The Bloodlust Alpha - Chapter 12: Chapter 12

I shot out of my seat reflexively, staring at him with widened eyes. My heart pounds loud against my chest from excitement. The urge to smile at the sight of him was overwhelming but I hound it down. I don't want to look so keen in being around him. He'd probably think I was desperate or something. I'm almost convinced I'm still dreaming. How coincidental would it be for the man in the center of my dreams to stand right in front of me seconds after having one? If not for the hard thumping against my rib cage, I'd have no doubt that I was hallucinating.
Adrenaline pumps through my veins at the sight of him. The thudding almost hurts but I'm too distracted to take notice or care. Any remaining sensical thoughts in my mind thrown out the window. His words, however, resonate as I looked at him. I couldn't look away. I felt compelled not to.
Disbelief, shock, surprise and a hint of giddiness ruptures from my stomach. All of a sudden, I'm too aware of everything going on. I'm aware of him.
Raizel stands still in all his glory. The dim light illuminating his face, almost has me slipping from the situation we were in. His sudden appearance serving as a distraction from my unanswered questions. I ignore the stiffness of my own body, not even when I almost stumbled from shooting out of my seat. My hands that I hadn't noticed clutching onto the wood, tighten around the chair.
I couldn't control my expressions. No matter how much I reminded myself to remain composed. From my eyes being as wide as saucers to my mouth parting stupidly, I look every bit of surprised. I'm worried he notices the glee underneath my stiffness.
Raizel sports a knowing grin, waiting patiently as he takes even breaths in. He keeps his stance lazy, watching me with unbothered eyes when he draws his arms onto his chest. He folds his arms, his gaze never straying from me and that confident smile still plastered on his face. His alleviating aura affects mine. The initial panic in my being dissipates into thin air.
"What are you doing here?"
I ask breathlessly, still completely bewildered by the fact he was standing here with me. It takes all of my self control not to inhale the addicting scent he gives off. He imprints himself into my space without even trying to. Soon, everything will remind me of him. At this rate, it's already starting.
The idea isn't so bad.
It's actually pretty welcoming.
My wolf who'd been stricken with irritation, calms instantly in his presence. She sighs out with a satisfied wag of her tail.
She didn't really care for how or even why he was here, but just the fact that he was. She was perfectly content and ecstatic at having him this close to us. Confused but silently pleased by the fact.
What an utter mess.
"Williams and I had a meeting when he told me he was coming for a visit."
Raizel pushes himself off the door effortlessly. His thick arms slide to his sides when he moves closer. Again, my breathing starts to quicken.
He strides around the room, looking intently at the photos on the wall. Most of which, were Meredith's from her time as Alpha and left untouched, excluding one or two and the most recent one. A framed photo of me, Isaac, Noah and Meredith hung at the center of the wall. It was of when I first took the role of Alpha and formed my blood oath's with Isaac and Noah.
The photo served as a memento of the occasion.
"I figured I'd come along."
He glances over to me but returns to looking at the photos that piqued his interest. He leans closer to a specific one of me standing beside Meredith with a small smile on my face before raising his hand over it. His fingertips glide across the photo of me and a shudder simultaneously passed through me as he does.
"I've been deprived of you for far too long."
The soft husk in his tone pulls out a gasp. A soft gasp that he didn't notice. Or maybe he did, but just chose to ignore it. My breath hitches along with my heart rate speeding up unbelievably fast. But he keeps on walking like he doesn't know how his words affect me.
I feel the desperate need to cough, to clear my throat and do pretty much anything to free us from this tension. He takes one last glance at the photo before shifting his attention to me.
"That dream of yours, was it good?"
Very.
"I wouldn't know."
I say quietly. I feel a spark of confidence wire into my brain. Confidence that would surely get me in trouble but for now, I went along with it. Raizel cocks an eyebrow at my response and tilts his head to the side. His chest moves up as he sucks in a heavy breath.
"Oh? And why is that?"
I shrug, walking around the desk until I reached the front. I pressed the heels of my palms onto the edge and leaned back.
Raizel watches me as I sit on the border. His body is half turned to face me.
"It cut short before it got to the good part."
I explain, letting my gaze fall to the desk as if what I was saying really wasn't that big of a deal. Raizel's lips twitch upwards like he catches my insinuation but he holds himself down from making any remarks.
In three strides, he's in front of me. I unconsciously press myself harder into the desk as I raise my eyes to meet his. I wasn't going to back down, no matter how weak my knees felt.
The previous smile on his face wiped clean. Narrowed grey eyes stare down at me with no hint of breaking away.
His presence enwrapped around me like a little red bow.
His fingers the only thing that can undo the cords binding me toward him. Though I doubt he ever would, nor would I ever want him to.
"And what part would that be?"
Raizel's voice comes softly. Almost like he's coaxing me to tell the truth and admit to him what he and I both know, but in words. Each syllable and letter seduces me into the caress of his words. I never knew such a thing could even exist until I met him. Stubborn to hold onto any remaining humility in me, I give him a small smile to rival his expectant look.
"The part where I ask you what you expect to get by coming here."
He laughs, shaking his head slightly. He's somewhat impressed and disappointed in my diversion. I can tell even without him saying it.
"I didn't expect anything by coming here. I only wanted to see you."
His lips tug into a smirk as he steps even closer. I swallow, pressing myself further into the desk if possible. If he so much as touches me, no matter if it was for a second, I would fall apart. It wasn't a question if I would, it was a matter of when.
"Why?"
He asks with a hint of playfulness. Slowly, he moves his arms to my sides until he's caging me in between them and laid his hands to the edge of the desk. He holds me in, trapped and completely vulnerable to whatever it is he has in mind. His hard chest is inches away from mine but he looks unfazed. If anything, he's amused.
I struggle to hold in my breath. My wolf is growing crazy in my mind, yipping, barking, intense tail wagging. Holding any form of composure around him was damn near impossible. Not when he was this close. This display of intimacy was a prime example of why.
"Did you think I would take something from you?"
Goosebumps rise from command and a chill runs through me. Electricity zaps into my nerves and somehow, the tiredness I felt washed away in a millisecond. As if I wasn't in a deep sleep until moments before.
I force a smile onto my face and daringly look into his eyes. The confidence I felt before is crumbling but I force myself to at least do this. A look of intrigue crosses his features as to how I would respond. This was a question that would decide whether I end up distancing us or bringing us closer.
"No, it just seems strange you'd travel all this way just to see me. We did, after all, just see each other a few days ago at the gala."
It's been a long week. A long week since we decided we would try whatever this was. Since he boldly declared to wanting me and asking for permission to court me. A week where he kept sending me flowers at the same time, left in the same place.
"Valid point, but it was just that. I just wanted to see you."
He lifts a wary hand to my cheek. The back of his hand hovers around my skin for a few seconds before gently grazing his knuckles down my cheek bone. It traces down the curve of my jaw and when he reached my chin, he tucks his fingers under and tilts my head up.
The amusement is gone from his eyes.
"I will never do anything with the intent of taking something from you in return. Not without your consent. However,"
He finds a stray lock of hair and holds it in his fingers. Then, ever so slowly, tucks it behind my ear. His fingers linger on my cheek and I find myself getting impatient.
Hot.
Wanting.
"-if you're offering, I won't hold back."
Oh fuck.
I clench my legs together. The pool of desire in my lower abdomen forming from his words. The smile I had plastered on my face wavers.
He really just had to go there.
"So do tell me, just what I was doing in your dreams to make you utter such words in a sinful manner."
Me.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
The bluff sounds every bit of the lie it is.
Raizel grins, then leans forward, and I stop breathing and moving all together. I feel his stubble brush against my cheeks. My face lights up like a red stop light as I breathe in shakily. The feel of his skin hot against mine almost elicits a shudder from me. Flesh against flesh, desire against desire, it's a surprise I didn't jump him by now. It didn't help when I felt the tip of his nose glide down my neck.
"Are you sure? It sounded awfully suggestive."
He whispers huskily. His lips just barely touches my earlobes. But that little contact is enough to make my knees go weak and buckle. My fingers dig into the wooden desk even harder while my toes curl in anticipation. I was tense. Rigid and stiff from not knowing what to do or how to act. He was a master at making a complete mess out of me and he dedicated everything he was doing with the intent to prolong it.
"You heard wrong."
Lies.
He hums, letting me know he's heard me but doesn't pull away. Bringing his lips to my cheek, his kisses me there. The kiss is so soft I think I'm imagining it, but the tingles that erupt from wherever he touches me tells me otherwise. He breathes me in, sighing out as his chest presses against mine.
"I smell your arousal."
I don't get a chance to respond, not that I really knew how to. He lifts his head up and stares down at me. The embarrassment floods into me as my flamed cheeks burns bright. He has the power to summon a blush with four words.
Four incredibly humiliating words.
My mouth parts and closes like a wind up toy, unable to form an explanation that he'd understand or accept. I feel every segment of mortification in my system. My wolf, who didn't seem to mind being caught red handed, merely watches with excited, gleaming eyes. If she had the ability to talk to him, she probably would've been up front about it.
"You- you must be imagining things."
I whisper quietly. The hand that previously caressed my cheek cups the back of my neck and lightly tilts my head up. He makes me look at him, not that the sight is anything you wouldn't want to see. He looks at me with a small smile playing on his lips as the pad of his thumb swipes affectionately along my jawline. The feathery touch melts my insides into mush. Just from that alone, had me mentally sighing out my elation.
"You're a terrible liar, love."
He dips his head down and plants a firm kiss to my forehead.
"I get them too."
I blink. I can't hide the surprise in my face as I gape at him. He had just admitted to having wet dreams? And the man doesn't look the least bit shameful for it!
"Though, from the sound of it, mine are a little more.... explicit."
The facade I tried desperately hard to hold up, broke away. My lips pressed tightly together as my eyebrows shot up. Rolling in my bottom lip, I stray my gaze away from him and say nothing. It feels as though if i tried to say a word, the best I could come up with was incoherent sounds and mumbles under my breath. He takes pleasure in this, purposely moving his lips to the tip of my nose and pecks me there.
"Would you like a demonstration?"
Yes.
"Yes."
The word flies out of my mouth before I have the chance to register what exactly the hell I just signed up for by uttering that dreaded word. He looks surprised, his eyes gleaming with mischief as a slow smirk pulls on his lips. I could practically feel the thoughts he has radiating off him.
"I happen to think it's a good idea to get a preview before getting the whole thing"
I add, shifting my gaze to his lips. Raizel murmurs a response but my focus is on the vanishing distance between our faces. He's leaning down, moving every inch closer until his nose touches mine. My heart warms and instantly, I feel the sudden urge to have him even closer. My hands leave the desk's edge and boldly clutch onto his dress shirt. My fingers curl around the soft fabric, lightly tugging him closer to me as my lips sought after his. My mind and body were after one thing.
Aching for one thing.
One kiss that surely wouldn't cause any harm.
He had the same idea.
He lets me pull him closer. No sign of hesitance or reluctance on his part as his eyes train on my lips. The pounding of my heart rapidly sounds in my ears as his hands firmly clasp around my waist. Strong fingers pressing down onto my hips when he pulls me forward. Everything is lost in my mind. Nothing matters but him. Like some kind of bewitching fog, I'm entranced and all too willing to be his victim. My head angles up while his dips down to meet my lips.
The hands that were once content with holding onto his shirt, flatten on his abdomen. The outline of his hard abs under the shirt is obvious. His body is riddled with firm, thick muscles that are hidden with the constraints of his clothing. My fingers spread apart, both hands gliding up his torso as he drew in a sharp breath. I feel his pleasure from my touch. My wolf is quiet, but the beady glaze over her eyes match the fervor of the haywire desire over him.
Slowly, I drag my hands up. Appreciating every curve and dip his body has to offer under my fingertips. I breathe in, running my hands to the curve of his neck and settle to wrap my arms around him.
I use his strong stance as leverage, pulling myself up by his neck and watch, with half lidded eyes as he closes the gap between us. His lips touch mine; gently, warm, hesitant, and earth shatteringly perfect. I don't breathe for a moment. I'm too scared to.
Sparks zip between us, nothing but complete euphoria when our lips move together passionately. My nerves light up with excitement. The kiss-- a rhythmic dance that consumes us both. An act of give and take, push and pull, that's equally pleasing no matter the role. His lips move slow, but it's the kind of slow that makes you lose your sense of time. His kiss is passionate, but it's the kind of passionate that makes your knees wobble. It was just perfect.
The kind of perfect that drowns your thoughts into a blank sheet of nothingness.
Nothingness that has never felt so good before.
Raizel brings his hand to the back of my neck, angling my head so he could have better access. I gasp into his mouth when he nips my bottom lip with his teeth, the ferocious beast I know he keeps hidden inside him, peeks out as his tongue swiped along the opening. My eyes screws shut, unable to look at him but unwilling to pull away. My fingers lace themselves around his hair, pulling and tugging when his kiss becomes more demanding.
But I liked it.
The scorching heat of his touch blows away any lingering thoughts of stopping. I press myself harder against him, not minding his ever tightening hold. This isn't enough. I needed him even closer. He groans from the back of his throat, digging his fingers into my back. Excitement pumps into me at the sound. I caused him to feel like that. It was my touch that broke his composure. I can't stop the involuntary moan that slips past my lips. He moves his hand down to my thigh and wraps it around his waist.
Without thinking, I follow his lead, jumping up so that both my legs wrapped around him. We break away, staring at each other as heavy breaths leave us before diving back in. The fire in our kiss never diminishing as his tongue probs inside my mouth. He grows bolder, taking what he wants just as I do with every flick of our tongues.
I groan against his lips, grinding my hips into his to cause some friction. The throbbing need between my legs is almost insatiable if it wasn't for him. All I know is that for me to put out the fire inside my abdomen, I needed him.
The hunger for one another formed into desperate, needy moans and groans.
The filthiness of it all fills the room with sin.
His lips latch onto the supple skin of my neck. He leaves open kisses and sucks at one particular spot. I crane my neck to the side, allowing him as much access as he wants and hardly notice that he's moving. I yelp when he sets me down on the table, my legs still wrapped around him like vines.
My arms that circled around his neck hang loosely as he inserts himself further between my legs. He's flushed against me and honestly, I wouldn't have him any other way.
His large hands cup my thighs, his eyes staring straight at me as our foreheads press against each other. Silence ensue between us but its welcoming. Our heavy breathing is the only distinct noise surrounding us until I breathe out hoarsely,
"Is this the part I wake up?"
Raizel nuzzles his head against mine. His eyes are shut blissfully, expression soft and content as he mumbles.
"No, I'm afraid not. Not this time."
A soothing silence comes between us. Just him and I enjoying each other's presence while we cling onto each other like leeches. No amount of contact seems to suffice for either of us. I raise my head, kissing his temple before dropping to his neck. I plant another kiss onto the curve that connects to his shoulder, relishing the way his heart raced like mine. The pulsing I feel against my lips brings a small smile to my face.
"What happened to taking it slow?"
The question is lighthearted, a little embarrassed on my part for allowing us to get that far so quickly but he doesn't shy away. He chuckles, lifting the corner of his mouth into a boyish grin.
"I believe I told you,"
He leans down to peck me on the lips,
"-if you're offering, I won't hold back."
Scoffing in amusement but unable to stop the smile form spreading, I press my lips onto his. The warmth enveloping me from this calm, sensual kiss gives me a type of serenity I can't explain. It's unlike our first kiss; the pure hunger is nowhere in sight, but the passion is still there. Just in a completely different setting.
It's nice, sweet, gentle, consuming but calmly fierce.
My wolf who'd been excitedly watching in the sidelines, barks out her approval. The adoration in her eyes clear as day as we stare at our man. Raizel decides its still not enough, and deepens our kiss.
The build up to the initial heat slowly bridging when-
"Alpha Locksworth? I'm not sure if Alpha Selene is here, I've been look- Oh my Goddess, Jesus fucking Christ, I am so sorry- holy fuck. I just uh, Goddess have mercy on me. T-take your time. I wouldn't recommend the desk, it'll stiffen your back and- I uh, never mind. I-I'll just go."
Noah rambles as Raziel and I pull away. He's wide eyed and flustered as he quickly shuts the door with a loud bang. We hear him screeching outside, a few voices mixing with his that I recognize as Meredith, the Chancellor and Weston.
"What happened, Noah?"
Meredith's voice is heard through the door.
"Holy fuck balls, Ms. Crestfield. I think your praying at the shrine worked. It's safe to assume little Bloodhounds will be running around soon. Very, very soon. Fucking hell, maybe even five."
"Bloo- what? Noah, you aren't making any sense."
She says.
"Ms. Crestfield, I believe what Nate here is trying to say, is that my Alpha and Alpha Crestfield are copulating. In other words, fucking. They are fucking."
Weston explains, a slight smugness to his tone.
"Or mating. We still use that word too."
Williams adds.
"Fucki- Oh Goddess, really?"
She squeals in excitement followed by the clapping of her hands. It takes everything inside me not to melt into a puddle of utter humiliation. I cling onto Raizel harder who seems unbothered by the boisterous banter outside.
"Oh, I have no doubt she'll get pregnant. I believe in his libido, the man will work her out til she's out. With a body like his, there's no way she's getting out of this not pregnant."
"Actually, uh, they were just making out."
Noah whispers out sheepishly.
There's a silence.
Raizel and I just look at each other while this whole thing happens outside. He looks smug, his smirk in place with his hands on my hips. It's like he's feeling proud at the fact we were caught being intimate. It doesn't take much to know what kind of thoughts are running through his mind.
"Way to go, Nate. You got me excited for nothing."
This time it's Weston who speaks. He sounds annoyed, and a part of me can imagine him rolling his eyes right about now.
"Don't roll your eyes at me, Preston! It's not my fault you have a dirty mind!"
"Presto- how dare you? You're the one saying stuff like having little Bloodhounds running around! What were we supposed to think? That they were playing Monopoly? Twister without clothes on?"
His voice raises but Noah isn't intimidated.
"Anything but that."
"Goddess, you're annoying."
Weston grumbles.
"You take the words right out of my mouth, Preston."
Noah bites out venomously.
"Funny, I was certain we were talking about you, Nate."
"You know what, you straight up suck."
"You know what else sucks? Your stupid ass-"
"We can hear you."
Raizel says suddenly, not allowing Weston to finish his sentence. The two get quiet and after a few seconds we hear a small, barely audible whisper.
"Do you think they hear us now?"
Noah asks.
"If we stand still, I don't think they will."
Weston responds with a good amount of conviction.
"But they can't see us.... can they? Do they like.. have x-ray vision?"
Noah sounds a little scared. I feel his nervousness in our bond and honestly, that gave me a confident boost.
Good.
"I don't know... it might be an Alpha thing. I've seen a few dinosaur movies. They do this all the time."
Weston's confidence is oozing off his words. Like what he just said was a bulletproof plan that had no chance of failing.
"But isn't that just for dinosaurs?"
"Dinosaurs, wolves psh, what's the difference?"
"There is no difference. If you stay here a second longer, you'll be wiped out just like the lot of them."
I say, keeping my eyes on Raizel who took to brushing my hair out of my face. The moment my voice rings out, all movement from outside stops beyond the door. Then we hear two sets of footsteps hurriedly dashing down the hall. The two's bickers fading into nothingness along with their footsteps. I laugh, closing my eyes at the feel of Raizel tucking my hair behind my ear.
"Don't try to be sly, Meredith. That goes for you too."
I hear her groan before taking Williams with her, who was putting up a fight exclaiming we didn't know he was there too. We hear his shoes being dragged across the floorboards and his whines of protest slowly thinning out into silence. I sigh, dropping my chin on Raizel's shoulder. My eyes flutter shut at the feel of his hand combing my hair back, a common gesture of intimacy between partners.
It soothed both the human and the wolf.
"For how long are you staying?"
I ask, afraid to hear that he's leaving soon. I pretend to be calm, but really there's a war going on in my head the longer he stays quiet. Raizel sighs but his eyes are still shut. I feel him rest his head against mine and tilt it to the side as he stares at me cutely. Dark, silky hair tickles the side of my face.
"How long do you want me to?"
How about you stop being adorable so I can give you a reasonable answer? I don't think 'forever' would be acceptable.
"How long do you have?"
He smiles, opening one eye.
"For as long as you want."
I laugh. If anyone were to see like this, they'd probably call him a fraud. After all, being cute isn't in his character. When people would describe him, it would usually be in the lines of 'terrifying, powerful, merciless, dominating, ruthless,
"That's not something an Alpha should say."
"And yet, here I am saying it."
We stare at each other unyieldingly and settle only when slow smiles start to stretch on our faces. His tight hold on me loosens enough so that I can pull away. He's about to protest but stops when I take his hands in mine and interlace our fingers together. The perfect fit.
I look down to my shoes my I start to feel conflicting emotions rise from within me.
"Do you think we're moving too fast?"
I don't want to look at him. I already feel regret for asking that question start to settle inside me, but he doesn't give me much time to feel any more remorse. He squeezes my hands softly, causing my gaze to shift toward him. His face is relaxed, gentle grey eyes stare down at me with no sign of dismay rooting in his pupils.
"Do you feel that way?"
I shake my head, a blush starting to fan over my cheeks. I shift to my other foot, biting my bottom lip when I glance over to his expectant face.
"No, but- it's just... I don't know how this relationship stuff works."
I pull my hands from his and wave my hand between us.
"I've only ever seen movies or read books and usually they wait like.. I don't know, weeks? Months? I don't have any prior experience in dating or intimacy and honestly, I don't even know what the fuck I'm doing right now."
I just unceasingly blabber and it doesn't reach me that I just admitted to never being in a relationship, in turn, admitted that I've never kissed anyone.
Until now.
Until him.
Raizel's eyebrows shoot up. A few seconds go by without either one of us saying anything and I feel the humiliation like cold water being thrown over me as he just stares at me in shock.Of course this must be a shock to him. I'm sure he's at least had his first kiss by now. Maybe a few secret relationships or what not. Now all of a sudden, I don't feel so worthy of him. Their words resonate in my mind about being unworthy for the Luna position and the diminished fire in me, returns.
I told myself I would never put myself down like that. Especially not because of their words. I may not be as experienced as other people, but I knew my worth. I knew what I deserved and Raizel seemed to be just that. He was the one I was waiting for and if he didn't like it, then there was no way this would work out between us.
"That makes two of us, then."
I'm forcibly torn from my thoughts as i gape at him. The shocked expression on his face is replaced with unmistakable happiness. The corners of his eyes crinkle as that lopsided grin plasters on his face.
And was that what I thought it was?
If I leaned in, would it actually...?
Oh Goddess, it was.
A faint redness in his cheeks greet me when I scan over his face.
He was blushing.
I stop myself from cooing at him. Had he really not been in a relationship before? Did he even have his first kiss before me? Raizel looks unashamed, staring straight forward with what seemed like pride(?) in his expression.
"I had no other before you. In both ways."
My eyebrows knit together.
Both ways?
Did he mean relationship wise and sexually?
I try to say something but I can't. If I'm too surprised to form a train of thought, I doubt I could form a coherent sentence. It wasnt a secret that Raizel was never heard to have a lover, but some, including me, had assumed he had one in secret. Maybe some flings he kept dusted under the rug. But to hear him say that he hadn't been with anyone in any form made my heart flutter in both surprise and delight. It's even crazier that I believe him. I should have my doubts but I dont. I trust him to be truthful and so does my wolf.
For someone of his status to not have been involved with anyone seems so unrealistic.
He's a man of high stature in both name and character.
He was attractive, powerful, an Alpha and ranked one in pack standings. There's no way there weren't any women out there that wanted to have him for themselves. I was certain some had even been bold enough to declare it with him, so was he the one who turned them down? Had he chosen to stay single rather than allowing himself the pleasure of physical intimacy?
"Why..."
I find myself whispering. Its not even a a question at this point. It's a concept I can't grasp. He chuckles softly, taking my hand in his as he rubs his thumb soothingly across my skin. The pad of his fingers runs over my knuckles, dipping around the curves and then rising up to move to the other knuckle.
"Probably the same reason you strayed away. I'm an Alpha. Alphas can't have distractions."
"So what's the difference with this?"
Raizel catches my eyes.
"Everything. Everything is."
Taking my hand, he lifts it toward his face and kisses my wrist. He doesn't drop it, instead he moves my hand to cup his cheek. His own covering mine in a warm embrace.
"You're not a distraction. You're the real thing."
I feel a crack.
A crack in my chest.
And then another.
And another.
And another.
But it's not the kind of cracks I felt Landon give me. Not the kind of cracks that tore my heart into pieces. It doesn't hurt. It's almost exhilarating.
It's not my heart breaking.
It's my inner guards.
"How are you so sure?"
I ask him, squeezing his cheek in my hand.
"How are you so sure you aren't mistaking this?"
He merely shrugs, pulling my hand from his face and drags my palm over his chest. The pounding of his heart jolts down the tips of my fingers. The thin fabric isn't enough of a barrier to stop me from feeling him. The rhythmic pattern of his heart beats brings me endless tranquility. The way his body heaves as he breathes in, enthralls me.
"This tells me so."
It continues chipping away. The guard I've put up around my heart is slowly crumbling to my feet.
"I don't know much about our pace, but to me, now is good. How about you?"
His eyes hold no deceit. He genuinely cares for my response. I feel like if I asked him to wait for two years, he would. I'm almost certain. The strange connection I feel with him, assures me he would. I slowly nod, putting down all my cards and slide my hands around his chest so I could pull him into a hug. He wordlessly allows me to, burying his nose in the crook of my neck as the side of my face presses against his chest. My arms lift to wrap around him just as his does. The heart beats I loved feeling under my fingers, beating directly into my ear as I breathe him in.
"Now is good. Now is perfect."
Noah's POV
"I'm just saying, if the Alpha ends up pregnant, I should have Godfather rights."
I fold my arms across my chest. The thick tension over all of us, suffocating. I feel all of their hostility, the envy and the burning hatred for me. These fools think they stand a chance. They all want my position. I know they do. But they can't have it. Not when I had the ultimate defense they couldn't go against or deflect.
"I called dibs."
Seriously, no one respects the art of dibs anymore.
Weston rolls his eyes, shaking his head in defiance. The man was a villain. He's standing near the fireplace, curiously inspecting a few pictures at the top of the shelf above it. Which, by the way, I told him to stop doing a few times. I didn't want germs all over our precious family pictures.
But does he listen?
No.
Now I have to disinfect the frames from Westonitis.
Meredith and Chancellor Williams were sitting at the couch in the living room. Both of which, look amused and slightly desperate for Weston to shut up. I agree. The boy talks too much.
We decided to take refuge here after hearing the threat my lovely Alpha warranted. As much as we would love to eavesdrop, none of us were looking for an early death sentence. Honestly, I don't know if I'm lucky or not to have been the one stumbling in that little scene. Sure I love me some gossip and I would die for some tea to spill, but that was just....
I don't even want to think about it.
"Uhm, no. I'm afraid that role is filled by yours truly."
I look to Weston whose face reminds me so much of sand.
Salty.
Dry.
And...
I hate sand.
"Why would I want you to be mine? You don't see people wanting shit, do you?"
I ask.
"It's an expression, asshole."
"An expression that gives anyone nightmares, dumbass."
I hear Meredith's faint 'oh shit' in the background when Weston lunges at me. I dodge and just before anything can happen, the Chancellor is right in-between us with both arms raised.
"Enough."
He booms out, looking between Weston and I.
"Your childishness is to be put at a stop here."
I glare at Weston who returns my gaze and relax my shoulders reluctantly. My wolf whines in my head, huffing out his disappointment. He was ready to bite the living shit out of him. And no, not in the kinky way.
Even my wolf wanted to mess up little Preston's face.
"Besides, I'm sure I'll be the one to take that role."
Our heads snap to the Chancellor's direction.
Oh fuck no, not him too.
"Uh, no. I'm the Beta. Beta's are the automatic winners by default."
I say, feeling heated all over again. Seriously, what's with all this competition? I didn't know this much people were on the Railene train. I was the fucking train conductor! I'm the captain of this ship!
"So am I, dipshit."
Weston grumbles annoyedly.
"Hey now, don't forget the Chancellor title."
Williams interjects. Even he's starting to get fired up.
"How about all three of you shut your traps so we can actually hear what's going on?"
All three of us stop our bickering and slowly turn to Meredith who's straining to stand ontop of a medium sized cabinet. How she got there without any of us noticing? I don't know. She has real stealth skills. She's trying really hard to tip toe with the intention of pressing her ear against the ceiling, but she's still off. She frowns.
"Dammit, why are the ceilings so damn high..."
She grumbles, jumping off the cabinet in defeat. She sticks her landing, even in heels, and puts her hands to her hips. Her eyebrows are pinched together and suddenly her eyes flash to Williams.
"And you!"
She shouts, pointing an accusing finger at him.
"You should've said you were bringing my future son-in-law with you!"
Meredith is completely livid. Her face growing tight with anger. Had Meredith known earlier, she would've had a whole feast set up, cleaned the pack house spotless three times, dressed in an ankle long dress, forced Selene to wear a skin tight one and probably poke holes in the condom packets I know she keeps in Selene's drawer without the Alpha knowing.
Williams smirks, shrugging nonchalantly and leans back into the couch. He lets out a contented sigh and opens his mouth. He was about to respond when Weston mutters out a low,
"Well you know, he came with his Beta, but okay. Let's not acknowledge the fact."
When no one says anything he adds,
"Oh yes, ignore him too. Fantastic. Love the audience here. Let everyone gush over how the Alphas were dry humping but ignore the man who'll have to suffer Alpha Locksworth's wrath later."
He shakes his head in pure devastation. I see the agony in his eyes as he slumps his shoulders over.
"You make one joke about Alpha Crestfield finding herself another mans and he goes bat shit crazy with jealousy before abruptly deciding to pay a visit with the Chancellor. I just wanted to get some Skittles, man."
The last part is muttered lowly, like he was remembering some kind of promise he never got to fulfill. When he gets out of memory lane, he lifts his eyes to look at Meredith.
"If you do in fact get grand-pups, it's gonna be because of me. Ain't no flowers getting fertilized around here without my help. Thus, I demand the right to be the favorite uncle."
Weston glances over to me and sighs.
"He can also be a favorite uncle."
You know what.
He's not that bad.
"But when the kids are born, I get to be the first one to hold them."
Nevermind.
"That's a funny joke Beta Creed, except grandmothers should be the first to hold their grand pups."
Meredith crosses her arms with a look that dared any of us to challenge her. I warily look to Weston and we both mentally agree not to go against her. Neither of us want to face her power when it comes to grandpups. I'm sure she would tear into me without hesitation if I even thought about fighting her on that.
"Well, what about the grandfather?"
Meredith's cold gaze cuts to Williams who's unfazed by the daggers in her eyes. He holds his ground, not minding the power radiating from Meredith. The two were good friends from young ages, so I knew it wasn't all that serious.
Her claws begin to extend and my eyes widens.
Or maybe not.
"I thought you wanted to be the Godfather?"
She asks with a hint of mock in her tone.
"I can be both."
Meredith scoffs.
"Okay, Williams. Now you're just hogging up my non-existent grand pup. And frankly, I don't appreciate it nor do I like it."
Williams was about to retort with what I could feel would've been a smart ass reply but was cut off short by the sound of the front door slamming open. We all turn our heads to the hyperventilating intruder but it didn't take me a second longer to realize who it was. I knew instantly the moment his scent reached my nose even before I looked at him.
He's wheezing, breathing heavily with his blue shirt soaked with sweat, clinging onto his chest. Droplets of water rolls off the side of his face as he bends, hands clutching onto his knees as he pants out exhaustedly.
"What...did.... you mean..... by...."
He lifts his phone to reveal the screen turned on to our chat. The words displayed was a text sent from me.
' is eating Selene lol'
Meredith looks at me. Her lips thinned into a line and her eyes half lidded unamused.
"You told him Alpha Locksworth is eating her? How did you even have the time to text him from when we were going downstairs?"
I feel the pointed stares of Williams, Weston and Meredith drilling into the side of my face. Their judgmental gazes making both me and my wolf uncomfortable. Awkwardly puffing out my cheeks, i laugh nervously as my wolf slowly retreats into the corner of my mind backwards.
"I didn't tell him, I texted him."
No response.
Yikes. Tough audience.
"I uh... didn't think he'd take me seriously-"
"I'm surprised anyone ever does."
Weston interrupts, his gaze never leaving him. Caution and alert is in his posture. His wolf undoubtedly keeping tabs and evaluating the newcomer as an opponent in case a fight breaks out.
"Wha- who the hell are you?"
He wheezes out his question. He takes in a huge breath, trying to steady his breathing and slips his phone into his back pocket. He never lets his gaze wander from Weston.
"Weston Creed, Beta of the Ignis Red pack, serving under Alpha Locksworth."
Weston walks forward with dignified steps, lending out his hand. This was a test of tension. If either one of them does a thing the other doesn't like, there's no doubt in my mind that fists and claws and possibly shifts would be flying around here.
Weston patiently waits with his hand sticking outright. The hand he never offered me. What a prick. The time ticks by without anyone moving a muscle. Finally, I think Weston has enough. Weston gives him a look, tilting his head to the side and asks none too patiently,
"And you are?"
Another wave of tension goes by before he lifts his hand to give Weston a shake. When the two formally greet each other, he runs the back of his hand over his forehead to wipe the sweat off his face. He exhales with a calm puff of breath. He licks his dry lips as his gaze sweeps across the room. He takes his time to individually memorize everyone's expressions: most of these faces he knew and one he didn't.
"Isaac. Isaac Everdale, Gamma of the Greyhound pack, serving under Alpha Crestfield."