When I finally made it back to my bag I shifted back into my human form, the run having my muscles and limbs sore, and sweat covering my body. But I felt good, free even.
I dressed and headed back to my cabin.
My focus was on the ground once I reached the community, and it was the scent of Chase that had my heart jerking in my chest.
“Ophelia?”
I stopped and lifted my head to see Chase a few feet from me. Despite the emotions raging war in me once more, I put on a pleasant enough smile, or at least I hoped it was.
“Hi.” He made his way toward me. I could smell the dark and wild scent that always seemed to surround him. It made me yearn for more.
“I wanted to speak with you, to talk about some things.”
I cleared my throat and shifted uncomfortably. “It’s okay. Things have been crazy after…” I didn’t finish that, and cleared my throat again.
“Xavier and I would like to talk to you … about what we did.” He had this stern, intense look on his face, and it made me uncomfortable, like what they wanted to talk to me couldn’t have been good at all.
God, was he going to say it was a mistake? My mind was conjuring up all the horrible things they could say, the worry they probably felt about possibly getting me with child. I wanted to tell them, remind them, it was rare for my first time, that they probably wouldn’t be stuck with me, but the words died in my throat. His expression was so stoic, so … emotionless.
It broke my heart, and I was not about to do this with them.
I opened my mouth to respond, to say something, anything, but I saw Graham walking by with an armful of grocery bags. I shook my head, put on a happy, brave front, and said, “I’m fine, really.” I smiled wider. “Thank you for being there and helping me. I’ll tell Xavier the same when I see him.” Before he could say anything else I turned and left.
****
That evening
I stared at myself in the mirror, smoothing my hands down the cardigan I wore, my nerves wracked for some reason. I couldn’t deny I hadn’t been able to get Chase and Xavier out of my mind.
And you won’t be able to, you fool.
Forcing myself away from the mirror, I went into the kitchen, grabbed a bottle of wine, and headed outside.
Graham lived in one of the newer, yet smaller log homes in our camp, further away from the main part of the community. I wanted to say that might have been one of the reasons he was so antisocial, but I think maybe he was just lonely and liked his solitude.
Am I really doing this?
It’s just a meal.
But it doesn’t feel right.
Pushing those thoughts away I left the porch and made my way through the woods toward Graham’s cabin. After about ten minutes I spotted Graham’s cabin several feet away.
As soon as I started making my way up the porch steps the front door opened and Graham stood there with a wide smile on his face, as if he’d been looking out his window waiting for me. He stepped aside to let me in. I handed him the bottle of wine, trying to keep this nice and friendly, even if I scented his interest.
“I hope red goes with what you’re cooking.”
“It’s perfect.” He shut the door and set the bottle on the table. Two candles graced the tabletop along with sparkling crystal and gleaming silverware.
Yeah, this feels weird as fuck.
“I made pork tenderloin, roasted potatoes, and homemade dinner rolls.”
When he opened the oven to show me his work, the smells were intense and heady.
This was a bad idea.
The weird feeling I got from him wasn’t because I feared him, but because this was far more than a friendly meal for him.
“Everything’s ready.” He held the chair out for me, which I took with a polite smile.
For the next half hour we ate. He mostly spoke about things going on in the community, and the work he was doing to procure more land in the surrounding area.
“Dinner was really lovely,” I finally said when we had both finished. Truth was I wanted to go, because being with this male wasn’t what I wanted or needed. “Thank you, Graham.” I didn’t want to be rude, but I was ready to go.
“You are so beautiful, Ophelia.”
I felt a bit of shock flow through me at the sudden words he spoke. I cleared my throat and looked down. “Thank you.”
I watched as Graham inhaled deeply, and hoped like hell he picked up on my disinterest. I took another sip from my glass and shifted in my seat, sensing the desire pounding through him. It was an unmistakable feeling and scent, an aroma that instantly had my wolf bristling in distaste.
He isn’t Chase or Xavier.
“I want you, Ophelia.”
I shook my head. “I didn’t come here for this.”