I carefully wrap up my busted and bleeding hand in white gauze. It was definitely bruised and cut, and wrapping it up was going to help stop the bleeding and apply pressure.
I for sure wasn’t going to tell Moretti I busted my hand because I punched a mirror. I may not know him well, but I know he would be upset if he found out I did this to myself.
After I’m done, I look around the room for a black hoodie.
“Ah ha!” I say in delight. I found a black adidas jacket with a white trim.
I put it on and it covers my wrap pretty well. I’ll just have to keep my hand in the jacket pocket though.
Now ready for the day, and not sure on knowing what to do, I go to the balcony that the room had.
I don’t lean on the edge or the railing of any sort. I just stand in the doorway, leaning on that instead.
I watched the pack warriors train teenagers, and it looked pretty brutal for just training.
Claws were thankfully sheathed though, and no one was actually bleeding. A lot of hits were being thrown, and blocking technique was being used.
There was a reason this pack had a reputation for being the most dangerous, and you could clearly see that in the training. My pack could never compare to Moretti’s.
Suddenly, I furrow my eyebrows as I see something on the very edge of the forest.
It was clearly a woman. A black cloak with dark royal purple lining the inside of the fabric. She had dark brown hair, and her unusual brown eyes bored into mine.
She looked like an outsider. I could just tell she was not a member of this pack.
She beckoned out her hand, eyes still locked with mine. Then she disappeared into the trees.
I shook my head and blinked, trying to decipher if what I just saw was real or not. But she was gone. She didn’t appear again.
‘Who was that?’ Vessel wondered.
‘Good question. I have no clue.‘ I thought back to my wolf.
‘Let’s go check it out.’ Vessel suggested.
‘Hell no. That’s how people die in horror movies. I am not about to be that idiot.’ I snapped back.
‘But Liam, you’re literally a werewolf. What harm can she do to you?‘ Vessel rolled his eyes.
‘You never know. She didn’t look human, but didn’t smell like us. I don’t trust following that.’
‘Please?’ Vessel begged.
I sighed.
A knock interrupted our conversation, and I put my wrapped hand in the jacket pocket.
I went and opened the door, where Moretti stood, his hands in his front jean pockets.
“Care to join me for a tour outside?”
———
Moretti led me around the backyard where all the training was happening.
It was decided my age groups, interests, and experiences. I was proud gender didn’t come in to play.
“Here’s a question for you Moretti.” I turned to him.
“Hm?” He looked at me.
“I’m wondering why gender doesn’t affect the grouping. I’m glad it doesn’t, but I’m just wondering why?”
Moretti took a breath “Gender shouldn’t define people’s physical, mental, and emotional limits. If they can do it, then they can do it.”
He said his opinion like it was so simple and easy to understand.
Vessel purred. ‘He just gets better and better.’
I almost cringe at vessels flirtatious remark.
“Cool.” I shrugged.
Moretti just looked at me for a moment longer before showing me around again.
“They all take turns studying and training. It’s decided by A and B Days, per say. The A group is inside today.” Moretti stops in front of a training mat.
“Alpha Moeti!” A little voice interrupts our tour, and Moretti turns around just in time to catch a 6 year old girl.
“Guess what I learned today?” The little girl exclaimed.
“What did you learn, Amber?” Moretti smiled at her.
“I learned how to claw a rogues tummy.” Amber laughed.
My eyes widened out of concern.
Moretti just gave her a very tiny smile. “That’s great. Protecting your pack is important.”
Amber nodded. She turned to look at me, and she gave me a big toothless smile. “Hi, I’m Amber!” she waved.
I just nodded back. “I’m Liam.”
“Are you the packs Luna? We’ve never had one before.” She asked curiously.
“Alright, I think it’s time you go back to training.” Moretti set her down, and she ran off.
“You’re good with kids.” I thought out loud
“I’ve never considered myself to be that way.” Moretti stated.
“I’d never thought you’d be the type.” I cross my arms over my chest.
Moretti’s eyes slightly widened.
“What happened to your hand?” He took a few steps closer to me.
I quickly put my injured hand back in the pocket.
“What are you talking about?” I asked, almost cluelessly.
“Li, show me your hand.” He held out his.
“No.” I took a few steps away. But he was quicker and grabbed my elbow, and pulled my arm out of the pocket.
“Goddess Li.” He trailed off as he held my bandaged hand in his.
“Don’t call me that.” I almost growl.
“What happened?” He demanded.
I just shrug, and pull my hand away. “It’s none of your business.”
“Yes it is.”
“Since when are my personal problems your business?” I shout.
I hear hushed whispers and murmurs around us, and realize people are staring.
“Since I discovered you were my mate.” Moretti retorts.
“Just because I’m your mate doesn’t mean you can intrude on everything I do.” I snort.
“I’m just trying to take care of you. But you’re to stubborn to realize it.” He accuses.
“Well I don’t want to be taken care of.” I walk past him, and run into the forest.
“Liam!” I hear him call after me, but I don’t care enough to turn around.
I’m very positive he is following me, but I keep twisting my path and trail so he gets confused.
I see something that catches my eye off in the distance, and I jog towards it.
It’s almost like a gazebo style place at the edge of a pond.
This place is absolutely beautiful. I wonder if anyone knows about it.
This is definitely my new favorite place here in Italy.
I turn around when I hear a twig crack and a bush shuffle. Moretti stepped out and I rolled my eyes.
“Leave me alone.”
“Not until you tell me what you did to your hand.” He approaches me.
I shake my head. “No.”
“Yes.”
“Why does it even matter, Moretti?” I sigh.
He gave no response.
“Exactly. I’m going back to the pack house.”
I make a move to walk past him, but he grabs ahold of my upper arm.
“Moretti I swear to Goddess if you don’t let go of my arm right now I’ll-” but he shushed me.
He pressed his lips to mine, and pulled my body closer to his.
Woah.
This was, very new. And I’m not sure how I felt about it.
‘You’re thinking too much. Just kiss him back.’ Vessel growled in annoyance.
Moretti pulled away, but I connected our lips again. He seemed shocked for a moment, but cooperated nonetheless.
He is slowly becoming addicting. The more and more time I spend around him, the softer and more compliant I’m becoming. And something tells me it’s the same for him.
While we were both to caught up in our act, we didn’t notice a girl in a dark cloak watching us from across the lake, with a scowl on her face.
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