Word Count: 2227

~Evoni

I slide the keycard into the door, hearing a buzz as it unlocks.

Rhenn's front is pressed against my back as I swing the door open, revealing our small, stuffy motel room that I booked last minute.

"This is it," I announce.

Her expression falls. I'm not sure what she was expecting, but two double beds mere inches apart, threadbare curtains and a fuzzy rug with a questionable stain on is not what she was expecting.

"Well, it's not as nice as your home, but it's a lot cleaner," she says eventually, brushing past me into the room.

"Thanks Rhenn." I dump my bag near the closest door, rolling an ache out of my shoulders.

Maric walks by me, shoulder brushing against mine. I suck in a breath, shifting out of his way, trying not to remain so hyper-aware of how small this space is, and how large he is.

"It will do for the night," he says, taking in the space.

Archie appears a little more perturbed. "I assume we're all staying in this one room?"

"Unfortunately, money does exist here in human society, and I don't currently have a job." I brace my hands on my hips.

I was living off of scholarship money, but I'm sure by now I've been enrolled out of university. It will make returning back to society even more difficult—will I ever return back to my degree?

"This is all we need," Maric says quickly, reading the sullenness on my face.

Everyone places their bags down, trying to find spaces to sit. We're going to have to share these beds, which is clearly praying on everyone's minds.

Somehow, this feels more intimate than when I shared a tent with Maric for a week, when he was practically sleeping next to me.

"I'm going to shower first, if that's alright." I pop open the adjoining bathroom door. "I feel disgusting after our travels."

Rhenn flops down on one of the beds, golden hair splayed out across the crimson bedspread.

"I've decided I hate showering, so I'm not going to do that anymore," she announces.

I smile. "Lucky for you, this place has a bath."

I leave them in the room, closing the thin door. The bathroom is small and cramped and the shower makes an otherworldly gurgling sound when I turn it on, but it's a relief to be back around human niceties like this.

As I shower, lathering my body with motel provided soap that smells like patchouli, I think about all the things that could go wrong with this trip.

If anyone catches a glimpse of Maric or Rhenn in the wrong lighting, there is nothing I can do to help them.

The thought of them getting hurt...

I dip my head under the haphazard shower spray, ignoring the stirring in my gut.

This is becoming far more complicated than I anticipated. I have real connections with them, and I'm heavily invested in making sure they get there fertility powder.

Maric and Rhenn's voices float through the walls as I towel myself off. He sounds like he's scolding some absurd idea of hers as usual.

I look down over my body as steam drifts around me. I can still picture Maric on his knees in front of me, pleasuring me as if he were made for that task alone.

I will never feel like that again.

Everyone is awkwardly posed around the room when I step out, not knowing what to do with themselves. Rhenn and Maric stare each other down, in the middle of a heated conversation.

"It's not fair that when I go back, I can never leave again," Rhenn expresses, her cheeks stained scarlet.

Maric sighs. "I understand that, but this isn't a matter of fair and unfair. This is a matter of your safety."

I glance at Archie, who sits on one of the beds, his back against the headboard. He's looking out the window into the darkness, trying to ignoring the conversation happening before him.

"I am only saying that we can't live like this forever, can we?" Rhenn looks at me for help, and I shrug.

Unfortunately for her, I'm on Maric's side. It's not safe for leave that forest again.

"We've been doing well so far." He leans back in his seat, tension forming in his jaw.

"I want freedom, Alpha. I want more to my life than what I've got." Lines of exasperation form around Rhenn's eyes and mouth.

This isn't some whim. This has been weighing on her for a time, feeling like she is destined for a life she doesn't have.

"I completely understand, Rhenn," Maric says softly. "If I could have it another way, then I would."

"Then find your mate!"

A terrible silence follows Rhenn's sudden outburst. I stiffen, watching Maric's eyes slowly make their way toward me.

Something passes between us. Something unspoken.

"We don't know if I'm the Alpha who the prophecy is referencing," he says.

Rhenn sighs raggedly, shaking her head. "It obviously is...I mean, you and Evoni—"

"Enough, Rhenn. This matter isn't up for discussion." Maric gives her a stern look. It's the look of an Alpha warning one of his pack members, telling them there is no more conversation to be had.

Rhenn drapes herself back down onto the bed, covering her face with her hands.

I really shouldn't be around to witness this. Not when Rhenn thinks I'm the answer to all her issues.

"I think I'm going to go for a walk." I stand, reaching for my coat.

Maric tenses. "Is it safe?"

"There are not rogues out there, don't worry," I assure him, draping a coat over my shoulders.

I don't tell him that it's not always safe for a woman to walk around alone at night when human men often have the worst intentions. If I did, he would insist I stay cooped up in this motel room, and I'm already starting to lose my mind.

Taking one of the keys, I slip out, wrapping my coat further around myself.

The area around the motel is dead quiet, the carpark empty. Moonlight guides my way as I walk out toward the road.

I stand for a moment, drawing in a deep breath.

"Can we talk?"

I flinch, whirling around to see Maric behind me.

He's wearing his coat, although he's left the hood down. I can see the edges of his markings as they lick up his neck toward his jaw.

Out here, he looks as he is—supernatural. The silver around his irises seems to glow, his markings more vivid against his skin. Even the shadows seem to melt around him like a vast and heavy cloak.

"We can." I steady my breathing. "Is everything okay?"

He angles his head, looking over me. "You seem tense."

I sigh, turning back to the road, which leads down the hill to the town and docks. It's empty at this time of night, which makes me a lot less anxious about Maric's revealed markings.

"This whole situation is stressful. At every turn, things could go wrong."

"Is that all that's bothering you?" His voice is soft, probing.

I frown, shifting from foot to foot. It feels like an Alpha is talking to me, trying to soothe my worries. It feels like there is a wall, erected by him that has been placed down between us.

"What else would be?" I ask.

He rests his hands in his pockets. "I think we should talk about what happened the night of the full moon."

"When Rowan died?"
 
"Yes." His expression turns grave. "You've barely spoken to me since then."

I wrap my arms around myself, feeling cold all of a sudden, and not just because of the night air. I haven't let Maric talk to me about Rowan. Not in any real depth, anyway.

"I suppose this is all starting to feel quite real," I admit softly. "My future has become unclear, and it's weighing on me."

"If it means anything, I'm going to do everything I can to keep you safe. I will ensure you can go home," he murmurs.

I stare at him, confused, a little shocked.

He's eluded to letting me go home several times, but this is the first time he has said it emphatically, earnestly. He means that, and it's a so relieving, it's almost crippling.

"You've decided you trust me?"

He nods. "Yes. I trust you."

He stands so close, I feel his presence wrap generously around me. It dares me to reach out and touch him, but I refrain.

"The world I knew I can't come back to." I swallow past the tightening in my throat.

"I know, and I'm sorry," he whispers, shadows pooling in the hollows of his face, in the space where a self-loathing frown settles.

He's genuinely remorseful, and I appreciate that. But him and I both know he would do it again to save his pack, if he had to.

I don't blame him for that, either. I can't.

"What if I really am your mate?" I ask into the air.

He goes still next to me, bowing his head. I regret it the moment I say it, knowing that the mate bond is a serious matter to him. But in the off-chance I am his mate, we need to speak about it.
 
"It depends," he says carefully.

"On?"

"On what you want." He looks out into the trees. "I don't know how a mate bond would impact a human. It's difficult to say how much you would feel it."

I rest my hand over my stomach, which is roiling uneasily.

How would I feel it? Would I feel anything at all? Would it be more than this overwhelming attraction, this deep seated need for him that won't abate, even though I know he's dangerous?

"If it impacted me the way it would a werewolf, what would happen?" I pick at my nails anxiously.

There's something dark and uncompromising in his eyes. "You wouldn't want to leave."

The thought makes me shudder. Would it really be that all-encompassing?

"Would you let me go?"

"Of course." He leaves no room for doubt, for argument.

He must have been considering this for a while. From the moment he decided to bring me back to his pack, he must have been thinking about the possibility of us being mates, and what he would do if we were.

"Even if it hurt you?" Just the thought of it makes me feel ill.

"Yes, Evoni. I will never keep you against your will again," he assures me.

I bite down on my lower lip, feeling guilt stirring in me. "If we were mates, I wouldn't stay."

Hurt flutters across his face, but he quickly masks it.

"Why not?"

"That world isn't made for me." Human society might not be either, but I can't be the only one in a sea of werewolves. I don't think I could ever integrate fully.

"If we were mates, the prophecy would be transpiring. It would mean that we would be working toward a return to the world that existed before humans targeted werewolves," he reminds me.

It sounds like he is trying to convince me, like he has already decided we're mates.

It only makes me want to push back more.

"That doesn't feel realistic." I fold my arms over my chest.

"Nothing is impossible."

I study the side of his face, his sable lengths smothered in moonlight. "I never knew you to be so idealistic."

"I can be." He pauses. "We should also talk about what else happened the night of the full moon."

Swallowing, I nod. There's only so much avoidance we can both do. Especially when his proximity so easily scrambles my thoughts.

"It was a lapse in both our judgements. It won't happen again," I state decidedly.

"Why not?"

Surprised, I turn to face him fully. I thought he was going to agree, understanding that our closeness does not just have consequences for us, but for his entire pack.

"You know why."

His gaze traces across my face, lowering to my mouth. He's so close I could reach out to touch the strong planes of his face.

"Did it feel good?" He asks gently.

I exhale. "Maric..."

"It's okay, I understand." His fingers brush against the underside of my chin before he grips it tightly, forcing my eyes to his. "I want you to know, though, that I haven't been able to stop thinking about it."

I shiver. I haven't been able to either.

"If you approach me, for anything, Evoni, I won't turn you down." It sounds like a vow, a promise.

He doesn't let me go until I nod my understanding.

"Come on, we should get back." He pulls away, cool air replacing the closeness of him.

Reluctantly, I force a smile, trying not to let him see how much his words have impacted me as we walk back to the motel room.

🧡••🧡

If you want more, this story is available 10 chapters ahead on Inkit at all times! Just search for Midika Crane (Sophie) and you'll find this work under the stories tab.

If you would like to read more of my work, check out my novel The Three Alpha King's!

~Midika 💜🐈‍⬛