Chapter 2: An Unforgettable Night
***
"Remind me again why I'm here with you? This is clearly something you can do on your own."
I groaned, grumpier than ever at being distracted from my sleep. Apart from driving home the entire way while my shopping partner snored away beside me, I had been swamped with work back at the pack. Resting had not been an option at any point.
But the weekend was finally here and I could finally retreat into my incredibly comfortable bed and separate myself from everyone else. I'd finally have time to be able to indulge my introvert tendencies by binging on some shows and indulging in all the junk food I wanted.
So why the hell are you in a shopping mall with this idiot? Why in the world did you even agree to this impromptu trip?!
They were good questions that I had no answers for. Well, at least answers that would not completely offset me and take me back to a part of my mind I had decided to close off.
"Well, as you must know, my Alpha induction ceremony and the Alpha General meeting is tomorrow and since Ana Leticia is coming home, I wanted to get her a present for her birthday since I wasn't able to attend. I was hoping you could help me pick something out. I know its super last minute but it's been super crazy. I didn't have the time."
The sound of my best friend's name instantly perked me up, all traces of sleep eliminated. I had been looking forward to her visit ever since Alpha Darren announced the news of Reed's Alpha Ceremony. Our FaceTime talks had been long winded, filled with excitement at the prospect of seeing each other again.
To say I had missed her would be an understatement. Ana Leticia Michaels-or Steele as she was now known as ever since she found her mate- is the closest person I had ever had to a sister. We had been together almost all our lives and having her leave for her mate's pack in the Northern Werewolf territory had been a blow to the both of us.
I was happy for her that she had found the one thing that she had always wanted and yet the thought of being away from her had filled me with incredible sadness. We had resolved to texting and face timing all the time, though, and her mate, Alpha Victor Steele, had eventually gotten used to our late night calls and incessant exchange of texts.
The last year since she had left had been harrowing and knowing that she would finally have the chance to come back home was enough to rejuvenate my body that was only ever jumpstarted by coffee.
"See, I knew that would wake you up. It's still a wonder to me how you manage to sleep in the afternoon."
Reed mused, clearly genuinely alarmed by my ability to sleep anywhere and at anytime. I chuckled at his adorable confusion before walking down the present aisle that housed glassware of all shapes and sizes.
"Sleep does not need planning. Only a comfortable spot and that's it. Also, couldn't you have asked Max to come with you?"
Naming the third musketeer in our group of friends, Maxwell Black, I refused to show Reed just how well he could read my emotions even though I knew well enough that he had all the cheat codes to what makes me tick.
And goddess I hate that he knows that because its super dangerous...
"I would have but the guy is still on a mission with Uncle Randall. I guess the situation was not as straight forward as we thought but they should be fine. I mean, its Uncle Rand."
I nodded in agreement, the worry that had lurched forth instantly disappearing at the mention of the Gamma of our pack and Max's father. The guy was a force to be reckoned with in the Werewolf community with many going as far as to call him Butcher Rand. He had trained all of us, Max included, and the harrowing experience had shaped us all into the warriors we now were.
That's the only reason Alpha Darren allowed Letty to move all the way to the Northern Territory...
"Smart guy. Consider yourself lucky. You've saved yourself from a world of pain. If there had been any alternatives to this whole trip, I would have smacked the shit out of you."
I muttered, earning a loud laugh from Reed before he pulled me into his side, the sudden action accelerating my heartbeat considerably. I didn't have time to guard my heart and shield it from his scrutiny.
I can't let him see just how much he affects me.
"Oh, I know. I had my bases covered in preparation,"
His smile was cocky even as he leaned forward, right into my personal space. I could not stop the shivers that assailed my body and the goosebumps that spread across my skin as his warm breath fanned my ear.
"I know you better than anyone else, Alex...Hiding your true feelings is futile."
My heartbeat almost came to a stop at his words. It was like the world was falling in on itself as I registered what he could possibly mean by his words.
Holy shit...There's no way...
"Get off me, weirdo! Jeez, if you were gonna get me here just so you can spew some nonsense then I'm leaving."
I turned towards the exit, thanking the moon goddess for my strong voice and hidden flush that was effectively curtained behind my loose hair. Every single inch of me wanted to run from him, to hide from the true revelation of his words. I couldn't allow myself to stay and have a decade old secret revealed.
Does he really know I like him?! Because that's just not possible...I've hidden it well...
My spiraling was interrupted by Reed's loud laugh as he grabbed my wrist and pulled me back to face the mall once more.
"Fuck, I'm sorry, Alex. It was just a joke, I swear! I didn't realize it would trigger you like this. I really do need your help picking out this gift. I promise I'll keep my trap shut the entire time."
He seemed genuinely remorseful as he begged for my forgiveness, the sheen in his emerald green eyes all too familiar. He meant every word. I internally breathed a sigh of relief at the sight before nodding in response.
"Fine. Let's go. And you better keep your word!"
I threatened as I allowed him to lead me towards the nearest clothing store which was the perfect gift for my girly as hell best friend...
**
The rain pounded down like crazy on the windshield, the storm unlike anything we had ever seen in our slice of heaven that was in the outskirts of Portland. The weather had been a little unpredictable lately but nothing could have prepared us for the storm we were now in.
"Fuck. Its like mother nature is exceptionally pissed off tonight. If only I had my truck."
Reed groaned as he slowly drove down the wet streets. It was already dangerous enough as it is being on the road with how heavy the rain was and to top it all off, darkness had well and truly set in.
Our decision to stay a little longer at the mall for dinner was starting to look like a pretty bad one now that we were stuck on the road in a Mercedes AMG GTR pro that was not as great in these conditions as his Chevrolet Truck.
"We should probably find somewhere to camp for the night. These conditions are too crazy to drive or run back to the pack."
I responded, resorting to the one option we really had. We had already pushed our luck as it is by being on the road still but our luck would, inevitably, run out and put us in a pretty precarious position should we try to continue the remaining thirty minutes that it would take to get home in optimum conditions.
In these conditions, though, it would take about an hour or more. That's if we even make it...
"You're right. There was a sign post for an inn back there. We should be at the turning soon enough."
Reed agreed, his words sending an instant flush through me as I registered exactly what he had just said. My heart beat quickened at the prospect of being in a motel room with my best friend.
Holy hell, Alexandra, you're acting as if you haven't been in a hotel room with him before...
I chastised myself despite knowing, deep down, that this would be different. We would not be with Maxwell and Letty on a mission somewhere. No, it would be just the two of us and after his words earlier on, I was completely unbalanced and unprepared for the prospect of being with him in any kind of confined space.
Relax, Alexandra. As much as you would like to be in the same room with him, you will definitely be getting different rooms. Calm the horny hormones...
I reassured myself silently despite the pang of disappointment that went through me at the realization. We were outside the motel soon enough and after finding a parking spot amidst the multitude of cars, we launched out into the storm and into the entrance of the two storey building.
"Jeez. Such a short distance and we're already drenched."
Reed muttered as we ringed the water from our drenched clothes at the front porch of the hotel before venturing into the building. The warmth from the AC was welcome as it engulfed the lobby that was packed with guests, a surprising sight indeed.
"Well, this storm certainly inconvenienced a lot of people."
Reed stated as soon as we were in our room.
Yes.
Our room.
We had managed to snag the last remaining room for the night with the only hurdle being that it was a single room.
I felt like I was transported into one of Letty's smut books on Wattpad as we climbed the stairs and got situated in the single room with a King sized bed ominously staring at us in the middle of the moderately furnished space.
"Yeah, it has."
I finally managed to arrange my thoughts but I was not as successful at keeping the shake in my voice hidden. The entire situation was already stressful as is without being stuck in one room with my childhood crush who looked delectable with his wet clothes defining every single damn one of his abs and muscular arms.
"Fuck, Alex. You must be freezing. Come, you should get out of those wet clothes."
I was glad for the goosebumps that were already on my skin from the cold and not from his touch as he led me into the bathroom and closed the door behind me after grabbing an extra towel from the rack.
"Alright, horny Jane. Its just one night alone with a guy you've been friends with since you were literal toddlers. You can control yourself for one bloody night, Alexandra. You HAVE to if you wanna stay friends with one of the most important people in your life. You've got this."
My silent pep talked as I slowly rid myself of my wet clothes went a long way. Resolve engulfed me at the prospect of ruining my friendship with Reed. I couldn't let that happen. Not after everything we have been through. He was my anchor like Letty and Max. He was too important to me to let my crush and my lust ruin it all.
Wrapping a towel around me once I finished drying my hair, I opened the door leading back into the room. The lights were now dimmed with Reed perched in bed already. I was not surprised considering the sleepiness that swirled within the back of my own mind.
Yes, Alex, sleep...That's the only way you can keep from doing something you'll later regret...
Grabbing the dry shirt Reed kept within his car for emergencies, I donned it over my towel before slipping into bed, my heart beat settling at the sight of his closed eyes.
Thank the goddess he's asleep...
It made sense considering he wasn't being assailed with crazy emotions like I was. He was perfectly oblivious and should stay that way.
"Sorry, Alex. I was too tired to sleep on the floor. I hope its okay with you that I'm in the bed."
Reed sleepily asked, his concern for me warming my heart as I cracked a small smile in response.
"Its okay. Who says friends can't sleep in the same bed together. Now, rest. You have a pretty important day tomorrow."
I reassured before turning away from him, my body finally allowing itself to rest as I placed my head on the pillow. Although I could feel the warmth of his body, I resisted the urge to snuggle into him and instead stayed at the edge of the bed where it was safe.
Safe for you or for him...
I rolled my eyes at my thoughts before closing my eyes and willing myself to sleep.
"Yeah, friends can definitely sleep in the same bed together. But...I don't want to be your friend, Alex. Just for tonight, I want to be what I've always wanted to be...I want to be yours and for you to be mine..."
The gasp escaped before his strong arm pulled me flush to his chest, my butt settling right on his excited hard on that, despite his shorts that paired with the shirt I was wearing, was still very much prominent and certainly impressive.
Every single nerve ending of my body came alive at his touch, shivers assailing my body as he planted soft kisses on my neck.
"Reed..."
I whispered, my voice coming out breathy and needy. I wanted him. More than I had ever wanted anything or anyone.
A small part of my brain, however, reminded me of the fact that we were not mates.
It had been a painful realization once I turned eighteen and probably shouldn't matter in the grand scheme of things considering many werewolves dated before meeting their mates but a part couldn't help but...hesitate.
"I know you like me too, Alex. All jokes aside, I know you've liked me since we were kids because I liked you too. I just didn't know how to tell you, which sounds ridiculous coming from me but you made me incredibly shy and unsure of myself. I wanted to be the best version of myself before I approached you. I was going to confess tomorrow after the Alpha ceremony but I just couldn't wait. Not when you look as beautiful as you do now. I'll understand if you don't want to do anything tonight. Heck, if I read this all wrong then I'll back down, I promise. I just wanted you to know how I feel."
Sincerity was clear as day in his eyes as well as a vulnerability I had never seen in him. It made my heart soar, my doubts dissipating into the background as I lightly caressed his cheek. Part of me was sure this was a dream. That I was back in the fantasies I created of the two of us. But being here, feeling his firm and warm touch against my back as I wrapped my own arms around his broad shoulders, I knew it was real.
"What about our mates? I don't want to be in some sort of uncomfortable situation. The aftermath of that will be super painful."
I muttered despite my reluctance. All the cards had to be on the table before we proceeded forth.
"I've thought a lot about that too. I would never want to put you in a weird position. But we're 25, Alex. Most people find their mates by the time they're 18, even earlier, and the fact that we haven't already probably puts us in the category of the few who don't have that privilege. Its okay, though, because we have each other and that's all that matters to me. I want to try with you, Alex. What I feel for you must be how it feels to find your mate because I can never stop thinking about you. All I see is you, wherever we are. All I pray to the moon goddess, every night, is for you to be mine."
His words were enough to spurn me into action. Leaning the small distance forward, I did what I had always wanted to. I crushed my lips against his in a passionate kiss that sent sparks through each of us. Lust engulfed us as we got lost in the overwhelming emotions we felt for each other.
A kiss turned into a possessive touch that grew into so much more. Soon enough, we were naked under the covers with Reed towering over me, a reverent expression on his face as he worshipped my naked body with kisses that elicited goosebumps wherever he touched.
For this one night, I chose to forget everything and be in the moment with him. I chose to believe that we were, indeed, among the few werewolves who could choose their own mates. I had always suspected that I would not be as fortunate to find a mate due to my brokenness but I would have never thought that Reed would feel the same exact way.
That him, in all his perfection, would not have a woman out there who would solely own him as he would her...
Well, I am HIS tonight...Probably forever...
I couldn't have been happier, lost in the sensations of his girth as he took my virginity and made love to me the entire night under the rumbling storm that had aligned our union perfectly...
This must be the will of the moon goddess....right?
Oh, how wrong I was...
***
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone