Chapter Sixteen - The talk

The memory of the encounter made her feel weak and vulnerable, part of her despising her body for reacting in ways she didn’t want it to. Wrapping her arms around her she turned away from her house, walking away from the horrid memories.

The pathway through the woods from her old home and to Adam’s made the walk back shorter. The sun had disappeared behind a cover of clouds, the wind picking up. She picked up the pace, watching as darker clouds rolled in from the sea, bringing rain with them.

Before she could reach the front steps of the house she was drenched. When she had walked out of the house the sun was shining, the weather warm to be a pre summer day in the north. She had dressed for the occasion, not expecting rain. Now she was cursing herself for not bringing an umbrella. She should have remembered how there could be four seasons in one day, especially during the spring.

“Oh, my sweet child – you shouldn’t be out in this weather” Monica met her in the foyer of the house, looking at Talia with wide eyes. The young woman was dripping, the little clothing she wore was drenched. Monica knew the young woman was resilient, she could hold up a fight with the wolves when she wanted to. But a cold – that was more likely to cling to her than anyone else in the pack. “Upstairs – hot bath – now” Monica demanded, taking on the voice she used on the younger wolves in the pack. “Yes Monica” Talia said with a smile that warmed Monica inside out.

She had been there when she had first woken up, looking like a fragile girl out of place. It had just been her and Adam back then, just setting up. Monica had stayed with Adam since he was a wee little pup, promising his mother to always look out for the little Alpha. Both of his parents were gone a long time ago, and the old pack had decided one another Alpha, claiming Adam was too weak, not prepared for the responsibility. He had been a teenager when his father had passed and had to watch someone else take over the pack that his father had trained him to take over. With the new Alpha everything changed, and not for the better. After a year the pack numbers was down to half, and more talked about leaving. A storm was brewing, and Monica and Adam left before it hit. It was a good thing, neither of them had looked back since. And now Adam had a thriving pack, one where everyone respected one another, felt safe and secure. Monica was proud of what Adam had managed to create
–
“Oh, Goddess above this feels good” Talia sighed once her body was fully submerged in the bathtub. Her wet clothes were stowed away in the corner, she would hang them to dry later. First, she was going to warm herself with a hot bath, washing away the worried of the day. She could still feel his hands and lips on her body, still remember the sound of his voice, that manic laughter, and the stench of blood. Her blood. Covering her and the floor. It must have been a shock to find her, to see the damage dealt her body.

Watching her arms and legs she could see no scars. Her wrists where healed, both hands working like they had never been injured in the first place. Her torso was free of wholes, her breasts looking like they had never been touched by any man or woman. Her body was healed, all the cells in her entire being replaced. Her body was in a way brand new – still that feeling lingered.

A knock on the bathroom door put an end to her train of thoughts, bringing her back to the present. “Talia, can I come in?” It was Adam. On most occasions he would leave her alone in her room, never bother her when she had retired to the comforts of her private chambers. Yet here he was. “Sure” Talia said, scooping some of the foam to cover her body. It wasn’t like he had seen her undressed before, but this was different.

Adam came into the bathroom, carrying a tray of food. “You missed dinner, I asked Monica to make you something” He set the tray down on the small vanity table that fit into the bathroom. “Thank you” She hadn’t even noticed that she had stayed out for so long, the light in the north messing with her sense of time of day. Adam lingered by the vanity table for a second, chewing on his lips before seating himself on the stool beside it.

“How... How are you doing?” He asked, his voice sounding worried. Talia looked at him reaching her hand of for him. He took the invitation, pushing the stool closer to the tub so he could take her hand in his.

“I walked around town today – and I could remember it. I could remember walking there as a child, getting ice cream with my mother, going to the cinema with my friends as a teenager. I even…” She paused, taking a deep breath. “I stopped by my old home, and the memory came flooding back once again. I can still feel it, the pain, the fear, the relief”
Talia looked at her hand in his. His hand felt safe and warm. If she were ever to fall, his hands would be there to catch her. “And I remember you. Or rather, I remember your hands. How they worked to save my life. I don’t know if I ever thanked you for that” She turned over so she could wrap her hands around his, bringing it to her lips.

“You didn’t even know me – yet you walked into what I believe you must have known was a bloody mess, considering your sense of smell. I just – thank you” Talia kissed his knuckles, earning herself a heartwarming smile from Adam. “There is nothing to thank for. I would do it again in a heartbeat” Adam moved his other hand to Talia’s chin, stroking away a lose strand of hair.

Blue eyes found his amber, drawing her into the sea of emotions that swam behind the surface. Adam looked at her with such tenderness and love that made her blush. “You’re something else” She said. “So I’ve been told” Adam answered with a playful smile. Talia smiled back before releasing his hand, leaning back against the back of the tub, letting her head rest on the edge. It wasn’t the most comfortable, but she made it work.

They sat in silence for a while, Talia letting the events of the day sink into her mind and decompress. One thing was still lingering in the back of her head, and she couldn’t think of anyone better to ask.

“Adam – can I ask you something?” Talia turned around, folding her arms on the edge, resting her head on top of them. “Sure” He leaned forward with his elbows on the knees, folding her hands under her chin. “I remember Asher – the man who attacked me. And I remember what lead to it. He claimed I was his, tried to pressure me to be his for weeks before I rejected him in full display for everyone to see. I didn’t think much of it at first, thinking he was just another nut job. But now that I know more – understand more, about the werewolf way of life. Do you think I was his faithed mate?” All the man had inflected upon her was pain and suffering, there had been no love behind his words or touch, never.

Adam looked deep in thought, his eyes getting that hazy gloss whenever he was conversing with his wolf. Talia wondered what it would be like, to have someone share your mind and body. Be able to turn into a beautiful creature at will. The werewolves where nothing like she had thought at first. They weren’t rabid beasts that turned into monsters at the full moon, forgetting who they were, hurting everything and everyone unlucky enough to cross their path. Yet not all werewolves were good. Some were true monsters, like Asher.

“No – I don’t” Adam answered, drawing Talia out of her thoughts, making her sigh in relief. Faes didn’t get faithed mates, not like the wolves at least. Her mother had told her all about it – how they faes lived and breathed for their kind. And their sole reason to settle down with someone was to ensure the safety of themselves and their family. And upon occasion, love was present. But mostly desire, from what she had overheard both at home and at her grandparents. That memory she could have managed without for the rest of her life.

“Then why?” Talia wondered. “You’re guess is as good as mine – and I believe Xavier have more answers than I do about that. But from what I know of you, you’re different, you’re powerful. It practically radiates of you on occasions. And on special occasions it infuses with your scent. Making you smell – different” A slight tint of pink brushed Adam’s cheeks, making Talia smile.

“I’ve always wondered, what do I smell like to werewolves?” Everyone had their distinct scent, even humans. But Talia couldn’t sense it, her senses wasn’t elevated enough. “Hmm…” Adam moved closer, eyes closing while he breathed through his nose. “You smell like the morning. When the dew is lingering in the air and the flowers are rising to a new day. Like a meadow of wildflowers springing to life” Adam opened his eyes, a smile on his face.

“I like the sound of that” Talia blushed, turning around again to ready herself to get up. The bath was going cold, and she had food to eat. “Can you give me a towel?” Talia asked, and Adam nodded, turning around to fetch the towel hanging off a peg on the wall, handing it to her with his back turned towards her.

“Such a gentleman” Talia teased, carefully stepping out of the tub, and wrapping it around her, pretending she didn’t see the glances Adam cast in the mirror to the side of them. “I try to be” Adam answered, keeping his back towards her until she walked towards the vanity table, grabbing one of the pancakes sitting on top of it. They were cold now, but she didn’t mind. Monica’s pancakes tasted best cold if you asked her.

“Can I ask you one more question?” Talia asked, propping a strawberry in her mouth. “Always” Adam turned around to face her, arms casually resting in front of her. “Do you think you’ll ever find your mate?” In the ten years Talia had known the pack she hadn’t seen Adam with a woman once. It could of course have happened when she was away, but she kept in touch with everyone, and no one had never told her about any female company.

“I already did” Adam answered, making Talia’s jaw drop. She took a breath, managing to compose herself. “When?” She continued. “I’d rather not say” Adam answered, now noticeably uncomfortable. “Did I cross a line?” Talia’s face fell. “No – I just…” Adam lingered for a moment before walking over, decreasing the distance between them. “It’s a sensitive topic” He put his hand under her chin, making her look up at him. He smiled down at her, making her lips curl upwards into a small smile.