Solstice Howl

02

Carter continuously barked orders at me as I doused myself in the scent-concealer. Though, it would be hard to completely camouflage a scent from a mate, it is possible. Our two healers had concocted it five years ago and since then, we've all been required to wear it by law. I strapped my holster for my silver-laden gun onto the loop on my pants, then placed my silver-coated knife into the holster of my ankle.

To our knowledge, werewolves have only two weaknesses that can kill them, silver and mates. Silver poisons their blood stream and knocks them dead within the first twenty seconds they come into contact with it. That is why it is forbidden in the outside world, it is why we've spent years hunting and making it.

Though, none of us have successfully managed to kill an Alpha's mate, we've tried, and got killed on numerous occasions because of it. Alpha's are the pack leader; the sole authoritative leader, the bastards are too arrogant to have another pack member with any ounce of authoritative blood, for the Alpha's would challenge them and the reciprocant would most likely lose- and die.

I tied my hair into a tight bun at the nape of my neck in case one of them attempts to yank my hair, one of my many weaknesses. My scalp has always been very sensitive.

"Mya, are you even listening to me?" Carter yelled, gripping my shoulders and giving them a shake for good measure.

"Of course I am!" I wrenched his hands off of me and slipped on the sheath of arrows over my back, clutching the bow in sweaty palms.

"I don't think you understand the dangers of this mission," He patronized, adjusting my gun holster so it won't fall off, "I love you, Mys. And, I refuse to let you get hurt. So you need to listen to me-" He cupped my face and peered into my eyes, and I peered back into his dark brown ones, "Stay close to me. Grab all the supplies you can and do not make eye contact. Okay?"

My eyes wavered from his, uncomfortable with his eye contact and our close proximity. "I love you too, Carter. I'll stay close." I promised, the uncontrollable urge to bounce on my foot unrelenting. I need to move, I need room.

"I don't think you understand Mya, I love you." I'm not naïve to the fact that he's professing his love, but I put up the facade of confusion to get out of this awkward ordeal.

"We've been over this." I tried to grin in humor but it came out as a grimace.

"When this is over, I want to-" he cleared his throat, "I want you to-to-"

"I get it," I interrupted him, biting my lower lip in shyness, "Yes, I'll be your-." His eyes sparkled and he leaned down until our lips connect, interrupting me. His lips are slightly chapped and moderately thin. Yet, it wasn't an un-pleasurable experience, it felt familiar, like home. Carter and I had kissed once before, when I was thirteen and him sixteen. We'd been each other's first and only kiss to this day and while the kiss four years ago was an accident, this one is anything but.

He didn't attempt to stick his tongue in my throat like the other girl's my age described their kisses to be. It was like our lips were molding together in perfect synchronization. When we drew back for air, he caressed the side of my face with the pad of his thumbs and dropped another kiss on my lips.

"Th-that was-"

"I know." He smiled, taking a step away from me, "It was supposed to motivate you to stay alive." My finger smoothed over my lip, his lingering warmth quickly fading.

"Hell of a motivation," I muttered, adjusting my clothes and smoothing over my hair.

"I hope you know that I plan on asking you to marry me after this," He called over his shoulder while walking away, jokingly- wait, I hope jokingly.