51.

-HER-

It’s pretty late when I finally reach home. Everyone has gone to sleep while I tip-toe my way to my bedroom and change into my pyjamas. I am dizzy from all the events that happened tonight.

The rush of adrenaline is still there and my heart is still racing from all the kissing and everything we did together. I am still finding it hard to believe that tonight wasn’t a dream but a reality.

I go to bed but struggle to fall asleep. I toss around for quite some time in the dark before sleep finally greets me. I don’t dream tonight. My mind just keeps replaying the events that happened tonight.

I remember stirring even in sleep several times. It must have been in the early hours of the morning when sleep finally wins over my consciousness and I descend into a deep slumber. This time, my mind decides to rest too.

The next morning, I wake up pretty late. It’s almost 10 in the morning. It’s Sunday and the household is mostly empty. Mum seems to have gone out for shopping while father and Agnus have gone out to play golf together. Agatha is still doing her shift. I guess she’d be back by noon.

I make myself some breakfast and shower before settling to get some work done. When I am finally done completing both assignments, I finally get up from my study table. It’s afternoon now. I make myself some lunch before finally deciding to check my phone.

His messages are already flooding my inbox when I finally check my phone. He tried calling me several times too but I didn’t pick up because my phone was on silent.

My heart is in a frenzy when I finally reply to his text.

Jake: Why are you ignoring me, mate? Pick up my phone for the goddess’ sake!

Me: I am sorry, I was working and my phone was on silent.

I press the send button and wait for him to reply while I eat my lunch. Several moments pass but he doesn’t reply. Maybe he is busy.

Meanwhile, I check other messages. Troy and Ivy are finally done with finals and Ivelle is coming to meet us after months. Our group chat is flooding with their messages about planning a small get-together party.

The huge number of messages is so much overwhelming that I end up ignoring them and check other texts instead. Lisa sent me a message last night and it read:

Lisa: So, did you meet Jake?

I reply to her and tell her pretty much everything that happened last night. She replies instantly and we end up talking.

Lisa: Congratulation! I am so happy for you… no wonder he was so happy to find his office vandalised by you xD

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at her text before I inquire:

Me: Are you done moving in with Sid?

Lisa: Yes :D

Me: Does he live in Red Moon pack?

After a moment of pause, she texts back:

Lisa: So… Jake told you, didn’t he?

Me: Yes

Lisa: Great! How much did he tell you?

Me: Pretty much everything but I still have some question and I want you to answer them.

Lisa: Ok. See you tomorrow at the classes then?

Me: Yes.

By the time I am done talking to Lisa, Jake has already replied.

Jake: I am going to call you.

As soon as I am done reading his reply, his number flashes on my screen.

“What were you doing?” Is the first thing he asks as soon as I answer his call.

“I was working on assignments. Unlike you, I am not done with my finals yet,” I remind him and he groans in response, “but still… you can pick up my calls. It sucks not to hear from you after last night, mate,” He emphasizes the last word. It gives butterflies since I now know what it really means.

“What did you do all day?” I ask him instead. I am done having lunch. Now, I am lying on my bed. Since I have finished my work, I am free tonight. I might as well use this time to talk to him.

“I was busy with my duties at the pack,” He answers.

“Can you tell me about them?” I ask curiously.

“Let’s not talk about them now. I’d have to go for a border patrol in half an hour,” He groans.

“Border Patrol? Sounds interesting,” I comment.

“Do you want me to come to see you?” He asks, “In my wolf form?” My heart instantly speeds up in my chest.

“Could you?” I breathe, feeling a rush of adrenaline.

“Yes. Your house is at the edge of the redwoods. It’s just a mile away from our southernmost territory border. My wolves sometimes cross it because it’s basically no one’s land. We don’t have any restrictions to go there,” He explains briefly and soon, it makes sense why I have been hearing howls all my life.

“This would be thrilling,” I admit and he chuckles, “So, do you want me to come or not?” He asks.

“Would you be alone?” I ask shyly.

“Yes,” He breathes on the other side of the line. I could tell that he is thrilled and excited by the idea too.

“But how will I recognize you?” I inquire, “I have never seen your wolf,”

“You will recognize me, trust me,” He assures. I am hesitant to ask him more questions but I decide to save them for later.

“When will you be here?” I ask breathily. Just imagining a wolf outside my house makes me feel somewhat scared too, “Be careful while you’re here. If someone else sees you then the whole neighbourhood will go under lockdown,” I inform him.

It happened when I was little. Someone spotted a couple of wolves at the edge of the woods. The place was generally considered safe because the woods were thinner in the area and people generally went there for camping or even for a walk.

Though after the sighting, the whole neighbourhood went under lockdown for a couple of days until the rangers combed the nearby woods and made sure that no wild animal was there.

“Yeah, don’t worry about that,” He assures me.

“Are you sure you want to come?” I ask for confirmation, the excitement slowly rising inside me.

“I really want to see you, Cybele,” He admits. I can hear the desperation in his voice. I am somewhat restless to see him too, “Okay, when will you be here?”

“After dark, around nine,” He tells me so, I wait.

**..
Read up to chapter 87 on Patreon.
The next update is on Thursday. Thanks for reading :')**