^^Michael and Keith^^

"I want to be your favorite hello and your hardest goodbye."

Chapter 8

River's POV

I woke up with a beating headache and crusty eyes. To think that even in my dreams I cry.

Pathetic.

I had no recollection of my dream, but from the way my head felt like it might just split in two and the ways my eyes burned, I could deduct that it wasn't a good one.

I wonder if one were to continuously cry, would the person's tears eventually leave tear tracks down their face? Is it possible for one to cry so much to the point that their tears would leave an engraved like track down their face, as proof of their many sorrows? If so, I wonder if I was on a journey to that point; a point where my tears would forever be engraved in my face.

I wonder, would one wear their tears as one wears a battle scar?

A tweeting like a melody resounded from the window beside me.

How beautiful.

I hummed along with the musical creatures outside.

"You have a beautiful voice."

I jumped, pivoting towards the voice.

"Good morning, love. Did you sleep well?" Alastair's hazel eyes shone brightly in the sunlight rays. I was afraid to speak, as at the moment I was blinded by his beauty, if not careful I would declare my undying love to the man without thinking.

He smiled fondly at me as he pushed a stray lock behind my ear. "You must still be tired," his eyes were so sad, so remorseful. "Why don't you get some more rest. I'll bring you some tea. How does that sound?"

I loved tea. Tea was my favorite drink to drink back at home. It was the only exotic-like product I could actually have as at the market most teas were quite cheap and affordable.

I nodded my head, giving him a small smile.

He smiled back, "Okay, love. I'll be right back," he kissed my forehead gently before sitting up from beside me and leaving the room.

I watched his back as he left before turning back to the window.

The musical creatures continued their melodies to one another as I watched.

Sometimes I wished I was a bird. To be able to take flight when a situation became one I couldn't handle. To have no care in the world, as I fly high in the skies singing with my brethren.

But then, I realized, I did have that or at least our kind used to. Before shifting became outlawed, many of our brethren would run in packs, which is quite similar to the birds outside; the freedom to run as they pleased, hunting with their brethren. The only problems they faced were but ones they created on their own, rogues and other packs alike.

However, wars brewed over pack land and rogue invasions; caused by power hungry alphas and vengeful rogues. Eventually, our ancestors created pack law, which ironically destroyed the concept of packs. No longer were people allowed to shift unless given permission. Permission that was usually granted to only royalty and knights. They believed that by only granting a small, selected group shifting rights, it would prevent wars and people going, rogue. Though, I'm not quite sure of either, but who am I to say anything.

However, this now resulted into the society we have today, no longer are we packs of wolves with many leaders at constant war with one another, but set kingdoms with a common king.

The door opened, revealing Alastair carrying a tray with different teas.

Did he bring it on his own? 

I looked at him, expecting a maid or something, but there were none.

He smiled at me as he approached my bed, "Hey, love, I wasn't sure which tea you wanted, so I brought all my favorites."

You seem to be doing that a lot; waste of food.

"Don't do that, Alastair. It's a waste of food, ask me."

"But, I love spoiling you, love."

Spoiling...ironic.

"You're not spoiling me, just wasting food."

Food is expensive, it's not good to waste.

He pouted, "sorry, love."

He looks like a kicked puppy, my puppy.

"It's okay, love." I gave him a quick peck on a cheek.

He immediately lit up, "Which one do you want to try first? I have Lemon ginger tea, White tea, Masala chai, Jade oolong tea, and vanilla chai."

My eyes widened.

Wow, I don't think I've ever heard of any of those except for the lemon ginger and white ones.

"What's chai?"

"Oh, it's a cinnamon tea with milk in it. It's really good. You'll like it, promise." He smiles.

Milk in tea? Why would someone put milk in their tea?

"Okay," I answered hesitantly.

I've heard of some putting milk in their coffee, which is understandable if you don't like the bitter taste. I generally don't like coffee at all, it's too bitter for me to handle. But, why put milk in tea..? That's what honey's for...

"You look so confused." Alastair laughed.

"I just can't wrap my mind around why someone would put milk in their tea..."

"I couldn't either, at first, but it's really rather good. You'll see." He winked.

"Okay..."

This could either end well or really bad.

"Here," he hands me the cup of tea.

At least it looks good. It had a creamy, light brown color and smelt like cinnamon.

"Which one is this?" I asked peering at it. A little afraid to actually try it.

"It's vanilla chai," he smiled gently, "don't be afraid, I would never give you anything disgusting to drink. You get only the best."

My heart melted at his kind words, "Okay." I smiled.

I sipped the creamy liquid and was pleasantly surprised.

It's really good. It's so silky and sweet. It was as if vanilla and cinnamon got together, had a baby, and named it chai.

A soft laughter came from next to me, I smiled as I soaked in the image. He was so beautiful when he smiled. I could never get bored of the image, his eyes sparkling, his cheeks flushed, his lips to plump and-

"Aww, look at you brother, having a wittle tea party with your mate." Came to a snickering voice from the doorway.

"Shut up," Alastair growled.

His brother pranced in, casually, as he sat next to me.

"Hello again, cutie, I don't think I've formally introduced myself. I'm Keith, Alastair's older and more handsome look-alike." He winked, as he reached his hand out to me.

I placed my hand in his only to be pulled into a bone-crushing hug, "welcome to the family, cutie."

"Too tight." I whimpered, struggling in his tight hold.

Alastair growled, pulling me out of his tight embrace, "don't touch him, your idiocy will rub off on him."

"Aaah, brother always-"

At that moment Michael came barging in, his blond hair all over the place and blue eyes blazing, "Keith, you idiot! How could you leave me alone in bed, especially after-"

"Aaaah, sugar." Keith jumped up from beside me, pulling Michael into his arms.

"Don't 'sugar' me!" Michael kicked Keith where the sun doesn't shine. My eyes widened as Keith doubled over, groaning in pain, "shows you, leaving me alone in bed after fücking me."

"Sorry, sugar," Keith managed through sharp breaths, "I was going to get you some water when I saw Ali poo having a tea party with his mate. I wanted to join in." He pouted.

Wow, pouting Keith is so similar to pouting Alastair.

Michael sighed, "typical," his eyes softened as they landed on me, "hey, River, how's your stomach? I can bring you more medicine if you need."

"Umm, it's not so bad anymore. I barely feel it anymore." I gave him a small smile.

He smiled back, "I'm glad to hear that."

Keith picked himself off the floor, groaning as he did, before wrapping his arms around Michael's waist and leaning his head on his shoulder, "You know, Michael actually invented that medicine all on his own. My little genius." He cooed, kissing behind Michael's ear.

"It's not that big a deal." He muttered.

"That's amazing, Michael," I exclaimed in complete awe.

"Thanks, cutie." He smiled.

Ugh, not him too.

"I can feel you groping my äss, Keith." Michael hissed.

"I can't help it, I'm horny again," Keith said, kissing up Michael's neck.

"Well, maybe you should've thought of round two, before ripping my äss in half. No sèx," Keith had the expression of one who was just told his cat died.

"I'll be gentle this time, please sugar," Keith asked giving small kisses up Michael's neck.

"No, pack off horn dog," Michael smirked, not stopping Keith from kissing up his neck. He looked like he rather enjoyed seeing Keith beg.

"Can you guys not have foreplay in front of me." Alastair hissed.

"What jealous, brother, because you're not getting any?" Keith smirked.

My eyes widened.

Is he upset that he hasn't had sèx with me yet..? I know it's customary for mates to mate almost immediately after meeting, but I don't want to do it yet...especially after finding out about his past lovers...what if I can't satisfy him..? What if I'm not any good..?

"No," my eyes widened, "River and I will make love when he's ready and wants to. Unlike you, who mated hours after meeting yours, I actually want to get to know my mate and have a formal mating ceremony before I make love to him." He sounded so sure, so sincere.

I think I've just fallen in love with him all over again...

"Wow, brother," Keith smiled widely, "love really does change someone, doesn't it?" He stepped away from his lover and patted Alastair's back harshly, causing a choking sound to escape him. He then turned towards me, "Good job with this one, cutie, you've got him wrapped around your little finger." He smiled.

I smiled to myself.

Do I really?

I looked up at Alastair through my lashes, to see him smiling warmly at me as he finger swept lightly against my cheek. I felt a blush rise up my cheeks as I looked down.

"I love you, beautiful, you know that right?" His voice was so soft, so gentle.

I nodded, not being able to coherently form a sentence.

He smiled, "I would never do anything to hurt you, not purposely."

Where is he going with this?

"And because of that, I'm going to have separate from you," No, "just for a little while, love, don't look so frightened," he brushed his fingers gently through my hair, "when a wolf meets its mate, the dominant one will go into heat a few days after meeting," my eyes widened, "I can't take any chances of my wolf taking over and forcing you, so I'm going to be going away for a while."

No.

"Love, don't cry." His throat bobbed as his eyes softened.

I'm crying?

He padded his thumb gently by my eyes, "I hate to see cry, love, but I'd hate myself more if I stayed and something happened."

"Can't Michael give you something to help?" Please, say yes.

"If he did, I wouldn't be leaving you, love," he smiled, "trust me, if I had another choice I would have jumped at it. Leaving you is not something I'm looking forward to," his eyes grew sad.

"I'm going to miss you," my voice cracked.

"I know, love, I know more than you'll ever believe," he smiled, "I don't know what I'm going to do to stay sane without you," he laughed a small, broken sound, "I'm going to be having Keith and Michael stay with you, as annoying as the couple is, I trust them to take good care of you while I'm gone."

My tears seemed unable to stop. The idea of him leaving, being alone in this strange castle without the one person keeping me together was quite daunting.

"The idiotic couple will keep you quite entertained, love, before you know it I'll be back holding you in my arms forever and more." He was trying to console me, but it wasn't helping. Though Keith and Michael were considered my...family now, I didn't really quite know them well yet and yet I'm going to be spending time alone with them for-

"How long are you going to be gone for?"

"It depends on how long the heat lasts, for some, it can last a few days, other weeks. I've once heard of a wolf whose heat lasted two months," my eyes widened.

"But, that's not usual, love that was just a strange occurrence. For many, it usually only lasts nine days."

I don't know why he's making it sound like nine days is nothing. Nine days is over a week!

"Shh, love, I know it seems daunting, but it's all for a good reason that I'm leaving. We'll make up for the lost time when I get back," he softly rubbed circles in my trembling hands, "How about you write me a list of all the things you want to do when I get back, while I'm gone. It'll keep you occupied and give you something to look forward to." He smiled.

I nodded reluctantly through sniffles.

"Come," he motioned me towards the bed and he laid back against the cushions and opened his arms to me.

I crawled into his arms, nuzzling against his warm chest.

"Let's just enjoy each other's company for a bit." He said nuzzling against my hair and breathing in my scent.

I smiled against his chest breathing in his musky scent. He always smelt so sweet yet manly at the same time, like a musky cinnamon.

I breathed in his scent as it lulled me to sleep.

When I woke, he was gone.