"Kuri!" Jake leapt in thought the window.
One look at her and he had a big sappy grin on his face.
Kuri laughed at his expression. "Lemme guess you're the Big Bad Wolf."
Jake growled in response, making Kuri laugh again.
Suddenly he paused and sniffed the air. "Leeches. Stay here Kuri."
"No Jake." Kuri said. "This isn't about us. This is Reiko's family and we can't hurt them. Alice is here about Jakeward."
Jake growled again, only this time there was no humor in it. "Don't you get it?! You're my world! I have to protect you from the leeches...even from Reiko, now that she is one!"
Kuri clenched her fists. "You can't expect me to abandon my sister!"
Jake backed away. "I still can't believe you imprinted on her! You and I are supposed to...to..."
His words died in a face full of hurt.
Kuri touched his shoulder. "Jake you broke the imprint. It almost killed her. And then Alice came just now and she remembered Jakeward, and she was able to cling on to her life. I almost lost her once. I am not going to lose her again."
"So what happens now?" Jake demanded.
"I say goodbye. She's made her choice; she's going to him now. I say goodbye and I join you. She's made her choice and I've made mine." Kuri said. "I'll prove it to you. When I finish my goodbye I'll look up at you from the doorway. Then you'll understand."
Xxx
Kuri descended the stairs and interrupted the conversation between Alice and Reiko.
"Let me say goodbye." Kuri said.
Alice nodded and went outside.
Kuri pulled her sister into a hug. "Nothing has ever been more beloved, more joyful, then taking care of you. But now I want you to find your happy ending."
"And you find yours. He's waiting up there for you. Jake's been crazy for you ever since you met. He loves you. Be good to him." Reiko said.
"Don't bite anyone." Kuri giggled. "Goodbye."
She looked up at Jake, and he realized with a start that her mark had filled in and around it were howling wolves, that looked very familiar.
He blushed.
His Wolf Priestess.
Xxx
The two were walking out to the huge old tree for a picnic. It was next to a waterfall and little pond. It was their spot.
"So," Jake grinned. "You like wolves?"
Kuri caught on. They were continuing their conversation from earlier.
"I like wolves." Kuri grinned. "You…you're warmer. Your heart beats faster. Especially when I'm in your arms."
Jake kissed her. "Because you…" Forehead kiss. "Are my world."
"Mm." Kuri put her forehead to his, her hand on his heart. "Your racing heart, the way your breath catches when I say your name, your rising heat, that…h-heady scent…coming form your body…" Her face reddened sweetly and she whispered, "The…the smell of sex…" She stroked his cheek.
Jacob touched her cheek. "I have always seen you like this. Even before…I wouldn't have it any other way. I—I smell like sex all the time, cuz I constantly have to keep from jumping you! You do things that just make me want you!"
Kuri smiled patiently, and then put her fingers to his lips. "I have a request."
"Name it." Jake bit her finger.
"Can I meet your beast?" Kuri asked coyly.
Jacob let go. "I-I don't want to scare you…like before…if I phase it'll just freak you out."
"I'll be fine." Kuri assured him.
"H-How can you be so…accepting?" Jake demanded.
Kuri looked up at him shyly. "I haven't met him yet. Wolf Jacob. But…I'm sure we will meet soon. And I can tell him how I feel about my sweet Jacob. Think he will listen?"
"Y-Yeah…" Jake stuttered. "I'm sure he would, but…you really want to do that?"
Kuri took his hands and guided him away from the food and waterfall, where it was clear of trees. She looked up at him. "You're gonna have to have just a little bit of faith in me, ok?" She backed up and looked at him with a serious face. "Ok. Ready."
Jake rolled his eyes and shifted.
Kuri flinched. "D-Don't roll your eyes ever again."
His head drooped. He was always hurting her.
"Jake." Kuri smiled. "I'm ok."
Kuri came closer. Jake felt surprisingly shy.
Then she was holding him and kissing his head. A warmth of acceptance filled his soul.
I'm sorry. Jake said, and then licked her.
Kuri hugged him and whispered in his ear. "I love my Jacob so so much. Wolfy Jacob is the most magnificent and fine wolf in all the wilds. I love the russet color of your fur, your frankincense smell, the soft trembling when I say your name…the warmth, the magic, the heady smell of sex that still comes off you…even like this. You are wise. You are important. You are loved."
Jake bark-laughed at his tail, which was wagging. He growled low at her. You keep saying things like that, and I'm gonna pounce on you.
After a moment, Kuri grinned invitingly. Jake lunged, phasing back in the same instant, and the two fell in a tangle of limbs. For a while they wrestled, and when it came down to it, the final "act" was splendid and beautiful, completely sating the fire burning inside him.
After cleaning up in the spring, and getting dressed—Kuri was sexily wearing his shirt, which Jake loved—they made their way to a wonderful vengeance against the hated Alpha, Sam Uley.