Wolfpack

The Deed

Emme was laughing. Her mind was firmly melded with Noah's, so her joy was his own. Her hair brushed against his bare chest like silk kisses, and he was hit suddenly with an urge to tangle his fingers in her hair and draw her back until her lips and neck were exposed to him.

He waited.

"This is ridiculous," Noah, she said, turning to face him. Her joy lit up her face. He gave her a firm flick on the back. She turned around, making a soft 'hmph' sound. He was immediately rubbing circles into the spot, erasing the pain. "I can guarantee to you that howling is not going to make my wolf come back."

"Guarantee?" Noah asked, raising an eyebrow. He could see clearly that she was confident in her assertion.

"Yeah, guarantee," she said, turning to face him again. He lifted his hand, and she caught it with both of hers. "If you flick me with that finger again, I'll bite it," she threatened. He grinned like a schoolboy. She couldn't hold onto her serious voice, and she erupted in laughter.

It had been three days since he left her with Ardyr. They hadn't spoken of the incident, and Noah was content to wait until she was ready to tell him. For now, he wanted to enjoy her company until the evening, when the first kidnapped female went into heat. He hid his grimace.

"If you wish your wolf's return, you must become a wolf yourself," he instructed wisely, pushing away thoughts of the gruesome in the light of Emme's happiness.

"Oh please," she snorted, rolling her eyes at him. "You sound like a life coach. Are you going to tell me to be one with my wolf?"

At this, she closed her eyes and placed her hands on the bend of her knees, making a low humming sound. Her hair fell around her like a cloak - it had grown longer. He couldn't help but reach out and touch the silky strands. She was enrapturing. She slapped his hands away, a mischievous grin tugging at her lips.

"Hey, stop, I'm becoming a wolf," she chided, mirth twinkling in her eyes. Noah smiled at this. Emme threw her head back and laughed. She sighed and pushed her hair out of her face when her laughter had released her.

"So, when are you going to tell me about the big-bad-thing that Cryo has you doing tonight?"

Noah was surprised. He rose an eyebrow.

"Who has informed you of this deed, vitago?" he asked, trying to mask the seriousness in his voice. Emme rolled her eyes, a habit that Noah was quickly beginning to dislike.

"Oh come on," Emme sighed. "I'm in here," she said, tapping at his temples. He caught her fingers and drew them to his lips before releasing them. "Besides," she continued. "So what if someone told me? It's not as if you keep my secrets from your friends."

Her tone wavered as if trying to mask her bruised feelings. She averted her eyes.

"What do you refer to, vitago?" he asked, reaching for her hand to trap it against his chest.

"You told Ardyr that I lost my wolf."

"I am sorry, vitago," Noah said earnestly. He had no stronger words to express his regret. "I consulted with Roux about your condition, and Ardyr was near. I should've been more discreet."

Emme just shrugged. She looked lost in thought for a moment before she turned her heavy golden gaze onto him.

"Is Ardyr alright?" she asked. Concern was evident in her eyes. Guilt, too. Noah pressed her fingers to his lips. He wanted her to know that she shouldn't blame herself. It was his own ignorance and lack of foresight that put her in a bad situation. He was humbled by her capacity for forgiveness.