Three cliffs, p.29
Three Cliffs, page 29
‘You managing?’ she asked, from my side.
‘Yeah,’ I murmured. ‘Just keep going.’
‘I don’t think I realised just how much she hated me,’ she commented, as we walked.
I sighed, heavily. ‘She’s so old school…she hasn’t grown as times have changed around her.’
‘I can see that,’ she commented, glancing down at me, as her arm dropped from my shoulder to my waist. ‘Try not to let her get to you, Callie…her views…they’re not common anymore…it’s unfortunate she’s your mother because it makes this so much harder on you.’
‘And you!’ I added. ‘She was so rude to your face.’
‘Sticks and stones,’ she murmured. ‘I’m not going to hang around enough to even listen to her vile views, Callie. Don’t worry about me. It’s you I’m concerned about.’
‘Don’t be. I’m fine-well, I will be when this is all sorted. It’s all a means to an end, anyway, right?’
‘That’s right,’ she said, in a quiet voice.
‘I’m sorry though…that she was so rude. I feel horrified that she says things like that to you,’ I said, unable to look at her.
‘Hey…’ she murmured, stopping me with her hand on my arm. ‘You are not responsible for the things your mother says. Never apologise for her. It’s not on your head.’
‘I know, but she’s my family,’ I continued, ‘It makes you feel guilty when someone close to you acts like that. I might not want this, but I’d also never want her to be rude to you.’
‘No? Even when there’s times when you’re rude to me too?’ she questioned.
‘That’s different,’ I said, hands on hips. ‘She’s homophobic and abusive towards you. I just get pissed off because you get to me,’ I revealed, without thinking about my words carefully enough first.
‘I what?’ she replied, eyes widening. ‘I get to you?’
‘You know you do,’ I said, shaking my head and dismissing her response. ‘It’s your damn scent. If it wasn’t for that, we wouldn’t be in this situation now, would we?’
‘I guess not…but I can’t help the way I smell-just like you can’t either-which by the way, is absolutely gorgeous,’ she said, inhaling deeply.
‘Oh, shut up,’ I muttered. ‘So, fucking weird,’ I said, turning away and stomping off. ‘Stop commenting on my bloody scent.’
She followed, closely behind. ‘It’s hard not too, when I’m around you it’s all I can think of.’
‘Yeah, well that’s the problem, isn’t it? Being too close has clearly messed with both our heads, so now we’re stuck in this nightmare and have to break a bond which neither of us ever wanted.’
‘Yeah…such a shame…I wish we could go back to just before I left town and carry on how we were.’
I whirled on her. ‘Get your mind out of the gutter, idiot,’ I said, angrily. ‘It’s all that which got us in this disaster to begin with!’
‘I suppose so. Your scent is in my head right now though, Callie. It’s hard for me too, as while you’re feeling physical pain from this, I’m feeling a rush of endorphins, waves of intense attraction, the need to grab you, pin you and take you without hesitation-and I know you don’t want that.’
‘You better not even dare,’ I said, my breathing hitching and then my heartbeat increasing rapidly.
‘I’m so pent up right now,’ she admitted, staring at me as her eyes darkened, and a purple hue filled her gaze.
‘Yeah? Well, sort yourself out. I’m not interested.’
‘Do you want to run back? I’m seriously in need of some kind of outlet right now, but I can’t abandon you while you’re like this.’
‘Fine,’ I said, resolved to what she needed. ‘But running, chasing, pinning yes…anything else is off the table. Deal?’
She nodded. ‘Absolutely. Deal.’
We shifted and rushed off towards the headland at speed. I chased her, as she pelted off, clearly in need of a run like she’d said. She ran like the wind, and there were times when I truly struggled to keep up with her. Like a bolt of lightning, she shot this way and that, me following and gaining on her before she’d speed up again and I had to increase my pace once more.
Following swiftly, we made it back the house in no time. Barrelling in through the door, we tumbled to the dusty old floorboards, rolling this way and that as she attempted to pin me.
I fought her desperately, making her work for it, and I found it exhilarating as we wrestled and strained against each other before she finally had the edge on me and managed to pin me beneath her. Her eyes blazed into mine, and her triumph was clear to see.
‘Got you,’ she said, telepathically.
I gazed at her, captivated by her dark, purple eyes. ‘Not for much longer,’ I told her, referring to us being over.
If it was possible for a wolf to frown, she did just that. Releasing me, she moved back, shifting and then tugging clothes on. Turning away, she headed for the stairs. Annoyed and alarmed she was walking away from me, I shifted back, dressed and followed her swiftly.
Dogging her steps, I followed her upstairs to the bedroom.
‘What?’ I demanded, when she finally stopped by the bed.
‘You!’ she raged. ‘Not for much longer? Why can’t it go back to how it was? I don’t see what was so wrong with it? We were both enjoying it…both satisfied. The company was great, we had good conversations and laughed a lot. Why turn our backs on that?’
I shook my head. ‘I’ve been through all this with you.’
‘Maybe, but I don’t understand! We’re good together, Callie.’
‘Not good enough to claim,’ I muttered, shaking my head.
‘I thought you didn’t want that! We’re meeting the elders today because we agreed it was a mistake!’
‘It is a mistake!’ I yelled. ‘You did it because you were drunk and swayed by my scent! Not because you wanted to! That being said, I’m not going to deny it hurts!’ I cried, feeling angry with her.
She stopped. ‘We can get you some cream or salve for your neck…’
‘It hurts me inside, you idiot!’ I yelled, trying to get her to understand. ‘Not physical pain!’
‘Oh,’ she said, stopping dead. ‘So…you…would you have wanted me to claim you?’ she asked, looking confused.
‘No!’ I cried. ‘It wasn’t like that…but I…I…you were so vehement about not wanting me, not wanting this…I’m not saying I wanted you to claim me, but it’s hurtful to know just how against it you were…are,’ I corrected.
‘Callie; that’s not true. If things were different, I’d want that in a second. If I hadn’t been through the loss, I have…the pain I’ve endured…I’d want it in a second…believe me! You’re perfect, baby…you’re gorgeous, intelligent, headstrong and proud. You’re beautiful, sexy, smart and sassy. You’re everything I want in a partner-in a mate, but I can’t let myself go there. If I let myself fall in love with you, I don’t think my heart could take it. I’d run away from it, because I’m so scared to love and lose again.’
I felt myself trembling. ‘I want to walk away from you so badly right now,’ I told her, shakily. ‘And don’t think I wouldn’t, if I could.’
‘How can I make this easier on you?’ she questioned, looking pained, her eyes sad.
‘Fuck off,’ I muttered, rudely.
‘Callie; we’ve got four hours before the meeting. How are we going to get through it?’
‘I’d say leave me the fuck alone, but it makes me ache so frigging badly that I can’t,’ I said, shaking my head.
‘I can stay close and not talk to you?’ she offered.
‘That would be one hell of a good start!’ I told her, wryly. ‘Because you’re annoying the crap out of me and the more you talk, the more upset I feel.’
‘Back-to-back on the bed?’ she suggested.
‘I don’t want to lie with you,’ I said, looking away.
‘Back-to-back…no contact needed. I’m near, you can smell me, but you don’t have to talk to me. How about it?’
I sighed. ‘I’m not happy about it…’
‘But?’
‘But it seems like a good temporary solution…I suppose…’ I murmured.
‘Okay, let’s do that then. I could do with a rest, and it’ll keep us close and calm before we go and get this sorted.’
‘Whatever,’ I said, grumpily, and headed to what had once been my side of the bed. I lay down gingerly, facing away from the middle. I felt the dip of the bed as she got on the other side and lay down. Her body didn’t touch mine, but I could smell her nearby, which was helpful.
We went silent, both lost in our own thoughts. It was so quiet, I thought she had fallen asleep, and carefully moved back a little, creating contact with her body ever so lightly. The touch felt good and when she didn’t so much as move, I risked moving back even more. My back and butt pressed up against hers and I felt her warmth radiate through me, felt the connection deepen and my tension ease. I didn’t want to want her close, but I did. I felt the need inside me so deeply it was almost visceral.
Hearing her deep breathing, I was convinced that Kash had fallen asleep. She shifted slightly, turned onto her back, and I did the same. Chancing a look at her, her eyes were closed, and she looked content in slumber. Edging closer, I curved myself into her side, breathing in deeply as I came into contact with her body. She smelt so good, and I let her scent flood my system, arousing me beyond measure, but determined not to do anything about it. Instead, I just let her body curl around mine, not caring anymore when she shifted closer still, wrapped her arms around me and held me in her embrace. It made all of my turbulent emotions calm, and I needed her. That much I knew.
How long we stayed like that was debatable. It felt like sheer moments, but somehow it was hours. I felt utterly content, peaceful and calm and my body stilled, settling alongside hers.
‘We should go soon,’ she said, out of the blue.
‘What?’ I murmured, confused.
‘It’s half past three. We should start heading over there.’
‘Half past three! We’ve only been here for five minutes!’ I exclaimed.
‘Nope…it’s been hours.’
‘We have not been lying here for hours,’ I denied.
‘Actually, we have,’ she replied. ‘Are you okay to get up?’
‘I…yes…of course. Let’s get this done.’
We got up and headed over to the town hall for the meeting. My stomach churned the whole way, anticipating the event and feeling anxious about it beyond belief. I still couldn’t believe I’d ended up in this much of a mess. It was so unsettling to even have to do this.
‘You ready for this?’ Kash asked, as we approached the building.
‘As I’ll ever be,’ I murmured, not feeling good about this situation at all.
‘Just stay strong and answer their questions. I’m sure they’ll have the answers for us quickly and can sort out this mess for us immediately.’
‘This mess,’ I repeated, saying her words. ‘Yeah…’
‘Come on. Let’s get this over and done with,’ she said, offering her hand.
I ignored it and kept walking, up the steps and inside the building.
Inside, a group of elders awaited us, frowning our way as I approached. My mother, of course, was already there, and by the frown on her face, it was clear that she had shared her poor opinion of our situation with the elder council already.
‘Caliopia! Come on,’ she beckoned. ‘Everybody’s waiting.’
‘Sorry,’ I murmured automatically.
‘Take your seats,’ one of the elders-Ramatrey instructed, ‘And we’ll await the arrival of the high priestess.’
‘Can’t we start?’ I asked, feeling eager to get this done.
‘Breaking the bond of claiming is a difficult matter,’ Ramatrey explained. ‘The elders can offer advice and council, but we cannot do anything to break the bonds. Only the high priestess can make the decision whether it can be done or not through her magic.’
‘Oh,’ I said, quietly. ‘I didn’t realise it was so hard.’
‘A claim is a serious commitment,’ he frowned. ‘To undo that bonding is a difficult matter.’
As he finished speaking, the air around us changed and a soft breeze indicated the arrival of the high priestess. We all turned to see her float in, her ethereal beauty stunning us all and making us stare for long moments as she took her place in the circle we’d created.
‘Welcome, high priestess,’ Ramatrey nodded.
‘Thank you, Ramatrey. I am honoured to be called here tonight to see what has occurred which needs my immediate assistance,’ she smiled.
‘Ah, well a very unique case, high priestess. Two wolves, an accidental claiming, an upset mother and two young wolves seeking a bond break,’ he summarised, succinctly.
‘Well, well,’ she responded. ‘Who do we speak of?’
‘One of our pack, Caliopia and one of the new sister pack, Akashi Klay,’ he said, introducing us.
‘Ah! Two females,’ she smiled. ‘Yes, a unique pairing then,’ she nodded, ‘I shall enjoy meeting you both. Solo, first, I think,’ she said, scrutinising us with her eyes. ‘Lonely soul-join me in the other room,’ she said, indicating Kash.
‘Is she talking about me?’ Kash whispered, leaning towards me.
‘Yeah-go!’ I hissed. ‘But leave your damn jacket,’ I added, knowing this would be hard.
Kash got up and went with the high priestess, and I watched them depart into one of the side rooms to talk. I ached from the moment she left the room, and I had to bury my face in her jacket, breathing repeatedly to calm myself, her scent lingering on the soft fabric and helping me to cope with her absence.
‘Utterly ridiculous,’ I heard my mother uttering. ‘How distasteful,’ she added, for dramatic effect.
Thankfully, Kash wasn’t gone long, and when she returned, I had to turn to her as soon as she had sat down and breathe from her neck, drawing long, deep lungsful of her scent into my system to restore it to normal again.
This didn’t go unnoticed by the crowd, who I could hear whispering and making comment on us from afar. My mother’s mutterings were hateful, but the high priestess only sounded intrigued as she beckoned me towards her.
‘And now you, little sad one,’ she said, crooking her finger to indicate I should follow her.
I got to my feet, looking back longingly at Kash, who handed me her jacket.
‘Here; take it with you.’
I nodded, blushing, before turning to walk with the high priestess to the other room.
Once the door was closed, I faced the high priestess and met her icy blue, piercing eyes.
‘So sad, little one,’ were her first words.
‘It hurts…because of the bond,’ I told her, close to crying at the imposed distance between Kash and I.
She reached a handout and waved it over me from head to toe and an instant flush of calm filled me. ‘A temporary relief…for your pain,’ she told me. ‘Now we can talk, little one. Tell me of your anguish,’ she requested.
‘Tell you? Everything?’ I asked.
She nodded. ‘Yes.’
‘Well,’ I drawled. ‘My mother has wished me to be claimed for some time now, but it’s never felt right. I tried dating men, but the scent was all wrong, it made me disgusted, and I didn’t…well, it didn’t feel good. I decided not to bother with any of it and then the sister pack came to Three Cliffs for the games this year. I met Kash and she instantly bothered me. Her scent intrigued me and made me dizzy and confused. We, uh, fell into an affair of sorts, as I couldn’t handle being around her. There’s an attraction between us which I won’t deny, but that was because of the scent of her. We loved each other’s scent, and it made it hard to stay away from each other. I decided to end it, but then we both got drunk. When I woke up the following morning, I had been claimed…Kash had accidently claimed me. I have to break the bond, high priestess. My mother doesn’t approve, my family don’t support this and even Kash doesn’t want this. She made it clear from the beginning that she wanted nothing more than a physical relationship with me. She doesn’t allow herself to get involved or love others since losing her family to a hybrid attack. It can’t work between us, high priestess! Please break the bond for us!’ I finished.
‘May I?’ she asked, reaching for my hand.
I nodded, offering my hand to hers.
‘Ah,’ she said, accepting my flesh. ‘Interesting,’ she mused, cocking her head at me and studying me intently. ‘And now I must witness this with both of you. Please call your mate.’
‘She’s not my…’ I broke off. ‘I’ll get her,’ I said, as she released my hand.
Turning I went to the door, opened and indicated that Kash should join us. Back inside, it felt good to have her standing beside me in this.
The high priestess stood before us and once again held out her hands so that we could both take one. When our hands were in hers, she moved them together so that not only were our hand connected with the high priestess, but Kash and I’d hands were joined also.
A shock of electricity passed between us and then a shower of fireworks above us crackled brightly. A single white feather appeared from nowhere, darting back and forth, whizzing and turning in the sparkling air. When it landed, it burnt the skin of the back of my hand, making me yank my hand away from Kash’s immediately and gasp, staring down at the etching burn mark on my skin.
‘What the…?’
‘Ow, what the hell?’ Kash said, simultaneously.
‘Ah!’ the high priestess cried, smiling at us happily. ‘A very interesting development!’
‘What is?’ Kash asked, frowning at her deeply.
‘The mark of infinity! I feel the connection. Give me your hands. Now I need to feel this connection between you…know what I need to do,’ she commanded.
Neither of us hesitated in offering our hands. She was a force of nature, and her wishes were to be followed.
‘Interesting,’ she murmured, as she closed her eyes.
