Her Forever

Rosalie

Amanda continued to unpack boxes, and I wrote down certain songs I wanted to be played during the big mating Halloween Ball. It was honestly brutal because I don’t have a knack for this kind of thing. Sure, I knew what sounded good, but it could be a terrible song to dance to. I went through the ’70s and ’80s; you can’t have a great party without some of the classics, or so I thought. I knew what I liked, so I stuck with that.

She was busy joking with Benjamin while they hung up the dirty cobwebs in the corners of the massive ballroom. I think they were just trying to keep me resting. Even though it had been two days of being awake, I felt terrific. The doctors kept mentioning the mating bond we share will do that, especially when he is by my side. Humans just can’t heal this fast typically. It just made me feel more connected to Jack and how much more sure I was that I wanted to be with him.

For the most part, the ballroom was plain. It was like a giant blank room that could be easily transformed into anything we wanted. There were permanent tables near the walls that could hold the food with a heating station. A large dance floor was at the center, and many tables for people to sit around and chat. There were also several bars scattered throughout, with the way Werewolves could hold their alcohol. I’m sure they’d have to drink a lot to even get a buzz. The bill must be astronomical.

Most of the room was cream and white; it was an easy pallet to work with. It was a two-story ballroom where people could overlook the crowd below. At the top center was a large double door for anyone that wanted to make a grand entrance. The wrap-around staircase held the stage in the middle, perfect for a DJ. It had a very Cinderella-esk vibe to it before the scary decorations were put up.

Several more people came in and put up large pseudo-columns that reached the ceiling. They were black, of course, and giant skeletons and nasty zombies and ghosts littered the walls. Even a life-sized Werewolf had to be created by a human who had no idea what they really looked like because it was almost a joke. I started laughing to myself, and then I heard a knock on the table to get my attention.

The man wasn’t as buff as Jack; he was tall and somewhat lanky but had a beautiful face. His hair was jet black, slicked back that made it look wet. He had 3 piercings in each ear, one in the eyebrow, and you could see n****e piercings through his shirt. Dear heavens, that must have hurt. I crossed my arms over my breasts, and he threw his head back, laughing. It was a playful laugh, not menacing at all like his attire. It was primarily black with chains coming from his pocket. He had a meshed see-through SlipKnot band shirt on and a wicked smile for the ladies. I can see how some women in heat would just let him do what he wanted.

“Hello there, I’m Lyle. I heard you were picking out our music list?” I nodded and slid the paper over to him.

“I’m not very good at picking out music. I think Amanda and Benjamin gave me this job because these Wolves think I’m fragile or something.” I waved my hands off to Amanda and Benjamin, who laughed from afar.

Lyle laughed and started going through my list. “Well, that is understandable and all. You did have some Vamp almost rip your throat out and not to mention the psychological damage you had to face during the week. That is some pretty sick shit.” I gave a dark chuckle. “Actually, I’m impressed with what you picked. I haven’t heard of it before, so I’ll have to check them out… Party Rock Anthem, Blurred Lines, SexyBack, What Makes You Beautiful… great dancing songs I’m sure.” He smirked.

“Pretty sure you are just buttering me up because I basically Googled the best dance songs.”

Lyle lifted his eyebrow, “Well, nothing gets past you, Luna.” He winked while I rolled my eyes. “I’ll be sure to get the best songs for dancing. You are attending, right?”

“Of course, not sure how much dancing, though. Jack has been pretty adamant that I rest. Something about getting your throat ripped out just a few days ago can wear me out.”

“Ha! I bet!” Before I could ask Lyle another question, his eyes turned black, meaning his Wolf had come forward. I looked around to see any danger, but Lyle kept looking at me and flared his nostrils.

“Lyle? Is everything alright?” Lyle tilted his head at me and then looked to the right side of the room, where a beautiful she-Wolf around my age was hanging the giant disco ball. He stood up and ran over to her abruptly, and climbed the ladder where she was stationed at the top. She started laughing when Lyle came up behind her and whispered in her ear. Her face turned beet red, and she started giggling and nodded her head. Lyle and the girl quickly climbed down and ran out of the room.

“What the heck was that?” I spoke to no one in particular.

“That,” Benjamin came up to me, “was Lyle at work. He can tell when a she-Wolf is about to go into heat. It is his specialty. If you can have intercourse before the heat starts, sometimes it lessens the intensity and duration of the heat.”

“Oh my gosh, that is so gross. So she just left with him? And he can just smell that?!”

“Nina has always had trouble with her heat. Her Wolf is a bit of a slut.”

I started laughing.

“Whoever her mate is, is going to love her a lot, that is for sure. She makes sure that she only does what is necessary though, she really isn’t a slut. Sometimes nature takes over, and you can’t help it.” I nodded, still not fully understanding the whole situation. I was just glad that I never had to deal with something like that. It sounds so painful and more so embarrassing.

“And that is Lyle’s forte, and why he is one of the head trackers.” Benjamin continued to laugh while I had a look of horror on my face.

After a few good hours of everyone asking my opinion on where decorations should go, what food we should have, the entertainment, the games, and so forth, I was beat. I sat most of the time, but the constant interaction with people killed my introverted self, and I needed to getaway. My eyes felt droopy, and my butt was completely numb. I thought a hot tub session was in order.

I hated having to text Jack to let him know where I was going. In a normal human relationship, this would be considered a red flag of an abusive boyfriend. I remember a coworker back at the real estate office whose boyfriend made her text every time she left the building, work, restaurants. He wanted to know when she arrived and departed, who she hung out with. It was ridiculous. After I noticed a few bruises around her neck and wrists when I checked her computer, I was able to talk to her friends. Her friends confronted her, and she spilled the beans how he was so sweet in the beginning, and she got in over her head. She couldn’t break up with him and was too scared to bring it up.

Taking out my phone, I texted Jack that I was heading back to our room. Jack wasn’t like that; I seriously needed protecting. Hell, he saved me from a damn Vampire that has haunted me all my life, pretty sure that isn’t a red flag. The red flag of love and passion, maybe.

In every aspect of Jack and I’s relationship, I try to put myself in someone’s shoes. Am I just overly infatuated with him? Is our relationship unhealthy? If there wasn’t a bond, would it be harmful? We both are on the same page with our relationship, even if it is a bit different.

A Werewolf? Honestly? There really aren’t any dating books for that, so winging it is what I have to do. At least I’m not a complete airhead when it comes to people.

Honestly, we have been truthful and honest with each other, besides him not telling the Werewolf thing, which is understandable. I would have run for the hills if he had said that to me before I came here. Jack has never said I couldn’t leave but also warned me of potential dangers, which there are! Even if there were no dangers, he would let me go even if it did break his heart. I’m just happy Derek is out of the picture.

I can leave or stay, but my heart won’t allow me to go. I pray I don’t have Stockholm syndrome, but strangely, I cared about him before coming here. Because of the bond. Right? Oh my gosh, I think I’m going to have a dang headache. Or is it Stockholm syndrome when they kidnap you, and you fall in love with the kidnapper… Nah, I’m not that kinda thing.

I need to stop thinking.

Wait. Is Derek gone? I never asked Jack that. I was too happy to be back in his arms to even care, and I’m sure bringing him up at that time would have killed the mood. Do I even want to know? Do I even really care that much to know Derek’s fate? Jack would tell me if there was something if I needed to know.

I let out a long, audible sigh as I put on the black bikini that I fell in love with the first day I arrived. Since I’ve grown into my skin and accepted who I am, I feel confident wearing it. My bum sticks out of it just a bit, so my cheeks show, but nothing a hot tub and bubbles can’t hide.

I gently slid the balcony door open and slowly got in. It was early evening, the cold started to sweep in, and it gave the air a bit of a chill. The frost began forming on the ground already, letting me know that it would be a cold night. I laid back, so my neck was against the headrest, and I closed my eyes.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be here. I know I bring it up all the time to myself, but I never thought about it. Being on the run was my specialty, and here I was, getting ready to let Jack mark me and become a permanent resident. Was I ready?

Mentally, I think I am. I thought about it while I was in that damp basement. Jack is the only one that makes me feel safe and cares about what I do. He lets me work, learn and be a part of something bigger, and the best part? He sees me as his equal and not some lowly woman he could just have s*x with. He’s been extraordinary, slow, caring, and taking care of all my needs. What guy does that? Honestly though?

Getting more comfortable, I felt a warm feeling inside me, and I instantly knew who it was. Opening my eyes, I see Jack, shirtless in one of those small European swim trunks that were short, showing those fantastic legs. Could thighs be sexy on a man? His definitely were. Heaven’s… his muscles went right up to his…

Jack had a smirk on his face, he knew he was damn sexy, and that was a turn on itself to me. His blonde hair was down, touching his shoulders, just how I liked it. The sweat was dripping down his shaved torso from the steam the hot tub gave off. He had just a bit of scruff on his face, and he had taken out his small earring. His biceps were bulging as he was carrying a tray of strawberries and champagne.

I gave him a big smile and swam close to him, beckoning him to come in with me. He put the tray on the table in the middle of the tub and got in with me without a word. I put my hand on his cheek and pulled him towards me for a k**s.

Definitely not a bad relationship at all. Jack cares for me in ways they only do in movies. Jack lifted up my hand and gave a few k****s to my knuckles before saying, “How was your day, Love?” He put his nose up to my neck and kissed my soon-to-be marking spot, and I shivered.

“It was good. I learned a lot about party planning from Amanda and Benjamin.” I put my hand on his chest and traced some of his tribal tattoos and the Night Crawlers emblem on his arm. “Not to sound too cheesy, but I missed you.” I smiled sheepishly.

“Well, that’s good then because I hardly got anything done because I was thinking of you.” He lifted my face to his and started kissing me. It started light, a few pecks until his tongue was massaging my lips to let him in. Of course, I obliged, and he swiftly put me on his lap. His member was already prominent and scary, but it felt so good against my barely-there swimsuit. He raised his hands to my butt and felt just how little material covered my bathing suit. He g*****d into my mouth and pulled me away. “Oh goddess kitten, is this the same suit from your little photoshoot,” he g*****d with hooded eyes looking at me.

I perked up real quick, and my body went stiff. “M-my p-photos?” I didn’t know he was given the pictures yet. How freaking embarrassing! I needed some kind of warning for this! Jack smiled childishly and rubbed my h**s with his thumbs.

“Yes, while you were asleep recovering, Amanda sent them to me. I’m sorry, did you not want me to see them?” Jack gave me a pouty face and fluttered his lashes that made me laugh out loud.

“Well, no, I just wasn’t prepared for you to see those yet. I was going to wait until… well….”

“You were going to send them while I was gone to get me to come back, weren’t you?” Jack chided. He lifted his index finger and waved it in front of me. “You have been naughty, my little Kitten.”