A God Amongst Wolves

31

Word Count: 2215

~Alvera

The events of the dinner party have stuck in my mind days since.

Venn and I have returned to rarely seeing each over the past week, and I've been spending my days at the library, preparing to open it back up to the public. Belle and I have returned to a tentative understanding that is somewhat friendly.

I'm learning to be happy with whatever I can get from her at this point.

I stride through the manor hallways, the place dark and quiet. I've returned from the library, dragging my aching feet that still haven't become accustomed to the arduous walk through the forest.

A figure suddenly emerges from into the shadows, venturing down the corridor toward me. I can tell from the towering frame and the way the oxygen seems to leave the air that it's Venn.

"I wasn't expecting you back tonight," he observes, coming into view.

I've been at the library for the past three nights, not bothering to make the walk back. Unfortunately the need to return has become too dire.

"I thought I better since I ran out of clean underwear," I muse, my gaze drifting to the floor as I adjust my backpack strap on my shoulder.

He scratches below his ear. "Ah, right."

There has been an unspoken reality sitting like a stack of immovable bricks between us. Since he hasn't mentioned it, it's going to have to be taking that uncomfortable step.

"So it's nearly been a month since..."

"It will occur again in a few days," he says abruptly. "How can I help you prepare?"

I exhale slowly. In a couple days I'm going to be overcome by need for Venn once again, and this time I'm not sure how to navigate. I'm going to have to focus on something that makes me angry, and I'm not short on ammunition these days.

"You can't." I shrug helplessly. "I'm going to have to face this alone."

"I don't like the thought of you being in the library in case your symptoms become unbearable." Venn's brows pull together at the thought, a cool storm brewing in his eyes.

I shift from foot to foot. "And if they do?"

Last time I was so overwhelmed by heat I thought I might be dying. The thought of having to go through that again is worrying. The only matter quelling my apprehension is Venn's assurance that it can only become more manageable over time.

"I have a healer on hand with access to all medicine and equipment to help you," he states. "Since this is a werewolf related phenomenon, you'll need it."

I blow out a breath. Okay, I'll be here then."

Being here is dangerous though, especially considering how close Venn and I came to making a mistake last time.

"I can leave, though. If it would make you feel more comfortable," he adds tightly, as if every word hurts to utter.

"That might be a good idea," I admit, feeling my skin flush. The greater the distance between us, the less likely we will crumble to temptation.

He tries to smile, but it doesn't reach his eyes. There is an unspoken reality that he isn't as eager to run from this connection between us as I am, and enduring this is difficult for him. He's been so respectful though, maintaining his distance for my benefit.

"I'll stay in my old cabin. How about that?"

I nod. "Okay."

His expression softens. "It will manifest as anger soon enough, Alvera. I'm sure of it."

Considering I look at him and feel my skin set aflame, feel a dark pool of desire gather in my stomach doesn't bode well for me. Anger would be far easier to manifest were he not painfully beautiful and all encompassing.

"Alright, I'm off to bed." I brush past him, needing to put some space between us before I lose my mind.

I feel him stare at my back as I walk away. "Goodnight."

The moment I make it back to my bedroom, I close the door and wedge something underneath it. I'm not afraid of Venn...I'm afraid of myself.

Dumping my backpack on the bed, I rifle through each pocket in search of my phone. Naturally it's slid all the way through my clothing and to the bottom of the bag, but I manage to scoop it up.

I stare at my phone screen for a long moment.

My wallpaper is a picture of Eldon and I after a hiking trip in the early days of our relationship. It was one of the only activities we could do without drawing attention from our coworkers since he was my boss back then.

Although keeping up to date with work while at the library has been easy enough, dealing with thoughts of Eldon hasn't been.

It's been a month and I've text him an embarrassing amount to receive no replies, but I've yet to call him.

I'm scrolling through my recent calls before I can think, pressing on his name.

It rings. And it rings. Then, it finally picks up.

"Hello?"

A female voice flows from the phone that's pressed against my ear, sounding a little breathless.

All thoughts bleed from my mind. "Oh...hi."

"Who is this?" She asks.

Pulling my phone from my ear, I stare down at the screen for a moment. My hand is trembling, realising Eldon is with a woman who isn't me...his girlfriend. I should hang up and save myself from further mortification, but I can't help myself.

"I'm looking for Eldon."

"Sorry, he's in the shower right now. Can I take a message?" She sounds distracted, like she's trying to shove clothing on while balancing his phone between her ear and shoulder.

"I'm his girlfriend. Alvera," I force out, hoping I don't come across as unconfident as I feel.

"Oh right, he told me you two were on a break."

I press my lips together. Of course when he said we were on a break, he meant he could go and fuck whoever he pleased to get back at me for being connected to Venn.

"Well tell him the break is done," I snap.

"I think that has to go both ways, sweetie."

The girls sardonic voice makes my grip tighten on my phone, making me grateful for the gummy case covering it.

"I mean tell him we are completely over. I'm done with him." I end the call, tossing the phone onto the bed unceremoniously.

Sinking down onto the floor with my back against the bed, I bring my legs up to my chest and drip my head between my knees. My fringe falls over my eyes as I let my anger, frustration and sadness overcome in me in great wracking sobs that shake my entire body.

I hate that I'm crying over him. I hate that he's probably been fucking women like her this entire month instead of texting me.

I hate that I thought it could have been any different.

I'm not sure how long I spend dripping tears onto my thighs, crying until my stomach cramps. For the first time in a while I feel myself hating my situation, hating what has happened to me.

Usually I can't stand dwelling on what can't be changed in my life, but this time I can't help it.

But this is no one's fault, and I'm crying when I can't take Eldon's actions back on his behalf...

My head rises and I wipe my tears away until my cheeks feel dry and supple. This break up is not going to ruin my night, and if he can do something self-destructive, so can I.

There are hardly any thoughts in my mind as I leave my room and swiftly stalk through the hallway. Only fierce determination accompanies me.

I make it to Venn's door, rapping my knuckles against the solid wood.

He opens a few seconds later, physically taken aback as he drags his eyes over me. He's dressed for sleep considering the late hour...I must have been crying for a while.

"Alvera," he murmurs, his concern palpable. "You've been crying."

"I'm fine. Just fine."

I push into his room, sending him stumbling back a few steps. His eyes are wide and cautious, observing my sudden movements like I'm a rapid animal.

Grabbing his shoulders, I pull him close enough to press my mouth to his.

He stiffens beneath my touch but his lips are effortlessly soft. My fingers dig into the soft material of his shirt and the taut muscle of his shoulders.

His hesitation only lasts a second before he unleashes himself upon me.

Using the weight of his impressive body he sends me back a few steps to the bedroom door I didn't realised he had closed, pressing me back into it. I groan against his mouth as he flattens himself against me, both hands reaching up to hold either side of my face as his tongue slides into my mouth.

There is nothing tentative about the way he kisses me. All the tension that has accumulated between us since he came back into my life is finally unleashed, and he's not holding back.

He claims my mouth, his fingers delving into my hair. He tastes as incredible as I remember, and I never want him to stop.

But he does stop, pulling back an inch to look at me.

"What's going on? What happened?" He questions breathlessly, his sensuous lips swollen from the pressure of my kiss.

I lay one hand flat against the back of his neck, fingertips entwining in the soft curls at the nape.

"Eldon and I have broken up," I admit, unable to tear my gaze from his mouth. "Now kiss me."

"Hold on." He frowns. "Are you okay?"

Now is not the time for respectful, courteous Venn. He's spent enough time being like that...I need the Venn from a year ago, who pressed me against a wall and made me climax around his fingers. I need him wild and feral and uninhibited.

"I'm fine, just kiss me, please," I insist.

He angles his head. "You're lashing out. You're trying to get back at him—"

"No, I'm not!" I press him closer. "I've come here to kiss you because it's all I've thought about recently. It's why I'm at the library so often, trying to keep sane."

His hand rests on my jaw as his gaze travels over every line of my face. I sense his hesitation, but his desire for me wins out.

"Come here then," he growls.

His mouth is on mine again and I feel my legs weaken. Every hard line of his body pressed against me as he kisses me so intensely it steals the breath from my lungs.

To be kissed by Venn is to be worshipped, and I feel every ounce of his desire as he slows the kiss to as passionate, longing drawl that has my need for him overcoming me.

He's not going to let this be a kiss that only chases away thoughts of Eldon. He's reminding me that kissing him is an experience like no other, and that I won't be able to erase this from my thoughts anytime soon.

No matter how hard I pull at his hair, how desperately I press my body back into his, he doesn't give me an inch of control.

He slides his hands down my face, down my neck and to my arms. He grabs my wrists, pinning them to the wall in a move that has a desperate gasp tumbling from my lips.

I'm close to begging for more, for his mouth, his fingers or his cock. I want him to take me, to give me a different reason to remember this night.

Instead, he growls against my mouth before pulling away entirely, leaving a few spaces between us.

"You need to go."

I stare at him, breathless. "Go?"

"Back to your room, to sleep." He rubs his face, shadows gathering under every hard line of his face. "I'm not having you like this."

"Like what?"

"Sad, freshly broken up with." His eyes darken. "I want you when I can make you mine."

I look over him. His chest is heaving and his body is taut from having to hold himself back. I want to throw myself at him and demand he chase away this ache deep inside me, but I resist.

He's right. These can't be the circumstances which cause our first time together.

"I'm ready for the ceremony," I blurt out.

His eyes soften. "Next week? It has to be after..."

"Perfect." I throw the door open, needing to escape the heat of his room. "Goodnight."

I don't wait for his response as I slip out and into the hallway, making a mad dash down it.

I have no room in me to regret that, a smile playing on my lips the entire way back to my room.

💚••💚

If you want to read ahead at any point, you can read this story 15 chapters ahead on INKITT and 10 chapters ahead on RADISH.

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The Night I Met The Alpha

~Midika 💜🐼