Trina steps off the low porch and takes a few steps out onto the path. She looks up, smiling as she focuses on the stars above. As she gets used to the night air, she relaxes, letting herhands fall to her sides. The white robe stirs around her, giving her an aura of mystery and magic.
What the fuck is happening to me?
My heart suddenly pounds, one huge, incredibly powerful beat that seems to hammer against my breastbone. Light flashes through my vision and pain cuts through my temples. I stagger forward, grabbing my head as sweat breaks out down my sides.
When I look up, I’m shocked to realize I can see every single fine detail of Trina now. I can see the soft pink curve of her lips, the shimmering sapphire and emerald depths of her eyes, and the light blush across her high cheekbones.
My wolf vision—it’s back!
Standing still in the shadows, knowing she won’t see me, I examine her even more closely. The white robe is made of a very thin, white fabric, and silhouetted against the light as she is, I can see her curvy shape clearly defined against the contrast. She leans back, stretching her hands out behind her and thrusting her chest forward, and I can see the hard peaks of her nipples pointing through the silky gown.
She shakes her head a little, and her long, dark blond hair shimmers with points of gold from the glow of the porch light. She’s a figure of beauty illuminated in the night, and I can’t take my eyes off her.
Suddenly, the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, and my muscles tense all over as if I’m about to leap into attack. Keeping my eyes on Trina, I realize that all my wolf senses have returned, and I’m reacting to her scent.
Lush and thick, like rose petals and lavender, her scent rushes across my face, borne by the night breeze. I take a deep breath and hold it, rolling that sweetness across the back of mytongue. I close my eyes for a second, and all I can think about is plunging my face between her breasts, or her legs, to drown in that smell.
When I open my eyes, I see her still standing with her head tilted back as if she’s admiring the constellations. The breeze shifts her gown again, clinging to her soft curves, and my desire rises in me, almost grabbing me by the throat.
I can’t believe I’ve looked at her so many times, but I’ve never actually seen her.
Before I realize it, I’ve begun to take slow, purposeful steps forward. There is not a single rational thought in my mind, and all my will narrows to one sole purpose.
I must have her.
Chapter 2 - Trina
The sounds of the night wrap around me like a soft down comforter. Little thrills of pleasure trace down my spine and across my shoulders as I walk up the narrow concrete path in my bare feet.
Even though it’s getting late, the stone under my feet still feels warm. I pause to look up at the stars, stretching my arms out behind me as I tilt my head straight back.
I am so content here. A life I could never have imagined, really.
Nearby, a cricket takes up the song, bringing a smile to my face. I straighten up again and walk to the end of the path, careful to step over the cracks where rogue clumps of grass are wildly growing through to take over the concrete. I stop near the curb, loving the stillness at the end of the street.
No houses nearby, no cars going past. This is utter bliss.
A warm breeze teases my face, lifting my hair off my neck and bringing an even wider smile to my face.
This is freedom.
I close my eyes, listening to the night. Sometimes, when I concentrate, it’s almost as if I can hear a sound beyond all the others. A deep, consistent note of harmony that beats just beyond my hearing.
Like the heartbeat of the world.
I chuckle to myself as I turn to walk back up the path. I move my feet slowly to avoid the big cracks and knots of grass, pushing back the unruly weeds that brush against me as I go. Before I walk up the steps to go back inside, I pause to look up at my house.
It’s tiny, but it’s everything I need, and more than I ever asked for.
My mind shies away from the broken pieces of my past that remind me exactly why this little cottage and overgrown garden look like heaven to me. I take a deep breath and admire it, simply for its own sake, and try not to let my thoughts get clouded by old memories.
Just appreciate what you have, right now. That’s all that matters.
A breeze skitters through the leaves above, and I close my eyes as it trickles down to me and teases my hair.
Safe. So safe. Boring, even.
I chuckle to myself, wondering how many people in the world actually wish for their lives to be boring. For me, personally, it’s utter perfection.
