SNEAK PEAK
Shoen and Seyon
Falling in Love
By: Jaella Nelson
Believe it or not Seyon and I didn’t always like each other. I mean of course we communicated in my father’s experiment house, but that was only to plan our escape. Now sitting across from him at a coffee shop I’d never have thought I’d feel this way about him. There was a softness to his icy blue eyes that I’d never seen until now. Now that he was looking at me with that look of such admiration.
“We finally did it. We’re free,” he sounded like it was the most incredible thing in the world, but to me it was him that was incredible.
“You don’t know how long I’d been planning that do you?” I asked him as he watched me from the corner of his eyes.
“How long, Sho?” he asked curiously.
“Ten years today.”
“What happened to you… I can’t even imagine.” His fist clinched as it rested on the table.
“The past is the past until it comes back to kill me,” I growled. “And until then I shall prepare for my revenge on him.”
“I won’t let your past be the end of you. I promise to protect you,” as he said this, his fist began to visibly shake with anger or maybe even determination.
Without thinking I reached my hand across the table and placed it on his. I looked up to see he was just as surprised by this as I was. Then he smiled. It was a beautiful and magnificent smile that took my breath away. And it was in that moment that my heart knew I truly loved this man.
“Shall we fall in love then?” Seyon asked with a playful smile.
“Do we have to formally ask a futile question as such? I think we both know that we fell in love without once asking questions like that.”
“I know, just thought I’d ask so I know that we’re on the same page.”
“Hm… You know what Seyon?” I asked in a light tone.
“What is it?” he asked with renewed curiosity.
“I love you…” I smiled at his expression which was a mix of shock, happiness, and confusion. “The last time I said that… Was the last time I ever saw my mother.”
“I love you too Shoen. So don’t be sad,” and just like that he was at my side, kneeling on one knee, and grasping both of my hands.
“I don’t believe… Could such an incredible man, I wonder, love me?” I shook my head as a self answer. “No. I can’t believe it.”
“Hm, well that won’t do. Shall I- prove it?” I watched his hand move ever so slowly to my face as he brushed the hair stands out of my eyes. And then he leaned in. There was no describing it, the fierce passion and complete and utter bliss of that moment, when our lips met. He and I were unmistakably and horribly perfect for each other. Him, the second in command, and me, the leader of the Kan wolf pack were obviously a great match. Our kids would be ideal for creating a strong newer generation pack. Of course I’m running a head of myself now.
“Wow you two look like you’re about ready to eat each other’s faces off with just a kiss.” I broke the kiss and looked up to see Bedan’s giant body looming over us with a grin on his face.
“You’d be surprised,” I said quietly before laughing. “Where’s Kina? Aren’t you two dating still?”
“Dating? No, no Shoen. We are mated.”
“Mated?” I asked quietly.
“Yes. It’s a wolf term. When two wolves are mated they become partners for life.” Seyon gave me that look again while he explained it to me.
“Huh. So it’s like marriage for wolves like us…”
“Yep, but don’t worry we’ll have a real wedding just for the more human parts of our lives.” His deep voice was comforting to me because he was always the most carefree of all of us. I’m just glad he’s the bomb specialist and not Seyon.
“Shoen?” I looked up when I heard Seyon’s voice. He was about to ask something serious so I looked him dead in the eyes and waited. “Would you be my mate?”
“Seyon… A mate is forever. Are you sure that you can put up with me for that long?” I asked with a little doubt lacing my words.
“Forever? I can gladly ‘deal’ with you for a lot longer than that,” He smiled up at me.
“Whoa-ho cold ol’ Seyon’s finally warming up!” Bedan laughed and patted Seyon on the shoulder.
“Be careful what you wish for…” I leaned down to meet his waiting lips and then I whispered to him, “Because you just might get it.”
“Maybe that’s what I want.”
“We should get going. It would seem he’s finally on the move.” I turned in time to see Kina appear from what seemed like nowhere.
“What’s his location?” I asked slipping into alpha mode.
“He has twenty new breeds searching the west side of New York City right now. They’re about fifteen minutes away from here.” Her voice was low and quiet yet strong. She had always been amazing to me because of that. She had strength and abilities that no one would guess someone as small as she could possess.
“Good work. So here’s the plan. We head to the nearest forest and take down these new breeds in our territory,” I stated in a calm voice while pulling out a map. “We have traps here, here, and here. That leaves these spots open for ambush attacks. We have to remember that even if new breeds are weaker than us, there are some exceptions. So be on your guard.”
“Should we go in group formation or on our own?” Seyon asked as he eyed the spots on the map that I had marked.
“Opinions?” I asked looking at Bedan and Kina.
“I think we’d be better off in groups, but we might be able to take more down on our own,” Kina spoke softly from Bedan’s side.
“I would rather go in teams. That way if any of us gets overpowered we have backup.”
I nodded to Kina and Bedan then turned to Seyon. I knew by looking at him he knew what my father was after and he was set on keeping me all to himself. He wanted to protect me.
“Ok so it’s decided. We’ll go in groups. Seyon and I will head into the forest from a different entrance point that way we can set up the attacks. They’ll follow my scent and won’t get the chance to see you guys coming.” I smirked and folded up the map.
So much for enjoying freedom for long because there was always a chase and always a price to be paid for said freedom. We left the coffee shop and set our plan in action. Kina and Bedan parted with us moments later leaving me and Seyon by ourselves. I was still reeling from his asking me to be his mate. Of course I’ve only felt a forever love once before… But it was nothing like this not to mention that Seyon had a less likely chance of dying on me. Seyon and I could be forever.
“So what’s your answer?” Seyon asked pulling me from my thoughts.
“I- uh thought I’d already answered,” I looked away as I purposely dodged his question.
“You never fully did. Is it a yes or no, Shoen? It’s fine if you don’t want to be with me.”
I frowned and stopped in my tracks. He stopped a little bit ahead of me and waited for me to speak so I crossed my arms over my chest and looked him in the eyes. “I want you. I want to be with you. I-I think I’m in love with you. But don’t you think this is a bit of a reckless time to be confessing love to each other? I mean because if you ask me running for our lives isn’t exactly romantic.”
He took a step towards me and outstretched his hand, “Huh, I always took you for a wild type of girl. Excitement seems to be your thing.” As I took his hand I knew it was sealed… I was this man’s- this wolf’s mate and it was one of the only things in this life that felt right.
“Yes…” I whispered.
“Did you just say yes?” I looked up at him and saw his eyes wide in astonishment.
“Yes,” I repeated more confidently. It was the right choice and I knew it. Before I had time to say anything else he pulled me into his arms. I breathed in the scent of his hair which always smelled like the outdoors.
“I promise I’ll love you for the rest of our lives. You won’t regret picking me.”
“I know,” I said calmly before taking in the scents around us. “Seyon, get ready,” I whispered before about 15 of the 20 new breeds were upon us.
TO BE CONTINUED... (Next story: Restless Company)
