Alex's POV

  I wake up to the sound of the woods very close, and a small warm body tucked between mine, light calming sparks kissing my body at the contact. Instantly I know it's Chloe and that somehow I miraculously didn't scare him off.

  Whatever reason prompted him to stay here sprawled in my yard I'm grateful for it. I shift slightly in my wolf form, preparing to move from around him and shift back to human, but his body only follows mine in his sleep. My chest puffs out at the action.

  I would shift back here, but I distinctly remember Tobias stripping in front of our adorably blushing Mate. Though it was entertaining, I still didn't like being left in such a position.

  Disbanding the thoughts from my mind, I decide to shift quickly and get it over with. It's not like I hadn't had him screaming last night with how much he enjoyed my nakedness. Smirking at the thought, I allow myself a deep steadying breath before I feel my muscles and body shift back to my human form, making sure to keep Chloe propped up securely.

   Though he didn't fall, the slight jostling did wake him up, his eyes fluttering around as he starts to gain consciousness and remember his surroundings.

  He turns his head quickly as if the absence of my large wolf form scared him, his face gathering  rose petals in his cheeks when he makes eye contact. It only grows worse when his eyes wander down and he sees my lack of clothing. I try my hardest to keep my smirk from fighting across my face, but the flustered emotions showing on his coupled with the inability to look away is almost too much. 

   I shake my head internally as I grip his chin between my fingers and lock my eyes to his. "Look away, pup. You're too sore and I'm too horny for you to be fucking me with your eyes like that."

   Impossibly, the Incubus turns even more red, though I notice he hasn't uttered a word since either of us woke up. It must have been hard to come here, handle Tobias and our wolf and then meet my closet friends as well. I'm not surprised that he feels a bit overwhelmed at the moment.

  I give him a small smile before I turn his head away to face the woods as I stand. I wasn't lying when I claimed to be horny. I can feel my Rut approaching soon, and that's something I'll have to talk to Chloe about. My body cringes as I reach for my shirts that lie on the ground by my porch, apprehensive about talking to Chloe about such a permanent thing, terrified of scaring him away. It happens in three days but I can already feel some side effects. This will be my first Rut with my Mate and it'll be completely different, something I doubt either of us is ready for.

   I pull the shorts up my legs making sure to carefully tuck my semi erect dick inside resting against my hip. I turn around to find Chloe openly staring at my backside and my exposed back muscles. I openly laugh, unable to stop myself. I was trying to help him by turning him away but it seems his Incubus instincts took over and he couldn't help but look.

  Still shaking my head, I motion for Chloe to stand up and follow me. "Come on, pup." I say calmly as I pick up my shirt and throw it over my shoulder. After a moments hesitation he obediently gets up and walks slowly to where I am. I keep a close eye on his ears and tail, the closest thing I have to knowing his emotions since I won't have access to his thoughts until after I Mark him as mine.

   I feel Tobias stir at the thought but he quickly settles back down into his slumber. Ok then. All me this conversation, I think as I lead Chloe up the steps and inside my home stopping in the kitchen.

   "Would you like anything to drink?" I ask Chloe turning around seeing him standing shyly in the doorway of the kitchen.

   He quickly nods his head yes though no sounds utter from his lips. My frown begins to deepen as I go to the fridge grabbing some Cran-Mango juice to spoil my love with. After filling a glass with the juice and carefully watching Chloe from my peripheral vision, I slowly and calmly walk to him as to not freak him out more than he seems. His ears are pressed almost flatly against his head and his tail is slumped so much that it hangs almost straight down towards the floor.

   I grab his hand and tug his limp body inside the kitchen, and setting the cup in the island counter, I grip his hips tightly and lift him onto one of the stools resting beneath it, caging him in with my arms and lean forward so that our noses are inches apart. His face looks conflicted as if he doesn't know whether to lean forward or pull away but either way his eyes stay glued to my chest. Though I would normally love the natural submission from my sassy pup, something's wrong with him and I need to figure it out.

    "Pup." I start, dipping my head down trying to catch his eyes, my voice deepening in concern. His shiver is the only reaction I receive. "Pup, what's wrong?"

   He shakes his head and tries to lean forward to hide in my chest but I lean back trying to get a look at his face. "I need words, Chloe." And I don't know if it's the use of his real name or the sternness in my tone, but his head snaps up, tears pooling in his eyes.

   My chest tightens at the sight, but I can't help but think of how beautiful he looks all the same.

   "I'm sorry." He whispers. His voice so soft and so sad that it has my heart breaking. I tilt his head up with my finger searching his eyes in confusion.

   "For what, Chloe?"

    "For disrespecting yourself Goddess. For not thinking about how you may have felt. About you having to have a Mate that doesn't believe." The words are a knife to my heart. I'm ashamed, not because he thinks I think of our situation this way, but because he's right. I do. I shamefully step away from him, barely able to hold his gaze.

   "Nothing to apologize for. We'll just have to make something work." I say, trying to lighten the weight of guilt settling in my chest.

   He looks up at me as if sensing something was off, but I give him a small reassuring smile. Before he can continue the conversation, I quickly change the subject not wanting to dwell on sad things after he so bravely sought me out even after how much he hates me. The idea of me. I correct myself but I'm not sure I'm completely convinced.

   "So you met Toby. And our wolf, huh?" His face is the picture of relief over the change in subject, and the smile that follows has my breath catching in my throat as he answers.

    "You were right about his lack of self control." I laugh at this, nodding in agreement.

    "I tried to warn you of that. It's not my fault you refused to listen to me." I tease, my face capturing a small content smile against it. I can't take my eyes off of Chloe, the picture of him relaxing in my kitchen just seems so right. I try and cast the thoughts away, knowing the topic of conversation should not be breached any further this morning. Afternoon, I correct myself as I glance at the clock.

   "Your wolf was no better!" He exclaims though the smile remains on his face as his hands wail about as he speaks. "The mean wolf kept tricking me into giving him affection." He huffs and crosses his arms across his chest in mock irritation as I just laugh.

    "Ahhh I should've warned you about that. I'm told that Tobias has always been a cuddly wolf in the spirit world before he got paired with me." I smile fondly as I remember the stories he's told me. I feel his amusement as he finally wakes from his nap.

   'Cuddles and food, Alex. The only things you need in life.' He explains your me sleepily as he joins me in gazing at our Mate.

   I realize just how sweaty and probably stinky I am at the moment. I take a whiff and am not disappointed. That's what happens when you have sex and then sleep in the sun in heavy wolf fur. I cringe as I push myself off the fridge I had been leaning on.

   "Would you like yo watch tv?" I question Chloe as I begin to slowly make my way towards the door.

   " What are you about to do?" He questions almost as if in panic. We definitely need to talk about our Monthlies today. Maybe after lunch, I decide.

   "Im going to shower. I can make us lunch when I come down. I figured you would want something to do while I was gone." I explain as he follows me from the kitchen.

   "I'm not one for Tv. Is it fine if I look around?" I shrug my shoulder in disinterest. If my scheme to make him fall in love goes according to plan, this will be his home too so he should get acquainted with it.

   "Not at all, be my guest. I'll be down in a bit." I leave him in the living room as I trudge up the stairs to my room. Throwing my shirt off my shoulder and into the pamper, I do the same with my shorts that I make quick work of.

   Quickly stepping into the shower, I flip the lever on and let the warm water cascade down my body as I finally let my muscles relax. I have been tense ever since I met Chloe and being able to loosen up knowing he's right down stairs has me finally able to calm down a bit.

     Washing off the sweat from the past two days is heavenly but I can't help the attitude that comes with having to wash the smell of his arousal and his love off my body without the reassurance that I'll be covered in it again soon.

    I make quick work of my shower, my approaching Rut and the fear of him running away from me again stops me from lingering in the shower for too long.

   I grab a tank top and some sweat shorts, forgoing the underwear before I head back downstairs towards the shuffling feet and the sweet smell of Chloe. I find him in the living room searching through pictures of my family. Not exactly ready for that conversation, I head straight into the kitchen as I begin to make our lunch. A couple sandwiches some juice and chips should suffice.

   As I set the plates across from each other on the island, Chloe walks in a curious look on his face making him seem so adorable.

  "I didn't even hear you come down." He says as his takes in my still wet hair, trimmed beard and clothes. I don't miss the rosiness that blows across his cheeks but I decide to ignore it. For now. After he sits down, we quickly eat before throwing our plates away. I grab some bowls and my vanilla and caramel ice-cream, scooping both of us a good amount before leading him back to the living room.

  I turn the TV on not really paying attention to what's on before looking at Chloe who has began to enjoy his ice cream. "I'm sure you have some questions." I say smiling as I began on my own bowl.

   He rolls his eyes at me, and I can't help the twitch in my hand at the action but choose to ignore it, not wanting to spoil our fun. "I'm sure you have some as well." He states almost sarcastically.

   "Of course." I allow. "Who's going first?" I question as I continue to eat my ice cream.

   "Let's play a game of Truth."

~~~~~
It seems as if James really struck a cord in Chloe. What do you think happened to Alex's family?

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QOTD: favorite summer activity?