Cracked Open

Dean burst through the tent opening.
“Where is she? What the hell happened?”
“It was an accident, Dean.” My voice cracked.
“Accident? Fuck that. You shouldn’t have been out there in the first place, Layla.”
“I’m fine. The accident… was a good thing.”
He ran a hand down his face and groaned, “How the hell can an accident be a good thing?”
I lifted the corner of my mouth and shrugged. Dean turned to Bane and the young beta wolves who insisted on not leaving me alone even Ginger.
“She’s fine. The healer says she has a bruise on the back of her head but she’s healing quickly.”
Dean nodded, “Thank you. I want to talk to her alone.” He ordered.
My friends stared at me and I smiled.
“I’ll see you later guys.”
“See you tomorrow Layla.” Sam said while Ash and Ginger waved.
When we were alone Alpha power filled the room. It was so much it gave me a headache. I remembered when the Alpha in our pack used it to keep his army in check. My father was always strong enough to withstand it. He promised to teach me the secret, but he never got around to it.
“Calm down Dean. You’re giving me a headache.”
“I don’t mean it. What were you doing Layla? Are you trying to kill me?”
“Were you scared?”
“Scared? I was fucking terrified.” He took my hand and kissed it. Then he bent over and captured my lips. The passion in his kiss made my insides warm.
“It was an accident.”
“Why were you out there anyway? There’s so much you can do in the house. You don’t have to fight.”
“I wasn’t made for making babies and running houses Dean. I’m a warrior.”
He settled on the edge of the bed and took my hand again.
“How was the accident a good thing?”
The corner of my mouth curled, “I remember.”
“You remember everything?”
“I remember a lot. I remember who I was. I now know I’m the last of my pack.”
“Are you sure Little Wolf?”
I nodded, “Men with swords attacked our village. They wiped out everyone. They were like super humans.”
“Men with swords? Are you sure you’re not remembering a movie you once saw?”
I sat up so I could meet his eyes. The screams of my fellow villagers echoed in my ears. No one was left. The entire village went up in flames. I didn't remember how to get back there. I didn't want to though, not yet. I couldn't face the reality.
“I was there. I watched them burn my village to the ground. If my father hadn’t forced me to run, you wouldn’t have a mate.”
He pulled me close and kissed me. “I’m sorry. Your description doesn’t match any pack I know.”
“They didn’t even shift.”
I cradled my head. Dean pulled me to his chest and stroked my hair.
“That’s enough we can talk about this tomorrow.”
“I’m tired of being here. Can we go for a walk?”
“Yeah, the moonlight could be good for you.”
“Little Wolf,” Dean said when we came to the bank of a small river.
I didn’t know how I felt about rivers after the whole Locus Lake incident. I still didn’t know why that thing kept manifesting and there was that voice. I kept that part of myself until now.
“What is it?” I asked
He brought me in his arms and kissed the top of my head. I almost melted into him. I felt that string, the connection between us grow stronger. I could almost smell it in the air. Dean kept me in his embrace for what felt like hours. I felt peace and I like I truly belonged with him. I knew I wasn’t a spy now, but I also knew I was alone in his world. I lost both my parents and my friends. There was no one left.
Dean lay me on the grass and stared into my purple eyes.
“I’ve got so many questions, but not now.”
I reached for the bottom of his shirt and pulled it over his head. I felt like two different people struggling for domination over one body. I could agree that I wanted Dean at the moment. When we were both fully naked under the half-moon with the biting wind whipping through us. Dean penetrated me.
I gasped and shut my eyes.
“You okay?” He asked. He paused before he started moving.
I nodded. It didn’t hurt as much as the first time, but I hadn’t gotten used to taking him in.
“You want me to go slow?”
“No,” I bit my lower lip.
He looked reluctant but started a steady rock. I elevated my knees and shut my eyes. I relished the feeling of Dean’s lips exploring my neck.
“Faster,” I whispered.
“Layla…” he growled but obeyed my command.
He kissed every inch of me. I never felt so alive so right. I almost felt like I was glowing from within.
When we finished we lay on the grass staring at the stars with nothing beneath us to protect us from the itching grass.
“You know I didn’t want a mate,” I said.
His hand gripped my shoulder, “Do you feel that way now?”
“Of course not. I mean in my pack it meant immediately getting married and raising a family. I wanted to serve in the Alpha’s army first.”
“Do you still want to do that?”
“I do, but my pack wasn’t fighting for anything. I don’t want to be in the way—”
“You wouldn’t be in the way. I’ll train you if I have to.”
“I can’t shift remember?” I looked up at him.
He smiled and kissed me. “We’ll figure it out.”
I snuggled into him and fell asleep. I jolted awake because of a sharp pain in my back. I broke free of Dean’s hold and stumbled a few feet away.
“Uh,” pain rippled through my arms.
Electricity burst from my abdomen. I struggled to contain my screams. My vision blurred and I buckled to the ground. Dean was still asleep. I couldn’t call him because my voice was gone.
Crap.