Chapter 15

                                    

                                          
If you had told me I would be living with my mate one day in a brand new house and he would be the Alpha of my pack I would call you a liar. 
Things have gone smoothly with Cole. So smoothly I'm honestly worried. We have fallen into a routine, working together every day. A few nights ago, he had gotten a call from an old friend. The soon-to-be king of the kingdom we're allied with. His mate's mother needed medical care urgently, and Cole was gracious enough to offer our help. 
I have been visiting the woman every day. She is slowly healing and is currently on life support. Her abdomen was completely torn up by vampires. Thankfully, our pack hasn't had a vampire attack in years. We're hoping it stays that way. 
I make my way into the hospital building and take the elevator to the second floor. Not many people are here which is a good thing. It means our pack is generally healthy. 
Last night Cole and I had a talk about the kingdom coming back into power. As allies that is almost a guarantee we will be brought into the war. We talked about moving into the kingdom lands for the time being just until the war was over. That would be our safest option. After the war, we would be able to move the pack back home safely without fear of being in danger. It's a risky move either way. We stay, we're open to attacks without the kingdom's help. We go, we're almost guaranteed to fight. At least in the kingdom, we will be prepared and not alone. 
This is a war everyone knew was going to come eventually when the former prince found his mate and wanted to return to power. In my opinion, it's a needed war. Vampires are getting careless, feeding on humans and leaving traces behind for hunters. What used to classify as a legend. Just a story. Has become more realistic to humans of our existence. The more humans become aware, the more they become hunters. 
In a general sense, humans are harmless. As long as they don't feel threatened. Our existence stays hidden, they stay oblivious. That's not the only problem though. There have been recent reports of witches being taken from their homes and forced to use their magic against their will. If that kind of power falls into the wrong hands, the rest of us are doomed. 
When the elevator makes a ding and the doors open, I'm alerted of its arrival on the second floor. I get off the elevator and walk down the long hall. I found the room number I was looking for. Walking in I politely say hello as I do every day. I don't expect a response but it just feels like the right thing to do. I place my hand on top of the lady's and begin to talk to her, hoping she could hear me. Hoping it helps her if she is feeling lonely. 
When the clock shows six, I stand up and walk towards the exit. I know I need to spend more time with Cole. I know our mate bond needs to grow stronger. I'm just not sure how. I feel deeply for Cole. I can't imagine life without him now. I just don't know how to proceed in this relationship. I've never had a romantic relationship before. 
Once I reach the forest, I take my clothes off.  The last thing I need is for them to rip. I start to shift into my wolf. My brown fur sprouted from my skin. I grab my clothes in my mouth and take off in a run. I make it back to the house and stand behind a tree.  I put my clothes back on and walk towards the back door. 
When I make my way into the Kitchen I spot Cole cooking. He is listening to music while dancing shirtless in front of the stove. I want to enjoy the sight but I'm concerned he's going to burn his skin. Walking upstairs I grab one of his shirts off a hanger and make my way back to the kitchen. I throw the shirt on his shoulder. 
"Is me being shirtless a problem now Natalie?" Cole asks with a grin. 
"You can burn yourself. " I warily reply. 
"Admit it. The real reason is you find it distracting. It makes you have dirty thoughts, doesn't it?" Cole says with a grin. 
"As if I would have dirty thoughts about you. "
Cole growls.  
"Who else would you be having dirty thoughts about Natalie?!"
"I don't know. "
"You don't know because there is nobody else or you don't know because you can't think of anyone else right now?"
"I don't know because nobody else comes to mind. Are you happy?" 
"No. "
I groan. "Why not?"
"You're supposed to say you could never think of anyone else like that. Only me. " 
"Okay. I said that. "
"That's the problem, you didn't. " Cole says turning the stove off. He moves so his body is facing me. 
"I'll give you two minutes to run before I find you and make sure I'm the only one you think of shirtless. " Cole says with a wicked grin. 
Oh boy. 
I take off running up the stairs as Cole starts counting. I know it will do no good but I have to try. 
I run to the bathroom and lock the door. I decide to take a shower. I know Cole would never invade my privacy by forcing himself into the bathroom. 
I hear a bang against the bathroom door and jump. I hear another bang except this time the bathroom door flies open. 
Okay. I guess I was wrong. 
Cole is standing there staring at me and I feel exposed. I try to cover my breasts with my arm and pull the shower curtain over myself with my other arm. 
"It's nothing I've never seen before," Cole smirks 
"What are you doing?" I squeak. 
"I'm going to be joining you. "