Chapter 21 - Reiner

The two months are almost up, and it’s like a heavy cloud hanging over me, a constant reminder that Jane and the other Stardust Hollow shifters are about to leave. We’ve played our part so well that everyone around us believes we’ll make this long-distance thing work. But the truth? The truth is a tangled mess of guilt and confusion, and I can’t shake it.

I’m not just fooling my pack; I’m fooling myself. Letting things get this far, letting myself get so wrapped up in her was a mistake. Or was it? I don’t even know anymore. My head tells me it was, that I should have kept my distance, but my heart—my heart doesn’t want to let go. Not now, not when I’ve gotten so used to having her by my side. To falling asleep with her scent filling my senses.

I should be relieved, I guess. Relieved that the charade is coming to an end, that I won’t have to keep pretending. But the thought of Jane leaving, of not seeing her again, of her not being there when I wake up or not hearing her laugh—it’s like a punch to the gut. It doesn’t make sense, this attachment I’ve developed. It shouldn’t hurt like this, but it does.

I know I need to do something to mark the end of these two months, give her a proper send-off. But not just any date—something special, something that she’ll remember. So, I decide to take her around town to show her the spots I haven’t shared with anyone else, not even my pack.

The sun is dipping low in the sky when I pull up to Jane’s place, and my heart is pounding a little harder than usual. She’s waiting for me, as always, and the sight of her brings a mix of warmth and a sharp pang of something I can’t quite name.

“Ready for tonight?” I ask, trying to keep my tone light, even though there’s a weight in my chest that doesn’t belong there.

She smiles, but it’s a sad smile, and it tugs at something deep inside me. “Always.”

I nod, returning the smile, though mine feels more forced. “I’ve got something special planned.”

“Oh? What kind of special?”

“You’ll see,” I tease, keeping it vague. If I let myself think about what tonight really means, I might just lose my nerve.

We start off with a drive through the outskirts of town, taking the back roads where the trees line the path. The sky is a deep orange, fading into purples and blues as the sun continues its descent. It’s quiet, with the only sounds being the hum of the engine and the occasional rustle of leaves as the wind picks up.

I take her to the first spot—an old, forgotten trail that winds through the woods. It’s a place I’ve come to many times when I needed to clear my head, to be alone with my thoughts. The trees are tall and thick, their branches arching overhead, creating a canopy that filters the fading sunlight. It’s peaceful here, untouched by the world outside.

“Come on,” I say as I park the truck and hop out. Jane follows, looking around with that curious expression.

“I didn’t even know this place existed,” she whispers as if she doesn’t want to disturb the tranquility.

“That’s because I’ve kept it a secret,” I reply, taking her hand and leading her down the path. “Just for us locals. I wanted to show it to you before you left.”

She doesn’t say anything, but I can feel her hand tighten slightly in mine. We walk in silence for a while, just taking in the sights and sounds of the forest. There’s something about being out here, away from everything, that makes it easier to breathe, easier to think.

Eventually, we reach the end of the trail, where the trees open up to reveal a small clearing. The grass here is a little taller, and wildflowers dot the landscape with bursts of color. A small creek runs through the middle, with water as clear as a crystal.

“This is beautiful,” Jane murmurs.

“I thought you’d like it.” I release her hand and walk over to the creek, crouching down to run my fingers through the water. It’s cold and refreshing, and I can’t help but smile at the memories this place holds.

Jane joins me, and for a moment, we just sit there side by side, listening to the water as it flows over the rocks. The world feels small here, like it’s just the two of us and nothing else matters.

I can sense the shift in her mood, though. She’s enjoying this, but there’s something else, something heavier that mirrors my own feelings. It’s the unspoken truth that tonight is our last night like this.

“Come on,” I urge after a while, standing up and offering her my hand again. “There’s one more place I want to show you.”

She takes my hand without hesitation, and we head back to the car. The drive is shorter this time, and soon we’re pulling up to a small, secluded spot just outside of town. It’s where I go when I need to run—really run. The kind of run that lets the wolf in me take over, where I can let go and just be.

I climb out of the car and walk around to let her out. “This is my favorite spot. No one else comes out here, so we’ll have it all to ourselves.”

She grins, and I can see the thrill of the hunt lighting up her eyes. We move together, our clothes discarded in a pile by the car, and then the shift takes over. It’s quick and seamless, like slipping into a second skin. My senses sharpen, the world coming alive in ways it never does in human form.

I see Jane’s wolf, sleek and powerful, her fur shimmering in the moonlight. She’s beautiful, even in this form.

I give her a playful nudge, and she responds with a soft growl, her tail flicking with anticipation. Then we’re off, tearing through the trees, the wind whipping past us as we run. It’s exhilarating, the feeling of freedom, of power coursing through my veins. I push harder, faster, my paws pounding the earth, my breath steady and strong.

Jane is right there with me, matching my pace, her movements fluid and graceful. We weave through the trees, leaping over fallen branches, dodging obstacles with ease. The world blurs around us, reduced to the rhythm of our run.

This is where I feel most alive. Where the world fades away, and it’s just us, two wolves in sync, driven by instinct and something deeper. I don’t have to think out here; I just am.

We run for what feels like hours until the moon is high in the sky and our muscles start to ache. Finally, we slow, coming to a stop at the edge of a cliff overlooking the town. The lights below twinkle like stars, and for a moment, we just stand there panting and looking out at the view.

It’s beautiful, but it’s bittersweet. This is it. The end of the run, the end of the night, the end of… us?

I shift back, and my human form feels almost foreign after the run. Jane follows suit, and we stand there in silence.

“I’m going to miss this,” she says quietly.

“Yeah,” I reply, not trusting myself to say more.

We stand there for a long time, just taking it all in, neither of us willing to break the silence. Because once we do, reality comes crashing back in, and the moment ends.

Finally, I can’t take it anymore. I have to feel her one last time.

I turn to her, and my hands are on her waist, pulling her close. She looks up at me, her eyes wide with surprise, but she doesn’t pull away.

“Reiner…”

“Shh,” I murmur, leaning down to brush my lips against hers. She melts into the kiss, her body pressed against mine, and I can feel the heat radiating between us.

My hands roam her body, exploring every inch, committing it to memory. I want to remember this. Her scent, her taste, the way she feels beneath my fingertips.

I can’t help it. I want her. I need her. Even if it’s just for tonight.

I deepen the kiss, my tongue seeking hers, and she responds eagerly. Her hands are on me now, tracing the lines of my muscles, sending shivers down my spine. It’s like electricity, the way her touch sets my nerves on fire.

I’m lost in her, in this moment, and nothing else matters. It’s just us, the two of us, and the rest of the world falls away.

We’re both breathing heavily now, our bodies pressed together, the heat building between us. I can feel her heart beating against my chest, and it’s the most exquisite sensation.

I pull away, just enough to look into her eyes. They’re dark with desire, and I know mine are the same.

“I want you,” I breathe, my voice thick with need.

“I want you, too,” she replies, her words a whisper on the wind.

We tumble to the ground in a heap, our lips locked, our bodies moving in sync. It’s like we’re one, connected in a way I’ve never felt before. It’s perfect, and I can’t get enough.

She rolls me over, pressing my back into the damp grass, her hips grinding against mine. I groan, my hands gripping her thighs, pulling her closer.

She kisses me again, her tongue hot and demanding, and I lose myself in the sensation. My hands find her breasts, teasing the sensitive skin, drawing a moan from her lips.

I roll her over again, pinning her beneath me, and she arches her back, her body begging for more. I trail kisses down her neck, her collarbone, her chest before taking one nipple into my mouth. She gasps, her fingers tangling in my hair, holding me close.

I move lower, my tongue tracing the curves of her stomach, her hips, her thighs. She’s trembling, her breath coming in shallow pants, and I can feel her need. My fingers dance across her skin, sliding down her belly, finding the slick heat between her legs.

“Please,” she whispers, and I can’t deny her. I slip a finger inside, stroking her slowly, and she moans, her hips rising to meet my hand.

I add another finger, and she’s so wet, so ready, her body quivering with desire, so I move faster, deeper, my thumb circling her clit, and she cries out, her back arching, her body shuddering with pleasure. Curling my fingers, I feel her walls tighten, her muscles clenching, and I know she’s close.

“Come for me,” I growl, and she does. Her orgasm rips through her, her body shaking, her voice hoarse with ecstasy.

I keep going, my fingers pumping, my thumb rubbing her clit, readying her for more. When her climax subsides, I pull my hand away, replacing it with my cock, and she moans, her arms wrapping around my neck.

I push into her, and it’s like coming home. She’s tight and warm and perfect, and I can’t hold back. I thrust into her hard and fast, and she meets me stroke for stroke, her nails digging into my back, her breath coming in ragged gasps.

We’ve had sex before, but this is different. This is more. It’s like we’re connected in a way we’ve never been before, our bodies moving as one, our hearts beating in sync.

It’s raw and primal and intense, and I can’t get enough. I pound into her, my hips snapping, my cock driving deeper. She matches my pace, her body responding to mine.

It’s not just the physical connection, though. It’s more than that. It’s the way she looks at me, her eyes filled with trust and desire. It’s the way she touches me, her hands caressing my skin, setting my nerves on fire. It’s the way she feels, her body wrapped around mine, her warmth enveloping me.

It’s the way she makes me feel like I’m the only man in the world, like nothing else matters, like this moment is all that exists.

I lose myself in her, in the feeling of her, the taste of her, the scent of her. I’m drowning in her, and I never want to come up for air.

But I can’t hold back any longer. The pressure is building, the pleasure coiling tight, and I know I’m close.

“Come with me,” I growl, and she does, her body tensing, her muscles clenching around me as her climax overtakes her.

The feeling of her, the sound of her, the sight of her—it’s too much. I’m overwhelmed by her, by us, by everything. And then I’m falling, the world fading to white as my orgasm crashes over me, my body shuddering with release.

Afterward, we lay there, tangled in each other’s arms, our breathing slowing, our hearts pounding in unison. It’s quiet, save for the sounds of the forest, and the silence is heavy with the weight of what we’ve just shared.

I know we can’t lie here all night. We have to go back, and I’m already trying to figure out how I’m going to tell her I can’t go home with her. As much as I’d love to, I can’t. I can’t sleep in the same bed with her, knowing she’s leaving tomorrow. I can’t wake up to her face, knowing it’s the last time I’ll ever see it.

I can’t do it, even if that makes me a coward.