Tuesday, Susan grabbed a granola bar for breakfast, arrived at college early, and studied in the empty classroom until class started. Classes ended at noon and rather than drive home, Susan decided to study in the college library until time to begin work at 3PM. As she researched for a paper she had to write on a disease process, Travis walked up behind her, put his nose close to her neck, and took a deep breath to inhale her scent-wild flowers and fresh cut grass. Susan jumped, put her hand to her neck to make the hairs lay back down after Travis’s close proximity had made goosebumps form and the hair on her neck stood at attention. As she turned her head to look at Travis, shivers ran through her body and she couldn’t help but cross her arms over her stomach and try to shake it off. When she gasped, she got a strong whiff of what is uniquely Travis’ scent-pine and an unmistakably musky, male wolf scent.
Everytime Susan responded to Travis like this, it made her irritated. She had always prided herself on being able to be cold and unattached as far as the male sex was concerned, but for some reason, Travis was different. She had to wonder: Is it that he is a wolf? I never reacted this way to anyone in our pack, and I was a horny teen wolf then. Is it his scent? I do not believe in the nonsense about fated mates, so it cannot be that. We used to hear stories about mates when we were young of course, but they were just that, stories. “ What do you want Travis?” Susan snarked. Be nice, she thought...remember, Gannon wants you to get to know him and not give him a reason to be angry with us. As Susan looked up into Travis' eyes and then down to his million dollar smile, he looked anything but angry. Travis resembled a cat that had snuck the cream, while the farmer wasn’t looking; he was completely too satisfied with himself. Susan had to admit, begrudgingly, again… Travis really is the most handsome wolf..er man, she had ever seen. What the heck? I’m acting like a teen with a crush. Knock it off already! Susan’s wolf really liked having Travis close enough that she could smell his scent, see the color of his eyes, and appreciate his big smile and perfect teeth. In fact, her wolf liked it so much that Susan had the urge to moan or whine, or hell…. Howl. I’m in a library for Pete’s sake! Ugh.
“Remember, I told you I’d bring you an invitation for Saturday?” Travis held out an envelope but held it tightly as Susan tried to grab it. “It's casual, but nice casual. Not that I’ve seen you in rags, but it wouldn’t be a good time to wear your holy jeans.” Travis smiled again, showing Susan he was teasing her. Susan rolled her eyes in return. Travis laughed at her gesture. “The bonfire starts at 7PM, but supper is served promptly at 5:30 PM. Try not to be late. There are directions inside the envelope, but this is for you and your family only, okay?”
Susan nodded and put the invite in her back pocket until later when she could open it and read it in private. “Thank you Travis. Between work and school, I don’t get out much. It’ll be nice to be around some wool...errr people again.” This time, Susan winked at Travis to make sure he understood her meaning.
Travis’ smile grew wider and he couldn’t fight the urge anymore to touch her. He reached out and ran his hand down her hair slowly and felt the impact all the way to his groin. A slight moan left his lips as they parted at the reaction of his body to just a simple touch of Susan’s hair. Travis stared at her lips, thinking: If touching her hair feels this good, what would it be like to kiss her?
Susan cleared her throat, breaking Travis out of his trance. “Okay..,” he said, “ well, I have to get to the weight room and then practice. If I don’t see you, I hope you have a good rest of your week, pretty lady.”
“Ah, it's Susan. I’m not sure if we were ever formally introduced. I go by Susan Bannon, not ‘pretty lady’.” Susan was cryptically telling him Susan, hadn’t always been her name. Travis nodded with a more serious expression on his face, turned around, and walked away. Susan was stuck in her head again: he may be handsome, smell good, and okay, flips every switch I have, but Travis is a bit strange… Looking at her phone, she realized her alarm was about to go off to alert her it was time to go to work. Susan packed her books and computer, stopped to use the facilities and changed into scrubs, and left the college for her shift with Allie. By now, no doubt, Tracy could use some rest.
As he stood behind the shelf across the library, he could see that “wolf boy,” seemed to be interested in a human female. He couldn’t help thinking to himself in disgust: Yeah, we may have to move the attack up if Alpha Treyvon's son is interested in a human. It would be a tragedy if we waited and they went as far as to reproduce. Eww..Just the idea turns my stomach.
Allison was more alert today as Susan took over her care. Her color seemed better and she no longer felt febrile. What a relief the strep had improved, the medicine must be working.Since Allie was alert, Susan started her personal cares and readied her for her bath. Allison was lucky she had a beautiful reclining bath chair that allowed her the option to saf
Travis just couldn’t shake the feeling that he was being watched. Could it be the cheerleaders always offering to take care of his ‘needs’? It could be, but this felt different somehow. It was like someone evil was watching him but he had no idea why that would happen? Everytime Travis looked around or really entertained the idea he was being watched, he didn’t see anyone there. He began to think he was just paranoid and let the idea go. Travis went to class, played football, and studied. That was the extent of his activities ach week; he didn’t party, he didn’t work, and he didn’t date. To get into medical school, he had to keep
7AM, Travis’s alarm went off and he readied himself for the day. Once his supplies were ready, he placed his back pack on his back, headed out the door, and jogged to the cafeteria for breakfast. Being an athlete and a werewolf Travis consumed huge amounts of food, especially protein, to help support muscle growth and function and keep him at his ideal weight for competition. This was the last season Travis would play college ball. He knew he would be too busy in medical school and would never pass the screenings for the NFL, because of being a werewolf. Ironically, college didn’t test for wolf DNA, but the NFL did. Travis enjoyed playing competitively but kn
Susan was in her room studying Wednesday night after work when there was a knock on her door. “Come in.”The door opened and in strode Tia. Susan looked up at her and smiled, but got a very serious look in return. “Luna, w
Susan’s dream started out like any other, but soon warped into something not quite so normal and not so enjoyable. It was a gorgeous fall afternoon. There were brightly colored leaves blowing around in the mild wind and it was still light, but getting darker by the second. Susan was walking in this field alone until she saw Travis jogging toward her in jeans and a sweatshirt; his brown, curly hair bounced across his forehead with every step. His smile was so big, the white of his smile was evident even from a distance. Susan couldn’t help but return his smile and move in his direction with open arms. As Travis reaches Susan, he wraps his arms around her, one
Allison was back to her old self and was now smiling and talking occasionally once again. Susan loved spending time with her when she was feeling well. “After supper, we will do a quick bath, and then should we go for a walk?” Susan asked Allison with an uplilit to her voice. Allison of course responded excitedly, moving her arms and legs and nodding her head. Susan couldn’t help but smile at the smiley young lady. The night flew by, and at 9PM, Susan left a sleeping Allison in the care of her mother. “It was a much better night. Hopefully she will sleep well for you. I did my best to wear her out with fun and fresh air.” Susan reporte
Susan slung her backpack over one shoulder and jogged up to her room, slamming the door. Susan began to pace back and forth, talking out loud to no one in particular, “Mates? Could Travis really be my mate? If so, would he want me?”