Amelia Lovecraft

"Ah! Lincoln stop!" I panted as he heartlessly kept going. Sweat completely drenching his T-shirt.

"It's longer than I thought. Stop!" I whined breathless, but to no avail.

"Mia, it's only a easy trail." He looked down at me, with that adorable smile of his. As for me? I was stretched out like a starfish on the ground. I might have told Lincoln about my hiking trips with Selena during our university life. And he offered to take me on a nice morning hike, to the mountains. Yes, that's where we are, somewhere in the midst of rocks and trees.

Now that I think about it, Selena and I were only going for a stroll. Whereas Lincoln had me climb up rocks and walk for hours.

"Easy? Easy for you to say. It's been going on for hours. It's a never ending trail." To match up with his single footstep I had to take four.

"Hours?" He chuckled, "it's less than an hour. Get up!"

"No!" I crossed my arms, still lying on the ground. "I could really do some coffee now. Till then I don't think I can walk."

"Fine, have it your way." I heard him speak before my surroundings began to toss and turn. Now the view of the trail was upside down, with my ponytail dangling.

"Oww!" I felt a sting on my butt.

"You lazy bum!" Lincoln grunted before carrying me on his shoulder, up the mountain.

"I'm feeling dizzy Alpha." I blabbered as we finally reached the top.

SMACK! That was the fourth spank on my ass. He kept doing it every time I complained, I only hoped he wasn't aware of how much of a turn on that was. As soon as he bent down to place me on the ground, I stood on my feet.

The sun began to rise through the desolated mountains ahead of us. Giving tints to the trees, lakes and all the land. It felt as if the rays gave life to the earth.

We sat upon a rock, as I fit perfectly into his hold. "It's breathtaking. So perfect." I felt Lincoln's gaze on me. I looked up at him with a smile.

"This is perfect." He tightened his hold around me. "I'm grateful to have you here with me." He pecked my lips.

"So am I."

"Really?" He asked in astonishment.

I nodded, grinning at him.

"You're cute, when you're lovey dovey." I teased him.

"You like that kind of thing?" He itched his stubble. I hummed looking back at the view.

"I'm having a hard time figuring you out." Lincoln said.

"Why?"

He pulled me very close to him, grabbing my full attention. "As much as you love the endearment, you seemed to enjoy the spankings too." He narrowed his eyes at me, biting back a proud smirk.

"He did NOT just say that." Heera huffed, mirroring my embarrassment.

"This is so awkward." I told her, biting my lip.

"Are you being cocksure Alpha?" I matched his stare.

"You can't contradict the actual facts baby." He counteracted. "You know for the strong, independent, cute little wolf you are, I'm surprised to know you like that kind of kink." His chest vibrated, when he laughed.

"Please shut up." I laid on his chest, so that he couldn't see the sheepish smile on my face.

~~~~~

"Mia, you sure you can walk?"

"Mmhm."

"Hop on my back, I'll take you down." We were now, trailing down a sloped path. Heading back to the training grounds.

"I'm okay, it's easier going down." I held his hand as he guided me.

Lincoln took me through the trails, he had been walking through the years. He knew the whole forest and mountains at the back of his head.

Gradually, the rocks began to be covered by dried leaves and patches of moss, the trees shaded us from above. You could hear the stream flowing. The ground was more even to walk casually.

I inhaled the scent of wet grass. Lincoln still held on to my hand, it felt like most normal and comforting thing to do when we were together now. Lacing our fingers together, he guided me through the forest.

From a distance you could see a little den, Lincoln halted in his tracks, a small sad smile he wore. "Wanna see something?" I nodded.

Heera sniffed up the surroundings as we neared the den, there was no wild creature nearby. "I used to spend a lot of time here with the boys. We used to climb up the trees, wrestle. Acting like a bunch of crazy pups." He laughed reminiscing his old days. His eyes stopped by the den. I followed his gaze as it took me into the den. There laid a stack of fairly large heavy pebbles resembling a fortress like structure. It was built with many rocks at the bottom and as it neared the tippy top, three rocks held up the largest rock on the top. It was covered in moss and a few mushrooms sprouting out here and there. It wasn't the perfect looking work of art. But by the look in Lincoln's eyes, one could say it was something very special to him.

"Can we go closer?" I asked, wanting to take a picture of the pebble stack.

He simply nodded, before placing his hand over my head so that I wouldn't get hurt by the rough interior of the den.

We had to bend down, as we walked in. Once we neared the little fortress, Lincoln sat on the ground swiftly placing me on his lap. As if it was the most natural thing to do. His large hands began massaging my ankles. I smiled as he kissed me on the shoulder.

"Feel better?"

I sighed laying on him. The last few days, Lincoln has been everything I wished for in a mate. Maybe even more. I knew I was falling for him pretty hard and fast.

I missed this all these years, when I saw Selena with Connor. Mum and dad and every other mated couple you come across. I yearned for it but I hid my feelings to look strong and not take pity from anyone.

However he's here now. This alpha male, intimidating and domineering. Who becomes a huge softie. Just for me. We may have not met at the most ideal time. A pinch of hurt still lingers at the thought of it, but everything that transpired after that proved that he was willing to be with me. He loved me. That was the truth. Lincoln loves me.

I needed to see those green eyes. I turned towards his face, my legs crossed over his lap. He seemed startled by my abrupt movements, but the smile on my face made him relax.

"Baby?" He called, trying to figure out what I was trying to do. His clueless expression, made me giggle. He raised an eye brow in further confusion.

Stop being so cute Lincoln!

"Mia?"

I love you Lincoln.

I bit my lip. Oh goddess I could feel my cheeks heating up. He's right in front of me and I'm lost for words.

"Just kiss, stupid!"

I smacked my lips on his lips, Lincoln took a moment to register my actions before he began kissing me back.

"What was that for?" He asked in a daze.

I shrugged. "I almost forgot what I came in here for."

I crawled off his lap and stopped near the pebble stack.

Looking at it up close, I noticed the carvings on a few rocks at the top. There were names written on it. The bottom three pebbles had, Ty, Ben and Matt written on each. While the largest rock at the top had the name "Linc" carved to it. Exactly how the pack worked.

"You made this?"

"The four of us. When we were about nine." He picked a dried leaf.

I inspected the stack again and Benjamin's name caught my attention.

"Are you alright about what's going to happen to Benjamin?" I asked.

Lincoln took a moment gathering his thoughts. "It's tough, we've grown up together. I thought he was my brother, you know. Believed he would have my back." He drummed his fingers on his knee feeling anxious and looking for the right words. Instinctively I held his fingers to comfort him. He tugged on in an instant, drawing circles on the top of my hand.

"If he had just told me his sister mated a rogue, I would've excepted the guy into the pack. But he didn't want that. Him and his sister wanted more. Money." He shook his head. "He wanted me to get rid of you when he knew you were my mate! That was the last fucking straw." He spat, his eyes almost glistening. I began to wonder if he was angry or sad.

"It's okay Lincoln." I whispered. Holding his large hand between both of mine.

"That's not okay." He gave me an incredulous look. "When he specifically spoke about you like that, I was raging. I wanted to kill him at that very moment." I could understand what he meant since he reacted the same way when Sarah bawled at me from inside the cell. "At that point it wasn't only anger but for the first time... I was afraid." He swallowed.

"I was afraid something would happen to you. Fuck!" He let out a dry laugh. "I'm still scared. I swear upon the moon goddess if anything happens to you Mia, I'll be gone before that."

I slapped his lips shut with my hand. "What are you even saying? It's all in the past. It's over." We shared no bond now, but I felt his pain. Being separated from Lincoln in any form of way is just the most painful imagination.

"You're right! It's in the past." He sighed and stretched his hand to the pebble fortress, gently pulling out the rock with Benjamin's name on it. He made sure the stack still stood firmly, before guiding me out of the den. "Let's get rid of this." He looked at the rock and threw it across the forest. Far far away.

~~~~~

It was a strange feeling walking down the street to make to this coffee shop. I had gotten used to the stares at the hospital and the restaurants we had been to during our nights out. Now that we walked, hands laced together in broad daylight, we had caught quite a lot of attention. Some people couldn't take their eyes off us and a few looked twice before confirming that it was Lincoln and I. I heard murmurs, welcoming smiles and respectful greetings on our way. Lincoln amidst all that attention, walked confidently, responding to the greetings with a nod.

"A double espresso and a medium mocha." Lincoln made the order to the timorous barista. His lips set in a firm line, showing no emotion. With shaky hands the boy kept the cups on the counter for us. I sighed stepping before Lincoln, smiling at the poor boy.

"Thank you so much." I collected the cups.

"You're welcome Luna." He eased. Luna? I had no need to correct him. I think I've made up my mind. My small smile turned into a grin at my thoughts.

"How's your father? Healing?" Lincoln inquired the boy in a strict tone.

"Yes Alpha." He bowed.

"Keep the change." Lincoln took the cups from me as I walked ahead to find a table.

We walked to the patio of the coffee house, and settled on a table which gave us a little privacy from everyone's eyes. We sat opposite each other, Lincoln legs caging mine between his.

"Could you tell Alex to come meet me up at the office after his shift?" Lincoln broke the silence.

I studied his face for a second "please?" I said.

"Huh?" He sipped his coffee looking at me.

"Say please." I gave him a broad smile.

He smirked, "honey can you please ask Alex to come see me?"

"Sure!" I said proudly. He didn't reply, simply getting back to his coffee. I pinched the top of his hand.

"Amelia!" He growled.

"Say thank you!"

"Fuck thank you!" He hissed.

❤️