Chapter 20
SHANE
-Do you have coverage?
-Yes, don’t you? -his false innocence is interrupted by a smile dancing at the corners of his mouth.
-What have you done? -I throw the kitchen towel that’s on the counter at him; he dodges it, laughing. And seeing this playful side of him delights and enchants me. I watch him read the message and, for a very brief moment, I see concern cross his eyes-: Did something happen? -I ask, moving closer.
He lifts his head, looking at me.
-No. I’m going out to stretch my legs. -he announces with a smile, although a mix of emotions floods me. I look at him again; his eyes are a refuge, despite the red and blue dancing in his irises. I can sense he’s hiding something from me, but I’m not going to push him. After all, I have my own secrets too.
-Please, don’t transform in front of me. -I request, with the purest sincerity, remembering how overwhelming it was to see that transformation for the first time. His laughter is contagious, and I bask in the warmth of the moment.
-Okay. -he says-: I promise I won’t do it here.
Then, he leans towards me and gives me a determined kiss, a sweet reminder of our connection before heading out to the back of the cabin.
I watch him walk away, and although I feel calm, anxiety accompanies me. I can clearly hear the crunch of the grass and the deep, powerful sound of Liam as he transforms into a wolf, a sound that resonates in my chest. Instantly, the echo of another wolf joins his call, filling the space with a musicality that beckons me to follow. I head to the back of the cabin, eager to catch a glimpse of Liam in his new form, but all I find is the sight of two wolves in a swift race toward the forest, one smaller than the other, of a beautiful brown hue.
However, before I can immerse myself in what seems to be a perfect moment, a shout interrupts my peace.
-Hey, babe! -I pivot on my heels and see Marc climbing the small hill towards the cabin. Instantly, the image of what I saw the day before flashes in my mind like a quick movie; the scene of Marc in an intimate position with Gigit, Liam’s beta, returns to torment me.
Disgust overtakes me as I remember that Marc has Steven, a good guy who doesn’t deserve that betrayal. Anger floods me as he tries to approach; his carefree expression only heightens my annoyance. Still, I hold back. I can’t let that clouded rage affect this moment; we’re at the cabin, and it’s not the place for a confrontation.
-Hi. -I respond dryly, crossing my arms over my chest. He raises an eyebrow as he ascends the small steps.
-What did I miss?
-Are you serious?
-What bug bit you… or bit you? -he emphasizes the last word, and I know he’s trying to distract me or joke around. But I’m not in the mood for that.
-You know exactly what I’m referring to. You and Gigit? Are you serious, Marc?! Was it really that hard to keep your dick in your pants! -Marc grimaces in pain at my blunt words. His expression sours, and I know I’ve touched a sensitive point, and there’s more that I don’t know.
Sighing, I turn away and go back into the cabin.
-Come on. -I call him, knowing he won’t come otherwise.
As we both enter the cabin and sit in front of the fireplace with two steaming cups of coffee that Marc served on our way to the living room, the conversation takes an unexpected turn.
-I found out Gigit is a little wolf-man. Wait, I know you’re going to tell me that’s impossible! But it’s true, I swear on my parents who don’t want me because I’m gay, that it is true. And I’m his mate. -he says, his voice somewhat excited at first, but then it fades, revealing news that leaves us both surprised. Perhaps for different reasons.
-No way -I murmur, unable to process what I’m hearing. The idea that Marc could talk about this topic so normally and that he accepted it even more easily than I did truly astonishes me. Then there’s the fact that he could be bound to Gigit by such an intense and profound bond that leaves me speechless. Marc is a free spirit; I’ve never seen him settle down with anyone.
-And everything’s good with what he is? -I ask as I bring the cup of coffee to my lips and take a sip.
-Why wouldn’t it be? It’s not like I can change his nature, or reject the connection I feel with him. -Shit, there it is again, that damn connection we can’t ignore!- And I guess by the way you’re talking to me, your guy is a werewolf too.
I shrug as I blow on the coffee.
-He’s the alpha, to be exact.
-Damn! You’re like royalty in their world.
-Keep your voice down, they exist only in one world. And how is it that you didn’t know he’s an alpha?
-With them, there are two. And as much as you try to deny it, you know that it’s true. I might have been too busy pleasing my wolf to have a conversation about all this.
-Well, your guy is the beta of mine. From what I understand, he’s something like his personal assistant, his right hand… his best friend.
-Oh, that sounds interesting -he smiles a bit as he takes a sip of his coffee.
-I see you’ve taken the news much better than I have.
-How?
-Let’s just say I put up a bit of a fight with Liam.
-Don’t kid yourself, babe, nothing with these men is easy. I passed out, and when I woke up, I had Gigit completely naked with his mast pressing against my ass. And then, from there, you can imagine what happened -I quickly recall the scene of the two of them and shake my head to try to erase that memory.
-Yeah, I can imagine. But do you feel okay about belonging to him for life? Have you at least been able to have the talk about what the bond implies? Because I definitely have had it and I don’t know how to feel about it; I mean, I love him, but I’m scared. I’m scared I’ll wake up one day and he’ll decide it’s over, or that a she-wolf just like him will show up and want to be with him. You and I will never belong in his world.
-Aha! After all, you admit there are two worlds -he says as I shrug. Why deny it? I’ll never be like those women. So I put my car passion aside for later, and focus on Marc.
-So? -I press, wanting to know.
-Yeah, we had the talk about the bond, what it implies and what it means. And I’m fine with all of that.
-I’m sorry if I don’t agree with you, but you don’t seem like someone who’s okay with that, right now. -Marc, with a melancholic expression, tells me that he feels compelled to end things with Steven.
-It’s impossible to ignore how I feel about Gigit. The connection with him is too intense to brush aside -he concludes, and his sadness hits me like a wave.
-Steven doesn’t deserve that.
-Do you think I don’t know that? Gigit didn’t ask for this either, it just happened.
-But you love Steven…
-Shit, I do. Just thinking about leaving him hurts me…
I set my cup down on the coffee table in front of me and crawl to where Marc is. Without any shame, I sit sideways on his lap, hugging him. My friend needs me, and I’m not one to judge him.
This moment gives me an opportunity to consider sharing something about my own life, about my pregnancy. But even though the urge to open up floods me, I hesitate. I want Liam to be the first to know. A part of me shivers at the possibility that this news could change the dynamic of our relationship, but I also choose to protect that information, keeping it just for myself for now.
Marc is aware of my silence, and although there’s a certain lightness in our conversation, the air is charged with a tacit understanding that the complications of love and fidelity are topics that affect us both in different ways.
Outside, the sound of wolves in the forest mixes with the murmur of our conversation, and though there are frustrations and misunderstandings, there’s a shared moment that also comforts. At the end of the day, life goes on, and I’m determined to face the oncoming tide, body and soul.