More Than Words

Chapter 11 - INSTINCT

INSTINCT (noun)

1. A natural or inherent aptitude, impulse, or capacity

2. A way of behaving, thinking, or feeling that is not learned

3. A largely inheritable and unalterable tendency of an organism to make a complex and specific response to environmental stimuli without involving reason

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Cole

"That little group of yours is not so little anymore," my dad Varian says to the group of us gathered around the kitchen island picking at the buffet assortment that was prepared for us for lunch. My mom, dads, Beta Runidar and his nephew Arrow, Xander and his son Griffin, and I are the only ones here today. Ember is working, Calla is probably sunbathing, and Rhys has disappeared once again.

What started out as private training with family and close friends has grown slowly over the years. Recently, though, Arrow and I have been welcoming more and more people — wolves, to be precise. Today we had so many people show up that Arrow and I actually had to split them into multiple sessions.

My wolf is still vibrating from the energy generated by being around the group and training with them. He's been growing increasingly restless, and sparring only temporarily placates him. Being around Evan is the best balm for the restlessness, but even when I'm with her there's this underlying current flowing beneath my skin. And it's growing stronger with every passing day, every hour.

It's driving me insane.

So I spar, and I run, and keep myself as busy as I possibly can, filling as much of my day with Evan as I can. If I stand still too long it just makes me itch for her, for the way holding her against me helps my mind be still, for the way she smells and tastes. The way her body melts beneath me with every lash of my tongue across her slit.

Before I grow hard in front of my entire family I shake away the memories of the weekend and shrug at my dad, "I haven't really noticed, I'm not exactly keeping a roster."

Just then, three male wolves who are close to coming of age walk through the kitchen. Curiously, they walk right past my mother without bowing, as is customary in front of the Queen. They don't even acknowledge her presence.

"Good afternoon, Alpha," one of the boys greets my dads — or dad, singular, because they say "Alpha," not "Alphas."

The other two give me this half up-nod gesture that looks more like they've got a stiff neck than anything else. Maybe I truly am going insane.

"Apparently that's not the only thing you haven't noticed," Beta Runidar mutters with ill-disguised amusement.

My mother's eyes lift briefly to find Xander and after a tense moment of sustained eye contact, he teleports out.

"Cole, you feeling okay?" My dad Varian asks with the confidence that comes from already knowing the answer.

"Fine, why?" I choose violence and lie to my father point blank. I'm not fine at all, I'm going out of my mind. But what counsel could he possibly offer?

"You've been training a lot more. Have you noticed an increase in your stamina and strength?" My father Ro asks this time.

"Remind me, Cole," Beta Runidar says, "how did the wolves today know to come to training? Did you have a formal sign-up?"

"Excuse me, Alpha," Arrow interrupts politely and my fathers and I all respond "yes?" at the same time.

"Sorry, Alphas, I meant Cole," he clarifies before addressing me alone. "You have a phone call, did you want to take it?"