*** Preston ***
As the Alpha goes into his mate’s home, I take his car and drive to the border of our lands as agreed. He will call when he intends to leave so I may resume my watch.
My wolf, Zack, senses that Amber is near and whimpers in pain. Shift and let me talk to Lizzie, she will listen to us.I think about it, and I don’t think this is breaking my word to Amber. It's Zack who will be presenting himself and if she decides to shift too, well, that’s her choice.
I quickly undress before shifting into my wolf form and shake out my fur before handing control to Zack. Behave or I won’t let you take control again, Zack! I tell him firmly.
Yeah, yeah, human, be quiet it’s my turn now to turn on the charm.I groan as I am pushed to the recess of Zack's subconscious. I can see and hear everything, but I am powerless to control anything he does now until he hands the reins back to me.
I have to trust him. I know he loves Amber and Lizzie as much as I do, and I know this separation has hurt him beyond anything we have both ever had to endure before. Zack wants what is best for us all, I trust him.
I sit back and allow the feel of the grass under his paws to wash over me, the sun heating his fur, the cool river he runs through and the butterflies he chases until he finds Amber sitting on the ledge of a cliff looking out. She is nearly catatonic, looking lost and vulnerable.
“Zack? Is that you?” she asks in a low but hopeful voice. “I miss you so much. I’m so sorry, tell Preston I am sorry for pushing him away. I’m sorry I could never let him all the way in. I am sorry for being a broken wolf.” The tears roll freely down her face, and I feel myself well up too.
Zack’s instincts kick in and his primary drive is to bring comfort and peace to his mate. He wraps his warm, cuddly body around Amber and rubs his muzzle against her face. Amber allows him to cuddle her, and jealousy rises in me. She is mine, after all. No, human, she is ours and I am trying to show her she doesn’t need to be afraid. Work with me or we are going to lose her.
He is right. I battle my unreasonable envy and watch Zack get closer to Amber than I have in seven years of relentless trying.
“Do you want to run with Lizzie?” she asks as she tenderly scratches under his chin and behind his ears and I laugh a bit as he gives a small yelp of reply that Amber also smiles at. “Ok, let me have five more minutes before I shift. I have missed your scent and I feel so tired.”
Preston, she feels cold, I think she might be sick?I know that he is worried because he’s used my name, that’s when I know he’s serious.
It is because of our separation and her lack of mark, her body is starting to feel rejection. Zack’s anger rapidly builds up at me.
SHE IS OURS. YOU WILL NOT REJECT HER. She is a broken human, not a broken wolf. But that’s ok, she is OUR broken human, we just need to give her what she needs.If only I knew what that was and how to persuade her to let me give it to her.
I don’t want to reject her, Zack, I want to mark her, I want her to be mine. I can hear his impatience with me, he is shaking his head at me and chastising me.
Human, listen, she is not a broken wolf, she is a broken human, a human that needs to trust another human. Lizzie trusts me and trusts our bond even without the mark. You need to show Amber’s human side that she can trust Preston’s human side.
Amber starts to move again but Zack covers her in his warm furry body, and she snuggles deeper into him. I think she might be asleep.
Preston, how do humans mark each other without a wolf? Maybe…However, his conversation is interrupted by Amber sitting up. She starts to undress, and I can feel the excitement growing in Zack.
Sorry wolfie, no mating! Promise me! I know how much he misses Lizzie, I know he has been patient and respectful to Amber by not marking her in wolf form, and I know that respect is born out of love for her. However, I also know his instincts are strong and he’ll want to mark Lizzie even more now to protect her from the hurt Amber is feeling. Zack, we are not going to win trust off Amber’s human side by marking her wolf without permission. Promise me!
I hear his growl and feel the frustration as he relents. I promise, human, for fucks sake, this would be easier if you would all let your wolves be the dominant form.
Maybe Zack has a point! I look back at Amber, her skin is like porcelain and her red hair is a stark contrast against it. The spark has gone from her bewitching green eyes. I want her back so badly; I miss her so much it hurts.
I watch her through Zack's eyes, and wait for her to shift but when her naked form falls to her knees, Zack whimpers. She can’t shift, where is my Lizzie? He howls in pain at the loss of his mate. No matter how temporary this might be, I know he is tortured and tormented by this separation as much as I am.
Please go to her Zack, love our girl for me, cuddle her close and keep her safe. Until she will allow me to do it in human form, please take care of her.Despite his own pain, my wolf, my loyal and dependable wolf who has always served me well, goes to Amber and licks her face before completely enveloping her in his loving embrace. Her tears bounce off his fur like morning dew drops but eventually Zack’s scent soothes her.
While they snooze in both companionable comfort and pain, I contemplate what Zack has said to me. I have been so fixed on satisfying the wolf need in me to mark my mate that I have missed the essential human needs and insecurities that Amber has, the very insecurities that prevent us moving forward.
How do humans mark each other? Zack asked; however, I know he means how do humans show they love one another and are committed to each other.
It's only when my Alpha summons me back with his car to his mate’s house that I get an idea. Eva was “marked” by her husband with a wedding ring. That’s how humans claim and mark each other. They take sacred vows in front of their family and friends. They get married.
Maybe Zack is onto something. Could marrying Amber meet the human needs in her?
*** Salma ***
We are married in my parents’ back garden under the stars and the moonlight with my mami and Alejandro’s parents as witnesses. The formality is completed within fifteen minutes and although it doesn’t seem appropriate to celebrate, with my father dying just this morning, I am happy this is how things turned out for me and Alejandro.
Alejandro looks strong and handsome in his dark suit. His parents are full of pride as he makes his commitment to me, to us, and I know my father would have looked upon us in the same way too.
I’m wearing a simple yet elegant soft pink floor-length gown. Willy had cut some white roses from papa’s greenhouse and Penelope made them into a posy for me. My raven hair is loosely curled, and I asked my mami to give me away as a salute to papa. Mami cries a lot throughout, some happy tears mingled with the sad ones.
The moment I walk towards Alejandro, I see him gulp, his eyes are filled with passion and longing, and I feel my body physically react to him again. I hope that never stops.
“Mi amor, te ves hermosa. Soy un hombre tan afortunado.” (“My love, you look beautiful. I am such a lucky man.”) Ale whispers to me when I reach his side and although this has been rushed through, it feels right. With Ale by my side, as equals, I know everything will be okay no matter what we face. Our union tonight unites our families and protects the standing of our firm: Morales and Suarez united.
My mother returns to bed shortly after our celebration toast and Ale asks me where I want to live from now on.
“I am not sure right now, but can we go back to your place for tonight, please? I liked it there.” He smiles at me and takes my bag to the car. Willy drives us and tells me to call him if I need driving anywhere else. It's been a seriously crazy couple of days.
My thoughts as we pull up at Alejandro’s building make me smile: I cannot wait to get into bed with my husband. My husband! It is unreal!
“Good evening, Mr Suarez, Miss,” the guard says. However, this time Alejandro stops and talks to him.
“Actually, this is my wife, Mrs Salma Morales.” He looks so proud as he says it and butterflies fill my tummy. I am his wife. The guard passes on his congratulations to us both and it feels so amazing to be introduced as Alejandro’s wife. I never thought it would make a difference, but it really does.
Alejandro kisses me before the lift arrives this time, and again in the lift, and when the bell dings indicating we have reached the penthouse, Ale carries me bridal style over the threshold.
“Bienvenida a casa mi Reina, mi amor! No puedo esperar ni un segundo más para tenerte en mi cama.” (“Welcome home my Queen, my love! I cannot wait another second to have you into my bed.”) He murmurs the words to me, and I honestly cannot wait to get into his bed too.
Ale places me gently in the centre of his bed and removes my shoes and kisses all the way up my legs. He pushes my legs apart and I squeal in response. “Wait until it's my tongue making you squeal like that, Chula; I am going to drive my wife insane all night long!” My sex floods with desire as his husky voice, his warm breath, and lingering sweet kisses all contribute to the tingling sensations flowing throughout my body.
“Ale, wait. I want to take off my dress and show you my lingerie set, I put it on especially for you.” He groans but he’s smiling, and he lies back with his hands behind his head. “Don’t get comfy, I need you to unzip me,” I tell him playfully.
“Chula, you’re driving me wild here I can’t stop thinking about plunging my tongue deep inside you…” As my dress drops to the floor, Ale stops talking, gobsmacked, I have a lacy three piece on: a balcony bra, thong, and suspender belt, and I look at him with feigned innocence.
“Were you saying something, Ale? Were you complaining about having to wait to bed your wife?” He shakes his head at me. “Good, now come here big boy, let’s have some fun!”
I laugh as he picks me up over his shoulder. “I’m not gonna last longer than two minutes with you looking like that!”