I'm in a warm cabin, the decor is rustic but so inviting. The smells are sensational. I'm looking around the room trying to find the owner. That man was carrying me and somehow made me talk about my past. I feel embarrassed and exposed at the same time.
I begin to sit up when a pain in my neck makes me stop. I reached up and felt the bite mark and swelling flesh.
"What the hell?" I jumped at hearing my own voice.
At my words, the door opens and in comes the man, dressed now, into the room.
I can feel my entire body warming up, sexual tension flooding my body. The area on my neck feels electrified and moisture is gathering between my legs.
I don't know why my body is reacting this way. Nor why looking at the man causes me both fear and horniness to manifest.
I look closer. Yes, he seems very similar to the man from earlier, but his hair is a bit longer, and his eyes look more dangerous. I smell the air, strong pine with fresh mowed grass.
I was forced back to four months ago, into that alleyway. I hear the voice from then talking to me here. "Sshhhh..relax Abby. You're safe here. I'm so sorry for causing you fear. Austin told me about how my looking for you was like a stalker. But, I swear, that wasn't my intention. Please, Abby, open your eyes. I can explain everything. Please, give me a chance. Abby, please."
His voice made me feel too much. I could hear this sound for breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday, yet, it also made my heart flutter with fear. My mouth was coated in it.
A new voice sounded behind him, soft but full of authority, "Hi Abby, I'm Lilly, this lunkhead's mother. You met my other son earlier. I promise you that you are safe here. Safer than you have ever been before. Open your eyes and eat some food. I made a ham and cheese grilled sandwich, with a pickle on the side. I have some chips you can choose from as well. I also have some water and fresh tea. Aiden is going to help you to the kitchen, OK?"
I nodded yes, despite wanting to scream no. Whenever she spoke, I felt a compulsion to hear her out and follow what she wanted. Lilly. I finally opened my eyes and in front of me was a woman in her late forties, with long black hair. Her kind blue eyes looked sincere. I felt instantly safe looking at her.
Though she was short, around my height, waves of power could be felt from her. I then looked at the man. He was very similar to Austin, but instead of a dimple on his right cheek, it was on his left cheek. His eyes were also bi-colored, but instead of blue and brown they were brown and green.
This was the man from the alley, but instead of crippling fear I felt turned on. 'What the feck?' I watched his hand reach for mine, without any hesitation, I put my hand in his, and felt tingles in my palm, making me clench my legs together as I felt a wave of arousal. I watched as his nose expanded, as if he could smell what he was doing to me.
His smile made my knees weak. I leaned into his body and smelled hard. He did not have any odor of oleander on him, making my stomach flutter. The more I smelled him, the less intense the alleyway fiasco became. Instead, I was being soothed, I felt safe and secure. His arms made me feel safe for the first time in a long time.
In embarrassment, I realized that I was wrapped up in his arms, sniffing him with abandon as he hummed to me. The sound was so relaxing, yet enticing.
He sat with me in a wooden chair. All of the furniture appeared to be crafted by hand, not by a machine. Even the cushions had more of a do-it-yourself vibe.
Rustic, but the creations were more detailed and beautiful than I had ever seen in a store. I couldn't stop myself from looking at the house…no, a home.
Then the most wonderful smell entered my nose. Ham!
Then I felt a sandwich on my lips. I opened my mouth wide, not thinking about the awkwardness of the man feeding me. While he held me with one hand while rubbing my belly, the other fed me the sandwich, then the sour cream and cheese ruffles. While I ate, I listened to Lilly and Aiden talk. It seems that he has been gone for awhile.
His eyes lit up when Lilly mentioned his dad, Foster.
But one thing kept niggling at the back of my mind.
What do they mean by 'pack,' 'alpha,' 'Cass'...Who is Alpha Brandon? Who is this person Cass that Lilly is so angry about? It doesn't feel as if she is angry at the person, but the situation.
Yet, every time the name is mentioned, I feel a pang in my chest.
Just as I am about to interrupt them from their long-winded discussion and ask about Foster, Cass, and Alpha Brandon, I hear a gut wrenching howl, filled with so much pain.
Aiden's arms wrapped around me tightly, his face delving into my neck, kissing the bite mark there.
I feel conflicted. Fear, pain, loss, and then Aiden. From him I felt secure, loved, wanted. I feel his teeth sink into my neck, and tingles erupt over my body.
Embarrassingly, I feel my body getting wet and the negative emotions disappearing. I turned my face towards Aiden, where his lips found mine.
I'm not sure why my body is reacting so much towards him. I don't know why my heart is reacting to him as well. I do know that I feel an imperfect peace in his arms. But something is missing. I just don't know what it could be.
Then I felt an intense pain slash across my arms and into my chest.
A gasp leaves me as I look down. There is nothing on me, but the pain is burning so badly until I, once again, pass out.