"Time is the wisest counselor of all" - Pericles
21.
1.5 months later
Time.
A simple four letter word. The four letters which we all crave for but hardly ever use purposefully.
Time is similar to the grains of sand; slipping away, never to return again. It is our choices and actions which will determine whether time will be our adversary or our ally.
But most importantly, time waits for no one.
And I realised it the hard way.
Yesterday
"Clean up on aisle 3, Vivian!" the sweet voice of my employer called out. I hurriedly stacked the soda bottles on the wooden shelf, and rushed towards aisle 3, praying on the inside that whatever awaits me wasn't as bad as last night's unfortunate adventure - cleaning up baby vomit. Mopping that floor while taking in the nauseating stench nearly made me belch myself.
"Vivian to the rescue," I said to no one in particular as I turned the corner to get inside aisle 3. Olivia, my thirty-six year old employer, stood with both hands on the waist, a look of annoyance on her face. Her current state reminded me of my own mother, how the exact expressions and gestures would find their way on her face whenever she was mad at me.
My eyes looked around, searching for the accident I was called for, silently praying for it to not be a person's undigested matter.
It wasn't. Thank Goddess.
Around fifty toilet paper rolls were on the floor, a few of them by the end of the aisle, with their roll spread out like a red carpet.
"Who's the culprit?" I inquired, squatting down to pick up the ones nearest me.
"Yours truly," she sighed and pointed at herself, "I was reaching for the detergents at the top rack for a customer but accidentally knocked the toilet rolls off. I would've cleaned it up but I'm needed at the cash counter," she answered.
Standing up, I began to restack the toilet rolls I was carrying in my arms in their previous order. "No worries, at least it isn't vomit." I pointed my index finger inside my throat and gagged, making Olivia laugh who then made her way towards the counter.
It had been over a month since I last left the wolf territory. Ever since then, I made no contact with any family member - or any wolf in fact. Initially, adjusting in the human territory proved challenging. Back in my pack, I trained little pups and teenage wolves along with my brother to earn money. Just because you were an Alpha's daughter didn't mean that you could have an endless supply of money. We had one rule for everyone - work hard to get paid.
Finding jobs in the pack wasn't difficult, everyone helped each other and had the liberty to choose their field of career. Our family bonds extended outside our bloodline. The entire pack was one big family. There was equality for all. Men could cook, females could own businesses or do jobs regarding pack's security and vice versa. There was no discrimination, competition or greed. Both genders were paid equally. Neither were there limited positions. If you're qualified, you're in.
However, in the lands of human, it was the exact opposite. Finding a good job proved to be pretty difficult. It was even more hectic for me because I had to look for a job far away from the human-wolf border in order to conceal myself.
Securing this position as a salesperson was pure stroke of luck and timing. By the second week, I was running low on money. I was left with 120 dollars; 100 for my hotel expenses and 20 for my own spending.
To top it off, my wolf isolated herself and hadn't contacted me for over a week. A wolf needs to remain in contact with other wolves and live amongst a pack to remain healthy. Neither of which were being observed by me. Therefore, it didn't come as a shock when I felt her shut off. However, her presence was always felt in the back of my mind or whenever I dreamt about him or his wolf.
For an entire week, I was having extremely visual dreams about Ethan and his wolf. Dreams which were making it very difficult for me to control my sexual yearnings. The nights became even worse when I started to sweat profusely, draining my entire bed. One night, I had to call room service after every half an hour for a new sheet. I went through four sheets in a span of two hours. The hotel management must think I've lost my mind.
I couldn't exactly pinpoint what was happening as I had never felt this sensation before. However, my query was answered when I felt my wolf trying to shift involuntarily at one particular night.
That day, my body seemed to go in some sort of a trance. It felt as if I was entering another realm, waves of warm energy radiating off me. At first everything was a blur, just the feeling of me floating gently in the air. A few seconds passed when I felt something switch around my surroundings. I felt more hot, awake...ready.
Then he came, wearing absolutely nothing, eyes as black as coal, emitting powerful waves of lust and desire. He looked so strong, so powerful and so beautiful. The delicious look he gave me brought chills down my spine. He slowly walked towards me, raised his hand and brushed my hair away from my face.
"Il mio Vivian, ho cercato per così tanto tempo..." (My Vivian, I've searched so long for you) he softly whispered in my ear, placing a gentle, but needy kiss on my neck. "Luce della mia anima." (Light of my soul)
His hands made their way to my hips, gripping them tightly to hold me in one place. His touch left me speechless, goosebumps forming everywhere on my body. I couldn't move. That's when I realized the lack of clothing on me as well.
With his hands, he roughly pulled me against him, letting me feel his naked skin, his hardness. Slowly, he moved his hands upwards and weaved them inside my hair. The grip tightened as he suddenly fisted them, using it to tilt my head upwards. His lips forcefully crashed against mine, as if trying to flatten and destroy my mouth. It was a rough kiss, full of passion and fierceness. He hungrily pushed my mouth open, devouring every inch of mouth, letting his tongue explore the undiscovered territory. I retaliated by battling back with his tongue, both of us trying to take control.
"La tua bocca mi fa impazzire," he whispered against my mouth. (Your mouth drives me crazy)
The warm sensation radiating from my body tripled. My skin was on fire. It felt as if I was standing right in front of the sun. I felt my wolf taking charge of my body, trying to claw her way out.
That's when it hit me -
- It was heat.
I was in heat.
My sleeping form woke up as the dream came to an abrupt end, much to my dismay. I couldn't let the heat take over me. Especially not in my wolf form.
I immediately got off my bed and tried to figure out ways to put an end to my suffering. The first thing that popped into my mind was to take an ice cold shower. Unfortunately for me, it didn't work. The tormenting desire was still up and running, increasing its pace after every minute. I also opted to sleep in an ice cold bath to calm myself but to no avail. It didn't help.
Nothing was helping me.
The only solution was sex.
Sex. Sex. Sex.
I had to satisfy the thirst, the desire, the need.
So that is what I did.
Just across the street for my hotel was a bar called D'89; the perfect location to bask in the glory of my misery and hunt a human who will put a full stop to my agony.
But who knew that D'89 would be the place where I'll meet Chris and my future.
+++
"One more of this heavenly drink, please. Thank you, life-saver."
It had been an hour, an excruciating, and painfully slow hour. There was no single human in sight, everyone with a date or friends, leaving me to sit alone at the bar.
The tall bartender handed me my drink.
I silently nodded a thanks in his way and gulped the entire drink in one take.
Maybe I could ask him?
But what will I say? I've never done it with a human. How do you ask male humans to have sex with you? What is the courteous way of saying I want to smash and dash?
"Hi, do you want to do the deed with me?"
No! Ugh. Vivian, what is wrong with you?
You have one job, just one job! Get in, get laid and get out.
Simple.
My thought process came to a halt when I heard a stool creak near me. I silently lifted my head to greet the stranger who was sitting a seat away, looking directly at me.
I studied his face.
Blue eyes, check.
Black hair, check.
Nice thick eyebrows, check.
Great facial hair, check.
Hot body, triple check.
"Did you know, it is physically impossible for pigs to look up into the sky," he spoke, as a matter of factly.
His voice was deep and husky. It had the type of tone which travelled down your spine right down to the end of your toes. It didn't help when all I wanted to do was pounce on him right there and then.
Goddess, this heat is driving me mad.
"And you are....?" I asked, deciding that the best way to get in this human's pant was to initiate small talk.
He turned towards me, leaning in a little bit, "I am Entertainment. You looked bored thus, I decided to bless you with my presence."
I decided to play on, "Does it look like I want to be 'blessed' by anyone named Entertainment?"
"No, obviously. But that's because the emotion of boredom is overpowering your entire being," he wiggled his index finger in front of my eyes.
He thinks I'm bored? Let me take off my underwear and show him the niagra falls down there.
After thinking for a few seconds, I decided against it and choose to verbally answer back,"I must say your assumption is absolutely wrong."
"God, you really need my therapy." He muttered, sliding easily on the barstool placed next to me.
His scent became even more prominent once he slid over, putting all my senses in overdrive.
This is it, I am going to strip in 5 seconds. Public place be damned.
"You're really beautiful, you know."
I stared at him for a long time, wondering if I should be straightforward and ask him to fuvk me? No strings attached?
"Is there something on my face?" He brought his hands up towards his face and started feeling it, in search of something out of place.
I diverted my gaze towards the drink I was clutching in my hand, the glass empty, the liquid sitting idly in my stomach waiting to be thrown out later. I straightened myself and looked right in his eyes and mustered up all the courage I had, "Do you want to have sex with me?"
His eyes widened in incredulity and he began to vigourously shake his head from side to side. By his expressions, it felt as if I had asked him to cut his d!ck and serve me on a platter.
Not entirely different from my main aim, which was getting the d!ck. However, in my case, I would prefer it to be attached to an able body.
"What?! No, that wasn't my intention, I genuinely think you're beautiful and I -"
My face fell and I began to look around in search of my next target, uninterested in Mr. Entertainment.
"-unless... you want too?" he continued. I turned and saw him scratching the back of his head, the tip of his ears becoming red.
This time my eyes widened in incredulity.
That was all it took?
Well, who am I to complain?
Not wasting a second, I threw the money on the bar table, grabbed his hand and took him to my hotel room to put an end to my pain and misery.
As soon as we entered the room, I immediately took of my shirt.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" I asked, not wanting to take advantage of the poor human.
He nodded and let out a confident yes, his eyes dilating as they moved down to notice my chest. Not wasting another moment in pain, I grabbed his face and crashed my lips with his. One of his hand grabbed my neck in a position similar to a chokehold whereas the other made itself familiar with my hair.
I guided him towards the bedroom, then quickly took of my denim jeans as he did the same.
"Protection?"
He bent down and inserted his hands inside one of his jean pocket, bringing out a condom when he pulled out.
"I got it covered," he winked.
Guess we both wanted to get laid tonight.
"Before we do this, I need to tell you - this is purely a one night thing, no strings attached or whatever. Clear?"
He licked his lips, "Yes, baby. Crystal clear."
He wasted no time in getting me naked. After removing my clothes, he pulled up his own shirt and removed his boxer, leaving him bare for my naked eyes to see. I stood straight, admiring the view he was giving as he returned the favour. He wasn't as good-looking as the dream Ethan, but he was a close second.
"Not bad, Mr. Entertainment," I nodded in appreciation as he passed me a cheeky wink. The gesture lead to a jolt of pleasure between my legs.
I couldn't wait anymore so I closed the distance by crushing my lips against his, the dark stubble around his lips and jaw scraping against my own soft skin. I deepened the kiss as he hooked my bare legs around his waist, hands clutching my ass. He carried me forward and threw me on the bed.
I was hot, desperate and ready for him. The glimmer of satisfaction that danced in his ocean eyes was proof that he didn't expect me to be this wet.
Instead of bursting his pride bubble and telling him all the wonderful troubles of female heat, I stretched my hands and pulled him down to get what we both wanted.
Release.
+++
That's how I met Chris - Olivia's son and the person who got me my job as a salesperson.
Chris' parents, Olivia and Ben, owned a local departmental store I currently work at. Aside from Chris, they have an 8 year old girl called Luna. The name brought a smile on my face when I first heard it. Apparently the night she was born, the sky was graced with a full moon which is why Olivia named her after it.
Along with Chris, a woman named Jenny worked at the the store. However, she quit her job as she had to move to another city the very same day Chris and I met.
Pure luck and good timing.
After an exhausted and intense session of 'doing the deed', Chris and I had a long chat about each other's life; obviously I kept the wolf side of my life concealed. At first, I had plans of kicking him out of my room after having sex but Chris' charm lured me in. He had a way with words, making the receiver of his conversation hold on to each and every thing he said. Something which worked in my favour. Through those conversations, I realised that they were currently looking for a salesperson - the vacancy I filled, all thanks to Chris, my heat and time.
"Olivia, when are the men coming back with the new stock?" I asked, once I reached the cash counter.
She looked outside the window and smiled, "Speak of the devil..."
I looked outside and saw Ben parking the U-haul truck outside the store, with Chris guiding him.
That night was the only time we were intimate. Chris respected my choice of no strings attached by deciding to put the night behind us. Now we remained as good friends and co-workers.
"I'll go help them out," I told Olivia and made my way outside.
Hearing my footsteps, Chris turned his face towards me and grinned.
"Missed me, sweet girl?"
"Dream on, loser," I rolled my eyes. "Let's get to work. We have lots to do."
Ben joined us, a box in his hands, "She's right. Quickly move it out, I need to return this truck by 4."
After making about ten trips of the store, we were finally able to move everything in the stockroom. It was a hefty process, requiring lots of energy but thanks to all the training I had back in the pack, I barely broke a sweat. It wasn't as difficult for a wolf like me as it was for a human such as Chris.
"Chris, you need to hit the gym more often, you lost again." I crossed my arms and smirked after placing the final box to where it belonged.
During the process of restocks, we always competed against each other to see who could do the most lifting work. This was the second time Chris landed on the losing side.
He was panting heavily, body bent, hands on his knees, sweat dripping on the floor.
"How... are... you...even breathing?" he paused after every word, trying to catch his breath. "Especially when you did double the work? I'm telling you... you're not a human," he finished and collapsed down the floor, face front.
His accurate guess made me smile, "When you're done being a drama queen, meet me outside. You lost so you have to change aisle 5 and aisle 7 products for customer convenience and since I won, I'll sit at the cash counter while Olivia's gone to pick up Luna," I replied and made my way outside, Chris' loud groan following behind.
On my way to the cash counter, a strange scent hit my nose. I couldn't recognise the scent as I had never sensed it before. It was strong, and pungent, belonging neither to a human nor a wolf.
What did it belong too?
A broad shouldered man stood at the cash counter, his eyes closed. From the side, I noticed he was dressed in all black - black coat, black jeans and black boots. I rushed towards the counter, realising the customer must be getting impatient.
"Apologies for being late, will this be all?" I asked, signalling to the objects which lay on the counter - cable ties, duct tape and rope.
Christian Grey, much?
He was clean shaved, and completely bald. A small and circular golden pin with a triangle inside was attached on his coat. I knew I had seen that pin somewhere before, but where?
Bringing my gaze up again, I gathered that the man looked even more scarier from the front, a long scar was running from his eyebrow down his jaw.
I take my Christian Grey comment back.
Hearing my voice, he opened his eyes.
"Yes," he answered with no emotion.
As I billed his items, I felt his stare on me. I looked up and made eye contact with him. Instead of looking away, he blatantly stared back without any care in the world, which pissed me off. I knew he wasn't a wolf. And I knew he couldn't possibly know that I was one, considering the fact I have masked my scent.
What if he has done the same?
"Is something wrong?" I asked with a clipped tone.
He is a customer, behave Vivian.
"No, it seems like I have seen you somewhere before."
"No clue," I replied, and quickly bagged his items, keen to have him leave. "That'd be 8 dollars."
He handed me a ten dollar bill and left in a hurried manner, preferring not to wait for his change.
As he left, he bumped his shoulder with Ben who was entering the store at the same time. Instead of taking a moment to apologise, he fastened his pace.
Ben looked at me and raised his brows, "What's up with him?" to which I shrugged.
Ben took over the cash counter and I headed towards aisle 5 to help Chris with his work.
Upon arrival, I noticed Chris sitting on the floor, watching a video on his phone while eating cheez-its, the aisle untouched.
"Are you serious? You're eating from here again? You know how mad your mom gets." My voice caught him off-guard, making him accidentally throw his phone on the ground.
He clutched his chest, "Jesus! I thought you were mom." Turning towards his phone, he picked it up and slowly turned it, silently muttering prayers for his screen. A huge sigh of relief left his mouth when he saw the screen was perfectly fine and intact.
I raised one of my eyebrows and crossed my arms, "You were supposed to be doing something."
"I'm on a break," he stuffed some more cheez-its in his mouth, then noticing me staring, he tilted the packet towards me, "Sorry, you want some?"
Before I could reply, Ben came and interuppted us, "Vivian, there is somebody outside who wants to meet you. And Chris, how much is left- son?! What are you doing?"
"Didn't you hear dad? I am tired. Exhausted. So I rewarded myself. I am on a break, I am relaxing. Chilling. Vibing. Okay, boomer?"
Ben looked at me, confused at his language.
I laughed, "Ben, he is all yours. You take care of him."
I left the father son duo to themselves and headed outside, wondering who wanted to see me.
I patted my waistband to make sure my knife, which I placed for security reason, was still present and secure.
A huge gush of wind embraced me as I walked outside. I looked around my surroundings but found no one around. There were no scents in the air as well, leaving me confused. Instead of wasting more time, I began to walk back inside.
That's when I felt it. A sudden shift in the air, and then a swooshing noise behind me. A hand clasped my shoulder tightly, no scent accompanying it.
I immediately grabbed the hand, pushed it forward, twisted my body and held the owner of the hand in a headlock, with my left hand holding the knife on their neck in a matter of seconds.
The owner of the hand let out a painful moan, "Ouch, lefty, is that any way to greet your daddy?"
Hearing the familiar voice, my knife dropped and I hastily released the person.
"Josh?!"
Josh rolled his shoulders in an attempt to ease the pain and turned to face me, "The one and only."
In a flash, I lept towards him and embraced him. He grabbed me by the waist, picked me up and spun me around. After hugging for an entire minute, he let me down.
"What are you doing here? How did you find me?"
For the first time, I deeply observed him. Dark circles marred his face, the original gleam of mischief not present in his sunken eyes anymore. His face supporting a full beard now, a small scar prominent beside his right eye.
Something was wrong.
He moved forward and planted a kiss on top of my head.
"Is everything okay? What happened to you?" I moved forward to touch his face.
Josh took a deep breath and closed his eyes as my fingers lightly grazed his cheeks, "Vivian, you have no idea how good it feels to meet you and to know that you are safe." He moved forward and grabbed both of my hands. "But I didn't come here to meet you." His voice adopted a serious tone, "Around twenty of my wolves are roaming in the human territory trying to look for you."
I felt my wolf waking up, feeling the presence of familiar wolves near her, and noticing something was wrong.
My heart began to beat faster, sweat forming on the side of forehead, "What do you mean looking for me? What happened?"
His hold on my hands tightened, "There was an attack on your pack border." He paused and closed his eyes once again, "Goddess, how do I tell you this!" He dropped my hands and grabbed his own head.
My breath caught in my throat and tears crept to my eyes.
"What's w-wrong?" My voice cracked as I nearly broke down. He choose to remain silent at first and then begin to mutter a string of apologies.
I moved closer and used my hands to push on his chest, "Tell me, what happened!" I asked, my voice much louder now.
Josh shook his head and finally spoke, "Vivian, Zack is dead."
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A/N: :(((((( omg... thoughts?
Hope you guys liked the chapter and weren't confused with all the time jumps. I was going to divide it into two chapters but since you guys showed me so much love, I decided to merge it and make it a longer chapter. All the events are significant. Thank you for your constant support and love. I've read each message and comment. You guys are the best!
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