Page 54 of Awakened
Rain beat against my blond fur as we raced back to shelter. My paws and underside were caked in mud, and I knew I would have to take a dip in the river before Marie let me in the house. Our monthly pack run was usually well attended, but with the storm, most decided to stay in the city.
I never turned down a good run. Like the US Postal Service, neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night kept this wolf from swiftly completing her appointed rounds. The inclement weather made me more in tune with my animal side, more connected to the earth and elements. Only the pack leaders and Sarah were there, so the competition was fierce when a foot race started.
Marie’s massive wolf had no problem leaving us in the dust, but the second-place spot was a free-for-all between the betas—Bonnie, Taylor, and myself. Taylor was a small but quick wolf. Unfortunately for them, both Bonnie and I boxed them out with our larger bodies. They nipped at our heels, but one swift kick from Bonnie sent them back toward Brittany and Sarah.
Bonnie barked out a wolfish laugh as she leapt over a fallen log. My paws squished into the deep mud as I tried to get the edge on her. Seeing a patch of bushes ahead, I slammed into her sideand forced her into the shrubbery. I howled in victory and tore through the tree line, catapulting into the river. The water was still cold, as it was only May, so I quickly swam to the other side. Despite the continuing downpour, I tried to shake off the excess moisture as I pranced up the back deck. I glanced back at the shore and saw the four remaining wolves pulling themselves from the bank.
“No paws in the house!” Marie called from the kitchen.
My bones cracked, and my fur gave way to soft, pale skin. A few moments later, I awkwardly stood, naked and drenched, next to Marie’s patio set. I tried the sliding door, but it was locked.
Of course, it’s locked.
“Oh, come on, Marie. I’m fucking cold!” I eyed the stack of dry towels on the kitchen table, wanting nothing more than to be wrapped in the soft cottony goodness. I was getting pruney.
“I’m sorry, I can’t hear you over the betrayal.”
I dropped my head and sighed, clasping my hands in front of me. “I sincerely apologize for not sharing a very personal, kind of embarrassing story. In the future, I’ll be sure to send out a newsletter with my sexual exploits.”
Behind me, my so-called sisters laughed hysterically as Marie slid open the door. “That’s all I ask.”
“You know, normal friends would just be happy to have the dirt.” I tried to glare at my friends but eventually joined the laughter. Did I regret theStar Warsrole-playing I did with Aiden? No. Did I regret telling Sarah and then her big mouth yapping to the Amazons? Absolutely.
I wonder if I still had the golden bikini and white dress . . .
“Are you picturing your Han Solo now?” Taylor joked as they slipped into their leggings.
I tilted my head. “Actually, Aiden’s more of a Luke Skywalker pretending to be a Solo.”
“Gross. Luke and Leia were brother and sister.” Sarah stuck her tongue out.
“He wasn’t Luke in the scenario. I’m just saying, in general, he’s a Luke. Now, if we’re talking Solos . . .”
“Please don’t brag about boy toy Zach. Not all of us have the luxury of on-demand sex with a sexy beta-to-be.” Sarah pouted.
“Oh, shut it, Miss ‘I have a sexy fiancé that’s willing to become a wolf for me.’”
She smiled and shrugged.
As I pulled on my sweatpants, I bit the inside of my cheek, feeling guilty that I wasn’t thinking of Zach. As my former bed warmer, he should be the Han to my Leia, right? It was obvious, though, that Zach was a New Hope Luke—happy, eager, and idealistic. Honestly, I’d noticed far more similarities between Zach and Aiden than I was comfortable with. Perhaps that’s why we clicked so fast as friends, and I was so drawn to him. I knew exactly who my Han Solo was, but it wasn’t the right time to poke at that bit of pain. I would save it for later when I bothered Brandon for my weekly update.
Marie walked out of the pantry, holding a box of popcorn. “It looks like y’all will be staying the night. Neighbors called. The bridge is flooded.”
Bonnie strutted back into the kitchen with a bottle of tequila. “So, we’re doing shots then?” We all eyed her wearily and grumbled. Bonnie frowned dramatically and hollered, “Oh, come on, ladies!”
A mumbled chorus of “fuck you” filled the room.
Two bottles of tequila, a dozen limes, and enough salt to drive up a person’s blood pressure later, we were all lying on the floor of Marie’s living room. Hours before, the power had gone out, so the only light came from the ridiculous number of candles we lit. The living room smelled like a Yankee Candle store, but luckily, we were too drunk to be bothered.
Grabbing the bottle of tequila, Bonnie took a swig and said, “I can do you one better. I take the Brussels sprouts and cook ’em with garlic, onion, olive oil, butter, sea salt, and pepper. Then Iadd bacon. Oh shit. Wait. No. I cook the bacon first, then use some of the fat to cook the sprouts.”
“Damn,” I moaned as I shoved yet another handful of Blast-O-Butter popcorn in my mouth.
Brittany crawled from her position near the chaise to Bonnie. “Please accept my formal application as a taste tester. I’m willing to do dishes, vacuum, hell, I’ll even do your grocery shopping. Just please let me bask in your culinary genius.”
Bonnie patted her head. “I’m sorry, the application process has been closed.”
Taylor perked up and quickly turned to Bonnie. “Wait, wait. Are you telling me you and Mimi are giving it another go?”
