to the bike he held up the helmet. I let him strap the helmet on me, and he leaned in to give me a light kiss. As he pulled away all I wanted to do was follow him. A stab of pain went through my heart as I let him go.
Hunter helped me after he climbed on. We fled the quiet compound and went on our own adventure. I kept my face pressed in his back and my arms wrapped around him.
The ride seemed to last forever with scenery slipping past us in a blur of trees and buildings. We finally started to slow down as we exited the expressway. We were driving through a town roughly the same size I was used to. Hunter turned down a dirt road. In the distance, a Ferris Wheel crested the surrounding trees.
It was the parking lot of a fair, if it could even be called that. This was a field. Workers were directing traffic to unmarked “spots.” But it was half empty. And the workers weren’t even trying that hard. I knew it was earlier in the day, but it still seemed like a weak turn out.
Hunter parked at the end of a row, in what I was sure wasn’t a parking spot. I didn’t say anything, trusting his instincts and climbed off the bike with a lot more grace than my first few times. I fiddled with the strap, but I was distracted by the carnival in front of us and my own crushing fears that I wasn’t paying close attention to what I was doing.
Hunter’s chest brushed mine as he stood in front of me. He lifted my chin up with a finger and the bottom of my stomach fell out. His eyes were covered with the sunglasses he always wore in public. The heat in his eyes still pierced right into me. Ever since our night together, I was ultra-sensitive to him. I swallowed hard, wishing that I didn’t feel an uncomfortable friction between my legs just then. He had a power over me that I couldn’t deny.
“Let’s just fun today, okay?” Hunter asked as he worked the strap.
I nodded causing his hands to jumble. I stopped when he laughed. He even graced me with a small smile. Not the one I wanted, but it was good enough for now. He locked the helmet up and we headed towards the entrance, hand in hand.
Other couples and families were filtering in. Hunter wrapped his arm around my shoulder and pulled me close. I pressed my head on his chest right above his heart, which was racing. I wasn’t sure if wolves hearts beat faster than the normal humans, but I was convinced he erratic heartbeat because of me.
I looked over the gated entrance. Red and white tents rose high above, lights twinkling even in the broad daylight. It reminded me of an imagined childhood, one I never really had. Wasn’t this were children always begged to come in summer? They got cotton candy and elephant ears, two things I had never had before.
The Lupen pack never really went out to do things like this. We had our own parties, our own carnival-free adventures. Nick, Liam, and Griffin took me to the movies and the mall, but it was rare we did stuff like this.
The air was filled with the laughter of children and happy screams from those on the rollercoaster. A whiff brought the scent of salt and butter, sugar, and an earthiness that I was both human and animal. Port-a-potties were lined up near the entrance. I looked back up to Hunter.
He brought his lips down to mine, and they pressed lightly against mine. I got on my tippy-toes and pressed a little closer. Hunter’s arm tightened around me as if he already knew and that I would leave him. I didn’t want to think about giving him up, not when he kissed me like he was. I felt it through my whole body. A warmth spread through me like hot chocolate on a cold winter’s day.
“A-hem!”
Someone cleared their throat rather loudly behind us.
I pulled away blushing. I looked ahead of us. The line had moved drastically while we were caught up in our own little world. I flushed and almost turned back to look at the lady I was sure that was giving us the stink eye.
But Hunter nuzzled his head into the crook of my neck and in my hair. I loved the tingles he gave me.