Run With Me

Chapter Eleven

Terri missed Kirk. A lot. She hadn't seen or heard from him since Sunday when he took her sledding and then for lunch. He had gotten under her skin with that simple act and the intimate moment on their final run down the hill. It tore her up inside. She liked him. He was smart, funny, not intimidated by her intelligence, and he didn't treat her like she was going to break. Or like she was any different from another wolf.

But he was an alpha of a successful, well known pack. He couldn't have a Luna that didn't shift. That wasn't whole. He deserved so much more than she had to offer. His constant presence and efforts didn't mean anything. At least, that's what she kept telling herself.

It was Wednesday and the first thing Terri had thought of that morning was Kirk. He was the first thing she thought of when she woke up and the last thing she thought of when she went to bed. As she tossed herself into her seat in the lecture theater, she was pulling out her notebook as a familiar scent caught her attention. Her wolf perked up and started pacing as she looked around the stage below her. Kirk wasn't on the stage, but Terri could swear she felt he was nearby. That earthy scent that was so much a part of him was wafting past her. Trying to be calm, Terri watched each person file into the hall, secretly praying that her senses were wrong. She hadn't had any word from him in three days. Mentally snorting to herself that she should stop getting her hopes up. He was gone, and it was for the best.

"Get settled class, we have a guest lecturer today, so please get seated," Terri perked up. There had been no guest lecturer scheduled that she was aware of. As the volume of the students started to dial down, a familiar figure walked up to the lectern, only this time, he was stressed in an expensive suit.

"Kirk." Terri whispered his name involuntarily. Only even as the breath left her lips, she saw Kirk's head turn to look at her. As his eyes met hers, she saw the smirk on his lips. Terri realized that she had been missing him more than she wanted to admit to herself. Her eyes were fixed on him as he walked up to the professor.

"As a special treat," the professor leaned into the microphone on the lectern, "Kirk Hanson, CEO of Clearwater Industries, is here to talk about the progress currently being made in the field of bioelectrical integrations." Enthusiastic applause echoed around the room as Terri watched Kirk pick up a wireless headset and turn it on. As he looked back up at the students, he looked directly at her and grinned wide. Terri's breath caught and she realized this lecture was going to be long for more than one reason.

Terri had not experience physical attraction before, she had been more focused on her studies and work. The odd date she went on had only resulted in her politely thanking her date and leaving the restaurant or coffee shop alone. Now, however, the sound of Kirk's voice reverberating out of the speakers was so intoxicating that the only thing Terri could think of to keep from squirming was transcribe his every word. It was seventy minutes of pure hell. Finally, as he closed out his lecture, Kirk opened the floor for questions. Literally every female hand and several male hands shot up enthusiastically. Terri merely sat perfectly still and avoided looking at Kirk. She zoned out the questions and answers until the professor dismissed everyone, remaining in her seat while everyone else filed out.

"Ms. Waller?" Terri's head snapped up and saw Kirk standing above her with the professor, "I have been told that you would be more than happy to give me a tour of the campus," He gave her another charismatic smile and Terri felt herself blush. She had become so accustomed to his presence, that his absence had made her experience something she never thought she would ever know. Lust. All Terri could do was nod mutely and shove her books back into her bag. The professor said something, but it was lost on Terri as she finally looked Kirk in the eyes for the first time. His grinned turned wolfish as he gestured for her to lead the way.

***Terri threw her bag across the living room when she got home that night. Late. Very late.

"Everything okay?" Michael came out of the kitchen with a half eaten sandwich in his hands.

"I need to go for a run," Terri bit out. She felt like she was crawling out of her skin. Kirk had been in her space the entire time she was showing him around campus. He even followed her to her classes and sweet talked his way into sitting in an observing. Terri could barely focus on school because all should could think about was how he smelled. And the sound of his voice. By the end of the day he had a permanent smirk on his face and all Terri wanted to do was roll in the snow to try to cool herself off.

"Do you want company?" Michael was deliberately keeping his voice low and calm. Terri stormed into her bedroom, snapping a terse no over her shoulder. There was a moment of relief as she stood naked in her room. She was loathed to put clothes back on, even her favorite tatted running pants and jacket, but she needed to burn off the excess energy from being turned on by Kirk's presence all day. And since he had insisted on driving her home, his laughter as the obvious discomfort made the short drive a completely different level of hell. Terri groaned as she tugged her clothes back on, but she needed to get out of her house. Her head. Her skin. Even alone in her room, she could hear every time Kirk had whispered 'little raven' still echoing in her ears.

The park was empty, the sun starting to set. Terri took off up the trail, ensuring her footfalls landed on the well worn path before her. She figured that if she ran hard and fast, she would burn this off before her alpha stalker showed up to overwhelm her senses again. Even as she thought back over the day, she was secretly glad that he had paid attention to her. Every other female in her program had approached him, along with several others on campus. And he had steadfastly declined each and every one of them with polite disinterest. Kirk had only looked at Terri all day. The tension between them could have been cut with a knife. Or a swift bite from the jaws of a wolf.

Terri felt her wolf stretch out inside her as she hit a punishing stride. Even though they had never shifted, she could feel her presence. The running helped them both stay grounded and connected. And now, they both needed the release running gave. Each foot fall, each gasp of breath was a release. She was so focused on the act of running, that she didn't notice the second runner racing towards her.

"Hello little raven," the sound of Kirk's voice broke Terri's stride and she whipped around so fast that she slipped on the packed snow. Strong arms shot out and caught her pulling her into his chest. That was too much for Terri. She brought her fists up and slammed them into his chest and pushed against his grip. When he held her fast, she dropped her head onto his chest.

"Stop! Please!" She cried, hot tears running down her face, "I can't handle all of this! I have always known that I would leave once my degree is done, I've been so sure of my path. And now," she looked up into his grey eyes, "my brain and body are so confused. What are you doing to me?" Terri tried to blink the tears away while she waited for a response.

"Because I wasn't expecting to find you either," Kirk raised a hand to wipe away the tears. Terri jerked away from the warmth of his hand even as her body screamed for her to lean into it, "I realized the moment I met you who you were and I have struggled to find a way past the walls you have erected to keep the world out."

"Well, you need to stop," Terri tugged out of his hands and stepped back, "I can't be what you want. And I'm certainly not what you need."

"Isn't that for me to decide?" Kirk inched forward towards Terri, not wanting to lose the distance between them.

"No," Terri shook her head, "I won't let anyone be dragged down the way I have been," the tears slowed as she breathed her resolve, "I have no wolf. I am not a whole human either. You are a pack alpha. Your luna needs to be whole and strong." Her words caused Kirk to growl.

"I don't believe for a second that you don't have a wolf," Kirk reached out and grabbed Terri again, "I don't believe the lies you have been fed your whole life. I see you, Terri Waller. I see the raven that took to the skies even when others put you in a cage." Before Terri could react, Kirk lowered his head to her lips and kissed her.