The Lone Wolf

~~SIX~~

They both go quiet at that, and just as I think it was about to become an awkward silence, mom gasps in shock, her hands flying over her mouth for a moment.

"I was so excited to see you darling that I forgot about the lasagnas I made!! They should be almost be done by now!! I'll be right back!!"

She sprints out of the room faster than I think would be possible, and I can see Fleura's bewildered expression physically echoing my thoughts.

"I guess it might be a bit soon to ask if we could come over for lunch?" Jessica inquires, but before I can respond I notice Fleura nodding her head.

"That would be nice...right Dakota?"

I smile down at her affectionately, her tiny blush warming her face beautifully.

"That sounds perfect Flower." I reply, brushing over her cheek softly with my thumb. I cast a look at the girls when I hear their simultaneous 'awws', and the guys have a look in their eyes that promises attempted blackmail and teasing later.

"Great. And of course your mom cooked your favorite homemade lasagna, so you know it's going to be good." Amy adds, clasping her hands together in excitement. And speaking of the devil, mom comes in through the door.

"Lunch is served everyone!!!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~

We ended up demolishing two of the three lasagnas my mom made, along with the salad and breadsticks Jessica and Amy prepared. I admit that I contributed the most to the consumption of the main course, considering it's been my favorite since I was little.

Though I will say that Fleura helped with that as well, even if she had only four pieces to my six...although she did eat more salad and breadsticks than I did.

It surprised the rest of the dinner party to see her keep up with me...which automatically made her flush with embarrassment, and even more so when I bragged about her cooking skills to my mom, telling her about the excellent beef stew and meatloaf she could whip up. My mom was unable to restrain herself from asking how Fleura was able to get me to eat meatloaf when she couldn't, explaining how I always turned my nose up at it as a kid.

Not too long after lunch, my sisters came here after being let out from school, and I was shocked at how much they've grown up in a year. They all were excited to see me, even Fawn was much more vocal than I was expecting...and they were all curious about Fleura, hitting it off with her very well.

Our dessert consisted of the brownies my sisters baked and brought over, and like expected, they didn't let me eat one until they had 'wolf piled' me and 'beat me' in a fight.

After our visitors finally left for the day, my mother nearly crushing me with a last hug and internally begging me to tell her the story of how Fleura and I met until I promised her I would, I was alone with my mate again at last. We ended up having dinner at a Mexican restaurant I love, deciding to save the leftover lasagna for later, and was happy to find that Fleura liked it too.

Now, we're home again, and with me returning to my duties as Gamma tomorrow, I need to turn in early...and I know that Fleura is tired after everything today. But, there seems to be something wrong.

"Fleura? Are you okay in there Flower?" I call out, knocking on the bathroom door. She's been quiet in there for a while after the shower turned off, but the sound of her feet patting softly onto the cool tile tells me she's pacing.

Her footsteps halt, and I half consider breaking the door lock to make sure she is okay.

"I'm fine...I'll be out in a moment..." She calls out, and I sigh and sit on the bed, staring at the flannel print on my pajama pants as I mull over her anxiety...what exactly could be bothering her?

My eyes flick towards the bathroom door as it opens, and it takes quite a bit of self restraint to keep myself seated. Zayev and I both growl at the sight of her wearing one of my T shirts, the black fabric hanging to her knees like a nightgown...Goddess she looks gorgeous...

"I hope it's okay...I left my pajamas in here, then I saw this sitting on the counter..." She trails off, turning red under my stare. I had decided to wear actual pajamas instead of just boxers, but later decided to skip the shirt and just pull on some bottoms...I forgot the shirt was even in there...

Clearing my throat, I try to control my less than helpful thoughts.

"You look...gorgeous..." I reply.

I honestly would have gone for tempting...or sexy...but I need to take this slow...she's nervous enough as it is.

Her eyes lower from mine in embarrassment, that distracting sight of her chewing on her bottom lip stirring me up even further.

The Goddess is truly testing me...

"Come on Flower, lets get some sleep."

I pat the space beside me on the bed, and she peeks up with that bashful expression I've come to adore.

"Come on sweetheart, I won't bite."

~Speak for yourself boy...I actually want to meet her wolf soon, and that will require us biting her.~ Zayev rumbles.

~I do too, but we're not doing it tonight, so muzzle it.~

~Careful who you bark at boy.~

Fleura slowly edges towards the bed, and as she climbs in and burrows under the covers, I chuckle.

"Come here you little chinchilla."

I pull her flush against my chest, her little squeak of surprise cute to my ears.

"Goodnight Fleura."

I murmur as I kiss the top of her head, to which she relaxes and cuddles closer to me, making me purr in satisfaction.

"Goodnight Dakota..."

Her voice muffled against my chest, I close my eyes and enjoy her warmth.