Elemental Wolves

{Chapter Fourteen}

Elian

They were apprehensive.

The wandering, but avoidant eyes. The nervous mistakes in their stances and techniques. The closed off body language. The absence of almost all conversation.

They were all, without a single doubt, terrified. Most of them anyway. Some of their gazes held intrigue. A few others showed the tiniest bout of excitement.

In all honesty, they had every right to be. At least if I were them. After the things they witnessed, it'd be stupid not to in their eyes.

But I seek to change that.

I felt horrible about it. These were Teagan's packmates. From my time safe guarding, I've learned that packmates are like a family. And any outsider that posed a threat to it were more often than not met death. Blood or not.

Grayson on the otherhand, seemed to be in awe of my stature. But it wasn't what I wanted either. I wanted him to be in awe of me as a person instead of what I could potentially do.

I didn't want to be worshipped. I'm not someone who is much into gaining attention. Even back at home, I did my job and either went home or to my sanctuary.

Over time I learned to tolerate it through my responsibilities and becoming comfortable with the uncomfortable.

I want to be a regular person among them, but realistically, I'm starting to understand that isn't possible.

But it doesn't change the fact that it's something that I've always longed for.

I heard today the warriors were focusing on balance within themselves in terms of their magic. Grayson says that they all rely entirely too much on their wolves to fight.

Given their instincts, that's not all that surprising. They are wolves above all else. But I wonder if they even knew their powers can be accessed by their wolves directly.

There's a reason as to why the wolf and human counterparts are considered to be one in the same. But it's up to the human counterparts to grant them access to it.

That's why bonding with your wolf is so highly encouraged. Beyond the fact you share the same temple.

It's a different kind of bonding with your wolf and allows both parts to truly become one with one another.

Part of me was glad that he went to the back to talk with Dacota about whatever it is they needed to talk about.

This is a really good opportunity to put them at ease of my presence. I want to show them that I am not a threat to their livelihoods.

I want to do it on my own without Teagan trying to play both sides. That would only succeed in making things a bit awkward for all parties involved and I would never do that to him.

What? They think I'm holding Teagan hostage or something? That I came here just to force him to go along with being my pretend mate?

That's fucking offensive.

"Or maybe they think you're talking through him!"

Oh please, if anything, I'd rather be in him. But nobody wants to see that I'm sure.

Out of nowhere, a firm hand grasped one of my shoulders, ripping me from my lewd thoughts of my mate. My first thought was to blast him into pieces.

"So you're my son's mate? Up close and personal and much less, uh, territorial."

I turned around so I could shake his hand and greet him properly.

I understood enough to know that shaking another man's hand was considered to be a universal sign of acknowledgement, agreement, and mutual respect.