Page 45 of Shadow Wolf
“So, you know we heal fast?” Frankie started to explain. I nodded; I did remember those things.
“Well, when we turn eighteen, or thereabouts, we are fully grown. We shift, we heal anything and everything, including any tattoos that we’ve gotten after that.” My mouth dropped open, did he mean that he got all his tattoos before he turned eighteen?
He cleared his throat and nodded. “Yeah, it kind of sucks but it means we just have to get all the tattoos in early.” There was a pause. “There is one I kinda regret.”
I wondered which ones as my eyes skated over his arm. I love them all, but he shook his head and chuckled. Pointing to his throat. I laughed.
“Would it be wrong to say that's my favorite one?” His eyes widened as he cocked his head.
“Really?” I nodded. It really was my favorite one. The crown, the rose, the skull. I felt like it was a story, our story.
I had been made to feel like a Princess trapped in a castle, he had been made to feel like no one would miss him in death. And then there was the rose, rising out of it all. That was us meeting. Finding each other. Two lost souls in the night. Growing strong and proving nothing, even death or the weight of a crown could hold us down.
I didn't have words to tell him, I thought I might sound a little crazy even if I tried. I didn't have to worry about how to explain when Vicki started laughing as she came over and looked right at me.
“Oh, my god.” She held up her arm, showing me her wrist where a wizard’s wand was now permanently inked to her body. And under the word “abracadabra.” I started giggling. And she shook her head.
“Nicely played, bitch… I love it. So funny. I bet my family will loveit.”
“I thought so too.” She wrapped me in a hug and I knew she really did love it.
***
I was so nervous for him to come take me out today. I had tried on three different outfits and Vicki laughed when I took the last one off to change again.
“He won’t care if you wear a paper bag. He was so excited to see you, you don’t need to impress him. It’s the other way around.”
I nodded; she was half right. I didn’t think it mattered what I wore, he didn’t care about my clothes. He only cared about me. I just wanted to look nice for him.
“Wear the sundress. Trust me.”
I hadn’t pulled it out because I was worried it looked too dressed up. He wore mostly blacks and jeans. I loved that about him, I lived for jeans. But I didn’t want to look out of place with him if I wore something more dressy.
“Are you sure?” She nodded.
“You love it, and you look beautiful in it.” I ran my fingers over the fabric. I did love it. It was soft, and was covered in yellow sunflowers. I put it on and did a spin to show Vicki. I had braided my hair and it hung down over my shoulder and I wore the necklace I had found in my bag. Memories told me it was from Jett and Mekhi, and although I hadn’t spoken to them since everything happened, it felt important to me… to wear it today. I didn't know why, it was just a tug in my chest that told me to.
Vicki let out a wolf whistle and magical fireworks. I blushed and twirled again. I didn’t think I would ever get used to her having these crazy witch powers. She liked to use them a lot more now that I knew. It was also the best when you were lazy, she just turned the light on and off whenever.
There was a knock at the door and Vicki wiggled her brows. I suddenly became nervous. My body was alive with tingles all over but mostly in my fingertips.I brushed my hands down my dress, straightening any creases and touched the end of my braid to make sure it was in position.
Vicki answered the door, and I shook my hands out. I could do this…I could.
My eyes widened as Frankie strolled in, he was wearing jean shorts and another tight white tee that just showed his tatts off more. He had a bunch of red roses in his hand as he came over towards me. He smiled and everything inside me melted.
“Hi,” his deep husky voice went straight to my core. I let out a staggered breath and smiled.
“Hi,” was all I could manage.
“Hi, to you both.” Vicki chirped in when we just stared at each other. We both looked at her and I let out a small chuckle.
“These are for you, Clare.” He handed me the bunch and I smelled them and almost sighed out loud. He turned to Vicki and I saw now he had a single yellow rose.
“Vicki,” he handed it to her and her hand went to her throat.
“Oh, wow. Frankie. You shouldn't have… yes you did.”
Frankie looked back at me, his eyes taking me all in, and I hoped he liked what he saw.
