Adventures In An Alternate Dimension Book 2

Chapter 62 - Blood and Secrets: Trusting the Unseen in a World of Fangs and Fur

Jaxton's POV

The scent of pine needles and damp earth filled my nose as I pushed deeper into the woods on the La Push reservation. The full moon hung heavy in the sky, casting an ethereal glow on the towering firs and cedars. This wasn't unfamiliar territory; I'd spent countless nights here, running with the pack, the rhythm of my paws against the dirt a primal lullaby. But tonight, the forest held a different kind of anticipation.

Morgan.

We'd been dating for a few months now, a secret romance blossoming under the watchful eyes of the reservation. He was unlike anyone I'd ever met – quiet, observant, with an aura of mystery that crackled around him like static. He was also a necromancer, a practitioner of a magic the Quileute's considered taboo. It felt wrong, keeping things hidden, but the fear of rejection, from both our families and the pack, was a constant weight on my chest.

Reaching the clearing we'd designated as our meeting spot, I let out a low whistle, the sound echoing through the silent trees. A moment later, a figure emerged from the shadows. Morgan. Relief washed over me, warm and welcome. He was dressed in his usual dark clothes, a worn leather jacket draped over a faded band t-shirt. His smile, though small, held a universe of unspoken emotions.

"Hey, Jax," he greeted, his voice a low rumble.

"Hey," I replied, stepping closer. We stood there for a beat, an unspoken question hanging in the air. Finally, I blurted, "This whole secrecy thing is killing me, Morgan."

He sighed, the sound heavy. "I know. But you know how the Quileute's and your family feel about my abilities."

"Yeah," I muttered, scuffing my boot against the forest floor. "But it's not fair. We shouldn't have to sneak around like this."

Morgan reached out, his fingers brushing against mine. The touch sent a jolt through me, a spark of electricity that defied the cool night air. "I know," he said softly. "Maybe... maybe we can talk to Leah. She seems..."

"Understanding?" I finished for him, a flicker of hope igniting in my chest. Leah Clearwater, the pack babysitter, was also my aunt. She was fiercely protective, but I knew she had a soft spot for me. Maybe, just maybe, she'd be willing to listen.

"Maybe," Morgan agreed, his gaze flickering towards the edge of the clearing. "But not tonight. Tonight, I just wanted to see you."

A smile tugged at the corners of my lips. "Me too." We stood there for a while longer, simply enjoying each other's presence. The forest, usually alive with the sounds of nocturnal creatures, seemed to hold its breath, creating a bubble of intimacy around us.

As the moon climbed higher in the sky, casting long, distorted shadows, I knew we couldn't stay much longer. The sun would be rising soon, and with it came the ever-present danger of being discovered.

"I gotta go," I murmured, the weight of reality settling back down on me.

Morgan nodded, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "Yeah, me too. But hey," he added, a playful glint entering his gaze, "how about next time, we bring some snacks? Make a night of it?"

I chuckled, the sound echoing through the silent trees. "Sounds good. Maybe I can sneak in some of mom's famous cinnamon rolls."

"Now you're talking my language," he grinned. We leaned in, a slow, hesitant dance that culminated in a kiss. It was different from anything I'd ever experienced – a meeting of fire and ice, passion and something deeper, a connection that transcended the boundaries of our different worlds.

Pulling away, breathless, I forced myself to take a step back. "I'll see you soon, okay?"

"I can't wait," he replied, his voice husky. With one last lingering look, I turned and disappeared into the night, the scent of pine needles and damp earth clinging to me like a memory. The path back to the pack house seemed longer than usual, each step a reminder of the secret I carried, a secret that, with any luck, wouldn't have to be a secret for much longer.