The Dominant Pair

Finally

He managed to twist in mid-air and so I landed on top of him, his arms tightly wrapped around my body. With a splash, we hit the shallow, freezing water and slightly submerged before he sat up, shaking the water out of his hair. I straddled him, met his gaze...

and started laughing my head off in the middle of that icy river.
"Y-you... oh my Goddess, did you... trip?" I snorted, covering my mouth with my hands to stifle the giggling. He tried to glare, but his lips curved into a small smile and soon enough, we were both laughing at our own stupidity.

It was a good moment. It felt... nice.

After a while, I took in a deep breath to control my laughter - though I nearly lost it again at the playfulness in his eyes - and sat up, gazing down at him with a grin. Damn, I got so lucky.

Then he spoke, and I nearly died at the sound of his deep, husky voice. He teased, that endearing smile on his face, "So, were you planning on getting up any time soon or...?" I blushed -  blushed! - as I realized I was still straddling him and jumped up, offering him a hand. He ignored it (Alphas never accept help to do things they could easily do alone) and got up, dripping wet and absolutely gorgeous. My inner teenage girl - whom I didn't even know existed until now - sighed at the sight of his shirt clinging to his abs and I flushed, still shocked by the connection that pulsed between us - alive and searing in its intensity.
And so we stood there, looking at each other, grinning like idiots.

Eventually, I cleared my throat and, nodding towards the river bank, asked softly, "Are we going to talk on your side of the river or mine?"
He smirked and started heading for the Night Wolf territories. I narrowed my eyes at him when he turned around to look back at me, the challenge clear in his expression. Don't think I'm brave enough to break the rules, do you? I'm not running away anymore. I splashed over to where he was and returned his smirk with my own. Then I poked at him. "Lead the way, Night Wolf. We have a lot to talk about."
I just hope we actually talk once we reach dry land. If anyone had warned me about how much I'd want to jump him, I'd have worn a chastity belt or something. Is this what it's like with everybody or just us?

I thought I saw another hint of approval in his eyes before he turned to face the Night Wolf territories and felt a pang. Without thinking, I reached for his hand and froze. What am I doing? He's a Night Wolf. Upset, I started pulling my hand back...
And of course, he grabbed it anyway and met my surprised gaze.

We'll figure this out. Trust me.

His lips never moved, but the sincerity I saw on his face combined with the fact that we were using telepathy already (I missed that in my 'I have a mate' haze) convinced me to do it.

Trust him.

We got to the Night Wolf shore and I resisted the urge to scan the area for Night Wolves, knowing my truemate would never set me up like that. Trust him.  My hand tightened around his before I let go and turned to face him. Looking him over once again, I bit my lip to hide my giddy smile. He's perfect. Perfect and mine.
"So... what's your, uh... pack position?" Stupid! I sound like some shallow bitch! I panicked internally as he frowned, his smile falling. "Is it important?" he asked carefully.
I held his gaze, frustrated by the subtle defense he'd put up after my question. Screw it. I held out my hand with a small smile and, confused, he took it. I sighed in relief as our connection brought the spark back to his green eyes.
"Yeah, it is important. I'm the future Alpha of my pack, sooo..." I need to know who's moving where. I watched his expression carefully. He didn't look surprised, but resigned. And slightly amused?
"Of course the goddesses would've given me an Alpha mate."
I tensed. Oh? What's that supposed to mean? Sure it causes more complications, but surely he'd be happy about being an Alpha? He's so dominant; how could he not? My wolf growled. She didn't like his reaction either. "Is that a problem?" I asked coolly, raising an eyebrow. I was suddenly reminded of what I'd told myself before: him or the pack.
I face-palmed with my free hand and groaned. I was not this stupid before I crossed the river.
"Of course it's a problem," I muttered, pulling my hand away from my face, "I can choose you and lose my pack or choose the pack and lose you. It's one of our biggest fucking problems." I heard a low growl and looked at him. He looked... frustrated, his eyes flashing. Haha, join the club.

"I wouldn't have blamed you if you had walked away. Nor would I blame you if you were to walk away now. In fact, I'm surprised you're here at all."
I grinned and took hold of his other hand, then pulled him closer.
"I wasn't going to come at first. But then my wolf convinced me that now I knew you were out there, I was never going to stop wanting you. And she was right. I would never have been able to resist the chance to know you. To see you again, at least once." I shook my head ruefully. "And after that one time, I would've gone again and again and again... each time convincing myself it would be the last time."

He kissed my forehead. I closed my eyes, savoring the feeling of his lips against my skin. I think I could learn to love this person.

"I'm so glad," he murmured, not moving away, "that you have no self-control."

I slapped his arm and he laughed, moving away. I couldn't help grinning in spite of myself.
"As if you could've resisted this," I teased him, running a hand down my body. His eyes followed the line my hand had drawn down my body and the look on his face when they retraced their path back up to my lips was searing. "No, I don't think I could've," he said huskily. My heart quickened as his stare landed on my lips... and stayed there.
I could barely believe my own ears when I heard myself say in a voice that I had never used before, "Then stop resisting and take what you want." Now I've done it.

Thank Luna.

His eyes flashed a hot green and he took a step towards me. This time, I took a step back. He frowned at me and I laughed, flushed with anticipation. What, did you think I would just give it to you? I'm an Alpha, my truemate. If you want me... take me. I'm not gonna make it easier for you.

With a wink, I changed into wolf-form and sprinted away. I heard his howl and smirked inwardly.

Time to play.