Nature's Destiny (6 page)
I waited patiently as I watched the hands of the clock on the wall tick by. Food Network barely captivated my attention, and I vibrated with nervous energy ready to answer the door. Riley was on his way.
My final shift at
The Hybrid
had flown by. I’d gotten in for eleven and prepared my tables ready for the lunch crowd as normal. There’d been a steady stream of customers, and I was grateful because it always made the time fly by.
By two o’clock, Lee had prepared a little send off. I didn’t mind, until he involved the entire pub into wishing me a happy trip and goodbye. I hated being at the centre of attention at the best of times. They raised their glasses, engaged me in some speeches and then I was given the go-ahead to leave early.
I was a little emotional at saying goodbye. I hadn’t loved working there every minute, but after three years it had grown on me.
While I gathered my belongings Lee handed me my final payment cheque, and by then tears had welled in my eyes. He’d hugged me goodbye and placed a small gift box into my hands, and I opened it immediately.
The box held a white, compact, digital camera. It was beautiful and sleek and fit perfectly in my hand. He’d wanted me to remember the journey I was about to begin, and I’d promised him I’d use it. It was the perfect gift.
I was reluctant to say farewell after that. Lee had been a great boss, and I couldn’t have been more grateful. His generosity was humbling.
After thanking him for the millionth time, I walked out of the pub as a free woman. Well, as free as I was going to be.
I’d finished early, and that meant I’d had extra time to kill. Between showering and dressing I still had plenty of clock-watching to participate in. I
hated
waiting.
I hadn’t stopped thinking about Riley since the day we’d met, and last night I’d dreamt about him again in his wolf form.
His big emerald eyes stood out from his jet black fur. His coat was sleek and shiny, and it was a perfect portrayal of his health. As a man he was extremely handsome, but as a wolf he was remarkable.
He stalked towards me while my feet stayed rooted to the ground. He’d called me to the woods, and the night intensified my senses. I couldn’t feel my feet, and a numbness took over my body. I locked my eyes onto his, and stared into his soul.
I wanted to be trapped in the moment forever. Any thought of running away had long ago dissipated. The air shimmered around him, and he was close enough that I could feel the heat of his transformation brush against my face. It was intoxicatingly electrifying.
He stood before me as a human, and a gorgeous male at that. I reached out to touch his chest, and felt his muscles ripple under his clothes. He wrapped his arms around my body, and lifted my chin to tilt my head towards his face. I parted my lips and took a deep breath.
He leaned in, and his hot breath danced across the surface of my lips. He kissed me, brushing his lips softly against mine. I melted in his arms, and returned the kiss, giving him entry to my mouth.
His tongue was like melted chocolate, sweet and delicious. Passion clouded my mind and I couldn’t get enough. I wanted to feel every inch of him. He kissed me with more force, and before I was ready he pulled away. I woke up soon after feeling frustrated.
The door knocked and pulled me away from my reverie. I composed myself before opening it, and banished all thoughts of Riley-induced lust.
“Afternoon, Luna.” Riley smiled at me, and my heart melted. He was better looking than I’d remembered, my thoughts and memories hadn’t done him justice.
He wore a tight black top that showed off his enormous arms, with dark navy jeans and tan Timberland boots. My mouth salivated at his yumminess.
“Hey, guys. I’m glad you came, it means you can do all the heavy lifting.” Nick and Shane chuckled as they followed Riley inside. “I take it you came in a car this time?”
“Of course. I thought you might need the extra space for your stuff,” said Riley.
I was grateful for his consideration. “I’m mostly packed, but I was wondering if it’s OK to bring my iMac?” I asked. I didn’t want to leave it behind when it was the biggest tool of my writing career. I didn’t know what was ahead of me, but I wasn’t going to miss out on an opportunity because I hadn’t brought it.
“Sure, there’s plenty of room for it. You’ll just have to make sure these two don’t plaster their greasy paws all over it first. Especially Shane, he’s a tech geek!” said Riley.
Shane mockingly hit him on the arm, and Riley playfully pretended it hurt. I couldn’t help but smile, they were such jokers. It was going to be fun living around them.
“It feels weird leaving all my valuable things behind,” I said as I scanned the living room. Though I would have been travelling, I would have still come home at the end of my trip, today I was actually moving out.
“I wouldn’t worry too much Luna, I’m sure that finding a renter won’t prove much of a challenge. You have a lovely home.” Nick and Shane nodded their heads in agreement as they surveyed my house.
“You could always bring this bad boy TV if you want? Stick it in my room?” Nick raised his eyebrows at me. What was it with boys and technology?
“As tempting as that sounds, I think I’ll pass. Unless, of course, I need to bring it?” I asked Riley. I had no idea what was going to be provided for me.
“No you don’t need it, your room already has a TV,” he smiled again, his boyish charm winning me over.
“Hard luck, Nick,” I shrugged, secretly pleased.
“Oh yeah, I can see how torn up you are about it,” he whined.
“Shall we load up then?” Riley cut to the chase.
“Yep. I have a few heavy suitcases upstairs, and some boxes lying around. My car is in the garage, and you can bring yours in too just in case.”
“Nick, you go get the car, Shane and I will start loading Luna’s Evoque.”
“When you get close enough to the garage door it’ll automatically open,” I said to avoid confusion.
“Does it do that for all cars?” Shane asked.
“No. The sensors are sensitive, but I have to flip a switch from inside before it allows someone new in. I have a button programmed into my car, it’s all high tech and snazzy stuff that I really don’t understand. It was my dad’s idea, he insists on the latest gadgets when it comes to my safety.” I rolled my eyes to emphasise the dramatics my parents went through.
“He sounds like a wise man,” Riley agreed.
Nick left the house, and I led Riley and Shane to my bedroom. “You know Luna, this is a lovely home,” said Shane.
I was proud that I’d worked hard to achieve everything I’d wanted, and comments like Shane’s made it worthwhile. I was bittersweet about leaving.
Between the three of us we managed to carry everything in one go. I was already getting used to having strong men around. I barely felt a sweat as I watched them do all the heavy lifting.
As we walked into the garage, Nick popped the boot open to my car. “Sweet ride, Luna. How’d you get it?”
“Birthday present,” I smiled. “Parents. Safety. I think you get it,” I rolled my eyes again. “I like to work hard to afford things for myself, but my parents have control issues. Saying that, when I first saw this car I didn’t mind. It seduced me with its power.” I blushed as I instantly thought of Riley. The parallels were uncanny.
“How’s it drive? Performance up to scratch?”
“Like you wouldn’t believe. It’s amazing,” I said. “And the best thing? When the guys at Uni see me get into it they leave me alone. Apparently, men don’t like it when a girl has more money than them,” I joked.
They rolled over with laughter, and I watched as their bodies heaved with the motion. I was glad I hadn’t offended them. As Riley regained his composure he kept his eyes on me like he was trying to work something out. I didn’t know what.
I led the way back into the house, and motioned to the rest of the boxes I’d stacked neatly, ready for loading. “Do I need anything from the kitchen?” I asked.
“Nope. Our kitchen is big enough, I’m sure you’ll find everything you’ll need,” Riley smiled. He’d said
our
kitchen. Did that mean I was staying
with
him, and not a place of my own within the pack?
“Are you guys thirsty?” I asked before I completely forgot my manners. “Oh, gosh! I’m so stupid!” I smacked my forehead. “There’s food in the fridge that’s gonna need to be used. Should I pack it or dump it?”
They looked at me like some crazed person.
“We’re guys, and we’re Werewolves, and you’re talking about throwing food away? Are you nuts, woman?” said Nick. “Point me in the direction of the kitchen and I’ll sort it out!”
I hadn’t realised food was such a big deal. I showed him the way, and then went to the study.
“How you doing with all this?”
“I’m fine, Riley. I’m excited and scared. I’m not very good with meeting new people. I’m just glad I know you three already. Otherwise, I think it may have been too much.” There was something about Riley that always made me feel relaxed.
My iMac was the last thing I had to pack. I bent over to reach for the cables, disconnecting them before wrapping them neatly into an empty box.
I turned at the subtle sounds of Riley’s movement. He was leaning on the doorframe with his arms crossed over his chest, watching me. My skin pulsated with the force of his gaze.
He cleared his throat before picking up the conversation. “The pack is like one big family, and you’ve gotten on well with Nick and Shane. Between the three of us looking out for you, you don’t need to worry. I promise.”
I nodded in response, I knew he meant it. I carefully padded the screen with bubble wrap, and lowered the computer into a box, terrified of dropping it. It wasn’t cheap after all.
I sealed the lid with tape, and Riley took the box and led the way back to the kitchen.
“Nice to see you didn’t waste your time in here.” I smirked at Nick and Shane as they chomped down on sandwiches.
“We packed first, but all this food made us hungry,” Nick shrugged. Sure enough they’d done what they were supposed to. It seemed you could rely on a Werewolf when food was involved.
“Right. I’m just gonna make sure I have everything and then I’ll meet you in the garage,” I said.
I walked upstairs and cast a sweeping glance over it all. Everything was neat and tidy just as I liked it, and the same could be said for downstairs. I grabbed my keys, and checked that all the doors had been locked.
I breathed in deeply. It was time to leave.
“Is that a Ford Kuga Titanium X?” I asked. I hadn’t paid attention between all the packing, but now that I saw it I couldn’t keep my eyes off of it. It was black and beautiful, and reminded me of Riley’s wolf.
“You know your cars, Luna. I’m impressed!” said Riley.
“Yeah, I love Top Gear,” I confessed. “Is this the all-wheel drive or just forward?” I asked.
“All-wheel. What’s the point in having a four-by-four if you don’t get it that way? It’s kind of mandatory to have it anyway, and when it snows it makes a huge difference!” Riley’s eyes lit up as he spoke about the car, which I’d assumed was his. He was just as animated as I was.
“Nick and Shane are taking the Kuga, and I’m coming with you.”
“OK. The garage will only recognise the locking system as soon as I leave, so you’ll have to go first.”
“Cool. We’ll see you at your new home, Luna. Don’t worry, you’ll love it.” Nick hugged me unexpectedly, and so did Shane. It was weird, but I was already feeling like part of the pack.
I got in the car, and buckled in. I stole a quick glance at Riley as he sat in the passenger seat. I had him all to myself for however long the journey took, and it was the perfect opportunity to ask him some questions.
I pressed the garage door button on the navigational system, and watched it open. I started the engine, and waited for the Kuga to leave first.
Between the two cars there was plenty of room for my belongings, and I was glad because it had meant that I hadn’t over-packed. There was nothing worse than a stereotypical girl packing more than she needed to take.
“How long does it take to get to
Nature’s Destiny
?” I asked.
“Around an hour. It’s Sunday so traffic should be light.”
Riley flicked through the audio channels on the touch screen. It always amused me when people became addicted to checking out the technology in the car, but then it was pretty awesome. And I was just as guilty.
“How was work today?”
“A little sad. Lee gave me a present and I finished early,” I smiled.
“That was nice of him.”
We sat in silence for a little while. I didn’t feel like I needed to fill the quiet, and Riley was a great passenger. He was content enough to sit humming along with the radio.
“We’re heading West?” I asked as I turned right at the junction.
“Yeah, we have a big plot of land that’s surrounded by woods. I don’t want to tell you too much because I’d think you’d prefer to see it for yourself.”
I kept a safe distance between us and the Kuga as I twisted and turned around the winding road.
“Can you at least tell me something about where I’m staying?” I asked.
“You’ll be living in the Alpha house until we can get a place built for you. I have quite a large pack, and most of the pack mates have their own little houses or cottage.”
I listened intently, and soaked up the information.
“The Alpha house is the main premise. I live there, obviously, as does Nick and Shane my co-Beta’s. Shane’s mate Roxy, and my sisters Faye and Lara live there too.”
Riley had sisters?
“The house is always full of people coming and going. There’s never a dull moment.”
I was thinking about what he’d said when it dawned on me. Riley was the Alpha. My brain had clearly decided to take a vacation.
“Is that why I dreamt of you when I’d been bitten?” I blurted, forgetting Riley wasn’t attuned to my thoughts - that I knew of. “I mean, because you’re the Alpha? Was that another signal like when you tapped into my mind?”
“Um, no, I don’t think so. You dreamt of me before we met?”
Shit. Now I was embarrassed. I’d thought it was a part of my new wolf life, but apparently not.
Good one, Luna.
“You know what, never mind. I was on some prescription drugs then so maybe I was hallucinating or something. I take it you’re my Alpha then? What does that mean exactly?”
I was eager to move away from the subject of my dreams, I didn’t even want to think about what that meant.
“The easiest human way of explaining it is like being the boss. I’m the head protector of the pack, and it’s my job to look out for everyone. I deal with all the pack problems, finance, safety, business etc. As Alpha, I have a lot of responsibilities as well as extra abilities.”
Whoa! Riley seemed way too young to be in charge of so much.
“For instance, the pack has to do what I say. It is our law to obey the Alpha, or face punishable consequences. I don’t abuse my leadership, and I take my title very seriously.”
I didn’t doubt it, there’d always been an underlying tone of authority about him.
“I use my skills for the greater good. I’m a protector first and foremost.”
“So it’s like being the big daddy?” I instantly regretted the words after they left my mouth. It sounded
so
wrong. Luckily, he was laughing.
“I suppose you could say that.”
I decided to pay a little more attention to the road after that. I didn’t want to embarrass myself even more. I was on a track record with Riley. I didn’t think I’d ever made a fool of myself as many times as I had in such a short space of knowing someone. And to think he was my almighty ruler!
We didn’t speak for the rest of the journey. It was a pleasant drive, full of country lanes and greenery. I could see what Riley had meant about four-by-four’s being necessary. It certainly helped to see around the bends, especially when the road was only wide enough for one car to pass at a time.
I realised privacy was probably top priority to Riley and the pack. The roads were excellent for keeping people away. It was the type of road that put doubt in the driver, the kind that made them think they’d taken the wrong turn or driven too far.
We were getting close. I could tell as woods encompassed the road, growing dense the further we travelled. Riley was smiling at me like he couldn’t wait for my reaction. The Kuga turned left into a long driveway and I followed.
This was it. My new home.