The Dance of Wolves
CHAPTER 12: Amal

“Oh dear, he is still upset with me. What to do?” Even if he is straight, I replace it interesting that my looks don’t have the same effect on him as with others. Usually, neither men nor women stay mad at me for long. It makes me smile to think maybe he sees me. I snuggle deeper into the covers to take in his enticing scent.

I should work hard to make a better impression this morning, so I make up the sofa bed and see what he has in the fridge for breakfast.

There isn’t much here to work with. I scramble eggs and cheese for the microwave and use the toaster oven for beef bacon and toast hoping this will be a welcome peace offering. I hope he is a foodie.

He is still not back yet so I keep the food in the toaster oven on warm. I have time to explore his office. He must really love plants, he has quite a few. Some have note cards in front of the pots, but I can't make sense of his notes--an experiment perhaps? There are photos of him with his parents, they look happy. He seems really loved, I would like to meet them.

The guards downstairs told me to bring him here to his office. I didn’t know he was titled, and a tracker-scout at that. He is not the typical, weak Omega.

The more I learn, the more I want to know. Alma was exhausted by the time we returned to the packhouse, seeing their transformation was an incredible sight. A male with a female wolf--someone for both Demi and me to love, to hold, and possess. Ours. Finally, the goddess is smiling down on me.

Aksal comes in fully clothed and with a puzzled expression. “Still here, I see. What do I need to do to get you to leave?” His tone sounds more exasperated than annoyed. Is that progress? I'll take what I can get.

I’m a little disappointed I didn’t get to see him dress. I wanted to enjoy the sight of his long legs, fleshy ass, and taut, lean physique once more, but I can be patient.

“For starters how about you have breakfast with me, maybe talk? We have a lot of things to work out, don’t we?” I plate the food as he sits down at his desk, then he gets up and follows me over to the coffee table with two, cold bottles of water and two steaming cups of black coffee.

“Thank you for making breakfast.” Aksal sounded reluctant to say it out loud. He makes a sandwich with the items and I follow his lead.

“You’re quite welcome, my mate. I enjoy cooking, if you like, I’d be happy to make lunch, dinner...and breakfast anytime.”

“No need. There is a cafeteria in the packhouse. The food I keep here is really just for when I’m either writing up pack reports or cramming for college exams.”

“Oh, then I’ll join you in the cafeteria whenever you like." Before I finish my offer, the corners of his lips curve down slightly. What did I do to offend him this time? I want to keep him talking, so I try again. “Is there anything you’d like to ask me so we can get to know each other better, my mate?”

"Mate...Please stop calling me that, just call me Aksal. I feel drawn to your scent, yes, but nothing else. Our wolves may be mates. I don’t know what we are, yet.”

His rejection stings, but I’m not one to give up, especially when what I’ve hoped for is right in front of me. I just need to trust in the Goddess for now. “Well, Aksal, in the interest of Demi and Alma we owe it to them to spend more time getting to know each other.”

“So, you want to be friends?” Aksal asked, after swallowing the last bite of his sandwich.

I don’t really like the sound of that so I don’t agree or disagree. “For now, I’m just asking if you will show me around the grounds?”

He shakes his head. “Even if I wanted to, I can’t. Because I’m not a participant in the Gathering, my work was increased to support our guests,” he says before having a swig of coffee.

I plan to follow him around no matter what he says. Demi has no complaints if it means being by Alma’s side.

“I see. So you mentioned you’re in college? What are you studying?”

“Horticulture, but right now I’m just taking the general requirements for arts and science students.”

It goes on like this for a while. I ask, he answers in a word or short sentence without any follow-up, he seems indifferent. I prefer his previous hostility over his nonchalance. I just want him to feel...some kind of way. The current silence feels awkward.

We finish our sandwich and toss the paper plates. I follow him out of the office and then to the gardens. He dons a heavy apron and gloves, then rolls out a wheelbarrow with tools. I ask him if I can help.

“Aren’t you too overdressed to get dirty?” He asks reasonably.

I smile and my clothing reforms itself to match his work attire.

“How did you--? N-no, never mind.” He shakes his head and squashes his curiosity.

I smile and lean in as if I’m sharing a secret. “I’m part Fae. I use glamour to hide the fact I’m naked nearly all the time.” Well, technically, I only do it when I know I'll be shifting, like right before patrol, but I was shameless flirting and hoping to coax his smile.

His eyes widen with surprise then the tips of his ears turn red at this. We’re shifters, isn’t nudity part of the norm? Yet, he still blushes innocently. How could he be even more endearing than before?

I watch him closely and mirror what he’s doing, weeding and pruning dead or dying leaves, trimming, and so on. From time to time he slows down in his movements to show me how to do something properly without actually instructing me.

An elder stops him. “Aksal, are you really training someone new at this time?”

I recognize the elder from the photos in Aksal’s office. It’s his father. I extend my hand. “Hello, sir. I’m Amal, Aksal’s mate.”

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A/N My favorite foods are definitely the way to my heart, not gonna lie; throw in some chivalry, great conversation, and eye candy and I may just fall in love.