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| REBECCA |
The absolute truth of the matter was Rebecca's face fucking hurt. She had barely been able to get her bearings and start to see clearly when she had heard Alcide running towards the trailer. His mind was full of fear and guilt at his hesitation but she did not see either of those things she only prayed he would not see her in the state she was in. She had dashed out of the house and around the side when she felt him pull into the drive and had prayed that the distraught Crawfish would distract him long enough for her to get herself together. She knew that if anyone from the crew saw her they would alert Alcide or at the very least Max and a much bigger deal would be made of this whole ordeal than she intended to let happen. She had chanted all the way around house and down the lane to the trailer hoping that it would work and no one would see her sneaking past, a bloody shirt stuck to the side of her head. Once in the trailer she went directly to the bathroom and looked into the mirror. Her nose was clearly broken and bent in the witches crook she had always feared ending up with as a child. The wound at her temple was deep and still oozing and if she was anyone else it would definitely require stitches. But Rebecca wasn't just anybody and there would be no need for sutures in her near future. She went about cleaning out the wound, the pain sending her reeling and once satisfied she sat on the toilet, put her fingers to her temple and concentrated on the mental image of a gash free forehead. Slowly the wound started to close and it was the slamming of her front door that made her loose her concentration and not finish the job. She let out a mighty wind of curses and wondered what her chances were of getting Alcide out of there without seeing her.
The tone in his voice the moment he came into her room told her that was not an option and she stared helplessly at her nose in the mirror. She had hoped to leave this part to Mason who was turning over in his grave with her emotions running through him but she did not have that luxury. She asked for strength and with one swift move snapped her nose back in its proper place. That act had indeed put her to her knees with a thud and she dug her fingernails into her thighs in the desperate attempt at not letting out a scream. Slowly breathing in and out her nose started to heel and right before Alcide burst into the bathroom she had managed to burst out of it. Her being nearly naked had stopped him dead in his tracks. All of the thoughts running through his head had vanished and he concentrated on memorizing the shape of her body. She liked feeling his eyes on her and watching him take her in made her weak in the knees. If he looked at her to long like that she'd be a big puddle on the floor. She had not had a man look at her like that in a long time and it made her tingly in all the proper places. He was appreciative and lustful at first and then when his big boy mind took over his thought process he became worried and consoling. And then his hands were on her and she no longer felt the pain. Just the increasing warmth of his steady touch as he slowly made his way round her bruised and broken skin. She longed to have those long tanned fingers touch every inch of her flesh and to always know the feel of his palm on her cheek. His hands were rough from years of hard labor but there was a gentleness in them that could never be hidden. The rough exterior armor Alcide had put out for the world to see was just a shell hiding the truth of who he was. A gentle soul who would walk through glass for those he loved and who often let his heart get the better of him.
Even in this moment with her he was lost. He shouldn't want to be here as he did having only known her a few days and he should still be angry at her for the other night but he wasn't. He was worried and wanted to take care of her. He wanted to hold her in his arms and keep her safe and if he was really lucky take the rest of her clothes off. She hid the smile at the last part of his thought by putting her head on his chest and she closed her eyes and listened to the rhythm of his heartbeat as his hands began to knead the flesh on her shoulders. She knew why she was here. Why he felt so right to her. She had waited for him her whole life. Dreamt of the day when he would come into her life and now the day had arrived. She had given up hope years ago and perhaps that was why his entrance had caught her off guard. She knew what he was from the very beginning and had felt herself drawn to him but it wasn't until she saw him in wolf form that she knew. Alcide had only come to her in her dreams as a wolf. A vision of what he looked like as a human child given to her by reaching into the wolves mind was all she had to go on and Alcide had clearly not been a child for a very long time. The field of green flashed across her mind. When her day ended and she closed her eyes she would go there to her special place and wait for him. When he came the world was right and she felt safe and whole. She wasn't even sure if he knew that she was real or if she even existed in his dreams. But every time he visited her she talked to him and he would lie next to her and listen letting her run her hands through his fur. As she grew the visits became less frequent and eventually as she brought new people into her life he was there only in the shadows. His brown eyes following her through the dreamscape. Her mother had told her her dreams were of her future husband and she had believed her until the day she didn't. Her Mother's choice was not the right one and while she had learned to love the boy her Mother said was of her dreams she had always known that he was not the one. Once she realized her mistake she went looking for her wolf. Night after night she searched for him but she never was able to recapture the tie she had before.
She had also been drawn to Bon Temps. After growing up cloistered she had never thought she'd want to know the inner workings of small town life again. But her Grandfathers voice called out to her from the pages of his journals and her fathers last wish to see Belle Vita brought back to life had made her need to come to this place and standing here in Alcide's arms she finally had the final piece that had been missing in her puzzle. The men of her past had found a way to bring her to her future. She knew beyond any doubt that this time,that this wolf was right. Another voice played through her brain, Mason telling her to be cautious and patient and content within the moment. Don't be impulsive love. All in good time love. Life is not a race love. Always on her shoulder. Always annoyingly right. She wanted to hold on to him and breath him in forever but knew that she had to let him go. The phone in his pocket broke their connection but his eyes still followed her and she glimpsed the change in his expression as watched her put on her robe.
With a brush of her hand to his skin she left the room and once out of his sight she pressed her body against the wall and took herself back. When Rebecca turned eighteen she had left home,well ran away really and made her way to Myrtle Beach South Carolina. Her life was at a crossroads. Daily fights with her mother mixed with a ever increasingly complicated love life sent her away in the hopes of holding on to the one thing she believed to be true. Her wolf had started to disappear and she wanted to find a way to keep him with her. She had heard of a witch who mixed spells into the tattoo work she did to make a living and Rebecca had hightailed it to her shop. When the artist finished her back was filled with a black and while portrait of a full moon lit field and the eyes of the wolf that followed her in the dark. Mixed in the ink was a spell that made it so only those eyes and hers could ever see it. She had seen those same eyes register and confirm it's existence and now with a deep breath she let go of the last lingering doubt she had. Destiny had finally caught up with her and it was time to see what the lady had in store. She was thrilled to find another door opened with the deliveries delay and she had extended her invitation to stay with her that night without thought of it's implications. She just desired to be near him. His hesitation had poked at her but she knew he had reason to be cautious so she did not press the matter. She had just walked by his side into the house and went back to work.
Hours had passed by since they had walked side by side into the house. In the kitchen a renewed Crawfish was singing along with her to southern rock classics and the events of the morning were if not forgotten put away to deal with at another time. It was getting late and most of the workers had already left for the day but Crawfish had insisted on staying and no matter her protest just kept working beside her. She knew he felt guilt about what had happened and now he was working through that by keeping his mind busy with the task at hand. He was a man on a mission and since she had no desire to stop herself she just kept at it both of them entertaining the other with witty banter and fits of laughter. Crawfish was quite the character and Rebecca found him to be quite bright and quick and more than willing to take her on when it came to sarcasm and innuendo. Somewhere in the front of the house Alcide stood watch listening to the two of them in unobtrusive amusement. He had been keeping an eye on her all day. Silently moving in and out of her space doing his best to not let her see him. He had been fighting the desire to accept her invitation to stay with her but as the hours ticked by it seemed inevitable that he would find his way to her that night. It was only when darkness fell that Crawfish agreed to take his leave and even then it took a hard shove out the door and a kick in the ass. She walked arm and arm with him to his car and took him by surprise when she pulled him into a hug and whispered a few gentle words to let him know that today should be forgotten by tomorrow. He had hugged her back lightly and a bit unsure and when he released her he smiled thinly and with a tip of his cap got into his truck and drove away.
Mason of course stood behind her having arrived as she came out of the house and once her attention was turned to him he came close and grabbed her up in his arms. He held her tight not at all worried that she would break.
" You all right?" she nodded her head within the safety of his chest and grabbed onto the fabric of the back of his shirt with both hands. For the first time that day she let herself shed a few tears and Mason shhhhh'ed her gently, rocking her back and forth. He loosened his hold on her and mentally spoke to her.
" Love we are being watched. Perhaps we should take this to your temporary residence." She to felt Alcide's eyes, most likely standing in living room window though she did not look back to confirm it. Instead she broke from Mason's embrace and took his hand as he lead her to the trailer. She worried what Alcide thought of what he had just seen but she knew that if they were ever to become anything he would have to learn to accept Mason and his role in her life. Alcide might be her future and her destiny but Mason, his guidance, his friendship and their past were interwoven into the fabric of who she was. They were going to be together in some capacity until her dying day. There connection was not a question. It was an absolute. He sat her down on the couch and she experienced De'ja' Vu as he to examined her face. But Mason's hands were cool and while they comforted her she did not feel the rush she felt when Alcide touched her.
" You are healing quickly but I don't think you got your nose quite right" He teased her. " That little maneuver made me cringe in my sleep"
She slapped at his hand but he grabbed hers in a blink and holding on to it he said " You must be more careful love."
His mind moved through old fears and predictions. She knew not to argue with him she just agreed to do her best. She then she spoke to him of her day. Filling in the blanks that her feelings alone could not convey to him and when she got to Alcide she found she had to start and stop several times to express what she was feeling in just the right manner. He sat and listened silently and when she was through he offered his words of wisdom and support. Mason could not deny everything that Rebecca had seen and felt in the last few days. He would continue to be properly guarded but if Rebecca believed Alcide to be the man from her dreams then he was. She had always said that he was still out there somewhere and for the first time in at least five years Mason saw hope welling within his friend. She had been shut down for so long and now the flicker of light had started to glow from inside. Mason had longed for her to find that spark again. He would do whatever he could to insure that it grew and flourished. She finished her tale and then took to rubbing the side of he nose.
" It still hurts?" he asked his voice tinged with concern. He asked if he could provide her with something other than a friendly ear.
Rebecca's eyes grew wide and she shook her head. " No Mason I don't think it will be necessary" she had never been one to rely on the healing nature of his blood.
" He will believe that you took it from me anyway" and his insight was right.
Rebecca had no intention of walking around black and blue on Sunday and there was no natural way her face would repair it's self by then. Alcide would surely attribute her quick healing to taking blood from Mason. So she could continue to use her newly renewed magic touch or she could take what he was offering. Mason was not completely trusting of her re-establishing abilities and would prefer she drank from him. She understood his reservations and since she had ones of her own she closed her eyes squared her shoulders breathed deeply. As her eyes opened she nodded her agreement.
He ran his nail across the flesh of his forearm and once the blood started to flow Rebecca took hold of his arm and drank. There was no passion or desire surrounding the moment and this was not Rebecca's first trip to this rodeo so once she got what she needed she pulled back and ran her own finger over the cut closing it soundly.
Mason watched with gentlemanly amusement as his own brand of magic began to take hold. " Now there is a face a thousands year old vampire can love" he said as he ran a hand across her cheek.
" Oh stop. The flattery falls flat with this face Mason Leary." She mocked in an attempt to diffuse the volitive nature of the moment. Blood letting was not something to be taken lightly. Not even between she and Mason. She hated to do it but it served it's purpose. Her face was healing and it also reinforced the bond between them.
" Alcide is still up at the house." Mason it was a statement and a clear cut move to change the mood in the room. " Do you plan on feeding him when he finally gets the nerve to come down here?
She hoped up from the couch " You can help me with that actually. I need you to get the damned grill going." He sent her a dig about helpless females and why not just use that little finger to start the damned thing but despite his silent protests he followed her out onto the deck and did as she asked. They were talking about the progress on the house when Alcide finally started to make his way down to the trailer. Mason and Rebecca continued their conversation even when they knew he was at the side of the trailer listening. His hesitation was two fold but both were caused by fear. One he was afraid of where tonight may or may not lead and two he was worried of what he would see between her and Mason when he rounded the corner.
Suddenly an evil grin crossed Mason's face and he bolted over the side of the deck heading toward where Alcide stood. WHAT ARE YOU DOING? she sent to his retreating back. She knew he intended to mess with Alcide by catching him on the side of the house. But Alcide either heard him coming or decided to make his move and the two men came within inches of colliding.
" Good evening Alcide" Mason greeted sternly.
" Evening Mason" Alcide's mind screamed busted but his body language and facial expression showed no intimidation to the vampire standing before him. They stood face to face virtually equal in size their bodies stiff and their minds alert. Two predators starring down a potential foe neither of them wanted to show the other any weakness. They had both been in this position before but not for the current reason. Mason wanted to be sure Alcide knew that he was always going to be there. Alcide wanted Mason to know that that fact would not keep him away. Men and their posturing Rebecca thought rolling her eyes. She said nothing though as she listened to the men exchange terse pleasantries and then move the conversation to a more neutral subject the construction. She listened to the men discuss the work of the day briefly hitting on what had happened in the kitchen. Mason of course had to hear the story from Alcide's perspective, her version could not possibly be enough. Once again she found she had to roll her eyes to the heavens.
When it seemed the conversation was winding down Mason took Alcide by the shoulder and lead him out of Rebecca's eyesight. It was a move made solely for Alcide's benefit. Rebecca heard every word. She expected it to be profound. She had expected his words to honor their friendship. She expected he would try to put Alcide's mind at ease and Mason true to form did all of those things. He did so with as few words as the expression would allow and then with his blessing sent Alcide back around the corner to her.
She waited for him by the stairs " So you looking for a place to lay your hat for the night mister?"
He reached her looking up sheepishly " Well duty calls and I'm a man who makes sacrifices for his work." he replied.
" I admire you commitment Mr. Herveaux. It is a commendable quality to have. Why don't you come on inside and get cleaned up while I see about making us some dinner." she gave him a warm and inviting smile gesturing with her hands for him to join her.
" You don't have to go to any trouble Rebecca." he said as he climbed the stairs.
She waved his comment away. " It is no trouble at all. I have have to eat and it would be rather rude to eat with out you and frankly you are in desperate need of a shower.
He gave himself a once over assessing his dirt to clean ratio and quickly came to the decision that a shower was very much in order. He followed her down the hall and into the bedroom. From the trunk at the end of the bed she pulled out what looked like a tank and pair of sweats. She held them up " I think these will fit you" and then placed them on the table by the bathroom door. " There are towels already laid out in the bathroom. I'll leave you to it. if you need anything just holler." She made her way past him and as she reached the kitchen she heard the shower come to life.
He joined her on the deck some twenty minutes later still damp and smelling of pine. She had just placed the steaks on the grill and gladly handed over the tongs and control of the grill when Alcide motioned for her to move aside. She brought him a beer which he took with appreciation and tipped the bottle at her before he took his first sip.
" These potatoes?" He asked of the football shaped foiled items on the grill. He didn't think they had a chance in hell of being done by the time the steaks needed to come off.
" Yes I nuked them in the microwave first and then wrapped them so they'd stay warm." He did a half turn giving her the do you know what your doing look.
" Don't give me that look. I know my way round a kitchen and a grill for that matter mister come along and take control of the grill cause that is men's work" she sunk down into one of the chairs she had on the deck took a swig of her own beer.
Alcide still at the grill held up his hands in surrender and with a chuckle said " I was just asking. No need to bite my head off"
She said nothing just kept focusing her steely gaze at him as he sat down on the bench next to her. She took a long slow sip from her bottle while Alcide hands on his knees watched. The longer the silence the bigger the deeply dimpled grin on his bearded face grew and soon the sight made it impossible for her not to smile back.
" You think your cute don't you?" she asked him.
His grin did not fade as he replied " It doesn't matter what I think. It only matters if you think I'm cute" he continued to stare at her waiting for an answer
" Oh I think" she got up from her chair "That your cuteness is undeniable" she said biting her lower lip.
He leaned back against the table propping himself up by the elbows. He was pleased by her response. The grin now expressed cockiness. Alcide wanted her to say more. She did not indulge him. Instead she stood and ruffling one hand through his still damp hair said " I think that since you are such a cute capable man you can watch after dinner why I go and get myself cleaned up."
" I can handle that, no problem boss." He tipped his beer to his lips and watched her walk to the door.
Rebecca showered and dressed quickly not wanted to leave Alcide on his own for to long. Feeling cleansed and refreshed she rejoined him just as he was placing the plates on the table. He had lit the torches and candles she had placed around the deck and had brought out and set up the cloth and table setting she had left on the kitchen counter The bottle of wine she had had chilling in the fridge sat in a bowl of ice (along with two beers) on one end of the table. He gave her a side glance as she made her way to the table.
" Your just in time" he waited until she was seated before taking his place across from her.
" It's lovely Alcide thank you" She was touched that he had gone through such effort.
" It was no problem at all Becca" She was in love with how the shortened version of her name came so easily from his mouth. A personal bit intimacy that was all theirs.
They chatted as they ate about the things people getting to know each other talk about. Their backgrounds, childhoods and families both skirting around the issues (and family secrets) and focusing on the high points . He asked her about the area she grew up in wanting to know specifics about the land. She chalked up his curiosity to the wolf inside wanting to explore woods he had never stalked. She asked him about the surrounding towns and where the best places would be to go for shopping and entertainment. Bon Temps was a small place and held little options in either category. They talked about their businesses, Alcide disclosing the difficulties he had been having the last year (minus the effects of his fathers gambling problem) and how much this job had changed their outlook. He was grateful the opportunity had come along when it did and Rebecca told him she was just as grateful he was doing the job. They talked about the house itself a bit more about it's background and it's future and Alcide listened attentively as she waxed poetically about one of her favorite subjects. When dinner was done the worked together in the kitchen, Alcide chasing the cats out from under his feet with flicks of soapy water from the sink. Rebecca fell into a fit of laughter as each cat keep returning alone or in tandem trying in vein to sneak up and past him to get to her. Saffy and Emmy were caught between being annoyed by the water and thrilled by the additional attention. In the end he let them win and giving them each a little massage under their chin as they purred contently. It was rather mild for the middle of August so they settled back outside Alcide in the Lounger and Rebecca in the chair with foot stool. After a bit of teasing from Alcide about the amount of stuff she had stacked into her tiny trailer she went in for the kill.
" So Alcide how is it that a cute hunk of a man such as yourself is not taken." she slapped her hand on the arm of his chair for emphasis.
He starred off into the distance and thought for a moment before he replied. " I was with someone until recently."
" You were together a long time?" she asked
He seemed to be mentally calculating his and Debbie's time together. " A couple of years" he said when he finished.
" You loved her?" she shifted in her seat so her body was turned to him.
" Yes I did" He ran his hand through his hair. " Some days I still do"
She nodded her head to let him know she understood that sentiment.
" What happened?" She already knew of course but wanted to see if he was willing to tell her.
" She became someone else and ended up with somebody else" He shrugged his shoulders as if it were nothing but she felt his heart take a bounce or two inside his chest. It took a minute for him to continue." Debbie got hooked on drugs. She became a V junkie and the person she became on it was a stranger. I would have forgiven her that. I'd have helped her through it but she didn't tell me. I didn't find out until after she left." Until after she cheated Rebecca thought.
He took a long look at her face and then reached across to touch the tip of her nose. He was thinking about Debbie and the road to ruin she ran down.
" Mason?" he whispered. It was not an unexpected question and while he was truly curious to know the answer it was also his way of changing the flow of the conversation. He did not like talking about himself. She of course had started the conversation and therefore had to accept where it lead.
There was no point in denying that Mason had had a hand in her speedy recovery. It was the natural conclusion. " Yes" she said simply.
" You drink from him often?" He needed to know she was not going down the same path as Debbie had.
" No it is a rarity" she told him. " But we do have a blood tie. He feels my pain and can not stand it. Between that and my vanity you get this" She ran her hand front of her almost healed face.
" He told me earlier that he had no claim to you." It was but one of the things Mason had said to him. He had told Alcide that he loved her and would be there to protect and guild her but that they were not destined to be together. He told him that Rebecca perfection was complicated but more than worth any mans time. He had told him that she was waiting for him and if Alcide wanted her all he had to do was ask. He had told him to not be afraid of what he was feeling or where it may lead. He told Alcide that no man lives forever and you shouldn't waste the time you are given. Alcide still had his doubts but it was the fact that Mason had taken him aside and had been frank and forthright that had sent him around that corner.
" No he does not" she replied.
" But he did?" Alcide knew the answer and the knowledge was not pleasing to him but asked the question anyway.
" Yes a long time ago and under the wrong circumstances. We were never meant to be lovers. We just got lost in each other for a while" she looked out into the night.
It was his turn to ask what had happened " We both lost something very important to us. People that we loved very much." she stopped for a moment and then with the resolve of a higher power continued.
" I was married" Alcide looked surprised "and five years ago my husband Christian died in a car accident." There was so much more to say about how he died but for now the end result of what happened was all that mattered.
"I was a widow at twenty-seven and I was devastated by his death. Mason did all he could to help me live through my grief."
Alcide's face registered his sadness for her loss. He went back to the image he held of her lying on the floor of the trailer. He know understood her breakdown. She had seen happiness in someone else and it had brought the pain of her loss back to the surface. He could understand how heartache like that could send you into the person closest to you arms. He started to ask her the next obvious question but she cut him off.
" A year later Mason's son meet the true death. In his many centuries he has made few vampire. Alexander was his favorite. He had stood by his sires side for centuries. When he died Mason and I collided. I do not regret that time together we needed each other desperately but we were never meant to be." her voice held the conviction of her choices.
" He clearly loves you" Alcide had moved to the side of his lounger and his body was facing hers his hands moving back and forth across his thighs. He was a bundle of nerves.
" Yes and he and I will always be friends and he will always be a fixture in my life." she tilted her head " Relationships between Vampires and Humans very rarely work." she should know.
" Unless the human is turned?" he questioned. Alcide wondered if she had ever entertained the idea or if Mason would have been willing to oblige it.
" Perhaps but that was not an option for us." Not that she hadn't given it much thought and contemplation but in the end eternity was not in her cards. " My Mother forbid it"
" Your Mother?"
" Yes my Mother is a powerhouse and none of the Vampires of our acquaintance would have never even entertained the idea of changing me."
A breeze kicked up behind her. Her Mother always knew when she was being spoken of. The air moving around her was a reminder that she was always there whether Rebecca liked it or not. She discretely sent the wind back in the direction it came Out of my space if you please. She turned her attention back to Alcide who was sitting his hands now griping his legs. He was staring at her but wasn't really seeing her. He was running the things she had just told her around in his head. He was thinking of his own family dynamic and the challenges that came with having a parent with unbreakable influence.
Alcide understood the power a parent could have over your life and the decisions you made within it. He knew that hold didn't necessarily diminish when you became an adult. He was bound to his father not just by blood but by the secret they both held and their obligations to the pack. Alcide stood by his father regardless of his faults. The appearance of unity and loyalty were extremely important in pack life. People with bad intentions were always looking for openings. Everyone fell in line and followed the rules of the pack but they also would love to have the power and control if reasons were given. Alcide was doing everything he could to keep the chip in his fathers armor from showing. Another huge part of pack life was secrecy. There were few humans outside of the pack family that knew and many Were's lived in secret even from their loved ones. Alcide was more than a little curious how Rebecca came to know Vampires and since the otherworldly were all aware of one another how much the Vampires she knew had told her about them. Mason was discreet and had never brought up the fact he was in the company of a Were perhaps out of respect for the fact Alcide had never treated him like a Vampire. The fact that he encouraged Alcide to go after Rebecca had to mean that what he was would not matter to her? He supposed he should just tell her or at the very least ask her out right what she knew. But he didn't. He didn't know how to just come out with it. He had made it through entire relationships without them every knowing a thing, he had been outed a time or two or it had just been matter of fact like with Sookie but he had never just come out and said honey I am a Werewolf is that going to be a problem?
Tonight was not going to be the first time for that either "Rebecca how is it you know so much about Vampires anyway?"
She sat silently still, looking over his shoulder toward the house. A few moments later she nodded her head slightly as if answering a question only she could hear and began to speak.
" Vampires have walked amongst humans since their beginning perhaps even before and until the revelation they of course had to live in secret. Most did little to call attention to themselves and moved around whenever eyes started to linger to long or when the whispers started to reach their ears. Of course there were exceptions to those rules hence the urban legends, fairy tales and almost a century of fiction but those who exposed themselves were usually taken care of rather quickly by their brethren who took exception to their folly. But much to a vampires chagrin they have limitations. They are relegated to the moonlit hours and have often had to rely on those who still have what they do not posses. Even those who have the utmost contempt for humanity have had to take the hand of a human now and again. My family are known as protectors. We have partaken in a symbiotic relationship with Vampires for centuries. Mason and his children came to my ancestors asking for shelter and it was given to them willingly and without fear. Mason had never known humans to behave as my family did and after so many decades of living in the shadows with little non- coerced by glamouring contact with humans he longed to know what it was like to be around people. So Mason went to the matriarch of my family and they entered into a pact. Mason and his children would protect the women and children of the village by night and they would protect he and his children by day. Mason has been a part of my family in some form ever since. Alexander to until he.... died." She put her hand to her mouth to hid the quivering of her lips and her eyes began to blink rapidly to fight back the tears.
" And now Mason protects you" Alcide said his voice was low deep and raspy.
She wiped away the tears that had managed to escape despite her best efforts
" Yes but that was not always so. After our losses I decided to break free from my family and Mason out of loyalty to his son" She smiled and gave a little laugh "And I'd like to think maybe just a bit because of his affection for me left as well."
She had been looking anywhere but at him as she told her story. Most of the time she had looked directly behind him to Mason who stood within the bowls of the house listening. It was hard for him to hear his son's name but it was even harder for him to feel the pain that Rebecca felt every time she said it. But it must be done, slowly Alcide must be made aware of everything, He needed to know her secrets in order to feel safe enough to speak to his. She turned her gaze towards him and looked him right in the eye. His thoughts of what was coming next and how it scared him that he knew. So much of what she told him felt like he had heard before. Each revelation made sense and did little to faze him. He had imagined he'd be at least a little bitter at hearing about Mason and Rebecca's history but he found himself remarkable calm about it all. For whatever reason he was not threatened by Mason he knew he could be trusted to do right by their girl.
He called her their girl she thought as she began to speak again choking on the first few words and having to start all over again once she regained her composure.
" When Alexander meet the true death a part of me went with him. It was he who looked after me as a child and as I grew the feelings of admiration and worship turned into something more. I became enamored with him and after I worked on him a bit he became enamored with me. Alexander was my first love." Alcide reached behind him and grabbed a napkin from off the table and handed it to her.
She took it with a nod of thanks and blew her nose. " I have always been drawn to complicated men." She was smiling lightly when she removed the napkin from her face. "Alexander was the forbidden fruit and a great challenge. I pursued him relentlessly until he gave in and for a while we were inseparable despite the obstacles of our differences. I was still very much in love with him and found it hard to let him go. He was still with me when I married Christian and even now I haven't let him go fully. Our relationship was tumultious but he was very good to me. It just seemed the circumstances were never right for us. I have many regrets of our time together." She stopped there and pulled herself forward in her chair. It was getting late and her head and heart were pounding. She had said so much and she was overwhelmed by it all she could only imagine how Alcide's head must be swimming with all he had to absorb.
" Perhaps we should save any further discussion about our complicated love lives for another night. Dawn will come quicker than you think and it has been a very long day"
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| ALCIDE |
Alcide gave her a wry smile and a nod. He was to tired to continue as well and was glad to have the conversation come to an end and have a few moments to be alone within himself. Rebecca's past was more than he had imagined and within her smile and the tone of her voice he knew there was more. But for now what he had heard was more than enough. They stood at the same time and Alcide put his arm out letting her go first. She breezed past him putting out the candles on the table with her fingertips as she went. He took care of the lanterns while she held the door open the light coming from inside keeping him from bumping into anything along the way. They argued for a few seconds about who should use the bathroom first but once he ushered a reluctant Rebecca down the hallway he sat down on the couch and closed his eyes.
His mind was full but he still found himself relaxing and before he knew it he had drifted off. When he opened his eyes he found himself back in the field from the night before. He was lying on his back on the blanket. It was dark and when he looked up he saw the night sky through human eyes. He sat up and looked around. There was no wind and the creatures of the wood were keeping their distance. He was alone. He laid back on the blanket. He liked it here it was peaceful and he felt at ease. He scanned the night sky trying to remember the constellations he had learned as a kid. He had been obsessed with Astronomy and like so many other kids he had wanted to be an Astronaut. How interesting would that have been he thought with a smile. A Werewolf in space. He didn't think it would have gone over very well. American hero's didn't shed their skins and go running through the woods on four legs but until his first change he had believed anything was a possibility. He didn't believe that now. He had lost all of the spirt of his childhood a long time ago. He had lost the hope of having a normal life. He hadn't given much thought of the dreams of something more since he laid his first brick. He been living alone within himself most of his life. The duality of his nature made it hard for him to be complete with anyone human or wolf. He wanted to believe that there was something more. That he could find happiness. He didn't want to be alone. Not any more. It was then that he heard her. Her voice was faint and far away but the touch of her hand on his sent him spiraling back to reality and when he opened his eyes again he was back in Rebecca's living room with her fresh faced and smiling above him. He blinked a few times and tried to focus. How long had he been out? He let out a yawn and stretched. His body was stiff and his joints cracked at his movement.
" You were out like a light" Rebecca's voice was soft and apologetic. " I didn't want to wake you but then I thought you'd feel every bit of this sleep stance in the morning." Considering how much he hurt already she had made the right decision.
" The bathroom is free. I'll make up the couch so you'll be more comfortable while you get cleaned up." She held out her hand and pulled him up off the couch. Damn he thought she is extremely strong. She must have seen surprise in his eyes for she grinned and teased him with a flex of her biceps. With a slap on his ass she sent him on his way. He waited until he'd gotten out of her eyesight before giving his cheek a rub. She had packed quite a wallop to. His eyebrow stood at attention as he thought of how much he had liked that smack. He wondered what he would have to do to get her to do it again.
In the bathroom he found a new toothbrush sitting on the edge of the sink. It figured she would have spare toothbrushes lying around for unexpected guests. He stood at the sink looking in the mirror as he brushed his teeth and thought of the day. He had learned much about the new woman in his life. More than most would want to know this early on. When he had arrived that morning he had feared for her and now so close to midnight he felt for her. She had started the conversation. She had listened and then she had let him direct where things lead. She could have kept him from moving the conversation away from himself. She could have kept most of what she had revealed to herself. But Rebecca didn't seem like the type to hold back when something was asked of her. She went to most painful parts of her life. He might not understand all her choices but did feel her pain. She had lost so much. He now knew what caused the sadness he saw in her eyes. He took one last look at himself in the mirror and hoped he didn't do anything to add to it.
He went out the side door and heard Rebecca in her bedroom. He peaked in the door the room the light from the hall illuminating a strip of the room. Rebecca stood at the end of the beam her back turned to him. Now clad in nothing but her tank and panties she didn't notice him as she sat down on the edge of her bed. Her hands gripped the edge of the bed and she took several deep breaths. The cats scurried down the hall and stopped in the doorway drawing Rebecca's attention to where he stood. She saw him and through the tears she still smiled. He was embarrassed to have been caught watching her but he wanted to go to her more. To wrap his arms around her and take away her pain. Her gaze did not leave him. She would welcome his coming to her side. But it would be wrong and he would be taking advantage of her in a way he wouldn't feel comfortable with. He wanted her to be thinking of no one but him and tonight that would not be the case. Tonight there were ghosts in the room with them. They belonged to them both and for now they would keep them apart.
" Goodnight Rebecca. Sleep well." he said as he turned off the hallway light. He walked past her door and then pressed himself against the wall. He stayed there while she settled herself under the covers. He listened as she cried quietly and as she spoke softly to her cats and then finally to the sound of her breathing calm as she fell asleep. He then walked out into the living room and flopped down on the couch. With a sigh and a regret he closed his eyes and within moments was sound asleep.
In his dreams that night the moment in the hall ended differently. He went to her and knelt by her bed wrapping her legs around his body pulling her close to him. He let her cry on his shoulder and held her tightly long after the tears had stopped. When her cool lips meet the warm skin of his neck he pulled back and grabbing her head with both hands he kissed her. Over and over he kissed her until the frenzy set in and he pushed her back onto the bed. He ran his hands up her outstretched body and pulled her tank over her head and looped his fingers into the sides of her underwear. She lifted herself just enough for him to slid them off and he took in the sight of her as he threw his own clothes off. He climbed onto the bed beside her and buried his face into her chest kissing and biting the delicate skin of her breasts. She sighed and ran her fingers through his hair. As he moved on top of her her legs moved easily to each side of him and it was she who moved to put him inside her. Her back arched and she let out a moan as he entered her and that feed his need for her. He took what she was offering starting out slowly testing how much she could take and when he was sure she could handle him he let himself go.
It was the intensity of the orgasm as it ran through his body that jolted him awake. He bolted up on the couch and looked around him. He'd been afraid he'd wake her but the house was quiet and he did not hear any movement coming from the back of the house. He laid back and tried to catch his breath. It had been a dream but the release had been real. It still ran through him making him shudder. He let out a low laugh and ran his hands through his hair settling his arms under his head. After a few minutes of starring at the ceiling his eyes grew heavy and he let himself drift off again. His last thought being of starting back up where he had left off.
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| REBECCA |
In the hallway it was Rebecca's turn to press herself against the wall. She held her hand over her mouth and dared not to move until she was sure Alcide had fallen back asleep. She had been dreaming her own dream when she had fallen into his. She had watched as he made love to her and felt the emotions well up inside him. She woke and went quietly to the edge of the living room. From there she watched him and fought with the good and bad sides of her. She wanted to go to him but knew he wanted to wait. There would be no waiting if she woke him and she had taken one step backward to her room when he had cried out in his sleep. It frightened and amused her and she wanted to laugh but he'd have been mortified to know she was there so she slapped her hand over her mouth and waited.
Now sound asleep she peeled herself off of the wall and peaked around the corner at him. His hands were behind his head and he had a satisfied smile upon his lips. This time she couldn't help but giggle and when he stirred at the sound she stifled and sputtered her giggles to a halt and dashed back to her bedroom. The clock on the side table told her it was almost two-thirty. Yesterday had been quite eventful as she was sure most of the days ahead would be. She didn't dream anyone else's dreams for the remainder of the night.
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