47. Honeymoon

Laura - Oltenia pack’s meeting grounds
I guess my performance yesterday was up for the task since today I stand on the grounds of the Oltenia pack.
Paul gets out of the car, carrying lots of shopping bags. He didn’t want to leave Bucharest until Dan came with these packs, which I believe are filled with gifts.
I look up at him, wondering what he has in mind.
“Are you ready?” he asks.
“Yes, I am."
But before I can take another step, Paul is surrounded by kids of various ages, all asking for sweets and toys.
Soon, I realize I was right. I remain a few feet behind him, smiling. Paul looks like an uncle who lives abroad, and on the rare occasions he visits, he has to share gifts for all the events he has missed.
Adults stay back and wait for the jumble of children to disperse. Something that happens sooner rather than later, right when everyone is happy with what they got.
A tall, broad-shouldered guy with beautiful amber eyes walks forward when the path is clear.
“Welcome, Paul. We've been waiting for you to arrive.”
Rather than a handshake, he slaps Paul's shoulder so violently that it would knock anyone off their feet.
But Paul responds with a smile as if this is a normal occurrence. "Hey, Radu! It's been a while. The last time I was around these parts, I didn’t have the time to meet up with you. But thanks again for closing up Sohodol Canyon for me."
“Don’t mention it.” Radu gives a dismissive gesture with his hand and then looks at me over Paul’s shoulder. “Don’t tell me this is your mate. I’m jealous.”
He comes in front of me and kisses my hand.
“Are all wolves this old-fashioned?” I ask with a grin.
I'm using this opportunity to hint at the fact that I’m not one of them. It’s better to get things straight from the start.
“No.” Radu chuckles, showing off a perfect smile. “Only when they see a beautiful woman.”
“Even if she’s a strigoi?”
In response to my comment, Paul frowns, and I look at Radu, who is even more elated.
"Even then, if her beauty knows no boundaries."
His answer amuses me. “Oh, you’re quite the charmer, aren’t you?”
"He is, indeed." Paul approaches and wraps his arm around my waist before looking at Radu. "How did you find out?"
“News travels fast, especially the baffling stuff.” The alpha of the Oltenia pack stuffs his hands inside his pockets, keeping his warm smile at all times. “I’ve prepared a remote cabin in the woods. Since you’re on a honeymoon, I assumed you guys preferred some privacy.”
Paul nods. “Thank you.”
“It takes about an hour on foot on the mountain path, but I assume that’s fine with you. I’ll have someone take your luggage and dinner there. Do you need a guide?”
“We can manage.” Paul points toward a trail ascending through the forest. “It’s through there, right?”
Radu approves with a wink, and Paul and I start an evening stroll through the trees. It’s a welcome distraction after so much time spent in the car.
We proceed in silence, just as we did on the trip here. I can't stop thinking whether we'll continue our sexual connection or if it was just a one-time thing. Okay, granted, we didn't do it only once. But I don't know if it's possible to build something more than what we already have.
The path is narrow, and I go first.
“Paul, this is how people live here? The wolves in this pack stay together like this?” I ask out of curiosity while also trying to make conversation.
“No. Radu summoned them to greet me even though I told him not to. But I won’t complain. I like the way they welcome me, especially the kids.”
Suddenly, something jumps out of the trees. I gasp. The wolf in front of me has bloodshot red eyes, its fangs dripping with saliva. A huge black beast, twice the size of a normal wolf, stands before me.
Paul steps in front of me and snarls at the animal. The creature’s tail gets between its legs, and the wolf runs away, yapping.
“You okay?” Paul asks with concern.
“What was that?”
"When a wolf disobeys the rules or the pack’s alpha, he’s banished to wander alone. After a while, the wild part takes over, and he becomes fully wolf-like, his human side suppressed. That’s their punishment."
“This is what you should have done with Alin too?” I ask. “Banish him from the pack?”
Paul gives me a sad smile, lowering his head. “Yes. Other alphas have banished members for less.” He turns around and continues up the path. “I guess I’m a sucker for bending the rules in these past few months.”
I remain silent as I follow him to the cabin. The woods eventually give way to a clearing, and we arrive at our destination. It sits atop a hill surrounded by trees. From the outside, our honeymoon abode looks like a simple wooden structure, but inside it is beautifully decorated.
"Nice," I murmur as I look around.
"Yeah, Radu is a good host.” Paul turns to me, a bright smile on his face once our eyes meet.
Even though he can put everything aside so quickly, I can’t. My place isn’t here; I’m not fit to walk beside him.
“Why such a sad face?” His arms wrap around me. “What do you want, Laura? Tell me, and it's yours.”
For a brief moment, I think about asking for death, but somehow my lifelong greatest desire feels like a grain of sand in comparison to the one that ignites inside my soul whenever he's near.
I can get drunk off words like these dripping so easily from Paul’s lips. Such thoughtfulness. I like this about Paul. It makes me want to be more thoughtful in return.
But this is actually the problem. Paul deserves better. I'm selfish, and my presence next to him is evidence of my greediness.
I cup his face and pull him in close. I kiss Paul's perfectly sculpted eyebrows. As my lips wander lower, his eyes close in order to receive my kisses as well.
My eyes get wetter at the thought that I'm not the right one for him. But tears are only an excuse for the guilt to receive forgiveness. And I'm shameless enough to live with the blame. At least for now.
Settling my nose next to his, I whisper, "Make me yours again."