Song : Valerie June - You Can't be Told

I didn't know if the sun coming from the windows or I just had enough sleep was the reason why I had awoken but I was curled up in these heavenly sheets, in the middle of an enormous bed and I wasn't getting up just yet. I had to process last night's event and the minute I walked out of this room, I wouldn't have the privacy to do that.

My body felt different with this new added smell that came with the mark on my neck. We all had our primary scent which came from the pack in which we were born to and it had its origin from the environment each pack was situated. My home was near the sea and it had been my family's home for many generations, from my father's side. The Atlantic white cedars were dominant in the area, ingraining their DNA into our wolves and the male gave his offspring the first scent, recognizing them as his own with the right to belong to the pack. The second came either from the mother or another female member of the immediate family which could mean several generations back. Last but not least you would have a trace of your mates scent, the second one of his. You would never lose your birth given gifts even if you joined another pack, your acceptance would come through blood and the Alpha. Since Ian was an Alpha, his claim killed two birds with one stone, allowing me a temporary entrance to his pack and a bond in the making.

My wolf was also lazing around, content with last night's events. His wolf was her match and she was enjoying this new feeling of connection that we acquired last night. I liked it as well and I believe that my actions during and after the marking showed it a little too well. I have never felt passion build up so fast and strong before. With Mathew, my one and only human boyfriend, we had explored certain levels of intimacy but I was afraid of letting myself go free in case I got too lost and accidentally scratch him with long talons or worse bite his neck a little too deep. Plus my wolf wasn't so keen on the idea and I always took her feelings into consideration. Since I didn't have anyone else before him, I didn't know exactly how to handle a male's wolf's sexual appetite, having avoided them in a romantic sense for the better part of my teen years. They were intense, territorial and highly active even with their girlfriends, it just magnified when they mated. It was not frowned upon to have sexual relations with others before your mate but like in most societies, men were still men and they valued their mate's pureness. Some even insisted on it and denied a mate which was very hypocritical in my opinion since most of them already had experiences but not all wolves were raised in the same social structure. Basic principles were the same but it varied through the regions. I hadn't stayed celibate because I thought I owed it to my mate, it rather just happened. I was beginning to understand the difficulty I would face in the coming months if my compliance to satisfy his need and mine last night was any indication.

I got up, reluctantly I might add and headed to take a shower. Once the warm water hit my scalp, I sighed with bliss. I loved the water, the sea, rivers and lakes. Nothing could bring the hapineness that I felt when I was swimming. My mother joked about it and said that I should have been born a mermaid and not a wolf.

I trailed my fingers over my mark. It was still a little sore but it didn't hurt. Its presence made me feel relaxed in a way. The first step had been taken. Now the compass pointed to the North, where his home was and the start of a mated life with all its perks and responsibilities.

I wanted to stay longer but I figured that it would be rude of me to have him waiting for me. I dried my hair and made a braid to have them out of my way through the trip and chose comfortable clothes as well. I stepped out of my door and noticed that the rug in front of it looked like it had a large imprint, like something heavy was on it for a long time. I looked more closely and it was in the shape of a...

Had he slept outside my door in wolf form?

I didn't know what to think of it. I was so tired last night that as soon as my head hit the pillows, I was out like a tired toddler. I know he is an Alpha and his instincts are enhanced but it was just the two of us here, no danger was close, at least as far as I knew. Again the feeling that this will affect him as greatly as it did me, made me smile.

I walked to the dining table and smelled the delicious breakfast that was on it. Eggs, fruits, yoghurt, honey and some sweets were already waiting for me alongside with fresh orange juice and a pot of coffee sitting in a heater of sorts to keep it warm. My stomach made a very unladylike noise and I wanted to devour everything.

I decided to try the mind link and see where Ian was. I couldn't sense him in the suite and although I wanted to start eating right now I knew I would feel guilty if I didn't at least try to see where he was so we could eat together. I connected with the new lines that were glowing in my head and I tried to open it.

"Ian?" My voice sounded a little hesitant.

"Vivian is everything alright?" his response was immediate and warmth filled me by hearing him in my head.

"Yes, I was just wondering where you where. Have you had breakfast already?" That thought brought two feelings inside. One disappointment that we wouldn't eat together and second worry why he hadn't eaten anything yet.

"No, I haven't. I'm coming up, I'll be there in five" that statement eased me but my feelings puzzled me. Before I had any real chance to think about it, he was already walking through the door, dressed in a suit again. His gaze was completely on me as he closed the distance between us. He leaned his head and placed a kiss to my forehead, followed by a quick peck to my mark which was partly concealed by my blouse. My wolf gave a little pure and he nudged my cheek again like he did last night. I nudged him back. He seemed to like this expression of affection which was more animalistic than human. I guess his wolf was feeling as content as mine and I didn't mind it either, I found it endearing.

He pulled back and his eyes were warm.

"Good morning, have you slept well?"

"Yes I did, thank you" I was tempted to ask how he slept but I decided against it. "Have you been up long?"

"Yes, one of our human buyers in the area had some last minute details that he wanted to clarify in person and since I was still in the area and it will be most unlikely that he will see me before next spring, I told him to meet here." He went to the table and ushered me to sit. "Come on, start eating I know you must be hungry since you hardly ate anything last night." He took my plate and filled it with a little bit of everything. I took one of the mugs and filled it with coffee for him. Our fingers brushed with the exchange. This felt natural.

"What are you involved with exactly?" I decided to make some small conversation as I was trying not to eat too quickly.

"I own several mines in the mountains and I also run a lumbering business."

"What do you extract in the mines?"

"Iron and lead mostly" his voice sounded a little vague.

"You must be extremely busy with all that and a pack to run and care for" it was true, being in a charge of a pack was a difficult task on its own.

"I have the advantage of having worthy people in my pack who I trust to handle some aspects of it and their loyalty is something that a human could only hope to find in his employees."

That was also true, we as wolves were loyal to our Alpha and followed his command with reverence even blindness at some occasions. I was still bound to the Riders since we haven't committed fully to each other but my wolf and I would still be influenced by Ian. This contract had some peculiarities.

"Still, the work load is considerable and the weather in the North is not for the weak hearted. Winter is harsh and it is very likely that we are cut off from our pack house in the nearby town for weeks at time. You are lucky you get to see the land for the first time in the summer" his eyes looked at me with an unreadable expression. I imagined he wondered if I could handle the isolation and the cold of the long winters of his home. It was not a question that I could answer at the moment. I went for a more diplomatic answer.

"Well I suppose every season has its beauty and purpose" I took a long sip of the orange juice to wash away my mouth and replaced it with taking a sip of my coffee. I was feeling full and the taste of the coffee was the final touch to a much needed meal. I sighed with the pleasure I was feeling.

Ian chuckled and the sound was so pleasant to my ears.

"I'm glad to see you have a healthy appetite" his eyes smiled when he said that and I blushed a little. His next question made me feel more heated.

"How do you feel after last night?" his voice dropped a tone and his hand took mine.

"I don't know exactly how to explain it but it's more than I imagined it would be" I paused and locked my eyes with his "it's different but in a good way" I wanted to be honest with him but except from my sudden increase of interest in his body, I couldn't name all the other feelings.

"I feel the same. We have time now, that's all that matters" he kissed my palm and green specks started to fill his brown eyes.

He put my hand down and rose from the table.

"I 'm sorry I have to cut short on our conversation but we must be leaving for the airport soon. Call me when you're done."

"I 'm ready, I just need to put a few stuff back in the suitcase." I rose from the table as well and headed to my bedroom.

Once everything was done, I went outside and one of the enforcers was waiting to collect my things. I pointed to where everything was but I held onto my bag that had my camera in it. I wouldn't let that get taken to the belly of the airplane.

Ian was waiting by the door and he ushered me out into the hallway placing his hand onto my back. We reached the lobby with the other enforcer following closely behind us. People turned to look at us and Ian's hand tightened around my waist, letting out a little more of his power. Even humans could feel the aura that we radiated, even though they couldn't understand it. They looked away. We reached the car and the drive to the airport was short. After we passed the check points we were leaded to my surprise to a hunger that had a light aircraft waiting for us. Ian informed me that he had leashed this for us as he didn't especially enjoy flying commercial. He wasn't practically keen on spending too much time in a closed space with humans. As the trip would last about two hours and then we had to make a stop before we headed to the main pack house, I wasn't opposed to this luxury.

We boarded and the plane took off shortly after. We were right on schedule. A sudden anxiety came over me. I was going to be introduced to a strange pack as the mate of their leader. My rank was enough to demand their respect but I had to live with them for the whole of the summer. I didn't want just their respect to come out of my place on the food chain, I wanted acceptance or else this was going to be a very hard and lonely summer. My wolf puffed and rose up like she was ready for the challenge. I appreciated the sentiment but the truth was that I hadn't lived in a pack for a long period of time in the last four years and this was going to be a whole other transition.

Ian turned to me and with a serious expression he asked me "What's wrong?" he must have sensed my discomfort without even looking at me. The bond was working.

"Nothing really, just some late nerves about everything" I tried to reassure him.

He wasn't convinced. He unbuckled my seatbelt and in a swift motion he put me on his lap. He nuzzled his face to mine and he buried himself to my neck. My lips came to his mark and I inhaled his scent. His chest rumbled a little and he nipped me. I calmed with his affections.

"You are my mate, temporary or not, you are now mine. You are not alone in this." He raised my head and looked me in the eyes. "Do you believe me" his tone was serious and demanding.

"I believe you" I was lost in the sincerity of his words.

"Good" he placed a small kiss to my lips and put me in my seat again, making sure I had my belt on again.

I gazed out at the clouds feeling my resolve coming back to me. I trusted myself and I was starting to feel that in the days to come, Ian could become worthy of my trust as well.