noise deep in his throat, "Mmm." Hearing his noise of pleasure made her shiver, and she opened her mouth to him. His tongue met hers, and she leaned into him. This kiss was different than the others they had shared. Before, it was hungry and demanding, easing the ache of his rut. Now, it was gentle and affectionate. It made her feel like something between them had changed in that moment. It felt important, but she couldn't name it. When they finally separated, he took her hand and led her out of the water.