As the morning progressed, I retreated to my room to rest after the tense encounter with Leon and Melissa.
My mind is in turmoil, torn between the thoughts of Lina and my half-switch. Emotions swell within me, too chaotic for words to accurately describe them. I try to make sense of it all, but everything is a jumbled mess.
My encounter with Lina yesterday still fills me with elation, but at the same time, I am both frustrated and relieved that we could not go further. The intensity of my half-switch after our embrace continues to haunt me, filling me with fear yet also making me feel more connected to my wolf than ever before.
I made my way down to the kitchen and fond a very weary-looking Leon. "Looks like she kept you busy," I jested, teasing him about his night with Melissa. He blushed and became shy, retorting back with, "Isn't it too early for you to start tormenting me? I can't even remember how we managed to get back to it after your attack last night. What was that all about?" "I wish I knew," I responded honestly. Leon quickly pressed further, asking if I truly did not know or if I simply did not want to talk about it. I cannot hide anything from him.
Reluctantly, I recount my encounter with Lina in vivid detail, confessing how her actions triggered something in me and consumed my thoughts. Leon's face lights up as he begins to understand, explaining that he had read about similar experiences in his sister's books on Wolfen medicine. Strong emotions like the ones I felt are usually evoked when one finds one's mate.
His words caught me off guard, and I scoffed in disbelief. "Don't try to fool me. I am a Lowell and the future Alpha of the Full Moon pack. How could the curse possibly make exceptions for me?" I retorted. "I don't think it can make exceptions, but your behavior isn't exactly normal either," Leon counters.
Changing the subject, I casually asked about Melissa's whereabouts. But Leon quickly caught on and redirected the conversation back to me.
What do I intend to do about Lina? I honestly have no answer. And what about Melissa? She drives me insane, just like Lina does. We both laugh, trying to lighten the heavy atmosphere.
"We will find a way through this," Leon reassured me.
Curiosity getting the best of me, I inquired about how things went between him and Melissa last night. "I brought her back to her cabin where she is staying with her friends. We didn't get much time to talk. It might have just been a one-time thing," he explained with a hint of sadness. But I knew Leon, and he was not the type for one-night stands. What if my encounter with Lina was also just a fleeting moment?
My heart sank at the thought, and my nerves started to affect my wolf. Trying to console Leon, I placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. He looked at me with confusion and jokes, "Who are you, and what have you done with Alarick?" We both laughed at the absurdity of our situation.
Finishing up breakfast, I suggested we go for a dip in the nearby lake. But Leon declined, opting to return home and rest instead. My wolf led me to the river, where we reached a secluded spot under a tree before switching back and undressing. As I walk towards the riverbank, memories flashed through my mind of picnics spent here with my grandmother. A pang of longing hits me as I remember her fondly. She used to say that if I hadn't been born a werewolf, I would have made an excellent sea lion. I chuckled at the thought before finally submerging myself in the cool water.
The water was frigid against my skin, but I barely felt it as a werewolf. In fact, the icy chill felt almost comforting, sending tingles of electricity through my body. I couldn't help but wonder if this was some sort of aftereffect from my half-switch.
As I swam around in the cold water, my head gradually cleared, and my senses sharpened. But as soon as I stepped out onto the shore, Lina's scent hit me like a strong gust of wind. My wolf instincts rose to the surface, pushing me towards her. But I remained cool and composed as I approached her, taking my time.
I could see her hiding behind a tree, peeking at me with wide eyes. It was almost comical how she tried to remain hidden while clearly being unable to resist looking at me. As I approached her, our eyes met, and I could see the desire and fear swirling in her gaze. But I didn't rush - instead, I let her gaze take in every inch of my glistening wet body that she had lusted after just yesterday.
As I reached the tree where she was hiding, she squirmed and shifted nervously. Her attempts at staying quiet were futile as I could hear her every movement. But despite her clear intention to make a run for it, I quickly positioned myself on the side she planned to escape to, and before she knew it, we collided with each other.
Our bodies pressed together - mine still damp and hers warm from the sun. She lost her footing and almost fell backward, but I caught her swiftly and pulled her tightly against me. For a brief moment, my wolf surged forward, and I couldn't resist pressing myself even closer against her soft curves.
Her eyes were closed as she leaned into me like she wanted to disappear. We were so close, I could clearly take in her sent. And oh how intoxicating it was - sweet and alluring like a bouquet of spring flowers with warm undertones of vanilla. It enveloped my senses, leaving me completely lost in its gentle essence. The delicate notes of blooming flowers blended harmoniously with hints of soothing vanilla, adding a comforting and delightful touch that warmed my heart towards her even more.