A Secret Meeting

The air was warm within the glade, illuminated only by the soft glow of the moon. The only sounds that permeated the air were those of the crickets chirruping and the air smelled of heavenly pine. Alcides sat upon a fallen log, his handsome chin resting upon a large hand and his amber eyes half-lidded, as he gazed off into the distance appearing to be lost in thought. Despite his outward appearance, his ears strained against the muted sounds of the night, fully alert and waiting.

A twig snapped and his eyes shot to the shadow of the trees surrounding the clearing. A small smile spread across his lips, and he stood as the petite woman stepped lightly into the clearing, her long silvery locks almost glowing in the pale moonlight. Gwen met his gaze with a small frown and whispered, “I thought you said this was too dangerous.”

Alcides took a step toward her, “I did. It is. But I had to see you again. Alone.”

Gwen’s cheeks flushed at his warm timbre. In her mind, she prayed he wouldn’t notice, but was almost certain he could tell. Her crystal eyes darted about the clearing, searching the shadows for any unwelcome movement.

“Relax, my moon.” Alcides took her hand in his own and lead her to the center of the clearing. “We are safe, for now.” He cupped her small face in his hands and gazed lovingly into her eyes.

For a moment, when she met his gaze, her brow softened. She smiled a soft but warm smile up into the brilliant, orange-colored eyes of her love and it was all she could do but sigh, “You know that we are only tempting fate each time we do this. If anyone sees us, the elders will surely- “

“Shh,” Alcides interrupted her, hushing her woes, “I’m well aware of the risks and, if need be, I will face them head on. I’d risk anything and everything for you.”

Gwen resisted the strong urge to melt and shook her head, “But you are the Alpha. The pack is your responsibility, and you owe all to them.”

The corner of Alcides’s lips twitched as he gave a teasing scowl and he gripped her chin gently again, forcing her to lock eyes with him once more. With the hint of a growl in his voice, he spoke, “And what of my responsibility to myself? To my heart? If I am to be strong for the pack, then surely, I should keep my strength up. You, my moon, are my strength.”

Gwen swallowed hard at the lump that sprang to her throat. Her eyes glistened an icy hue in the moonlight, contrasting beautifully against his own glittering gaze. More than anything she wanted to throw herself into his strong embrace and to feel small against his muscular frame. Instead, she reached a hand to touch his. Her voice had dropped so low that the wind, itself, could steal it away if it blew strong enough,

“We are bound by sacred law. You have a duty to fulfill. If our pack is to prosper and grow, then you must keep your duty to your future mate.”

Any flirtatious mirth disappeared from his eyes. His brows turned upright in sorrow and the vulnerability in his tone cut Gwen to the core, “I couldn’t care any less for traditions. I don’t care about the alliance. You. I care about you. Every moment I am with you reminds me of what I lost. You make me feel like myself again, not who I am expected to be.”

Any doubts in her mind were gone. The forest’s silence was oppressive. It was if the very crickets were listening, waiting for Gwen’s response. Her gaze dropped and she let her hands fall to her side. Softly, she spoke with a tremble in her voice, I don’t want to be the reason you lose everything.”

Alcides shook his head and spoke in a firm, yet tender tone, “I haven’t lost a thing. If anything, I’ve gained. You have given me a life worth living. You’ve given meaning to this life of never-ending duties and traditions. I know what living is now… and I want to do that with you by my side, for the rest of my days.”

Gwen’s eyes met his once more, shimmering with tears. This time, she could not stop them from spilling over. Her voice barely a whisper, she choked out, “What if the pack turns against us? Against you? They won’t ever understand.”

Alcides gripped her hands tighter in his and stepped forward, closing the small gap between them. Gwen noted the intense warmth that emanated from his towering frame and shivered. When he spoke, his voice was firm, tone resolute, even a little challenging, “I welcome them to try. Ancient traditions do not scare me. I have faced more terrifying opponents. I will protect you and fight for you, always.”

He reached one strong and calloused hand to her face, brushing away a tear with his thumb. Gwen knew that he meant every word he said. These strong hands did not get their rough exterior from simple chores. Alcides was a champion fighter. She leaned her head into his touch. Despite his immense strength, his touch was still gentle and reassuring. It was as if she were a fragile treasure in his hands. She closed her eyes and whispered, admitting, “I’m so scared. Not just for us, but for you. I don’t know what this could do to you. What of the pack?”

He stroked her cheek tenderly with his thumb, “Fearing the unknown is a natural response. But love is more powerful than fear. With the love I have for you, I am stronger than anything they could do.”

Gwen could no longer resist. Her slim frame careened forward, and she pressed her body fully into his strong chest, allowing his arms to fold around her. He was a fortress against the world, and she was his most precious jewel. She looked up to him and he pressed his forehead against hers, their eyes locked. The sweet smell of her breath was almost intoxicating. In a voice that was barely audible, she whispered, “Promise me that, no matter what, you will never regret choosing me.”

Alcides pressed his strong lips gently to her soft and supple ones, whispering against them, “I could never regret you. I choose you. And only you.”

A shock of warm lightning sizzled through Gwen’s veins as their lips connected. It was a tender kiss that lingered, unifying these two souls cursed with such a sordid fate. The world was frozen around them, as if time had come to a halt. As their unspoken passion and gripped them, the kiss deepened, and Gwen felt as if she was about to lose herself completely.

The kiss broke and the two stood, foreheads together, chests rising and falling in synchronous heavy breaths, savoring the closeness. A distant howl echoed through the forest and seemed to reverberate around the clearing. It was a harsh reminder of the reality in which they lived.

Gwen stepped back, reluctantly breaking the spell they’d created, “We should go before anyone notices.”

“You’re right,” Alcides nodded, but his brows were knitted tightly, and his gaze was unbroken, “But I want you to remember that whatever may come, I am with you. Always.”

Gwen could feel the tears threatening to fall again. She blinked rapidly and nodded, casting him a bittersweet smile. With one more glance back, she made her way back the way she came, slipping silently into the shadow-y realm of the night.

Alcides lingered for a moment, eyes locked on the place she disappeared. His brows were knitted in a furrowed and determined expression and he could feel the fire raging at his core. There was no denying the road ahead was going to be riddled with challenges and opposition, but whatever came, he would come out on top. For her.