1 - The Treehouse

Prologue

In the 1970’s, the powers that be decided to “out” all of the shifter world to the humans. This was highly controversial, as you can imagine. Humans are afraid of what they don’t understand, their fear is all consuming and overwhelming. What do they do in the face of fear? They attack.

Within a few years of the great revelation, whole packs were run out of the forests that had long held their secrets. Families were torn apart, shifters of all sorts were now forced to assimilate into human culture. While shifters generally stuck together, werewolves in particular enjoyed their pack life and midnight runs, but soon it was all a thing of the past. 

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Humans considered themselves superior to shifters, which was often a fatal mistake. 

With shifters forced into cities, suburbs and day jobs, finding your fated mate became less and less likely. Without having wolves in a concentrated area, the probability of it drastically diminished. Many blamed the Goddess, many … cursed her very name as they were forced to hide their true nature. They were forced to fit into human society. Wolves were not made to live in apartment complexes, to sit at a desk for forty or fifty hours a week. Those with means didn’t have to face this mundane life. For some, getting the chance to live out in the open … to show the world what being a werewolf truly meant … was greatly appealing.

June, 2014

~Emilia’s Point of View~

“Mommy, can I sleep out in the treehouse tonight,” I begged, pathetically. 

“Well … you know that old shack makes me nervous! But I suppose, since it’s not a full moon it should be all right. There better not be anyone lurking in the woods up the road. Your sister is due back by 11 so I’ll be going to bed after she gets home,” mom said, rolling her eyes.

There was literally zero chance Natalie would be home by her curfew.

“Yes! Thank you, thank you,” I said, running to grab blankets and other items. 

I stuffed a large blanket into my pillowcase, grabbed a few snacks and some bottles of water. I kissed mom on the cheek and kissed the picture of my father, who was away on business. 

“I’m going to leave the back door unlocked in case it gets too cold or you change your mind,” mom said, as I barrelled toward the door.

“Great! Thanks,” I yelled, making my way out into the darkness.

I hadn’t slept overnight in the treehouse in months since it had been too cold and I wasn’t sure why I suddenly wanted to, but it was the perfect weather for it.

I dumped the bag of food and drinks into the bucket pulley that my dad had created for me and began to climb the somewhat broken ladder. I made it halfway and dropped my pillowcase in the grass. I grumbled and fell back down the tree to pick it up. 

When I stood up with it in my hands, my eyes caught a figure in the window next door. I tried to focus my eyes and get a better look, confused by what I was seeing. An older couple, Mr. and Mrs. Popov lived in that house, and they had no children. Yet I was seeing a boy, close to my age, maybe 14 or 15 peeking at me.

Without realizing what I was doing I waved, and he waved back. I smiled at him but knew mom would never allow me to leave our property or talk to a male, especially at night. I hoped the boy might still be there tomorrow, and perhaps we could talk in the daytime. I really had no friends outside of my sister and she would die if I called her my friend in public.

I climbed back up the shoddy ladder to my little haven. I quickly pulled up my bucket of goodies and then made my bed with the beanbag that permanently lived up here. I cuddled myself in for the night and grabbed my flashlight and book. 

There was something so relaxing about being outside, breathing the fresh air and listening to the sounds of the evening. It was by far and away better than being in a stuffy house. 

Maybe an hour later I was deeply involved in my favorite romance, “My Fated Mate,” when I heard a twig snap outside. I was still technically a “pup” since I didn’t yet have my wolf, but my hearing was far better than an ordinary human. I hoped it was just a rabbit or a squirrel, but just as I peered down the hole where you climb up, a head of hair appeared.

“I have bear spray,” I said, in a loud whisper.

Quickly the hair turned into a head, then a face and broad shoulders, and I recognized the boy from the window. My heart began racing, my palms instantly felt sweaty. I was crazy nervous and I'd never felt like this before.

“A beautiful pup like you out alone at night should have more than that,” he said, grinning.

My jaw dropped, this boy was absolutely gorgeous. He had jet black hair, and the lightest brown eyes. It was mostly dark in my little hut but it was also small and he was only two feet from me. I shined the light right in his face and his shaggy black hair fell over his eyes and he fully turned toward me. Something urged me to touch it, run my fingers through it. I shook myself.

“What are you doing up here?! My mom will call the police,” I said, covering myself with my blanket. 

I hadn’t worn a bra outside and I was only in a tank top and shorts. I felt super awkward, I didn’t even like walking around in front of my dad without a bra. 

“No need for that, I’m not a threat, I promise,” he said, making himself at home and sitting indian style in front of me.

“Just like a threat to say. I’m not allowed to talk to boys alone,” I said, covering myself up to my nose with the blanket while one hand stuck out the side with the flashlight.

“Smart parents, they shouldn’t let you talk to males,” he said, brushing his hair back again.

He was wearing a long sleeved black shirt and dark blue jeans with black sneakers. He had diamond earrings in his ears, and I had never seen pierced ears on a male! He smelled incredible and it made me weak. He had a slight accent, but I had no clue what it was, maybe he was from up north. I had only ever lived in my little neighborhood and didn’t know many people since I was homeschooled.

“Did you just move in with the Popov’s,” I asked.

“Absolutely not. They … well what do you know about them,” he asked, raising his eyebrow.

“They seem okay, they keep to themselves but I’ve visited them a few times,” I said, lowering the blanket from my face. 

“There she is. Damn, you’re beautiful,” he said, reaching for my face.

Once he got close enough to me I slapped his hand, making him laugh.

“I’m not going to hurt you. I just … was curious. I don’t get to see many other kids my age,” he said, looking away.

I saw a scar just sticking out of the top of his shirt near his collarbone. It looked jagged and painful. It made him look dangerous. Even so, I wanted to know about it.

“What do you want, why are you here,” I questioned.

“Well … not only do I rarely get to see kids my age I certainly don’t get to see pretty she-wolves,” he said, darting his eyes back to me. 

“And you’re not now, my mom would shoot you if she caught you,” I said, quite seriously.

“I’m afraid of a plethora of things baby, but I doubt fearing your mom would be one of them. Let me crash here tonight,” he said, starting to move toward me.

I slapped his hand again as it reached for my blanket.

“Hey! The next hit is going to be my flashlight cracking you in the skull,” I said, raising the object in my hand. 

“Oh hush, you’re not going to hurt me little girl. What’s your name,” he said, lying down and putting his head on my bean bag.

I scrunched my nose and made a face he couldn’t see, since he was turned away. I had to face reality … and that was simply that I didn’t want him to leave.

“I’m Emilia … Emmy,” I said, relaxing and laying back down.

“I’m Austin … for now,” he said, with a snicker. 

“What do you mean for now? Your name is your name,” I said, confused.

“I move around a lot. Some families like me to have the name they want me to have, I don’t even remember my real one anymore,” he said.

“Well that’s miserable. So are you an orphan,” I asked, wondering why I was so interested. Maybe I just used any excuse to keep him talking. His voice was so relaxing.

“I’m a lot of things and yes, that is one of them,” he said, turning to face me.

His hand reached forward toward my hair and I pulled back. He had a scar on the back of his hand that went up under his sleeve. He noticed me staring at it.

“Don’t be afraid of me Emilia, I would never harm you,” he said, connecting with my hair.

His hand rubbed my cheek and it was warm, comforting somehow. I loved the way my name rolled off his tongue. His voice was making my stomach flutter like I’d never felt. Also, no one called me by my full name, hardly ever.

Before I knew what was happening, Austin was cradling me in his arms, and we were both under the blanket lost in the embrace of each other.

“Can you just give me this tonight, let me hold you? No questions, no expectations. Just your company, just our warmth, together,” he asked.

My eyes roamed the small dark room, searching for an answer. I didn’t want him to let go, but I knew it was so wrong. I didn’t know this boy, he could hurt me. He was clearly like me though, a werewolf … and that was hard to find. But it was also incredibly dangerous. The Popov’s were human, what were they doing with him? It was very unlikely they were related. The species didn’t particularly like to mingle and those who did often cut ties with the old family.

“Okay,” was all I could think to say. My mind was all over the place but yet, blank at the same time. It was just an odd feeling.

He began to stroke my hair, and my entire body relaxed, feeling safe and loved. My heart wanted to trust him.

“Can’t I ask a couple things,” I said, after a few minutes of silence.

He gave a small laugh.

“A couple things,” he said, his hand now caressing my shoulder.

“How old are you,” I asked.

“Fourteen, almost fifteen and you,” he said.

“Thirteen,” I said, quickly.

Obviously I had much more pressing questions but I had to start off slow.

“Is tonight the only time I’m ever going to see you,” I asked, secretly terrified of the answer.

“I sure as hell hope not. We should do this again tomorrow night. I bet this will be the best night's sleep I've ever had,” he said, tightening his grip on me.

I grinned like an idiot against his chest, and closed my eyes. For a perfect moment, our hearts beat together, as one. Our breaths went in and out together, as one. After a few minutes his hand left my shoulder and now his thumb caressed my cheek. I turned to look up at him.

“I am so … drawn to you. Do you believe in fated mates,” he asked.

“Every romance book I’ve read has kind of gotten my hopes up,” I said, with a slight giggle.

“I never get my hopes up about anything anymore. No one ever follows through on their promises, and nothing is guaranteed,” he said. 

“That sounds horribly depressing. You don’t have anyone in your life you can count on? No one to take care of you,” I asked.

He shifted slightly, his hand never leaving my cheek. His face was now inches from mine, and my entire body froze with anticipation. I closed my eyes and a few seconds later I felt his soft lips against mine. I puckered my lips to meet his and the soft little sounds of our contact filled the darkness as we moved together. 

His fingers shifted to my neck and my left hand moved into his hair. He held me so delicately, with such care and love. My body warmed in his embrace and my stomach began to feel on fire. After a few moments we pulled back, both trying to catch our breath. 

I smiled and he returned it. His hand moved back to my cheek and I rubbed it against his big palm. 

“You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” he said, kissing my other cheek.

“You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” I said, simply not knowing what else to say, but it was the truth.

Our mouths found each other again but this time his tongue licked against my lips and I pulled back in shock. Was that a part of kissing? I’d never seen my parents lick each other when not in their wolf forms.

“It’s all right baby, we can stop. I’ve already pushed you too far and I know you’re a good girl. How about you just let me hold you,” he said, pulling the blanket around us again. 

It was quiet for several minutes as we enjoyed each other's warmth. I felt like I was floating, I felt enchanted.

“Austin,” I said, in a small whisper.

“Emilia,” he said back.

“Promise me this won’t be the only time we meet,” I said, tightening my grip on him. 

“As long as there is air in my lungs,” he said, kissing my forehead.