Page 26 of The Raven's Alpha
"I'd love that," I say, my voice barely above a whisper. "Just promise to tell me if I'm getting under your feet too much."
His smile is slow and gentle, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he leans in closer. "I promise," he says, his voice low. "And I want you to know that I'm just as needy as you are. I need this too." He takes a deep breath, his chest rising and falling as he speaks. "I need us."
I feel a flutter in my chest when I realise that he's not just saying that - he's showing it through his actions.
A couple of minutes later, the sun beats down on us, casting dappled shadows across the forest floor, as we walk to the lake. “How about we shift?” Eddy suggests, his eyes sparkling with excitement. I nod, and within a few seconds, we're both in our shifted forms.
Eddy's grizzly is a blur of fur and muscle as he takes off through the forest, his massive paws pounding against the earth. I rush to catch up, my wings pumping hard as I try to close the gap between us.
As I fly, the trees seem to blur together, their leaves rustling and snapping in my ears. The scent of pine and damp earth fills my nostrils, and I can feel my heart pounding in my chest as I reach Eddy. I glance down, his eyes are fixed on me with a hungry intensity.
I dive towards Grizzly, my claws scrabbling against his fur, I can feel my heart racing with excitement. The wind whips through my feathers, sending shivers down my spine, and I revel in the thrill of the game. Grizzly tries to swat me away, but I'm too quick, too agile, and we tumble and fall through the drifts of snow in a flurry of fur and feathers.
The cold air stings my eyes, but I don't care – I'm having the time of my life. We playfight and spin through the snow, our growls and squawks echoing off the trees as we chase each other through theforest. Time loses all meaning as we tumble and fall, our bodies a blur of motion as we lose ourselves in the joy of play.
Finally, we come to rest on the frozen pond at the edge of the property, Grizzly's massive body sprawling across the ice like a living statue. I perch on his shoulder, feeling his warmth seep into my feathers as I gaze out at the winter wonderland before us. The sun begins to set, casting a golden glow over the snow-covered trees, and I feel a sense of contentment wash over me.
Sitting on his shoulder, I can feel the thrum of his presence like a live wire humming through my veins. It's exhilarating, this sense of being on the cusp of something new, something that will change everything. I'm already falling in love with him, but it's not just a romantic feeling – it's a primal connection that goes deeper than words.
When we're together, I feel like I'm plugged into a source of pure energy, like a spark that crackles and hums through my entire being. It's intoxicating, this feeling of being on the verge of something momentous. I know that when we finally bond, our connection will be like a powerful force that binds us together, unbreakable and unshakeable.
I gaze at Eddy's profile, his eyes shine with a quiet intensity, I feel my heart skip a beat. I'm not just excited for the future – I'm already living for it, every moment I spend with him a countdown to the moment when we'll become one, united in body and mind
The sun dips below the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over the frozen pond, I start to feel a creeping chill in my raven bones. My feathers begin to ruffle and my eyes grow heavy, but I'm too cold to do anything but shiver. Eddy notices my distress and stands up, his fur fluffing out as he scoops me up in his massive paws, cradling me close to his chest like a precious egg.
The warmth of his body envelops me, and I let my eyes drift shut as the gentle rocking motion of his steps lulls me into a drowsy sleep.The sound of his breathing is a soothing hum in my ears, and I feel safe and protected in his arms as we walk back home. I'm grateful for this little moment of tenderness, this small glimpse into the warmth and comfort that only Eddy can provide.
I slowly come back to consciousness, I'm enveloped in a warm, fluffy blanket that feels like a cloud against my skin and I realise that I’m back in my human form. The softness is so luxurious that I let out a contented sigh as I sink deeper into the plush cushions of the sofa. Eddy sits beside me, his eyes shining with a gentle warmth as he notices I'm awake.
"Hi, darling," he says, his voice a low whisper, sending a shiver down my spine. "I didn't want to wake you. Are you hungry?" His concern is palpable, and I feel a surge of gratitude towards him for being so considerate. I nod, still feeling a bit disoriented from my nap, and he smiles as he gets up to fetch us something to eat.
I can't help but sneak glances at him, my eyes lingering on the way his joggers cling to his powerful thighs and rounded ass. I miss the uninterrupted view of his naked body, but there's something about the way his clothes accentuate his physique that makes me feel a flutter in my chest.
I'm drawn to the way the fabric of his jumper hugs his broad shoulders, and the way his pants stretch across his substantial hips. It's a visual feast that leaves me wanting more, and I find myself absently tracing the contours of his body with my gaze as he disappears into the kitchen.
Eddy returns and I'm enveloped by the savoury aroma of freshly cooked soup, my stomach growls in anticipation. He sets a steaming bowl down in front of me. I watch as the steam rises from the surface, carrying the scent of tender vegetables and rich broth. The crusty rolls beside it seem to beckon me, their golden crust glistening with a delicate sheen.
"Here you go, be careful it's fresh out of the pot," Eddy says, his voice warm and gentle. He places a soft pillow on my lap then hands me the bowl, his fingers brush against mine in a gentle touch that sends a flutter of affection through me.
I sit up a little straighter, feeling grateful for the small but thoughtful gesture. I take my first bite of the chicken and sweetcorn soup, the flavours explode on my tongue, a perfect harmony of savoury richness and sweet delight. The tender chicken melts in my mouth, while the crunchy vegetables add a satisfying texture. I close my eyes, letting the warmth spread through me, and my stomach growls in appreciation.
"Mmm, this is incredible," I praise, my words barely audible over the sound of my happy sigh. His eyes light up with pleasure, and he gives me a shy smile as he slurps his own soup.
When we’ve finished our meal and the dishes have been cleared away, I glance out the window to find the sky has darkened, the stars twinkling like diamonds against the velvety blackness. I'm surprised to realise that I've slept for so long, my body feels heavier than usual, my limbs aching with a deep fatigue. The memory of our time in the woods comes flooding back, and I feel a pang of weariness wash over me.
I'm starting to wonder if I'm overstepping. Eddy said I'm welcome to stay, but I'm not sure if he meant indefinitely. I look out the window, my eyes drifting over the dark landscape, before turning back to Eddy. He’s sitting on the sofa, his eyes fixed on the television.
My gut twists with anxiety as I think about what might happen if I ask to stay again. What if he says no? What if he says yes just to be polite? I try to push the thoughts away, but they linger like a persistent hum. I take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts, and remind myself that he’s always been kind to me.
As I look at him again, I notice that he's still sitting there, his expression relaxed and calm, his body language seems to say that he'sopen to whatever I want to do. My heart skips a beat as I realise that maybe, just maybe, he's okay with me staying after all.
When I let out a fifth yawn in as many minutes, I feel my eyelids grow heavier, my mind going foggy. Eddy's sudden movement catches my attention, and I watch as he clicks the TV off and turns to me with a gentle smile. "Ready to head to bed, darling?" he asks, his voice soothing.
My shoulders relax, I feel a weight lift off my chest as I exhale a breath, I didn't realise I was holding. My thoughts scramble to process why I'm so relieved – is it because I'm tired, or because I've been feeling anxious about spending the night again? I look at Eddy, searching for any sign of hesitation or discomfort, but his eyes remain calm and reassuring.
"I would love that," I say, trying to sound casual despite the flutter in my chest. "But are you sure you're okay with me sleeping over again? I don't want to intrude on your alone time."
Eddy's eyebrows furrow, his forehead creasing into a gentle frown. His eyes, a deep shade of brown that always seem to hold a hint of warmth, lock onto mine as he says, "Sorry, I just assumed you'd be sleeping here." The curve of his nose and the shape of his lips, slightly pink and inviting, seem to soften his words.