Joshua huddled in the corner of the car as the other shifters talked about what they would do once they were home. He was glad they had given up their efforts to converse with him as he wanted to be alone with his thoughts.
The journey to Colorado Springs had taken up most of his energy and his time with Passion in the forest had disturbed his peace of mind. He was no longer a virgin, the she-wolf had seen to that, and he sent her a resentful glance for corrupting him.
No, that wasn't fair of him. Passion had only been doing her job 'rescuing' him from his mother's warped world.
The sex part, well that had been spectacular and he knew that the only reason why he was sulking was because once they had met with her fellow warriors, she had given him the cold shoulder.
He had sought her out when everyone had fallen asleep but she rebuffed his advances, making it perfectly clear that nothing would happen between them again.
She was his only anchor in the whirlwind that was his life, the only person he felt remotely safe with. Now she wanted nothing to do with him.
...
Joshua sighed looking morosely out of the window and Passion wondered if he regretted coming back with her, whether he missed his home.
When he looked at her she saw barely concealed desire and she knew that the reason for his current mood was her. Passion ignored him, returning to the conversation with the others but remembering clearly what had taken place the night before.
She had been burning to jump Joshua's bones since they had escaped and had awaited the night eagerly when they made it to the rendezvous point.
The other wolves had been surprised when they had seen Passion stumble through the thickets bruised and tired but with the new Alpha in tow. Everyone had applauded her success except for Brent and she soon found out why.
"You reek of him." He had snarled pulling her into the bushes away from the others.
He had anger in his eyes and his grip had tensed when she laughed in his face.
"It was so good Brent, an itch that you could never scratch."
Brent had made to slap her but she had dodged his open palm, twisting his arm behind his back.
"You really think an Omega can ever be with an Alpha, you will always be the shit beneath our paws." He pulled away from her angrily and stormed back to camp.
Passion hadn't wanted to listen to him and she told herself repeatedly that sex and mating were two different things. Yet when Joshua came to her that night she had turned away from him, Brent's words quelling her desire.
Now he was giving her and everyone else the silent treatment, although he had every reason to. According to Joshua he had only left the village once.
She smiled at the way he was awed by every little thing. From the tall glass buildings to the cyclist on the road and when they left the car to board the plane, his eyes practically bugged out of his head.
"Passion." He whispered, his earlier anger dissipating into fear. "I'm not so sure about this."
"Its fine Joshua I'll be right here." She said, placing her hand on his arm in reassurance.
"Prissy runt scared of planes." Brent mumbled, knowing very well that their keen hearing could pick out even the barest of whispers. Joshua blushed, his cheeks turning rouge and the tip of his ears red.
Passion led the way into the cabin and made sure that Joshua was strapped in tightly, taking a seat beside him. Instantly he took hold of her hand, linking his fingers with hers. Pushing the bangs out of his eyes he looked around the plane with curiosity.
"You really don't know what these things are do you?" Passion asked, her words laced with sympathy.
Joshua squeezed her hand, a lopsided smile spreading across his face. Passion didn't know what to read in his smile and wondered what he was thinking. He looked around the compartment taking note of what the others were doing then he lowered his head and kissed her.
Passion moaned instantly only just realising how much she relished his touch, but just as quickly as the kiss had come it ended with Joshua pulling back quickly.
"That should tide me over." He winked as the plane took off.
...
During the plane ride back to Oak Falls, Claw had informed Passion that they had had to cremate Zachariah's body.
Tradition dictated that within three days of death, a wolfs body had to return to the earth. It saddened Passion that Joshua would not have the chance to see his father's body but he had taken it surprisingly well.
"I've lived most life having never seen him, I don't think I'm missing out on much." He had said.
Now they were back in Oak Falls and Joshua missing out on seeing his father was the least of her worries.
Passion groaned in embarrassment as Joshua physically lifted her up and placed her firmly at his side.
They had arrived in Oak Falls two hours ago and in that time the whole shifter community had arrived with banners and party horns with baked goods in abundance.
Where was he supposed to put all the cookies and pies, in his pockets? Passion frowned as another shifter sneered, their eyes firmly rooted at where Joshua had his hand on her hip. Smiling helplessly Passion edged away making quick introductions so that she could dump him off at Oaken house and be on her surly way.
"Joshua, I remember when you were a little boy, so good to see you." Said Lena Cartwright, an elderly wolf with cataracts in her left eye.
Joshua smiled politely and shook her hand wincing when she bowed her head and rested her forehead on his knuckles.
"Always a pleasure." Purred Tina, the local siren whose closet comprised of tight red dresses, leather jeans and halter tops that halted nothing.
Passion got a whiff of pheromones and knew that Tina was in heat, slyly Passion watched Joshua to see if he noticed anything. His eyes darkened and he leant towards Tina, before pulling back sharply his eyes quickly clearing.
Wow, Passion had never seen anything like that. Most males would be salivating over Tina and when she was on estrus all unmated wolves would be baying at her feet, mangling each other to gain her affections. It took great discipline to ignore estrus. Joshua extracted his hand from Tina's death grip her red nails leaving deep marks on his skin.
"And the couple over there are your aunt and uncle." Passion said, escorting him or vice versa to the awaiting shifters.
Claw could be intimidating at times and damn right scary at most and today was no exception. He and Joshua stood at the same height, where Claw had cut his hair closely to his scalp Joshua's was long, where Claw was overly built Joshua was lithe yet muscular and the most obvious of differences were their eyes.
"You are definitely Zachariah's son." Claw said pulling Joshua into a tight hug and for the first time Passion saw Claw's eyes shine with unshed tears.
Marley, Claw's wife, also pulled Joshua into a warm embrace. It was quite a feat since Marley was an inch shorter than Passion's five foot three. But the small woman was able to pull him down with a quick affectionate kiss to his cheek.
"Come come lets get you settled in the house." Marley's chimed, moving with such energy Passion felt this overwhelming urge to pounce on her.
