I pushed the dark dregs down, determined to ignore them completely, and reached for another slice of pizza.
Chapter 5
It felt weird sleeping alone, but I figured it was probably for the best since half-awake me wasn’t logical and had zero impulse control. The guys had grinned when I’d confessed that, so I’d chased them out before they convinced me to change my mind. They were horrible influences, and I loved it.
As always, nightmares plagued my sleep, and, without my mates by my side when I woke, dripping with sweat and gasping for breath, it took a long time before I fell back asleep. I was grateful for the weekend and the chance to sleep in and more grateful still that Chase had set our plans for just before noon and not early morning like Lucian would have. Besides him, none of us seemed to be morning people. I certainly wasn't. We'd get used to each other's idiosyncrasies eventually, I supposed, wondering if Lucian would start sleeping in or would, eventually, entice me to start waking earlier.
A knock sounded at my door at 11:24 a.m., and Chase called out, "Hey, it's me."
I dropped the sketch I'd been working on for my forms class and hurried to unlock the door. My stomach did a flip when I saw him, standing nonchalantly in cargo shorts, a fitted white T-shirt, and a pair of scuffed hiking boots. A pair of aviator sunglasses dipped low in the vee of his shirt, drying my gaze for a moment.
"We should probably get some keys cut for each other's dorm rooms," Chase said, striding into my room as if he were more comfortable in this hiking get up, which I'd never have pictured him wearing in a million years, then he was in his usual clothes.
I shut the door slowly and turned, still trying to take it all in. Chase was my southern playboy, my fashionable mate, not this sexy, rugged outdoorsman, who looked as if he could hoist an axe and chop down wood if he wanted. I licked my lips as the image flickered through my mind.
Chase didn't seem to notice my utter shock and plopped down in my reading chair, then shot me his signature saucy grin. "You should probably get changed. I packed lunch and snacks, so no need to worry about that, but you'll need something sturdy on your feet and I don't think those will do." He gestured towards my Birkenstocks.
I frowned down at my outfit of high-cut denim shorts and dark purple tank top, which covered a skimpy black bikini. "You said we were going to the lake," I reminded him. I'd dressed for an easy walk, not whatever location his hiking attire indicated.
"I said we were going to a lake," Chase corrected with a shrug. "Sorry, should've been more specific. Do you have hiking boots? Your running shoes will do if you don't."
I moved to my closet and pulled a pair of rose-colored well-loved hiking boots from near the back. "Don't worry about me," I said, shooting him a wink. "Give me a few minutes." I rooted through my dresser, pulling out a more supportive, sporty bikini, and a pair of yoga capris with pockets, then disappeared into the bathroom to get ready.
When I emerged five minutes later, Chase glanced up from my computer desk where he'd relocated and held up my sketchpad. "Did you do this?" His raised eyebrows and shocked tone made me laugh.
"Yeah. It's for my forms class. You knew I took art last term, right? I'm taking two art classes this semester. I'll probably major in it." I tilted my head, watching him absorb this new detail about me and felt my determination return. I was doing the right thing by stepping back from the physical lure of our mate relationship. We knew practically nothing about one another. I licked my lips and gestured towards the wall next to my desk, which was covered in oils, watercolors, and charcoal sketches. "Art is kind of my thing."
Chase pushed to his feet, turning to stare at the mounted canvases. "You painted these?" He still sounded shocked, which both made me flush with pride and tingle with nerves. He'd yet to give an opinion of my art, I realized.
I swallowed nervously and nodded, saying nothing while he moved his gaze from one to the next.
Finally, he turned towards me, eyebrows raised, and shook his head slowly. "Old Ones, Lexi, you're amazing! These are gorgeous, not that I know a lot about art. But my mother does, and she would be floored by these." He turned again and pointed towards an oil painting of Liam and Rose's castle back in Ireland. "This one…" he trailed off and shook his head. "I don't know. There's something about it that feels special. Where is it?"
I chewed my lip and blinked back unbidden tears as I studied one of my favorite images. I'd painted it over the course of a month, setting up on the hill that overlooked the castle in the hour before sunset, so that the brilliant rays of light, orange and gold, seemed to light the stone on fire. I'd given the original to Rose and Liam as a present and made a printed canvas to keep for myself.
"It's my home," I whispered, feeling the truth of it in my soul. I'd only live there for a short amount of time, compared to the years I'd spent in captivity, but still it was my home. The only home I'd ever known.
Chase wrapped his arm around my shoulder and leaned down to press his lips against my temple. "I'd love to see it someday," he murmured, sending vibrations through my skin.
I looked up at him and felt my chest swell. "I'd like that very much." I lifted onto my toes and fit my lips to his. The kiss was sweet and pure, so unlike the scorching kisses he’d branded me with that it filled my throat with thick emotion. When he pulled back just far enough to gaze down at me and brush his lips over my forehead, I melted.
“Alright,” he said, stepping back to grab the backpack I’d barely noticed. “We should get going.” He sized up my new outfit and nodded in approval. “Yoga pants, huh?” His saucy grin returned along with a purely evil twinkle in his eye.
I rolled my eyes and turned away so he wouldn’t see the smile that lifted my lips, then made sure to add a little extra sway to my step so he could appreciate the view.
Outside the gates, we turned in the opposite direction of the lake I’d assumed we were going to and slipped into the forest as the sun hit its pinnacle. I breathed in the still warm air, filling my lungs with the faintest scent of coming autumn, and slipped my fingers through Chase’s when he reached out to take my hand.
Remembering what he’d said about his mother’s love of art, I tugged gently at his hand and asked, “So, is your mother an artist, then?”
Chase chuckled. “My mother couldn’t draw a stick figure with a ruler. That’s why she loves art so much. Because she envies the artist. Mostly, she just loves to collect beautiful things.” He lifted our joined hands to his mouth and pressed his lips against my fingers. “She’ll adore your work and you.”
My stomach twisted in knots. It had been difficult enough to explain my existence and past to my mates. The thought of having to explain myself to their families made me want to throw up.
I changed the subject, not wanting to ruin our perfect day with agonizing worry. “What was it like growing up in the South? I’ve never been down there so the only reference I have is from books and movies.” I tilted my head and grinned. “Do you actually eat fried green tomatoes?”
Chase groaned. “If your only references include movies about elderly women or plantation owners, we are going to need to expand your horizons. A lot has changed in the last few decades.” His eyes darkened. “Not enough, though. There’s still racism and undue hatred for anyone slightly different. Even within Wolf society, it abounds. But not everyone feels that way. Certainly not my family, and we have been working our entire lives to change the views of others. Our world has no place for the close minded.”