The curse of the wolf

A french morning

*Anaïs*

“What are you doing here?” I say stupidly, realizing too late that it sounds kind of rude to say that to an almost stranger. I mean, I actually do not know where he lives. Mostly, I had just not expected meeting him here at this time of the morning.

He looks out over the Seine, like he expects to find the answer there. “I needed some fresh air. It has been a long night.”

A restless night for both of us then, it seems.

“So having trouble sleeping or …?” The words come out before I can stop them, but then something hits me. “Have you been out all night?”

He turns back to look at me, his face almost blank, and I want to kick myself. Have I offended him?

“Sorry, that is none of my business, sir.” I feel my cheeks heat up. He is a marquis and a real-life hero, for God’s sake. And here I am questioning him like he is a naughty boy and I have a say in how he spends his nights.

“Oh no, I don’t mind telling you.” I see him glance around again, like he wants to check if anyone else is nearby. Then he continues. “I had an unexpected meeting after the reception last night… it dragged out. I decided to walk home.”

My stomach does a weird flip when he says that, then it seems to knot up. I wonder if he was with someone. I want to ask, but do not know why I even care. And again, it is none of my business, of course.

I say the only thing I can think of. “Oh, I did not know people had meetings at night.”

“There are always things to be done, day or night.” He sighs, then gives me a tired smile. “The meeting was with my brother. He wanted to talk, and to plan some things.”

Now I really am curious; so he has a brother. But I do not want to pry into his private life, so all I mumble is, “Oh, nice.”

His smile is slightly crooked and very sexy. His eyes flick to mine, holding me captive. I feel myself blush again.

“Nice would not be my first choice of word.” He shakes his head lightly. “My brother can be somewhat of a trial to do business with.”

“Family isn’t always easy, I guess,” I say, not knowing what else to say, feeling a bit like a fish in strange waters. “Did you have a fight with him or something?”

“Nope, scarily enough, we had a civilized talk. Mainly we were discussing if I should take up an old tradition that we… My family, of course, used to do back in the days, a masked christmas ball. He wants me to host it at my chateau.” He laughs softly.

That doesn’t really explain why he had a meeting with his brother in the middle of the night. I mean, how important is it to discuss a party? Couldn’t it wait?

He sighs again. The sound is like time itself just releasing a breath. Like he has said enough for one day, or maybe for a lifetime. We stand there silently for a while, just taking in the beauty of the early Paris morning.

Finally, he seems to snap out of it and starts walking towards me.

“I’m glad I found you here. I didn’t get to thank you for your help last night,” he says, and my expression must have revealed my confusion. “For not revealing my secret, I mean.”

Oh, I see now. He was worried about me telling everyone that he was the one that stopped the terrorist.

“No problem, sir,” I say, feeling strangely awkward about his thanks.

“Griff, please call me Griff.” He says softly. “I think I already asked you to do that.”

“Why? I mean, isn’t your name Constantin d’Anjou? Where does Griff come from?” Once again, I speak without thinking. He seems to have that effect on me.

“It is a nickname my father gave me when I was a child.” He shrugs like it is of no importance.

What is with me? It is like I can’t stop my mouth from running around him. “Why Griff, though? It isn’t a common nickname”.

His laugh is low and melodic. My heart lurches.

“Well, because I was a naughty boy who loved to play tricks on the maids and servants. They used to hate me as a child. So they started calling me Griff after a trickster character in a play. My father heard and started using it. Only my mother called me by my real name.”

This man is intriguing. And he seems very open and honest, in a weird secretive way. I notice how he avoids looking directly into my eyes. As if he would break if he looked too deeply.

“Ahh, so that is why you are still called Griff today. You are a master of disguise, even if you don’t want to admit it.” My words make him laugh again, and I love the sound of his laughter.

His warm hazel eyes connect with mine. I cannot look away and it feels like all the blood rushes to my head.

“Why are you out here so early, Anaïs?” he suddenly asks, “And alone.”

I force a smile, not sure if he means the last as a question or a statement. I try to think of a way to explain it without embarrassing myself. “Hard night too, needed some air.”

He nods and walks closer to me. I can smell his warm masculine scent and feel his body heat radiate from his strong body as he moves close to me.

“Did you have an argument?” He asks quietly.

I shake my head. I do not want to tell him about my situation with Mathis. It is something I need to work through myself. And right now, in front of him, I am not ready for any talk about my personal life.

“You should go back home. You are cold and tired.” He leans down and places a soft kiss on my cheek.

I shiver involuntarily. He smells so good. I want to bury my nose in his neck and inhale him deep into my lungs.

“I will walk you back.” He says softly.

I nod dumbly, enthralled by his closeness.

He takes my hand and pulls me along behind him. We walk side by side, holding hands. It feels like the most natural thing in the world. Every touch between us makes my heart beat faster.

After what seems like forever and still too fast, we finally reach my apartment building. “So, this is me.”

*Griff*

I am trying hard to keep myself in check, to not scare her with my emotions, with my need for her. I had felt her before I saw her. Everything had slowly turned more vivid, more warm. The morning rays of the sun, the colors of Paris, the smell of the dawning day.

Standing here, her hand in mine, I can almost believe that she can be mine; that it would be safe. I now know where she lives. She is near. It somehow feels comforting.

“f**k!” she suddenly says, making a face that would probably had made me chuckle if I wasn’t scared it would offend her.

“What is wrong?” I ask.

She sighs and her gaze glides down along the street before returning to me. “I promised I would bring back breakfast”. She blows out a breath and seems to mostly talk to herself. “And he is already annoyed after last night”.

“Last night?” I ask, feeling anger boil inside me. If he has hurt her…

She gives me an apologetic smile. “I had some pain, stomach cramps. Mathis thought I was a bit hysteric, maybe I was. But I promised to bring back breakfast.”

“Are you okay?” I ask. I can’t stand the idea of her hurting. “You shouldn’t be out running if you are in pain.”

“I am fine. Not sure what it was, it just came all of a sudden. I thought it was… my monthly coming. But then it disappeared just as fast.” She explains.

It hits me like a punch from an angry God, and believe me, I know how that feels, right in the guts. The mate bond, despite being human, she feels it to some degree too and my actions last night had hurt her.

“Sorry, I need to find a store.” She takes three steps, then stops again and sighs. “Oh f**k, I did not bring my wallet.”

I grab her hand, softly pulling her back towards me. “Go inside Anaïs, take a warm shower, put on something comfy….”

“But breakfast,” she says, looking down the street.

“Go inside,” I tell her again. “I will have breakfast delivered to you.”

She looks uncertain. “Griff, I can’t accept that.”

“Yes, you can. It is my thanks for keeping my secret.” I tell her, guiding her towards the door. Then kissing her cheek Again. “Go inside, enjoy breakfast and hopefully I will see you around.”