Gifts
1900 Words
Jayce gets back before Lily does, and he has a toolbox in one hand and gifts in the other.
“Here you are, beauty. I got you some things to cheer you up.” He hands me gorgeous red roses that are all bundled up in colorful papers.
“They are absolutely elegant, and they smell so fresh.”
“I will ask Lily to bring up a vase so you can have them on your nightstand.”
He stands there looking blankly at the wall.
“Are you going to text her or something?”
“No I just told her with telepathy.”
“Very funny, Jayce!”
“Gwen, you do know that after your first time shift, you will be able to speak telepathically.”
“You’re joking, right?”
“No, it’s how we can communicate in our wolf form.”
Now that I think about it, I do remember him giving that look at Rio. Were they talking in secret? There also was that time when the rogues showed up. I thought maybe he smelled or heard them, but now I think someone told him. Can he read my thoughts? OH NO!!
“Can.. Can you read my thoughts?”
“No, I can only read the ones that are directed to me. I promise I wouldn’t violate your privacy like that. Don’t worry, you will see soon enough. Now, do you want to open the other gifts I got you?”
“Sure, I feel bad. I don’t have anything to give you, though.”
“You just giving me a chance and being my girlfriend is the best present” He says sincerely.
“That is so sweet!” Lily says, walking into the room with refreshments and a vase for the flowers. She stops and covers her mouth.
“Pardon me, I apologize for speaking out.”
“Don’t worry about it, Lily. You can speak freely around me anytime you want.”
She takes the flowers and gets them settled into their new home.
Jayce hands me the first present. It is wrapped in pretty blue wrapping paper. Whatever it is it’s thin but is shaped like a long book. I carefully rip back the paper, trying not to accidentally hurt whatever is under it.
“Wow! A sketch pad.” It has really nice quality paper. The pages are thick enough that nothing will soak through them.
“Now open these.”
He hands me 2 more presents wrapped in the same paper. I open the first one, and it is a wooden case. I open that up, and it’s rows and rows of charcoal pencils along with other supplies such as erasers.
It looks so professional. I can’t wait to get started. I run my fingers along the pencils, trying to imagine all the things I can do now.
“Open the other one” Jayce’s voice snaps me out of my head.
I rip open the other present to find another case. This one is full of colored pastels and colored pencils. I recognize the brand name on the pencils. They cost about 20 dollars per pencil at the hobby store. I have dreamed of buying them for years. All of these beautiful colors can create so much. This brings me back to a family I stayed with for just one winter. They got me a bunch of gifts from art supplies to a bike. They took pictures of me being happy and excited while opening them. Then, they took everything away right after and gave them to their kids. I later found out they were gifts from different charities. I watched as they printed out the pictures of me and sent them in thank you letters. They didn’t even try to hide it. They said it was the least I could do for them putting up with me.
I shake my head back and forth to get those memories to go away.
“Jayce are these for me to keep?”
“ Of course they are. They are yours to keep and do anything you like with.”
My heart explodes with excitement. I can draw those roses he gave me or Goldie. I can go into the woods and try to make the new colors I saw. I can do so much with these.
Jayce crouches down, getting my attention. He looks right at me with a gentleness in his expression.
“Stunning!” He says as if he were looking at a rare jewel.
“What’s Stunning?” I ask, confused.
“Your smile, It’s the first time I ever truly seen it.”
“ If you hurry and finish up with the doors, you might just earn another one to look at.”
“Looks like I better get started then.” He gives me a peck on the lips before starting on the door lock.
“Lily can I draw a picture of you?”
“Really? You want to draw me?”
“If that is okay with you.”
“Of course, Luna!”
“Please call me Gwen. I am still not considered a Luna.”
“ If that is what you wish, then I shall call you Gwen.”
“Thank you.”
“Would you like me to sit or stand?”
“If you could just take a seat at the end of the bed. Just make sure you are comfortable. “
“ Alright, how is this?”
“Perfect!”
I open the charcoal pencils and get to work. I focus on her facial features. She has a little button nose and full cheeks. Her bangs hang just above her thick eyebrows. She has gorgeous long eyelashes. She really is a beautiful girl the more you take time to look.
For a while, I just zone out and sketch as fast as I can. Once I got to drawing her hands in her lap, I decided I was done.
“Here you go.” I rip out the paper and hand it to her.
“Oh my, no way do I look this pretty in real life. It is unbelievable how much you did in such little time.”
“Thank you, and you are very beautiful.” Her cheeks start turning pink from blushing.
“Lily!”
“Yes, Alpha.”
“I am almost done here. How about you excuse yourself and take the rest of the day off.”
“Yes Alpha, thank you, Alpha! Thank you Gwen, Good bye.”
She scurried out real fast. I look over, and Jayce really is about finished. All he has left to do it put the door on the frame.
“I just need to bring in the door. It might be a little loud.”
“ That’s okay, I will manage.“
He walks out and comes back in with the door. He twists it around until he finally gets through. Propping it up against the wall, he wipes sweat off his forehead.
“Is it hot in here to you?”
He lifts his shirt over his head and takes it off.
A delicious scent of cinnamon, and I think vanilla hit my nose, but it’s my eyes that are feasting on the real treat. That glimpse I had earlier was nothing but a small bite of the meal I see in front of me now.
Just poking above his pants is a V shape that runs up into his abs. I would love to trace my fingers around them. He has a tattoo along his left side. I think it’s a version of the tree of life. Then there are his n****e rings. He has a metal barbell in each one. I never once thought of that as sexy until now. Maybe it’s just his body that makes it work. He truly is a God.
“You are going to catch a fly that way” Rio says.
“Huh?”
“Drooling are you?”
I close my mouth. when did it become open?
“When did you get here, Rio?”
“About 2 minutes ago. I finally got tired of waiting for you to stop gawking at your mate.”
I looked at her, then Jayce, and they both had smirks.
“Oh Goddess!” I take the pillow from next to me and hide my face in it. I wish I could run, but my damn ankle is useless.
“There is no reason to be ashamed of Gwen. I am the same way with Cedric” Rio says to comfort me.
“Can we just pretend that didn’t happen?” I say, still hiding behind the pillow.
“Sure!” She says.
I can hear Jayce working on the door again, so I drop the pillow.
“What happened to your ankle?” She asks, looking concerned.
“ I kind of got into a fight with a snotty girl. She took a cheap shot at me, and I lost it. Oh yeah, she spilled coffee all over the shirt you gave me. I’m so sorry, Rio.” I lift up Jayce’s hoodie and show her the damage.
“Dang, I hope you got some shots in too for that.”
“Let’s just say there is a dent in a locker out there the exact size and shape of that skanks head.” Jayce says, stepping back to admire his work.
“And where were you during all of this?” Rio asks Jayce, looking stern, standing with her arms crossed.
“I just got off of my free period and was coming back to walk her to our next class. By the time I got there, she was already slamming that girls head into the locker. Trust me , I feel guilty enough that I wasn’t there before she got hurt.” He says, putting his shirt back on, only making me feel a little sadder in the moment.
“Look it happened, and it’s over. Can we stop talking about it, please?” I don’t like being the center of the conversation.
They are now just looking at each other, making faces I don’t understand. Wait, they are talking in secret now.
“Please stop that too! It’s almost like I can hear it.”
“I was just telling her that everything will be fine. I sent a good lawyer who will settle it” Jayce says.
“Yeah, nothing bad. How about I give you Goldie back?” Rio asks.
“Yes please! I missed her so much.”
She takes Goldie out of a little carrier that has an open top. It looks stylish and comfy.
“I got a few things for her to stay in.”
She sets Goldie down on my thighs, and she looks bigger already.
“HI baby girl!” She chirps to me. She tells me about her day and how she got to go somewhere new. Then, once again, she noticed I was hurt and healed me with her tears. I picked her up and gave her kisses on her head.
I move my ankle around, and it feels good as new.
“Can we all go outside now that I am healed? I really want to get a tour of this place.”
- Writer
