Chapter 41: First Signs of Love

[Cole]
Don’t fall in love with your plans, Cole learned.

Battles are always circled with countless uncertainties and abrupt changes until their last second. He knew them well, every muscle and nerve of his body was familiar too. The adrenaline rush does not impair him. Instead, it makes him more determined.

“It’s a warning for danger,” Modis continued. “Father only uses it when I’m away from home.”

“What does it mean?” Dove searched the sky again but there was nothing. The white clouds continued to sail peacefully across the afternoon sun.

Modis looked carefully at Cole. “There were two flashes. I’m guessing it means, ‘danger in two days’. Father knows I’m here so the danger is--.”

“The battle,” his wife whispered. Then she turned around in shock. “But, isn’t the full moon in three days?”

Cole grunted, “Oscar probably planned to celebrate his victory on the full moon.” That crazy mutt, Cole added silently.

Oscar’s messenger would arrive later today with the battle date, time and place. But thanks to Modis, they got a heads up. Saul had gone through great lengths to get the latest news and forewarn his daughter to ensure her safety.

After thanking the red-haired werewoman, Cole watched her hurry back to Owin and pull him away from the bonfires.

Immediately, Cole turned to his wife. “Get Megan.”

Once Dove sped off, he gathered Jude and the elders once more.


******


[Abe]
He had a hard time convincing that crazy son of a witch to change the battle date.

But, Abe had caught up with the breadth of Oscar’s cockiness and, for the first time, the big-headed Alpha was hooked onto Abe’s idea. He agreed to fight Cole the day before the full moon, kill him and then celebrate their victory on the full moon, before the Moon Goddess.

Oscar had wanted to battle Cole on the full moon because he wanted the Moon Goddess to witness him exterminate Her ungrateful children.

His words were derided by Abe who knew what he was really after - to brag about his momentous victory whenever there was a full moon.

Abe laughed inwardly at the cub’s stupidity.

The last wolf standing would be Abe, of course.


******


[Dove]
It was in the dead of the night when Cole returned to the mansion.

I was in my bedroom, standing at the window, staring up at the moon, praying. I know that I shouldn’t because I’m the Luna of a new pack now, one that has stopped believing in the Moon Goddess.

But when I saw the strong white glow in my room, I couldn’t resist its assuring warmth. I went over to feel its grace.

Please, help us.

I thought of the smiles I had been receiving here and the people who cared for me - I want to protect them all.

Forgive us. We need time to get over the pain and trust again.

A soft rap on the door removed my gaze from the moon. I turned slightly, caught his shape and smiled.

I stayed at the window, letting the warm breeze wash my face. He came up behind me, then his arms went around my waist. I covered his hands with mine as he rested his chin on my shoulder.

"Those staying behind, how are they?" His breath tickled my ears.

Smiling, I whispered, "They are nervous but they are holding it together well. We'll practice the drills again tomorrow."

Cole tightened his arms. He pressed his lips gently on my shoulder and inhaled gently.

"The scarves should be ready in time."

A giggle escaped my lips. "How did you get Megan to agree?"

I felt a grin on his lips. "I sent Jude," he breathed.

My laughter rang across the stillness of my dark room. Suddenly, I understood why people wanted time to stop at a particular moment. The moment wasn't particularly perfect, but I wanted time to stop now.

A familiar chill spread in my neck. I could only pray and hope that what I dreaded would not happen.

His escape from the kerosene and silver was one lucky incident.

A new terror seized my mind. What if that one lucky incident was actually the mark of a bad omen? Such as his death…

Sharp heat burned my eyes and something huge threatened to burst from within. I turned slightly, stretched a hand behind and drew him in for a kiss.

I nibbled and sucked dearly as he drove me numb with his tongue. His arms squeezed around me as my back snuggled against the planes of his firm chest.

When he pulled away, we were slightly breathless, hanging onto each other. His voice was raspy. "What was that for?"

I blinked away the tears, then twisted my body more to face him and stared into his deep blue eyes.

"Hold me, Cole."

He stiffened. Eyes widened and brows furrowed, he observed me quietly as if he was trying to read my thoughts.

Slowly, his eyes darkened and he bent forward to take my lips, kissing me hungrily.

His hand roamed up to my breasts and massaged them, rubbing the sensitive buds, while another slipped under my dress, skimmed up the front of my thighs and cupped my lower lips, teasing them with his skilled fingers.

A familiar tightness filled my belly and swarms of butterflies fluttered inside me, sending streaks of tingling sensation to my limbs. A series of moans vibrated in my throat that broke into gasps of pleasure when his lips tore away.

He drizzled electrifying kisses down my neck until his tantalizing lips came to my nape. He started licking and sucking on the damped skin, evoking goosebumps all over me.

I was coming to a precipice below. Waves of sensations overwhelmed my limbs. My knees buckled and I bent forward, holding onto the window ledge for support and gasping heavily for a need to be fulfilled.

His fingers pulled away and a cool gust blew over my butt as the dress hiked up to my waist. Swiftly, he entered me, filling me completely.

I drew in sharply at the heightened rapture and then fell into a wave of high-pitched moans as he started moving, slowly at first, then picking up in rhythm and strength.

Wrapping his arms around my front, he pulled down my dress to free my breasts, and continued kneading them, pinching the sensitive buds, as he plunged deeper and deeper. Mixed emotions intensified and rippled throughout my body, materializing into hot tears down my burning cheeks.

My body arched to take in more of him and he groaned with satisfaction, hugging me closer to thrust deeper and continuously stroke the enticing spot. I began squeezing him more and his grunts grew louder.

His lips found the raw spot on my navel and I felt his teeth on my skin. Instantly, my heart froze. Is he going to mark me? I panicked.

“Cole, don’t!” I managed to gasp out in the midst of my passionate wails. My hair burst into bright white silver, illuminating the walls, filling it with our shadows.

He sucked hard on the skin instead and a lightning of bliss shot up my spine. Lifting me slightly, his lips found mine and kissed me firmly as he rammed one last time into me.

As his warmth poured into me, I kissed him back fiercely, not ever wanting to let go of him.


******


[Cole]
He almost marked her.

When she told him to hold her, her eyes brimming with a mixture of fear and deep affection for him, he was so mesmerized that he let the intense heat of passion take over his mind and instincts.

Her tears bothered him. She was worried about hurting him again and the thought infuriated him. Yet, he was helpless. He wanted her to be free from the worry and guilt, but that would mean leaving him, and he sure as hell didn’t want that.

This made him more annoyed. Why can’t he do something to relieve her of the torture? He’s her husband, for f*ck’s sake. He’s her… soulmate - the only one in the universe, made for her.

He is hers and she is his. Instinctively, his teeth came to the right spot, ready to sink into her flesh, printing her forever.

She snapped him back to reality.

Once again, her response irritated him.

It was as if she didn’t want to be his mate - and he didn’t like it.