Chase (Chasing Tails Rewritten)

ThirtyTwo - Intimacy

 Julie sits in the living room on a lounge chair next to the window. Dresden's wolf hide is wrapped around her shoulders and she holds a hot cup of tea in her lap. The house is eerily quiet with most of her pack mates sleeping away their night duties. Others are outside, in the terribly freezing weather, searching for any sign of Trisha's scent or laying the ground work for whatever their Alpha is planning. Julie hasn't heard any new information except that the messengers that keep trespassing are passing on their own Alphas' encouragement and support, telling Dresden and the others that they'll be there if they're needed. So far, no one has come forward with a claim that they've been attacked by red-eyed Alphas. Only her pack and Ollie's sister are the targets and Julie shivers whenever she thinks about that.

Dresden hasn't returned since early this morning when she and Jack returned from Miranda's. Nina, after briefly waking up for a snack, told her he'd been out all night so she knows he'll be exhausted and easier to annoy when he does return. But she's told herself she's going to talk to him even if he comes back bloody thirsty and angry.

Outside, winter has started to hit them hard. Temperatures have dropped to the low thirties and ice has formed on slick surfaces. The threat of snow has come and Julie has seen some softly falling for a short while. None of it stuck and it lasted for mere moments. From inside, she can't see any kind of creature moving about, telling her that most of them have already gone into hiding or hibernation. The trees have closed in on themselves, leaves long gone and bark stripped off of tree trunks. Julie finds it comically disturbing. Just last night, she was enjoying warm temperatures with blooming flowers and lush greenery at Miranda's. She can't say she's not jealous of the witch being able to manipulate nature's seasons like that.

Dresden shuts the door behind him as he enters from the front of the house. He needed a break after running for so long and food sounds way too good. He crosses through the long dining room, entering into the kitchen where he grabs his share of dinner from last night that he didn't eat. He doesn't bother heating up the chicken pasta and grabs a fork, digging in as he leans against the counter. His eyes gazes around the kitchen until they come to the door that connects to the living room and he sees his mate.

She leans against the arm of the lounge chair, facing the window. Her head rests in her hand with her hair falling over her shoulder and his wolf hide is wrapped around her like a cocoon, keeping her warm and cozy. The sight of her makes his heart ache. She looks so serene though he's more than sure her thoughts are heavy. But it's been so long since he's really looked at her in a moment like this, he can't help but just stare, ignoring his cold food.

Her hair has gotten longer. Still disheveled and layered messily around her face, the dark strands are pulled to one side in a disorderly braid but it allows him to see more of her face and focus on her gorgeous umber eyes. They stare off into the distance, not noticing him watch her. She blinks and with his heightened sense, he watches as the lids slowly close. Her long lashes brush against her cheek teasingly before they open again. Her skin is glowing in the winter's light. The pale, pearly tone looks smooth and blemish free. He can hardly notice the bruises anymore. If he hadn't known they existed, he wouldn't have been noticed the slightly darker shade of her skin near her collarbone. To anyone else, they're completely gone but he can still see them. He's just glad they're healed. They just need to fade now.

Her tongue licks the remaining tea juices off of her pink lips. Dresden can feel his wolf pacing inside, knowing that it's almost time and he himself feels anxious with the thought. But first, he has to make sure thing were clear between them.

Setting his food on the counter, Dresden makes his way towards her. She hardly notices a thing until he's nearly right next to her. Startled, she looks up at him with a jump and then sets her tea on the window sill.