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That's fallen apart because most of them felt I wasn't the best one for the job.
We have to be strong. We can't fail our pack or our mate. Don't show weakness!
I'll try.
Lewis forced a calm smile as he looked at Alyssa. "Should we head over and meet the pack?"
"Hmm... Aren't you forgetting something?" She angled her head, studying him.
"What?"
"Didn't you say you were on your way to pick up milk when you met me?"
"OH SHOOT!" He jumped to his feet. "I'm glad you said something! You saved my life!"
"By remembering milk?"
"You don't realize how horrible my death would be at my mom's hands if I had forgotten it."
"..." She raised an eyebrow, a slight smile at the corner of her mouth. "You're welcome, then."
I like her smile! Let's help make her smile more!
Agree.
Lewis ran to pick up some milk while she packed a bag for the trip. When he returned, he was shocked by the number of suitcases she had brought with her.
"Are all of these clothes?"
"Don't be silly." She looked at him like he was an idiot. "It's my research."
He was almost afraid to ask, but felt he had to. "... They're all filled with werewolf romance books... aren't they?"
"Not just books... " Alyssa seemed a little defensive. "There's some weapons. And a few changes of clothes."
"If you're staying a few days at least, do you need to take off work?"
She shook her head. "No need."
"Really?"
"Yeah. "
"...Okay." He didn't want to pry. At least not yet. Maybe one day she'll trust us enough to tell us more.
He packed her bags into the car, glad for his superhuman strength as he lifted the suitcases filled to the brim with books. Alyssa sat in the passenger seat, clutching a notebook and a small messenger bag, which also appeared to be filled with books. As they headed outside of town, an awkward silence fell between them.
Say something witty! His wolf finally lost patience. Something that will make her think we're smart!
Open to any suggestions, Buddy. I'm having trouble thinking straight with our mate so close, much less think of something smart to say!
Aren't you supposed to be the more intelligent half? I'm supposed to be the stronger one.
You're the one always saying that wolves are super intelligent creatures and I should listen to you more!
Now we're being silent for too long! What if she thinks we're an idiot?!
You're not helping...
"So how do werewolves mate?" Alyssa asked calmly, the question almost causing Lewis to swerve off the road in shock.
"..."
...
"Sorry, I don't think I heard you. Could you repeat the question?"
"How do werewolves mate?"
... I think I preferred the awkward silence.
No! This is good! She's showing an interest in mating!
"Umm... Not differently than humans... you learned about that in health class, right?" He desperately hoped he would not have to have a "birds and bees" talk with his mate right after meeting her.
"Oh." She sounded slightly disappointed. "So we don't mate in wolf form?"
I'm game.
SHUT UP.
"Typically no... I mean I guess it's possible..." He felt himself turn bright red, feeling super uncomfortable. "But usually its in human form... at least from my understanding of what mated couples say."
"Hmm.." She seemed to be listening to something. "No, I don't think his wolf is impotent. I think it's a cultural thing."
HER WOLF THINKS I'M IMPOTENT, WE'RE SHIFTING NOW!
We are currently driving down a highway! We are not shifting any time soon! Besides, what on earth do you think you're going to do in wolf form that's going to convince her otherwise?
I'll show her my genitals, to reassure her.
THAT DOES NOT REASSURE WOMEN! ARE YOU TRYING TO GET US TASED?!
"So I bet that means that werewolf pregnancy follows human rules then. " She sighed, frowning while pulling out her notebook and writing a few things down. "There was only 3% of books that presented mating and pregnancy while in wolf form, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised."
"... I see."
"How long does pregnancy last? 19% of the books depict a shorter pregnancy cycle, but I wasn't sure if it was just to get the plot to move faster."
"Normal 9 months."
"Number of children per pregnancy?"
"One... unless you have twins."
She groaned, leaning back in her chair. "So no advantages at all? So disappointing."
SHE'S DISAPPOINTED! TELL HER TWINS RUN IN OUR FAMILY! WE'LL GIVE HER SO MANY CHILDREN!
"Twins run in our family!" Lewis nearly shouted.
"Really?" Alyssa studied him, looking slightly interested. "Do you have a twin?"
Great. I really had to bring HIM up.
"I do... but he left the pack."
"Does that happen often?"
"No."
"I see..." She made a few more notes. "Obviously the villain."
"..." I mean, she's not wrong. "Any other questions?" Please be something easy.
"Will mating with another werewolf change my menstrual cycle?"
"..."
...
Do you know?
Nope. Nothing in the instincts about this. Do you?
Nope.
He cleared his throat. "Sorry, I don't know the answer to that question. One of the pack might be able to answer it. Maybe Bridget? She seems pretty knowledgeable."
"Bridget? Your sister?"
"No... she's just one of the warriors in the pack.."
"Hmm..." Alyssa thought that over. "Is she pretty?"
Lewis shrugged. "Seems pretty normal."
"Do you two get along?"
"She follows orders, so I guess?"
"I see." He could hear her pen scratching against paper again. "The female side character who will try to chase us away, maybe? How exciting."
"..." Lewis decided he didn't want to ask anything about it. For the sake of his sanity if nothing else.
They spent the rest of the car ride in silence.
Alyssa felt increasingly nervous the closer they got to pack territory.
I think we're almost there. This area smells different.
"Different how?"
It smells like our mate! I like it!
"Hmm... Do you think he pees on trees to mark his territory?"
Isn't that normal?
"It's normal for wolves... do you think he does it in human form too?"
"I DON'T MARK TERRITORY AS A HUMAN!" Lewis spoke out frantically. "Can you stop talking about me like I'm not here?!"
She turned to him, curious by his reaction. "Don't you talk to your wolf?"
"All the time, but I do it SILENTLY!" He paused. "Do you not know how to?"
"Oh I know how to, I just think it's really rude to leave her out of the general conversation. She's here too you know."
"That makes sense... I guess..." He sighed, rubbing a hand through his hair. "Well, I assume you know since you were commenting on the scent markings, but yes, we're in pack territory. "
Alyssa nodded, her heart rate increasing slightly. She didn't like this. Going to unfamiliar places. Meeting new people. Especially people who may have a culture or rules that she didn't understand. They might not like her.
How could they not love us? We're a strong, beautiful female... at least when we're in wolf form.
"Hey!"
We'll be just fine.
"I hope so." She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves.
A warm hand hesitantly grasped her own. She felt an electric shock traveling up her fingers from the touch, but kept her face expressionless. "Are you okay?" Lewis's voice was quiet, a comforting sound.
I like his voice. His touch his very warm!
"If you're worried... I know that you might not believe me, but the pack is very friendly. You'll feel very welcome."
"In 42% of the books the pack is welcoming to a stranger... usually because she's the alpha's mate. In the rest they are either wary of the unknown person, or distrustful or unfriendly. " She thought it over. "I guess it's not bad odds."
The car came to a stop. Lewis squeezed her hand one last time, and then stepped out, getting her suitcases from the trunk and back seat. Alyssa stared down at her now empty hand, feeling frustrated.
I trust him.
"You trust everyone. It's my job to keep us safe." She got out of the car, staring around at the area. There were several nice houses, all scattered far from each other. The place was quiet, peaceful, surrounded by woods. She liked it.
He won't hurt us. He can't. It would be like hurting himself.
"You'd be surprised how low people can sink if they want."
No I wouldn't. I lived through all the same experiences with you. But wolves do better with a family. We'll do better with a pack.
"I haven't agreed to that yet."
We'll see.
Lewis carried her many bags without seeming stressed by the weight. "I'll bring these into the main house. Do you want to come along? Or you can wait here, I can show you around after I drop off your things."
