In The Beginning, Chapter 24 - Shivers
Daniel POV
When Charlie came back from seeing her Aunt out, I could almost see the exhaustion and hear the way her mind was spinning. I took her hand in mine and led her towards the stairs, she paused and I could feel a question brewing inside her. She sighed and took a step onto the stairs, deciding not to ask whatever thought had occurred to her, but there was an undertone of defeat that had me stop her.
“Ask, whatever it is, I want to know.” I said as I brushed a curl away from her face, she bit her lip and my cock stiffened painfully against my pants.
“How are we supposed to fight something that can drain us of our... souls?” She asked, and I could see the fear on her face.
“We will find a way, we will win this war, I’m not willing to believe any other option is a possibility. I want years with you, and pups, and arguments over whose turn it is to bathe the pups. I’m not even close to done worshipping your body, you are my goddess and we will defeat Apollo together.” I vowed as I pulled her to me.
“I’m afraid I’m going to lose you.” She whispered, as she wrapped her arms around me, I squeezed her tighter, before deciding on a plan. I scooped her up and carried her to our bathroom, placed her on the sink counter and started running the water.
“I can’t promise you I won’t get hurt, or even die, especially when you will be in the battle too, because I would put myself in danger to protect you, there’s no point denying or arguing about it, I would. It’s in my nature, to protect those around me, it’s part of being an Alpha, part of who I am. But I can promise that I will do everything in my power to come back to you.” I tried to explain.
“I know, that’s what terrifies me.” She admitted, and I could feel her shame, I raised her chin so she would look at me and see my confused expression. “Everyone keeps saying I’m powerful, I have the ability, but I have no idea how to access it. What if I can’t get control of my powers and you end up dying because of it?” She sniffled, as she wiped away a tear, I could feel her fear and doubt bubbling under the surface.
“What can I do?” I asked stupidly, unsure how to proceed.
“Just let me feel overwhelmed sometimes?” I couldn’t help the scoff that escaped my lips at her suggestion. “You don’t have to fix anything, or make me feel better, sometimes that makes me feel worse, like I’m letting you down too.”
“Charlie, you have never let me down.” I sighed, frustrated.
“I know, just listen, please?” She asked, and I nodded, she took a steadying breath before continuing. “Sometimes, all I want from you, is understanding, like, ‘yeah that sucks, and I wish I could do something to help.’ Or even just saying you understand how something could be too much to process. I love that you think I can do anything, I just wish when I have doubts you didn’t automatically start cheerleading.”
“Cheerleading?” I chuckled, more confused than ever.
“Yeah, you tell me I can do it, it’ll be fine, not to worry so much. You sugar-coat things, and then I’m completely unprepared, and I need to be prepared, it’s how I handle my anxiety.” She explained as I checked on the water.
“Okay.” I replied as I dried my hands.
“Okay?” She asked sceptically.
“Yeah, if that’s what you need then I’ll try.” I smirked, enjoying her narrowed eyes glaring at me, like I was going to pull the rug out from under her at any moment, she looked so cute. She huffed in disbelief and jumped off the counter, I followed her into the bedroom, and watched her take off her jewellery. She put each piece into the small box she had brought them in, before removing her clothes, and disposing of them in the hamper. “Is it like, an OCD thing?” I asked, as I watched her methodically movements.
“I don’t think so, more a coping mechanism?” She replied as she caught herself rearranging her draw, again. "Like a tidy environment, tidy mind kinda thing." She chuckled.
“I had Kathy empty the whole thing for you while we were picking up your clothes.” I mentioned as she huffed in frustration. Kathy had also managed to get everything from my car brought up while we were napping, her special power was anticipating needs.
“Oh. Thank you.” She blushed adorably as she pulled out a pile of clothes and placed it in the second draw. I left her to it as I checked on the tub, and added some essential oils to the steaming water, and turned off the faucet. I made my way back to her, depositing my clothes in the hamper along the way.
“Our bath is ready.” I sang in her ear as I wrapped my arms around her bare waist, my touch caused her to whole body to shiver.
“I’m nearly done.” She breathed; her head leant back onto my chest. I caught her arms, and pulled them away from the already neatly stacked clothes.
“You can do it tomorrow, or I can get Kathy to do it, but you need to relax and rest tonight.” I murmured lowly as I ran my nose along her shoulder.
“But-” She began to argue before I cut her off.
“You won’t be able to blame me when you’re too tired to get up after spending all night arranging your clothes.” I insisted as I led her into the bathroom.
“Fine, but let me do it, don’t ask Kathy, she has enough to do, and she doesn’t know how I like things yet.” She whined, and I found myself chuckling at her. “Besides, I don’t know how I feel about someone I see every day going through my underwear.” I couldn’t stop the full-blown bark of laughter that forced its way out of my mouth.
“Who do you think has been doing our laundry?” I asked her, the look of horror on her face was priceless.
“I didn’t think about that, I just assumed it was sent out, or someone lower down in the chain of command or whatever did it.” She said with shame as she made her way to the sinks. She pulled out an elastic hair tie and began piling her hair up on top of her head, securing it with the tie. And it was the sexiest thing I had ever seen, my cock throbbed painfully just watching her. I slipped into the tub, trying to hid it, but her smirk when she turned around told me it was pointless. So, I tried to keep us on track.
“Actually, one of the leftovers from our early days, when the ranks were a class system. Looking after the Alpha and Luna couple, washing their clothes, cooking their food, it’s still considered an honour, and one that Kathy takes seriously as the female Psi.” I hesitantly explained, as I helped her into the water.
“What’s a Psi?” She asked as she settled between my legs, and rested her back against my chest.
“It’s the leader of the Omegas.” I muttered into her hair as my body reacted to hers, and her scent.
“Do all ranks have a leader?” She asked as she drew patterns with the hairs on my thigh.
“Yes, but this is a long and complicated matter, you will learn all about it before your Luna ceremony.” I soothed, as I rubbed her shoulders, enjoying the serenity, until she pulled herself out of my arms and turned so she was facing me, her back sliding closer to the opposite side of the tub.
“You said you would try.” She accused, hurt.
“I have no idea what just happened.” I admitted, lost.
“I’m trying to learn but you keep stopping me, you refuse to explain anything. And then I’m left half panicked I’m going to say or do the wrong thing and offend someone.” She almost pleaded for me to understand, I sighed, kicking myself for not realising sooner.
“Please come back, I didn’t realise, please kitten?” I reached out my hand for her, and she reluctantly took it. “No one expects you to know all the ranks, in fact outside of bragging, or an extremely official capacity, we don’t use most of them that often.”
“Bragging?” She asked confused, as I pulled her body flush with mine again.
“Wolves are competitive by nature, as are humans, so imagine how bad we are.” I chuckled at her response to my breath on her neck. “Every year at the spring and fall equinox, Lycans hold a celebration. We eat, we drink, we invite packs nearby to send their unmated wolves to find their mates, and we fight.” My body tensed, nervous about her response.
“Fight how?” She asked warily.
“The warriors who have completed their training compete, gain ranks by fighting each other, both in wolf and human form, and never to the death, tap out only, or sign of submission.”
“Do you compete in this?” She asked, her voice an octave higher than usual.
“I had to when I completed my training, and again when I wanted to take over as Alpha, if someone beats the Delta I could be challenged or called upon to fight. But just the two times so far.” I teased.
“Why would you need to complete?” She asked as her body finally relaxed against me again, her curiosity winning out over her distaste for the fighting.
“The Alpha is the strongest wolf, I had to prove I was the strongest.” I explained.
“But how do you prove you’re the strongest?” She asked, turning slightly to look in my eyes.
“By beating all the others.” I replied with a shrug.
*Hi everyone, it has come to my attention some writers put warnings at the beginning of each chapter, I thought my tags were enough warning, but I am happy to add a little note as darker storylines develope. So, let me know, and don't forget to vote for The Goddess and The Wolf on the Facebook page. Much love, as always
Constance xoxo*
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