Lunar Wolves: The prophecy (Book 3)

Chapter 3

After breakfast, she introduces Erik to her parents, and they all seem to be pretty happy to meet each other. Great! Even her parents like him! Fine, he's handsome and friendly and what every girl would want in a man, but is he her man?

They spend some time walking in the gardens to get to know each other, and he isn’t shy about sharing his life’s story. It’s pretty amazing that he turned out into a gentleman and not some kind of criminal, but it also gives her insight into why he can be such an overprotective a*s.

She asks him about his pack, and it sounds pretty daunting because of the size. They welcome all kinds of supernatural beings, and it sounds as they’ve created this amazing city for their pack. She has no idea how she would fit into a place like that, even with him by her side.

Then he turns the tables on her, and it’s her turn to tell him about home. It sounds so backward compared to what he just told her, and she almost feels like a country bumpkin next to him, but he takes a deep breath, closes his eyes, and hums, smiling.

“I would give up the city for that any day.”

“Really? Your life sounds so exciting in the city. There’s not much to do in our little town except for the annual festival.”

***

Finally, something she seems excited to talk about, and Erik asks her about the festival, and her eyes light up as she talks. She describes everything in the smallest detail, and he can almost see it. She has an amazing way with words that makes him feel spellbound.

Her small form makes him pull her under his arm as they walk, and she doesn’t push him away as he thought she might.

When lunch rolls around, they join everyone for the picnic and because they are a couple, they get their own blanket to sit on. He holds out his hand to help her sit down and then lays down, putting his head on her lap.

***

Her first thought when he so comfortably puts his head in her lap is that she wants to drag her fingers through his hair. The idea comes to mind so naturally that she bites her tongue to remind her that he is still overprotective, and there is still a lot to learn about him before she can even think about accepting him as a mate.

They talk some more about when they were at school, and she learns that he challenged his best friend and the now pack alpha and won. He, however, chose not to become an alpha.

She wonders why he told her that story, but she is grateful that he is so open and honest with her about such personal things. He started by telling her about some friends of his and how close-knit they are, and when she silently starts to stroke his hair, feeling deep in thought, it reminds her of how close she is with her friends.

Will this city boy fit in with them? Will she fit into his life?

“Chocolate for your thoughts?”

“That’s not the right saying, you know?”

“Yes, but I don’t have a penny, and I always pay my debts. I do, however, have these incredibly delicious chocolates.” He holds one in the air, and she takes it from him.

“I was just wondering how things would work. I mean, at the end of the week; we need to return to reality.”

“What do you mean?”

“Look, Erik, I’m not into the entire jumping off each other’s bones the moment you find your mate.”

“I gathered as much.” He frowns slightly.

“What do you suggest then?” He looks up, and she sees the concern in his eyes.

“I don’t know. All I know is that I have to be honest with you, and I’m not ready to leave my family.” She feels like getting up, but he has her pinned down with his heavy head!

“Then we go to your pack. My Alpha and parents wouldn’t mind.”

She feels surprised, but what can she say? He keeps surprising her, and if he’s willing to go with her to where she feels safe, there might just be some hope that he isn’t as bad as she thought.

***

She steps out of the bathroom dressed in a baby blue evening gown. It glitters as she turns, and she looks like a princess. His princess… Erik hates all this dressing up and would prefer it if he could go to this dinner and ball in his jeans and t-shirt, but for her, he will do anything.

“Wow! You look beautiful.” She’s taken his breath away, and it takes him a moment to get the words out.

A blush crosses her cheeks, and she looks down at her dress. It’s one of those incredible innocent moments where he just wants to take her in his arms and protect her against the evil in the world.

She steps forward, and he is frozen on the spot.

***

Tabatha can’t help but feel drawn to him when he looks at her with such love in his eyes. Then he clears his throat, and she snaps out of the spell she is under.

“I better get ready, or we will be late.” He smiles, and the dimples on his cheeks make her heart skip a beat.

***

Tabatha feels his hand slide over hers that is hooked into his elbow, and little bolts of electricity run through her body. She is a little nervous about this ball. Dinner was spectacular, but when it comes to dancing, she has two left feet!

He takes her right to the dancefloor, swinging her around and into his arms. She tries to explain that she can’t dance when she feels his warm hand on her lower back and the music starts.

He starts moving, and as if instinct kicks in, she gives control over him and follows his lead. It’s a formal waltz, and she has never felt so gracious and beautiful before. He is an amazing dancer, and she can’t help but enjoy the evening.

He makes sure that she has a drink when they take a break, and they dance until she doesn’t have any breath left.

“How about some fresh air.” He winks at her after the last dance, and she is thankful.

The cool fresh breeze hits her skin as they step out onto the terrace, and she feels his hands and slips onto her lower back. She is still surprised to feel him in her aura, and she’s still unsure about if she can accept him as a mate. This is still so overwhelming. She knows she wanted a mate, but she also wants time to get to know him first.

“I was thinking of talking to your father and finding out if they have space for me in the packhouse.”

“What happened to stay with me to make sure no unmated males get close to me?”

“I’m sure that it won’t happen at your own home. What do you think?”

She rolls it around her mind for a moment and then nods. If she wants to date first, the only way would be to give him a chance.

“Great!” He pulls her close to him and leans in to kiss her, but keeps his lips just above hers.

She looks into those incredible eyes and feels as if she is losing herself, but she can’t resist the feeling of wanting him. Her hands feel the warmth of his chest and the rhythmic beat of his heart, and she leans in, closing the space between them and kisses him.

It’s a soft kiss at first, and he pulls her in closer. Her heels have given her the height, so she doesn’t have to stand on her tiptoes to reach, and she slides her arms around his neck. He softly nips on her bottom lip, and she hesitates for a moment, pulling back.

Erik groans in protest, and she feels guilty, but she’s not ready yet.

He takes her hand and leads her back into the ballroom to dance. They don’t talk, and he just keeps staring at her. He does, however, give her a little space now and then to mingle with her friends until a male wolf steps up behind her.

Before she can react, Erik is in front of her, growling at the male, with his arms protectively around her shoulders.

She turns around, pushing him away slightly, and sees one of their younger pack members looking as if he was about to swallow his tongue.

“Hey, man.” He holds his hands in the air in defeat. “I just wanted to ask Tabatha for a dance.”

Her high school friend turns around and walks away. Tabatha looks at Erik feeling the scowl on her face before she storms out of the ballroom and up the stairs to her room. She can feel him behind her, but she’s so furious with him at the moment, she can’t talk to him and slams her bedroom door shut before he can follow her in.

It takes him all of two seconds to get in, and she sighs seeing his face covered with guilt.

“Tabatha, I’m…”

She holds up her hands to stop him from talking.

***

Erik feels adrenaline rush through his body when he sees the anger in her face. He knows he shouldn’t have reacted so fast, but having an unmated male anywhere near her made him lose his mind.

He wants to explain, but she just turns away from him and walks into the bathroom, locking the door behind her. This time he doesn’t follow her and gives her the space to calm down.

She can look pretty angry and be honest… She has the same fury in her eyes that his mom does, and nobody tries to mess with her!

***

Tabatha takes a breath and looks at herself in the mirror. She doesn’t want this! She doesn’t want to be scared to talk to someone and wonder when he is going to lose it!

“Dammit!” Why won’t the zipper open? She is so angry she feels like tearing the dress just to get out, but it’s so beautiful she can’t.

“Damn, Dammit!” She slams her fists on the countertop, and she can feel him standing near the door, hearing his heart race.

She grabs the door handle and rips it open and can see the sudden surprise in his eyes.

“Can you please help me?” She points at the back of her dress and turns around.

Feeling his fingers touch her skin while he unzips her dress, she gasps at the feeling of his skin against hers. She momentarily forgets that she is about to be half-naked in front of him, and when he pulls her back against his chest, moves her hair away from her shoulder, and kisses her neck, she can’t stop the moan from escaping.

Hearing his soft growl, she returns to reality and grabs hold of her dress before it hits the floor.

“I… Uhm.” She can’t look him in the eyes right now!

“Yes, I’m sorry.” He steps back, and she hates the sudden feeling of cold that hits her back when he is gone.

“I shouldn’t have.”

When she takes the chance to turn around and look at him, he is standing with his back to her, looking out the window.

“I’m just going to take a shower. I won’t be long. If you want to use the bathroom.” She closes the door behind her and leans against it thinking what an i***t she is.

She keeps leading him on and then pushing him away, no wonder he is being so possessive! But she doesn’t know what to do. She wants to try, but her head keeps getting in the way, and then her fear takes over, and she freezes up like a damn ice lolly!!