Wildling

I stared at the man currently occupying my bed. After lugging him all the way back home, I was able to get him into the bed after a lot of pushing and pulling. He never regained consciousness during all that, not even when I started addressing his wounds. I had taken the knife out of his calf before I drug him home. I dressed the wound and stitched it up. It wasn’t that bad. The wound on his chest and the laceration to his leg were the worst. His chest wound was made by a bullet which I was finally able to dig out with my smallest knife. I couldn’t do much more besides disinfect it. Luckily, it had missed anything vital. Hopefully, his wolf would heal it quickly. His left leg had a six-inch laceration that I also stitched up. When all was said and done, I washed his body with a wet cloth. Taking off all the dirt and grime he had accumulated. Now, I was just sitting at my kitchen table watching him sleep and wondering what to do about my current situation.

He was my mate. I had no doubt once I had looked in his eyes. After losing Aoralia, I had resigned myself to a lonely fate. Yes, I had Accalia, but that only helps so much. There were long nights I would lay awake missing that connection you could have with another person. The intimacy. The ability to have a future. To have children and grandchildren. I knew I would never have that, and I had accepted it. Or so I thought. But now…I glanced at his slumbering figure, now this changes things.

How could I have a mate? I lost my wolf. To my knowledge, there had never been a mating to a human or wolf-less werewolf. Granted, not many lose that half of themselves and live to talk about it. Which brings me to my next dilemma. Would he reject me? I sat there contemplating all that could go wrong or right while he slept.

He certainly was attractive. He was fit like most werewolves and had a six pack. His abs look like they were chiseled from marble. Christ, his whole body did. It stirred something deep inside me. He had large broad shoulders, a sharp jaw line with a small scruff that showed he hadn’t shaved in several days. His hair was longer on the top and shorter at the sides. He looked well put together. I wondered what pack he was from and how he got caught by Travis and his lackies? I guess I will have to see what happens when he wakes up.

I bunked on the couch with Accalia but refused to sleep. If he woke up and thought I was the enemy he could kill me, mate or not. I don’t know his character, so anything is possible.

My heart clenched at the thought of him rejecting me. I hated this. I had accepted my fate and now everything has been flipped upside down. I didn’t know if this was good or bad yet and that thought was terrifying me. I realized how much I missed human company, and we hadn’t even spoken yet. It would be tough to go back to being alone after this opportunity had presented itself. Although could I really be selfish enough to keep him in danger?

I tried to calm myself and regulate my breathing as my mind kept tossing ideas of rejection and loneliness around. Ever since I lost Aoralia I have never been the same. My heart has shrunk and feels empty. It’s hard, having another soul in your body and it is just so empty when they are gone.

I was broken inside.

I shook my head clear of my thoughts as a few tears escape. I hastily wiped them and bury my face into Accalia’s scruff to muffle my sobs. She nuzzled closer to me, knowing I needed comfort.

A few hours slipped by and the man still hadn’t moved. Dawn was breaking so I figured I should go wash in the stream and dress. I slipped out the door with Accalia in tow and grabbed a bucket so I could bring water back. I walked down to the stream and took off my shorts and tank and slipped into the deeper portion of a pool that was there and washed my body. Accalia stayed on the bank watching for any possible threats. Once I was washed, I stepped out and threw on my clothes and filled my bucket with water. I quickly brushed my teeth and then walked carefully back to the cabin so that I didn’t spill the water. I opened the door and Accalia ran through first, barking for breakfast. I set the bucket down and closed the door. I looked towards the bed only to find myself staring into beautiful, green eyes. I gasped realizing the man had woken up when Accalia barked.

I turned towards him slowly, never taking my eyes off him. He just stared.

“You’re safe.” I waited for some type of reaction from him. He continued to stare at me. I shuffled forward a few steps and waved my hand in front of his face. He blinked rapidly and looked at me.

“Are you ok? I dressed your wounds, does anything hurt?”

“No” He croaked and cleared his throat. I rushed to my kitchen and grabbed a glass, dipping it into the bucket and bringing it back to him. I passed it to him carefully. He gulped it down until it was gone and then handed the glass back to me.

He looked at me with curiosity and a sort of awe, I guess. “Who are you?”

“My name is Ember. You?”

“Jaxson.” He rumbled. His voice still rough from sleep. I nodded. His penetrating gaze was unsettling me a little. He watched me as if I would disappear at any moment.

“Nice to meet you.” I was about to ask him what happened when Accalia decided it was the perfect moment to jump onto the bed with him. He jumped in surprise; eyes wide before he turned to look at me.

“That’s a wolf.” He looked so bewildered, and I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Yes, this is Accalia. She was the one to find you first. You were being chased.” His eyes widened as he remembered parts of last night. He threw the blanket off his legs to look at his injuries. “Your injuries weren’t too bad. You must heal quickly.” I don’t mention I know he is a werewolf. I want to see what he does.

“I remember bits and pieces.” He looked dazed as he continued to stare at his injuries. Suddenly his head snapped up and his eyes reached mine.

“You were there. You had arrows drawn at them.” He was silent for a moment as if replaying his memories. His eyes widen. “You knew them!” He seemed to get a little panicked at this information. Maybe he thought I was a hunter too. Guess he couldn’t think clearly. Why would I save him and dress his wounds only to kill him after?

“Yes. I have dealt with Travis and his lackies before. They weren’t happy when I moved in, especially when I ruined the traps he had set.” Those green eyes widened, and his lips parted but I continued. “He will be back with more men, but I will handle it. You are safe here.” I stared directly into his eyes to try and make him understand that I was no threat to him. He nodded slightly and sighed, relaxing a bit into the pillow behind him.

“I have to go out to get us food. You stay in bed. Accalia will stay with you in case anything should happen.” I walked towards my dresser pulling out my outfit.

I started disrobing and heard Jaxson’s beath hitch. I’m not shy, although I’m ashamed of my past, I used to be a werewolf. Heck, nudity is a given with our species. Plus, I wasn’t about to force him to close his eyes or turn away just so I could change. I kept my bra and underwear on for his benefit. I heard a slight growl with a cough following it to try and cover his slip up.

I knew it would happen.

He saw the scars that litter my back. Being his mate, even if he rejects me, would make him protective right now.

I remained silent and pretended I didn’t hear anything. I quickly threw on brown pants and a dark tee shirt. I put my brown, leather jacket on while I searched for my socks. I could feel his eyes boring into my back as I grabbed my tan, leather boots and walked towards the kitchen chair. I sat down to pull on my socks and boots and looked up towards him while I did. His green eyes never left mine.

“I shouldn’t be more than 2 or 3 hours. I will leave you some food and water on the stand beside the bed, so you don’t have to move more than necessary. If you need the bathroom, it is unfortunately outside. I don’t have plumbing or running water so there is an outhouse outside. If you need help walking tell Accalia to heel and she will stay beside you. If you hear a whistle that is just me calling Accalia to help me drag back whatever I catch.” He seemed surprised by this.

“You don’t just go into town?” He seems curious as to why I am by myself, but I wasn’t about to get into that right now.

I eyed him for a moment. “No. Do you need anything before I leave?” I shuffled around the house grabbing some dried meat and fruit and a glass of water. I walked back towards the bed and placed them on the nightstand and looked down at him. He seemed a little embarrassed.

“No but thank you for this. You really didn’t need to take care of me.” He looked down at his hands before peering back up to me.

My lips twitched upwards a bit. Maybe I can have a bit of fun with this. A little sexual inuendo never hurt anyone. I mean he is my mate. “Well, when you are better, you can make it up to me.” I smirk. On that, I turned away from his look of surprise, grabbed by bow and quiver, and left the house.