[Cole]Sleep didn't come. He wasn't sure how long he had been staring at the faint moonlight that had seeped through his window. Cole listened as his wife's soft breathing relaxed into the peaceful rhythm. He closed his eyes and caressed Dove's silky tresses. Her rhythm was getting to him and a wave of calmness overcame him. But his body was still wide awake. He resorted to sheep counting. "When I first saw you, you smelled of fresh mint and morning rain."Cole blinked. It was almost inaudible but he was sure he heard her. Is she awake?He waited for a sign from her, taking a cautious breath and not moving a muscle, in case the slightest movement would ruin the moment. After a brief silence, her small voice continued louder and clearer. "It was so comforting. I felt so relaxed, like I never had a worry at all." Cole smiled. "Then, you swore at me." Her arm went around his waist and pulled him closer. "I've been swearing a lot too lately."A chuckle escaped from Cole
[Cole]"Rough night?" Cole realized he had been staring at Owin who was now giving him an awkward smile. He blinked and returned a weak smile as Owin went on to describe his lonely breakfast because Jude was not at the training ground when he went. It was then Cole noticed that his Beta looked like sh*t. Rubbing his chin, Cole realized that Jude was not the only one who had forgotten to shave this morning. d*mn it! His mind was all about Dove's blushing. Her cheeks were bright pink when she heard Owin's voice and she was acting all shy around him. He didn't like it. His mind had been busy hiding his frustration at the spiky hair Gamma since the young man entered the room.Cole glanced at Jude, noted his unruly hair and grinned. The last time he received a warning glare from Jude was when they were fifteen and it was over a werewoman. Clearing his throat, a sign of a truce, Cole turned to Owin and asked about his latest report. "After he met Oscar, Wesley suddenly canceled
[Cole]He dropped her onto his bed and she started to scramble away. But he wouldn't allow it. He grabbed her ankle and pulled her back onto the sheets. Ignoring her sharp cry of surprise, he climbed over, flipped her onto her back and covered her entirely with his giant body. Grabbing her small hands that were pushing at his shoulders, he stretched them way above her head and pinned them onto the fluffy pillows with both his hands. She stopped struggling and shot him a burning glare. He swallowed hard at the memory when he first had her in the same position. He became aware of her heaving chest caressing his own and groaned silently. Without a second thought, he took her lips. She gasped with her eyes wide open. The corner of his mouth lifted as he nibbled the rosy plumpness. She was pressing them tightly together, refusing to respond and turning away from his lips. But he wasn't discouraged. She wants him. That was enough to fuel his desire and make him burn with passio
[Dove]"How would you know?" I sniffed and shot him a confused frown. A moment ago I was head over heels with him. Now, I wanted to clobber his ox-brain head again. Why does he still think that he could control everything? My powers are from the Goddess; not him. "I just do." He smirked. My eyes instantly switched to an unimpressed stare. I was suddenly aware that my blouse was hiked up to my breasts and they were half-exposed. Looking down, I saw the V-collar of his shirt opened, exposing his chest and blushed furiously. Abruptly, I pushed at him. Startled, he tumbled over the bed like a rolling log. As he landed on the floor with a loud dull thud, I scrambled to my knees, adjusted my clothes and composed myself. He quickly came to a stand at the end of the bed, looking stupefied. "What the hell, Dove. Did you just shove me? I told you that you won't be able to hurt me." I backed against the headboard and held up a hand. "You don't control everything, Cole. You don't know
[Dove]"What the hell, Dove!" His voice thundered through the forest air, shaking the spectator trees. I slowly straightened and turned to him, furious. "Stop yelling at me!" "I'll stop yelling if you start doing it properly." He stomped over with an exaggerated rage. "I'll do it properly if you start giving me clearer instructions, you ox!"This was a bad idea, I thought. Isn't he mighty and skillful? Why can't he give better instructions? Stamp here. Strike here. Punch here. How can anyone remember all that without explanations? He closed his eyes and drew in a large deep breath. Exhaling, he opened his eyes and stepped behind me. "Alright, listen." His voice was calmer. "I'm listening." "Stop talking back. Listen," he warned.I rolled my eyes at the tree I broke yesterday.His hand came on my shoulder and he said, "If someone sneaked up on you from behind." He paused to clear his throat and then continued, "First, you grab his hand." I grabbed his hand. "The
[Cole]The last time something like this happened was when his parents died. The cave had exploded and spewed flaming rocks all over the village, crushing everything that stood around it. Fire was everywhere, reducing everything meaningful to useless ashes - houses, trees and people. Those who survived death suffered harsh burns that took days to heal. Cole's memory of the explosion, before and after, had eroded with time until it became a blur. Today, it was revived. Owin was lying on his bed, twisting and grunting in excruciating pain. His entire exterior had been burned, revealing the raw, pink flesh, red veins and yellowish-white blotches underneath. There were no traces of Owin; the squirming body was completely unrecognizable. The air was thickened with the bitter smell of his burnt limbs and deafened with the dense silence of the audience. Cole watched silently as Aeson, the village doctor, tended swiftly to the urging wounds. He felt a squeeze in his hand, looked d
[Dove]We left after visiting Owin. Aeson said that Owin's healing had started at daybreak. It usually takes five days for a full recovery so Owin would be three days late. This was good news. Jude seemed to be breathing properly again. When he learned that silver might be in the flammable liquid, he requested to be in charge of the investigation. Cole agreed on a condition that he let Megan assist him and Jude obliged. "Why did you insist on Megan's involvement?" I sipped the water from my hands and sighed happily. My mind felt more refreshed. I stepped away from the stream and sat on a large moss-covered rock nearby."She knows a lot about the human chemicals. We need to learn about them. For the battle. And it would help us if Jude learned it fast." Cole took his sip of water and sat beside me. "Besides, she's a great teacher." The corner of his lip lifted mischievously. The morning mist was clearing as I quietly admired my husband's quick wits. "I have one last questi
[Cole]"I'm surprised that you brought her along. I thought Owin had told you," Jave leaned over and whispered when Dove was out of earshot. Cole kept a straight face and watched Dove as she went about the room, admiring the rich tapestry. He knew that she was really trying to listen and hoped she didn't hear this d*mn conversation. Jave continued in a quick whisper. "I hope you haven't mated with her. That cursed thing."Cole felt his fist tighten. He had to hold his anger in. As much as he wanted to shove a fist in that large round face, he knew that Jave was merely a blind follower of the rumor. But he didn't like what he heard. Worst, he wanted to take Dove to bed then and there, but something in his mind held him back. Cole glared at the weak moonlight that had found its way into the room and managed a calm voice. "That thing's still my Luna." He forced himself to turn to the wide-eyed hulk and smiled, "I appreciate all your help, Jave. Your next month's supply is on