Page 10

ten

ulgan

T he soft crunch of wood shavings beneath my boots is a familiar sound as I enter my workshop. Woodworking had become a passion of mine in high school, after it’d been recommended to me as a creative outlet by a teacher. Baking is another passion of mine, but there’s something about creating something permanent out of wood that calls to me.

Theo and I built my workshop the summer after high school when we were both bored and needed a way to stay out of trouble. We made plenty of mistakes, but in the end, it was a thing of beauty and something to be proud of.

Cranking the old stereo all the way up, the familiar drum beats of Green Day fill the space as I get to work.

The next few hours fly by as I sand down an oak table and apply a thin coat of stain to bring out the natural beauty. My mother has been in need of a new table for quite some time, and this will look just right at her place.

“Hey, man!” Theo yells from the door to the workshop. He crosses the room and turns down the music. “I figured I’d find you here. The table’s really coming along.”

“The sanding was a pain in the ass, but it thankfully decided to cooperate.”

“So, want to talk about last night?”

“What about?” The part where I almost ripped a fucker’s face off for touching what’s mine, or the part where my dumb ass actually got jealous of my best friend for talking to my mate? There is so much to choose from.

“Don’t play dumb with me. I’ve known you for years and you’ve never so much as raised a hand to anyone, but last night you were ready to beat the shit out of that guy.” Theo’s voice is laced with concern. “Are you okay?”

“It’s definitely not my proudest moment, but the way he was disrespecting her and grabbing her made me see red. Maybe it has something to do with the suppressants I’ve been taking, because I’ve never been so close to snapping before.”

“The suppressants to prevent your mating heat? Are you even supposed to be on them so long? It’s probably been months since you started taking them. Could they be starting to not be effective anymore?” The look of worry on Theo’s face isn’t a shock. Suppressants are supposed to be a temporary fix, not a permanent solution.

I’ve been on the mating heat suppressants since Ada walked into my life. When an orc scents his mate for the first time, it triggers an intense arousal which only goes away when we claim our mates. There is no way I’m going to act like a horn dog around Ada before she’s ready, so the suppressants make it possible to be around her without whipping my cock out.

“I’ll take them for as long as I need to until she feels safe with me. A little discomfort now will be worth it.”

“Not for nothing, but that guy totally deserved what happened to him, or should I say ‘allegedly’ happened to him. No one should force themselves on anyone or use the words he did toward her.”

I can’t help but give a light chuckle as Theo gets himself worked up about what happened to my mate. He’s a good guy, and I’m glad my friend feels protective of her already.

“I had a great time getting to know Ada last night, by the way. She’s got it bad for you, man. You are one lucky son of a bitch to be fated to a woman like her.”

“Yeah, sorry about glaring at you. I know you weren’t making a pass at her, but after seeing that asshole touch her it made my not-so-subtle primal side flare up.”

“No worries, I could have taken you.” The cocky shit leans against the wall of my shop with his feet and arms crossed looking like he doesn’t have a care in the world.

“In your dreams. Without the elf magic you’ve got, you wouldn’t stand a chance.”

“Sure, you keep thinking that. I’ll lull you into a false sense of security and then BAM—you won’t know what hit you.” He balls up his fist and slams it into his other open palm dramatically.

Keep dreaming, elf.

“Seriously though, I’m here if you ever need to talk about this. Just be careful with those suppressants, okay?” The concern is back in Theo’s voice.

“Thanks for looking out for me, man. I really appreciate it.” I pull him in for a quick hug.

Theo leaves shortly after and I’m able to get back to working on the table a bit more.

My phone rings just as I’m about to head back to the apartment to get cleaned up. Rowley, one of the leaders of the pixies that live in Whispering Springs, needs some help putting up his tent for the fall festival. Of course, I’m happy to help, and let him know that I’ll be there in a few minutes after a quick shower.

It’s always been difficult for me to feel like I belong. Helping others around town with small projects makes me feel needed and wanted. It’s a part of me that I’ve been working on in therapy, the part of me that needs to feel wanted by others even if it means overextending myself.

Heading inside to get cleaned up, my mind wanders back to Ada. After stripping off my sweat soaked jeans and shirt, I hop into the shower and allow the warm water to soothe my tired muscles.

Images of my Sunshine in the shower with me bombard my brain. Closing my eyes, I can picture her glorious body, all softness and curves, naked in front of me. My hand wanders down to my now angry cock and I begin to pump back and forth, wishing it was her hand. Loud moans echo around the bathroom as I continue to touch myself, imagining her mouth on me, sucking me deep down her throat. Her hands working my length while those beautiful blue eyes of hers watch me.

I’m close now, and I pump harder. Dream Ada would wrap her legs around my waist, holding onto my shoulders for dear life as I guide my dick into her sweet body. Goddess, I bet her pussy is tight and would feel amazing around my cock.

Suddenly, I’m pulled back to reality as my body explodes and cum shoots onto the shower wall. I have to brace my hand on the wall to keep upright since my legs decide they no longer need to hold me up. My breath is ragged as I come down from my orgasm.

Fuck, I need the real thing. This fantasy was good, but making love to Ada and showing her how much I care for her would be perfection.

I quickly finish up my shower and get dressed so I can help Rowley. My shower took much longer than expected, but damn did it feel good. After making sure my apartment is locked up and Benji is all set at the bakery, I head over to the town square.