Atonement - Book Four (Man x Man)

Chapter 23

I push him out into the hall, closing the door firmly behind me as I hear the frazzled commentary start. Take that, you pompous prick. I wait, watching as the wolf paces and tries to settle himself down. I hear the grumble in his throat, the silent commentary of talking himself off the ledge and out of the danger zone. Gradually, I extend my hand, he pauses to lay his ears back at me in warning; but, if there is one thing I'm sure about- one thing she can't take from me, is the way 'Alpha' feels for me. 

I've never been able to understand the infatuation the wolf possesses for me, maybe it was my ability to prove myself to him or the fact that I'm so important to his human side. Maybe this was what my father had been hoping to create- I stop myself, what Corina had been hoping to create.  Carefully, I stroke his shoulder, realizing now I'm the one who needs the comfort.

 The small sigh causes his body to soften, it makes me relax. I find myself admiring his sense of right and wrong. "You hate that piece of filth just as much as I do..." I know Gerasim provoked him, probably intentionally. 

He lowers his muzzle so I can stroke the top of his head, running my fingers through the silky fur. I watch as they fade into his dense coat, so plush the closer I get to the skin. The rumble in his throat brings the tiniest smile to the corner of my mouth, an affectionate tone that says he's sorry.

"You did well," I reassure him, receiving one wag of his tail in response. "You are protecting people, Mr.Balan might be a fan but he seems rather ignorant of who is has surrounded himself with."

 The wolf rolls his eyes and noses me away from the door, encouraging me to walk. I assume he wants me to go to bed and stay out of trouble. I extend my hand and he walks alongside me quietly, it's strange to think there are two beings sharing one consciousness and yet, I've found that I really enjoy my time with both of them. 

Alpha is a simple creature, he sees in black and white, right and wrong. As much as Verando wants to believe he's the bad guy, Alpha has an intense sense of justice and it's hard to not appreciate his sense of duty. I'm just glad I was able to stop him before he brought judgment down on our naive mayor.

"Tomorrow I'm going to talk to Mr.Balan about your contract, I need you to behave around Gerasim. If I can do it, surely you can, right?"

He's not talking to me, he seems to be staring off into space. 

Snapping my fingers, he blinks a couple of times and I can tell Verando is back. I sigh. So much for working that out. "Are you ok?"

"I'm fine. Just tired." I can tell by the angle of his ears that he's not fine, they're back still, and the look on his face is conflicted; at least as conflicted as a wolf can appear. 

"You didn't hurt anyone, I stopped you. Your welcome." I tease, hoping to lighten the mood. He exhales but says nothing, not in the mood for my games it would seem. I pause in front of my door and shift awkwardly, expectantly waiting for him to change but he doesn't. "Are you going to sulk for the evening?"

He shrugs. "No." So that would be a yes.

I glance at the door then at him, "Come on. I think if you stay a wolf I might not freak out and try to freeze you to death." I note the hesitation but, as I knew he would, he reluctantly follows me into the room and I close the door behind him then lock it. A habit I've picked up since my capture.

I feel like a child who snuck in a friend as I quickly change out of my civilian clothes and into my pajamas. Climbing under the satin sheets, I watch him from across the room. 

"Do you know how hot this is going to be?" He reluctantly grumbles.

 I make a face at him, he can't be serious? My mind buzzes with a flurry of intentions and then I manage to embarrass myself by misreading his meaning.