Forbidden |18+

XVIII: Heat?

XVIII: Heat?

It's dark outside still when I wake. Opening the curtains in Ulric's bedroom, I see that the sky is barely starting to lighten from beneath the shade overhangs. There's something alive this morning, many heartbeats are awake and outside, working for what, I don't know.

Releasing a sigh, I can't help but feel uneasy with the way Ulric notes about the hunter attack. It's a little surprising, to say the least of the hunters knew about both Ulric and I, yet as he had said, did they switch rounds, or was each shot meant to be lethal to either species?

I'm glad I'm far away from those problems.

Turning away from the curtains, I furrow my brows as I can feel Ulric's heartbeat outside of his office. Opening the door to his room and walking down the hallway, I come out to the living room. It's Ulric I see, sitting and leaning against the arm of the couch, his legs propped up while drinking the delicious smell of coffee and reading a book.

Ulric glances up at me and raises a brow before noting, "Growing bolder, are we?"

"Hm?" I furrow my brows before looking down at myself. My cheeks turn red, as even though sleep clothes had been bought for me...

...I still prefer Ulric's shirt and I'm standing in just my underwear for bottoms.

"I-I..." my voice trails off as my ears start to burn, turning to leave and return more presentable.

Ulric chuckles and replies, "It's nice to see you feel safe here." He pauses while looking up over the top of his book, "I'm glad you're not having to tiptoe around. I'm sure this is all a life-altering adjustment for you, as it is for the entire Ancient Pride Pack."

"You're okay with me like this?" I ask with curiosity as id have been reprimanded for ever venturing out of my room without being descent.

Ulric takes a sip of his coffee before reminding me, "Nudity in itself isn't something taboo for werewolves. It's not as sexualized as most species would take a first glance at one another."

"If you like me though, I..." oh that wasn't how I meant for it to sound.

He arches a brow and lifts himself off the couch. Ulric closes his book and sets it on the coffee table, walking a few steps toward me. He regards me briefly before stating, "So, you like to remind me."

Ulric trails his eyes over me before he glances away and heads toward the kitchen. My heart is beating fast, slowly allowing the embarrassment to wash over me. As I do, I look out the living room window and see others...building?

"What's going on this morning?" I ask curiously, hearing Ulric set his mug down on the countertop near the sink.

His reply startled me at first, "Members of the Ancient Pride Pack have been ordered by Alpha Ernouf to construct and install fully-shaded areas of the territory," Ulric pauses briefly as he walks around the bar top counter. He then adds, "Alpha Ernouf wants you to be able to participate with the pack once you've mastered your sleep schedule. As you are giving the night to day for us, he is accommodating your progress and drive."

Someone...someone is catering to help me grow as an individual where my blood could not. It's overwhelming at first, unable to reply.

"It's very kind," is all I manage to muster together, again, not used to being helped this much.

Ulric stands quiet for a moment before he turns to me and asks, "Would you like to be my assistant for the day?"

"What?" I question, thrown off-topic as I look to him.