>While Jacob excused himself to take care of an appointment on behalf of the Alpha Councilor and Xavier left for his business. I chose to go to Xavier’s place to rest for a while.I knew my father’s case was sensitive and I wanted to be close enough to reach the office within a few minutes instead of a couple of hours’ drive from my pack.After having slept a while, I decided to explore the territory of Blood Crescent, Xavier’s pack. Before I had never had the chance to travel much. But now that I was here and feeling restless because I had nothing to do as I waited for Xavier to finish his business and return home or office.I drove around for a while, going out of the elite areas where Xavier’s office and the building housing his loft were. I moved towards the middle class and poorer neighborhoods and was surprised to find the difference from my own pack’s such neighborhoods.There were no beggars or homeless as far as I had seen. So consumed by my adventure I forgot to

>“Don’t worry. I won’t tell him.” I assured her as she hugged me again and with a final goodbye left.I stood with more questions than before but I did not want to let it ruin my wonderful evening. Xavier walked towards me and I spoke as soon as he was close enough, “I would drop you home but my car still doesn’t have the fuel.” “We’ll manage.” He replied, the easy smile had not left him yet, which I was grateful for.“Say cheese!” Someone yelled from behind us as a group of teenagers from before suddenly lunged at us from all sides.Xavier’s arm was suddenly around my waist as he pulled me towards him and many pairs of hands went around our necks as someone took a flash photograph. I blinked surprised at the laughter that ensued.“You children, leave them alone!” Eva yelled from under the shed where everything was being kept for the night.“It’s fine, Eva!” Xavier called back as he smiled and she shook her head.One of the teens handed me something as they all rushed ba

>I don’t know what came over me when I requested to be painted but I had not expected Xavier to agree as readily as he did.“Kitten, I’m waiting.” I snapped out of my thoughts as I heard Xavier place his hands on my hips from behind and whisper in my ear, “I volunteer to undress you if you need help.”I felt tingles run down my spine as I nodded silently.If this were how it was about to go down, I’d rather have the full experience, right? At least, that’s what I told myself when Xavier started to remove all the fabric covering my body gently.He had agreed to paint me but on the condition that he would paint me naked. He reasoned that I was a masterpiece that did not need covering. I was skeptical but the way he was looking at me, he could’ve asked anything and I would’ve given it to him.As the snow fell silently outside, I stood naked surrounded by the heat from the fireplace and Xavier’s scent that had overpowered everything in the cabin.“Lay down, get comfortable.”

>It was a simple question. It took him a while to answer it.“My Grams.” He spoke deep in thought as his brush moved across the canvas. I stayed silent allowing him to say more if he intended to. He took a deep breath, glancing at me once in a while.“After my mother died. My Father entrusted me to my trainer. I trained during weekdays. And on weekends, I went to my grandmother’s home.” His voice was full of nostalgia.“Your mother’s mom?” I asked, curiously. He nodded in response.“She was so kind. Sometimes I felt like Mom hadn’t truly left me. During one of those weekends Grams said to me that I needed more hobbies than my Alpha training, school, and politics.” He stopped to pick up a new bottle of color and then resumed, as I listened reverently, “She took me to her art room. I had never felt more at home in a place before that. The colors, the patterns, everything called to me. I had to have a paintbrush in my hands or I would dip my fingers in the paint. She saw th

>When the sudden sound came, I instinctively clutched at Xavier. Somehow he had made his place in my subconscious as my safe space and when in need, my body reacted without my permission.We turned to see it was only a huge bird that had perched itself on one of the snow-covered branches around us.We shared a glance and almost laughed at our over-dramatic reactions. But he was looking at me with so much intensity. One look in his stormy grey eyes at such closeness always had this effect on me.I couldn’t keep the contact and looked away. Neither of us stepped away from each other.“It is so beautiful here. Like a winter wonderland.” I whispered. The moment felt too delicate.“It is even better in the Summer. I’ll show you when the lake unfreezes.” He offered.“I’d love that.” I smiled up at him.“The water is so clear, you can see the lake bed. It is a lot deeper than it looks. That’s when the swans migrate here from the Northern winter.” He told softly as if reminiscing