ABL 08: Smell Like Another Man

"How many days?" I tilted my head to the side, and Frank sighed as he let me go.

“Amanah, three days! Without texting me, calling or emailing me! Do you have any idea how worried I was?”

“It can’t be a week. I’m pretty sure I saw you just yesterday when you let me knock off early,” I said, and Frank looked surprised. “Are you sure you’re okay?” I asked as I put my hand on his forehead.

“I’m too sober for this,” he raised his hands as he walked towards the bar. “She’s been gone for three days and then asks if I’m okay,” he muttered. Malakhi tapped on my shoulder, and I turned to look at him.

“Time works differently on Nioz. The days are longer there; you have been gone for three days, Ama,” he spoke softly, and I parted my lips as I stared at him, shocked.

What the heck? Three days was not equal to just a few hours. How was this possible? But then again, I had just crossed the realm and was pregnant by a wolf.

“Frank,” I spoke softly as I approached the bar. “Do you need me to work for the rest of the night?” I leaned against the counter.

“No, it’s alright. I was about to close up anyway,” he said, and I cocked my head.

“Are you angry at me?” I asked softly, and he pouted, looking away. “Frankie,” I walked around the bar and hugged him. “I’m sorry, okay? I didn’t realise that I had been gone for that long,” I whispered, and he patted my back.

“ How do you not realise it?" he mumbled, and I smiled. "It’s okay, just don’t disappear on me like that again,”

I loved Frank, and he was probably the only friend I had. “And don’t think by hugging me you’re getting out of working overtime and weekends; you’re going to be where I see you always,” he said, and I slowly pulled away from the hug, biting my lip.

Oh, he was going to be so disappointed.

“About that,” I whispered, and he groaned.

“No, Amanah. I don’t want to hear it!” He raised his hand.

“I’m pregnant,” I told him. “And the baby's paternal side wants me to stay with them throughout my pregnancy,” I said, and Frank stared at me with no emotion.

“I’m pregnant?” He asked slowly, and I laughed. “I mean, you’re pregnant! Amanah, you’re pregnant with a whole baby!”

"Yeah, that's what happens when a woman gets pregnant. It's a baby," I answered cautiously and he pinched my arm. "Ow, Frank!"

“I told you to use protection when you left that night. Now look at you! You never listen to me,” he scolded, hitting me with the dry cloth.

“Akhi! Help me!” I cried out, and he shook his head, drinking his beer.

“That’s between you and Frank. You don’t listen; you should be reprimanded,” he shrugged, chuckling behind his bottle.

“I’m sorry, Frank!” I ran away from him laughing and he kept on scolding me, I couldn’t hear half of the things he said but I was going to miss him.

After being scolded strictly by my boss, I sat behind the bar with Frank, and we munched on some of the snacks I had bought.

“I can’t believe you’re pregnant,” he said softly. “Not so long ago, you were breaking my glasses, and now you’re going to be a mother,” he chuckled. “Life is crazy.”

“You have no idea,” I whispered, and he started crying. “What? Why are you crying?”

“I’m crying because I see you as a little sister, and I didn’t set such a good example. If I hadn’t pranced around with those many girls that night, I would have stopped you from leaving with that man,” he cried out, and I blamed it on the liquor.

He was right, though; he should've been loyal to me.

“It was my decision, Frankie, stop crying,” I hugged him. “And besides, I’m excited about this pregnancy,” I said, and he sniffed, wiping away his tears.

“I’ll take your word for it,” he said and took a swig of his alcohol. “I guess you guys have to get going now, don’t you?” He asked. I nodded and got up. "Malakhi, I expect you to take care of this dummy,” he said, patting my head. “And give the guy that got her pregnant a good beating for me. He made her wait three weeks,” he said, and I mumbled under my breath,

“I wasn’t waiting for him.”

“Yeah, right. Make sure to call me from time to time.”

“I will, Frankie!” I looked at the empty bottles on the counter, they passed fifteen, and I looked at Malakhi. “Who’s going to pay for that?”

“Already deducted from your wages, Amanah,” Frankie sang happily.

“What, that isn’t fair!”

“Goodbye now,” he pushed us out of his bar, and I gasped, shocked when he closed the door in our faces.

"Oh, he probably had a date to get to," I whispered, and Malakhi carried all the plastics as we walked back to my apartment.

“Frank is nice,” he said, and I squinted my eyes at him.

“That’s because he used my salary to pay for your beers,” I said, and he smiled. “So, how will we carry this stuff to the house?” I asked and the black square portal opened, Malakhi carried my bags through and told me to wait for him.

I looked around my small apartment, and my heart ached painfully. Was I ready for any of this? I was making a mistake.

“Alright, we can go now,” he carried the last of my things. If I don't say anything now, I won't be able to come back on my own. "I think you're gonna love it in Nioz. The pack will be glad to have you there."

Yeah, I should give it a chance.

“Ooh, you’re very strong, aren’t you,” I teased as we went through the portal, which was so beautiful. There were endless cream gates that were designed with intricate patterns, and a broad spectrum of colours painted the walls.

It felt like we were walking through peace. It was so calm in here. Malakhi knew exactly which gate to go through; I wondered what would happen if one could just sit here and forget about everything.

“Second strongest in our pack, so I’m pretty strong,” he said with a shrug. “That’s why I’m Beta,” he said with a proud smirk.

“I see you, Akhi, trying to get me to swing your way, huh?”

“You only see that now?” He asked, and I laughed. He set my bags down on the floor after the portal closed, disappearing as if it had never been there. “Well, we’re very late for dinner, but I’m sure mom will understand. I’ll tell her we’re back, and you settle down, okay?”

“Alright, I guess I will see you tomorrow?”

“Yeah, definitely. Get some rest,” he patted my head and left me alone in my new room. It was not as big as Miall's but pretty big and comfortable.

The beige walls and wooden accents gave off a barn house vibe. I had a pot plant in the corner of the room, and a mirror also sat in that space.

I walked toward the window and looked at the green forest outside my window, shit, this place was beautiful.

After taking a much-needed shower and assuring Nyleve that I wasn’t hungry and didn’t need the company, I could finally fall on my bed and get a good night's rest. The room smelled like flowers and everything beautiful in life. After switching off the light, I climbed into my bed and hugged the pillow; it was so soft and fluffy.

Warmth immediately spread over my body, and I sighed as I clutched my pillow. Oh, I loved my new room.

"Did you have fun?" hearing the deep, manly voice in the room had me throw the pillow in the direction the voice came in.

What the fuck!

“What’s wrong with you!” I asked as I switched on the light; my hand touched my chest in an attempt to calm my heart down. He smiled and sat on the bed.

“I asked you a question, Amanah,” he lifted his hand to my face, and my body shivered as I leaned into his hand. Damn. All he had to do was touch me, and the floodgates opened.

“What question?” I whispered as I licked my lips and stared into his gold eyes. My heart pounded against my chest as he leaned closer and rubbed his nose against my skin.

“Why do you smell like another man?”