Trying to remember everyone’s names and faces in Jay’s resort has been far trickier than I expected. I hadn’t realised how large the place was until he finally decided that me holding myself away just would not be acceptable. I begrudgingly gave in to his pleading, meeting and greeting a few of his selected friends to start me off with.
I could barely remember any of them, but none of them was his direct family, I noticed. Were Jay’s parents not alive anymore? Or did they live outside of their community? He said everyone here was family, but not all of them were blood-related to him personally. However, he assured me that any of them would defend my life should I need it. I did not know what he meant by that, but I figured he meant from any wild animals out here.
The key person I should request was a man by the name of Darnell. He was older, bulky and had a big fuzzy beard. Despite being older, he looked ready to snap a neck with his biceps! I wouldn’t want to start a right with him, I could say that much! The man himself, outside of looks, was quiet but not reserved. He answered questions and chatted with me as he showed me around while Jay sorted out our things for the honeymoon.
He had married a man, though I hadn’t met them yet. He apparently did far more travelling than the rest in the village. Darnell said his partner was an adventurous soul and couldn’t be tamed, even if it worried him to no end. I couldn’t help but smile at that thought. Seeing such a powerful man being so gentle when he spoke about someone he loved made me feel safe and at ease. I admit it shocked me when I learned he had a male partner, but I could see they really cared and loved one another deeply.
After the quick tour of the places closest to the ‘packhouse’ as they called it, Darnell held open the door, allowing me to head back inside. I was a little surprised by the inclusion of modern places like a cinema, pub, bowling alley, and a few other places. In such an out of the way town, it didn’t feel as isolated anymore.
It was still a far cry from the life I had back home, but I had places I could explore and maybe I’d even make a friend or two? I still missed Princess, though, and Jay was still adamant that the area wasn’t safe. However, I was sure he would give in and build a place for her. He was cracking under the pressure every time I brought her up.
“Well, I hope you’ll enjoy your honeymoon,” Darnell offered with his bushy smile. “I understand things are going to be confusing for the longest time. My husband is the same. However, you’ll settle into things, and you’ll see, Jay might be an idiot, but he isn’t the worst leader we’ve had.”
I can’t help but giggle a little at Darnell. He has been so sweet this entire time and has helped me settle in a little easier. And he has the cutest little daughter too. I heard she was from a previous relationship, but the wife died when Zera was young. He hadn’t mentioned when he had met his husband, but the man sounds fun to be around. I almost wish he was here now, as I bet he has some grand stories from his adventures!
“Well, I can’t argue that he might be an idiot,” I mock whisper to Darnell. “But his leadership skills are still up for debate.”
I’m not sure what Jay is the leader of, exactly, outside of owning this land and the businesses here, but they seem to use such strange titles for almost everything. With a little wave of my hand, I offer my goodbyes to Darnell, letting him go so he can pick his daughter up from school.
It isn’t long before Jay and I are on the road again. I feel much better after getting out and meeting people. I even learned bits and pieces about Jay, so I think I’ve made some progress. With a sly glance, I gaze at Jay for a moment. He is a bit on the silly side. Not a fool, but also not as world-wise as I thought he was.
He took on his role as the town’s leader only within the last year, Darnell had told me. Before then, he had been looking for his ‘destined partner’. Even Darnell used that term, which annoyed me, as usual. However, unlike Jay, he seemed to realise my discomfort. He said Jay will explain everything during my honeymoon, and to just have patience with him.
I couldn’t say no to that man’s pleading expression. The way Darnell wields guild, he could slay any dragon!
“We’ll arrive by early evening at the latest,” Jay said over to me, causing me to look away quickly. “We couldn’t book in earlier, but we’ll have a week there, so I’ll be nice to spend time together,” he continued, shooting a look my way. He smiled sheepishly, then glanced back to the road. “I’ve booked one of the nicer hotels, but, well, you’re fine with sharing a bed… now, right?” He questioned me.
I had promised Darnell that I would try to get along with Jay during our vacation, though I hadn’t intended to keep my word at first. Though now, after learning more about Darnell and Jay? I suppose I couldn’t break the promise lightly.
With a deep blush, I odder a shallow nod. “I’ll try,” I offered quietly. “I’m not sure I am ready for…” I trail my words off into silence.
“Oh, of course. I’ll keep to myself, as much as I can,” Jay offers, shooting me another quick look. “Ah. What I mean is…” he hesitates. “Well, for me, my emotions are pretty hefty. It’s difficult for me to hold back.”
“Hrm,” is all I offer at his words. I can tell he is trying to mean well, but the way he words things makes me anxious. I trust Darnell just enough to know that when he says Jay won’t force himself on me; then he won’t. However, he also warned me not to push Jay’s buttons and lead him on. Something about the call of the mating ritual being strong seems to be his reasoning.
The hotel room was as delightful as I ever could have imagined. It almost felt like I had come back home to the lifestyle I was accustomed to. Not that Jay’s place wasn’t grand, but compared to the full life I had, it was like I had taken ten steps back. How he had so many funds was beyond me. Maybe he lived a more simple life so that he could afford to buy a wife. The only issue was having to share a bed with the man I held no care for. Though that was a worry for later on. Right now, he was following me around like a little duckling as I shopped. I didn’t have money of my own, so it was only natural I spent his money. I wasn’t going to at first; as I had no intention of being in his debt like my parents were, but when he had clarified that his money was mine and there was no catch, I figured why not make life at his place more comfortable? I tried to keep to things he could easily carry, but the number of clothes was piling up. Not once did he argue or deny me my s
As I expected this time of day, few people were in the park outside of joggers and the dog walkers. It was still warm enough that I wouldn’t need my coat, and seeing as I hadn’t picked it up when I stormed out of the hotel room, that was a good thing. I wasn’t sure how long I should give Jay before I would crawl back to him, but I wanted to make him worry about his ‘lost investment’ for at least a bit.I couldn’t stop the slight sigh that escaped my lips as I slowly travelled down the path. Why had I been giving him such a hard time again? I had thought it was just so that I could have a reason to divorce him, but now I was feeling upset about not being cherished by him at all. Had I caught feelings for him?“Ugh, no way,” I muttered to myself and shook my head swiftly. There was not a chance in hell that I had any feelings for such a man! He was too pathetic and sickly sweet.Passing by a sm
The sound of growling and fighting startled me after I had resigned to my fate. I was crying in the branches of the tree and hadn’t noticed the arrival of yet another, larger wolf. That was until I heard yelping come from below me. Looking down from my spot, I wondered if this new wolf would be the one to finish me off and if it would be a swift or slow death. What I didn’t understand was why the wolf was fighting the others. Wasn’t it part of the same pack?I watched in shock and horror as the larger of the wolves fought the small group of wolves off. It seemed to take forever, but finally, it was the only one remaining. I wasn’t sure if this was a good thing or a bad thing. On one hand, this wolf looked stronger, faster and likely had the jumping ability to get me from where I was sitting. On the other hand, there was now only one wolf.I wasn’t sure if I could outrun it, but maybe I could di
After Jay has turned back into his human-self and gotten dressed again, we both get back to our hotel room. I stay silent the rest of the way, as I am far too tired and just want to warm up again. I’m sure when I wake up after a good night’s rest, everything will turn out to just be some weird dream and I won’t remember any of it. Or that’s my plan, anyway.Jay keeps me warm with his jacket, even after we get into our hotel room. He also runs a nice hot bath for me, all the while babbling on and on about packs and roles within them. I don’t understand half of it, unfortunately. All I can do is nod my head slowly to show I am listening. Though I’m not following along at all. There’s just too much to take in. As soon as he has finished drawing my bath, he rubs at his neck sheepishly. He can probably tell I’m too tired and confused to let all this information sink in.“Sorry,” he mumbles at
The next morning, I woke up in a slight daze. It’s a little too warm and uncomfortable. It isn’t until I am pulled closer towards a warm body that I realise Jay is clinging to me from behind. I find my face burning hotter, but I can’t wiggle free without waking him up. I glance back over my shoulder and gaze at what I can see of my sleeping husband. Surprise washes over me. That he is so comfortable being this close to me while asleep is not anything I am used to experiencing. It’s almost like he cherishes me somehow. I’m not sure what to make of this closeness between us. Part of me wants to get out of his hold, but another part of me thinks it feels nice to be held this way. Even my parents have not held me in such an affectionate way. I decided to allow Jay to sleep like this a little longer. He looks so peaceful and happy in his sleep, so disturbing him now would be such a shame. I’m not sure ho
“So, how did your honeymoon go afterwards?” Darnell questioned with a big grin on his face while we walked through the resort grounds. Jay and I had returned this morning, and it almost felt like he had known something had happened before he had even been told. I couldn’t figure it out. It didn’t matter in the long run, but I was curious about how he seemed to know.I offered Darnell a smile and then asked, “before or after those crazy wolves showed up? Or should I say werewolves? Either way, crazy things!”Chuckling, Darnell nodded. “Yeah, that happens more often than I’d like. We get into fights often with other packs. I suppose we will have to keep you out of our scuffles, as they can get really bloody at times,” he murmured.I blink up at Darnell and then nod slowly. “I didn’t know being a werewolf would be dangerous. Why do they attack others?&rdq
The sound of snarling and howling fills my ears as soon as the fighting starts. I can just about see the rival pack on the outskirts of the forest and, from what I can see, they’re not a small group at all. There are easily twenty individual wolves out there, and that isn’t counting any that have come from the other directions into the resort.I bite my lower lip anxiously. I feel so powerless to help the people here, but I know going out there would only put me in danger. Unlike those that live here, I am no werewolf. I can’t transform and fight in another form and I certainly wouldn’t know how to fight in a human form either. There are no guns or anything here either, not that I would know how to use one of those, but the point is moot as I have no training to use one.All I can do is hope and pray that this rival pack backs off without too much bloodshed on either side. Holding my hands up to my chest, I watch as the fi
As I make my way over the rooftop to the other side, where there is a way down, I hear the Alpha smashing open the bedroom door at last and slamming into the chest I put in the way. He curses, but I don’t stick around to find out just what he thinks of me. I want nothing to do with this crazy man or his pack that wants to hurt others. I almost slip on a spot on the roof, but quickly gather my balance. “Goddess be damned!” The Alpha calls as he realises I’ve left through the window and onto the roof. With a glance behind me, I just about see the top of his head as he searches for my location. It doesn’t take him long to realise where I’ve gone, but I’ve no intention of allowing him to catch up with me. I quickly lower myself from the roof onto the metal fire-exit steps on the side of the building and dart down them as fast as my feet will carry me. “Damnit, woman! Get back here right now!” The Alpha demands of me. He still hasn’t learned