Crossroads

The compass will always point north

Song : Valerie June - You Can't be Told

I didn't know if the sun coming from the windows or I just had enough sleep was the reason why I had awoken but I was curled up in these heavenly sheets, in the middle of an enormous bed and I wasn't getting up just yet. I had to process last night's event and the minute I walked out of this room, I wouldn't have the privacy to do that.

My body felt different with this new added smell that came with the mark on my neck. We all had our primary scent which came from the pack in which we were born to and it had its origin from the environment each pack was situated. My home was near the sea and it had been my family's home for many generations, from my father's side. The Atlantic white cedars were dominant in the area, ingraining their DNA into our wolves and the male gave his offspring the first scent, recognizing them as his own with the right to belong to the pack. The second came either from the mother or another female member of the immediate family which could mean several generations back. Last but not least you would have a trace of your mates scent, the second one of his. You would never lose your birth given gifts even if you joined another pack, your acceptance would come through blood and the Alpha. Since Ian was an Alpha, his claim killed two birds with one stone, allowing me a temporary entrance to his pack and a bond in the making.

My wolf was also lazing around, content with last night's events. His wolf was her match and she was enjoying this new feeling of connection that we acquired last night. I liked it as well and I believe that my actions during and after the marking showed it a little too well. I have never felt passion build up so fast and strong before. With Mathew, my one and only human boyfriend, we had explored certain levels of intimacy but I was afraid of letting myself go free in case I got too lost and accidentally scratch him with long talons or worse bite his neck a little too deep. Plus my wolf wasn't so keen on the idea and I always took her feelings into consideration. Since I didn't have anyone else before him, I didn't know exactly how to handle a male's wolf's sexual appetite, having avoided them in a romantic sense for the better part of my teen years. They were intense, territorial and highly active even with their girlfriends, it just magnified when they mated. It was not frowned upon to have sexual relations with others before your mate but like in most societies, men were still men and they valued their mate's pureness. Some even insisted on it and denied a mate which was very hypocritical in my opinion since most of them already had experiences but not all wolves were raised in the same social structure. Basic principles were the same but it varied through the regions. I hadn't stayed celibate because I thought I owed it to my mate, it rather just happened. I was beginning to understand the difficulty I would face in the coming months if my compliance to satisfy his need and mine last night was any indication.

I got up, reluctantly I might add and headed to take a shower. Once the warm water hit my scalp, I sighed with bliss. I loved the water, the sea, rivers and lakes. Nothing could bring the hapineness that I felt when I was swimming. My mother joked about it and said that I should have been born a mermaid and not a wolf.

I trailed my fingers over my mark. It was still a little sore but it didn't hurt. Its presence made me feel relaxed in a way. The first step had been taken. Now the compass pointed to the North, where his home was and the start of a mated life with all its perks and responsibilities.

I wanted to stay longer but I figured that it would be rude of me to have him waiting for me. I dried my hair and made a braid to have them out of my way through the trip and chose comfortable clothes as well. I stepped out of my door and noticed that the rug in front of it looked like it had a large imprint, like something heavy was on it for a long time. I looked more closely and it was in the shape of a...