The Pack - On the Run

I shouldn’t have let my little nightly shenanigans with Louis bother me.

I wasn’t usually flustered easily, but this weird mate-thingy made me act in extremes, and it grated on my nerves. So, as I made my way to the kitchen the following morning, I steeled my back and lifted my chin, putting the mask of indifference over my face.

And thank God I did because Louis was the only one at the table.

With a steaming cup of coffee in his hand and a thumb hovering over the screen of his phone, he watched me round the corner and head straight for the coffee machine like a junkie in need of a fix. His eyes were glittering with keen interest, and I possibly saw amusement in them, almost as if Louis saw right through my facade and yet was more than happy to indulge me. It made it even harder to keep up the appearances, but I was willing to try.

“Mornin’“, he greeted me as I pressed the black coffee button with a tad more force than necessary. His velvety smooth voice wrapped me like a cozy blanket. I had to bite my lip to stop the goofy smile that threatened to crawl onto my face.

Wait. Did I say a cozy blanket? God, that was weird.

“Good morning,” I cleared my throat, taking the cup in both hands and turning around. As I propped my backside on the counter, I remembered our kiss. My eyes darted to Louis’ lips, and a shiver ran through my body. Louis must have guessed where my thoughts went if the smug smirk he gave me was a telltale. A light blush coloured the apples of my cheeks pink, so I quickly took a sip of coffee, partially hiding behind the cup and silently berating my stupid wolf.

Lately, I was selling myself away too cheaply.

Louis’ smile grew bigger, blinding me with his pearly whites. I gave Everton a stink eye, which didn’t bother him the least bit. Instead, he leaned back comfortably on the rest of his chair, elbows to the sides while he cupped the back of his head with his entangled hands. The action made the muscles on his arms flex, and I suspected it was all for show.

Louis was taunting me.

Well, if he thought I would suddenly droll all over him, he had another thing coming - except that the wolf side of me didn’t exactly agree.

“Jonah took Mikey to the ‘Dairy Dream’ for breakfast,” Louis interrupted my stream of thoughts. “They make mean pancakes over there, the best in town, actually. Wanna join?”

I was about to decline, but my stinky wolf didn’t let me, sealing my lips before I could utter a word. I gritted my teeth, internally scolding my other side; however, the sneaky wolf was adamant about refusing to reject Louis’ offer. It was more than frustrating but wasn’t worth wasting my energy over. Besides, pancakes did sound quite appealing, and Jonah and Mikey would be there to play chaperones. So I let it go, although I was still annoyed with how my decisions weren’t exactly my own anymore - at least those considering Louis.

“Guess I can’t really say no to that,” I huffed grumpily. “Let me just grab my jacket.”

“Great. Ready whenever you are,” Louis threw me one of his boyish smirks that made my heart flutter.

I cringed, sure he could hear how my pulse picked up simply because of that little action.

* * *

I fidgeted on the beige leather seat of Louis’ car.

The road through the woods was bumpy and quiet except for the gentle notes of the rock ballads coming over the radio.

I was rather tense and a bit uncomfortable in Louis’ presence. For most of the ride, I found myself darting my eyes to him every now and then, my thoughts constantly going back to the elephant in the room - the mate bond. Our little venture was actually the perfect time to talk about it, though I still couldn’t decide whether to start the topic or not. Maybe if I pretended it wasn’t there, it wouldn’t be.

I worried my lip, sighing softly as I once again glanced outside at the trees that finally made space for one-story buildings constructed of red brick and wood. We were almost in the heart of Redforest Town with its small cafés, boutiques, and big gray mall that stood out against the houses like a sore thumb.

“Wanna say what’s on your mind?” Louis suddenly asked, startling me. I felt his curious gaze on my face, and I sucked on my lower lip, mulling the question over as I gave him a side glance. “You’ve been eyeing me ever since we left home... precisely like that,” He added, winking.

I rolled my eyes, still hesitant. After a minute or two, I finally shrugged and blurted out. “Why does everyone think I’m your mate?”

Louis gave me a seriously? look.

“Besides the obvious?” He deadpanned as we turned right.

“And what’s so obvious?” I countered defensively, crossing my arms over my chest and lifting my brow, irked by his rudeness.

Louis hummed to himself, ignoring the sharpness in my voice.

“Riiight. I forget sometimes you’re new to all of this,” he mumbled. “But really, it’s pretty clear for anyone who knows the signs. All the little things you did and do without much thought - that’s what gives you away. Like how your wolf automatically sought me out while deciding whether to join the pack and submit to my dad. Or the fact you did join us despite how much you tried to bail on us - and, yes, I have noticed that” he chuckled, seeing my baffled look. “Or how your wolf took over when you smelled me after your first shift.” We stopped in front of a small charming cafe decorated with pumpkins, colourful leaves, and all kinds of autumn themes. The calligraphical sign hanging above two round, unoccupied tables read Dairy Dream. “It’s obvious your wolf feels connected to mine. And deep down, I know you do too.”

I pffed, waving Louis off. “You’re delusional,” I snorted, downplaying his words.

Quick as a flash, Louis was in my face. His lips were just a few inches from mine, so close I could feel his warm breath on my face and smell his intoxicating scent.

“Am I?” He cooed, his husky voice making me shudder as desire squeezed my abdomen. For a second, I forgot what we were discussing. My heart hammered against my chest so fast and loud as if I had overdosed on caffeine. Enchanted, I leaned closer to Louis, pulled like a magnet, but before I could close the gap between us, Louis smirked and moved back, proving his point - apparently. Startled, I jumped away from him, my cheeks burning.

“This is all bullshit,” I growled, frustrated at him for this underhanded move but more so at myself for falling for the trap so easily. “You can’t make a person like you just because some magical mate bond shit is pushing you to.”

“That’s correct,” he agreed, watching me intently from behind the lowered lashes. “The mate bond helps to recognise and choose the correct partner, but even your wolf can’t force the mating if your human part isn’t willing to. Sex must be consensual - on both sides, mind you. And lovemaking is what it takes to seal the bond,” he added.

“Fab,” I murmured, rubbing my arms and looking outside, ready to run away from the car. “So technically, we’re not mates until we sleep together?”

“Technically, yes. But the more time we spend together, the harder it’ll be to resist the pull,” Louis winked, opening the doors and getting out. He then bent over, his head popping through the open space. “Anyway, I don’t know about you, but I’m starving, and, believe me, those pancakes are mouthwatering.”

I unbuckled my seatbelt and jumped out of the car, my stomach grumbling its agreement.