Weres

55. Hurt

Marley caressed the forehead of her mate's wolf, making him purr. Her back was rested against a tree, whereas the werewolf was lying with his head on her lap and eyes closed. They were in the same meadow where Eden had first changed into his wolf for her—and also where they first kissed.

These days they hardly spent time together. Their attention and energy was demanded for more pressing matters. So copping few moments in each other's company felt rewarding to both of them.

"Shouldn't you be more active instead of lying here like this?" Marley said, tickling Eden's snout. "Maybe, I should throw you a stick or something." She grinned as the wolf side-eyed her. 

Eden closed his eyes, getting more comfortable in his mate's lap and ignoring her playful attempts to provoke him by tickling his ears.

"Lazy dog." Marley slumped defeated before going back to stroking his head.

Beep! Beep!

Eden internally groaned at the despicable sound coming from the watch wrapped around Marley's wrist, telling them their time together was almost over. He didn't want to leave his mate so early to go for the run. Didn't they just get here?!

"Didn't we just get here?" Marley repeated his thought out aloud. She looked at the wolf's downcast face and gave his head another pat. "C'mon, let's go."

Eden very slowly and reluctantly complied and got off her. Marley too stood up and turned around, making the wolf roll his eyes. After all the things she had done with him, this prudish behaviour seemed very unnecessary, especially now when Eden knew the girl was quite a temptress in the bed.

After shifting back and putting on the shorts, he walked up to her and playfully rubbed her head from behind, messing her hair.

"Eden!" Marley cried, turning back. She swatted his hands away but they kept coming back, continuing their mischief. "Eden!"

"What were you saying? Throw me a stick," the werewolf taunted, throwing back her words and laughing as she made futile attempts to get rid of his hold.

"You jerk." Marley couldn't hold back her own chuckle as Eden kept ruining her hair.

Soon, his fingers' rapid movements calm down to gentle caresses and his hands slipped down to cup her cheeks. Marley grabbed the back of his neck and pulled him down, connecting their lips. The werewolf responded with the same eagerness and not even a second later the human found herself pushed against the tree and his body all over her. The memory of their first kiss in the same position made it even more savoring.

"I don't want to leave," she said as Eden broke away the kiss, moving down to target her neck.

"Neither do I," the werewolf whispered in between the kisses. Marley moaned as her fingers tugged at his locks, encouraging him to continue.

But a few minutes later they pulled back, reminding themselves of the responsibilities that awaited outside their little bubble. They headed out of the woods hand in hand. Eden kissed his mate on cheek before jogging to the other side of the territory. Marley too went back to the pack house, greeting several pack members on her way who were heading for their weekly run.

As she reached upstairs she saw Jared standing outside her room. He looked in a hurry.

"Hey," Jared said, meeting Marley's confused face which made him come straight to the point. "I needed to talk to you. Alone."

"O-okay. Let's go inside."

"No." He immediately refused. "Believe me, you don't want your mate to find my scent in your room. I don't want to give him anymore reasons to hate me. In fact, standing here is risky. I hope my scent dims before he returns."