The scorching sun burns my flesh sweat dripping down my neck to my chest. My arms a blazing red, I am being kissed by its rays.
Wiping my forehead with the back of my palm removing my sun hat fanning myself with it. I allow a small grumble of annoyance to surge past my lips. It isn’t summer for the monsoon has merely ended yet why is the sun shining so bright as though spitting on my gloomy heart.
A low whistle leaves my lips. A known command to my wolves. “Here Alpha.” One of my females immediately passes the hammer into my open palm whilst I inspect my work.
I am building a house. A house meant only for Kal and me. The castle suffocated me, every room every wall was imprinted in memories that can neither be forgotten nor torn apart. I decided I shall not remain within its bounds anymore and made my wolves help me with what they are exceptional at. Building.
Fisting my palm I bang it upon the roof of the house I am kneeled over. I don’t want it to fall over us, it needs to be sturdy and strong so it withholds any type of weather thrown at it.
For this very purpose, I had requested Australian Buloke to be imported into our pack. A type of wood known for its strength yet it is also known to be the hardest to work with.
My wolves and I have been building this house for over a month now. Weeks seem to fly past me as if they hold no meaning to me. But they do for every new week I see the growth of my male. Kal does not fail to surprise me with every sunrise.
“Is it sturdy, Elriam? Must I tighten the corners more?” I question frowning, swinging the hammer in my hand. A habit of mine. My eyes plunge into hers waiting for her to give me the thumbs up.
She kneels at my side inspecting the corners my fingertips touch. In the past, I built several homes for my wolves and Elriam had the last word in account of its quality and durability. One could say if she weren’t my Beta she could lead the group of builders of the pack.
“The screw is loose on this side. Drill into it further, Alpha.” Her eyes serious she gives me her instruction.
“Yes, my beta.” I reply with a playful curt bow towards her.
Her eyes widen her cheeks painted with a hue of bright red. She swiftly looks away whilst I begin to laugh.
“Please do not tease me, Alpha.” She murmurs under her breath. A small huff from her as if she were both embarrassed and angered. My head thrown back, more laughter booms out my chest.
This makes her blush deeper. “Let me see your cheeks, Elriam.” I utter curious to see how she looks with her warrior cold facade broken down. I get to see this sight once in a blue moon. She makes no move to face me. “It is a command.” I lower my voice acting as though I were serious.
She immediately snaps her face towards me her eyes downcast with respect baring her cheeks to my curious eyes. I chuckle. “Your mate won’t be able to take his hands off you.” I whisper gazing down at her cute antics. She does not know she is cute but her mate will show her the truth.
She bites her lower lip her cheeks burning and gives me a nod of acknowledgement to my words. I cannot wait for day her mate comes for her as I will gladly give her away though it will be quite lonely without her presence. She is the one thing that has stood strong by my side despite many trials and tribulations.
My smile disappears instantly replaced by an emotionless glare as soon as it meets with emeralds. He stands at a distance his arms around my male. Kal sleeps soundly whilst Deimos rocks him, his feet moving side to side.
Kal seems to sleep better when he is cuddled within the arms of his father. He prefers his scent and heat. There was no surprise from me for Kal is a copy of his father. Every morning as soon as Kal and I are awake he is welcomed by the open arms of Deimos who waits patiently outside my door.
His scent. His eyes. His soul. They beckon me. They pull me to him like a red rope bound to our wrists. I tried cutting it, I tried burning it. Nothing worked. Nothing works. So he pulls and I push. With every ounce of my strength, I possess within me.
A newfound fear has rooted deep within the barriers of my mind. How long shall he pull and I push until I lose balance and fall into him? This fear haunts my dreams at night pushing me to awaken in cold sweat.
Deimos merely regards me with his gentle gaze. The hot wind brushes past us my hair pushed back away baring my face whilst his hair is pushed forward to cover his eyes for a second. And I am thankful for that second for the heat of his gaze is stripped from my flesh.
He comes here every morning without fail just to see the growth of the house. His saddened eyes scan the house I built. One fit to hold two not three. One not meant for him. There are two emotions at war within him.
His chest puffs up with pride for the house I have built. Pride directed at me. Yet drowning sadness breaks through it like wildfire. He did not protest against my plans for this home. He merely didn’t speak about it nor confront me about it.
Rather he made sure everything went smoothly without disturbance and if my wolves needed any materials he would get the best of best without fail.
His first step towards me has my heart pounding beneath my rib cage. My mouth open with a low whispered gasp I look away confining my emotions continuing my work. Yet it is all merely an act for I cannot concentrate when he is near me.
Please don’t come near. Please don’t come near. I repeat the words as if I were in silent prayer. Yet my prayers go unanswered.
“My female.” His soft whisper strikes through the chatter and the wolves quieten.
Clenching my jaw I gaze down at my watch. Scanning the time I continue drilling down the screws at the corners. The sound of it blocking his voice.
“It isn’t time to feed him yet, Deimos.” I mutter hiding my face beneath the sun hat as if I were a tortoise hiding from a predator. My tone is flat as talking to a stranger.
“Yes. I know that. I just came to see your progress. It looks beautiful.” He speaks his truth. With Deimos, there is no beating around the bush. He is straightforward and will take you off guard.
I glance at Kal from beneath the shadow of my hat. His tiny hand clutching the tight shirt of Deimos as he rests soundly despite the loud booming sounds at the background. This is what his father’s scent does to him. A secret drug he possesses one that I do not have.
A reply to Deimos is uncared for and he is only met with my empty silence. Yet he feels no shame. He merely sprints forward with his words. This male possesses so much determination that it annoys me to the bottom of my core.