Chapter 2

The next morning was of normal routine. It was hard to mask my mind being elsewhere. I looked at my phone to check the time and saw Sylvi’s message from last night.

Copy that girl. If I need the shovel

and an alibi just say WINE!

“Mom, are you okay today? You seem distracted” Helga spoke, and I jumped.

“Yeah, I am distracted. It is nothing for you to worry about though, the job of a mother is never done. Plus, I have been waiting on a call from your Aunt Sylvi.” I said with a wink. She smiled back at me and kept about her business.

After the kids were gone, I tried calling Sylvi a few times. I was shocked that she didn’t call be before my alarm went off, and more so that she isn’t answering me. We are both early risers. She was never one to wait patiently either, maybe she is sick. I dove into work for the rest of her morning and before I knew it, I was late. I glanced down at the clock on my computer and noticed it was 1:05 PM. Shit. I looked in the mirror and realized I looked exhausted. My hair was a mix of light brown and natural red highlights that hung to the middle of my back. The current status of it making me think of a hurricane. I took it down and ran the brush through it quickly before throwing it into a quick loose braid. I grabbed the clothes I had set on the bed this morning and headed into the bathroom to splash some water on my face.

I looked at my jeans and my royal blue tank I put on in the mirror, I have never been extremely confident, but I admired my hard work to tone up my body, it was finally paying off. I rarely wear makeup, but the thought crossed my mind. I looked at the clock and it said 1:29 PM. Well, natural it is. I grabbed the basket from the counter and took a few of the muffins I had baked that morning. I stopped at the door as I was about to open it, I looked at the basket. Lex’s voice rang through my mind, I will bring lunch and answer all your questions. I can follow simple instructions, right? I set the basket down on the table by the door and headed outside.

As I approached the fire pit we had sat at the night before, I looked around and I was alone. I checked my watch, 1:35 PM. Oh no, he probably waited for a minuet for me and figured I was not coming and left. How am I ever supposed to find him? If he is real… Maybe I imagined him? Maybe this is for the best or I really am losing it…

“Every time I lay my eyes on you, my heart skips a beat.” I jumped at the words. He was just taking a few steps into the clearing and I could not believe my eyes. Last night he was covered by the darkness of night but now, the sun was shining in the sky and it was hard to even blink. I soaked his whole presence in while he walked towards me, almost as if I would run if he moved to quick.

He had the most amazing eyes; his face had a scar by his left eye and another on the right side of his neck. His hair was a brown color that reminded me of the bark of maple tree. His eyebrows were a soft brown, and his lashes were amazing. His skin was a beautiful work of art. He had this tan like he lived on vacation. His smile was just as amazing as it was last night, it was so pure. I let my eyes drift down and see the rest of him, his shirt was light enough that I was able to see his muscles with ease. His arms were probably as big as my thighs and there were a few scars along them. I have never been tall in my life but looking at him from my height challenged position of 5’5 was going to cause my neck to break.

He stopped about arm’s length from me. His eyes locked on mine with the basket in his hand and the other reached out to me. I reached out to shake his hand, he smiled slighting and turned my hand over then kissed it. The fire that danced on my skin shocked me. I have never had such a reaction before. I instantly started to think of his lips making the rest of my body feel that, instantly I was covered in goosebumps. My face turned to scarlet and I wanted to turn away, but I could not, my eyes and his still locked. He was not just looking at me, he was looking into my soul and my being. His eyes were slightly different from last night, they were still hazel but there was a forest green color around the edge.

“I am sorry I was a couple minutes late, I lost track of myself this morning,” I blurted it out, slowing down I continued; “I thought you had already left, and I realized I would not know how to get in touch with you.” I glanced down as he was still holding my hand.

“You do not need to apologize princess, I just wanted to make sure that you were alone.” He kept my hand and headed towards the woods we walked for a couple minuets and came to a clearing; it was beautiful with the Huge trees surrounding the area where the sun beamed through. I stood staring at the huge trees for a moment while he set up the blanket and food. He brought grapes, crackers, two or three types of cheese and cantaloupe. This was perfect. My stomach is so tense I wouldn’t be able to eat actual food right now if I wanted to. Just then he pulled out the mini ham and turkey sliders. I grabbed one and started chewing on it to prevent myself from rambling. So much for not being able to eat.

“We can do this at your pace, I know its “weird” to say the least, but whatever you want to know, I’ll answer for you.” He said as he popped a grape in his mouth.

“Okay. To be honest it is all a little overwhelming right now. I don’t know if you expected me to drink the tea before coming today, but to let you know I didn’t.” To be honest it could have been poisoned, he was a stranger, a beautiful, gorgeous, god-like stranger. In the movies aren’t those the vampires? Always some type of serial killer. “You said you are a werewolf, I am not naïve enough to think that the movies are remotely accurate, can you give me the basics? Are you dangerous if you lose control? Can you even lose control? I know you said last night you are here to ‘protect’ or whatever, but is there a chance it could happen?”

He reached into his pocked, pulled out the crystal, and set it down on the blanket next to me. His emotions came rushing towards me, my body could sense the familiarity like I had known this man my whole life. He was my safe place, I knew if he was near me, I would forever be loved and safe.

“If you want me to pick it back up at any time, please just let me know. I do not want to hide anything from you.” He knew how much honesty met to me. “The movies are mostly wrong,” he chuckled, “We do not lose control, yes our wolf spirits are strong, and we are more emotional than humans, but they do not overtake us. We can heal though, that one is true. It allows us to live longer, typically around 200 years is a full life. I will never harm him, you know. He cares for you, and he is the father of your children. It has been agony to watch you with another man, but I couldn’t help but think I could continue to stay in the shadows, while waiting for you to raise your family. As the last year passed it became more difficult for me to be apart from you. Even if you did not feel it.” He grabbed a water bottle and gulped half of it down. I found myself jealous of the water, wishing it were my juices he was guzzling down.

“We do have packs, and yes, we are extremely close and many times we reside in larger estates to remain closer together. We could choose to remain human if we want, but once we shift for the first time, there is no turning back. Some wolves that remain human choose to leave the pack behind have medical issues, mental health issues, and even reproducing. You can try to shift later if you choose to do so, but your body may not be able to handle the change once you are over 21. The first shift takes a lot of power and wolves that do not use it, well they lose it.” I said with a smirk on my face. “And yes, we do have mates, you are mine and I am yours, always.” He finished and kept his eyes on mine.

“So… you like… eat bunny rabbits every full moon?” I said jokingly.

“I try to stay away from the bunnies, but in a pinch sure!” He winked at me and caused a giggle to escape.

“Of all the things I have seen, this one I never thought would come up. Every lifetime we have you are a wolf? Am I always a witch?” I asked, inpatient for the answer.

“Yes, we are always wolves. Just wait until you shift and run in the rain for the first time, you enjoy 4 legs more than 2.” His voice trailed off at the end like he was playing a memory.

“You just said its not to safe to shift after 21. I am 33 now, there is a good chance I will not be able to, will I die?” Tears were starting to pool in my eyes. I felt like something was taken away from me, yet no clue, what I was missing.

“Love, you are special, your strength as a witch with your abilities as a wolf…” He trailed off then had pure confidence in his voice, “If anyone could shift later in their life, it is you.” He finished. His eyes were telling so many different stories, paused to study her reaction.

“Have I ever shifted this late in life before?” I was going straight to the point. I felt like I had to many questions and not enough time.

Frankincense, and vanilla. That was always her scent. It made it easier over the course of time for Lex to find her once he awoke. If he could get close enough to cross her scent, he could track it. Her touch on his chest caused his entire body to pull towards her. He was mesmerized after waiting so long to find her, letting it just be the two of them. He was taking another deep breath in absorbing every particle around them when he felt his face warm in an instant and his skin extending towards the cause. His eyes snapped open and he realized he had crossed the blanket and nuzzled his face into the side of her neck the braid was on, taking in her scent.

“I can explain it all to you if you would like, but once you drink the tea you will remember everything. Your memories will likely be more levelheaded than mine.” He gave her a crooked smile as he changed the subject… Smooth.

“What is going to happen now? How is this all going to work?” I waited for his response. “I am not sure yet. To be honest, once you have your memories, you will realize the decision on what happens next is yours. I will always put you and your needs before my own. You are my life.” He said hoping it was not to forward. You would think after all these years he would be irritate at courting her, but he enjoyed it. I laid back on the blanket staring at the sky. This moment, this moment I will remember as one of the most cherished. His body lying there so close to mine, the warmth of the sunlight on my skin, I was in heaven. I played with the bottom of my braid debating my answer. 

“I agree with you about the tea. I want to know the person you are in this lifetime,” I thought carefully, “Can I ask you to do something...crazy?” I asked nervously.

“You can ask me for anything in the world and you will never be crazy.” He made the statement and stared into my eyes. I could sense that he missed me. He could sense that this was not easy for me. I always prided myself on making the right decisions, or the most honorable. This was different, everything with him felt so right. How could it be wrong?

“If I asked you to stay away, would you?” I patted the blanket next to me. I was more interested in sensing his response then I was the answer he gives. Either way it would be acceptable. I know in my bones he is a good man, but I need to make sure. He laid down beside me looking at me for a moment. I could feel our sparks starting to tingle, we were not even touching yet but I could feel his body pulling towards me, and mine to his. 

"I will never leave you princess, even if you ask. What I can promise is that if you no longer wish to see me, you will not." It was the most honest response he could give. Goosebumps formed over my entire body. 

"What is your favorite thing about me?" I asked, trying to lighten the mood. 

"Favorite thing or position?" He retorted with a wink. 

“Oh my god! NO!!!” My cheeks were on fire, I turned away to try to hid my face.

“I can feel you looking at me”, I said with a slight grin.

“I haven’t been this close to you since the last time you fell asleep outside in the hammock,” he tried to hold back his laugh. I could fall asleep anywhere, it was truly a gift.

Fell asleep outside in the hammock... Do I want to know?

“I thought about asking, but I am a firm believer in the saying ‘do not ask questions you do not want the answers to’, I know it’s not supposed to be creepy, but it is. I think that until I have my memories back you should probably not lead on how close you came to me while sleeping.” I forced a smile, it was not completely ingenuine. He nodded. We laid there for 2 hours, talking we went for a small walk to investigate a noise at one point, mainly to stretch our legs.

“This was nice, I didn’t know how much I needed it until now. Thank you.” I couldn’t hold back my smile, to be honest, I didn’t want to.

God he is captivating. We just stayed there; time frozen as his eyes gave away his emotions. I could tell he was starting to lean closer. Was he going to kiss me?

Both our eyes crashed closed as he touched his lips to mine, I felt a arm around my back pull me closer to him. As his lips parted mine, I felt his breath become my own and heat flowed over my whole body. I let go, my arms wrapping around him pulling myself up to him trying to take control. Our tongues dancing while I tried to hold my moans in my chest.

My whole body now needed his touch. I felt a growl come from within Lex’s chest. I could feel the vibrations through my entire body, my arousal evident. He began to trail from my lips across my cheek, just behind her ear and down my neck.

“You are so beautiful,” his breath on my neck causing my goosebumps to have goosebumps, “do you want me to stop?” He asked the question, but he did not slow down one bit. I never want his tongue and lips to stop moving! Is this really happening right now? If I am hallucinating, I’ll die.

He suddenly pulled away, my lips following him backwards as a whimper escaped me. He now had his hands cradling my face and a huge smile. He was out of breath like he had just ran across the State of Texas.

“I am sorry, it took everything I had to stop”, he explained.

I blushed, am I really that attractive to him? I could feel the bond between us, it was undeniable, I wanted more. I closed the distance between us and once again put my hands on his chest pushing him down, I was now straddling him. I have no problem going after what I want. His hands went from my cheeks to the back of my head, filled with my hair that had fallen out at some point during our escapades. I pulled back for a moment, I forgot I needed oxygen to survive. His smile was pure bliss. I could feel all his love, I felt whole. He brought my face down, his lips gently touching mine.

“I missed you.” I barley heard the words it was so low

“I have missed you my whole life and I don’t even remember you yet.” I said the words out loud knowing the truth they carried. He deserved to know that even without my memories, every bit of me knew I belonged to him. Why try to hide that?