Connor slowed his pace as he pulled his hood up to shield his head from the rain. He smiled to himself as the wind swept past him; he loved this weather. The gloomy, damp atmosphere was enjoyable on his morning run. He savored this moment of each day. He took this time to mentally prepare himself for the day ahead.
Connor slowed his pace and stopped as he neared the old Victorian house. It was a great home, nestled close to the edge of the woods, with a large wrap around porch. It was a beautiful, but the condition was terrible. The paint was peeling, some of the fascia boards were rotted by the moisture. The home rested on the only piece of the woods that his family didn't own. Connor had plans to contact the owner and buy the old property when he found someone to share it with, but alas, his luck in that department failed him.
There wasn't anything wrong with him, and he didn't lack admirers. Women couldn't help but throw themselves at him. At 32, he was fairly tall, about 6'2. He was lean, yet very muscular, and his warm, light brown eyes provided little contrast to his brown hair that he kept short. His face was chiseled to perfection, along with just about every other part of his body.
He kept himself immersed in his business, running his construction company. Connor would know when he found the right woman, but he wished he wouldn't have to wait too much longer. He was starting to grow impatient and he longed to share his life with someone.
Connor's thoughts were interrupted as he noticed a car parked in the driveway. He looked back to the house and he couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment. He wondered who decided to move into the house. Was this going to be a problem? It had been vacant for so many years. He was about to start back on his run when he glanced up and saw the window open. A scent enveloped his nostrils and he immediately froze.
~~~~~~~
The sound of the rain hitting the windows and the wind rustling through the trees was the closest experience to heaven that Fall morning. Audra stretched out her body across her bed. It was such a great idea to move here, she thought to herself. It really was a blessing her Grandmother had left her this house in her will. No one even knew she still owned this property; she kept this little gem a secret for all those years.
Audra had just quit her thankless job at a company she had worked with since she graduated from college. At 28, she felt like she had thrown the best years of her life away; living in a place that didn't feel like home, while doing a job she despised. She had needed a new start, and luckily for her, her grandma just happened to leave her an out in her will.
Audra kicked the covers off her body and walked across the room to the window. She opened the window and leaned out to smell the rain and feel it fall softly on her face. She opened her eyes and glanced over her property. She saw a man standing there on the road, staring at her. They both froze, staring at each other for what seemed like hours, but in reality was only a moment. Audra felt her body flush in reaction to the gorgeous guy staring at her. She broke their gaze and took a step back from the window. Deep breaths, Audra.. She thought to herself.
~~~~~~~
Connor watched as the woman disappeared back into the room. It couldn't be.. He thought to himself. That would just be too lucky. He felt the wolf inside him stir. His wolf recognized something in this woman and he knew he had to meet her. He knew the pull he felt toward her meant something. It didn't hurt that she was gorgeous. His body was drawn toward the house but he forced himself to turn around and he took off into a sprint back toward his home. He needed to speak with his family, they would know what to do.
~~~~~~~
Audra composed herself and stepped back toward the window. Should I wave? She thought to herself. Say hello? Audra leaned out of the window again, but to her surprise, he had vanished. She stepped back again, confused. She shut the window and walked into her bathroom to see if maybe her appearance scared him off.
She glanced in the mirror.. Sure she had a mild case of bed head, but that was to be expected at 6:00 in the morning. She studied her features in the mirror.
Audra was about 5'5 and she had beautiful, long, dark brown hair with green eyes that changed hue with the season. On this fall morning, they were a pale green. Audra was fairly petite, but toned. She loved to keep herself active and enjoy the outdoors. It seemed like Oregon was the perfect place to do just that. Audra pulled at an unruly strand of her hair and pulled her hair up into a ponytail.
She shivered slightly as crossed her bedroom to make her bed. She had plenty to do. She needed to finish unpacking her boxes that were downstairs, and put everything in order. She slipped on a pair of sweatpants and thermal before heading down.
~~~~~~~
The door opened and Connor rushed past, before Graham had a chance to invite him inside.
"Well good morning to you, too." Graham said groggily as he scratched his head. Graham was particularly surprised at Connor's abrupt visit. His older brother had always used him as a sounding board when he had a problem, but he never showed up at the crack of dawn in such an excited state. Graham felt good to be so useful to his older brother, who was the Alpha of their pack. For a 26 year old guy, Graham proved to be insightful and dependable, and he knew his brother respected that.
Graham looked at his brother, pacing in his living room. He was usually so calm and collected.. What was bothering him? He curiosity couldn't wait for Connor to explain in his own time.
"So what's the problem? Work related? Pack related?"
"I.. I.. Think I found her.." Connor said slowly as he sat down on the couch and buried his head in his hands. Finding his mate was something he had always hoped for, but now he didn't know how to handle it. His wolf wanted her now, but Connor couldn't risk terrifying her. He had to proceed carefully.
"You what...?! Where?! Who is she?!" Graham could barely keep himself calm. His older brother had been waiting more than a hundred years for this moment.
"The old empty house at the edge of the woods. Apparently she is staying there." Connor replied in disbelief. He didn't even know this woman, but his heart ached for her.
"And you what..? Just happened to run into her on your morning jog? I don't know anyone who enjoys such early hours besides you."
"I stopped to look at the house, and then she opened the upstairs window and leaned out to feel the rain on her face. It was beautiful," Connor explained slowly. "She saw me, and we held each other's gaze for a moment, but then she quickly stepped back inside. I could feel my wolf getting anxious, so I had to get out of there."
Graham couldn't believe his ears. "You found your mate, and then left her there? Wow man.. You must be going nuts right now."
