Page 6 of Supernova

“I told him that he can talk to me about anything and reminded him that we’ve always told each other everything since we were kids.”

She contemplated me. “Maybe he hasn’t always told you everything.”

I hoped she was wrong. I obviously had information that she didn’t, so I hoped that was all this was, and not that she was seeing something I wasn’t.

After a few quiet moments, Celeste spoke up again. “Look Vee, I’m no pro when it comes to relationships. But I know you and I know you don’t always say what you’re feeling. You try to help everyone around you and put yourself second. You feel guilty to share your own emotions. River has always been great and I’ve always liked him. I may be wrong, and maybe there’s a great reason why he’s not confiding in you right now. Maybe he’ll open up when the time is right or maybe he won’t. I really hope it’s nothing bad and I’ll kill him if he hurts you. But what I do know is that you need to speak up. You’re an amazing, caring person who will always be there for everyone you love and you’re more than capable of handling anything that is thrown at you. You’ve always been open with him before, but right now you’re also hiding this from him. He doesn’t have to tell you what’s going on right now, but eventually I think you do deserve to know. And he deserves to know how you’re feeling.” She let out a deep breath at the end, like she tried to get that all out in one go.

I nodded, leaning in to give her a hug. She held me tight, rubbing my back. Then she stopped and before I knew it I was hit across the back of my head with a soft thud, the shock jerking me forward onto her.

We burst into giggles. I knew she would never miss an opportunity to get back at me. No matter how wise she may sometimes seem, she was always my little sister, and she was a fiery little thing.

When we could no longer breathe and our abs were sore from laughter, Celeste pushed me off her, grabbing the remote. “Okay, let’s get this movie started!” She pressed play as I made myself comfortable on her lap, picking up the cushion from the floor and laying it under my head.

I was grateful for the few rare moments like this we got to share every now and again.

???

Before I went to sleep that night my phone lit up with a goodnight message from River:

Goodnight my angel, I miss you. The bed feels empty. I hope you had a fun night with Celeste but I can’t wait to have you back tomorrow. I love you.

I went to bed with a smile on my face, reminded of the thoughtful and caring nature of the guy I was with. Reminded that he loved me and was always thinking about me. Reminded that I was lucky. And my fears and doubts momentarily faded away like shooting stars in the night sky.

CHAPTER 5

The bonfire party seemed to sneak up on us. After staying up late watching movies, I woke up just after midday. I somehow still managed to get to the pack house early and spend some time with River before we needed to get ready.

Guests wouldn’t start to arrive until around 6pm and my stomach was growling in hunger when River greeted me at the door. Celeste and I shared a car, so when I’d stay at the pack house she’d often drop me off or River would pick me up. After a bonfire party he’d usually always drive me home the next night since we’d both down a few drinks and sleep-in until noon, lazing around in bed for most of the day. And doing a little more than sleeping—his drive was always higher after a full moon, his animal side taking the lead.

River waved at my sister from the door as she drove away. Despite our conversation, she smiled back with a small wave like she usually would. I was worried that she might have some newfound hesitation towards him after last night but was relieved that she didn’t, or at least didn’t make it obvious.

“We need to get my angel fed, ASAP,” he chuckled when he heard the rumble that came from deep within my body.

I lifted on my tippy toes to give him a kiss. “Yes please.” I smiled sheepishly at him and he immediately scoped me up, walking me inside and to the large open kitchen. I took in his familiar scent and the warmth of his large biceps curled around me. He set me down at one of the island stools and began rummaging through the fridge. He was in nothing but a pair of black gym shorts, leaving his brawny back and defined bulky muscles on display for me to ogle at like I so often did. His golden bronze skin was illuminated by the light that seemed to always fill this kitchen.

The table was full of vegetables, cheeses, flour and sausages within a few minutes, River rolling out dough to make pizzas. If he was sexy normally, covered in flour and tossing up pizza dough was a whole other level. It was unfair really—the moon goddess or whoever they believed in blessed him well.

We played music and laughed and sang as we made our lunch. I chopped up the toppings and sauced the bases while Riv cooked the sausages. I tried—and failed miserably—to throw the dough like he had but that only resulted in more laughter. And River took great pleasure in putting flour all over my nose as punishment for dropping our food. I was good at cooking and loved to eat but he was definitely the talented one out of the two of us.

While the pizzas cooked in the oven, River leaned over the kitchen bench, his durable arms pushing him forward so he could reach my lips. He kissed me passionately.

“Are we okay, angel?” He asked when he eventually pulled away. His eyes, so full of concern, bored into me.

“Perfectly.” I smiled up at him. I would tell him how I felt, but not now. We had other things to worry about today, and I didn’t want to bring down the mood for the bonfire—for either one of us. It was meant to be a night of pure, unadulterated celebration and fun. A night to honour pack and belonging. To let go of your inhibitions and be free.

So that’s what I’d do tonight, no worrying about things outside of my control. Especially ones that had nothing to do with me.

The smell of dough and sauce filled the space when River opened the oven not long later. As the mouthwatering aroma filled the air, I was reminded just how hungry I was. It was mid-afternoon now and I hadn’t had anything all morning except for coffee.

Riv cut the pizza up and transported it onto a wooden board which he carried to the dining table. I followed like a starved puppy, salivating at the mouth. The large circular dining table was made from a light oak, and like the rest of the house it looked out to the surrounding pines.

I pulled up my chair directly across from my perfect wolf and we dug in eagerly. It was probably his third meal for the day but with that appetite of his, he ate it as if it was his first and he was starved. I sat with one leg up on my chair, the other casually swinging as I lowered the slice into my mouth. River laughed at me with a twinkle in his eye and we fell into our normal effortless conversation as we lazed around the table and grazed on our food. Soon we’d have to get things started for tonight but for the moment, it was just him and I. Content and happy—like we didn’t have a care in the world or a million things lingering between us.

???

There was a slight evening breeze as I walked up to River with a platter of meat to cook. When I reached him, I kissed him on the cheek and he wrapped his free arm around me, the other holding the tongs he was using for the barbecue

“I really need to get you that ‘Kiss the Cook’ apron,” I smiled up at him.

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