Escaping Wildfire

Gema

Over a week had passed since my video call with Noah. My parents hadn’t had another date night since then, and Noah had gotten busier, especially now that he had night watch every other day. He’d called me nearly every day, but our talks had gotten shorter. This was the longest we’d ever been apart, and it felt strange not having him just one floor down if I needed him.

“Hey, are we going for a swim again today?” Jasmine cut into my thoughts.

“Mm, again? Isn’t there anything else we can do?” We’d just finished dinner, and we were starting to run out of things to do other than watch movies and go swimming. My mom still kept me on a short leash, so I couldn’t just go wherever whenever I wanted. Jasmine was a good friend, and she stuck with me even when we were bored out of our minds.

“There you two are, I’ve been looking all over for you.” Luna Christina came and sat beside us.

“What’s up, Mom?”

“Well, Alpha Kedrick just called your father. He said your brother’s been a little down, and he thinks he might be feeling homesick. Alpha Kedrick’s little boy is having a birthday party this weekend, and he invited us to the party. He thinks Jordan might perk up with seeing us.”

“So you and Dad are going to a kid's birthday party?”

“Oh, come on now, it might be fun.” She nudged Jasmine’s leg with her hand playfully. “But I’m actually telling you about this because your father and I thought you two girls might like to go with us to Harvest Moon.”

Jasmine and I perked up at her words. “Both of us?”

“Are my parents going, too?”

“Yes, both of you…and no, we asked your parents if they would be okay with you going with us, and they said yes.”

Jasmine and I squealed at the same time. “When are we going?”

“We’re leaving tomorrow morning, and we’ll come back on Sunday.”

“Do the boys know yet?”

“No, Alpha Kedrick suggested we surprise them, so don’t say anything. Now go pack.”

Jasmine and I rushed off to her room first. “Oh, my Goddess! We get to go to Harvest Moon!”

“I can’t believe your mom got my parents to agree to let me go without them. The boys are gonna be so excited.”

“The boys? Or specifically Noah.” I blushed at her implication and looked away to hide my smile. This trip was going to be so much fun. It was just what we needed to make this summer a little more exciting.

“Hurry up girls, it’s time to hit the road,” Luna called out to us as she finished loading up the vehicle. “Jade, come here and give me a hug. I’ll miss you baby, but remember, the Betas are in charge while we’re away. Let Elena or Annie know if you need anything. Are you sure you’re okay staying here?”

“Yeah, Mom, you know I’m not big on parties, even if it is just a kid's party…but tell Jordan I love him.”

I dropped my stuff off in the back and my parents followed. “Have fun, but don’t do anything crazy.”

“Ay, Mami, (Oh, Mom) you know I’m the good kid, right? Cristian’s the one you have to worry about.”

“I worry about both of you, but please be safe. Call me when you get there.” My parents both hugged me and we piled into the vehicle to set off.

I fell asleep for most of the ride, and before I knew it, we were pulling into Harvest Moon territory. “We’ll be staying at the pack house, Alpha Kedrick said they have plenty of space for us there.” Alpha Henry made small talk as we drove the rest of the way to the pack house.

As we neared the house, I could tell the place was a lot bigger than ours back home. They had what looked like the main house in the center with several other buildings spread out all around.

We pulled up into a parking spot. It already looked a little packed, I assume because of the birthday party that would be starting soon.

Alpha Kedrick and his Luna met us at the door. “Welcome, it’s good to meet you all. We’ve enjoyed having your boys here. They’re all very hard workers. Your boy in particular.” He pointed at Alpha, and then they both shook each other's hand in greeting. “We kept the boys busy out back so that you could surprise them, do you all want to head up to your rooms first or go out back already? Alpha and Luna looked at me and Jasmine to decide, “Out back first!” We said in unison. “Follow me then, we’ll come back for your bags afterward.”

He led us to the backyard, and as soon as I locked eyes with Noah, I started to run his way.

“Gema!?” He yelled in surprise as he ran to meet me with open arms. “Goddess, Gema, it’s really you.” He swept me up in a big hug, “You’re really here. How are you here?” He smiled wide as he pulled back to look at me. “Alpha Kedrick invited us to his son’s party. He thought you guys might be a little homesick and that it might be nice to surprise you. Are you surprised?”

“Fuck, yes, I’m so happy you’re here.”

“What, no hug for your big brother now that you have a boyfriend?” Cristian came up behind Noah and tried to cut in for his hug.

“Oh, come on, you know I always have hugs for you.” I went up to him, and he picked me up and swung me around as usual. I looked over to see Jordan and Jasmine in their sibling hug as his parents happily looked on.

We spent a few more minutes with the boys before Luna Ellis had one of the pack members show us up to our rooms. We had about an hour before the party started, so we rested until then. The boys stayed downstairs as they were still helping set up.

There was a knock at my door before Jasmine barged in. “We’re heading downstairs, are you ready?”

“Yeah, let’s go.” I glanced once more at my reflection in the mirror making sure my makeup was in place, and closed the door.

“So….Jordan said they are having a pack bonfire tonight, that it was their Saturday night thing for the younger pack members. He said almost everyone comes out to party and that even members of other packs join sometimes.”

“That sounds like fun. He said you and I could go, too?”

“Yeah, he already got Mom and Dad to agree on it too.”

“Oh my Goddess, I love your parents. I mean, I love mine, but I also love not having to check in with them for everything this weekend.”

“You’ll be 18 soon, maybe they’ll loosen the reins then?”

“Doubt it, but I suppose it doesn’t hurt to dream.” I shrugged.

We made it downstairs to find the boys had saved us a table right by the Beta and Gamma of Harvest Moon.

Jordan was busy talking to a little boy, who I can only assume is Alpha Kedrick’s son. He seemed to be hanging on Jordan’s every word. Jordan has always been great with kids. He’ll make the best dad someday.

“Your brother seems to be doing okay, I thought the Alpha here said he was homesick?”

“Yeah, I don’t know, he seems okay to me, too. Either way, just glad my parents brought us with them.”

I felt a warm arm come around me as Noah sat down beside me. “I’m so happy you’re here.” He kissed my cheek. “Did Jasmine tell you about the bonfire?”

“Yeah, sounds fun.”

“We went last week, it was pretty chill. Alpha Roderick does them so his younger pack members won’t go off drinking somewhere dangerous. We were thinking about starting something up like that back home, so we don’t have to go over to the human clubs as much.”

“That’d be so cool, well assuming I have fun tonight.” Jasmine cut in, and I nodded my agreement.

“So, how’s Jordan really been?” Jasmine looked over at Noah knowing he’d tell her if he was worried about Jordan. “Alpha Kedrick told us he’d been a little homesick.”

“He’s been okay, not great, but he’s been focusing on the training and soaking up everything they’re teaching us…”

“But?” Jasmine raised her eyebrows knowing something was up with how Noah trailed off.

“Well, Neo’s been a little agitated, which is throwing him off, but really…it’s Jordan's story to tell, so I’ll leave it at that…Maybe get him alone, I’m sure he’ll talk to you about it.”

She nodded, and we dropped the conversation as Jordan came over with his parents and sat down.

The party was going smoothly so far. It was a pretty typical kids' party with bouncy houses, balloons, and screaming kids everywhere. It felt like the whole pack had come out to celebrate their little alpha.

They cut the cake and we were in the middle of eating when the Alpha gathered everyone around. “Alright, before we wrap things up, my Luna and I would like to thank everyone for coming out here to celebrate Oren. We have one more special surprise for him, though.” He looked over at Oren as he jumped up, “What is it? Where?”

“Look over there, Buddy.” He pointed towards the doors as a tall girl who looked about my age walked out.

“Aunt Liyah! You’re here! Mom and Dad said you weren’t coming!” Oren rushed over to hug his aunt. Now that I looked at her again, she did favor Alpha Kedrick. The two embraced, and the pack clapped at Oren’s joy. I turned back to finish my cake and noticed Jordan and Noah seemed to be discussing something over mind-link. Jordan looked pale and stiff, so I’d have to ask Noah about it later.

Noah

As soon as I realized who was there, I looked over at Jordan, and he did not look good. I got his attention through mind-link. ‘Jordan?’

‘She’s my mate.’ He confirmed.

‘You good? How can I help?’

‘I need a minute, if anyone asks, just tell them I went to take a leak or something.’

I nod as he takes off. Cristian makes eye contact with me, and I nod at him, not needing to say a word for him to know what’s up. We look over at Oren and his aunt. She suddenly turns stiff and starts looking around. She must have smelled Jordan, but before she can break off from Oren, Alpha Kedrick comes up and leads her to the food table. As much as I want to tell Jordan to come back for her, I know it’s his business to sort, so I put my focus back on my girl. She smiles cutely at me and offers me a piece of her cake, which I gladly accept.

Jordan never came back to the party, but he promised Jasmine he’d be at the bonfire. Cristian said he’d bring him down while I headed out with the girls.

The party was already in full swing when we arrived. I found some seats for us and left the girls there as I went and grabbed us some drinks. When I got back, the two had escaped to the makeshift dance floor. Gema has always loved dancing…and I’ve always loved watching her dance. She's good at it, too. I took a moment to just enjoy watching her sway her hips and spin around to the beat.

Before long, Cristian and Jordan arrived, and I passed them the extra drinks I had. I wanted to sit down with the guys and check in with Jordan, but Cosmo had other plans.

‘Go to Gem and dance with her, I don’t like how that guy in the corner has been looking at her.’ I came behind Gema and wrapped my arms around her as she danced. As soon as she felt my arms, she turned around and wrapped her arms around my neck.

“Hi Cosmo, I’ve missed you and our late-night runs.” I could feel Cosmo at the forefront of my mind, and he puffed up at Gema’s words. My eyes must be glowing green for Gema to be talking to him.

‘Tell her I’ve missed her, too.’ He started prancing around in my mind. Even though we hadn’t confirmed Gem as our mate, Cosmo has always liked her. It sometimes surprises me how much because he was always telling me to stay away from other girls. After all, they weren’t our mate, but he’d never done that with Gem. I was hoping it meant he somehow knew Gem was our mate.

“Cosmo, wants me to tell you he’s missed you, too.”

She hugged me closer and kissed my jaw. “Would he want to go on a run with me now?” She looked up at me with mischief in her eyes. It reminded me of our last run with her…and how things ended with us both naked in the woods. “Let’s go.” She pulled me to follow her before I had a chance to protest. She led me into the forest and picked a large tree to lean on before pulling me close and pressing her lips against mine in a frenzied kiss. “I’ve been….wanting…to do this….all day.” She said in between kisses. She yanked my shirt up, and I stepped back to get it the rest of the way over my head before coming together again and fusing my lips to hers. We just kissed for a few minutes, a mess of tangled tongues and roaming hands. She reached down and tugged at my jeans. I stepped back and helped her, “I’ll shift for you to spend some time with Cosmo, but I can’t really run here. We aren’t pack, so they might confuse us with rogues if we aren’t careful.”

She nodded as I shifted into my wolf. While he was mostly black, Cosmo had a distinctive gray streak running down his shoulder.

Gema hugged him and ran her hands through his fur. Cosmo preened and licked her face as she laughed. “Why do you always lick me, Cosmo? Now I’m all wet.” She batted at his face as he continued to lick her.

‘Exactly, I love you being wet for us.’ Cosmo commented as if she could hear him, and I internally rolled my eyes at him. ‘You give wolves a bad name with your constant horniness.’

‘Whatever, she loves me.’ He pranced around her for a few minutes letting off some energy as she continued to laugh.

She sat down and Cosmo lay down beside her. I let them have a few more minutes together before I walked over to where I left my jeans and shifted back. I put my pants on, as I wasn’t a fan of sitting my bare ass on the forest floor, before sitting down beside Gema.

She immediately attacked my lips, and I kissed her back eagerly. “I want you to make me come.” She panted into my neck as she trailed kisses downwards towards my bare chest. “Make me come with your mouth.” She stopped kissing me as we both looked at each other. Gem smiled and bit her bottom lip as she stood up in front of me. She pulled me up on my knees and walked us back towards the nearby tree. Fuck, I love it when she takes charge.

Gem was wearing a little sundress with cowboy boots and she looked both cute and sexy all at once. She hiked up her dress and showed me that she was bare underneath.

‘She planned this.’ Cosmo commented as he tried to take over, but I pushed back. ‘Stay in your lane, this is my time with Gem.’

I hiked her right leg over my shoulder and kissed the spot right below her belly button before trailing my way down. When I got to her clit, I stuck out my tongue and gave it a slow swipe. She sighed in pleasure and slid her hands into my hair. I continued my exploration of her, sucking her swollen flesh and swirling my tongue around her. I’d never done this before, but by the sounds Gem was making, I was doing something right. I slid a finger inside her and started to slowly pump in and out of her as I kept my mouth on her. My cock was so hard I was sure it was about to bust a hole in my jeans. I looked up at her, and she looked fucking beautiful with her eyes closed and head thrown back in ecstasy. I could tell she was close by how her pussy was squeezing my finger, so I worked her faster, and before I knew it, she was coming, flooding my mouth and hand with her sweet juices. She smiled down at me as she came down from her high, and at that moment I knew I’d get on my knees daily for her if it meant her happiness.

Gema pulled me back up, but before I could say anything, Cristian’s voice broke through the mind-link.

‘Noah, where are you? I need you to get the Alphas and meet me in the woods south of the bonfire.’

I quickly picked up my shirt and pulled it back on, ‘What’s going on?’

‘It’s Jordan. Neo’s taken over. I need help getting Jordan back before Neo goes on a rampage.’

Fuck, I should have stayed with them. I knew something wasn’t right with Jordan. I pulled Gem back towards the bonfire. “It’s Jordan, Neo’s taken over, and I have to get the Alphas. You find Jasmine and then go get Luna Christina. I’ll call you when I can.” We ran together and went our separate ways when she saw Jasmine. I continued to the packhouse.