Her Very Own Flame

Imagine a beautiful sunny day filled with warmth. Your favorite music that has good vibes blasting throughout the bedroom. All while getting around for the first day of the next college semester. Everythings going perfectly without a problem in sight. It sounds wonderful, right? Well, unfortunately that’s not how mine began. As I rushed around my room, trying my best to gather my things. I wanted nothing more than to have that imagined scene be my reality. Yet, I stupidly did an all nighter with my sister. Why I let her talk me into it, I don’t know. But scolding is for later, I hurriedly put my white hair into a ponytail.

Then I threw my things into my worn down backpack. Suddenly, I hear Christian call for me from downstairs. Grumbling, I mumble to myself, “How is it she’s able to wake up on time like it’s nothing. And I’m here feeling like I’m holding on to dear life.”

Sighing, I run out of my room just as I hear Christian shout, “Alex! Come on or we’re going to be late!”

“I’m here! Good grief!” I reply exasperated while hauling ass down the stairs.

She narrows her hazel eyes at me before turning away. Causing those amber waves to fall from her shoulders to her back. As she walks out the door leaving me hurrying after her, I scream a string of curses in my head. Despite the rough start to the day, the fall air wasn’t too chilly. And getting inside her purple suv, I noticed the sunshine making the varied amber colors of the leaves look beautiful. Yet, I personally felt anything but that. While my sister pulled out of the driveway, I tugged down the sunvisor.

Opening the mirror to see my hair in disarray, I groan. Then I start taking my hair tie out and instead putting my straight hair into a bun. As I pulled littles pieces out in certain spots, I was okay with the way it framed my face now. Unfortunately, the only thing I couldn’t fix were the faint purple bags under my eyes. Sleep deprivation, what a wonderful thing, I remark.

“Quit fussing, Alex. It’s not like anyone will care what you look like,” she said mockingly.

Narrowing my eyes at her, annoyed, I reply, “Not all of us are blessed with perfect appearance like you, Christian. So shut it.”

She chuckles before reaching out to blast the radio. God I hated that with a passion. While covering one of my ears, I pushed the sunvisor up out of the way. Glancing out through the window as we passed by the small downtown area. I reminded myself that I had only a few more minutes left with her. I could survive that. Though the loud music wasn’t enough to deal with. Apparently she felt obligated to start singing at the top of her lungs.

“Okay, that’s it!” I yell while turning the radio off.

“What the hell, Alex!?” She screams at me.

“You don’t need it that loud for starters and two, you definitely shouldn’t be singing,” I answered as I glared at her.

She grimaced before turning the radio back on. I was thankful she at least turned it down slightly. The only thing that didn’t change was her terrible singing along to the radio. Honestly, I didn’t need this rendition of Dierks Bentley, “What was I thinkin”. Grumbling, I try my best to focus on anything else. As we passed over the train tracks and took a left, I’m relieved when I saw the campus. A moment later, she came to a stop in the gravel parking lot. Not wasting another minute, I jumped out. Breathing out a sigh of relief at my new found freedom away from her.

As I walked, the gravel crunched and moved beneath my feet. The whole area was mostly gravel and grass since the town never got around to paving it. Personally, I enjoyed the nature feel to it. While looking at the different buildings, I appreciated the simple compass-like layout. Naturally, the courtyard would be the center of it. With the different kiosks set up, it helped break up the openness of the area.

Otherwise, everything would blur together. Thinking this, my gaze wandered towards the history and art building. Glancing down at my watch, I realize I should get moving. Only fifteen minutes before class started. So, quickening my pace, I watch as other students hurry to their own classes.

Of course, not paying attention to what’s in front of me. I end up running into someone. Grunting from the impact, I rub my forehead where it took the brunt of the hit. Sighing, I refocus. When I saw who it was, butterflies erupted in my stomach. As those familiar navy blue eyes gaze back at me, I’m finding myself lost in them. He grinned when noticing and went to brush his caramel brown hair from his eyes.

“I see you’re still as clueless as ever, Alex,” he says teasingly.

My brows furrow and I’m a little annoyed. Though I decided to not respond and try to step around him. But I should have suspected he wouldn’t let me go. As he closed the small space between us, I gasped when his arms loosely wrapped around my waist. Those familiar sparks erupted within me from his touch. My heart rate went rampant.

While gazing into his beautiful eyes, I murmur nervously, “Nikolai.”

The corner of his lips tug up towards the right. Making me notice their vibrant magenta color that I hadn’t seen most of the summer. As my eyes trail along his straight nose, I’m admiring his clean shaven rounded jawline. After a minute, I realize what I’m doing. Get a hold of yourself, Alex, sheesh, I scold myself. Then shaking my head, I place my hand against his chest. Trying to put distance between us, I push him. Though that turned out unsuccessful and left me sighing in defeat. He smirked amused at my weak attempt causing me to look away.

“Alex, why are you always trying to get away from me?” He teasingly questioned.

Groaning, I glance at him for a moment. “You know the answer to that. Unless you have become dense over the summer, Nik?”

A low growl escaped from him. Startling me, I quickly try to get away again. This time he let me go only for my footing to be lost against the loose gravel. Panic consumed me as I began to fall backwards. As quick as it happened, he put an end to it when catching me by my hand. Swiftly pulling me upright and close to him.

While I tried evening out my breathing, it only made things worse. Because of his timberwood scent, I felt like I was in a daze. Ever since I first smelled it, I’ve always found myself nearly intoxicated by it at times. Sighing from this thought, I hadn’t realized his hand was moving. The next thing I know is he’s tugging my hair free from the bun I had it in.

As it landed by my lower back, he smiled. Then reaching out, he wrapped some of it around his fingers. “No, I haven’t become dense,” he quietly said.

His gaze fixated on that small amount of hair between his fingertips. Swallowing, uncertain of what to do, I meekly grip his wrist. Pulling his hand away from me, I say, “Then you know that you can’t keep doing things like this, Nik. We’re not together.”

Suddenly, his eyes met mine. I knew right then, I shouldn’t have said that. Because in the next second, a growl comes from those mesmerizing full lips. Then he’s placing his hand against the back of my neck. Bringing our faces inches within each other, I try my best to steady my heart rate.

As those familiar sparks coursed through me, I noticed the close proximity of our lips. His mouth slightly parted while he entangled his other hand in my hair. Tightly gripping some of the white strands before he tugged them. Causing my head to tilt just enough where he teasingly brushed his lips against mine.

Closing my eyes, I shamelessly wanted more. Sensing this, he presses against my body before those warm lips are against my throat. Instantly, a small moan escaped me. As my hands fisted his green flannel, he chuckles. Suddenly, Nik steps away leaving me longing for him to come back. When looking at him, he’s grinning pridefully.

“Don’t you ever say you’re not mine, Alex.”

Grimacing, I’m annoyed that he teased me like that. Knowing I wouldn’t be able to help myself against his touch. So, letting out a huff of air, agitated, I retort, “I don’t belong to anyone, Nikolai. Plus,” I pause while placing my hands on my hips. “We’ve never officially been together. Not once have we ever labeled this thing between us.”

His lips form a scowl then closes the distance between us again. He grabs my waist firmly. “I labeled this the moment I staked my claim on you earlier this year.” His voice was laced with demand and intensity as he spoke.

It caused a shiver to occur along my spine. Swallowing, I knew I should probably stop while I’m ahead. However, I never shied away from digging a hole deeper. So, pushing him and not gaining any space.

I decided to say, “See that’s the thing. I never agreed to any of this. It’s always been you declaring that, Nik.”

Silence fell between us. Glancing at my watch, I realize I’m late. Groaning, I look up at him pleadingly. “Nik, I’m late to class. I really need to go.”

Nikolai hesitated for a minute, but released me. As I began to walk away, I’m taken by surprise. Suddenly, I’m being spun around. In the next second his lips meet mine. Those soft, familiar lips move perfectly against my own. Causing me out of instinct to grip his shoulders tightly. Before moving them to wrap around his neck, I brought him closer to me. Deepening the kiss, I was getting more lost in him. But the sound of footsteps broke me from it. Pulling away slightly, I try to catch my breath.

“I need to go,” I say under my breath.

Meeting his gaze, I notice that familiar expression. The one he would always give when he proved a point. Narrowing my eyes, I smack his chest while saying, “This means nothing, Nikolai.”

He laughs. “Of course it does, babe.”

Grumbling, I decide to walk away. It would be pointless to try and argue with him. The only reason I felt this way is because of this bond we apparently share. “Don’t worry, Alex. Professor Clark won’t give you any issues.”

I scoff and look over my shoulder. “How would you know, Nikolai? Not all of us have the privilege of our family owning the majority of the town.” Stopping mid-walk now, I turn towards him. My annoyance rises more. “Unfortunately, I don’t have that, which means I’m not immune to the consequences that result from my actions such as being late!”

Honestly, I didn’t intend to shout that last part. However, I’m upset at this point. He is always living in his own world. Not thinking that his actions may cause someone else to get in trouble. By someone else, I mostly mean me. Sighing, I run my fingers through my hair. Remembering now that he still had my hair tie on top of everything else.

I practically could feel the tears coming to the surface. As my emotions began to overwhelm me, I knew my hair garnered enough attention on its own from being completely white. And with being late, I didn’t need to give more reason for people to gawk in my direction. Wiping the few tears that managed to fall down my face, I’m wanting this day to be over with.

“Babe,” Nikolai calmly starts before pausing to walk over towards me.

I look away even as he brings me into his arms. “You’re my mate. When has there ever been a professor or anyone for that matter, who has ever threatened you with anything? Hmm?” His voice soothing while he gently ran his fingers through my hair.

Letting out a somber sigh, I quietly answer, “You have no idea.”

This caused his body to tense for a moment. Though he sighs before I notice him pull my hair up and place it back in a bun. Now the white hair won’t draw as much attention since people wouldn’t be able to see its actual length. I wanted to get a haircut, but my mother refused to let me. Thinking this, Nikolai softly rubbed his hands along my back.

“If you would tell me, then I would have an idea. But you have to quit fighting me on this. You belong with me and my brother. No one else.”

Shaking my head, I stay quiet. More pressing matters were going on in my head at the moment. I debated for a minute whether I still wanted to go to my philosophy course. The scene of walking in and being scolded played out in my mind. God, why did I have to run into Nikolai on my first day. If it weren’t for him, I would have been on time. Groaning internally, I knew in the end I would be mean to myself later today, if I went home instead.

Before I could decide my next move, he offered, “Here let me walk you to your class.”

I knew refusing would only waste more time. So I nod, then allow him to take my hand in his. Walking alongside him, I peer up for a brief moment. Not seeing Nik all summer had me wanting to observe him. As much as I'd like to deny it, I sort of missed him. Though a part of me tried to point out how I didn't belong with him anyway. Being completely human, he deserved someone who was similar to him and had a wolf.

Not to mention, my dreams were different from his. I longed to be elsewhere. In a place where I could breathe and be free to do what I wished. Unconstrained and not bound by rules outside my control. Sighing, I pushed these thoughts away. Instead I watched the doors we passed before coming to a stop in front of one. Peering through the small glass window on it, I see the professor talking.

Seriously, he was already doing a presentation on day one. Great, I think to myself. As I’m stressing about going in, Nik gently tugs me against him. “Alex, relax. If you want, I can go in first and interrupt.”

Shaking my head, I take a deep breath of his comforting scent. Then peering up, I say, “No, it’s okay. I can do this without your help.”

Stepping out of his embrace, I grab the door handle. Right before I open it, I pray that I won’t be in too much trouble.