#9

Aurora pov
I woke cradled in warmth and the smell of pine and cedar. Drowning in comfort and contentedness. I kept my eyes closed, feeling the warmth of the rising sun on my face. As I gently pointed my toes in a lazy stretch, I suddenly became very aware of something very firm and not furry pressed against me. I noticed the tightening of a large, calloused hand over mine as stubble tickled my ear, and a warm breath fluttered across my cheek. “Don’t be afraid, I know this must be crazy to you, insane even.” a deep gravelly voice spoke next to my ear. Something deep within me latched onto the sound. My eyes flew open, protesting the light. “Just know you are not in danger and please, for Goddess’s sake, hear me out.” “Please?”. That last bit was voiced like a strangled plea. I swallowed hard; I froze and yet my heart thundered, but it wasn’t fear. There was an instinct within me calling out at a soul level. The stranger's voice awakened something strange within me, and my stomach tightened.

I repositioned myself in the cage of his body, or was it an embrace within his muscled arms, facing the unexpected man? My front pressed firmly against his as his brawny muscles seemed to refuse to allow space between us. Choking on a gasp at the feel of all of his warm skin against mine. My eyes traveled up from their level of strongly defined pecks and a dusting of manly chest hair where my other hand instinctively seemed to rest over his heart. My frantic mind brought forward images of my dreams. The predatory eyes, the dog’s tail, and the powerful chest before me were the same. My heart skipped a beat as my eyes traveled up to a scruffy auburn beard resting on a face of a chiseled, hotter-than-the-sun facade of man. Tousled, loose curls of boyish auburn locks dangled into his eyes. When my eyes met his sapphire gaze, they held his stare. A gasp left my lips as something clicked inside me. My heart could have burst with emotion. The tether that pulled me impossibly toward him when there was no space to move closer suddenly slackened. And I became very aware of a new hum of energy where our skin met. As well as the fact that I was practically nude against his nakedness. I was sure I was blushing at this point. Any sane woman would have frantically pushed him away and tried to escape the stranger's grasp.

We gazed back at each other for some time, my voice lost to me in awe and confusion as my mind attempted to piece together the happenings of yesterday, to where we were today. He stared back like I was a wild horse, ready to bolt at his first movement. I finally blinked, smirking up at him.

“Well, you could start by telling me why I fell asleep with a wolf as my furnace, fearing to be his dinner when he woke up, and how you got here. Or how we are in this,” I cleared my throat, as I searched for words. “questionable situation, and why on earth you are completely naked?” He smirked back, seeming to enjoy how I made light while still sticking to the point with firm confidence. “Well, dearest,” he said, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “I am Evander. I am the wolf and the wolf is me. My goddess has blessed us as re’iteach (betrothed) I know you are not entirely human, but I’m not sure you know about my kind?” I blinked, searching his eyes as I pulled forward memories of my studies of ancient lore and supernatural creatures of the past that had melted into history. I dismissed the word betrothed, opting for the most relevant information first.

Running through my knowledge of history and lore. “Fir mhadaidah? (wolfmen?)” I inquired. He smiled. I assumed I was correct when he spoke again “We are *daoine madadh-allaidah,* (wolf people) facts have been led astray over the years our women and children are also blessed with the gift of the *ban-diva na gealaich* (Moon Goddess)”. I nodded in understanding, curious that he used ancient Gaelic so easily, even among witches that was rare. “There is very little to find in information on your people,” I said. Remembering, the chapters on them were very short. “I know, blessed one, you are a witch as well. Knowing only as I know another at home in Hallow Moon. I think you should come and meet the paca mhadadh-allaidh (pack of wolves)” Blessed one? A pack of wolf people? And a witch. I tilted my head, considering his words. This must be my path. I allowed myself to sink momentarily into the gloriously wicked feel of our skin humming to its own, sensually alluring beat. My goddess wasn’t funny, she was vexing me with something I had no experience with and I sure as hell didn’t know what I was getting myself into. I was way over my head here. I was sure of it. But it was time to experience what my path was, and it led me straight to this sinfully exquisite man. I bit my lip as I became resolved in my choice.

“I will go with you on my terms. A’mhathair (The Mother) has brought me here. I do not know what re’iteach is to you. That will be something you will have to explain along the way.” His eyes suddenly had a deer-in-the-headlights look. Why does a grown-ass man look so fearful at this moment? I ignored it, opting to change the subject. “I need to get dressed, you,” I paused. “need to figure something out. I’m not watching your naked ass hiking through the woods all day.” He smirked. “What? Am I that distracting?” he feigned innocence. It was taking everything in me to ignore the firm appendage nestled against my thigh, My eyes rolled, pulling the sleeping bag with me as he finally allowed me to escape his grasp as my body protested the loss of the hum created by our skin contact. I collected my still-damp clothing from the rock where it still stuck. Boy, did he have that right? If forced to take in his nakedness all day, I would probably lose all sense of myself. “My terms,” I repeated before hearing a crunching sound and the fizzle of energy I had not encountered before. I pulled on my leggings and tank before dropping the sleeping bag to collect my skirt and sweater.

I turned to him, finding myself facing the wolf. “that’s a neat trick. You’ll have to show me someday” The energy fizzled again as the well-endowed, very muscular, and ruggedly sexy man stood before me once more. I choked on my spit and turned away, as I got an eyeful of all his delicious, impressive dangling bits. Taking deep breaths. Wow, I'm not sure how that fits anywhere, I thought to myself. “That is not what you want to wave in front of a lady destined to die with her plants,” I mumbled, pulling my sweater on. I heard him chuckle as the fizzle once more occurred. I pulled on my skirt before having the guts to turn around once more. He stood on all four legs as if this entire situation was just another day. Tounge lulling out wolf's grin and all. His tail contentedly swayed side to side. The epitome of oversized canine wolf contentment. I cocked my head. “seems you are on the mend, boy,” I voiced condescendingly to the wolf. He huffed but pranced a little, showing me he was better than alright.

“Whelp, show me the way, let's see what’s in store for us,” I told the animal in front of me as I gestured ahead. He bounded forward, looking back and waiting for me to catch up. He didn’t move an inch before I reached him. My fingers instinctively reached to brush his fur as the hum vibrated back to me, just as the man did. The tether was still evident, but the pull hung like a slackened cord, as if it was content that I was being led by my mysterious companion. I was on the right path. ‘come along, love,’ his voice sounded in my head. My eyes shot to the wolf, who had paused, looking over his shoulder with what must have been a lopsided grin. That I didn’t expect. “Did you just?” The wolf seemed to wink at me. “Really?” I said out loud, exasperated. My mind was now also home to the wolf's voice. How special.