Chapter 10 - Hope
591 Words
After she was gone, I headed back to my office to ponder the night. Cyril & 'Trick quickly found their way there as well. I was standing at the front of my desk, looking at her number that I managed to record when they walked in.
'Trick, ever the jokester, blurted out, "That was one hot MILF you were getting it on with, Evan!"
Although I know he meant nothing by it, my jealousy exploded in a roar. I sprang towards him, clasping my hand around his neck as I growled, "DO NOT TALK THAT WAY ABOUT MY MATE!!"
I could see the fear in his eyes as he paled. He tilted his head down & bared his neck in submission to my dominance. Simultaneously, Cyril exclaimed, "Holy s**t! Congratulations. But how is that even possible?!"
I looked him, smiled & stated, "I have no idea, but I don't care. I'm just thankful. Overwhelmingly thankful."
Cyril then cleared his throat, glanced at my hand still clasped hand around 'Trick's neck, & then looked back at me. It took me a moment before I removed my hand away from 'Trick.
When let free, he coughed & rubbed his neck. "Damn, Alpha. I didn't know! I'm sorry," he said with a hoarse voice. "But did you really have to choke me?!"
"Yes," I declared as I glared at him. Then I couldn't help but smirk. Very quickly, Cyril & I were both laughing at his expense since he's often been warned that his sense of humor could lead to trouble. There is a reason, after all, that his name, Patrick, was shortened to 'Trick when he was young.
"What now?" Cyril asked.
"And why are you here with us rather than mating & marking her?" asked 'Trick.
I let out a low, menacing growl. "That's your future Luna. Watch how speak of her!" 'Trick threw up his hands in surrender.
"He has a point, Evan."
I sighed in frustration & ran my hand down my face. "She's human."
"What?!" they both shouted in unison.
"I still can't believe it. After all these years, a second chance mate… But she's human, so I have to be careful I don't push to fast for her."
I could sense Duke's agitation when I said this. As an Alpha wolf, he wanted to mate & mark on the dance floor in front of everyone. "Animal," I said to him & internally chuckle. He simply grunted in reply.
Although Cyril & 'Trick were young enough to be my children, our working relationship lead them to be more like younger brothers. I did have to hand it to them, they patiently waited for me to continue, sensing I was communicating with Duke, yet still had more to say.
"She's beautiful... I had forgotten how amazing it feels to touch your mate. It's different than it was with Aurora, but every bit as wonderful. Kissing her tasted like a delicate lemon-vanilla sugar cookie with a hint of honey…"
As I trailed off, I noticed Cyril & 'Trick watching at me with amused looks on their faces. After Aurora's death, I became much more serious. Although I was fair & showed kindness, I rarely joked around & laughed or waxed poetic. They had mostly forgotten how much I had changed since she was gone, so this was a side of me that seemed new to them.
Perhaps I should have felt embarrassed, but I didn't. For this first time in years, I felt something new & unfamiliar. Hope. I felt hope.
- Writer
