PRU
It was dark before we headed out to the farm with Alistar sprawled out in the truck bed. “Today was too much drama for me. I mean seriously, I’m pretty pissed off that I didn’t have the ability to disagree with Abel.” I check the rear window to make sure Alistar is okay, the non-paved roads can be pretty bumpy.
“I know! I was totally thrown off by it.” Oakley said.
I adjust my seatbelt so I can turn sideways with my left foot up under me so I can face Oakley as he drove. “I’m thinking he is about to shift. The whole almost flight with Arien was pretty crazy too. I wanted to knock Abe out when he suggested Chrissy go with us. I have no idea what he had in mind.”
I kept thinking about the rules of wolves, at those that aren’t rogue. As long as a Pack wolf has vowed loyalty to a Pack, they are unable to disregard a direct order, unless there is a challenge. Abel was neither Alpha nor challenging, so it was clear to us the time had come. Abel was going to shift soon. My dream diaries had warned me that the summer was when it would happen.
“Oak, I have a question for you. What do you think about not killing Abel? I mean seriously, why can’t we protect his parents or move them in with us or something.” I take a sip of my Diet Coke.
Oakley sat quietly before finally saying, “Pru, I’ve always had the utmost faith in your dad and you too. When all of this came about and we finally located him and made up this grand plan on training him for his soul to be one with his body and how we were going to have him die so his parents could be protected, I thought it was a little harsh. I do think we can protect them, and the more I get to know them, I think they can handle his destiny. His mother works with an Indian reservation, look at that alone, you know the Indians believe in weres and I’m sure she has been told the stories. Josie always told us that our destiny can be rewritten, why can’t this?”
I thought about what he said and he made a valid point, why couldn’t we rewrite it. We have already made sure he has the spiritual guidance, much more so than many weres when they shift for the first time. What would have happened if we didn’t find him and he shifted on his own?
We pulled in the long drive to the house, every light was on but it didn’t keep the lightening bugs from doing their summer dance in the humid air. I sensed something was off, the vibe was stressed, great… more drama. Oakley and I turned to each other and said “Oh shit” at the same time.
My dad shuffled us into the man cave to tell us the latest news. “There was another attack today; it just came through as a late breaking news story. There was a husband and wife fishing right outside of Norman, just south of here. Their fifteen year old daughter had just run to the car to get more bait, she returned to see a large wolf attacking them. The father died trying to get the wolf off of his wife, she is now in the hospital. I’ve already called the folks down in Dallas, the Alpha is coming up here to help us hunt. Dolly called the coven leaders and asked them to help us locate the wolf that did this. I am tired of rogue wolves becoming disloyal to our kind. Oakley, the IT guys are compiling an e-mail listing of all Pack and rogue wolves in the United States, you are going with us as our photographer. A mass e-mailing will go out with the pictures attached letting all weres know that we aren’t allowing anymore human deaths.”
Oakley scratched his head. “You want me to go out with you and the other Alpha?”
“Yes I do. I’d take Prudence with us but she needs to stay here with Abel. I think he will be changing soon and I don’t want him left alone. We’ll probably be gone for a couple of weeks. What that means to everyone is this; I’ll still be in charge but Dolly will take care of any issues that don’t need my attention. I expect everyone will treat her orders as if they are my own.” He stopped and looked around the room, emphasizing his order. “We’ll be taking the RV and doing some camping to set up some traps. Our interviewing skills can be very persuasive, I’m sure the rogues that are located will cooperate. You’ll be documenting the interview via your camera. The photographs will be e-mailed out, this should ensure cooperation.” He rubbed his chin and gave a short laugh. “I’ve got a man out gathering those rogues right now.” He reached over and patted Alistar on the head and said, “Alistar here will be traveling with us too, his special skills will come in handy.”
Everyone in the room howled, a practice I’d always enjoyed. Energy flowed through the room as the meeting adjourned. All of us gathered outside to wrestle and jump around like lunatics, another one of those endearing traits of wolves.
The windows open, the humidity down, and stereo full blast equals one happy gal. Except for one little problem… Oakley’s not so secret obsession with 80’s rap songs. I caught him practicing the moonwalk one time. Honestly, after a day like today, some fun rap songs are okay with me. Five Minutes of Funk was blaring, peddle to the metal and wind whipping through the cab of the truck.
We arrived home just as Shaynie and Bryon pulled up in my mom’s BMW. Bryon is such a nice guy, I still couldn’t see what he saw in her… probably just a pair of boobs. I mentally prayed they would go inside so I could have some alone time with Oakley. No such luck.
Bryon walked over to meet us at the truck, I guess my alone time was dwindling away. “Hey Oak, I just got a call from the boss, he told me you’ll be leaving in a couple of days. I just wanted to tell you man that I’ll keep an eye on everything. Abel is fine and I think between Shaynie and Pru we’ll be able to keep him protected.” They did some secret man handshake that I didn’t get, at all.
“Thanks man, I appreciate that.” Oakley leaned him in for the one arm man hug.
“Okay, all the male bonding needs to come to an end, Oak and I have some talkin’ to do.” I hooked my arm through Oakley’s and slightly tugged him towards the house. I inhaled deeply smelling his essence…. And oh how I loved his essence. I reminded him that my mom was staying at the farm to spend some sexy time with my dad.
“You did not just say your parents are going to have sexy time.” His hand smacked my butt.
“Yes! Just because they’re old, doesn’t mean they don’t do the deed. Okay, okay I can’t talk about it anymore.” I shook my head trying to shake the images out of my mind. “Food! We must eat. I think there is some kind of casserole and an apple pie.”
We raced to the kitchen. It was really nice, just the two of us in the house eating and cleaning up, just like regular people. Regular people that just so happen to turn into wolves, and one that dabbles in witchcraft. We lounged out in the family room watching Love at First Bite on vampire TV.
“Are you worried about your hunt with my dad?” I snuggled up to his chest feeling him flex just a little under my head. “I mean, you know the big mystery of everything that is going on.”
“Actually, I’m not. I am worried about you here with that damned Arien lurking about.” He kissed the top of my head. Melting, ah my heart pitter pattered just a little.
“True. Everything will go fine though, I just know it.”
We both rolled onto our side facing each other. His hand stroking my hair, I could see his eyes were slightly closed, and his breath deepen. His hand started going down my side until he rested it in the small of my back looking lost in another world. Licking his lips he asked if we could go into my bedroom. My heart felt all fluttery and my tingly body came alive. The way he was looking at me was making me feel like there was nothing else in the world, just us.
It felt like a mile from the family room to my bedroom, but one I was gladly walking. He sat down on the chaise; I stood in front of him looking down. His hands pulled me close, he lifted my shirt and kissed my belly button, heat instantly shot through me. I pulled away from him, deciding to give him a little show. “Sit back, and relax.” I whispered as provocatively as I could. I saunter across the room (I’ve never sauntered before) lighting some candles for ambience. I flip my IPod to my jazz playlist, my body swaying to the beat. My hands rubbing
up and down my shirt having it ‘accidently’ rise up and down, finally pulling it over my head. His eyes wolf-like, hungry with passion… a desire for his prey. I know that look. I’ve seen it when we hunt and now I’m the hunted. I moved my hips while slowly pulling off my jeans. I stood in front of him in my new black lace panties and matching bra that wasn’t so secret. I danced for him a few more minutes, enjoying the way he watched me. My body tingled, I inhale deeply absorbing the scent of him. I walked over, taking his hand to stand up with me; I slowly unbuttoned his shirt, exposing his magnificent chest. In that moment everything was clear to me, Oakley and I together, just as it is meant to be.
My father was right, my soul belonged to Oakley and his soul belonged to me. We stood there and kissed, his head bending to kiss my neck, slowly running his finger around the edges of my bra, giving me shivers. He whispered to me, “Pru, you look beautiful.” We backed up to my bed and he pulled me down on top of him. We kissed, our hands exploring and feelings exploding inside of me. I’d never felt what it was like to love a man, I was pretty sure, I was experiencing it now. He was so attentive and considerate, we lay side by side. As he gazed into my eyes telling me he couldn’t wait until we can be a public couple. I close my eyes silently agreeing. I could feel my eyes stinging with tears; I held them back as I should. Finally the beauty of our bodies coming together as one. He was my heaven.
I tried a half a dozen times to tell him how I felt, I just couldn’t. Someday soon, it will be right, I can feel it.
A good long run was what we needed. I saw the woods in a different light, it was home, it was exquisite, it was the place that I fell for Oakley.
Sleep came on fast that night, he never left my side holding me tight against him. My brain relaxing; I was almost asleep when I heard my name. I opened my eyes and looked around, I was alone inside Allie’s apartment. Great, I was asleep but I was with him. “Arien?”
“Love! I was hoping you’d sleep soon, I was getting thirsty.” Arien said to me as he walked across the room to stand directly in front of me. He took my hand and I pulled it away. “Love, what’s wrong? You’re so distant tonight.”
“Really? Why in the hell are you harassing me? I don’t understand your obsession with me.” I fumed.
“Tsk tsk.” He shook his head back and forth. “Princess, I love our time together, I’m starting to wonder what wolf tastes like. Can I have a little nibble love?”
I took a deep breath trying to remind my subconscious that I was in control of my dream. “Arien, what do you want.”
“You’re just no fun sometimes. What do I want…. Hmmm, good question Princess. I’d like to run my tongue across this vein right here.” He took his index finger tracing a line on my neck. “I’d like to know if you like it doggie style.” He smirked to himself.
I went to punch him but he grabbed my fist in mid air. Oh I am going to learn how to make objects appear in my dreams and stake his ass right after I ram it through his heart.
“Love, you’re being so moody tonight. I’m just having a little fun.” He let go of my hand and put his arms around me as I went stiff trying to make it as difficult as I could but he over powered me. “Can I have a little kiss?” He whispered.
“No! Ohmigod, I am so going to kill you one day, I promise you that.” I felt as if my anger was going to make me explode.
His mouth closed on mine. No matter how hard I tried not to, my mouth responded to him, causing all of the same tingly sensations that I get from Oakley. Fangtastic, vampires turn me on. He must have power to manipulate weres, I was going to find the remedy. I tried to control myself, but felt my will succumbing to his. I tried to keep my body as rigid as possible but his hands in my hair and those lips and his obvious desire, I was in way over my head. I looked down and I was wearing the million dollar bra from Victoria’s Secret and some string up my butt. He was manipulating my dream, not just by being in it but he controlled me too. I had to learn how to overpower him. I missed Josie.
“You look exquisite Prudence, simply exquisite. Shall we dance? I’d love to feel the way you move.” He snapped his finger and some romantic love song came on. “Oh, I love this song.” He proclaimed.
Of course he does. “Leave me alone, I’m sleeping.” I demanded.
“No can do love. You give me the Great Wolf, I give you Allie and your dreams back. Until you do that, I will continue to visit you. I will continue to dress you and undress you. I know you’ll like that part.” He pulled me to him again and kissed me. I struggled as long as I could but it was so damn tempting.
I’m going to wolf hell, I know it. I’m the only were in the world that has some hot guy in her bed and dreaming about and making out with the enemy. I need a priest.
I sat up gasping, Oakley sitting up with me. How was I going to explain this dream? He’ll be too worried about me to go with my dad if I tell him, so I opted to lie. Hell was getting closer and closer to having a cell made just for me.
“It was nothing. Go back to sleep.” I guided him to lie down.
He flipped on the light. “What’s wrong P? Was he in your dream again?”
I stroked the side of his face, “No, nothing like that. It was just me dreaming about a run and my prey had turned on me. Go back to sleep, I’m going to journal for a few minutes.” I kissed him despite his beginning signs of morning breath. I guess he isn’t perfect after all.
He closed his eyes, and I heard him say, “I love you P.”
No sooner had he said it, he was snoring. Of course, that is my luck, but he said it! He does love me. I could barely contain my excitement, my brain was too revved up to write. I needed a bunny to chase. I slipped out from under his arm, turned out the light and tip toed outside.
“Going somewhere?” Shaynie said.
For the love of, oh whatever. I threw my hands up in the air. I’m never going to escape her. “I’m going out for a run.” I was determined not to invite her along.
“Oh great, I was too. I guess we’ll go together, your dad would prefer that anyway.” She tossed her hair acting smug. “So I’m guessing you and Oakley are exclusive huh? I came home and heard you. Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me. I guess you’ll owe me one.”
OHMIGOD I was going to tear her tail off. Owe her one?! No way, no how. What an evil little manipulative bitch she was turning out to be. “Don’t worry about Oakley and me. If you want to run, I guess you better shift.”
I knew it took her longer to shift than it did me, something I like to take advantage of. Thankfully clothes wouldn’t be an issue for me and my t-shirt. I ripped it off over my head and shifted. I could hear her grunting and panting as she shifted. It was becoming clear she hadn’t been doing this long. How exactly did she become a wolf I wondered? Was she one of those bitten wolves? Interesting…. I was defiantly checking out her lineage.
Despite her ability to tick me off, we ran together. I cleared my head and only thought about finding a bunny to chase just in case she was tuned into my thoughts. One of those horrible abilities wolves do. She wasn’t technically a part of us but she was a guest and we could communicate with our own and sometimes guests.
“Shaynie?” I thought.
‘What can I do for you?” Her tone sarcastic as usual, (at least when she talked to me).
“Just checking to see if you were tuned in. There is a bunny hidey hole near the pond, follow me and I’ll show you. I don’t eat him and he doesn’t eat our garden so that means I don’t want you to hurt him.” I knew it, she could hear me. Dammit. I blocked out everything but the bunny.
“Really? You have an agreement with a bunny? Wow, you are slightly interesting Pru.”
“You’re right, I am. Slightly.” I was meditating later, no way around it.
My nerves were frayed, Shaynie and Arien had driven me halfway mad and now the hunting expedition was taking Oakley awa
y. I’d sent Abel a text about four in the morning to meet us for breakfast at Waffle Corner. He still didn’t know about the meeting last night, just another one of those details to go over with him.
Chapter 25.