#38

Evander
“I cleared out some drawers and some space in our closet this afternoon,” I told her as I flopped down on the edge of the bed. Her eyes shined at me over her mug. She had put some herbal concoctions together after dinner. “I don’t even know what half of it is, to be honest. I couldn’t focus on anything after the phone call.” She said. She clearly felt tortured by her brief shopping trip. I pushed back the anger towards my brother's treatment of my mate. He would get what he deserved when he showed up. The proper threat from me. That is if he showed up. I wouldn't put it past him to set a rouse just to boil my blood. Or to use this as an attempt to gain access to whatever her estates were overseas for his own, self-advancement. Whether it was personal or financial, he was always hungry to see if anything could improve his standings among other packs and, as we can see from this situation, he wasn’t against blackmail. She hadn’t wanted me to worry about it, but in the end, she was honest with me, which I appreciated. There shouldn’t be secrets like that among mates.

She lit up the fireplace and removed her jacket. I watched as she pulled the bags over to the bed and began laying the items out. Most of it was plain and functional. Flannel button downs, jeans, thermal shirts, and pants. There was a snow and a corduroy jacket, both in grey, and a heavy-duty pair of black boots. She tossed a mixed bag of what looked like underwear to the side and walked another to the bathroom. She came back out pulling her hairbrush and toiletries out and put them in the bathroom as well. I beamed at her nesting into my space. Making it ours.

When she pulled up the last bag, she asked me for some hangers which I brought to her. She hung the coats in the closet before pulling out a long, flowing, second-hand bohemian dress. The earth tones and whimsical patterns suited her. “Let me guess,” I asked, eyeing the light in her eyes as she appraised it, putting it on the hanger. “This bag and that chest are the only things you willingly picked out.” She shrugged and placed it in the closet. “How did you know? Is my distaste for shopping that evident?” I chuckled. “It is very apparent. It appears as I learn your tastes, I’ll have to do that task for you.” She eyed me, eyes sparkling. “You are the only female I know who would go on an unlimited shopping spree and spend next to nothing.” She cringed. “That was all Whinnie,” she stated, gesturing to the piles of clothes which were modest considering I had assigned Whinnie to the task. As she began to move her piles over to the dresser drawers, I had emptied. I could tell something was off, but I couldn't put my finger on it.

She then went to get the heavy chest. “I’ll get it,” I said standing.” She eyed me. “You’re such a gentleman.” She teased. “Sometimes,” I told her. "But don't think that's all you’ll ever see." She smirked at me hefting up her pack. I set it in the middle of the bed and she climbed up and sat in front of it balancing the tea in her criss-crossed lap. I climbed up next to her. She opened it wide investigating all the compartments and empty bottles. Much of the drawers and compartments. were empty. She started pulling out trinkets and herbs wrapped in parchment paper; they were neatly folded into little origami-like envelopes.

“What’s all this?” I asked, gesturing to the trinkets. There were various crystals and stones. Some were on intricate chains, some with purposely knotted twine, making intricate patterns. A few feathers decorated with beads of jasper among smooth stones, with runes carved in them. “It’s witch stuff,” she shrugged. “Well, what's it all for? They must have a purpose.” She picked through the pile of stones showing me an onyx and hematite. “This one,” she said, holding up the silver stone. “Is very grounding, and the onyx helps ward off those with ill intention.” Pulling out the glass vials, she separated many of the stones and small crystals as she told me various uses for them and how you could take specific ones and make talismans like the one she used at night for protection when she was alone in the forest. She showed me a pendulum she said could work for locating spells and answering divine questions or communicating with spirits. A small clear crystal ball could be used for scrying, but she didn't use it since she had her dreams.

It was nice just being in her presence, and learning things about her. She seemed comfortable now sharing these things with me. Her eyes lit up as she explained things, never talking down on my ignorance or annoyed by my questions. Always coming back with relatable explanations. Her knowledge was extremely vast, and I realized how smart she must be. She pulled out a purple velvet pouch and stuffed it under her pillow. I eyed her for an explanation. “That is for another day,” she said. I guess she wasn’t ready to reveal everything just yet. It disheartened me a little.

She finished putting away the herbs and trinkets, and then pulled some bits of jewelry out of the thrift store bag and placed them neatly into the tiny compartments of the chest. When she closed up the chest, latching it. I got up to put it away. "Where do you want it?'' I asked. "Where you had it is fine,'' she said. “I'm going to make more tea,'” she said, grabbing her cup and sauntering down the stairs.

‘Hey Diablo,’ I reached out. ‘Yes, Alpha?’ His sleepy voice came back ‘When do I worry about the amount of tea she’s consuming?’ I asked. ‘Evander, she hates the teas. If she's trying to numb it out, she’s already suffering. The fever is imminent. Within days’ He informed me sadly. ‘What do I do?’ I fretted. ‘There's nothing you can do Alpha, this is just one price she pays for the gifts she never asked for. Don't let her be alone so we can do what we can when it starts.’ I was up and moving. ‘Then what?’ I asked. ‘We make her as comfortable as possible and try to figure it out. There’s got to be a solution.’

As I hit the ground floor, I saw her at the stove, the dim light accentuating the grim circles under her eyes. Had they been there an hour ago? Her hip leaned against the counter for support. Her elbow is on the countertop, eyes closed. The side of her face rested in her hand. I snuck up behind her. Looping an arm around her waist. “What's going on, love?” she had startled before melting into me. “Nothing, just a headache. I guess I've had too many long days in a row.” I nuzzled down into her neck. It had changed slightly. The dormant wolf was beginning to make her presence known. “Well, tomorrow you are sleeping in,” a soft silent giggle bubbled up. “Evander, I have mating lessons with Millie tomorrow, or do you want me to skip my lessons?” She looked up at me, her eyes weary but full of something else. It was something I couldn't discern, but my instincts told me to remain hopeful. “How about I get you in bed, and I’ll bring you your tea when it's ready?” “Mmmhh, sounds amazing right now.” she relented. I could tell I surprised her when I scooped her off her feet and carried her back upstairs, one hand clinging to my shirt.

I laid her down pulling her boots and socks off. When I went to her pant button, I looked up at her and she shrugged. I pulled her pants off, tossing them in the corner, exposing her pale purple boy short panties. Going to our dresser, I grabbed out a tee, before coming back and helping her pull the sweater over her head, revealing a braless Aurora. My mouth watered. The shirt in my hand forgotten fell to the floor, the bond's haze insisting I claim my gift, and I found my hands traveling up her sides, cupping her breasts whose dusky rose peaks were firm in the cool night air while my hands felt the weight of her plump, soft spheres. My nose at her neck inhaled deeply. My fangs extended. I ran my tongue from the back of her ear to the sweet hollow of her neck, her heart hammering like a hummingbird. I rested my mouth and nose in the valley of her breasts fondling the peaks with my hands painfully, slowly kissing over to one peak before taking it in my mouth.

She responded with a gasp and a hitching breath. Her fingers found my hair. She tasted of sea salt, honey, coconut, and lavender. The hint of the lemongrass and sage saturated into her skin over the years was intoxicating. As I moved to the other, I heard her try to muffle a moan. Grinning to myself I began making a trail lapping and kissing, sucking and nipping at an excruciatingly slow pace. I didn't intend on fucking her yet, but I would worship her every millimeter of skin if she allowed it. Her response was to grip my unruly curls harder, as she choked out gasps she tried to silence. I looked up at her, my chin resting over her navel, as she had fallen back on her elbows. Her stormy, pale green gaze left mine the eyelids as they rolled back into her head. “Your absolutely exquisite love,” I said, crawling back up to meet her eyes straight on, “But,” I whispered into her ear before sucking on the lobe. Feeling, her shiver before she melted beneath me. “I want to hear your voice as I worship my greatest gift. I need to know I'm doing what pleases you,” She went scarlet. Pulling the pillow over her face, a rush of panic rushed through the bond. Oh, my Love is shy, I thought. Her heart thundered, and I chuckled to myself. I lazily drew on her skin, the softness like petals. “The wolf wants to play. Are you going to come out and play with me, my Love? Or do you want me to leave you alone?” Her legs wrapped around me, unexpectedly locking me to her with a strength I didn't expect. She made a groaning noise into the pillow. What on earth was going on in my little mate's head?