Waiting For August

Part 62 ~One too many Alphas

I knocked. Feeling uneasy. Not sure if August would answer. I knew he was here. At least his car was down in the parking lot. It was getting late. I should be at home taking care of the pack, but here I was, and I couldn't imagine myself anywhere else in this moment.

On the drive over, my mind kept going over what I'd previously said to him. How I'd threatened to mark him this moon. I told him he didn't have a choice. At the time, I'd been annoyed. I was now regretting that more than anything—especially after his assault, when some freak had attempted to do just that.

The door cracked open. Green eyes peeked out at me. He'd left the security bolt in place. Uh-oh. Did this mean he was expecting me?

"Hi." I leaned into the doorway, peered into the space made by the door. I could smell his wolf. It called me. He had showered too. I could smell soap and shampoo.

"Hey."

"Full moon tonight." Might as well cut to the chase.

"Yes."

"You can't stay here."

"No."

"Not enough time to make it to Henry's."

"True." He began clenching and unclenching his fist in that nervous way that he had. I reached through the gap and grasped hold of his hand. Smothered it with my own. Felt the energy swirl between us.

I decided to offer a truce. Meet him halfway. "Why don't you let me help you pack a few things for the weekend. We don't have to make any decisions we aren't ready for. Just come with me. Be safe."

August nodded. I felt sweet relief wash over me. I'd been afraid that he wouldn't come. That he wouldn't want to be near me. I let go of his hand so that he could unlock the door.

As it swung open, I got to see the rest of him. He was wearing blue jeans, sneakers and a V-neck shirt with the sleeves pushed up. His hair was still damp from his shower, with barely a comb run through it. He looked tired, dead on his feet, but other than that he seemed well.

"I'm already packed." He informed me.

He wasn't kidding. His large suitcase and garment bag were on the floor just inside the door. His briefcase too, was sitting with them. Either he didn't understand the concept of packing light, or this was everything he owned. If I didn't know any better, I'd have assumed he was about to check out.

"Is this everything?" I didn't want to get my hopes up. I knew better with this guy.

"It is. Are you going to give me a hand?"

I nodded. Reached for the large suitcase. "You're finally checking out. Does this mean that you found a new place?"

I felt my jaw clench. Another year apart. I began organizing my life in my mind. Seeing him on the weekends the way I saw the rest of my family. Or else, sneaking out for a late-night, rendezvous and back by dawn. It wasn't how I wanted to live my life. The idea of being apart from him, even if I knew it wasn't permanent, left me feeling hollow. Was love supposed to feel this way? Shouldn't it feel safe? And whole?

"Yep." He was back to his monosyllables.

I forced back my disappointment. So, he'd taken the place that Hannah had mentioned. "Nice place I hope." I thought of that first crap unit he'd shown me.

"Yeah. Real nice place. More than I need, really."

"Ah." Suitcase in hand, I turned towards the door. I wasn't sure I wanted to hear anymore. I kept telling myself that at least he would be mine for the weekend. Three entire days. Three days of seeing him, smelling him, kissing him, tasting him, fucking him. Three days of laying with his body next to mine. Three nights of running free and pure and wild; unencumbered by the rest of the world.