Coyotes: Denis

Chapter 15: Uninvited

   A little over a week since seeing each other at the festival, I had a lesson with Benoit. He had sent me a letter with the plan.

   I knew that he hoped for it to be a partial date, and a partial lesson because he wanted to teach me how to set up a camp. To me, it sounded like a good excuse to have a night under the stars.

   I made sure to bring two packs, each sitting on my back and hip respectively. One was for food, and the other was for any change of clothes I needed to make.

   I was cleaning up breakfast when I heard the wagon coming down the street. It seemed strange to bring a wagon on a hunting lesson, but I trusted him to know what he was doing.

   Butterflies began to flutter in my stomach. No one knew that I had my heat. But now that I was a full-fledged adult, if I was going to imprint on Benoit, it would be in just a few moments when we saw each other. I ducked inside the hut to put away the clean dishes and procrastinate the inevitable.

   Would he still care about me if he knew what had happened the night of the festival? I guess if the Gods made us a couple, he would have to. But that didn't mean he would still /love/ me. If he even loved me now.

   My mother went out to meet with Benoit while I gathered my things. I was excited to go, until I was just inside of our front door. Then, I heard more than two voices, and the excitement left my body.

   I felt my breakfast coming back up, and ran to the bathroom as fast as I could. Anders voice was unmistakable from where the three of them mingled out front.

   As I lurched, I tried to wrap my head around how the two of them could know each other. Thinking back on that night, I had briefly mentioned Benoit. He seemed interested in the name, but I assumed it was just because he was my boyfriend.

   Shady fucking bastard. I stared into the toilet, and bit back my frustration as I poured what was left of our bathwater into the bowl to flush it.

   I brushed my teeth again, and scratched at the back of my neck with anxiety.

   Another night spent with Anders was the last thing I wanted right now. When I heard my mother calling for me, I had to be the bigger person and put on a smile for her.

   I was not prepared for what I felt when I walked into the light of day.

   Seeing Benoit had me starstruck. And, begrudgingly, I had to admit that it was similar to the first time I saw Anders. The two of them there, perched on the wagon, was like watching two beams of sunlight piercing the night.

   I had my mouth open, eyes wide, and the pack sitting on my shoulders had slumped to the ground where I stood stupified.

   Maybe Anders had been right. I felt an instant draw to them both.

   Benoit had a bright smile on his face. Maybe he knew what I was feeling. I couldn't believe that seeing me might make him feel the same way.

   My mother stood behind me, and placed her hands on my shoulders after a moment. It shocked me out of my stupor, and I jumped with a loud yelp.

   My ears flattened when everyone chuckled.

   "Denis, you'll catch flies if you stand there with your mouth open." My mother teased.

   I made my way over to the wagon, avoiding eye contact. I was nervous, and overwhelmed. The closer I was to the two of them, the more I wanted to fall into their arms and never leave. A night together was equal parts exciting, and terrifying.

   My face ignited in a bright blush when they spoke, but my eyes stayed trained on the ground.

   "Don't be nervous, Denis. This is Anders, he's going to be mentoring both of us today." Benoit reassured.