Finding My Pack (26 page)

  "You make it sound like a good thing, my condition I mean."

  His head rocks back in shock. "You don't think it is? Kitten, the type of eidetic memory you talked about last night, has never been demonstrated to exist. Normally only children between the ages of two and six have it, and the percent rate is between two and ten percent for that age group. If it's not found and nurtured, most times it fades completely. Even with all the research that has been done, the ability to glance at something once, say a page in a book, and be able to recall every detail of it, has been ruled a complete myth."

  I wonder how Finn knows all of that. I tried to do my own research on my condition but had a hard time finding anything. "So you're saying that I'm a freak then?"

  He shakes his head. "No, what I am saying, is that you have been given a truly unique gift and ability Kitten. It's not something to be ashamed of, it's something you should feel honored to have. Scientist and scholars of the world would die to be able to do what you can."

  Huh? Smart people envy me, who'd of thunk it? "Does that include you, Finn?" I ask, truly curious.

  He turns and smiles at me. "Of course I would love to have your level of eidetic memory Kitten. However, I don't honestly have the need. I can learn anything I'd like, no matter how long it may take me. I've lived for hundreds of years and I'll continue to live for many more. If I had your ability, I could have already read every book in the world, then what would I do?" He says the last part playfully and I laugh, making him smile.

  "So do you feel the same about your ability to shift into a wolf?"

  Enough time passes that I think he isn't going to answer me. Then he does. "I've had many different feelings about being a werewolf at different times. When I was changed, I was afraid. All we had back then were stories that were told at meal times of dangerous beasts of myth. Kellan and I have always been close. As close as twins can be, our father was the doctor of our day for our village and Kellan was his pupil. When I was bitten, Kellan hid me from everyone else until I was healed and under control. If he'd taken me back to the village, as was custom back then, I would have been put out of my misery, and that was before they even knew I changed form." He shakes his head and he snorts derisively.

  "Even to this day, what people can't understand, scares them and makes them do crazy things. Back then it was worse. So after being afraid I had guilt because Kellan wanted me to change him as well. He said that we did everything together, no matter what. Kellan tried to make me feel better after, saying he liked turning into a wolf. After the guilt, came the grief at having to watch everyone I ever knew die from afar. We didn't age like we should have, and eventually had to leave our family and village, in Ireland. I felt helplessness when Kellan and I had to keep traveling, never being able to get close to anyone or stay too long in one place.

   The first time I felt acceptance is when Remington and Ash found us. Then we weren't alone, we weren't the only ones with this curse. Remington is the one who taught me to accept this as a gift, to see that I am special, not a freak. We became a pack, we had a family again. Then, and now, I am happy" He finishes, as we pull into the parking lot of the rink.

I take Finn's hand in mine, squeezing. "Thank you for telling me that Finn. I'm sorry for what you went through, but I'm not sorry it happened. I would never have had the chance to know you if it hadn't." I lean over and kiss his lips lightly.

  "What was that for?" Finn asks, sounding confused.

  "Because I'd think you were special even if you weren't a werewolf." I hop out of the truck and cross the lot, stepping into work.

........

  The day goes by quickly. The kids today were of the 'spoiled and didn't want to be up this early' variety. I had tried to make it as fun as possible, even though one of the mothers tested my patience to the brink. For every instruction I'd give, she'd shout it twice more at the top of her lungs. Thankfully, Finn had stepped in and engaged her in conversation.

  I didn't see Adam or the rest of them today either, which was a feat itself, considering I saw the hockey team gearing up for practice as we left. I know he was here, but he didn't seek me out like usual. Finn had also helped me with my jumps today, explaining the science behind them, and I went higher than I ever had. My smart boy knows just how to get to me.

When we arrived home, Tristan had made us both snack platters with French bread, fruit, and cheese for us to take with us to the library room. I had eaten most of mine before we even got there. Finn was nice enough to share his with me and I promised him all the candy bars he wanted for being so sweet. I love watching the crest of his cheeks tint.

........

  "Just one more Kitten." Finn instructs.

  "But I don't want to, I've been taking these tests for hours, my braid is short circuiting," I whine, because, yes, I apparently do that now.

He frowns. "You mean brain? You said braid."

  "SEE! Short circuiting over here." I wave my hands in the air drastically for effect. I try not to laugh at my own joke, but he must see it anyway.

  "Nice try Kitten, just finish this last one. I told you that I need to get a better idea of where you're at, academically speaking. If I'm to teach you, I must know what to teach."

"Fine," I grumble, taking his test.

  When I'm finally done, I go the pillow area in the library and fall flat on my face. Finn laughs at me from his spot at the table, grading my work.

  "I think we should bring Jace in here," I call to him.

  He doesn't look up from my papers. "What do you mean? Bring him in here? For what?"

Oh, he's making this too easy. "To lay on, he's comfy, you should try laying on him."

Finn's head snaps up and he looks at me like I'm crazy. I try to keep a blank face, not giving the joke away. His eyes narrow, he's thinking. "You named that mammoth sized bear 'Jace' didn't you?" He asks.

I pout. "You don't let me have any fun. Yes I named him Big Jace that way, the person Jace, is Little Jace, he'll hate that."

Finn throws his head back and laughs. "You're good Kitten. Mean, but good." I thought I was pretty good with that one too.

"So what do you think? He'd be good to lean up against as we read, right?"

  "I think that's a grand idea. Would you like to read now?" He asks.

  I bite my lip, hoping he won't hate me for what I'm about to ask. "I do but...do you think that you would like to....change into wolf form again?"

Finn sets his pen down, scoots back his chair and kneels next to me. "You want me to? It doesn't make you uncomfortable or feel odd?" He asks.

  "Not at all, did you forget about our tag game? I like your wolf, all of them. I know you're not my pet anymore, but I'd still like to see my Mr. Wolf sometimes. Is that okay?" I haven't seen any of the guys in wolf form since we played in the yard and I don't know why.

Finn reaches out and strokes my hair, freeing it of the tie holding it up. "It's more than okay, we thought you might feel awkward seeing us walking around like that. To be honest, that's how we spent most of our time at home before you came here. Not being able to change has made some of the others a little antsy."

I frown at him. "You guys don't have to stay human for me, I like the wolves. I haven't deluded myself into thinking that you're all just a bunch of teenagers, Finn. Give me more credit than that." I'm a little offended that they didn't think I could handle it.

  "I'll let the rest of them know." He smiles at me. "You're a remarkable young woman, you know that?"

  "That's what I hear," I say back. I roll to my back and look up at him. He's so sweet and nice and smart. I really like Finn. I like him a lot. "Kiss me, Finn," I say, hoping I'm not being too forward with this shy boy.

  He needs no further prodding though, he moves to lay beside me on his side. One of his hands is in my hair as his lips kiss my forehead. He drags his perfect pouty lips down my cheek, to the corner of my mouth, my own lips part at the sensations he's creating. He moves over and nips at my bottom lip dragging it through his teeth. God that felt good. He then does the same to my top one.

"Finn..." I say breathlessly. He finally covers my mouth with his own, pressing firmly. His tongue snakes out and licks my lips, tasting them. He massages my tongue with his and the rest of the world fades to nothing. I bring both of my hands to his head, running them through his silky black locks. I love his hair.

Finn groans in pleasure when I run my nails over his scalp and his hand goes to my outer thigh, pulling it over his leg. I purr as soon as my center has contact. Our kiss heats up in intensity and soon, Finn has rolled on top of me, giving me the 'more' that I didn't know I needed. I run one hand down his back, determined to find skin. I need to touch his bare skin like my life depends on it. When I reach the end of his shirt, I find...pants. I let out a growl of frustration, my tongue not leaving his mouth, my hand pulling his hair hard as I yank at the shirt that dares to defy me at this moment.

  Finn growls loudly, my chest vibrating with the sound, his mouth pressing harder to mine. That only spurs me on more. I have the shirt untucked, but it's not enough. I regretfully let go of his hair, bringing both hands to his chest and shoving. Finn backs off immediately, sitting back on his knees with a confused expression, panting for air. I lean forward and grab where the buttons meet and pull them apart. Buttons fly as the shirt parts down the center.

SKIN! Beautiful, glorious, skin. I can't keep my hands off his chest for another moment. My fingers run over his collarbones, down to his lightly defined pecs, circling his tiny excuses for nipples and down to his abs. I see that his pants are tented in the front and something about seeing that, drives me crazy. My fingernails dig into his stomach and he growls again. I like that sound. Finn throws his head back as I do it again. I bring my hands up to his chest and his mint green eyes lock on mine as I scratch down his chest to his stomach.

Holy crap! He looks like he wants to eat me. My body melts at his sexy reaction. Finn grabs both of hands and throws them to the side, his chest crashing into mine, pushing me back down. His mouth is hungry and as I let him devour me my hand goes back to his luscious hair. Just as I dig into his back with my other hand and pull his at his hair, causing Finns hips to surge into me, making me cry out...... I hear Tristan.

"Shit...." He whispers. Finn's head comes up and snaps to Tristan.

"What are you doing in here?" He growls, making me moan at his chest vibrating on mine. Thankfully, he backs off and stands. I knew we should have stopped when I first heard Tristan but...I couldn't, I'm happy he still had some control.

"I was just bringing you more snacks. When Remy said to teach her, I don't think this is what he meant." I sit up, composing myself. Tristan has a smirk on his face, but he looks a little flustered himself. What has me blinking at him, is the fact that he's sitting on the table, Indian style, the snacks long forgotten.

"How long have you been there?" I ask.

  Tristan looks to me, his chocolate colored eyes swirling. "I got here right before Kitten let her claws out."

I bring both hands to my face, trying to hide. Tristan chuckled and I sense him move closer. "Don't be embarrassed Sweetie, that was hot as hell to watch. I wasn't trying to be a total perv, it's just.....you're my girl too, and I couldn't walk away from seeing you like that."

Tristan turns to Finn, who gives up on trying to button a shirt with no buttons. "Sorry man."

  "I don't mind, I only care if you embarrassed Kitten." He raises an eyebrow in question at me.

  "I'm fine, as long as he's not laughing at me."

  "I would never laugh at what I just saw. My girl was being sexy. I'm jealous that it was Finn on the receiving end of it." Tristan tells me.

I look into his eyes, seeing the truth in them. He's not laughing at me. "You're not mad at him?" I ask Finn.