New Beginnings

Chapter 2

Scanning the crowd again for hundredth time, I frown to myself, the mystery guy is nowhere to be found, and I know this because I’m stood on Uncle Eddy's platform watching the crowds, under the pretence of having a conversation with Drake, although I know he can tell I’m distracted. I mentally curse myself again for deciding on a masquerade, what a stupid idea that was; I now don't know what this guy looks like.

"Am I boring you Bells?" I hear Drake ask as my eyes wander across the room.

"No, go on, what were you saying? Something about cheese wasn't it?" I reply absentmindedly.

"Erm no, no it wasn't cheese" I can tell by his voice that he found this highly amusing "actually Bells I was talking about trees, one in particular in fact, do you remember that big tree at the bottom of the back garden? The one we used to climb, back when you were a tomboy" he teases.

I turn to look at him and can see he's turned a rather deep shade of red "Yeh, of course, why?" I reply.

"Well I wanted to do something special for your birthday, something you'd remember, something thoughtful I guess, so... I... erm... well" he stammers.

"Drake spit it out" I’m rather excited now and for the first time he has my full attention "what did you do?"

"I know were a little old, but I got the idea a while back and couldn't shake it...so I built you a tree house" he says his voice beginning to mumble towards the end.

He scans my face for a reaction, and I can see the relief in his eyes as I know for a fact that I’m grinning like a maniac. "A tree house? You, Drake, built a tree house?"

"Erm... yeh. I’m not totally useless you know!" he says attempting to sound hurt but fails since he's smiling too.

Grabbing his arm I pull him of the platform "Well come on then! This I have to see!" I call behind me.

Making my way down the gravel path my excitement is building, this walk is no easy task in heels and I’m also having to hold the ends of my dress so it doesn't drag across the dirt, I probably should have changed first, but I really wanted to see this.

Uncle Eddy's garden is beautiful even in the dark. Which isn't really that dark since shifter eyes adapt so we can see in all circumstances, unlike a human. The moon is out and there is an abundance of stars, it's a lovely night, not a cloud in the sky. The garden is decorated with lanterns, which follow the path right the way around the garden and back to the house. There are benches here are there, and in the day time the colours and smells from the different plants are just amazing and the wildlife they attract has always fascinated me. There's a slight breeze and despite my best efforts I shiver in the cold air, automatically Drake spins around drapes his suit jacket over my shoulders, displays an award winning grin and carries on. That's another thing about shifters, being a female most of the characteristics of a shifter I don't inherit at birth, things like speed, strength and a hotter body temperature don't actually develop until after we have mated and our wolf awakens.

My mind goes back to the mystery guy and once again I feel the urge to find him, only this time I fight it. I’m not going to ruin this for Drake who is obviously as excited as me.

As we near the bottom of the garden Drake switches positions so he's walking behind me with his hands over my eyes.

We come to halt and when he uncovers my eyes, my jaw drops. A wooden ladder leads high into the tree to what looks like a balcony. Drake climbs up first and I kick off my shoes grab hold of my dress and follow him as carefully as I can. At the top of the ladder I come face to face with what I can only describe as a wooden cottage. There are lanterns positioned around the deck which light the whole place up and emphasise the thatched roof, it has what looks like two floors but what takes my breath away is the door, which has a lantern on either side illuminating what can only be described as a masterpiece. It is little less than spectacular. I walk up to it and trace my fingers over the intricate carvings of flowers, roses, lilies and daises and then some more tropical varieties like the bleeding heart plant, heliconia and my favourites the simple but beautiful plumeria. Weaving, playing, sleeping and leaping through the flowers are little delicate carvings of wolves ranging from pups to full adults. I can feel the tears building in my eyes and I turn to face Drake.

"What do you think?" he asks sheepishly, obviously nervous.

"It's beautiful" I say as a tear makes its way down my cheek. He breaths out a sigh of relief but his expression changes to worry when he sees me.

"Oh, Bells don't cry, what's wrong? Come on now you'll ruin your make-up" he playfully chastises as he envelopes me into a hug.

"Drake did you really do all of this? Even the carvings?" I mumble out even though my face is pressed against his chest.

I feel his chest vibrate as he laughs "Yeh Bells I did, I don't know how I managed to keep it a secret though, only my parents know about it. I kind of figured when we were all grown up, you'd bring your kids back here to visit there Uncle Drake and they could play in the same tree we did."

Raising my head I sniff and stare at Drake, this is a new side to him, he hates talking about the future, always one to live in the moment and I have to admit his speech has taken me by surprise.

"Drake it's beautiful, the best birthday present I could have gotten, but if I do have kids I may not want them up here, I may have to be selfish and keep it all to myself" I say getting my emotions under control once more.

He laughs and unfolds me from his bear hug. "Are you okay now?" he asks.

I nod and take a step back to further observe my own little tree house, only to find no ground and to fall backwards towards the hard gravel path.

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Okay a little off topic from the last chapter, but stick with me on this. I just want to say Thanks to the people who have read, commented and voted so far. So thanks guys.  Again i have edted to the best of my ability, but if i've missed anything, or there is a grammar error  that's driving you insane leave a message.  I'm gonna do the same as last time and say the first person to leave a positive comment i will dedicate the next chapter to. :) . I want to try something new, but i say this without trying to be cheeky, if i get 20 votes altogether for the story so far i will upload again the day it gets to that, if not it's cool, i'll upload on Wednesday i think. ;)  (The photo by the way is the Plumeria flower xD... taken by myself in Greece. Way after i wrote the flower into the story... funny how that happens.)