Flutter

Flutter: Vingt

Carl wondered how long it would take Nora to realize that he had stopped talking.

He had been animatedly describing to her the political changes that alpha, Desmond Tavera, had  brought about during the 1800s. However, the vacant expression on Nora's face hinted to him that she was not on the same page as he. So, Carl stopped in mid sentence and simply waited.

Apparently, his tactic was not working, for nearly two whole minutes passed. Carl coughed deliberately and Nora finally snapped back to reality. Her face flushed once she was aware of what she had been caught doing.

"Something on your mind, Nora?" Carl asked, looking at her over the top of his glasses. "Because, obviously Desmond isn't."

"Well..." Nora began, before looking down at her fingernails, as if they were the most interesting thing in the world.

"Come now. We're friends! What is troubling you so? Perhaps I can help."

Nora stared at him doubtfully, before blurting out:

"I need to know more about mating."

Carl's eyes widened and he looked at her, flabbergasted. 

"I beg your pardon?" Carl asked, straightening his already straightened tie.

"Carl, I know this is a odd question, but you're one of the most knowledgeable people I know. You must know all there is to know about mating?"

"Now, now, Nora. Erm, I do not know what exactly it is you want me to say." Carl replied, his eyes darting around the room - looking everywhere but at her. 

"I mean I know the basics, but what happens after two wolves have mated? What's so special about the full moon?"

"Ah. Hm, well after two mates have mated, they continue back to the lives they once shared, more or less. The hope is that the mated pair are already in a romantic relationship. It is diffidently more difficult for two wolves, after mating, to separate. The bond that results from mating - especially during a full moon - is incredibly intense. Now of course when people think of mating they think of the...err...physical...aspects. However, the mating truly occurs when the exchange of blood takes place. Either partner bites the other and at that moment the blood intertwines and the two are joined - unified through their life force. The sexual satisfaction is just icing on the cake and there's been successful bonds formed without intercourse. It just requires that the mating occurs under the right settings."

Nora couldn't help but blush and feel a little bit awkward but she understood. She also understood that Quinton was certainly looking forward to getting the icing on the cake.

"Our researchers have done brain scans and various tests and discovered that upon marking, both wolves receive a surge of oxytocin, a chemical that helps to encourage bonding. In us wolves, the marking also enhances several other abilities. It's different from pair to pair, however, there have been reports of mates being able to sense each other's positioning, share feelings, and at times, read thoughts."

"That's incredible!" Nora said, in wonderment.

"Indeed. As I said, these "side effects" do not apply to all wolves, and some do not experience anything at all. No one knows what stimulates these post-mating abilities, but it's due to a variety of factors. Usually, the closer two wolves are to one another, the more probability of gaining these abilities."

Nora pondered over what had been said.

"I am no scientist, but I know that the wolven body is one of many secrets and surprises. It's not a shock that the humans think of us as old myths, figments of the imagination. There is much to ourselves that we still don't know."