Page 9 of Capricorn Blessed

“Awesome? That’s the best word you can come up with?” I turn around and plop onto the ground next to him. “Not mind-blowing or the best sex I’ve ever had?”

“What would you say if I told you this was my first time hooking up on a first date?” he asks, dropping his head.

“That I hope you enjoyed it,” I answer. “Can I ask why I was different?”

“You are— There’s aren’t words to describe how amazing you are.” I lean up and plant a kiss on his lips.

“But now, I need to go clean up.” I try to keep my legs tucked together as I stand up and waddle to the bathroom. His laughter follows me as I shut the door.

Remembering I’m at home, I decide that a quick clean-up is overrated and turn on the shower, climbing in before the water is all the way warm. Not wanting to leave Dennis for too long, I skip washing my hair and get out in record time. I find a sleep shirt tucked in the corner and pull it over my head.

I open the door and walk back into the living room, calling out an apology for taking longer than I said. Hearing no reply, I turn to look at the couch and chuckle at the sight of Dennis on the couch fast asleep.

“Guess that wasn’t quick enough for him,” I mutter to myself, making my way into my room and to bed.

Chapter 5

Past and Present Collide

The sound of birds chirping draws my attention to the trees. How odd. I couldn’t remember coming out here recently. In fact, I couldn’t remember ever coming out to a place like this. Looking around, I realize I’m in a clearing. Pine trees surround me, and I can distantly hear moving water. A river, maybe. Or a creek. I spot a woodpecker high up on a tree pecking away at the tree as butterflies flutter around, dancing from flower to flower.

Curiosity gets the best of me, and I pick my way between the trees, heading toward the water. A snapping branch makes me freeze. Something tells me I’m not alone anymore. A majestic white wolf steps out of the trees, pausing to meet my eyes. He licks his lips and turns, walking in the direction I was heading. Guess I won’t be finding the water after all.

I carefully step back, wary of turning my back on a predator. On my second step, his head swings back my way, and the wolf lifts his lip in a snarl. My mind races, trying to remember if I should make myself as small a target as possible or as big. Who knows things like this when you grow up in a city?! I take a guess and throw my arms up in the air, spreading my feet apart.

“Shoo,” I yell. “Go away!”

He cocks his head to the side and takes a step toward me.

“No, no!” I flap my hands in the wolf’s direction. “You go that way!” I point in the direction he was heading. “Go on. Go.”

He takes a few measured steps toward me.

“Well, shit, maybe it was to get small to make him go away.” I crouch down and wrap my arms around my legs.

The wolf lunges. Bounding across the space, he lands in front of me. We’re eye to eye, and I can’t think of anything except to not move. My heart pounds inside my chest, and I hope he can’t hear it. Predators sense prey, and I really don’t want to become prey. Inhaling deeply and then holding my breath, I hope it will help me.

The wolf lowers his front paws into a bow. I exhale but still don’t move. He starts to shift around me, moving slowly but circling enough to make my palms sweat. Twisting my neck, I try to follow where he’s going, but lose sight of him when he gets behind me.

Something bumps my ass, making me fall forward. I catch myself on my hands and knees.

Glancing over my shoulder, I see the wolf’s head moving in for another bump. I crawl forward, trying to escape him, but he follows his tongue hanging out of his mouth. God, I hope he isn’t thinking he’s playing with his food. I really don’t want to be eaten by a wolf in the middle of some random woods.

I scramble to my feet and stumble a few steps forward. He follows close on my heels. I break through the trees and find myself standing on the edge of a small river. A sense of calm immediately fills me as I breathe deeply, momentarily forgetting the predator at my back. The wolf lies down next to the water, his head on his paws as he watches me. He suddenly doesn’t seem so threatening, but just in case, I move about fifteen feet down the bank before settling down on the ground. Pulling off my shoes and raising the hem of my pants, I dangle my legs over the edge. My feet skim the top of the water, and I slowly swish them through the cool stream.

A weight in my lap causes me to blink and look down. The white wolf has moved to sit next to me and is resting his head on my lap. When our eyes meet, I could almost swear he smiles. I lift my hand and gently pet his head. I should be scared, but he seems so calm now that we are at the water, almost like his goal was to get me here all along.

Stretching out on my back, I stare up at the clouds lazily moving through the sky. I’m not sure if I doze off or just lose track of time, but I realize some time must have passed. I feel like I’ve been lying in the sunshine for hours, and sweat rolls down my back. Sitting up, I’m startled to see a Bengal tiger against my right side. His eyes are closed, and his breathing is slow. Vaguely, I wonder how I didn’t hear an animal this large approach me or feel him lie down.

Before I can ponder too much, a voice draws my attention. “Good, you’re all here.”

I glance in the direction the sound came from and blink several times. Someone is standing in the water, but I can’t seem to make my eyes focus. I can see a long white dress flowing into the water and long blonde hair reaching to the middle of her body. But her face seems to change every time I look at it. Her eyes shifting color and shape with each blink. Her mouth going from thin to thick lips.

“We’re all here?” I ask. “It’s only me.”

“No, Sierra,” she responds in a musical voice. “Two of your mates are here with you. Your third is asleep in your apartment like you are. It took some time to for all of you to be asleep at once to gather you.”

“Mates? Third mate? Gather us? You aren’t making any sense.” I rub my eyes, hoping to see her better. “Who are you, and what do you want?”

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