My Lycan Mate of Suicide Forest

Chapter 107 - Leaving

"You're leaving right now?" August scrambled up out of bed where she had been lying with her sketchbook, drafting out ideas for the woodland sculptures she planned on introducing to the pups tomorrow.

"It's sudden, I know," he groaned. "I'm sorry. This is probably the best chance I will get to speak with Penelope. It could clear up a lot of questions we have."

"No, it's okay. It's just unexpected," she said quickly. She padded over to where he was pulling clothes from his closet and throwing them into a bag.

"I don't want to leave," he paused his packing to let his thoughts run over all of it again. This was not ideal, but he knew it must be done. He had to reach out to Penelope and find out what, if anything, she knew about this map. She may also be able to give him some insight into what was going on with August since she was working with Eliade.

He turned to August with an apology in his eyes. "I don't want you to leave either," she said with a soft smile, "but everything will be okay. If this is the opportunity you need, then you need to take it. This is all going to come together somehow."

Rather than answer, he pulled her by the hand until she was against him. Her arms naturally found their way around him as he held her there, tucked under his chin where she was safe. He sighed and ran a hand over her hair. Why couldn't she just stay tucked against him, safe like this, all the time? He feared he was destined to fail, destined to lose her like he had lost so many others.

"Stop with those thoughts, Bun," she muttered against his chest, and he chuckled. "I can feel it. Stop. Everything is going to work out. You have to trust me."

"I trust you, Little Red. I trust you. It's just everyone else I don't trust," he mumbled above her.

"There are people worthy of your trust. Just start there," she said.

He sighed. "I have to get going. I hate how rushed this is, but they will be out of the Grimm soon, and I need to make sure I catch up to them before they leave."

"Okay," she replied and reluctantly pulled away from him. "I wish I could see you in action—running through the woods." A smile bloomed on her face imagining it.

"One day, Moon," he smirked. "I'll take you to Sam and Greta's before leaving. They already know what's going on. It will be safer than staying here alone. Is that alright?" his voice was gentle and searching as his eyes danced across her face.

"Of course. Greta and I can braid each other's hair, watch romantic comedies, catch up on pack gossip," she grinned.

"I would like to see that," he chuckled.

"How long will you be gone? A few days?" she guessed.

"It could be more like four or five," he replied, his eyebrows pinching together as he grabbed the bag.

"Oh," her eyes went wide. "Just to talk with Penelope?"

"There are a few other things they are having me do while I'm gone," he replied vaguely. He still couldn't bring himself to tell her about her mother. She would worry, and he couldn't do that to her right now. He would tell her eventually after everything died down.

As if sensing his thoughts, she tugged lightly on his shirt. "Is it anything I should worry about? Will you be okay?" She swallowed hard, pushing down her own anxious thoughts that had started to creep up. He wasn't being sent into a trap of some kind was he? Could she trust this mission that he was on? "Maybe I could come with you?"

"To Eliade, my love?" he asked, an amused smile spreading over his features. "I will be okay. I'm not just a cute and cuddly wolf, remember?"

August squinted as if she was trying to remember such a thing. "I guess I've only seen the cuddly version who likes belly rubs," she smirked.

"I wish we had time for a belly rub right now," he growled lightly and pulled her in to a kiss. With the thought that they would be separated now for several days, the kiss quickly turned deeper until all that existed was the places where they aligned and that silky, delicious warmth where they could enter and become entangled.

Graeme pulled back reluctantly. "I have to go," he whispered against her lips with his hands tangled in her hair.

"I know," she sighed and ran her hands down his chest, feeling the rigid curves and angles that were sculpted so perfectly under his shirt. "What are these muscles called?" she asked as her hands spread and ran along his sides, following the way they angled from his ribs down toward his stomach. An image of how those long, solid parts of him flexed as he twisted and moved over her flashed in her mind—how his power was used so delicately with her in those intimate moments.

"Obliques," he muttered, shivering under her touch. "Are you trying to get me to stay?" he groaned.

"Will it work if I am?" her mouth curved into a smile.

"Yes," he replied without hesitation, and she could see the grimace that meant he was trying to control himself.

"Oh dear. I better behave then," she laughed softly against him and backed away, taking her soft warmth with her.

He watched her without moving, a shimmering regret in his eyes that he had to leave, and she felt it tug on her—luring her back toward him so that they could remain safe and together, though she didn't follow. She cleared her throat and made herself look away, lest she use that sway over him to get him to stay.

"Can Greta just come get me later? I have to make sure I have everything for the pups tomorrow, and I should probably pack a bag, too," she said, scanning the room—looking everywhere but at the man who was her magnetic north, pulling her always to him.

"No," he answered. "Let me see you safely there.. I'll wait."