My Jolly Alpha - Burgov Series V

14. Markella

The sudden change of plans made little nervous butterflies flap their wings in my stomach. I felt much better knowing that I would have Cilia next to me every step of the way, but I couldn't deny their logic was making a lot of sense. So far, I was a no-name friend of Cilia. If there was a person who got under Kimmy's skin, it must be her. But if someone finds out the bond that Oraon and I share, the situation may change drastically.

Cilia assured me that her cousin, Ellie, is the coolest and the most laid-back chick on the planet. Not to mention some kind of legendary fighter, that even her older relatives, who outrank her, never dare to underestimate. Another one from their clan who sounds mighty intimidating.

After dropping off Cilia at Harvest Moon, Orson decided against taking her jet, claiming that we have a day to spare before Ellie would even be home after spending Christmas at her grandparents' pack, and he offered to have a road trip and spend the night somewhere halfway to the Night Walkers Pack.

I won't lie here, it will be nice to not have to throw him out at the early hours of the day, but just be together like a true couple.

The snowy landscape rolling outside the window was for me something out of a fairytale. I've seen snow before, but not as much. And driving up North with snowdrifts being the only thing that could be seen, I felt like I was about to meet a snow Queen. It's funny which way your stressed-out brain can take you sometimes.

Or maybe it was my Winter Wonderland fantasy, especially with my man firmly holding my hand, with his face finally relaxed and smiling. It would be so easy to forget all about our problems awaiting us in his home.

"Stop giving me that look, or I may stop controlling myself." - Orson said, not taking his eyes off the road, and I felt my cheeks burning from the flush.

"Sorry, but it's so surreal. I'm going to stay with my mate's cousin. The mate I didn't know I had a week ago. And we're finally together. I could scream and no one would be any wiser."

He chuckled softly at that.

"Then scream, I won't lie that I've been thinking about it too." - he said.

"I'M ORSON VANWOERT'S MATE!" - I yelled at the top of my lungs, making him throw his head back and laugh.

"MARKELLA EVANS IS MY TRUE LUNA!" - I joined in my fun.

"WE'RE GONNA HAVE OUR FIRST UNINTERRUPTED NIGHT TOGETHER!" - I screamed next.

"I'M THE LUCKIEST GUY IN THE WORLD!" - he yelled next.

"NOT AS LUCKY AS THE GIRL WITH HER DREAM MAN!" - I screamed and then started giggling, but when no shout came from Orson I glanced at him, just to find him staring at me in disbelief.

"Dream guy?! I think someone got carried away there." - he said with a smirk.

"Not at all. You're exactly what I always wanted in my partner." - I shrugged - "You understand the importance of family. You're good and crying. You make me laugh, even when I'm mad. And my best friend already likes you. I don't see what possibly more could there be."

He watched me strangely, a bit moved by my words, a bit disbelieving, and then he took my hand and brought it to his lips.

"It's strange to finally be enough for someone."

"Orson…" - I said softly - "You're more than enough, and not just for me. Your mother loves you like crazy, and Cilia claims you're her favorite male Cousin. There are way more people for whom you're the first pick."

He smiled and nodded, looking back at the road.

"Watch it, Markie. I may think you're softening me up to see what's in my pants." - he joked, with a playful smile curling his lips.

"Maybe I am." - I teased him right back with an innocent shrug. - "It's not like Kimmy would feel me watching." - I pointed out in a sultry tone.

He shot me a wolfish grin that I had a feeling hid many unspoken words.

"You have no idea what you're getting yourself into." - he said in amusement, and I began to wonder what he meant by that.

The next hour we spent playing our favorite music and telling each other the craziest stories that happened to us. His, always had at least one of his relatives in it, and I have to admit I never laughed so hard.

It turned out that a large portion of the shenanigans that fell on him were performed by his younger brother, Nicky, who was just better at playing a docile, proper teenager, but from Orson's stories he sounded more like a hellion in disguise.

The way Orson spoke of his sister showed just how much he loved her. There's a chance he never actually told her that, but the fond smile and pride in his tone were all there. He even admitted he was relieved Uliana was mated to someone he already liked a great deal, because, as he claimed, he wouldn't want to widow his sister. His words, not mine.

He mentioned Ellie, with whom I would be staying, and from his stories she sounded a bit like a tomboy version of Cilia. The kind of woman who wouldn't let anyone stick their noses into her business. But from what I gathered, she had one thing that Cilia did not, a self-esteem as strong as a rock, and maybe the closest family that always had time for her.

Orson even brought up his best friend, Sean, and I tried not to cringe too hard hearing how different his version of that guy was from what Cilia had told me. He said they had been almost inseparable since they were both eight-years-old, and that Sean was always his confidant and the voice of reason. He sounded more serious than Orson, but a lot different from how my friend painted him. In his mouth it sounded like Sean was loyal to the fault, and had the integrity of a scout-boy. But it only proves that even the best of men can get under someone's skin and be assholes at times.

By the time we reached the rental, I felt as if I knew Orson's family for ages, or better yet, was always its part.

The house Orson picked was, from what he said, an hour away from our final destination, Night Walkers Pack. And I must admit my mate has impeccable taste. The cottage was lovely, something I wouldn't mind having on my own to visit every weekend for a quiet getaway. It was only a one-storey wooden house with just a long driveway to distinguish it from the dense forest surrounding us. It had a lovely front porch, where I could see myself sitting on a rocking chair with one of my books and a hot tea in hand, just simply enjoying this marvelous peace and quiet.

"I'm officially in love with this place." - I said, making Orson chuckle.

"You haven't even come inside."

"I don't care. I can stay all night outside just watching the stars." - I shrugged.

"Sweetheart, it's late December, your cute butt will go numb from the cold."

"Don't you worry about my butt." - I said, giving him a side look - "And just so you know, I'm always hot."

His lips parted and I could help the gloating smirk at his perplexed expression, as I was passing him by to enter the cottage.

The inside of the house was even better. It was simple, definitely not the kind of furniture you'd be worried about sitting on because your ass print alone would drop the price by half. No, it was all cozy, tasteful, but not over the top. Actually, it reminded me of home. Everything seems to be set exactly how I would have done it in my own home, down to the soft blanket thrown over the back of the couch.

"You like it?" - Orson asked, inspecting my already smiling face.

"I do." - I nodded.

"Phew." - he pretended to wipe his forehead - "I was worried I screwed up again." - he joked, but for me there was nothing funny in that statement.

I closed the distance between us and wrapped my hands around his waist and simply hugged him, with my ear against his drumming heart.

"We really need to do something about your faith in yourself." - I said with a sigh. - "I know you meant it as a joke, but would it be enough for you to know that, for me, you are like the best prize in the world?"

He wrapped his hands around me too and rested his chin on my head.

"Old habits never really die." - he admitted.

"Then you leave me no other choice." - I said, stepping away from him and going to the open kitchen, searching for something that would serve my purpose. I found an empty jar, under the sink, right next to the trash can, again, exactly where I would put it at home, and I returned to him. - "Here." - I handed him the jar - "That's your self-esteem jar. Every time you say something undermining how great you are, you're paying a dollar."

"Seriously?" - he asked, arching his brows.

"What? It's a very effective teaching technique. It worked on Dainen and his socks' balls."

"His what?" - Oraon frowned.

"My brother used to have that disgusting habit of taking his socks off so carelessly that they were all twisted in small smelly balls, and it was driving my Grandmother mad, especially when he put them like this into the washer and they would come out just as dirty." - I said, scrunching my nose.

"How much did he have to pay before it started working?"

"Like sixty bucks." - Orson's eyebrows shot up in surprise - "Grandma was charging him for each sock, not the pair." - I shrugged, making Orson snort.

"I think I know from whom you've taken your flare then." - he commented.

"Ha, I wish! My Grandma is one scary lady when she wants. Something like angry Cilia mixed with Catherine de Medici." - I said.

"Then we should probably put off visiting your family." - he said with that adorable boyish face that made me giggle.

"No, you have nothing to worry about. That's just her pose. To you she will be sweet as candy." - I waved him off.

Orson nodded, even though he didn't look quite convinced.

"We have a fully stocked fridge in case you're hungry." - he offered, swiftly changing the subject.

"I'm not, at least not yet." - I shook my head. - "Your mother's breakfast would most likely keep me sustained till New Year's." - he snickered, obviously understanding my point - "But I wouldn't mind a quick shower."

For some reason, his eyes lit up and lips curled at the prospect and he nodded.

"The bathroom is over there, through the bedroom." - he said, pointing his finger down the hall where we hadn't yet looked.

I nodded and picked up my smaller bag with all my toiletries and I left him standing in the middle of the living room, watching me go. I had a feeling he was up to something with the way he was looking at me, but I shrugged it off for now.

The master bedroom was just as nice as the rest of the house, and I absolutely loved the light wooden furniture mixed with gray and cream decor. I wasn't like Cilia, who thrived in pastels. I always preferred things simpler.

I traced my hand over the soft dark-gray duvet and I smiled to myself, thinking we would be able to sleep in this bed till noon tomorrow. It's funny how such small things can mean the world depending on circumstances.

I unpacked some of my things and I rushed to the bathroom, that didn't disappoint me either. It was clearly designed for the couple with his and her sinks. But what got my attention the most was the massive shower, able to accommodate at least ten people at once, with complete see-through glass. It wasn't even tinted or matted anywhere, so it gave you more of a mental cover than actually hid your body.

But that wasn't that much of an issue for me. I don't want to come out as a cocky, self-centered b***h, but I always felt good in my skin. So I undressed with no care in the world, and I stepped under the shower.

I was so focused on lathering my hair that I didn't even realize when he entered the room and stood silent, without his shirt on, may I add, just staring at me.

"Orson, what are you…"

"You're beautiful. Gorgeous. Exquisite." - he said, watching me with eyes full of want.

"You know we can't." - I said.

"What we can't? Watch? That's exactly what we can do, no, what we should do." - he smiled devilishly.

The man had a point, and my lips curled on their own accord at the reminder of when the exact same thing crossed my mind as we were driving here. With the difference that I would make the first move, too scared that the second, third and all the others would follow like an avalanche.

So deciding against my better judgment, I traced my soapy hands over my collarbone, breasts, all the way to my navel, looking into his eyes, and quite frankly getting completely turned on by the growing bulge in his pants and darker shade of gray in his eyes.

"You really are my perfect woman." - I whispered, breathing heavily.

"I'd better, otherwise this would just be creepy." - I answered, changing the direction and moving my hands up my body.

"Touch yourself, Markella, I want to know how you look when you come." - this wasn't a request, this was a point-blank order, yet it did strange things to me. I like that authoritative side of him, but I liked the lustful look in his eyes even more. In those eyes, I felt like the prettiest woman in the world, and I wasn't going to lose it now.

My hand slowly reached between my thighs and I gasped when my fingers grazed my already swollen clit. Jesus, someone was wet and needy today.

I started tracing small and slow circles, feeling how my chest was trying to catch up with the rest of my heated body.

"Put your leg on the bench, and show me that sweet little pussy." - Orson said, jerking his chin to the side, showing me what he had in mind, and I obliged again, no questions asked.

I don't think I have ever been this turned on before, and what's more important, without being even touched by someone else. That was pure madness, and definitely not the one I would be telling my grandkids about, but rather the one I would stash in my memory, coming back to it when I'm old.

"Are you going to just stand there?" - I asked. - "Lose those pants and get to work."

He chuckled seeing me this randy, but he did as I said. The sly bastard had to have this whole thing planned out, because as soon as he unbuttoned his jeans and let them fall to the ground, he was already exposed, with no briefs or anything.

"An easy-access kind of a guy, I see. I approve." - I said, biting my lip, watching his magnificent c**k.

I'm not sure if that's even the right word to describe a man's private parts, but if there was at least one magnificent c**k out there, it has to be his. It was absolutely perfect with the length and girth, I couldn't wait to feel inside me. And when he fisted it and started slowly jacking himself, not taking his eyes off of me, my legs nearly buckled.

My mate is f*****g hot.

Before, I had the chance to marvel at his impressive biceps and muscular legs when he visited me already in his shorts, but seeing him in all his glory made me send a mental prayer to the Moon Goddess with one big thank you.

Orson took one step closer to the shower glass, right in front of where I was standing on the other side, and he placed his free hand on the glass. I did the same with mine, just partially needing additional support, but more to just feel better connected with him. And it surprised me when I felt his heat through the transparent barrier, almost as if our hands were touching in this intimate moment. I was standing so close to the glass that my own breath started fogging it, getting more and more rapid, from my fast approaching release.

"Orson, I'm gonna come." - I whispered, and the bastard smirked.

"That's what I'm counting on."

The wave of pleasure hit me like a tsunami, almost sweeping me off my feet and leaving me fighting for my breath for a few seconds after. Okay, that has never happened before. I didn't even know one could see not the stars, but f*****g constellations or galaxies after getting herself off.

I opened my eyes when my breathing got back to normal, just to notice Orson smiling at me, looking really pleased with what he saw.

"I've never seen anything sexier in my life." - he praised me, but the wicked part of me that he suddenly awoke took it as a challenge.

"Then buckle up, cowboy." - I said, opening the glass door and stepping out. Orson looked at me quizzically, until he frowned when I got on my knees in front of him, but made sure the distance between us was intact.

"What are you…"

"You better aim right." - I cut him off, opening my mouth wide, waiting for his load, and at the same time snaking my hand between my legs to play with myself again.

He looked shocked, and to be honest so was I, but I wasn't about to waste a perfectly good moment, letting him spill his jizz on his hands or a shower glass, when I could have made it so much more fun.

His hand started moving faster, as he was looking down on me, and I got even wetter than I was from all the anticipation. His c**k got so incredibly hard that I was sure I wouldn't have to wait for long, and he didn't disappoint, shooting his load perfectly into my waiting mouth just a few strokes later with a sexy content growl.

I savored the first taste of him I was allowed to have and at that moment I knew that wouldn't be the last time before we reached his cousin's home. There was something addicting in it, something that could make me lose my senses.

Orson was watching me with such primal passion, panting harder after his own o****m that I could tell exactly what he was thinking. To take it to the next level, exactly what I was afraid we would do, and exactly what we couldn't do.

"f**k, Markie, I think I love you." - he muttered, probably barely even conscious of his own words.

"You think?" - I asked wittily - "That's not the kind of thing you say to a girl who has your balls on a clear punching line." - I added, getting up on my feet.

He took my hand in his, the same one I just had on my clit a moment ago, and he brought my fingers to his lips, inhaling deeply and taking a small taste, as if the opportunity was too good to pass on.

"I know I do. That I love you, I mean." - he said, looking into my eyes. - "You possessed me."

"Good." - I smirked - "I wouldn't want to be the only one." - I added with a grin.

"Goddess, how I would like to kiss you now. The declaration is kinda moot without it." - he said.

"No, it's not. And the fact you're so strong for our sake is even better than a real kiss." - I assured him, but that only caused his lips to curl up even more.

"Then it means you haven't been kissed properly."

After Orson took a quick shower, we got dressed and made ourselves a snack. It was perfect, just the two of us in the quiet of the woods. I suggested sitting outside on the porch for even just a short moment, because I simply couldn't pass on the opportunity to watch the sky on this special night. I don't know what it was, but I wanted to remember everything about today, somehow realizing it was a milestone for us.

"Goddess, I could use a drink right now." - Orson said, again bringing up his complaint that the owner of the house thought of food and not about the booze.

"Stop whining, it's perfect."

"I know, and I would like to keep all the nagging problems away." - he admitted.

I glanced at him, when something came to my mind.

"I may have something better, if you won't judge me." - I said.

"Me? Judging you? I don't think there's anything you could do to make me judge you. But I am intrigued." - he said encouragingly, and so I went back to our bedroom and started rummaging through my stuff, until I found my bag of herbs.

I got back to Orson's and opened the impressive collection of small, labeled jars inside, that I always carry with me.

"Whoa, are you a dealer or something?" - he chuckled when he saw my collection.

"No." - I shook my head - "If you saw my grandmother's office you would be more shocked. It's filled with hundreds of different jars, books and her working bench." - I said, reading the labels, looking for just the one. - "A-ha! There you are." - I said triumphantly, taking it in my hands. - "That's one of the experiments I've been working on. Currently, it's kind of forbidden in my tribe, because apparently there was this one incident in the past… It doesn't matter." - I waved my hand. - "That's the most rare blend of sage. It's a bit stronger than pot and it may be a hallucinogen at times, but it relaxes your mind like nothing else." - I explained, but Orson just kept on watching me with the biggest grin on his face.

"What?" - I asked.

"Nothing, just that I pegged you for a good girl, and here you are with your own pharmacy at hand. You're just as bad as I am."

"There's nothing wrong with experimenting, if you know what you're doing. And my people have done it for generations until one i***t smoked too much." - I said with exasperation.

"And have you done it?"

"Yes. I had the best sleep of my life."

"Okay, I'm nothing if not open-minded." - he agreed, and I took a small piece of aluminum foil and sprinkled no more than a half of a tea spoon on it.

"When I light it up, just lean in and inhale some." - I explained, and Orson nodded, looking quite intrigued by my small hobby.

I brought the lighter to the tiny stack and it took just a few seconds for the dried leaves to start burning, emitting a thick, rather pleasantly smelling smoke. We both took no more than just a few inhales and it was already over, but you could almost right away feel that amazing calmness spreading through your body.

During my studies I found a book, one of the old ones that belonged to my mother, and there it was mentioned that they used to work this exact blend on people in extreme pain on the verge of going to another life. There was also a paragraph about how it helped with paranoia and mental illnesses. The sage alone didn't have any side effects really if you used it well, it just brought this tranquility to your mind, without really affecting your physical state, and it looks like that's exactly what Orson was going for, and I was always up for expanding my research.

It soon began to get extremely cold, and we moved back to the living room, putting some movie on, and I felt better than ever, just leaning my head over Orson's shoulder. It felt just right, and I knew it wasn't just the serenity that sage brought me, but being with him.

It came as a surprise when the declaration of his feelings slipped from his mouth, but that was exactly the thought that was haunting my mind too. I know it's so soon, but when you know, you know. And I couldn't imagine someone more perfect for me than him.

My eyes started getting heavy, and I think I must've drifted off, but the dream I had was just very peculiar.

I was standing on the sideline, looking at the group of strange children. They couldn't even be the same age, given the differences in the heights, but one thing caught my eye in particular. The boy with almost black hair standing the furthest from the rest, just watching them, but not engaging too much in their play. It was clear that he was a part of the group, but not really, something was very off.

My feet worked on their own accord, bringing me closer to the boy. He noticed me, piercing me with the most amazing gray eyes, and I knew right away who that boy was, and I felt bad for him, almost feeling how conflicted he was inside.

"Hey there." - I spoke with a smile - "Why are you alone over here, when you could have been with them?"

The boy just shrugged his small shoulders and glanced with longing at the rest.

"I know what it feels like to be an outsider." - I said, and the boy's head whipped my way with shock written all over his adorable face. - "But my Mom once told me that my true friends would love me with all my quirks."

"But I always cause trouble." - the boy said.

"Troubles aren't always a bad thing, after all, it's the hard situations that teach us the most." - I smiled at him - "Go play with the rest. A loner is a weakness to the pack."

The boy thought about my words for a moment before he nodded and joined the rest of the kids with much greater joy than he showed before. I sat on the grass, just watching the kids playing with a smile on my face, until the sky started clouding and heavy rain began pouring down on everyone. The kids gathered in the circle, trying to avoid heavy drops hitting them, and it seemed to be working, since they weren't completely drenched, like I was. I felt my legs taking me away from the scene, but I glanced behind my back, glad that the dark-haired boy wasn't left alone in this downpour.

I sat up straight gasping for air and looking around frantically. I was somehow back in the bedroom, with Orson sleeping soundly next to me. He must've brought me here after I drifted off.

I brushed my curls with exasperation, trying to understand what the f**k I had just seen? Was it a hallucination? I know it was possible, but never before have I gone through that. Not to mention, that dream felt like something much more meaningful than just a figment of my drugged mind. But the big question is, what does it mean?