27. Charlie

27

Charlie

It’s dark in the kitchen, but I woke up so hungry. I rub my belly and take another bite of a roll I found in the fridge. My body relaxes as I see the slight glow on the horizon. It may be three in the morning, but the sun rarely sets fully during this time of year.

The small glow feels like so much more as it pierces through the dark trees in the forest. I want to run right now. I want to feel the flames of dancing light fill my fur. As if the power of the rays can ignite the fire inside me that’s been burning since I met Jackson.

“Lesson two, little wolf. Don’t turn your back on your enemy.” Jacksons growly voice is in my ear as he presses me to the counter. His hands quickly slipped around my waist, claiming his prize.

I lean my body back into his. “You’re not my enemy,” I whisper.

“No, never.” He kisses gently down my neck.

‘Run?’

He hums into my skin, ‘To the falls?’

I finish my roll and nod, leaning into the heat of his body, ‘Yeah. ’

The fire pulsing inside me ignites, wanting to race through the sunrise and capture the energy.

I dust my hands off in front of my body over the sink. His gentle reflection watches me in the window. I ask, “So, Alpha, what do I do if I have my back to my enemy?”

I want to learn, breaking this cycle of fear that’s swallowed me for years. Jackson laughs softly, his hands grazing my curves. My hands follow his, which are so easily distracted.

“Sir?” I whisper. Just one word has his cock poking me in the back. I smirk and shake my head as I twist in his arms, pushing him back.

“Do I run?” I laugh as he stumbles in his sleepy horny state. I let my bare feet carry me to the door. The sun’s rays a little higher now shine like a lighthouse calling me home.

“Mate?” Jackson growls from right behind me, and I take off down the Veranda, shifting effortlessly, shredding the t-shirt I was wearing as I leap from the bottom step.

The sun’s heat fills my fur as I race towards the power. I’m not afraid of the fire anymore. I’m ready to rise from the ashes. I want to be everything this pack needs. My paws slide easily through the wet soil. The skitter of small rabbits fills the forest as they run the opposite way. The trees thin out as I reach the valley that holds the waterfalls. The light from the east glows through the water as it rains down into the pool below.

The air that fills my lungs burns as I race to the cliff edge. Jackson’s large wolf presses out behind me. ‘He’s glorious,’ my wolf says as we watch him stalk closer.

I swing my tiny body to face him head-on, ‘I’m ready to fight, Alpha,’ I purr into our bond.

His large paws still, he takes in my stance. ‘Good, with your size, speed, and surprise are your best weapons,’ he coaches as he slowly approaches.

I nod. For the first time in years, I step back and let my wolf have all the control, ‘Show him what we’ve got. ’

Charlies Wolf

For many years, I’ve been subdued within the human, and finally, the fire of our past comes to burning light as we turn to face every demon that clouds our emotions.

I want to be like the sun, fighting through the darkness, no longer trapped by the fears that have laced our bodies. My claws dig softly into the moist soil as I watch his slow approach.

This moment feels like so much more than a simple training session. It’s not power built out of fear but rather power built from strength—the strength I’ve gained through the pain—the loss of a loved one. I’m ready to face every darkness, knowing I will come out stronger than ever before.

I wait for Jackson to get within striking distance. I need to surprise him, so I lean heavily to the right, knowing I’m about to attack his left. His head cocks to the side, showing me his weakness.

Every kill comes from the center, the neck. The weakest point of the body. My nose scrunches as I show him my teeth. My lithe body presses closer to the ground as I prepare to leap. In a flash of movement, I am ripping through the earth.

Like the sun’s rays, I shoot straight at him, sliding on the wet ground as I nip at his front paw. I slip under his large body and twist, latching on to his throat from the bottom. My teeth only slightly pinch the fur and skin there.

Jackson doesn’t do anything but lay down on me. I think I won this match if I’d been trying to kill him. His large body shifts. I lick his neck as I let our human take over again.

“Charlie?” Jackson’s voice is soft. He sweeps the mud and hair out of my face as he lays on top of me. His large hand holds my head off the ground. “You were magnificent,” he says reverently.

I feel my cheeks heat, and the corner of my mouth pulls up in a small smile. “Thank you, I let her have all the control.”

His head tips to the side, “She’s not been in control when you shift.”

I shake my head. The emotions clog my throat. “We’ve struggled since my brother’s death, I’m terrified I’m going to hurt someone.”

“Oh, little wolf. Trust yourself. She’s perfect; she did that correctly using your speed and surprise to get me.”

My wolf purrs in satisfaction as I press up to put my forehead on his, “Thank you for seeing me.”

“Of course.” His kiss starts soft as his hands slide along my naked form. The mud and grass tickle my backside as I shift under him.

“Maybe we should get in the water?” Jackson purrs as he pushes back on his forearms to take me in. I’m sure I’m a dirty mess.

“It’s going to be so cold.” I whine, “I never liked the cold water, Ryan,” my voice stutters over his name, “He would take me down the river at the edge of our territory and bravely jump in. I always sat on the side watching him.”

“Well, you’re going to get wet today, your filthy little mate.”

“Not if I shift.” I let my wolf have complete control once more.

“Okay, tell me again what a mating ceremony is?” Emma asks from next to me on the workout mat. The guys dragged all of the mats out since I almost threw up the first time they tried to take me down there to work out.

Holly, Emma, and I are “stretching” out after the grueling workout the five guys just gave us.

Holly continues, “So a mating ceremony is a declaration of your love, a promise to your mate and Pack to be all that you can be for them. It also allows the Pack to bless and appreciate your partner. It is especially important for you, Hunter, Charlie, and Jackson. Since those two are the head of the Pack. But even Lola’s ceremony was beautiful. It’s more for the Pack to bond.”

I hum along with Holly’s description and then share a little about my past: “My old Pack, we didn’t have ceremonies, so this will be my first.”

Holly’s jaw drops, “What do you mean you don’t have ceremonies?”

I roll my lips into my mouth and look at Emma. She has this beautiful smile on her face and gives a small encouraging nod.

“Well, in Umbra, we had the yearly auction. Where any woman could be placed up for sale.” I cringe at the word and notice Jackson tense from across the lawn where he was sparring with Killian. I swallow and continue, “Well, there is no point in celebrating a mate if you plan on selling them?—”

“Is that what happened to you?” Holly asks.

I try to swallow again, but the lump is forming in my throat; I finally bring my eyes up from my abused nail, “Yeah, Holly, that’s what happened. I was sold as a Virgin to the Alpha. The night I arrived was because my—” The lump is choking me now, but I need to share this. “My brother, Ryan, he saved me.” My eyes are filled with tears as I take in my best friend’s reaction.

“Oh, Charlie.” Holly doesn’t hesitate before she launches at me. All the men in the yard turn towards us, and a quiet reverence falls over the space. I know each of them just heard my darkest secret.

I try to fight down the urge to say it’s my fault. It’s all my fault. Jackson must sense my building distress as he comes over and sits on the grass next to me. He pulls me into his lap and wraps his arms around me. ‘You did so good. You are so strong, Charlie. Every day, I’m in awe of everything you manage.’

I relax into his body and smile softly at my friends, Holly wipes a rogue tear from her cheek, and Will comes to sit close to her. The rest of Jackson’s team forms a circle around us, and Hunter pulls Emma into his lap as we all take each other in.

This place and these people are my reason to fight. I fight against my demons, my past, and the future I want to build for my baby. My hand drifts to my stomach.

“Thank you guys,” I say quietly. Everyone gives a small nod.

Reacher leans over and says, “Thank you, Charlie, for being strong enough to handle this asshole.” Jeers and laughter fill the yard, my head resting on Jacksons muscular chest. All of this feels so right.

The guys start talking about who is with the three of us today. The girls plan on coming to the bakery with me this morning as Hunter and Will work on something related to the massacres in the forest. I smile up at Jackson as I lean all the way back. He kisses my forehead. ‘I love you, Charlie. You girls better work on planning that ceremony today cause I’m ready to make you mine.’

‘Yes, Sir.’ I respond cheekily as heat flashes through my body. He started it all when we went to the cave earlier.

Holly pulls my attention from my mate as she stands, “Come on ladies, let’s get ready and meet downstairs in thirty; you hear that, Wyatt?” She snarks at the massive tattooed bear shifter. Holly hasn’t enjoyed her bodyguard and has not been quiet about it.

His eyebrow raises in annoyance, and Will tries to cover his laugh. Everyone follows her lead. We all head inside to clean up for the day.