Big Bad Wolfie

"Where are we going?" I laughed.

"Just trust me."

"We've spent weeks in the woods. I wasn't expecting you to be so eager to come back," I shook my head as we maneuvered around the trees.

Honestly though, I'm just glad he's stopped offering to carry me.

I'm not that hurt anymore.

"We're almost there, and trust me," he turned around to face me. "This is way better than anything in those woods."

The smile that grew on his face was contagious.

"You're not going to kill me and hide my body out here, are you?" I raised an eyebrow at his back as he led the way. "Because that would be a very anticlimactic way for me to go out."

His laughter filled the forest around us and my smile grew wider at the sound.

His laugh is so beautiful.

"Nah, I'm done with the scary alpha sh*t," he confessed. "It was exhausting."

"I know right. I don't know how bad guys do it." I shook my head. "Being angry all the time," I clarified to his back, but I knew he was listening. I think I'm doing him a favor not making him look me in the eye during this conversation. One will come where he will, but it doesn't have to be today.

"Yeah, I don't think Abaddon has ever smiled at anything or laughed at a joke. At least not unless the joke was someone else's misery," he agreed.

I paused to observe him. His back muscles are flexed deliciously, but I know that's an indicator of how troubled he is.

This situation is troubling, but I want today to be a break from that.

But I need to know something first.

"See, you know what kind of man Abaddon is. So why did you ever agree to do business with him?" I asked gently. Was it your wolf that convinced you?

"I didn't know when he first approached me. I was just instated as alpha. I hadn't heard the rumors yet -"

"They're not rumors," I cut him off.

"Well, I know that now," he sighed. "It wasn't until everything was signed that he showed his true colors, then it was too late."

I frowned at his back in pity as he hung his head.

Does he need a hug or space? I can never tell.

"Not to mention his ginormous house and arsenal," he shook his head.

"You have a decent sized pack," I assured him.

"Sure, but-"

"And with my help, we'll be able to put him back in his place," I nodded with determination.

He peaked back at me.

"I signed over some crazy stuff that I didn't even realize until after the fact," he ran his hand over his face in distress and I'd imagine some embarrassment. No wonder he kept his bullsh*t up for this long, the man has no optimism.

"Relax, he targets new leaders because they're inexperienced, and I have lawyers I can lend you so yours and mine can work together," I tried to sooth him. "Well, his tactics only work on idiots who don't know what they're doing," he shook his head, and by this time I've made my way next to him.

I snorted quietly to myself.

He frowned and looked at me, "What?"

I tried to hide my small smile, but I didn't do a very good job. "It worked on my dad."

I saw the information start to process in in his head, and once it clicked, his eyes bugged out. "Oh! Oh my... Uh, I-I didn't mean... I mean, I'm sure he wasn't-"

I snorted loudly, "It's okay, Wolfie. Moral of the story, everyone makes mistakes," I smiled at him. "Even my invencible parents."

After he took a second to slow down his heart rate, he chuckled. ". . . Thanks, Maria."

"No problem, Wolfie."

"Are we there yet?" I whined practically immediately after.

He laughed loudly and my heart swelled knowing I was the reason.

"How can you manage to be so wise and so childish at the same time?" He shook his head in amusement.

"It's part of my charm," I flipped a purple strand of hair over my shoulder, "get used to it, bud," I joked.

He chuckled loosely, "It most certainly is, love."

My breath caught in my throat at the nickname.

Oddly enough, his did too.

Aw, Wolfie's flustered at his own comment.

I opened my mouth to say something witty, anything, but he beat me to it.

"We're here," he blurted and I couldn't hold back the giggle.

Then I actually took in where we are.

There's a rock wall piled high with boulders and greenery covering it. Looks like it hasn't been touched in years. If I was strolling around here, I'd pass it right by.

But with the sly grin Wolfie is shooting my way, I can tell there's more to the story.

I matched his mischievous smile with an excited one of my own.

With that same sly grin, he walked closer to some greenery and pulled it aside, revealing that it was hollow behind it.

My eyebrows raised slightly in surprise but my excitement replaced it quickly.

I love secret passage ways.

Wolfie looked inside the small hole. "It's a bit of a tighter fit than when we were kids," he chuckled, "but I think I'll manage," he said as he started doing stretches and jumping jacks. I laughed hysterically.

"What?" He questioned, pulling his knee up to his chest. "I've gotta limber up."

I chuckled, "Oh, what are you planning on doing in there?" I smirked, but even I surprised myself with the pass I made on him.

"It's not for what I have planned when inside. It's for getting inside," he shook his head and rubbed his stomach, even though I know for a fact that there's a six pack under that shirt.

I rolled my eyes playfully, slightly relieved he didn't flirt back, "shut up and lead the way."

"Yes ma'am," he smirked and headed in.

After a lot of grunts and groans, and pushing and pulling, we finally got his fat @ss in.

Now it's my turn to squeeze through.

The top half was relatively easy.

The bottom, not so much.

While I was wiggling to get through, I heard a snicker from Wolfie's direction. I looked up to glare at him, and he just laughed louder.

I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms in wait.

He finally stopped his little laugh attack, wiping tears from his eyes.

"Are you done?" I raised a secretly amused eyebrow while reaching out so he can help me.

He chuckled, "Maybe. We'll see how funny this is."

I scoffed loudly at him but still grabbed the hands he offered so he could help pull me out of this predicament.

More grunting and groaning, and pushing and pulling later, I'm in!

And I can finally take in the place.

"You ready?" Wolfie asks excitedly as he stood blocking my view.

The giddiness in his eyes melts my heart.

"Definitely," I smile.

He moves to the side with a hand on the small of my back pushing me forward, and the sight in front of me is gorgeous.

Magnificent, stunning, gorgeous, oh I already said gorgeous, beautiful.

What I figured would be just a cave, is actually so much more. Up above us, there's an opening for light to shine in, and under it, there is lush green grass, beautiful flowers of all colors, and even some little woodland creatures that scurried off at the sight of us.

"This place is amazing," I sighed and got a whiff of the smell.

It smells so fresh and good and safe. No hybrids or rogues or blood to be detected. It's like we're in our own little world of flowers and sun.

"I'm glad you like it," Wolfie whispered, coming up behind me.

"You wanna go explore?" He looked down to smile at me.

"Yes!" I beamed up at him.

"Great! First one to the sun flower patch gets a kiss." He grinned and took off.

"I don't even know where that is! And I'm injured," I called after him, shaking my head laughing.

"I know!" He called back, "I just figured this would be my only opportunity to beat your speedy @ss in a race."

"Wowwwww," I laughed.

"Mhm," is all he hummed as he kept a steady jog.

I started a jog of my own.

"Nah-ah-ah, only walking, Dr's orders," Wolfie waved a finger at me as he ran backwards.

"Ughhhh," I groaned.

He put his hands up, "Not my call." That's when he tripped over a root and stumbled onto his @ss, because he wasn't watching where he was jogging.

I started laughing hysterically and trying to speed walk past him.

He rubbed his butt with a pout, "okay, that wasn't there last time we came here."

I laughed even more and ignored the fact he kept saying we, while I quickened my speed walk. Per "Doctor's orders".

"Hey no, no fair!" He cried as he shot up and speed walked to catch up to me.

I snorted, "I see you do believe in some fairness."

"But of course," He assured.

"But I'm still gonna win," he whispered in my ear and kicked his speed walking up a notch.

I chortled loudly.

He looks ridiculous speed walking like a mom in the park. I'm sure I do too, but he's really selling it. And I love it.

It's got my cold, practically dead heart, heating at the sight and feeling of it all.☐☐