Snowridge's Secret (Book 1)

5 - Freedom & Fur | Part 1

Alexi - POV

"Kiss me, Elijah."

My lips tingle as my skin heats. I hold my breath as he grows closer to my face. I close my eyes as his warm breath and woodsy scent envelop me. I wait anxiously to feel those soft lips on mine, but nothing.

Everything is cold and dark.

I look around, and I spot Xander. He's actually standing in his werewolf form instead of laying down for once. But something is wrong. He's not looking at me.

Xander. I call as I walk towards him. He doesn't respond.

Then I hear his voice.

Go.

I freeze as it sounds, almost sad. I go to speak again, but just as quickly I open my eyes. I gasp as the light blinds me, and my senses return.

"Hey. Are you ok?" Devon asks as I grab my chest. I look around, realizing that we are just pulling up to the lake where the cabin is.

I sit up, and I give him a reassuring smile.

"Uh. Yeah." I choke out as i shift my legs, realizing I have a bit of a problem. "Just a weird dream."

I look up as I hear laughing from the front of the car just as we park. Jimmy's melodious laugh echoes through the car. I frown, not understanding what's so funny. But before I can ask, he turns in his seat and answers me.

"Sorry. Sorry." He chuckles as he rubs his nose before speaking again. "It's just if you didn't wake up, we're going to have to roll the windows down soon."

I flush brightly and open my door, exiting the car. I huff as I hear everyone laughing loudly as they get out, as well. My face heated up even more as I walked to the now open trunk to grab my bag. Before I can escape, Jimmy wraps me in a hug, scenting my neck in a gesture of apology. I frown as I let him finish.

Wolves are very family oriented. We live off our bonds, and we maintain them through marks and scents. Oftentimes, you see friends and family scenting each other in common acts of bonding. Humans usually just see these as a usual hug or touch, but if you look closely, you will notice fingers rubbing wrists or cheeks rubbing necks. Mates and family take it even further.

We have several areas that we scent. The cheeks, neck, chest, wrists, the public area, and the ankles. For example, Jimmy is rubbing his cheek into my neck. His fingers rub into my wrists. Our scents mix reaffirming our pack and friend bond. Ensuring I know there was no ill will in his words, calming us both and reassuring our wolves.

I sigh at the calming scent. He has a maple type scent mixed with a fresh breeze. It's soothing. I turn and press my nose into his neck. He lifts his head as I scent him. It might look strange to others, but the closer you are with someone, the more often it occurs. My older siblings often scent me every day before school, and my parents scent us at night before we go to sleep.

As I pull back from Jimmy, I wonder if Elijah's family scents him? Then I realize I'm thinking about that damn annoying human again and turn to grab my bag.

"So, are you going to tell us what that steamy dream was about?" Devon asks. I glare at him and walk ahead. Earning more laughter.

I sigh as we all start walking to the cabin. It's owned by the main pack, but the sub-packs are welcome to use it. It's a beautiful two-story log cabin style home. There's eight bedrooms, two kitchens, and three bthroom. Along with a deck that extends to the water of the now frozen lake. It thaws in the summer. There is also a hidden basement that is reinforced.

As the cabin has more than a recreational use.

We use it for first moons when a human has been mated and turned by a werewolf. The change can be painful and terrifying for them, and the basement has reinforced walls and doors. We also use it for housing rouges seeking asylum until they can integrate and for young wolves who have trouble with their shifts, such as a wolf that's too strong or won't settle.