Page 31 of Alpha Awakening
He gently nudged her with his nose before he turned and ran toward the lake. His tail twitching, he splashed into the water with an excited howl.
“I think instead of shifting into the big bad wolf he turns into a sweet, innocent puppy,” Ann giggled.
Niev laughed and started to take her shoes off. “Oh, I hope he always keeps that sweetness. When he shifts, it feels like it frees his mind.”
“I would do anything to have a bond like you do. I wish I could talk to Kareem’s wolf.” Ann helped Niev to her feet and they both stepped into the water. “Though at the same time, I think I would be overwhelmed too.”
“At first, it was hard. It felt as if he was breaching my privacy. Even though we are together and share a life we both want to keep our own thoughts. Nothing big, but certain emotions or maybe the choice of clothing isn’t what we would like the other to wear. It felt somewhat intruding, but not just as if he was doing so to me, but it felt as if I was invading his space too. After a while I got used to it. We learned to take it with ease and even if we can feel the other is keeping something hidden, we give time to share it on their own.”
“I don’t think I could do that.” Ann’s eyes rested on Blake as he swam through the water, his tail still wagging like that of a pup. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen him this relaxed.”
“He likes it here. He can’t wait for Kareem to take him on a run.”
“I like how they are getting along. With the way Blake behaved during my leaving and not coming to the ceremony, I thought he hated Kareem.”
“He never hated him. He deeply regrets not having come to celebrate you and Kareem. He just wasn’t ready.”
“I’m just glad you two found each other and that both of you are here now.”
Ann and Niev walked along the shore while Blake paddled through the lake. A group of curious children had formed not far from where they’d left their basket. As they returned to eat lunch, Niev watched Blake swim toward the children. With a mischievous spark in his eyes, he lifted his head high up before dropping into the lake, splashing water all over the children, who howled with laughter.
His head inches beneath the water he swam toward them, and it only seemed the brave ones stayed by the shore. While half the group ran to safety, the others eagerly waited for Blake to emerge from the water and shower them again as he quickly jumped up and landed back in the water.
Ann laid her arm around Niev and pulled her into a side hug. “He’ll be an amazing father.”
“I can’t wait to see him with the twins.”
Sitting down by their picnic, Niev and Ann started to eat lunch while watching Blake’s wolf play with the children. They didn’t seem to be the only ones watching as the children’s parents watched from afar.
“May I join?”
Niev looked up, startled, at a blonde-haired woman with the same warm smile Niev had seen on Luna Charlotte’s face.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.” The woman held out her hand. “I’m Carissa, Alpha Raymond’s daughter.”
Niev shook her hand. “It’s very nice to meet you. I’m Niev.”
“I’ve heard many stories about you.”
“I seem to hear that a lot lately,” Niev replied, her face turning hot.
“Your mate seems to be a very gentle soul.”
“He loves kids. You should see him with his niece and nephews.”
“I’m glad he is enjoying himself.” Carissa sat down with a smile on her face as she studied Blake playing with the children. “Mother told me of your hike last night. She was worried for your wellbeing, but I see you’ve recovered well.”
“Beta Fallon was very patient with me. We took our time and stopped for quite a few breaks.”
Resting her eyes back on Niev, Carissa chuckled lightly. “So he has told mother, but I don’t think she is used to a woman like you. You defy a lot of our traditional ways.”
“I didn’t grow up in a pack so a lot of your ways are…” Niev paused trying to find a word that wasn’t offensive.
“Outdated,” Ann helped her with a grin.
“Which is not a bad thing,” Niev quickly added.
Carissa’s smile brightened. “No need to be political with me. So, tell me Niev, what do you usually do when you’re not on vacation visiting your sister? You don’t seem like a woman to sit at home and knit baby clothes.”