The Big Bad Wolf

Chapter Twenty-Five

It was the night before we had to leave for home. I lie in the bed, waiting for Keegan to get done with his shower, watching the ceiling fan turn counterclockwise in a speeding motion. Outside, the world was dark with a thunderstorm brewing. 

When Keegan walked out of the bathroom, steam from the hot shower filled the cold room like a cloud of smoke. He was dressed in black pajama-bottoms and a white t-shirt, his hair a mess. He walked over and climbed inside the bed. He then proceeds to wrap his large arms around me and pulled me closer to him.

We laid there for a while, basking in each other’s presence. Outside the wind began to howl and thunder began rolling. The rain outside begins thumping on the roof and constantly getting louder by the second.

“I don’t think I want to leave.” I whispered loudly over the roaring rain. Keegan squeezed my body closer to him, which was impossible, and planted a kiss on my forehead.

“I don’t think I want to either; though if it was my choice, I’d stay here forever.” He whispered back in my hair. I closed my eyes as I felt his warm, minty breath on my face.

“How long do you assume the war is going to be?” I asked. Keegan didn’t say a word for a couple of moments before he answered with a long, drawn out sigh.  

“I’m not sure. I’m hoping not very long, but like I said, it could be months.” My heart began throbbing in my chest. I don’t think I could last months without Keegan at my side. I had gotten too attached to him.

I told him, “I don’t want it to last that long.”

“I know.” He answered softly. 

The room suddenly became much too difficult to stand, but I lay there, drowning in the agonizing silence. The rain bombarded the house with noise and the wind screamed furiously against the house’s walls. My mind was elsewhere. Ever since learning about the oncoming war, my mind had been a jumbled mess. I couldn’t think properly; my mind focusing on the bad things instead of the good. I just felt antsy and jittery; I guess it’s what mates do. They only want the best for their mate and they don’t want anything to happen to them.

I shifted a little bit to get comfortable. I kept my eyes closed, inhaling the sweet scent that Keegan held. And I began to dream. I dreamed of happiness and peace. I dreamed that everything was going to be okay and that I had nothing to worry about, just like Keegan said; he had everything under control and I trusted him a hundred percent.

The next morning, I woke up to the sunshine glaring through the windows. The smell of cinnamon hit my nose and my stomach growled. I crawled out of bed and tiptoed into the kitchen. The smell then smacks my nose harder as I see Keegan pouring icing on a batch of cinnamon rolls.  He looks up from his concentration and smiles as I walk more into the kitchen.

“Those look good," I said, climbing on to one of the stools sitting by the counter where he worked.

“Good, want one?” I nodded excitedly. I’ve always loved cinnamon rolls. Just the thought of the gooey hot substance made me swoon. He picked one that was already drizzled with hot, melted icing and sat it on a plate. He placed the plate in front of me and my mouth began to water. I picked it up carefully taking a large bite and letting the warm, soft roll melt in my mouth, bursting with flavor and tingling my taste buds. I swallow and let out a moan of pure bliss.

“Omg. This taste so good,” I groaned, stuffing another bite in my mouth. Keegan grinned at me with food hanging out of his mouth.

I laughed, “Ewe, close your mouth,” I scolded. He closed it and smiled again.